'Prickly' Week

Snapped this cactus a couple of weeks ago with all you Monday cactus sketchers and Teri in mind.
My week is especially prickly with volleyball games today (45 mins away), Tuesday, Thursday (45 mins) and tournament Saturday, (30 mins away) food required at tournament. BigBoy comes home for the long weekend and to celebrate his 21st birthday. VolleyGirl has the bone scan on her foot this Friday, which will take up a huge portion of the day. Sunday is my mother's side of the family, yearly family reunion - food required (45 mins away). Later that afternoon, we are planning a party at the pool for our 'boy', food required. Finally...I am attempting my most ambitious cake ever for BigBoy. I will share my progress provided my head doesn't blowup first!!!!!! The birthday gifts have already been purchased and all I must do is wrap. I have my master grocery list, to do list and have researched my cake. I am also CAUGHT UP with my laundry!!!! Like my dear Soulbrush, I am 'on fire'.........sadly it is not with my art! Fingers crossed, c'mon back, don't fail me now......

My Little Cake

This is the cake I made last night and today for my husband's parents' anniversary. It was a deep chocolate on the inside with buttercream frosting. It's little - the layers are 8", 6'' and 31/2". I have to admit it was cute. Have a greaaaaaat Sunday! :)

A Day (or two) In the Life Of...boring but serves as cheap counseling for myself

Thursday was washing some, painting some then picking up VolleyGirl from school. 45 minute ride to the high school I graduated from for VG's team to play two matches. I ventured around the school a bit since I had not been in the building since. Lots of changes, additions, doesn't look the same, of course. Sitting on the bleachers is already killing me. Did you hear that? My spine is screaming. Home close to 9 p.m.
Today VG did not have school....yippee! Her foot has been hurting. Miraculously when I called the orthopaedic office we could come in at 10. Waiting, waiting, finally left after noon, or later. Eek, what I thought, maybe a strained tendon, having a bone scan to rule out a stress fracture. Keeping fingers crossed it will not be. Lunch plans for over a week with our friends, was fun. To Michael's to buy a 6 inch cake pan to use in the baking of a cake for Mr. Unplugged's parents anniversary. Home, clothes out of dryer, more in dryer, more in washer. Off to grocery store for a bit. Drop off prescription for VG's anti-inflamatory. Back home. Cook some for supper, bake cake, mix icing, crumb coat cake, mix more icing, clean up. Standing for over 3 hours........finish icing and decorating in the morning......photo to come after it is finished. Will take to my sister-in-law's house tomorrow. She is having her 2 year old's birthday party tomorrow afternoon and it falls on her parents' anniversary. It is a mini three-tiered cake. Never done it, we'll see how it turns out. Oh, did you hear that? It's two part harmony of the spine AND knees screaming. Wash is STILL not complete, yea, more tomorrow. Would it be possible to finish some paintings and do some ATCs??? Committed myself (no, not in that way, though probably needed) to begin singing with a ladies group at church, practice at 5 on Sunday's. They asked a long time ago....need a dependable soprano. I need it more than they do......

SkyWatch Friday

This shot was taken on the trusty cellphone and is now the background on my phone. Have a great Friday everyone and check out more skies at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/.

Dogs on Thursday: Life is Good

Ahhhhh, each day this spot is especially delicious. Though, I cannot quite put my paw pad on it, it consistently tantalizes, teases and taunts my royal nostrils in a way indescribable! Much to the dismay of the human on the other end of the leash, I never want to leave this hallowed spot.

What is this that I spy with my big eyes? Please inform me as to why it has not been laid at my feet this very moment?

The agony of defeat at my failure to entrap this curious object. 'O, where fore art thou hands of human help my soul yearns for!' Heh, heh, heh :), mom sits in this chair with the pillow behind her but as she walks to the kitchen....alas! The king takes his place upon the soft pillow of her previous seat - but oh, the moment is fleeting. How my mechanical tail moves back and forth when she refers to me as Fat Bastard. (Please, do not be offended by this term of affection, borrowed from the Mike Myers film)

Resolved to lounge in my own chair in the study. Quickly, before my eyes close in search of royal rest, greetings and salutations to all my friends, furry and furless. Wishing your life is good Snuffles, Annie, Luna, Emma, Tonka, Presley, Friday, Penny, Dizzy and Snickers.

