Blogging Anniversary

Exactly 10 years ago today I started posting here on Jill of All Trades.  I cannot believe it has been 10 years.  When I started spilling myself out here it was because of the depression and sadness of loss, the loss of my best friend Gail, then the loss of my other dearest best friend, Momma.  I still cry sometimes and feel it in my heart like a dagger but I am finally mended.  So much has changed in these 10 years.  I have found my new happy in creating my art and little Snicklefritz has entered our lives, our little ray of sunshine.  Life is so wonderful now...

I have to backtrack just a hair, life is a bit precarious right now with work and that is making things a bit tense but all in all my life is good and happy.  

An (Old) Experiment

Yesterday while I was sipping my second cup of coffee and enjoying the morning I was thinking of trying something new yet old, posting everyday!  Let's see how that goes.  I've done it before for about 6 months but WHEW, that was a challenge.  Going to try it again since this is the 10th year of my blog.  

Oh my goodness, what is that glow coming through my window yesterday morning!  Could it be....

SUNSHINE!

Yup, it was a beautiful sunshiny morning as it was the day before but yesterday morning even more so.  I decided to PAINT...wait...

I had to get Snicklefritz's momma to come get her first, I think.  Well, maybe not.  She's seemed content to sit in Granddad's lap watching shows about restoring old cars and things, boats (big, BIG boats) and guns and history.  Figures, but hey, she was quite content.  So...ONWARD!

New Year's Resolutions and MORE!

Day 2 of the New Year and I'm ready!  I told The Hubby that we would get back completely on track with the eating on Jan 2 and that is what we are doing.  Actually, we weren't too awful bad at all during the holidays.  Because we have been doing the no bread-no pasta-no rice-no potatoes thing since June it is like a habit now.  Don't get me wrong we have definitely had a bit of bread and potatoes during the holidays but you have to enjoy life and we did, just in tiny quantities.  I'm very excited for the scale to continue its decline this year.  The fruitcake is gone (my niece made), the chocolate covered toffee is gone (a fabulous Christmas gift), and the cream cheese candies (tossed, good but tossed).  Ready, Set, GOOOOO!

On Monday I spent the day at the office going through a box that Daddy had me get out of one of his closets.  He couldn't lift it down so I did.  We opened it to find a mountain of bank statements and canceled checks from 1968-1971 from his business, their personal stuff and my grandmother's stuff.  Old appliance manuals, and a bit of Boy Scout stuff (Daddy was a leader).  Most of it was ready to toss and shred, which I did on Monday.  I did find a few interesting things about my broken leg, in fact the hospital bills from my two night stay.  And of course I have already forgotten the date on it but it is the exact date that I did not know.  It's already in a file folder to keep, somewhere!  I know, I know, I've already started another pile to go through.  That brings me to New Year's Resolutions or Clean Out!  I'm looking at my desk at home that has a pile of paperwork sitting on it five inches high.  It is where all the bills I pay for our personal records and has been accumulating since last January. I have to go through to get ready for tax stuff.  

New Year's Resolution #1 - To have a specific box for tax stuff and a box for utility bills and nonsense - NOT THE TOP OF MY DESK!  

New Year's Resolution #2 - To clean out the guest closet.  Get rid of the crap that has accumulated and either sell on EBay or flea market or whatever - GET RID OF!  My plan is to whittle down the Christmas stuff as I take it down the next few days and that is where it will be stored.  I'm tired of it going up in the attic!  Next year all the stuff that we did not take down from the attic this year will come down next year and there will be another purge!  Not only will the guest closet become the Christmas closet but it will also house some of he paintings that are piling up here.  They will shortly go to the new building, my new studio but in the meantime they are piling up.

New Years Resolution #3 - Sell paintings!  Easier said than done.  Oh, I have sold in 2013 that is for sure but they are piling up and I don't want to store them in the attic.  Again, Etsy may be the place.  I do have another show in January at The Garden Trug that I'm very excited for.  It will be the perfect place for the flower paintings in preparation of spring plantings.  I need to get some more going, ASAP!  

