Some More Facts About Myself....

After I dashed off the last post, I was VERY disatisfied with my answers, although you, my faithful readers and comments posters are too kind with your responses. :) Here are a few more facts from another time I was tagged. I think the facts are a little more interesting.

5 Things About Myself

Donna tagged me to list 5 things about myself.

1. I am a procrastinator.
2. I like coffee but am NOT addicted to Starbucks (over rated, sorry if I offend).
3. I have lost 10 pounds without Jenny Craig's help, nor Weight Watchers watching me nor Nutra System feeding me. It's called eating healthy (just say NO to prepackaged foods, bacon, Little Debbies and Hostess anything!)
4. I am dogmatic (see #3.)
5. I am late picking up Rebecca from the sitter's- got to GO!

:)

Sick But Not Listess

You just can't keep a 3 year old down! Rebecca woke up with a fever this morning and soon after her face started to get oozie (runny nose, watery eyes). "I don't feel well, Mom." No, I could tell she did not. With lunch we had hot tea and Rebecca could not resist donning the cat tea cozy. Maybe the heat from the teapot was comforting on her head. In any event, it made a great chapeau! She got on her tricylce and started chasing the dog around the house. I can't say I have THAT much energy when I'm sick.

"You Make My Day" Award....

I was awarded the "You Make My Day Award" by the always encouraging Nita at Blue Mermaid Cafe. I, in turn, am nominating those girls who so often bless me with their regular visits and encouraging comments. Beth, you are my newest encourager! Really, lately you have been down right pushing me into trying new things! LoL Donna, your pink rose is always a welcomed sight and Laura your Tab can is another calling card I love to see! Linda, you're the one who got me started with blogging! You always make my day when you stop by. Right click on the badge and award yourselves for me. (((Hugs)))

ART JOURNALing Finally!

I dedicate this post to Beth, who I have only recently met, but feel like I've known forever already. She struck up an email conversation with me and inspired me with her own art journal. She reminded me that I was first inspired by Teesha Moore. Yes, Beth, this one's for you! You gave me that extra kick in the pants to pull out a forgotten art text book that I had done a fabulous cover treatment on, but never altered a single page inside. The book had been languishing for a year and a half, until today.

Today I spent easily 4 hours lost in rummaging through an old magazine, digging out some choice ephemora pieces tucked away in a folio. Arranging, rearranging, changing. Gluing, adding. Having FUN FUN FUN! Why did I NOT try this sooner? OhMyGOsh!!!!!

Okay, so it is like doing an altered book, only it's okay to leave negative space. I always have felt like it all had to be filled, but not with a journal. Can't wait to start writing in it! Oh, the places I will go! The dreams I will record! The worlds I will explore! And my favorite bits and shreds will find a special, permanent place. I might actually put a dent in my huge stash of old paper I keep saving for "someday".

This is going to be a good year! I've lost 7 lbs. already and I have firmly started my mission to do art regularly. I am excited to see what evolves. Stay tuned. :)

The Sound of Silence

When I am by myself, alone,

have the whole house to myself,

I don't turn on the TV for company

or

put on music to fill the void.

I enjoy the silence.

blissful

luxurious

delicious

silence.

When the kids are home, the TV is on non-stop.

static and noise

only punctuated by the demands

MOM! MOM! MaaaaaaaahM!

for a drink, a turn on the X Box, for someone to stop hitting

or sticking out a tongue

or

stop being mean.

When my husband is home, the TV is on non-stop.

static and noise

rev and whine of of NASCAR engines

or

staccato gunfire and screeching getaway car

or

seen it a million times syndicated show from the last decade

with canned laughter.

When no one is home, but me, the TV is NOT on.

the stereo is mute

I have made no room in my art studio

for even the smallest CD player.

the house is

silent

except for the furnace quietly kicking on to spread heat

or the ticking of the clock

or the patter of rain falling softly outside

or the sigh of the dog

or the creaking of the house

as it settles into a more comfortable position.

blissful

luxurious

delicious

silence.

Rare Vintage Find

I just had to share these fabulous cards I found at my favorite local thrift store- all unused and many still in their original cellephane wraps that protected them from rack damage. I love using old cards for correspondence, so I couldn't NOT take these home! I know there are collectors out there so I am offering them for sale in my ebay auctions.

All come with their original envelopes and I have only found a couple glued shut (nothing that a little steam won't solve!) These are all Birthday cards, mostly for female... sister, mother, daughter, niece. A couple for brother and dad. Check them out!

The '70s are making a raging come back!

The 5th Day

It's been 5 days now of healthier eating and I have gone from losing 6 pounds of water weight to regaining 3, but I am not detered. I won't give up, I won't surrender! I don't expect to look like the above photo, but it would be nice to feel like I do! The last time I felt remotely thin was 13 years ago, before I met my husband and became a couch potatoe. Years of bad eating habits are being changed this week. The weight loss will follow. I have faith.

Looking for a vintage dachshund planter, men's Tommy Hilfiger jeans (sz 32 x 32) or some "new" rubber stamps to add to your collection? I've started my ebay auctions again. Check them out! I always add extras in my packages (I can't help myself).

And don't ask me about my artwork. I have no new developements. Believe me, if I had anything new to share, I'd be posting it!

Seeking Bliss

I have 3 swaps going on now and one I am grossly behind on one, so what do I do? I start my own personal project to avoid the creative block I am suffering elsewhere. Heehee. Actually, my personal project is a tiny altered book created from a mini Golden Book. I can complete a page working a few minutes here and there which is about all I've had away from kids and housework and holiday-ing. God only knows how I will get the swaps done!

While decluttering (a little- to the naked eye, you wouldn't know I had organized anything) I put away Christmas rubber stamps and papers and in the process have found some lost things. Some things have still remained lost so I need to continue my decluttering to find them (namely some hole reinforcements- the vintage kind you lick and stick- I have an unfinished tag that is just not complete without one and I refuse to add fibers until I find those silly reinforcements. I know they are with a small bag of blank dog tags, but where did I squirrel them both away?????) It's making me hanker for altering and starting some things differently in the New Year. I want to lose 30 lbs. (not unreasonable) and make some art and think of the two goals as one in the same since I plan to use my art as a means to accomplish the weight loss (If I am painting and gluing, I can't be stuffing my face!) So what are some of your goals for the new year? They don't have to be big. Even one small change can be life altering.