You're As Young As You Feel

I have always said that I don't feel like I am whatever age I was at that time.  Today I am 58 but I certainly don't feel like I am 58, I feel more like I am still in my 40's.  I just saw a thing on AOL about aging, some kind of study about basically the phrase, "You're as young as you feel." That has been my mantra for many years and this new British study backs up that phrase, and to living longer.  My Daddy is a perfect example of that because when he hit his 50's he basically shut down his business (the oil thing did it) and sat in his chair and retired from life.  I guess he told himself that he was old.  Oh my goodness, you just can't do that, but that is what he did, and I think it took a toll on him.  Yes, yes, he will be 80 this summer but it has been an agonizingly long 30 years of him telling himself that he is old.  I still like to listen to head banging music, rock-n-roll.  I don't do roller skating or climbing mountains and stuff but I do try to stay up with current world things, like the computer, TV, the world.  I help chase around a 2 year old, I work, I read, I paint...I love life, "You're as young as you feel."  Here, here!

Also, side note, finished up the 30 painting challenge...

Anniversary, Painting, Food...etc!

It seems that this painting thing, life, work, Rio....all of it is consuming my life lately.  Actually, yesterday was our 39th Wedding Anniversary and I didn't even have time to blog about it.  I think my blogging days will have to be on the weekends only for a bit.  

The Hubby and I went to dinner last night at a restaurant we have never been too, Mahogany's.  It's a steak place and I think a chain.  Very upscale and very, very expensive.  We had a gift certificate from one of our suppliers but good grief we still had to pay the other half of $300 food bill.  Really, being honest, it was a nice experience but I was not all that "$300" impressed.  The past 4-5 years we've gone to Flemings and I liked it better.  We had a trio special that had steak, a bone-in rib-eye, lobster and crab legs.  All of it was split between the two of us.  The steak was yummy, the lobster over cooked, rubbery and no flavor.  The crab was better.  The spinach had a strange taste.  But I overlooked that to say the wine was yummy, seeing a very, very old friend of my sister's childhood and the FABULOUS company of my hubby made the evening special.  We had a nice evening.  

I am also reflecting this morning on the loss of one of The Hubby's aunts, well into her 90's.  Actually, she was married to one of his favorite uncles, who is still kicking.  They were married, gosh probably over 60 years or more.  Then a friend, an old high school friend lost her husband to cancer a few days ago.  They were married over 40 years.  Loss is inevitable but still sad and hurts.  We've just got started having fun!

Started watching Rio again while her mother is teaching this week.  We painted and painted.  That kid loves to paint her watercolors and I will have to buy her some more and little canvas's.  She holds up her picture to show me her "bird".  I know it's because I paint a lot of birds.  She is darling.

(Gotta try and paint this!)

Here's some of the latest paintings.

Ain't Life Grand

Looks like blogging will be a bit slow this year.  I've been very busy doing this 30 Day Painting Challenge and as you can tell, I'm ready for spring!  Lots of birds and flowers.

Hummingbird 

5x7 oil on canvas panel

$ 75

Daffodil

5x7 oil on canvas panel

$50

Downtown View

8x10 oil on canvas

$100

Purple Finch

5x7 oil on canvas panel

$50

Woodpecker

8x10 oil on canvas

SOLD

Winter Goldfinch

5x7 oil on canvas panel

SOLD

Yesterday was such a lovely January day that I sat on our brick wall around the patio and sipped bubbly with frozen raspberries and soaked up the sunshine.  I spied the daffodils popping up the green all ready for spring! 

Decided to take a quick pic of MEEEEE... in one of the many mirrors we have around the yard.  Yes I never got out of my lounging clothes yesterday! 

Clean Up

The days are getting so messed up with the holidays and NO SUN.  It was weird that I could not make sense yesterday that it was Friday.  Usually we are heading to the cabin but opted to stay in town because of this nasty wet, cold, NO SUN weather.  I took time to paint a bit for the 30 day challenge as I have to every morning.  I decided to paint a little spring with the birdies.  

