Art and the Swim

The weekend is over, the OVAC tour is done and in the books and it was a grand success.  Gosh, it was really fun to interact with all kinds of people through our studio.  

There was a steady stream of visitors both days, 52 on Saturday and 59 on Sunday.  Pretty awesome.  Who needs an official open house when you can do this. 

On the Thursday before we got to tour the other studios and that was quite interesting.  Matt Moffett's studio is 50+ year old house he and his hubby are renovating just for studio space.  Really cool.  We also went to a place called Black Moon which is where several artists are in residence.  The upstairs from them is a guy named Skip Hill...AWESOME!  Such a nice guy and his stuff is fantastic.  Plus the building is so cool.  It's an old manufacturing building that a conglomerate has purchased and is refurbishing for studio spaces.  

We also got to go to Otto Duecker's home/studio.  Wow, all I can say is WOW!  He is a hyper-realist painter.  I don't have it in me to be that much of a realist but WOW!  Super nice and funny.  His wife was fun too.  His home is up a super steep driveway and I walked up that drive and back down!  Could not have done that a year ago.  

I did finish a painting that I'd started several years ago and I think it turned out great, even with all the people walking through.

"Blue Dress"

9x12

Oh and the grands, oh the grands.  This past week our girls finally got to meet the great-niece.  Such a cutie.  Someday I will get to meet her too, hopefully soon. 

Summer for the babies...

Snicklefritz had her first swim meet last night and I went to show support.  So proud of this girl.  She got 3rd place in her age group-heat for the back-stroke!  WOW! She also got 8th, and a ribbon in the free-style (American Crawl - not called that anymore) in her age group.  She is such a strong swimmer, much like I used to be many, MANY years ago.  You go girl.  I love you to pieces.

 

supreme court EPIC FAIL

 I AM UTTERLY DEVASTATED by the supreme court (not going to capitalize that!)  Yesterday was a very dark day for WOMEN!

ALL of my grandmothers would be crushed by the appalling turn that women's rights took yesterday, especially...

my mother!  She would absolutely turn over in her grave at this.  I watched my great grandmother be sub-servient to my great grandfather and it was not pretty.  I remember her taking the horrible verbal abuse from him and we cannot let this happen again and it is happening right before our eyes.  It is NOT about babies here ladies, it is about our rights, as people, as WOMEN to have control over our own bodies.  If I want an abortion then it is MY RIGHT, not some government entity to decide that for me.  Next will be our right to vote, do you want that, do you want to lose your voice because that is what is going to happen next, I can guarantee that.  The republican right wants to control us, to tamp us down, to take our rights away, to keep us barefoot and pregnant!  We are delving back into the dark ages for women and we have got to take control and stand up to them.  Do you really think that DT cares for the republican rights, no he does not.  All he cares about is he found a way, like a cult leader to control the sheep, to lead them to fall off the cliff and bow down to his feet.  He does not care for anyone else but himself, not even his children.  Just really look at him and you can tell he is an egotistical maniac and if you keep this up you will fall off that cliff with him and his republican cronies. 

I am so upset by this turn of events and will as a woman rise up and take control back for ourselves.  It's much MUCH more than saving babies ladies and if you do not see that then you are part of that crazy right.  I am all about saving babies but in the process we have lost saving ourselves as women.

Those were dark times before Roe v Wade and we are heading back down there.  Very dark times.

Life's Little Pleasures

Oh this kiddo.  She spent a lot of time with me last week, the week before, and she's here for a couple more nights. It's SUMMER and time to spend time with Granny and Grandad.  I absolutely love having her over here.  She's nearly 10 and we just chat and visit and just hang.  

This little kiddo is going to SPEND THE NIGHT tonight for the first time.  I had her for a couple of hours yesterday while they went to the doctor!!!

She opted to skip her nap which at this age happens BUT she DID potty in the big potty.  She is nearly 3 now going on 5 verbally.  Goodness this baby has such a huge vocabulary it is mind boggling.  She still has the emotions of a 2-1/2 year old but is trying to learn to tame them.  You can see almost see her mind working it all out.  

I tell you my mother would have just been in heaven having these great-grands.  I know last weekend was Father's Day but on Saturday I saw her coffee mug in my cabinet and grabbed it because I was feeling her at the moment.  Daddy's mug, PaPa sits on a shelf over the sink that we don't use.  I am certainly missing both of them lately.  Mostly I wish they could see the grands and I really wish Momma could see how far I've come in my art world.  I think she would have been very proud of me.

