Labor Day Weekend Birthday Cake

BigBoy's birthday was this past Friday but we didn't officially celebrate until last night. I baked him his favorite Cinnamon Pull-Apart cake on Friday. Saturday I baked the dome for the decorated portion of his cake and froze it, they decorate easier that way. He requested a Limeade Cake with Strawberry Filling,which is a Paula Deen reacipe. Her recipe actually had raspberry filling, but we didn't care for that flavor when I first baked it. Here are the first two layers with the strawberry filling.

Frosted with a cream cheese and lime icing that is delish! It is a very dense and heavy cake.

Yes, my boy turned 23 but he has always loved cartoons, Disney as a kid, drawing them all the time, then went into doing his own dog cartoons, and the last few years it's Marvel characters. He asked for a Buzz Lightyear on his cake, hasn't had a decorated one since I did Apollo's image on one a couple of years ago. This was the third weekend in a row I've had a decorated cake to get ready......think I'm ready for a break! Standing on my feet so many hours does in my back but he really liked it. fun.

He likes his coffee mugs and I like to look for them at Ross, TJMaxx and Marshall's so he had quite the collection given to him for his birthday.
All the movies that they have made recently with Marvel charachers, he sees them all and has been drawing the characters lately in color pencil just for fun. He is really taking to having finished college and started his new job the first of August, doing free lance work also but likes time in the evening to draw for for fun now.

Hey, rather see him wear Marvell images than beer advertisements!

Dark Times

Thank you all for your concern, my apologies for being so long in posting a status. Most importantly, we are all safe. We were without power until yesterday and I have been putting up our in-house camping supplies, washing clothes, took apart the insides of the refrigerator and freezer to thoroughly cleaning them. I had removed the food on about the third day but took the opportunity to clean since we had no food in them at all. Had to get to the grocery store for a few items. I knew that if I got on the computer I would be too long getting off. Our biggest relief is that BigBoy was not hurt since he was in Tuscaloosa at school. His apartment is basically located in the area, yards from the devastation of the tornado there. It was a day filled with numerous tornado warnings here and I was on the phone with him when he said a warning was just issued there. He was pumping gas. I had warned him the day before, that morning....always, to watch and listen about the weather and take it seriously. He did, thank God. His fiance was with him (will not refer to her as BigGirl), they were closer to his apartment than hers so went there, watched the tv coverage along with his roommate and two friends from a 2nd floor apartment. They watched the tornado approach until taking cover in the closet, heard the roar, felt the shaking and walked out safely to screams and a sight of rubble and devastation just yards away. Their building has some damage but is standing, unlike apartments across the street, houses, businesses, restaurants, Krispy Kreme, their favorite Japanese restaurant, a mall, much more......just unimaginable. Miraculously, his vehicle only lost windows on the passenger side, he and his friends had parked them in an area that was fortunate. He made it home Friday morning, obviously a bit traumatized. Dodged a bullet. An abrupt, tragic end to his time at school for the University of Alabama cancelled final exams and postponed graduation, semester is over. He has no desire to go back, but will have to in the future. Sadly, 39 confirmed deaths there with an astounding 300 + still missing. It was an EF5 tornado, 200+ mph, the strongest there is, and rare. There were 28 tornadoes that touched down in Alabama, another EF5 and EF4s. But we are fortunate, inconvenienced, big deal. Relieved, greatly. Sorrowful. 24-7 radio news running by generators for days due to all of North Alabama area entirely without power because the 9 main stations were twisted like toothpicks and the workers here, along with help from kind help, have done an outstanding job of getting most of us power in less than a week. Could be some hiccups along the way because this is a quick fix, so what, all of my family and friends are safe. Schools have been closed since last Wednesday.

I know this is small but this indicates the paths of the tornadoes across our state. There were hundreds reported on but not all touched down, reminiscent of 1974, the last most devastating outbreak. Like me, my mother and dad worried about my oldest brother away at school while we spent alot of time in the hallway under a mattress through the night. I never forgot that time, we spent days without power then too, three I believe. This will be my children's 1974. Something they will never forget and certainly will keep them cautious when severe weather approaches.

Please pray for those missing and those suffering. Thank you for your concern, means alot to me.

Pride and Funk

Here is the beautiful cover of the University of Alabama yearbook that BigBoy was asked to design. Yes, I am a proud mama!

Sorry to be missing so often, trying to be better. I have not created any art, feel in a rut in many areas, not just art. The hole will not ever be so deep that I will not scratch myself out! Many of you were and are my inspiration, sadly, often it brings up feelings of inadequacy and frustration with myself when I see all the art created daily. Yeah, that was a bone baring comment.....but at the same time it also pushes me to move on past my struggles. Okay, confessions over, time to see what I can do with this day, my blessings are so bountiful!

BigBoy is ENGAGED!!!

high school......
last year.....
this summer.....

Yes....my baby boy is engaged as of a week ago today! It was not a surprise to me, especially since he took my engagement ring and gave it to her. It was given to my mother-in-law for her engagement, handed down to my husband to give to me and now I do the same. Yes, my mother-in-law and I both had a replacement beforehand! They are both graduate next spring and the nuptials will not be before the spring after that, so a long engagement. I wouldn't change a thing about her, she's beautiful, kind, thoughtful, fun, intelligent, hardworking and he loves her as she is so why would I want to? Hmmmmm, what shall her blog name be....I'm thinking "BigGirl" is not going to be the choice!!!!! Back on that one later!

Jolly Good Wednesday!

Unfortunately, art has not been taking place around here the last few days. Efforts to get my jollies through errands, laundry and housework has proved to be in vain. The son will be arriving from the university Thursday afternoon for spring break. Tomorrow I will be having my mane maintained and Friday I work 9 to 2. That leaves today for more thrills through cleaning/tidying. The Mr. has left for some work related errands leaving me to watch the Canine Messiah which will limit my partying abilities a bit. I will top off the evening by making good on the darkened bananas staring at me by baking banana bread since BigBoy loves it so. Above is a pencil drawing by the talented BigBoy.

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. :)

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!!!!