The GREAT Clean OUT

A couple of weeks ago I started to clean out "MY ROOM," my space, my inner sanctum.  You have to note that the rest of my house is NOT like this room.  It is orderly and neat but my space....

I started around my chair as that was starting to crowd me.  I began making piles and soon realized that I had created more of a mess than I had before.  You have to understand that I am the keeper of family history, my high school class crap, my crafts, my books, my family pictures, paper (love clean paper and empty journals, obsessively), more books...AND MY ART stuff like canvas', paints, cleaners, brushes...

This is not the first time I've had to clean out my room but honestly, it's the worst it has ever been and I was a bit ashamed and extremely overwhelmed. 

I put the S.O.S. out to my oldest, B and she dropped everything and flew over to assist as I was about to give up but I HAD to do this.  

What happened kind of created more of a mess than I thought and it spilled out down the hallway into the guest bedroom.  I had to get the art stuff organized and we moved all of it to the guest room.  Guess what, I CAN'T get into that room now!  EEK!!!!  It has been this way for a couple of weeks not, dodging the piles down the hall but on Thursday I got busy.  I purged probably 100-150 books so far.  I'm a book whore, what can I say.  See those cabinets that are closed, well they were full, FULL I SAY of books that I could not even get to.  One side is empty now, the other has art magazines, so far. 

Look, you can see actual floor, not floor in the hall or guest room, but floor. 

I also have a collection of Stuart Woods books.  I've collected everything he has written and even though his recent stuff is kind of crap, it is a collection and I am dedicated to it.  So instead of filling up my book alcove in the living room

I'm moving all to the top shelf in my room then moving hard backs and old books to the alcove.  Paperbacks that I have not read yet will be put in a side bookshelf that has NO DOORS.  When it is shut away, it is forgotten.  

Today I will tackle the closet that isn't quite as bad as before and I think I'll be able to purge a lot out of there too.  I HAVE to have this done by June 7 as I'm hosting Daniel Keys and the workshop art students here for dinner and an evening of visiting and I have to have my home studio in tip-top shape.

Diet....LIFE CHANGE WITH FOOD

This diet.....NO.....not diet.....Life Change With Food...

is still rolling on and on.  I'm not saying I've been an angel but mostly, yes I have.  Last weekend we headed to the cabin and I knew that would be a challenge.  The cabinites all like to get together and drink, eat and be merry.  Friday night was ham and cheese sandwiches and chips and I was on tap for appetizers.  I brought carrots and celery and Greek yogurt dip.  I ate the insides of the sandwiches and only drank water.  With the C&C&Dip I took these wonderful okra chip thingys that I have found at Whole Foods or Reasors.  I know there is a bit of oil but I can have a couple and it's like chips.  (Going to try the kale chips again.)  Saturday night was pork tenderloin and again I was up for appetizer.  So I put together an amazing platter of fresh, blanched veggies and more of the dip.  I admit I had a couple of chips and guacamole, EGGROLLS, and one gin and tonic but mostly water.  I bought a bottle infuser and had cucumber, strawberries and lime in my infuser.  Yum!  Honestly I did okay.  During the week I made an awesome Skinny Zucchini Lasagna.  It is so very good and makes several servings to eat during the week.  

I've also been dragging my lunch to art on Tuesday's.  So in anticipation of the week of lunches I roasted eight chicken breasts and bagged them up individually to grab, pack and run.  It has worked beautifully and my yummy water infuser has been by my side also.   

The upside of this new food change is I'm down 9 POUNDS!  That is exciting and spurs me on but I have to admit that it is a struggle and I want it to move faster.  I know if I start really exercising it will move but, but, but, but...I have excuses, I won't lie.  

I was also faced with this temptation at art as Miss C insisted she bring donuts because she won a blue ribbon.  I asked her PLEASE not to but she said she had too.  ARGHHHH.  I DID NOT EAT!  I had the same challenge at the office as a sales rep brought a box and I DID NOT EAT!

My pal Linda, who is doing this with me, my art buddy too, have discovered that we can eat at the Mexican restaurant across the street from art.  We order lettuce, carne asada steak, pico, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, no taco chips, and it is delicious. 