New Year's Resolution #4 - Get into a gallery or restaurant!  I've only tried once but maybe again!

New Year's Resolution #5 - Diet!  Well, I'm sort of not going there.  I'm already doing it in a huge lifestyle change in our eating.  I think my goal is to continue, and continue with the exercise.  I am hoping with the 26 pounds gone now that this spring I will be able to do more walking again.  Don't think the running will happen anymore, but, you never know!  Maybe another 5K is in my future!!!

New Year's Resolution #6 - Read!  I have read 60 books yet again this year, 2nd year in a row!  I'm quite impressed with myself and so will continue with this goal.  I love to read!  That is one thing my mother instilled in my Bro, Sis and I was the love of reading!  She said it was the window to our future, that we could accomplish and become anything if we could and would read!  I hope I passed the love to my children, I know I did, and I am going to encourage Rio too.  She already at 15 months, loves books to look at and hold.  It doesn't matter if they are BBQ cookbooks or Architectural Digest Magazine, she loves to look at them and hold them.  Her favorite is her bedtime book, "Good Night Moon", and when she tries to say it, OH, the cutest thing ever!  

New Year's Resolution #7 - Continue nurturing mine/our friendships!  I have made a point of having our friends out to dinner or to cook here, and I am going to continue it.  I know The Hubby sometimes just wants to come home and do nothing but it is not going to happen.  I will NOT get into a rut of nothingness when it comes to our social life.  I started a book club with a few friends and neighbors and so far I LOVE it.  We have drinks and dinner with a couple of our neighbors and I love that too but sadly one of the couples called a couple of days ago to tell us they are moving!  Not far and she is still in the book club, but so sad!  I love them to pieces and she has become a really good friend, quickly.  I want to stay busy with my friends and family.  I will NOT sit in my house day in and day out with nothing and nobody to do stuff with.  A social life is very key to staying young and with it!  So my list for dinners/meeting with friends and family is a continuing thing.  

New Year's Resolution #8 - Blogging - I almost gave it up in 2013 but I just can't do it.  I have made some awesome bloggy friends here and some of the family reads this too.  They can see me here, I hope.  I have to write!  I still journal but some of the stuff I write in my journal I just CAN'T write here for fear that "someone" will find me here and read it.  I can be open and honest as much as possible here, but there are limits.  I have found that through my journey in blogging.  I would like to attend another blog conference sometime, with a friend possibly.  Maybe that can be another goal.  

Random 5 Friday

I'm trying something new here from A Rural Journal, it's a Random 5 Friday. 

1.  I like routine.  I was not like that in my early years yet here I am approaching my 58th year and I am a routine person.  Does that come with age?  I think it kind of does for all of us.  It's just how things roll.  I am up the same time.  I have breakfast the same time.  I do the same things every morning the SAME!  The evening rituals are the same way too.  Not sure how I feel about this.  Hated it when my mother started doing it.

2.  I love books, I mean I LOVE books!  I love to own books.  When we were children my mother made sure we all had library cards and we were constant visitors to the library.  I could sit in there for hours and look at books.  Even though I love the library what is even better is to OWN books.  Oh gosh I hated it when Borders went out of business.  I would walk in the door to their tables of new releases and my arms would be full of books.  I could not walk out of that store without spending a couple hundred dollars on books.  The smell, the sound, the feel of the paper...I LOVE owning books as is evident by the piles that are in various places in my house.  Have I read all of them...not yet!

3.   I always wanted to be a writer, a fiction writer.  I found a few years ago that I am not very good at writing, or at least fiction.  Probably because I use "I" a lot!!!  It happens a lot when you write a blog as you usually are writing a lot about yourself.  I may not be a fiction writer but I am a writer!  I am a blog writer and I think I'm okay at it.  (My girls are fantastic writers.)  

