So Far...

Here is what I have completed so far on my 8x10 acrylic painting for the raffle drawing tomorrow night. I will be finishing it tonight. Got wrangled into helping with getting gifts for the Seniors on the team. The last home game is Thursday night so I spent part of the day doing that. I am probably not driving to the tournament until Friday afternoon with another mom. VG and the team will be going after the game tomorrow night...I don't really like that but that's the way it is. I must pack her things tomorrow since she has no time, practice right after school then straight to a meeting at school and now doing homework. Still hoping to catch up with you all...I post so you don't forget me....hahaha. Hopefully that rotten canine king will post for me tomorrow.

"Botanically Challenged"

This 'flower' obviously sprang up from alien dirt.....did this a few weeks ago right before going to bed. Forgot about it until I was at Starbucks the other day and flipped through my little sketchbook.

Been very busy with vball and this week will be one of the busiest. We also leave for a three night trip almost six hours away after a match this Thursday night. I also must paint a 8x10 painting for a raffle prize this Thursday night. Hopefully, I can find some time to catch up with your posts soon....I'll try.

Treat and Trip

Tournament tomorrow which means pack tonight. Lovely 'collage' of volleyball gear that includes three uniforms, long pants, cover shorts, team t-shirt, long sleeve shirt....extra socks.....get the contact solution VG took out the other week....ALL DONE.....should be going to bed. We drive 40 minutes away and will be there until 5:30 at the earliest, never fails, it runs late.

Remember the teammate that moved from Chicago area this year and the grandparents came to visit a couple of weeks ago? The girl's grandfather is an artist, he's 82. They left for the airport from a tournament and I sent one of the zentangles he had liked. His daughter said the snow covered bridge is near their home in Illinois. VG's favorite is the rose. We both are fond of them since Rose is our middle name and was my mother's name.

He sent a package of notecards with his watercolor paintings printed on them with a kind note letting me know he has hung the zentangle in a place everyone can see it. How sweet!!! I love the animals.

Such variety....I love the florals and the country. I certainly plan to keep in touch.

Get back with you later, maybe not until Sunday. Should have already went to bed! Have a nice weekend!

SkyWatch Friday

I love all the shades of blue when the clouds are like this! You're sure to find a sky you will like at http://skyley.blogspot.com/ !

Dogs On Thursday: Coping

I do miss my best buddy, known to you all as BigBoy. Bounding with energy and ready to play is how I feel when he is around. Though, moments of boisterous play and hijinks hit me, sometimes I just sit and look out the big window.

Even as I look like a real-life keychain here, it's hard to hide my royalty!

Indulging in a bit of the entertainment known as - t.v. here with dad.

Well, wouldn't all that make YOU tired too???? May all my friends' days be filled with adventure, especially Snuffles, Annie, Luna, Emma, Tonka, Snickers, Dizzy, Friday and Penney. We are still thinking of you Julie........

Latte With A Zen....

Monday, sat down with a venti peppermint mocha latte again at Starbucks while VolleyGirl was having her two hour practice. This ATC was finished for a friend. Sorry that is a bit blurry....darn it!

I Saw the Light

One more down........four more to go!!!! Actually finished this one last Thursday and have started the next one. Oh...what is that faint brightness way yonder? Not too far away...it- it looks like a light.....could it be? Do my cow patty green color eyes decieve me? Perhaps I just need stronger lens, or worse...is it THE light? Run, run, run from THAT light. However, it is a light! Oh my gosh, praise be, oh 'Czar of Ancient Washers in Acrylic'! Could it be the illusive light that my heart has yearned for? IT IS!!!! (clap, clap, clap, small leap into air...carefully) It IS the light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!

Small Work and Big Step

Monday, while VolleyGirl was practicing, I went down the street to Starbucks, splurged on a venti size and sat myself in a comfy chair. Finally finished my second ATC (above) and started my next one (below). A dear BB (blogbuddy) is way overdue of receiving a package from me, these will be a part of that package. Hope to do more in order to trade.........finally!

Almost every day I check our city's art blog and today there was a call for artists at the recently voted "Best Coffee Shop" in the northern part of our state. They will display work from one artist each month. Thinking that would be a nice place to show zentangles and small drawings, I called and committed myself for the month of November. My plan is to finish the 'maytagaramas' and get some more work done. This will still be pushing it for me....but I often work best when 'pushed' ! VolleyGirl has been sick this week with sinus trouble. She missed her games Thursday and sadly didn't get to go with the team last night for a tournament today. It's a shame with all the hard work she has put in that she misses a time when they eat out and have fun together outside of the game.