This food lifestyle change is a struggle not only daily and  hourly, but by minutes and seconds.  I have to consciously think about my choices every second.  It's always on my mind.  As I drive past temptations, walk by my pantry, or make runs to the grocery store, my mind it always saying, "No.  Maybe.  Absolutely not, you are stronger than that."  Every step I take, every thought I have I'm constantly talking myself out of making a bad choice.  It is exhausting but it is paying off and I have to keep pushing forward.  

For dinner last night I wanted to go out.  I wanted to make the right choices successfully and I think I did.  We went to Charlestons and I knew I would have to say NO to the bread that accompanies the salad.  Awww, that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth roll.  I ordered the salmon with a side of steamed broccoli, salad with no croutons and NO BREAD!  It was delicious and I was satisfied.  

Fear No More

Wednesday morning and here I am yet again sitting very early looking through my WINDOWED office.  It is quite wonderful but alas, the skies are gray and stormy looking.  Yesterday I went to art and finished that painting finally and have promptly given it away to the lady from which the window came from.  Yes, I think I could have sold it with no problem but she is getting married (sometime) and I wanted her to have it.  The response on Facebook was AMAZING so I will probably sell some giclee's (prints).  My painting buddy, Linda and I took off early from art to drive 10 paintings (3 mine, 5 hers, and 2 Peggy's) to Muskogee for a show that starts this week through Sunday.  I had never driven to Muskogee and brings me to part of the reason for my writing this morning.  

Fear, yes fear I say is no more for me, or least most of it.  I'm not sure if it's confidence, age, or just doing stuff over and over to over come some of my fears.  Let's take driving to Muskogee, usually that would have made my stomach be in absolute knots.  In fact so bad that I might have been in the bathroom a lot but as it turned out I just didn't get that feeling of fear yesterday, not one time.  It's like when I drove to Oklahoma City last fall for that art workshop with my friend Linda and absolutely NO FEAR where as several years ago when I had to drive through there to Lawton I actually had to stop outside of OKC to change my underwear.  That is how debilitating my fear was for driving to the unknown.  Now if I was faced with driving to Dallas or Kansas City, that might be a bit of a challenge but I think I could do it.  This Mediterranean Cruise this art group is taking next fall would tend to put me into a panic, especially when it's not planned by a person that does that kind of thing for a living.  One of the ladies going has done it all and I'm OKAY with that.  I'm actually looking forward to it all without fear, well a touch but mostly none.  Yeah.  Now while we are there we are going to the Amalfi Coast and Positano to be specific.  Positano, as in Under The Tuscan Sun.  If you've seen the movie, there are buildings out of the sides of cliffs and cliffs means mountainous areas and heights and FALLLLLling.....  One of my worst fears but I want to go there SOOOOO bad that I am overlooking that.  The Hubby has given me grief about this fear and actually told me that he hoped that I don't have a hysterical meltdown in front of them.  Really, well Mr. if I do I can't HELP it.  It just happens to me, it's called a PANIC ATTACK.  My FRIENDS told me that well, wouldn't you rather have something like that happen when you are with friends that can HELP you through it.  Yes, I would thank you.  But really, I think if I can get my head wrapped around it I can overcome like I have with this other stuff.  I know I can with SUPPORT, the key work Mr.

FEAR NO MORE

Hoarder

Yes, I'm back again to chitter-chatter this very early AM, 5:40 to be exact.  Yesterday the plan was that I DID NOT have to leave the house all day long so I was going to paint.  But walking into "my room" and seeing the huge mess it was just was not conducive to painting.  I've been planning on reorganizing before May but had could not get it together to make it happen.  I started around my chair which took me over an hour and ended making more piles but tossing a lot out.  Then it started getting overwhelming.  Really, my room looked like a hoarders house but contained in one room.  Piles and piles of books, financial stuff, art supplies, canvases, magazines, the crap I had accumulated was too much for me to handle.  I was almost in a panic to just shove it all back in the corners till another day.  I totally understand how hoarders can feel and I don't have the sometimes emotional issues they have.  It can be so overwhelming so I sent a text to my oldest and she came to my rescue.  Granted we have piles down the hall waiting to be put back but hey, I'm seeing floor now, actual floor and a huge bag full of books to sell.  Yes, giving away some of the books I have a hard time with, I LOVE books, all books and that is difficult.  We haven't even gotten to one of the cabinets of books.  The ones I can't get rid of are the ones that were my momma's and mine from childhood.  The sad thing is I haven't even read these books.  I cannot buy anymore.  I have to admit I am a kind of hoarder but it's all good.  Eventually the easel and art supplies will move to my studio at the shop but I have to have an easel here for the urge to create.  