This next weekend is the OVAC (Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition) Studio Tour.  Our studio is 2nd on the list for the artists that are participating to pre-tour Thursday night.  I'm more anxious about that than the Saturday and Sunday visitors.  Those are my peers and some are in a whole realm above me but in some respects I feel equal.  I love my studio partner and we work really well together but sometimes she can get me down.  She doesn't want to "make her mark" anymore in the art world and has lost the desire to put herself out there.  I still have that drive and have to watch it not be squelched by her indifference.  Plus with this month's show at the Broken Arrow Historical Museum, I am making a name in my home town, my little area of the world.  It is extremely important to me because I was such a wallflower, a part of the scenery, an introvert most of my life.  I've stepped out of the shadows and want to BE SEEN!

Monday I finished this little jewel.  I call it "Telephone Line".

I so love doing these landscapes and think they will be more of my focus from now own.  I do love the florals but just am not feeling them.  That being said, I dug this one out of the "blocked-in-may-paint-over pile" to possibly make something out of it.  I was pleasantly surprised when I really got into it.  I can't decide if I want to go and work on it today or wait for Saturday and Sunday.  During the OVAC tour we are there from noon to 5 both days and I need something to work on, so think I will just leave it for then.  I have Snicklefritz today and tomorrow and want to keep her entertained.   Hmm, maybe we will do a jigsaw puzzle and read.  She has to read at least 20 minutes each day I think her momma said.  I could read 20 hours a day...LOL!  

Children Are Our Future

Oh my goodness, the director of the museum where our show hangs sent these darling photos of the summer art camp from down the street.  They toured our show! I LOVE that these kiddos are experiencing art at young ages.

These kiddos, so close to my heart, have spent some quality time together this past week.  I had Snicklefritz three nights and she spent one night with Min.  Min absolutely ADORES Snicklefrtiz and Af said while they were on their trip to NY she often called out for Snicklefritz.  

These babies are my heart.

Sweet Snicklefritz and I spent a lot of time playing cards (Uno, Old Maid, Connect 4, etc...) and just visiting.  One evening she just wanted to hang in the backyard and swing in the swing.  She found the bubbles and I captured this wonderful photo of her in all her awe.  She finally was home on Saturday after we spent time at the studio.  She was great help with hanging some paintings and organizing a bunch of stuff.  I think it's about in shape for our OVAC Studio Tour.  She no longer got home but within an hour she was facetiming me to show me her turtle that lives in her backyard.  She talked about it a bunch and wanted to share with me.  She is such a wonderful little lady.

You know I've always said, as did my mother, that you raise your children to leave you.  You teach them to be able to stand on their own in the world, make their way but let me tell you I love having them close to me right now.  It's really exciting to see the light in these babies eyes as they learn about the world, good and bad, it's all teachable moments.

 

Ranting

 I am just going to get on my soap box here so hang on while I rant please.

Everyday, especially around news time the commercials start, the political commercials and I get madder and madder with each and every one.  First of all I am a Liberal-Republican and not proud of the Republican part of that either, especially now in this political climate.  First of all where the HELL ARE THE WOMEN running!  There are none to speak of and that is scary for a woman right now.  All the women I see are the wives standing by their egotistical Republican husbands with their bajallion children, just nodding and smiling like a Stepford Wife!  Good grief.  These "men" are all running on the conservative republican platform, praying and preaching all about taking back America.  We have America you IDIOTS!  If I wanted to pray or be prayed too I would go to church.  Please DO NOT cram your religious leanings down my throat, they are NOT SUPPOSED to be a part of politics.  We have taken a GIGANTIC leap backward for women in this country and I am scared to death to be a woman right now.  We are losing our rights women, letting men control us yet again and it scares the hell out of me.  We are also wanting to put our children in fricking "prison" schools with armed guards, locked doors, and absolute fear.  The damage that is happening to our children is heartbreaking.  Hey, I like owning a gun but when are we going to wake up and take a stand and put a halt to civilians owning military type guns.  That should not happen, ever.  In my day when we went to school it was nothing to see a shotgun in the back window of a kids truck.  We had a healthy fear and were also taught about guns, they were used to hunt deer or squirrels.  I don't understand where it has all gone wrong.  Is it video games that have desensitized our children to them.  All this crap on television, video games, movies about this horrible violence, just dishing it out like Sesame Street for those vulnerable brains to absorb and twist into weird reality.  

