Goodbye November...

Today is the last day of November and good riddance I say. Well, maybe I'm being too harsh. Actually November turned out to be pretty warm and uneventful except for the fact that I had 4 medical like appointments all in November. The first was a trip to the dentist for check up and to hear the dreaded and expected news that I needed another stinkin crown on my tooth. Apparently it just can't hold any more filler. Bummer. There goes another $500+. So the second trip was of course to have that baby ground down while I smell and see smoke coming out of my mouth! Then the dentist replaces my nub of a tooth with a temporary crown, also known as a QUARTER! this thing feels gigantic!

So my then on to my 3rd trip which was a routine check up including fasting and bloodwork to the family doctor. Ugh. I must have him worried because he asked if I thought that I needed any medication (!? what???! Shoot yeah!) ... and also wants another appointment to see him (read: pay for his condo in Kaui) in December.

Then the final appointment and the most dreaded was my annual and ladies, we all know what that term means. Double ugh. Now add insult to injury... I am now at that age that I must be flattened like a pancake! Yes, the awful mammogram is just a phone call and yet another appointment away. Did I mention that I was seemingly out of my mind today when I made dinner before my "annual"? I didn't? well I was, because I somehow thought that today would be a great day for no other fine stew like substance... CHILI! with beans. Need I say more?

"This Artists Observations of the Day"

Feeling of the day: poked and prodded

I'm grateful for: leftover pumpkin pie

I am wearing: mismatched clothing

I thought about today: getting older and all the darn dr appointments!

I miss: my son falling asleep in my arms as a baby

Best thing I did today: Not lose my mind in Sears while son knocked down all clothing while hiding in racks.

Today I visited: Sassmowth Designs

Did I buy enough turkey?

Today I have just been plain cold. It's not even that bad out, it's like 50 something, but man the wind is blowing. I took Asher out and retreated to the garage (to read Martha Stewart) where I could get out of the wind a bit and still see Asher dig to China. I'm taking advantage of nap time to catch up on my blog before I go upstairs to draw some. The picture is part of my messy desk that I see at my computer, but I like to think it is "warm and cozy" looking.

I have been reading some just fabulous blogs lately. My newest thing here is to give a little nod to some of the places I visit. Some on a regular basis, some by chance. There are funny ones, serious ones, creative ones, complaining ones, some just flat out brag and others quietly show their creativity and wit.

I bought just a Turkey breast this year and will be cooking it at my dad's this year, so I let it thaw in his fridge. I got home and then freaked out because I just figured out how long that is going to take! I think this turkey is going to have to take the plunge, into the sink that is. My grandma used to always thaw out meat in the sink. Long before all of us turned into germ-a-phobes. I read that the sink, espcially the drain, is the germiest area in the kitchen. It was nothing to walk by her sink, in search of something to eat or drink and pause to look at the skin and headless squirrel carcasses floating in luke warm water.

I won't just leave you with that thought, so here is...

"This Artists Observations of the Day"

Feeling of the day: cold on the outside, but warm inside :)

I'm grateful for: optimistic people

I am wearing: Royal Blue

I thought about today: is my turkey thawing out?

I miss: warm summer afternoons

Best thing I did today: took my kid outside even though it was blustery

Today I visited:

http://designsbyck.blogspot.com/2009/11/vamp-jack-haunted-sno-cap-hallomas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DesignsbyckBlog+%28Designs+By+CK+%7E+Blog%29

Button Sketchin Saturday

"This Artists Observations of the Day"

Feeling of the day: irritated

I'm grateful for: forgiveness

I am wearing: teal

I thought about today: things I can't do

I miss: going to arts & crafts shows

Best thing I did today: sketched a little

Today I visited: http://www.etsy.com/shop/celestialscentsation

Pizza Yum Yums

I thought I'd share with you my girlfriends concoction I am gonna call Pizza Yum Yums. They are nothing more than french bread cut into about 2" slices with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni (I used turkey pepperoni) on top. Pop them under the broiler and voila! Pizza Yum Yums!

I have been revamping my art studio these past few days. I've got myself a nice U-shaped work area going and hope I can make it up there more often and get back to creating some things. I'm even including a place for my son (3 1/2 year old) to color and hopefully allow me to continue working!

I love to find new art blogs and I've found quite a few good ones lately. See them under my "Inspiration" list. I learn blogging techniques from them and get stimulated to create which is really helpful lately. I do more creating in my head these days than anything else and I'd like to change that.

I'm hoping to see the Central High School craft show tomorrow to see what kind of handmade goodies made by the local folks I can find. I haven't even thought about Christmas shopping yet and maybe this will spur me on.

Now to start something new that I saw on one of the great new art blogs I was telling you about (L. Gruger), I give you my version:

"This Artists Observations of the Day"

Feeling of the day: hopeful

I'm grateful for: pre-made cookie dough

I am wearing: purple and blue

I thought about today: my mom

I miss: Wink (a sparkling drink) and my mom, of course

Best thing I did today: Play frisbee with Asher

Today I visited: http://www.etsy.com/shop/paintallnightstudios

What is your Reason for the Season?

I thought this poem was outstanding. Please allow me to share it with you. Jesus is the reason for my season... and everything else.

"Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda..*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

Not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and

Wish everyone you meet during the

Holidays a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is ¡The Reason¢ for the Christ-mas Season!