"Bluebird"

"Scarlet Tanager"

After a painting session I was off to take Christmas 2014 down and put away for next year.  That also meant cleaning out a closet, yet again.  Oh my gosh what a mess but I was able to even get this all back plus all the Christmas decorations and the TREE, with room to spare.  Just reshuffled a bit and trashed a bit.  

That done it was to the showers to wash my dusty self and de-grease the hair.  While reshuffling the closet I found jigsaw puzzles.  I LOVE jigsaw puzzles and haven't done them in years.  They bring back wonderful memories for me.  It was something we always did as a family during the winter months.  Especially on snowy days when school was called off and we couldn't (or wouldn't) go outside.  I posted this picture on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram yesterday and a guy from high school commented, "You gotta good start there, just 998 more to go". What a funny guy, made me laugh out loud.  

Today it's more time at the easel, jigsaw puzzle, listen to the first book of 2015, out to dinner with friends.  Bringing in the new year right.  

Ringing in 2015

The new year came in last night with us staying home to watch little Snicklefritz while her parents threw a New Year's party.  Her momma said that bedtime would probably early but it was not the case.  She is absolutely obsessed with "Anny's" (Granny) bed.  All she wanted to do was get in my bed without me in it.  I finally talked her into letting me in my bed after about an hour.  She insisted it was RiRo's bed (as she calls herself).  For dinner she wolfed down two pieces of pizza, cottage cheese and blueberries, her favorite.  Unfortunately I had to make her cry when I finally insisted she sleep in HER bed.  Oh gosh, made me hurt to hear her cry for "Anny, Anny, Anny..." Finally, about 10:30 I went in for the 3rd time and she held her arms for me to hold her as she swiftly went to sleep on my shoulder.  This morning she is still asleep (it's 8 am).  I've painted and accomplished Day 1 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge that I'm doing AGAIN!  

Day 1 is of our sweet little Clayton.  I've had this picture for awhile and have wanted to paint him but just could not get it right but today...

I have Day 1 of the Painting Challenge under my belt.

Day 1 - "Clayton"

8x10 oil on senso linen canvas 

This sweet picture is one of the last Bri had of her little Opal BeBe.  I loved it and painted it for her for Christmas.

"Opal BeBe"

10x10 oil on canvas 

More 30 Painting Challenge and MORE

And the painting challenge continues.  As of today I have 4 days left of paintings.  Whew!  It has been quite awesome and I have a LOT of paintings to sell now.  I have GOT find a venue and after this it will be easier.  What with painting, working, organizing my 40th Class Reunion (this weekend) and watching Rio, well, I'm a bit pooped.  Doesn't help that two nights in a row I have not slept.  I woke up at 2:30 on Wednesday night not to sleep again until 5 am.  The same thing happened last night which will make me have to get a quick nap in today, hopefully if I want to keep up with my fellow classmates.  I have a feeling they are all on the same page as myself with bed early, I hope!  I think it's just the excitement of the reunion.

First is a photo of Rio strutting her stuff at her Momma's work.  It was International Fashion Day at the junior college and Rio got to wear this darling little outfit.  Bri said she was styling and walking the runway, even with a little twirl.  She is just so stinking cute!

Painting Challenge...continued.

Day 23

"Bathing Beauty"

Day 24

"Roses" 

Day 25

"Rocks"

Day 26

"Final Harvest"

30 Day Painting Challenge Update

If you don't follow my art blog I am updating everyone on the 30 day painting challenge I have been doing this month.  This is also why I haven't been blogging.  Between watching Rio, working, planning my 40th class reunion (that is this next weekend) and this painting challenge I have had absolutely no time for anything else.  So here is the updated ones starting day 16.  By the way my art blog is Artist In Training if you want to follow my journey.  

