Halloween

Here are some pictures of some of what we created at work for the guys' halloween dining "pleasure"...Here is the "poop" we made for the kitty litter cassarole.

Here is the finished product. Next are some of the bleeding jello hearts i made for their dinner-didn't get pictures of that since i wasn't there, but heard they really enjoyed the dinner-said it looked bad but tasted great...

Halloween...

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI-eC44eSGxbTGf8-56x5uBLFcUjdqUI5KWWQHD72DZOu1bxL-xiraS_N1oSUWB9YdVeAhoerRrbqj12y-9vpmkA02nHGcGjAytC6UDLJLSBX22-Mx6cqGu44cfo1HGpi7AIl/s1600-h/badge.jpg

Fall is HERE!

It's been a bit cooler this month-just a tiny hint of fall-except maybe that 90 degree day, but today it hit full force! Yea. It's rainy, but i don't care, it's also cool-high of 59 today. I love it~can you tell i hate the heat?...

The Shower

Saturday was the baby shower for Suzanne & "the niece." Gary came up with a gift for her also which i had her open first. "a Black light?" you say.
One day she said "what am i going to do with a girl?" I told gary this and he said, teach her to be an elvis back-up singer. So the idea was sparked.
When we were in elementary school, my dad took me to the mall to buy her a birthday gift. I picked out a black light and an Elvis Presley album. Well, come sat night, she and i would put on funky pj's that would look cool in the black light, put on that album (or another of his) and sing-we were the "back-up singers" (she was usually Candy Cook) and when the concert was over, we took turns being the "girlfriend" of Elvis when we went to dinner after the show. (pretend of course) (we had great imaginations!) So here she is opening the light-and knew there was a cd of elvis music too~too bad i didn't address it to "candy." This was the first time my mom had ever heard the story~

Baby Shower

Tomorrow is my sister's shower for the "surprize" baby. Gary made something for her-but i can't say what until tomorrow. I really doubt she reads my blog, but just in case :) Tomorrow i will post a picture as she opens it-and tell the story behind it all...
just been dealing w/puppies this week between work, naps and all else. Did go over to
suzanne's today to start moving Pat's stuff out of his room so i can paint it pink for the baby..

Check out my Slide Show!

And yet another Guest...

Yes-another puppy abandoned at the dog park. Gary couldn't leave him there either-i think they are same litter-this may be the runt. I've got a home for him-the person who was going to take the black one will get this guy-gary is leaning towards keeping the black one...we'll see, but we will find homes.

Poor things~spay and neuter those animals!

Our Temporary House Guest

This little thing was found abandoned at the dog park last night. Gary took nala for a walk and found this guy-alone and whimpering. He came home w/them and got food and water. We are looking for a home for him-have two possibilities right now. He got a bath today-smells so much better. Cute affectionate little thing~

Canton Wkend

After spending the past wk feeling sick from sinus crap-decided to go to Canton sat morning. It's still warm, but there was a breeze to help keep it tolerable. I love canton for the thrill of treasure hunting, but also for the people watching. I mean, where else can you see 55+ yr old women wearing little jean skirts w/a tube top? Not to mention the leather looking tanned skin~or that wedge hanging between said skirt and top? Do some just not look in the mirror? do they think they look decent? Or do they have hellatious self esteem? Makes you want to stop and ask them.

Went in the "back way" and got my good parking spot (ie, one close enough to drop off stuff when bag gets heavy) and started the hunt. Found some old rusty looking things-old lamp base that will look cool when i actually use it. Found some old ice cream spoons-rusty and all. The guy said they would clean up w/sos pad, but he didn't know i love rust. I think my bargain was the phone shelf i found-for $15. They sell for 45-50 in dallas. My gram had one in her house. It had the virgin mary in it...mine will have something funky someday.

The license plate will be cut up for the numbers/letters. The Junk ladies (ki and sue of Country Home mag) were at canton. They had a booth and were promoting their book and the mag. The had cut up license plates and each letter sold for about $3. i can do it myself... I do love their ideas though.