Cave In Rock

I love to travel, but if you look, most of us can find a lot neat places to learn about and visit in our own back yards. With the economy the way it is, now is a perfect time to take advantage of what you've already got.

We recently traveled through Cave-In-Rock, Illinois to cross the ferry to get to Kentucky and stopped in to see the cave again. The town is named for the 55-foot-wide cave that was carved out of the limestone rock by water thousands of years ago. It is steeped in bloody history. It was a great hideout. There is a rocky cliff with the entrance to the cave under it. It was perfect to perch up there and wait for you victims... if you were a villain that is. As people were floating down the river henchmen would disable their boats or force them toward the yawning hollow, where the hapless pilgrims would be robbed, or worse. Few victims lived to tell their story according to the history.

There is a book by historian Otto A. Rothert

"The Outlaws of Cave-in-Rock"

that tells the story of the gang, The Notorious Harpe Brothers, a pair of killers fleeing execution in Kentucky. If you can find it, it's a quick read and I found it interesting I guess because it (the cave) is something that I can see and touch and visit. The cave has names carved in it everywhere. There are some really old ones too. We saw one that was 1859 I believe. I'm not quite sure how they got to the ceiling of the cave unless the floor of the cave has changed since then.

The cave also served as a backdrop for the movie “How The West Was Won.” If places can be haunted, I'd be willing to bet this place would be.

If you have time and are interested in this sort of thing click on the above link for the Harpe Brothers, it is interesting.

It's Friday the 13th!

Friday the 13th is usually always been a lucky day for me, as has the number 13. Not sure why, just have had some good things happen to me on those days. Once I won 2 rings, one carat diamonds each, on the 13th. The 13th was the first full day I had with my son, so I'll count that one too. Did you know that we have had 3 Friday the 13ths this year?

Here's a little interesting info on the superstition of Friday the 13th from about.com:

LEGEND HAS IT: If 13 people sit down to dinner together, one will die within the year. The Turks so disliked the number 13 that it was practically expunged from their vocabulary (Brewer, 1894). Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue. Many buildings don't have a 13th floor. If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck (Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names). There are 13 witches in a coven.

Now I need to check the amount of letters in my name! phew... I'm safe!

I went to Michaels yesterday and went crazy. I bought some Martha Stewart glitter and it is so deliciously glittery I can't wait to play with it! It's a little pricey, but it looks so much better than the cheap looking regular craft glitter that I was used to. Her stuff is 30% off til Saturday.

Have a Happy and Lucky Friday the 13th!

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day and I wish to thank each and every service person, retired or active, for your service to our great country. In fact I want to thank you each and everyday. If it wasn't for all of you, we would not enjoy the liberty that we have today.

My dad was drafted in 1972 to the Army. He served at the Pentagon and said that made a man out of him. We lived in Washington for 5 years and I have vague memories of life back then. My dad has always been proud of the fact that he served his country, and I've always been proud of my dad.

Please everyone, thank a Veteran today.

another day, another kit kat

Today was just beautiful. It was almost like late summer here besides those pesky lady beetles buzzing around everywhere. Temperatures are so nice that the hubs rode his motorcycle into work today. Sounds of birds chirping, Asher laughing, tractors and combines in the distance working hard. Still, sadness has a way of creeping in and casting a shadow on everything even as the sun shines brightly and a gentle wind kisses my neck.

I cannot seem to make myself do much of anything besides mundane everyday tasks like cook and clean up. And I'm not doing a great job of those. I have a bunch of new ideas for some new creations to create but don't feel much like making the effort. Sleeping sounds like the best idea that I can come up with. Do you ever feel like if you could just go back in time and change a few things that life might be a little bit better right now? It seems like I should be able to control what's going on and make changes, but I can't. Like waking up from a nightmare.

I have tried to update the way my blog looks. I took down the Halloween stuff and tried to add a little Fall stuff. I'm not really happy with my blog, but I'm not smart enough to make it the way I want it to look. I haven't found any templates that I'm just crazy about either. Has anybody found some great looking templates?

Mean Green Halloween

Asher was a "Green Monster" for Halloween this year. He's been telling everyone for 2 months that's what he was going to be, since green is his favorite color after all. As I was trying to apply his green makeup to his squirming furry self (the day of) he told me "I don't want to be green today" wah! Through gritted teeth I growled at him "too bad, mommy spent all this time making this green costume and you're wearing it whether you want to or not!" so some of the pictures are of him pouting. The child cannot bear for me to be mad at him, so he chased me down soon after wanting to make up and needing a hug and kiss and of course getting green and black makeup all over my newly washed jeans.

I have to admit he, he tore the costume before Daddy even got to see him. Which was like 5 minutes after he had it on and I got out a stapler to fix it. By the end of the trick or treating night, it was in sad shape.

We are those people that you hate that drive to your neighborhood and get out to trick or treat :) As we live in the boondocks, there are just not enough houses to justify walking half a mile to each one. Good thing too, cause even though Asher understood the whole trick or treating thing this year, and didn't walk in people's houses, he still pooped out way too early and made Daddy carry him back to the starting point. When I was a kid, I literally walked for hours and hours. My mom sold Avon back in the 1970's and I would go with her on her route and hit paydirt. Then I would do our neighborhood and beyond! I got so much candy I had it for months it seemed. I remember my mom and dad "checking the candy" and bringing it back to me short of all the good candy bars. I caught on to that pretty quick.

Well, I hate it that Halloween is over and I didn't even dress up this year. But next year will be different. I'm already counting down.