Tag Archives: short stories

Thursday Time Out For Art

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Les, Chris, Karen, Dennis

Les, Chris, Karen, Dennis

Sometimes art isn’t just a painting, or writing a novel, or even a musical score that is art.  Art is in the eye of the beholder!

Here is a picture of my husband and myself, with my sons, Chris and Dennis.  We took a vacation together on the island of Kauai, Hawaii.  Not only was the experience the beauty of being in this fabulous place, but also being in this fabulous place together.  We have a timeshare on Kauai, and this was one of those special times when we were able to get both boys together at the same time.  I will always remember these special moments that we are able to share with the family as priceless.  We explored, tried new foods, and places to eat.  We even shopped at resale  stores…..just to see what they had.

Isn’t it funny that every where we travel we almost always have to check out the local Costco, Wal-Mart, and even second-hand stores to see if they are the same.  You just never know!

Usually we get a condos with a kitchen, that way we don’t have to eat out three times a day for seven days.   We like being able to make a pot of coffee, and have bagels for breakfast on the deck or patio.  The rest is up for grabs, and we are usually scrambling to eat all the food, or trying to figure out how to take it back home with us because we had purchased way to much at Costco.

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We always have fun as a family, never have any regrets, arguments, or anything else negative!  Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Tuesday Augest 18th

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I might add that I love to laugh, but I really love to paint, so can I add “Paint”  to that quote…please?

The post that posted on Sunday was actually supposed to post on Tuesday.  I spend a lot of time on my posts, and I’m sure that my husband Les could still find mistakes.  So, since my Tuesday post was early I’m going to do something really easy………on me!

 

Happiness

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Mendala

Mendala

As I sit here writing a blog for Tuesday, I’m thinking how very fortunate I am, and how happy I am to be in this place, at this time.  I’m healthy, I wake up each morning,  still standing, still thinking, and doing.  How much better could it be?

One might say winning the lottery would help! Or, being able to buy a Tesla would be nice!  My answer to that would be, “It would wouldn’t it!”

But……..I don’t have to have those things to be happy!

Actually winning the lottery would most likely bring a ton of other problems we could never imagine.  Being able to purchase a Tesla, well…..bring it on.  For those of you who know me, you know I’m very environmental, and…….I’d Love a Tesla!

But I’m not willing to spend every penny I have on fast cars, and fast men!  My husband is fast enough for me.  We’ve built a happy place for ourselves, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m a wealthy woman!

You see, I have always considered myself a wealthy woman.  Through thick and thin,  there are lessons to learn.  No matter how bad it gets the lessons we learn are the same things that build character, and mold the person we become.  In a lot of ways having bad times, builds character, and strength!

In reading my email this morning, I realized I’m not the only one who is a glass half full person.  If you have a little time, try reading the post from Celebrating Sunshine, Hapiness is……

I consider myself a wealthy woman because……

First granddaughter Sarah

First granddaughter Sarah

All my grandchildren are not just smart but beautiful as well..

Hula Pie

Hula Pie

I’m able to celebrate birthdays with my family…

Conno

Connor

Connor still wants to spend time with me!  This is big for an 11-year-old boy!

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Nolan wants to spend time with me, and can’t wait for his parents to go to work so I can stay with him for the evening!

Plumaria

Plumeria

I have beauty all around me!

Phoenix

Phoenix

I get to experience all the little critters my grandchildren are caring for, and learning from.  I think learning all the habits, and what these little pets need for food builds a love of nature.  My kids had all sorts of creatures from skunks to snakes, and everything in between, and they all love and respect nature, and the planet.

Phoenix the chameleon

Phoenix the chameleon

I am so grateful for my daughter in law for allowing this paint fest to happen at her home, and still clean up the mess when it was over.  She never held it against me for having thought of the idea,  the kids had a fun summer memory,  and I’m still in her good graces!

Sage & Nolan playing in red paint! Summer 2015

Sage & Nolan playing in red paint! Summer 2015

Our family is closely knit, and do many things together.  At the same time, know one gets upset if the other part of the family wants to go off on their own.  I have a wonderful husband who puts up with a crazy artist wife,  and puts up with all my crazy kids, and animals.   How could it get any better?

Life is good!