BIGBOY IS HOME THIS WEEKEND...YIPPEE!!!

SkyWatch Friday

Thinking this cloud was a bit unusual and a bit haunting, snapped it a little over a week ago. Hope you like it and like others you see at http://skyley.blogspot.com/ .

Dogs On Thursday: Farewell Presley

Remembering a friend today, Presley and her family. She lived a long and fortunate life with a family that loved her very much. There are seven hearts hidden in the scenic photo here, for you 'P'. Her mom wrote a beautiful poem about her and posted a photo at http://juliekingart.blogspot.com/ . I don't even want to think about how lost my family would be without me.....what would they do without my guidance and entertainment? Count your blessings fur buddies of any kind - short tails, long tails, no tails, meower or barker, purebred or mixed, pedigree or no degree, a beauty or a mug only a mother would love, obedient or stubborn. Remember, you are one of the fortunate ones with a loving home and thanks to all the 'two legs' out there that are watching out for the furry creatures on earth, bully blessings to you. Love your family, don't wee on the floor or chew up the table corner. Woof and good health to all my buddies Snuffles, Annie, Luna, Emma, Tonka, Dizzy, Friday, Penny and Snickers.

Finally - Presley, good buddy, enjoy all the bones, treats and toys that you desire, you are missed!

In Memory

December 23, 1930 - September 15, 2002

Though it was years ago you left this earth, you are always secure in my heart and memories until my dying day when we will meet again. My heart is heavy, still, and the void is vast, but your words, your actions, your lessons, your love is remembered often. Sometimes it is remembered in hearing yourself in my own words, seeing my hands become as yours, feeling your gestures appear in myself and enjoying your occasional appearance in a dream. I can find comfort more than hurt now when I see the resemblance in your sisters. It has been said that you will grieve as much as you loved. Obviously, I will not live long enough for that much grief. It was such a blessing to have you for a mom. Gone but never far away....

Bitchin' and Braggin'

My sincere apologies for this post if you're tired of reading about my offspring AND you tire of reading of my ailments. I believe it's safe to say that the title should have warned you somewhat......I did just finish painting for awhile this morning but must stop to run by grocery store and pick up VolleyGirl from school and head into town for her practice. Today I plan to sit in Starbucks and do some art. Part of my pride is for BigBoy being selected for a position as Creative Services Manager merely by submitting some of his art...without an interview or anything. This position is with the university's advertising agency on campus. He is second to the top person with 9 positions under him. He knows very little about it until the meeting tomorrow. He was advised in his advertising class to apply. Yeah, I've got that proud mama glow about me!!!

VG's team played in a tournament this past Saturday and placed second to a team that is 30-0 this year!!! No compaints with that loss too much. Happily the tournament was just minutes down the road but we were still there from 7:45 a.m. until 9:15 p.m.! The more you win, the longer you stay......yep, there is another one this Saturday. Update on VG's foot; it is a stress fracture....argh!!! Dr. said no running, like laps for warm-ups but she can continue to play as long as it doesn't worsen so that she limps. She will probably be in a boot for 3 or 4 weeks when the season is over. Amazingly lately it's not been hurting much at all. She ices it at night while doing homework. Right now the team is ranked 3rd in state for their division.

Now is the time to exit if you don't want the bitchin' part.........even though, right now, I don't feel so much like doing it after writing about the good things!!!!! My back is killing me, as is both my knees. I was bending over to the freezer Friday night and was hoping my back wouldn't as I got ice for both my knees. I couldn't help but think it was kind of funny, my predicament. Today my right hand even aches but did fine painting...it comes and goes. My first joint on my index finger is always sore but it is exceptionally bad the last week. Backing out of the driveway it hurt my neck to turn around to look, my 'good' knee hurt on the gas pedal and my bad knee just hurt. Oh well, there you go. I don't complain to my husband, he has been sick of it years ago but my silence is often mistaken for feeling okay, I think. Sadly, you, my extended friends catch it....but I promise to not say anything for a long time now. Thanks for 'listening' if you read this far!!!!! Prayers welcome. :)

SkyWatch Friday

I thought this was soooo neat with the 'spotlight' effect that was taking place. Yes, took it with my trusty cellphone while a mere passenger in the car....ah, what would I do without it. Go to http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to take in more skies.