The Rat House

Catchy title huh? Well, back in jan i was at a funky antique kind of store when i came across an old wooden box-i love old wooden box-type things, so i had to dig it out from under other stuff and check it out. It had a tiny tag that said "rat house." I kid you not-it's in my journal for proof. How could anyone pass THAT up? I knew none of my friends could boast of having one. I would be the only one with a gen-u-ine rat house. Well, i have grand ideas for said house, only it sits for awhile...i finally made a "rat nest" to put in there for starters. It sits some more. Last week while checking out the halloween stuff at michaels i find the perfect rat! ugly, hairy brown, dirty looking thing-perfect for the house. I can put a halloween hat on it for now-change it up at christmas...etc...

I bring the rat home-and nala-who must inspect every bag you bring into the house makes no exceptions with this bag. Within 2 min of arriving home i see her run off-i knew she had something-and sure enough, the rat is in her mouth w/a piece of "fur" alreadt torn. I had to hide it for few days, then when she wasn't home, put the rat into the box.

She discovered it. She laid in front of the box and growled at it. alot. Then gary caught her chewing on the box. NO, no, bad dog. Fri i wake up for work, and notice something in the living room-turn on a light. It's the rat. Or what is left of it. One million pieces of it. The box was on the other side of the room-with the plexiglass door open-a chunk of it is gone. just gone.

Nala owes me one rat.

Treasure Hunting

After a day of miserable nausea (compliments of the day off effexor) i was much better sat. (just being able to stand up w/out feeling like i would die was an improvement) anyway, decided to go to the Cattle Barn and Buchanan's flea mkt today in fort worth. Never made it to Buchanan's. Found so many fun things at the barn that i didn't "need" to go to the other. The cattle barn (this wk actually the poultry barn) is always hit or miss. Vendors aren't always there-the booths covered in sheets-or roped off (usually when there is something cool) so i don't usually hold alot of hope of finding alot. Today was a junkers mekka! The first stuff i bought was at a booth where it was all at least 1/2 off. For $3 i got a book, powder compact, shoe and old tin w/most of it's original box. This will sit on a shelf in the bathroom-appropriate i think.

I found a booth with a table of old stuff~the guy said if you can find 3 things, it's a $1. I managed to find 9 for $3-then another 2 in a different area.

i also found 2 photo's, but the bargain of the day was a box that said all for $10-i debated and finally went back, too cool to pass up. i have plans for a few things already. ..

Wedding

Sat I attended the wedding of a long-time friend. 2 other friends and I made the trek out to McKinney to see Traci and Eric say their vows. She was beautiful in her dress-with the silver design sparkling as the sunlight caught it. Her neices had on the cutest dresses-looked like pink flower petals~and i loved the cake topper-the crown. The happy couple are in Jamaica now...congrats!

Book Signing, & a Class

I had the opportunity to attend a book signing w/Rice Freeman-Zachary, James Michael Starr and Michael DeMeng last week. The discussion before the signing was very enlightening. It's good to know that even they have the same good and bad days that the rest of us do. No matter what your level of art, you have your insecurities.

On Fri, i took a class with Michael DeMeng. If you ever have the chance to take one of his classes- do! It is fun to be in a room with him-not to mention the class itself is really good. I took a light box shrine-loved the whole concept of the layers. Can't seem to get a good photo to post, but will try again soon. Suffice it to say, they were all really cool in person!

ArtFest registration time...

Today's the day! time to mail the registration for artfest '08~
When i left for the post office it was appropriately raining...reminded me of seattle. I bought my postage, however no telling WHAT time it will be postmarked as the lady wouldn't do it-actually she looked at me w/a "huh" look on her face...i just don't know where they find these people...
so my fingers are crossed-it's out of my hands now.

Wkend Art

this is what i worked on this wkend. Had the idea when i saw the printers block on ebay-and when i won it, had to make this piece.

She now sits behind glass in a shadowbox frame~

it's Up!

I finally put some things on my etsy shop. I have more to add, but this is a start. Need to add a banner and some other pictures, but for now, it's a go. Feel free to stop by~

Musings

I want to try to post more often-and more art. Last sept when i went to work for my mom at the seminary, it was just m-f part time-and temporary. Well, almost a yr later, i'm still there and agreed to stay-almost full time. I go in early, so i get off early which gives me time for art-or so i thought. Now i come home and sleep every day-finally realized it's due to my meds-and once i get off them (soon i hope) i'll have more energy and create more. In the meantime, i fit it in when i can and when i feel like it. I'm trying to clean up the art room-and purge some things-narrow down my mediums (yea right) :) So i'll throw in pictures of "stuff" as well as art. This wkend i made this little piece that will be going into my etsy shop. As soon as i get a few more things photographed, they'll go in there too. The book below i made at the first Artfest-in a class w/Albie Smith-great teacher and wonderful book. I finally decided to use it to write down childhood memories-something to pass down.