It's fun and I've been doing in nearly 8 years now, here!  Did you know I print off every blog post I write.  I keep them in three-ring binders and dated.  One of these days my girls (they already to) or granddaughter or great-grandkiddos will read them and understand me more.  I recently found a site that I printed 2012 in a hardbound book!  There you go, I'm a writer and I am hardbound!

(This random 5 thing is kind of tough!)

4.  I hate winter.  Did I tell you that already!  I HATE WINTER!  It's just not pretty and it is dang cold.  It's hard on people financially and physically.  At least the physical for me.  I get chilled and I will not really get warm until spring.  I have to work very hard to not get depressed and eat myself into oblivion.  Snow is pretty, as long as I don't have to get out in it.  I get through the winter knowing that spring is just a few months away and I will see green again!

5.  I am a crafter at heart.  I crochet, I knit (a bit), I love little counted cross-stitch ornaments and oh yeah, I'm an artist.  I love that I have found my creative side.  It's always been there but this oil painting thing has give me a whole new dimension to ME!  I may never sell stuff for thousands of dollars but I do sell and that has done more for my confidence than you can imagine.  I think we grow as human beings until the day we die, and I don't me physically, I mean mentally.  We become more well-rounded, at least I have.  I hope to be an inspiration to my girls and granddaughter!  

I Apologize

I must apologize for not reading and commenting on some of my favorite blogs as of late but my life has been such a whirlwind the only time I read anything is at bedtime lately or listen to a book in the car, much less sit down and read blog posts.  I miss my friends but it is what it is.  Life is barrelling along for me and I don't even have time for my creative side that NEEDS to come out.  I have got to find some time to just stop and express myself.  So this quick note is to apologize to one and all and Please don't give up on me.  I will be back, I promise...don't leave me.  Carla

Moon - Doggie

It's Wednesday morning, and thought I would share a pic of our little guy.  Sweet Clayton is finally feeling better.  For the past two weeks he has battled yet another urinary tract infection and a nasty infection on one of the pads on his back leg.  He had some kind of injury, the foot was swollen and he was just not eating or feeling well at all.  Thankfully the vet gave him an antibiotic for the UTI and it worked for the foot too.  He's back to his usual sweet and happy disposition.  

That being said he got me up at about 3:30 this morning trying to puke in bed!!!!  Eek!  I jumped up and put him down on the wood floor which I knew I could clean much easier than my sheets.  The poor guy does this a lot so it's not unusual.  Since the day we got him he has had these bouts.  Just has a sensitive tummy. 

So, since I was up and awake I ended up going ahead and getting up and ready for workout.  I thought I would do some blogging and check emails...blah, blah, blah.  That didn't work out as our Internet was still down from last night.  Well, off to workout early then.  The moon was just beautiful. 

So as you can see that I am posting that the Internet is back up and running.  I plan on staying home most of the day today to paint.  This evening I'm watching Rio while her momma and daddy to the movies and dinner.  She is so much fun and almost walking!  My house will not be the same for awhile.  

Ohhhhh, and the scale FINALLY moved...I'm down 18 pounds!

Blogoversary

Happy Anniversary to me, Happy Anniversary to me, Happy Anniversary to me.....

Yeah, well it is now 7 years that I have been blogging on this blog, Today!  I can't believe it has been that long since I started spilling my stuff on this site.  I thank you one and all for being a reader and follower and friend.  This blog has been such a healing place for me after Gail and my Mom died.  You have been there for sure.  Thank you and it seems that I will continue to next year as I seem to have found my writing chops again, not good chops, but at least I am writing.  Love to you all.  Carla

Labor Day...

I have taken a break from my year long quest to post everyday.  The past couple of days the mind was a blank so I just went with it.  In fact, I may not post everyday for the rest of the year.  I have given eight solid months of blogging and I'm giving in to the break.

The Hubby and I rushed out of town Friday afternoon for the cabin.

Along the way we encountered some lovely rain clouds. 

It had been awhile since we have had rain of any kind and I was totally amazed by the beauty. 

