celebrate every day . . .

Celebrate!

Every day is a special occasion!

Life has been stressful, busy, and ever changing.  What's new - right?

Life has also been amazing, full of happy, and a blessing.

Life is like that I guess.

I am making time to create and play everyday.  I need that.  I think we all need that!

What you think, you become.

What you feel, you attract.

What you imagine, you create.

~ Buddha

permission slip . . .

Doodle!

Celebrate!

Give your self permission to . . . .

BE YOURSELF!

 

fun . . . happy . . . wonky . . . flowers.

I joined an art workshop through Tricia Robinson last week.

As always I needed something to spark my creativity.  I get so busy with work and my mom and life in general that a don't take time for me and the things I love to do.

I am out of my comfort zone when it comes to painting . . . but Tricia makes it so much fun.  The point isn't to make it perfect . . . it is to just make it and have fun!  

I had so much fun I signed up for her monthly "God Made Girl".  I have a feeling it is going to be very good for me.  Quite a difference from my zombie/monster dolls . . . but I have a feeling and hope it will all work together eventually.  I found a cute button last night while I was going through some "stuff" . . . and had an idea about a "wonky" monster doll. 

Let the fun begin!

 

just because . . .

"I am learning to find JOY

right here in the mess of things."

                                                ~ mhn

I am pretty sure I was the cause of this stain on the driveway.  I get a little

sloppy sometimes when I am having fun with a project.  

Then I hate that there are stains on the driveway.

Oh well . . . I will go with a fun project any day . . . and the stain turned out to be fun also

Richard sent me this the other day . . . just because!

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Another rainy day

Flowers blooming everywhere

Logan giggling like only a one year old can giggle

Richard seeing the face in this stain . . . 

doodling . . . sewing . . . reading

Schitt's Creek . . . I love shows that make me both laugh and cry

The creative mess that is still going strong in my house

. . . and not letting that mess bother me

Being able to stay in touch with my family and friends through this "lock down"

My orchid is getting ready to bloom

pluviophile . . .

"I know the rain is cold my dear, 

but dance in it a little while you wait for the sun."

                                                                     ~ a.j.lawless

Yesterday was a tough day for me.  I try to deny that I have tough days . . . because I think
I need to be strong all of the time, but how unrealistic is that? Today was much better.  Maybe I just needed some rain to wash everything away . . . and start fresh.  I was driving later in the day and it seemed like I haven't seen the sky look so blue in quite some time . . . and oh the magnificent clouds.  The sun was shining on the back of them . . . it was one of those moments when you feel that heaven is just beyond those clouds.  Our world is full of magic if we just take the time to notice.

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Walking in the rain

Talking with Lily . . . how this girl get me.  :)

Getting Easter stuff ready for my grandkids

Laughing with my mom

Getting packages ready to mail

Praying!
Mother Nature

just breath . . .

I was all over the place today.  My intention was to work on the pair of jeans 

that I started patching, but then decided to send for some specific thread to do that.  

That thread will be here on Thursday. (I love Amazon prime!)

     Brent called and they could not find the heating pads that I made them - so I moved on to sewing some for them.  They are simple - filled with rice and can be heated in the microwave or put in the freezer to cool.  I took a couple over to Brent and Ashley

. . . then came home and cut out and stitched a few more 

Then realized that the rice I use to put in them had dwindled down to almost nothing because Avery had come over to "play with rice" (She loves sensory activities.) 

. . . I then worked on a couple of dolls that I  started ages ago.

I watched some online art classes that I signed up for . . . 

. . . and tonight I am playing in my art journal

Yesterday my house was clean and pulled together and today there is stuff everywhere.

God how I love a creative mess!

Being home this past couple of weeks has made me realize that I am not quite ready to retire 

and that it also would be wonderful to retire.  

So for now . . . I am just trying to making the best of a unique situation. 

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Sunny and WARM!

Participating in a walk/drive by birthday party

A husband who can make and fix about anything . . . with extra time on his hands.

That same husband . . . making and fixing things.

Praying

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

~ John 14:27

Birthday Doodles . . .

Since I am working from home, I brought home my desk calendar from work . . .

. . . daily doodles are a good part of my day.

Birthday Doodles for Avery!

Be . . .

I found this on my desk after I came back from lunch.

My friend Jessica gets me . . . and this note made a huge difference in my day.
Find your joy for today!
BE HAPPY!

BE HAPPY

"Be happy in the moment, 

that's enough.

Each moment is all we need, not more."

                                                                                   ~ Mother Teresa

This is one of my favorite pictures from Avery's birthday.   

Be Happy!  

It may not always be that simple . . . 

Be happy anyway!

a butterfly and some ornaments . . .

There was a very unique butterfly in my yard this week.

One of a kind . . . very colorful . . . and prettier than any butterfly I have ever seen. 

I think this is the beginning of what is going to be my Bohemian Christmas tree this year. 

 I have a lot of pom poms to make . . . and ideas for other ornaments . . . and a week to get enough done to fill up a good sized tree.  Wish me luck.

I am going to use these God's Eyes, pom poms. some painted sticks, tassels, paper cranes (because I have a lot of them).  Any other ideas are welcome. 