My prayers go out to those mourning loved ones lost on this day 8 years ago. My deep appreciation and prayers include those who have given their lives and to those risking their lives at this moment to keep us safe here at home. I will never forget you all.

Dogs On Thursday: Tongues Are Wagging!

Best Buddy wanted to get me in the photo with him and his (my) cake. I wonder why he didn't get closer and hold the pose longer, he seemed so timid about it! Boy, I could smell that sugar......grew tired just hyper-flaring my nostrils, I did!

Yeah, right, the water really quenched my desires!

Whew, I get dog tired after some playing with my buddy. Now where did that water go?

Yum, yum! What can be better than a bone? Well, two, of course! I wanted to bite that blue bone right off the cake!

Shhhhhh, I need my beauty rest now. Big snore out to Snuffles, Annie, Emma, Tonka, Luna, Presley, Dizzy, Friday, Penny and Snickers! I must add that I was not tongue tied yesterday, the silly photo upload wouldn't work - and I know my paw was hitting the right buttons!

The Cake

I found a recipe for a fondant that did not require cooking. Made it two days ago. Rolled it out tonight three or four times then couldn't get it off the counter to put on the cake. Tried a big spatula, my rolling pin, all tore it up. Then I thought of a tube from a roll of wrapping paper and bingo! I was thrilled and so pleased with myself.

Used cocoa to dye some to make pieces of Apollo's food for the border. Dyed the yellow and blue with food coloring paste.

Painted with my food paste....some of it wasn't quite thin enough and frankly I was/am tired....it's almost 2:30 a.m. now but I am pleased. BigBoy watched the beginning of my 'sculpturing' and aided with the mouth a bit. It was his request to have 'Apollo' on there and specifically wanted a bulldog cake. Never seen a guy love a dog so much. He also so me begin the border but has long gone to bed. I have been wanting to try fondant for years. Now, pray nothing sags or slides off by morning. Nine hours, or was it ten of volleyball today, team tied for third. They are ranked third in state in our division, 3A!!!!! Reunion tomorrow, making potato salad in morning, cooked potatoes tonight.

Dogs On Thursday: "Oh Happy Day!"

A few days ago, I helped mom wrap some birthday gifts for my best buddy. Wow, it was lots of fun and it was very obvious she appreciated it.

Tonight my best buddy needed me to help him unwrap the gifts. Heh, heh...why does one go to the trouble to create work for someone else? People, they don't have the sense of a dog!

Words cannot express my happiness today for my beloved best buddy's arrival home after three l-o-n-g weeks so I shall not attempt. Just watch.........

I have him for the next few days. Mom and the girl that pets me so daintily will be at some ball thing all day long Saturday. Wishing all my fur buds a happy day, especially Snuffles, Annie, Luna, Emma, Tonka, Presley, Dizzy, Friday, Penny and Snickers!

My Boy is 21 !!!'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIGBOY !!! Today is my first born and only son's 21st birthday!!! Here is BigBoy with my mom, as a young baby, wearing a toboggan made by his great-grandmother.

He loved to visit my parents and go outside. Mom made him this outfit.

Look at that face! BigBoy was the first male baby in 21 years and 23 babies on my mom's side of the family-she had seven siblings. I chose not to find out ahead what we were having. Following two carpel tunnel surgeries in the three weeks preceding his birth and labor from 4 p.m. on Thursday to the c-section bringing him to the world at 8:10 p.m. on Friday, he arrived on his due date. Beginning of Labor Day weekend, how fitting I thought!Getting him to smile for the photo was never a problem - having him not break his pose because he got so 'tickled' was the challenge. Very happy, friendly little boy.

One of my favorite snapshots. Taken in my parent's backyard while he was on the swing.

Ahhhhh, the junior high years where it all seems to change!!!!

Eighth grade and looking like a teen.

Skip to one of the photos from his graduation pictures...one of my favorites too.

BigBoy and VolleyGirl on Christmas Day two years ago. He is a considerate, sweet one. Always gives me hugs, no matter where.

He loves little kids and is soooo good with them. In July we attended my great-nephew's birthday party. Stevey here, is my great niece.

I will probably post a photo from this weekend, he comes home from school Friday. Gotta get that cake ready! The 'Volleyball Gods' granted me a break...the games that were to be played Thursday (and over an hour away) have been cancelled! Oh the dance I did at that news!!!!