I told The Hubby that there was a time when one tiny dark cloud would send me into shakes and shivers.  I had so many fears when young.  Living in tornado alley will do that to a person!  Now I love it and embrace the beauty of nature. 

The cabin area was very quiet and relaxing.  Not much water over the waterfall so more rain is needed. 

At least there was enough rain the past week that my hibiscus were in full bloom and the vines of passion flower and clematis were going crazy. 

Waiting for the cool down and a great fire in the fire pit.

Blogiversary

This month is my 6 year blogiversary!  I can't believe this has been home to my thoughts, feelings and words and I've made so many neat bloggy friends.  I've had thoughts of giving it up but I just can't do it.  Do you think I can make it to 7 years or even 10 years.  I certainly hope so.  I can't wait to see who I meet, online!  Thanks everyone.  Oh and Monday is a special day for me.  I will let you know what it is then!

Blank

I am finally posting today even though I have absolutely NOTHING to say.  It's funny, I just look at this computer screen and see blank.  My brain is blank.  I think it's because I am tired.  Afton has been home since last Sunday and we were up late when she came in.  Tuesday night I couldn't sleep and got up with her for a few hours to just chat.  Loved that.  Then last night was her show at The Hunt Club and it didn't even start till after 9:30.  YAWN.  Maybe that could explain the blankness that is in my mind.  So, I'm posting to just say HI and goodnight.  Hopefully, tomorrow I will have something more profound to say.

Perplexed

Perplexed!  Yes I am perplexed because for the past three days I have watched my visitor numbers go up by nearly 500.  In fact I jumped to way over 50,000 views for the past 6 years.  I'm perplexed because of over 500 views and nearly no comments.  Do I not write to get comments?  Maybe I should change my focus and do some questionnaires or get political, nope don't think so.  I will just keep blogging away.  Glad to have anyone here to read my words.  Have a great Wednesday everyone!

365 Days A Year Of Good Reading Rack Service

I have neglected to draw attention to B's side blog, her third I think.  She's doing a project.  I will start from the beginning here.  She explains the origination of the thought of starting this project from finding the stash of pamphlets in a house we were renovating for resale.  So please stop by and take a visit to her 365 Days a Year of Good Reading Rack Service.  It's very interesting and as it says, 365 days so follow and visit.

Blog Break Day

I'm taking a blog break day today....tomorrow all!

Comments vs Readers

The question today at NaBloPoMo is: "Would you rather have more blog readers or more blog comments?" I've pondered that question a few times before. Hmm, I have about 76 readers but in reality I have many more that just don't comment or are a part of the "system". I won't lie it would be awesome to hit 100 readers but I'm okay with my wonderful readers now. I definitely would like more comments. Sometimes you want to hear that what you are writing and sharing is okay. So, to answer the question, I would rather have more comments.

Picture of the day - At my vets office...Best Friends!

(sorry it's blurry-camera phone)

Comment Verification

A friend commented the other day that she could not comment on my blog because of the comment verification problem so I took it off.  It has been a couple of weeks and the spam I am getting is horrendous.  I have put it back to save my email account the workout.  Really, it was getting silly and I know it is probably the automated stuff.  I love email, snail mail anything and it was tiring to hear, "You've Got Mail," and find junk stuff.  So sorry for the inconvenience but it has to be for a bit.  For the one who had the problem, lets try again and see if it works, if not I may consider undoing again as I love to hear from you.

Shame On Me.

I have erred.  I missed a day of posting.  I hold my head in shame...not really.  I just could not come up with anything yesterday and besides I seem to have a horrible sinus headache.  The mind does not want to work with this aching.  A weekend at the cabin plus an early spring equals sinus headache and allergies galore.  Had to get up in the middle of the night and take headache relief and that was not fun...ouchy.  I have to get rid of this before tonight because it is the first installment of the WalkFit program. 

Back to no posting.  I am human and it may happen more often than not but I will still hold true to my promise of posting everyday, hopefully. 