Day 16

"The Barn"

8x10

oil on cotton panel

$100

Day 17

"#43 (aka Go Tigers)"

5x7

oil on cotton panel

NFS

Day 18

"Ireland"

9x12

oil on cotton panel

$150

Day 19

"Fall Solitude"

9x12 

oil on cotton panel

$100

Day 20

"Apple"

8x8

deep gallery wrap canvas

$100

Day 21

"Oh, Bass"

9x12

oil on canvas

$100 

Day 22

"Daily Swim"

8x10

oil on canvas panel

$100 

Painting and Rio

My life lately has been nothing but painting at every little opportunity I can get and watching Rio.  Her momma and daddy are in the process of moving.  First a lot of painting, new carpet and floors and then today MOVING!  Today is the day but in the meantime I have been watching Rio, a lot of Rio.  She is a pistol but frankly I am pooped and so are her parents.  It is a rough and busy time but it will pass, soon.  

The painting challenge is ongoing too and it has been a bit tough but I am halfway through the 30 day challenge.  I thought I had one for this morning but after looking at the photo I took to post I realized I'm not finished so this afternoon I will fix it.  Sleep next and painting and back to workout next week is on the order, back normal.

"Peek-a-Boo"

8x10

$100

"Guitar Man"

(My little brother)

5x7

NFS

"Corks"

8x10

$100

"Sadie"

(my little cousin)

5x7

NFS

"Black-eyed Susans"

8x10

$100

"Sunbathing"

8x10

$100

"Ella"

8x10

NFS

"Fruit"

8x10

gallery wrapped

$75

Have to paint this!  What a dumplin'. 

Rainy Days and Saturday's

Yes, this morning it is raining.  A soft Saturday rain this AM and I'm loving it.  Sadly it's not at the cabin but that is okay, I'm okay with that.  It has been a very, VERY busy couple of weeks, as is the norm lately.  Sleep has been a bit lacking but this morning I slept in to 9!  That was GREAT!

 I did take time out on Sunday to go by and see Daddy, pay some of his bills and get some quality lap time with his new baby.  Her name is Susie!  What a little beauty and he is just thrilled to have her in his world.  He took her from living under his house the day before his surgery to his vet and we had her spayed, shots and they kept her for a couple of weeks.  It was good to give her the calm INSIDE life before we brought her home.  She will forever be safe and sound in his house now.  The vet said she is only about 6 months old and unfortunately when he got in there to spay her she was, in his words, "EXTREMELY pregnant." So sad but it might have killed her to even have the kittens because she was so young and thin.  She is the sweetest little thing and Daddy is happy he has company.  

This week has been doctor appointments for Daddy which Bro has taken one and I took one.  Both, Dr. Hippy and Dr. Heart were fabulous.  They were very pleased with his progress.  YEAH!  He's even back to driving again.  Amazing man really.  

I've also been doing my fair share of watching little Snicklefritz while B&B2 get their NEW house ready to move into.  They've been painting fools and carpet pulling up nuts.  There is still a lot of painting to do, mainly the walls now.  The dang place was full of painted trim and that is what has taken so long.  The walls will be a snap to get finished.  They have this week left to finish as they close on their old house and MOVE next weekend.  This morning new carpet is being laid in the bedrooms and during the week the new bamboo floors will be laid in the living room, front room and hall.  The peel and stick tile will be laid in the workroom/laundry room too.  While all this is taking place we have all been working during the day, me babysitting, and then working at night, me babysitting.  We all look forward to just sitting and saying, "WHEW!" 

Side note on the niece that has so many troubles.  She posted on Facebook that she was going to rehab for 40-60 days in Michigan.  I was skeptical but texted Sis and she said it was true that the niece set it all up herself and one of the last post on FB was she was getting on the plane.  Wow.  So glad and I hope it works.  This kid.  I pray it works for everyone's sake.  

Lastly, I've been working on the 30 Day paint challenge and today is day six.  It has been a challenge (duh) but I've enjoyed it and hope I can continue.  I have even sold one of them, the "Wishing Well." Wow, did not expect that but I will take it.  It is great practice for me.  

_____________________________________

Day 5 

"A Longing and Winding Road"

11x14 oil on gesso board

$ 100