Flippin’ Friday

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Camelian named Phoenix

Chameleon named Phoenix

One of the newest additions to my Grandson, Connor’s personal zoo is his chameleon named Phoenix.  At first Phoenix was defensive, and everyone was afraid to touch him, or pick him up.  So, my daughter went to the reptile store, and asked about the behavior, and how to work with this kind of creature.  Once they found out how to interact with Phoenix, everything has been clear sailing…..so to speak.  He is now getting to know the family, and is less frightened to see a big hand coming into his terrarium.

 

To be named

To be named

The next little creature that has come into our lives is a Blood Python who lives very close to my home.  My son adopted him, and he has the sweetest personality.   Very docile, and at only 8 months old is still small.  He has beautiful markings, and is much fun to interact with.

This snake although a python, will not get large like most pythons.  Maybe five or six feet.  He’s more of a stocky pencil than a green bean.  Stay tunes for more about the Zoo we have going on in our family.

Well that’s it for the week everyone.  I’ve been so busy with back to school, and a few other obligations that I even forgot to post on Tuesday of this week.  My apologies, but things happen from time to time, and it is never my intention to not post.  It’s just a matter of a little balancing, or juggling problem…….with my time!

Thursday Time Out For Art

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Summer Abstract

Summer Abstract

This little watercolor painting is something I was inspired to paint when I visited an old  friend.  She had picked some roses, and a few other things, dropped them on the top of her BBQ, and proceeded to do something else.  Once I noticed them, I couldn’t help but paint them.  They spoke to me for some strange reason.

Not long ago, I decided to  fill in some of the empty spaces with doodles.  First it was doodles with a fine point pen, then it was decided to use a paint pen.

Some of the most fun I have is doing something without pressure, and simply mindless!  This is one of those times.

Inspiration for creativity is provided by Zebra Designs & Destinations.

 

Happy Birthday Connor

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Connor's 11th Birthday celebration

Connor’s 11th Birthday celebration

Yep You got it!

Sunday evening we celebrated Connor’s (my grandson) birthday by going to Jake’s in Del Mar. Clearly this is something that is only done maybe every ten years or so.

And this is why…..

Don’t you think having Hula Pie for dinner would be fun?  Like I said, only every ten years, or maybe twenty.

Hula Pie

Hula Pie

Still, we all decided since Connor is growing out of the little kid birthday party stage, and clearly going into the tween stage, it was time to do something different.  Isn’t that what life is all about?  Doing off the wall things, having fun, and doing something so different that others would gasp!

Connor was eleven years old on Monday, August 3, and while we all sat around  talking about how time flies, and what a cute baby he was, Connor is growing up.  He is tall like his dad, cute as a button even now with those dimples and freckles over his nose, very determined,  smart, and has a sense of humor that is matched by only his dad.  It has been our great pleasure to see the transformation from  an infant to the steadfast young man he has become.  It’s only going to get better.

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Les and I are so proud of him that,  at times I could burst!

When his mom asked him, “How come you give Grandma a hug, and a kiss, and you won’t give me a hug, and a kiss?”

His reply was, “Grandma won’t leave me alone until I do!”  

See, I told her she was being to easy on him.   Believe me I’m not going to give parenting advise to any of my kids.  I barely made it through the raising of my own, let alone give suggestions to others.

This I have learned for sure…….

What was once true, is no longer applicable, and  what was one generations perfect family, now would be todays dysfunctional family.  Times change, ideas change, parenting changes.   I am astonished at the way my children raise their children.  I’m sure they don’t feel confident, but to me they are genius at how they handle situations, and problems.  They are all such great parents, and  make me feel so inept.

Connor is one of those kids….

That helps others.  He stands up against bullying, and helps teach kids that aren’t able to understand math or science in a way they can understand.  He has saved two or three lives by doing the Heimlich.  Once to his sister while they were in the backseat, on the freeway while his dad was driving. This is a boy who at the age of three cracked the password of his mom’s computer.  We knew then he would be a challenge to raise.  Keeping one step ahead of him would be exhausting.  Aren’t these kind of things, the things that keep you young? and help you grow old before your time as well!

Filled up!

Filled up!

We can’t wait to see what wonderful things he will do in his life.

But for now, it’s on to Middle School, and a whole different experience for Connor.