I should have taken a picture of bits of yarn all over my floor . . . it's only going to get worse.  

4th graders make me happy . . .

Every year I fold origami cranes with the 4th graders at the school where I work.

Every year I enjoy it a little bit more.  I think 4th graders are wonderful!

You can see more of their paper cranes here.  I started my paper crane project a few years ago . . . not intending for it to take me so long - but I am still at it. I am pretty sure I have folded over 1000 cranes outside of the ones I have folded for my project . . . and usually after I do this with the 4th graders - some of the kids go "crane crazy" for awhile . . . so I will probably be sitting with some of them at lunch recess folding more.  

Spring Break . . .

 Spring Break meant a week off from work.  It also meant dying Easter eggs, going to the park, planting, painting flower pots, and holding babies.  

The days spent with my granddaughters are the best days.  Throw in some beautiful Spring weather and I have come to believe . . . that life doesn't get any better!

"Just living is not enough . . . 

one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

~ Hans Christian Andersen

Happy Spring!

National Pig Day . . . .

I received this fun little package in the mail just in time for National Pig Day.

Thank you to Lorraine (Paper Vernissage) for the wonderful surprise . . . this little beaded pig is adorable.  I was completely unaware of National Pig day until 5 years ago when I happened upon Lorraine's  Pigs on Parade challenge.  This package also arrived on a day when I needed a smile!

Thank you Lorraine for the happy mail, the smile, and how you always inspire me. 

Christmas Spirit . . .

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer,

 is singing loud for all to hear."

~ Buddy the Elf

 I haven't posted my skeleton and elf photos here for a few days . . . 

I also update them daily on 

Facebook, Instagram, and a separate page - Skeleton and Elf

A bit much?  Yeah - but fun for me and I have different people who follow 

the shenanigans of Skeleton & Elf on different sites.   

I've decided that they really do have their own way of showing some Christmas Spirit . . . because no matter what Skeleton dishes out . . . no matter what he does . . . that little Christmas Elf just keeps on smiling.  There is no getting rid of his Joy . . . and he remains happy and enjoys the holiday season - every day of it.  So . . . when you find yourself tired and cranky and maybe a little stressed from shopping or whatever else the holidays have you doing . . . just remember Elf.  

Remember to smile, be patient and kind to everyone you encounter, be filled with JOY . . . 

Believe in the MAGIC and be filled with Christmas Spirit!  

If you just can't figure how to do that . . . then work at it!  Put on some Christmas music, sing along,  attend a children's holiday performance, watch your favorite holiday movie, help someone less fortunate than you, drink some eggnog, smile . . . better yet laugh, bake some cookies, eat some cookies, wear a Santa hat, have your picture taken with Santa, take a small child to look at Christmas lights and watch their excitement . . . then get that excited yourself.  Most of all . . . remember why we celebrate this season! 

close your eyes and make a wish . . . .

I am constantly amazed by this little girl . . . and fall in love with everything about her every day!

We were playing when all of a sudden she stopped and closed her eyes.  I asked what she was doing . . . and she told me that she was making a wish.  

She would not tell me what the wish was . . . If she only knew how many wishes I make for her.

Sometimes your wishes come true . . . just wait!

feeling excited!

Life is not measured by the breaths you take,

but by the moments that take your breath away.

Happy Friday . . .

Life is interesting these days . . . to say the least!

I'm attacking it with a positive attitude and choosing HAPPY!

Happy Friday . . . HAPPY WEEKEND!

good things this week . . .

I have never used the coffee mug in this picture.  I few years ago I was going through a tough time and had talked to my boss about it.  The next day he brought me this coffee mug . . . it has been on my desk ever since.  I handled "plan B" as well as I could at the time . . . that plan has since been abandoned and I am probably somewhere around "plan H".  I leave this mug on my desk to remind me . . . that life isn't going to always go as planned . . . in fact there have been days when I wonder who's life I am living, because it isn't always the one I expected, but then I look at the people I love, remember where I came from, think about what is really important . . . and I realize I handled "plan B" well enough that the important part turned out like I planned . . . the rest of it really isn't worth my time and energy . . . probably never was.

GOOD THINGS THIS WEEK . . .
1.  Charlotte turning 4 . . . that is something to celebrate
2.  Early morning weather that reminds me Fall is not far off
3.  This new "Do Doodle" pad . . . (was this made for me or what!)
4.  walking . . . walking . . . walking
5.  Do, Do, Doodling . . .
6.  Getting some dolls cut out . . . finally
7.  Lots of reading
8.  Eating healthy
9.  New Halloween decorations
10.  And a unicorn on my desk . . .
Have a wonderful day!

good things today . . .

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

1. A great day at work!

2. Dinner with this guy!  

3. Thinking it was about 1:00 . . . and it was time to go home 

4. Watching the Olympics

5. Old friends

6. Making fun plans

7. Painting . . . even if only a little bit

8. Coffee!

9. St. Louis Cardinals 9th inning comeback (yesterday) . . . I love baseball!

"It ain't over 'til it's over."  ~ Yogi Berra

10. Going to bed early . . . 

think happy. be happy.