The Little Team That Could

Here is VolleyGirl's team after coming in second place in the tournament last Saturday - out of 16 teams. The coach, on the right, in red, was very pleased. They played six matches. We were there from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The man is the team school sponsor, he also sits on the bench and keeps stats. Another match late this afternoon.....waaaaay across town. Will not be expecting a win, the school is a 6A school compared to our little 3A, at least four times larger. Can see how well they hold their own though, coach thinks it is good for them. Doing a bit of catching up on your sites and painting some today........later!

SkyWatch Friday

I loved the variation of clouds and colors in the sky one day this past week. Hope you enjoy it too!!! View some beautiful skies at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/.

Will be at a volleyball tournament all day today. The team had their first two matches of the season Thursday night and won them both! One of them was their biggest rival. Have a great Saturday...catch up soon!

Dogs on Thursday: Silly Guy

Hey there, you look kind of funny when I do this!

This is my favorite yoga pose - I call it the "one-hump camel".

Now, here is where I am really feeling zen-like, good for the bones and good for the soul! Try it, you'll feel great all day long! Some advice to my friends out there, just relax! Okay Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Luna, Tonka, Presley, Friday, Penny, Dizzy and Snickers?

Just A Little Art

Trying to get back into some type of routine now that VolleyGirl and BigBoy have returned to school. This is my first and only ATC that I have created. I have a friend in mind to give it to. It looks blue but it's not. Alot has been going on..VG's team won the tournament that they were in at the end of camp...that's a nice beginning. Her first games are Thursday night and Saturday is a tournament. This will not end until early October. BigBoy left Saturday and it was quite difficult after him being around since May and working at home. Between gathering items for back to school and the usual, I've not had any art time. I apologize for not commenting or posting much lately......trying to work on that. Hope all of you are well!!!!!!

Dogs On Thursday: Flee of Glee

(Big sigh) Dad and best buddy are gone.........I don't know what to do. I should have ordered them to stay! (Like they do me) All my royal powers could not keep them here. Watch...and wait...and...watch...and wait.

Good effort to put on a good face and act casual about it with mom.......

Then, of course, I eventually grew tired of this routine. Thankfully, they returned last night. My glee has returned!!! Hopefully all of my friends Snuffles, Annie, Luna, Emma, Tonka, Presley, Friday, Penny, Dizzy and everyone else are gleeful today! A special shout out to Snickers: watch out for those pole cats dude!

Dogs on Thursday: Special Birthday Edition

Hey everybody! I am finally here to tell you about dad's birthday last Monday! He loves to eat the sugar decorations made for cakes and since his favorite cake is coconut...mom gets them for his cake. She made it square this time, which I didn't care either way cause I just wanted a big bite or at the very least......let the awesome aroma permeate my squashed nose! Best Buddy kept saying it looked like the cakes you buy in the frozen section since it was square.....but hey, I didn't care! IT SMELLED GREAT !!!! Dad did not care at all that I wanted in on the celebration.

Why, he even let me lick on a piece of that scrumptious sugar candy......now I KNOW why he loves it so much. I was in 'dog heaven' (not to be confused with 'hog heaven' - please).

Next, I was allowed to help dad open his gifts.......he really likes those bags with the beautiful dogs on them. I was a whole lot of help!

All the birthday hoopla makes a guy thirsty you know. Summer is a run of birthdays around here with BigBoy finishing it up in September. I am counting on him to share all the fun with me, not too worried, after all, we are pretty tight! May all you two-legged 'pets' and my fur-friends enjoy your days, especially Snuffles, Annie, Luna, Emma, Tonka, Presley, Friday, Penny and Dizzy!

Quick Update

Believe or not, it's busier this week, volleyball practice everyday, last week before school starts, Mr. Unplugged taking vacation days so everything is upside down! We all also have had some sick days. I finished this painting last week and have started another (below).

Please forgive my not getting around to leave comments, though I'm not ready for school to start, things will probably be a bit less hectic. Hope you all are well! Apollo is getting his thoughts together for a post later......

SkyWatch Friday....finally

This was taken last week just before arriving home. See the skies at http://skyley.blogspot.com/