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!