Friends, I am scared for this country.  I am scared for my fellow women and what is happening for us.  I'm scared for our babies.  I can't keep getting angry at the idiots on television and I'm tired of muting it constantly.  This is not right, none of it is.  This latest shooting at St. Francis, The Hubby and I both lost a doctor, my shoulder doctor and his back doctor, Dr. Peterson.  I loved Stephanie Husen.  This one has hit way too close to home and that school in Texas just...I can't even find the words how horrific that was.  Why in heaven's name do these idiots take it out on babies for God's Sake!  WHAT THE HELL!  

The After "Party"

The opening is over and it was an overwhelming success.  I was so appreciative for all who showed up to support Linda and I.  It was a grand event and will be up for the entire month.  

The next day was the "BIRTHDAY" celebration and it was so wonderful.  My oldest friends came and we had such fun, especially the husbands.  They hadn't seen each other for quite awhile and boy they never stopped talking.  It was the perfect birthday.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me...

(Yes this is a few years ago!)

YUP to day I turn 66 years young!!!  Having a few friends over for dinner tonight, ala Olive Garden!  We went to breakfast, my favorite, FAVORITE meal to eat out!  He was going to cook but I insisted we go out, besides I didn't have any biscuits or hash browns for him to cook and I didn't want the mess left on my stove he can make...LOL!  I got up early this morning mainly because I was an absolute dreaming fool last night and they were kind of creepy dreams.  Really must not watch Stranger Things at bedtime!  I had my cup of coffee and waited for him to rise, hopefully not too late as I wanted breakfast and I have a meeting to go too and I needed to shower before we went to eat.  He got up, I showered and off we went.  I have a few things to do before I leave for my meeting and when I get back.  Well, best laid plans is I promptly popped the button on my jeans, it was literally hanging by a thread and spilled syrup all down my clean shirt.  So home we went and I threw the shirt in the laundry and sewed the button back on my jeans.  Next was clean out the bird cage because I could smell it from the hallway.  I quickly cleaned him out, tossed the clean shirt in the dryer and now I sit and wait.  I still have to go get gas in my car before I pick up Linda for our meeting.  Thankfully it's Saturday and the traffic should be light to head out south.  

Later today I plan on a NAP, watching more Stranger Things, a bit of Harry Potter (my fav) and cutting up tons of fruit for "fruit" shortcake.  I have fresh fragrant peaches, strawberries, blueberries and I think blackberries and will make whipped cream.  It's going to be a great day.  Yesterday was lunch with my two favorite siblings, Bro and Sis and we had a great time.  Another day another year older...Social Security is on it's way...LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...

Post Opening Exhaustion

Well, IT IS DONE!  

Last nights opening was awesome.  So many people showed up for the show, high school classmates (my bestie from high school!!!), friends, family, work colleagues, art group(s) peers and just people off the street.  It was FANTASTIC!  If you looked close at my face in the first photo it was glistening with sweat.  I was so hot getting all the last minute stuff done.  We had it catered by the Palate but had to pick up the trays and drive them there.  We had wine which I had chilled to serve.  Then I just waited for the art admirers to come and look.  It as such an amazing experience and I am overwhelmed by the support.  Thank you everyone for being there.  

The show will be open for the entire month.  If you didn't make the opening go by any time the museum is open, 10-3 I believe and Thursdays till 8.

Art Opening

 TOMORROW is the day.  I'm really getting excited for this show.  I've been framing and putting wiring on paintings for weeks now, typing labels, pricing paintings, making lists and more lists to get it tweeked just right. We got an email from the director that we could set up a day early too!  I took that opportunity to at least get all the paintings, or most of them down to the museum yesterday instead of today, the original set up day.  I went to the studio thinking I was the only one with the idea of loading up since Linda was going to do it Wednesday, Buttttt, she got there before me...LOL!  Great minds as they say.  Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to get all 24 paintings in my own car, all by myself.  In the end though I took four back and got another large painting and one to replace one I took that had no label.  When I arrived at the museum I was already a sweaty mess because of the humidity but I was pretty proud of myself for being able to get it all done.  Since this surgery I so able to do so much now!  I unloaded and was planning on coming back for The Hubby to help hang the show but the director came in and started helping with her son and before you know it my part of the show was up and ready, except for the exchanges and additions.  In all I have 21 paintings.  Linda ended up going and her husband met her at noon and they got all theirs hung too and she has 21 paintings!  It looks AWESOME!!!  OMG, I'm really so excited.  What a great birthday present to have an art opening show. (FYI, my birthday is Saturday!)  The show runs the entire month of June and hopefully we will sell something.  I have a QRcode to hang that will enable anyone to buy something too.  People keep telling me they are coming to the opening and that is extremely exciting.  This show means so much to me because it is in my hometown.  