I will soon have this space all straightened up to enjoy again, I promise.  

Let's Play Catch-Up

Let's play catch-up with my week in review.

Forgot to post the yearly photo of The Hubby's family.  I tell ya, my mother-in-law, soon to be 88 years young, looks better and better.  What a fabulous lady that I love dearly.  She is going to be representing her retirement home as their Ms.  M for the state of Oklahoma.  So proud of her and she will surely win.  

My easel has been a bit clogged up with trying to finish this one.  It's still not done but I am loving it so far.  I think this week it will finally be called DONE!

This week also brought the 8th wedding anniversary of B&B2.  They've been together for 10 years and in that time they have created such a lovely family.  Sweet Snicklefritz was given the big girl camera and took this photo, at 3 years old.  I think we have an artist on our hands, don't you agree.  That girl has an incredible eye.

I'm not sure I mentioned it but I'm doing the low carb thing and am down 6 pounds with stuff like this!  The other night I didn't want to go to the store for dinner stuff, yet again, so I opted for what I could find in the fridge.  So a broken omelet with a touch of cheese, fresh spinach and salsa.  The Hubby loved it and so did I.  It was so pretty which makes the eye happy too.

I've also been asked to donate a painting again for the Cattle Baron's Ball this year and he subtly hinted that roosters are in vogue.  Since I didn't have a ready available photo in my stash of pics I put the call out on Facebook to friends and family that I knew had chickens or the opportunity to snap pics and was nearly overloaded with tons of reference photos.  Here's just a few of the many.  Hey, I may do a series of these.

We ventured to the cabin Friday night and it was very quiet.  I don't think anyone was there, well, there were some but everyone chose to keep it private.  Anyway, Saturday there was a remembrance of one of the cabinite's that passed away recently.  Sweet TP Harris left us so we spent time with his family and friends at the cabin to bid a bittersweet farewell to a one in a million guy.  They had wine and munchies (which I DID NOT eat).  There were tons of fabulous pictures and lots of visiting.  Worth the time spent.

When I pulled up the cabin Friday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised by my Japanese Keirra in the corner of our fenced yard in front of our NEW fence.  Oh my it just glowed yellow.  Love it!  One of my very favorite plants and brings fantastic memories of my Greatgranny who called it the Mexican Rose, which was totally wrong.  Took me years to find in the greenhouses because of the mistaken name.  What's wonderful is that it's only supposed to bloom in the spring, in Oklahoma I find it blooms off and on in the summer too and it's deer resistant and is perfect for wooded area.  Score!

Friday Morning Spillage

Friday morning and I'm sitting at my office desk looking out the windows at the gray skies and I thought I would see what would spill out of my brain.  

Brrrr, it is a bit chilly this morning.  I just finished doing the guys payroll, paying bills and a bit of invoicing and it's only 9:38.  The girly and Snicklefritz will be here soon and then I will be off to get some milk and veggies and wait for The Hubby to say "Let's go" to the cabin.  We're only staying one night as we're coming back to town to attend a play for one of his dance peeps.  I'm waiting for the temperatures kick up a bit to spend some quality time at the cabin.  Brrrr, I so hate the chill and my joints are beginning to creak every time it turns cold.  I'm ready to till up my tiny garden and plant some tomatoes.  Actually, I should go ahead and get it ready and put my Wall-O-Water's in and buy the plants.  Maybe this next week I can get that accomplished.  I'm ready for fresh veggies from my garden.  I don't plan on going all out but once I get to the greenhouse...oh boy...I get carried away with all the green plants and possibilities from planting stuff.  

Next week I'm taking (with a friend) some paintings to Muskogee for another art show.  Hopefully, I will have some good luck again.  I've got so many options available to paint lately and I just don't know where to start.  I've got to find a good rooster picture to paint for the Cattle Baron's Ball.  I've been asked again if I would like to donate a painting and the guy suggested that roosters are a bit thing now so I guess that is what I will do.  My problem is I don't have a rooster picture and I won't pull one off the internet.  That's just not what I do.  Does anyone have a good photo that they would give me permission to paint!!!!  