Hope everyone has a great Monday.  It's time to head to the office for me.  Toodles all!

Word Verification

A week or so ago I had a reader-friend that could not comment on my blog and several others here on Blogger so I opted to take my word verification off for a bit to allow her and others to comment.  Well, the spam she be a coming in now.  Amazing that everyday when I open my emails the spam commenting I get, at least 3 a day.  Thank goodness Blogger keeps a tight handle on that stuff and it doesn't show up on my blog.  Really spammers what is the point anyway.  I'm just a lowly little artist/wife/mother/business lady/blogger what do I need all that for.  Take a rest please and go somewhere else! 

1,300 Posts

1,301 -  This morning as I was looking at the dashboard page I noticed that yesterday was my 1,300th post on this blog.  Amazing how time flies when you are having fun.  I have been posting since June of 2006 I find it amazing that I've had something to say 1,300 times, or at least a picture or two. 

Yesterday I posted about the Lemon Tiramisu I wanted to make.  The recipe was from David Rocco's website/cooking show and I have to say.....YUMMY!!!!!!  It was so very delicious.  I was impressed with myself.  I think you could even do it with oranges and orange liquore too.  Still no pictures yet but plan on making it again tomorrow and HOPEFULLY will have some pic's.

Moving slow this morning, sleeping in mega-time and just can't seem to get my head together.  I took some allergy medicine for a weird rash and boy does it knock me out, even still this AM. 

Oh, well, I'll close for now as I really don't have much to say here and am just tapping keys to make something on this page. 

Have a great weekend all. 

Reading Tidbits

Hmmm, I started writing a slush of gibberish and it was HORRIBLE.  I deleted it all!  That doesn't happen often but I did not like the way it was going.  This past weekend I finished two books in my quest to read 5 a month and 60 this entire year.  I read Zero Day by David Baldacci which I like but was surprised a bit by the ending, not what I expected, or did I.  Then I read Darrell Hammond's book God, If You're Not Up There, I'm F*cked:  Tales of Stand-up, Saturday Night Live, and Other Mind-Altering Mayhem.  I saw him on Dr. Phil (I don't watch him but was channel surfing and happened upon) the other day and was intrigued by his story.  It was an interesting read but I did find it only touched in small little snippets of what his life as a child was and how it really messed him up.  It was a lot about the workings of SNL which was interesting too.  I think he has a lot more to write about concerning his "life" but probably this was all he could manage to divulge.  I'm now reading Rose Marie's book Hold The Roses.  I remember her on the Dick VanDyke show but she was around way before that and really had a more successful career when she was younger.  Just started it but should be good. 

With my challenge of reading so many books I have to be careful that reading is not ALL I do this year.  I do have some painting to do with a possiblity of a show in the spring but I need to get cracking on that.  Plus the blog post every single day...I have a lot of work to do!

Five Things I Love

My sweet friend Kay at Musings wrote about five things she loves and I thought I would try my hand at that too.  Here goes!

Our sweet Clayton.  Since he has come into our lives I can't imagine our life without him but I know that someday...sniff.  He is our little joy.

 My paints!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my paints.  I love mixing and creating.  It has given a new meaning to my life to experience this love of art. 

My books!  Books are so special to me and I shed tears when we were first married when The Hubby wanted me to scale down and GET RID OF THEM!  It was as if I was stabbed in the heart.  I especially love this set of Children's Hour books that were our childhood books.  My mother read to us from these books and I cherish them completely, especially the one of Best Loved Poems!

Now, these are my journals and calenders.  They are me.  My secret thoughts and feelings and along with Clayton and our pictures would be the thing I would grab in case of a fire.

Last of all is my backpack.  I bought this several years ago before we went to Paris and Normandy and along with Paris and Normandy has traveled to England, Ireland and our latest trip to New England.  I carry it often and it still looks brand new.  Love leather! 

There you go, 5 things I love.  How about you.  Can we keep this going and be sure to go back to Kay at Musings and let her know!