I'm honestly surprised I'm able to sleep because I'm so excited.  Tomorrow will be hugely busy because I also have a teeth cleaning, pedicure appointment, pick up food trays, wine, and to make myself presentable for the show without being a sweaty mess.  

A Lot of Babble

This hip thing is honestly very awesome. On Thursday I told The Hubby I wanted, NEEDED to go out to eat.  Sometimes I just am over trying to create meals and he is quite content to go, thank goodness.  So we went to The Polo Grill in Utica Square.  They've done a huge remodel, expanded and we've not been there since that was done.  Goodness it is very large with outside eating, big bar, etc. We didn't have a reservation and they kind of oohed and ahhed about that but we asked if we could sit in the bar and they said certainly.  Honestly there were TONS of empty tables, especially in the bar.  The Hubby and I were kind of amused watching a lot of "OLD" money walk past in their suits and ties and ladies with their bags and pearls.  Some could barely walk in and one guy had a nice but baggy suit on and the dirtiest worn out tennis shoes I had ever seen.  Made me giggle a bit.  (I love to people watch.)  It was a nice meal, mine was a tad tepid and the haricot verts (I call them green beans) were really pretty and green but so raw I could barely crunch through them.  I know that's the trend but a bit more cook would be better.  During dinner The Hubby suggested we go downtown to watch our jazz vibraphonist son-in-law perform at the jazz club Low Down that is under (stairs) the restaurant Duet.  (This is a long roundabout story...)  Normally, pre-surgery I would not even have thought of doing that because of the possibility of walking and STAIRS, oh no.  I responded, "YES!"  The Hubby was thrilled and so was I.  My first instinct was to say no but I didn't and am very glad I was agreeable to the idea.  So off we went, found parking a block and a half away and surprised Nick.  We stayed through his first set and then headed home before we turned into pumpkins.  I can get out now but the sleep monster will not let me stay up to 10 anymore. LOL!  We got to meet a lot of people, his fans and even one couple that saw him in Kansas City a month ago, came down just to see him.  He does have a nice jazz fan base and it's wonderful to see.  

That day I had gone to the studio and quickly painted this little bluebird and I mean quickly.  Sketched it first then splashed a bit of paint on it and was very happy.

I love painting birds and dogs, cats for some reason challenge me.

The holiday weekend usually doesn't mean a whole lot because if it's at the end of the month and we have to work, in the office, billing.  The plan was to come back like usual on Sunday to work.  We did get away to the cabin early on Friday to enjoy the day and evening.  The next day I had another one of my painting groups at the wigwam this time as it was NOT flooded.  I would have had more people but only 3 were able to show up.  The others, illness and kiddos got in the way.  We had a small nice group though and I felt more like I helped this time.  They asked a lot of questions and I was able to guide one to a fully finished watercolor, her first ever painting.  She was absolutely thrilled with it.  One used oils for the very first time and got a bit frustrated but she just barreled through the painting like she had been doing it for years.  The other did oils just to play with mixing and really enjoyed it.  I tried to lend a lot of tips about mixing paint, videos to watch, help with shadows and light.  It was fun.  The thing I need to learn is NOT to get too absorbed into what I WANT to paint as it is to help them and I felt I was a bit lacking in that but they want to watch me.  Have to fine tune this thing called "teaching."   

Paula's first painting!

I had set up more still life stuff mainly for me to paint.  It seems easier than trying to paint from my IPad as I usually do. Plus setting up stuff in the beautiful wigwam was fun.  

Later in the evening we had dinner at Peggy and Tom's.  Hadn't been to their cabin in quite a while as they've been gone a lot the past few months.  It was a wonderful evening on their porch visiting with our crew.  I made a huge cheese, fruit and cracker platter they loved.  Tom grilled chicken k-bobs, there was a tossed salad and corn on the cob.  It was a nice summer meal.