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Comments

Good morning, good morning.  What a lovely morning it is.  I do see ominous dark skies to the west so the rain they are predicting for tomorrow is out there.  Spring is definitely here except for the chilly temps this past week and in the wee early morning hours.

Comments, yes that is the topic of this quick post.  I have been commenting on several of the blogs I follow but I'm not sure they are going through.  Almost immediately when I comment I get a kick back email that there was an error and I'm afraid it's because of my AOL email.  I'm not sure but it's frustrating that I take time to comment and I'm not sure they are getting there.  So if you could pleasssseee let me know if you are receiving comments those of you who know me.  It just may be a glitch but this stupid glitch has been going on for over a year.  

And This Happened

I hope everyone had a good day yesterday.  It was good and a bit weird for us here.  We had the whole crew at the house, my side of the family and his side.  Of course Daddy showed up 2 hours early as usual.  Don't understand that but it's okay.  I was a bit on edge because the niece is back in town and that can usually spell trouble, and she did not let us down.  Sis and her family walked in WITHOUT the niece and someone asked where she was.  Well, Sis unloaded, very publicly and it was not pretty.  The niece has been in California since last fall in rehab, yet again, and seemed to be doing well.  She left about a month ago to go to West Virginia with "a guy", (Sis didn't even know his name).  Apparently she came back here because of a sick friend or something and was home.  Well, Sis said they kicked her out Saturday and she was on a bus as they spoke back to WV.  She stole $300 from Sis's purse, her Transfund card and the keys to their Camero and drove to QuikTrip to pull more money out and then USED again.  Oh Good Grief!  Sis said that was it she was done and doesn't care if she sees her again.  Oh my, I don't even know how I feel about it all.  I would be so torn because it's my kid but I can see how you have to do the tough love thing.  Would make me so sick inside but they still have a child at home, an impressionable child, a GOOD child.  He is awesome so I see it.  I have to say that Sis doesn't forgive well and if you get on her bad side, you are out!  It is heartbreaking.  But then, she turns around and comes up to me to show me her new fancy bauble.  She bought a new diamond ring, the second in the past 6 months and I was under the impression they were broke and she took permanent disability from work.  What gives.  Oh well, I will never EVER understand her.

Easter in it's entirety was nice and finally the sun came out for the kids to hunt eggs.  

Let's SPINNNNNNNNN

The Innocence of a Child

The innocence of a child is quite amazing.  

She is a pro at brushing her hair and it is getting so very long.

 We had Snicklefritz Friday night and it went very well.

Then Saturday morning as the air began to warm I wanted to take her outside to look at some of the flowers in our backyard.  Yes, yes, we have mirrors on our fences.  We got the idea from a local restaurant and since then The Hubby has picked up random mirrors at estate sales and the flea market.  I LOVE them and so does Snicklefritz.  The yellow flower is a shrub called a Japanese Kierra.  My greatgranny called it a Mexican Rose for years and made it so hard to find until I saw it in an edition of Southern Living a few years ago.  If you buy one get the double NOT the single.  It blooms off and on all summer and especially during hot times.  

 She loved smelling all the flowers during her exploration of the yard.

 My fabulous lilacs.  LOVE their fragrance.

 Had to buy some inside stuff for the family that is descending on us for Easter dinner today.  20 in all will be sitting at our many tables today.

HAPPY EASTER!

Life In General

Last week was the official spring break in this area, but this week was spring break from my art class.  So what happened is that I DID NOT even pick up a paint brush this week.  What I did, was instead of class on Tuesday, was to clean out junk corners around the house.  I'm hopefully going to host an art group here the first week of June to coincide with the art workshop with Daniel Keys so I have to have it spit-spot.  The kitchen had a corner by the phone that seemed to catch all the junk.  I'm sure we all have those kinds of places around a phone area.  I trashed tons of stuff.  I also spent time cleaning out my closet a couple of weeks ago and that entailed my dresser drawers, which I don't really keep anything in that I wear.  I tossed out so much stuff, except for all the half slips I have.  You never know when you will need a good slip (I'm old school!)  Goodwill looked forward to see me coming last week.  This week was part of the guest bedroom.

I say part because the guest room is where old paintings go to gather dust, ones that do not have a home :( 

They are still gathering dust as of yet.  

I cleaned out the top drawer of the dresser there and goodness it took me an hour.  There was still a key from our previous house from 10 years ago!  I absolutely forgot to address the bottom two drawers because, well, I don't know.  That will be next.  While doing the top, I found packets and packets of buttons, you know the ones.  The ones that come with new clothes, just one button in each.  I opened each and every packet I found and filled an entire dish with buttons.  Kind of neat but the blue one baffled me as I don't typically wear blue.  Not sure where it came from.  

I have lots more to clean out, including those bottom drawers and to find homes for the paintings but that also hinges on cleaning out the other bedroom - AKA...my home art studio.  That room is just a pile of mess, a hoarders dream really.  The rest of my house is pretty organized but this room, EGADS!  Hopefully, when I get it uncovered that is where the extra paintings go, or SOLD to someone else's home.  Also to answer the question about some of the paintings, my girls have tons of my stuff to the point they say, "ENOUGH"!  But I'm sure they will get more in the future.

Some have asked about the cabin, yes we still have it for sale but it has not sold.  It's for sale by owner, no realtor, and sometimes that takes longer.  We have had many lookers, just lookers, curious to see what we have done inside and that's okay.  Frankly, right now if it sells great, if it doesn't sell then great.  We have been so busy with stuff in town that we aren't there as much as we used to.  Maybe spring will change that attitude and we will be there more, I just don't know.  I will miss it when it's gone, sure but then I can enjoy my yard in town more.  

The Snicklefritz has yet again been sick.  Last weekend you could see it in her eyes that she was just not right and sure enough on Sunday afternoon she spiked a 102 degree temperature.  That kiddo just can't seem to get a break.  The fever didn't last long and I watched her at her home on Monday while her mother taught school but she had a nasty cough and horrible sore throat on top of it and by afternoon the temp was creeping up again to about 99 degrees.  So I met her mom at the pediatrician that afternoon.  She had no strep, thank goodness and the doc seemed to think allergies but I don't that explains the fever but I did agree with the allergy in part.  I think it was viral and allergies together.  That being said, this little one has again gone a week without school and I've watched her most of the week, except for Tuesday.  On Tuesday her daddy had to venture home to Okemah for his uncle's funeral so he took her with him.  She had a grand time hugging her Grandpa Richard and petting her beloved horse, Cowboy.  (I will have to paint this picture!)  The stupid wind though seemed to aggravate her cough or the next couple of days, hello allergies!   

We kept her Friday night (last night) so her parental units could go out with friends to celebrate mutual husband birthdays.  I was worried she would cough all night but she slept, well, like a baby all night long.  She is a joy to have around and really no problem.  You just get worn out by being "ON" all the time for a 3 year old but I LOVE IT!

Catching Up

I'm finally trying to catch up here with everyone.  It's been a week of painting and I've been quite happy with that.  Since it was spring break and I didn't have anything planned on Thursday I painted in class Tuesday and Thursday!  I'm working on this little jewel, hopefully for a wedding present since it is her window!

This weekend we got away back to the cabin finally.  It's been a couple of weeks since we have been able to go and as it turns out it will be another two weeks before we are back.  B and Snicklefritz got to come for the night too which was great fun.  

Friday at the office I was able to give her her new frilly dress and she LOVED twirling in it, or spin, as she calls it.

The Hubby, aka, Granddad got some worms and took her fishing.  She had a great time even though they didn't even get a nibble. 

So, they spent time on the slide!

WHEEEEEE! 

Also time spent trying on cowgirl hats as she addressed them. 

It was a nice weekend although we knew she was not 100%.  Just knew that something was coming as you can see in her eyes.  Sure enough when we got home today her momma sent me a text and she has a 102 fever.  Poor baby just can't seem to stay well. 

I am IN LOVE with this photo, her and her buddy, Mondo!

Saturday Doing's

I've had an interesting day today, fun and interesting.  I had to drive to McAlester today to pick up my paintings from the art show and since I did not want to go by myself I asked my 88 year old mother-in-law to go with. 