I do have to remember those who are not with us anymore.  Really, I kind of put that stuff out of my mind mostly but it is slammed back with photos of graves, flowers and memories on Facebook.  I don't want to be sad but remember the wonderful lives they lived here with us on this earth.  

FYI, our girls are on VACATION!  Sadly they won't be here for my birthday next Saturday but I'm throwing myself a small party.  I couldn't decide if I wanted to spend the weekend at the cabin or here in town and opted for town because ALL of our crowd are gone at the cabin, the ones I would party with.  So I invited some of my oldest friends from when we used to go to church, Tonya, Paula and Tracy and their wonderful hubbies over for dinner.  I'm going to pick up Olive Garden lasagna, salad, breadsticks and told them to maybe bring an appetizer or dessert.  One is bringing special cocktails.  She is queen of those!  FUN.  It will be a nice low key time with old friends, what I want to do.  I told The Hubby that morning I would like to go to breakfast and then I have an art meeting, then back home to ready for friend-time.  It will be a great day.  

This short week I have lot going on.  Linda and I are setting up for the art opening at the BA Museum.  At first it was going to be a Wednesday set up but got notice from the director that we can start on Tuesday!  I have The Hubby's help on Wednesday and his truck but I plan on taking a huge load down on Tuesday and really reassess what I need and don't need to bring back on Wednesday.  Linda can't do anything until Wednesday.  I want to be able to split the space evenly for the two of us, I don't want to be a wall hog.  It's exciting.  I have to get wine and on the way down on Thursday for the opening I will pick up food trays from our caterer.  I told The Hubby he only has to be there for about 30 minutes, there's a dance thing I think.  Not a problem.  I do want him to appear and support.  

Probiotics versus Prebiotics

For your information because I KNOW you've been dying to know!  

Every evening I take two chewable fiber tablets that contain prebiotics.  When my father was having his hip-infection issues the doctors/hospitals were always making sure he was taking his probiotics or prebiotics or something like that.  I always called it probiotics but then I was really paying attention to my fiber bottle and noticed PRE when I was always telling MY doctor PRO.  That got me to thinking which was it, am I taking the right stuff, should I be changing.  So I asked Google and here is what I found out.  

Prebiotics are compounds in food that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The most common example is in the gastrointestinal tract, where prebiotics can alter the composition of organisms in the gut microbiome.

Probiotics are live microorganisms promoted with claims that they provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the gut flora. Probiotics are considered generally safe to consume, but may cause bacteria-host interactions and unwanted side effects in rare cases. 

Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the "good" bacteria (normal microflora) in the body. Prebiotics are foods (typically high-fiber foods) that act as food for human microflora.  

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed the friendly bacteria in the digestive ...

I really don't know which one I should really be taking so I purchased a chewable that has both in it and will add to my regime.  It's really very confusing but I do know that when I had my hip thing they were really glad I was taking what I was calling probiotic when in reality I was taking a prebiotic.   ARGHHHH so confusing...

Rain, Turtles and Orchids

Good morning my lovelies!  

My goodness this RAIN.  I'm so over it as I would imagine most everyone else is.  Plus we actually turned on the heat at the cabin this past weekend.  If this continues, as it is supposed to, the wigwam may be flooded yet again and we will be doing the painting thing at our cabin once again.  Oh well, a day at a time.

Wednesday was my "book club" or as they like to call it, "the restaurant club."  LOL!  We mostly eat at good eateries and talk a little bit about the book club.  It's great fun and we've been doing it for over 10 years now.  Amazing really.  It's whittled down to only 7 of us with mostly 4-5 ever showing up.  That's really a great number.  There's a lot of travelers in the group so we get to live through their stories of travel.  

My orchids, oh my orchids.  Honestly because I was in so much pain and didn't want to do ANYTHING for so long I thought they were dying.  But when I got home from the hospital B got rid of the dead stuff and watered them and Snicklefritz has watered them a few times and I have.  Imagine my surprise when I realized they were nearly all going to bloom.  They LOVE this window of diffused light from the south and north from the French doors.  I need to get some better photos of them before the flowers are gone to maybe paint some more of the orchids and glass series!!!