I love, Love, LOVE my MIL and was thrilled she wanted to go.  She grew up there and the lady that was putting the show together is her niece.  She was impressed with all the art and enjoyed the visiting.  I liked having someone to keep me from getting drowsy and bored for the 1-1/2 hour drive down then back.  The drive back she started talking about religion, death, being buried, religion, religion and more religion, which is fine.  She really questions it a lot and it's difficult for her because I think her father was a deacon or something like that and she has spent a lifetime in the church but she just questions it and is confused.  She also talks a lot about dying and her fear of going to hell.  I told her there is NO WAY you are going to hell.  She is one of the most wonderful people I know and it absolutely scares her to death.  It was a conversation we have had many times before and probably will again.  

After dropping her back home I then traveled to visit Daddy and Sis was there to so we had a nice visit too.  I was able to get his printer hooked up to his laptop and he was thrilled.  Daddy really is doing very well and looks awesome.  It's nice to see that.  

Politics and Coffee

My Greatgranny's place all boarded up.
Picture taken by a customer that lives in the area.
Thank You Joe!

Good morning all.  Not sure where this little blog entry is going so just hang on and let's see!

Every morning (most mornings) I get up, have my coffee, say good morning to The Hubby and get ready to head into the office.  He has the same ritual.  He leaves before me usually to workout and I take a little more time to wake up.  Used to exercise but have not done that for about a year and a half (need to change that).  Back to it...as you may have read we have been self-employed for nearly 37 years so we "WORK TOGETHER!"  During those 37 years it has had its ups and downs but all in all it has been smooth and pleasant and we work well together.  Oh don't get me wrong we've yelled at each other before over the desk but it's just work.  Anyway, this morning I noticed something kind of weird.  When I arrived at the office he was upstairs taking a shower (after he works out he takes his shower at the office) and I went about my business opening mail and getting my desk in order listening to the floor creak above and the water run as he got ready.  He usually waits until he's gotten all the guys off to their job sites and then takes the break to clean up.  Hearing the blow dryer hum I knew he was about ready to come downstairs and soon heard the clump, clump, clump of his shoes on the stairs as he descended.  As he rounded the stairway towards my desk he said, "Good Morning."  I repeated back to him and then had the thought we are in our now in our WORK MODE.  It's kind of funny isn't it.  I thought so.

Political Crap...
Yes, I may get a bit, a LOT political here, and this is MY OPINION, I have the right to MY OPINION!

Trump - - - ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY!

Hillary - - - ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY!  

Republicans - - - Let's PLEASE keep religion out of the campaign.  If you want to preach from a pulpit, go to church.  I do not want a wanna-be-preacher in the White House controlling our country and I certainly DO NOT want a fanatical riotous inflaming nut case running things either.  Trump scares the begezzious out of me and he should everyone else.  We are not left with much to choose from on the Republican side.  Is that all this country has got to give us.  STEP UP someone and take control of this fiasco of a Republican Party and get it right PLEASE.  

Democrats - - - Hillary, please.  Yes, it is time we have a woman in the White House but not her.  I do NOT believe anything she says.  She rubs me the wrong way and does not have a feel of sincerity in anything she espouses.  Please another woman step up and kick some ass!  And Bernie, well, he's a nice guy and my girls LOVE him but honestly, I am a Republican and his stuff is not good for our business, anything Democrat is not good for our business.  Democrats have been in that throne for 8 years now and our business is taking hit after hit after hit.  It is not good people for the small businesses (hear me girls).  The toll that we are feeling will have drastic repercussions, like selling our cabin and laying people off and NO WORK.   

Ribbons And Cheers

Well, I have had a very eventful past couple of weeks in my art world.  Finished some stuff and started some stuff!

I finished this lovely on Tuesday and haven't even got a title yet.  

Then I got going on one of many cats and dogs I'm doing for gifts. 

Plus this one has begun in class! 

Finally...drum roll.........

Last night The Hubby and I drove to McAlester for the SOFA-Southeast Oklahoma Fine Arts Juried Show and I walked away with THIRD place!  Oh my gosh, there were 90 entries in all and that included, fantastic sculpture, oils, watercolors, graphite, photography and acrylics.  I TOOK THIRD!  Wow, wow, wow.  I was shocked but so thrilled and it's a money prize too, not much but it's something.  What's cool is my friend Linda took Honorable Mention and another from our group in Tulsa Artist Guild took Best In Show with a sculpture.  I can't tell you how excited I am especially with this painting as it just seemed to happen by accident and I ended up loving it but not sure anyone else would.  It was validation for me.