As I said we headed to the cabin this past weekend with Snicklefritz in tow.  The Hubby had to go early in the morning to meet the propane guy and I waited for Snicklefritz to get out of school to head out.  A few weekends before when The Hubby and Snicklefritz went to the Steam Engine show in Pawnee, he bought her a hat, much like his and he was insistent she bring it as they were going FISHING!  Fishing in the new/used canoe, upstream to Blue Hole for bait.  Alas, the weather was not really conducive for fishing and she didn't pack anything warm enough even though they went anyway.  I gave her one of my sweaters to wear knowing full well it would come back wet and muddy, I wasn't wrong.  HaHa.  That kiddo loves mud, minnows, worms, just nature.  Her fingernails are never without dirt under them because she is always playing around in dirt.  I love it.  She talked non-stop about her pet turtle she has at home in her backyard, non-stop!  We were able to sit out on the screen porch Friday evening with a little fire most of the evening and most of Saturday but later in the day, brrrrrr, I went inside. Good GRIEF, I posted on FB that "Mother Nature - whoever on your staff flipped the winter switch back to ON needs to be fired!"

It's crazy this stupid weather.  

 

Painting and Snakes

What a wonderful weekend.  Friday evening was a very small gathering for taco salads, laughter just FUN!  

I was a bit anxious because the next morning I was to teach my first painting class.  Because of the flooding the wigwam was flooded so we moved it to our screened porch.  I tossed and turned most of the night because I was a bit nervous.  I kept going over and over in my head what I was going to say, how I was to start it.  I was of course up at 6:30 and started setting up some of my supplies and a couple of still lifes to paint.  

9 am rolled around and they started arriving.  I had hot coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls (they were Rhodes frozen) to offer.  HERE WE GO....  

In total 6 ladies joined the group, and all but one was going to do watercolor.  I'm not expert with that but I was sure I could help.  We honestly sat for nearly 45 minutes just talking and I really could hardly get a word in edgewise but it helped to ease my nerves a bit.  We did talk art, supplies, what to expect and they had tons very good questions.  We also had one that just came to watch.  Finally I asked them if they were ready to paint or would they rather watch me a bit to start.  Almost in unison they wanted to watch me so I got to it and they peppered me with lots and lots more questions which was interesting for all of us.  

We have another session in two weeks and I think if they want we can do it more often on the porch if we can't get the wigwam.  I just want to impart knowledge and encourage.  It was really a very fulfilling day for me.  

When they left I sat and continued to paint, trying to finish this to have something to post and encourage.  I was so in the zone I didn't realize that I sat there for an hour and a half.  Finally at 1:30 I stood up and creaked my bones into grab a quick sandwich and drink before I knew a nap would be had.  I was tired from not sleeping the night before and having the morning over, tired but fulfilled.

As I sat in my chair all of a sudden I heard the leaves rustling alongside the screen and knew instantly it was a snake.  We've had a turtle a few times and it's a different sound.  This was a very long sensation of the leaves rustling along the way.  All of a sudden I saw a flick of a tail.  I got up and grabbed my phone and went around the glider and the slithering stopped.  I looked and looked and there he was looking at me.  I was pretty sure it was harmless when all of a sudden I heard a rattle and his tail was rattling but the rattling was the dry leaves.  He was mimicking a rattlesnake, trying to scare me off.  He needn't worry, he was quite safe with me. I don't kill snakes especially harmless snakes.  I put a call out on Facebook with the picture and quickly found out it was a non-venomous Eastern yellow bellied racer.  So pretty and soon he was on his way.

Finally, naptime.  I stretched out on the glider without another thought of Mr. Yellow Belly and slept for 2 hours.  I had to get up then and shower as we were hosting a couple of couples for fried sand bass.  We had a couple of bags of fish in the freezer, the other two couples each had a bag and dinner was made.  I'm all about simple food so I'd made a broccoli slaw (coleslaw sauce) and canned pork-n-beans, cinnamon rolls and chocolate candies.  Dinner was absolutely awesome and we enjoyed visiting on the porch until after 9 o'clock.  We were both so tired but The Hubby's job is clean up so he did the dishes and I headed for the bed.  

The whole weekend was #1 in my book.

 

Sneakers, Reading and Steam Engines

Really not a lot going on lately, just the mundane day to day BOREDOM!  I did get these sweet little kickers the other day.  They are Skechers and I first saw them in an ad on FB.  I scrolled by it and they just caught my eye.  That little rose print has always been a favorite of mine ever since my girls were babies.  I used to find similar fabric and make little dresses or rompers for the girls or even a shirt for myself.  I LOVE little pink rosebuds!  So I went on the hunt for these sneakers and found them on their website after a bit.  I ordered in the size I thought would fit and they arrived last week.  OH GOODNESS, I was absolutely giddy when they arrived and I opened the box.  They even have little diamond sparkles on them....I AM IN LOVE!  Plus they fit perfectly.  

I am not a shoe person by any stretch of the imagination.  When I was young and had good feet, I never wore shoes, ever.  I even walked part of the 20 mile Walk For Mankind thing when I was 14 or 15 part of the way barefoot.  I wouldn't wear shoes now if I  could but my feet are too tender, I've let them go.  Sadly I MUST wear shoes.  These will work though!

The weekend brought an entire weekend with Snicklefritz.  We stayed in town because The Hubby was supposed to go to BluesFest in Jenks or Bixby (or something like that.)  But with all the rain that had occurred during the week he knew it would be way too muddy so he didn't go Friday night.  He did go dancing at the Elks Club to celebrate one of the dance friends 73 birthday Saturday night.  Snicklefritz and I had our own plans.  Friday night Little Min and her momma came over to spend the evening as her Daddy had been in LA for a music gig for 10 days.  They were bored at home.  Snicklefritz and Little Min always have a great time but Snicklefritz was certainly deep into her reading this weekend.  When I picked her up from school she started reading her book all the way home and continued when we got inside.  She kept picking it up off and on all evening long until she finished the book then started another one.  Her book bag was stuffed to bulging with books.  

That evening she stopped for a bit and was reading when Little Min decided she wanted to join.  She ran off into "their bedroom" to find some of her little picture books to emulate Snicklefritz.  It was so cute.  Snicklefritz finished that book later in the evening and started yet another book.  By Sunday she had nearly finished the third book.  I love that we instilled the love of reading to another generation.  That love has been directly passed down generation to generation from my mother and her parents.  It just makes my heart explode with love and what a beautiful homage to my mother on Mother's Day.  

Saturday we were going to the studio but The Hubby planned on going to the Pawnee Steam Engine Show and he wanted to take Snicklefritz.  He used to take Little Min's momma when she was young, even camping there.  Snicklefritz wanted to go but before they had to buy her a hat and sunscreen.  They were off by 9 am and I had the day to myself.  I painted at the studio!  

Sunday morning I took Snicklefritz to the studio as she loves to go there.  We really did nothing as I was not in the mood to paint but we did visit a lot and I gave her a painting of Clayton I had done that really was that great but she loved.  Before we got there though I took her to get flowers for her Momma for the day, sweet little Dutch Iris'.  She was pretty happy.  

Oh well, that was a lot of words about not much.  Have a good day my friends. 

Mother's Day

Wow, April is gone and May is upon us.  Spring seems to be slowly going by with winter finally giving up the ghost.  This next weekend, according to my calendar, is Mother's Day.  So many mothers to honor and so many mother's to miss for many.

Yesterday we had lunch/dinner or linner-lunner with my siblings and their spouses.  Sitting across the table from my sister I was struck by how much she looks like Momma.

Especially her laugh, not her disposition.  My sister is a one of a kind and she was hot yesterday with all kinds of snarky comebacks.  Made me kind of shut down and not respond to her particular kind of vile.  She is my sister and I've always said, "to know D is to love D," but sometimes not.  LOL!  

I so miss my momma.  I think of her often these past 16 years and how much she would have loved, LOVED the great-grandgirls and would have been so very proud of all her grandchildren.  She was an amazing grandmother, as a mother she was pretty awesome too but we all know that we ALL, ALL have our faults.  No one is perfect, even though you want them to be.  But I loved my Momma with all my heart and she was my best friend.  I miss being able to call her and just talk like my girls do to me.  I know sometimes she would roll her eyes over the phone but she listened to me without complaint.  She was always there for me.  I try to be for my girls.  

My girls, oh my girls.  They are the best mothers and I am so very proud of them in how they are raising their children.  They are doing an absolutely amazing job.

I think my mother and my mother-in-law, another wonderful mother, have been great inspiration for them to raise their babies.  Lots and lots of love and understanding and guidance to raise the future generation.  

So Happy Mother's Day to my Momma and mother-in-law in heaven and to my wonderful girls.  They give inspiration to me to be the best for them.