Update

Pictures are finally uploaded so i can update a few things. Received this wonderful necklace in trade from Tonia a few wks ago-i love it's uniquenss! Mom and i went to canton sat (not for the big flea mkt) went to the home decor store she wanted to hit-got a few things for the house. (the birds i plan to paint) Finally finished reading Harry Potter-Only let myself read a bit at a time to make it last :) Now i can just look forward to the last 2 movies.

I also see that HBO will be coming out w/a new series based on some books i read by Charlaine Harris. Should be interesting since Alan Ball is writing.

that's it for today. HOPE to get some things on my etsy shop this week...

I Give Up

First, couldn't get pictures to upload, then blogger wouldn't let me sign on, and now i get an error msg when i try to post a picture...i promise, there IS a cake picture :)

will post later this week what's up around here-hopefully with pictures. ok-so here's the cake after all...

Mmm-coffee cake

Well, i just *thought* i would update on mon-but here it is friday already and i'm just getting around to it. Sun night i made this yummy coffee cake.
It's one i tried at work and they all raved-it lives up to the name of "rich coffee cake"
Been working alot this week-more than my usual 25 hrs. We had a lg group in, so by the time tomorrow is over, i'll have over 40. Nice to be busy, but it wears you out~no art this week. OK-have to go charge the camera before i can add the picture~so more later...

Finally saw Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix on sat. When i got home, book 7 had arrived-that thing was glued tighter than Ft Knox!

Started it on sun-just know someone on the radio is going to ruin it for me-i had to turn it down 3 X this morning to keep from hearing stuff-they should know to shut up about it.

My Little Helper

Walked into my art room the other day and saw something out of the corner of my eye...

"someone" thought she was my helper...

Potter Party

Went w/sis, the kids and their 2 friends. Only patrick and katie would do any of the activities, so i went around with them. (wearing my witch hat and cape of course)...

the pictures aren't great, but you get the idea~

Almost Time!

In a little bit, i'll be meeting my sis and nephews at Barnes & Noble for the Harry Potter party~Can't wait for the last book but it will be sad that there are no more to look forward to. Will post pictures tomorrow.

This Past Week

Went back to work on mon after two wks off-figures i finally got inspired on sat to start a project. Cut, sanded, nailed and painted. Started a colorful wooden box-what i'm going to put in it is anyone's guess at this point..but it's a start!

I bought some paint samples to show my sister for the baby's room. ( i get to paint my future neice's room-and decorate some too) yea!

off to Curves, then home to veg-have to work this wkend-and all next wk, 12 days straight, so may not post again until next wkend...

It's Friday...

One yr ago yesterday was the day i was rid of "the nail" and it's been 8 mo since i've had a piece of metal in my body-that's a good sign!

I've started a list of what i'm reading. Currently it's "To die for" by linda howard. A friend loaned me the book that comes after this-so thought i better read this one to meet the characters. It's a fun read. If you like janet evanovch, you would like this too. We had a bit of reprieve from the rains today-but they still say chances over the next 14 days. At least it keeps the temps down. Went and got a haircut today-couldn't stand it anymore and had some layers put in. picture later...maybe. now that it's 9:30, think i'll go do something artsy on my last official day of vacation...

Bird Eggs

went out to take a picture of my canna's and noticed a dove in the same spot as before-with a new nest. So i climbe up to look and sure enough-2 little eggs. I'll be checking every few days to see when the babies hatch...wonder if it's the same bird as before?

Road Trip to Missouri

Sunday i toyed w/the idea of going to missouri to see grandparents. My aunt and parents were there, and gramp was turning 90!...so mon, last minute threw some stuff together and off i went. Ran into rain in OK and by the time i got to the mountain road in Arkansas, it was just cloudy.

Here is one of the winding curves...but i had the windows down and the music cranked and it was wonderful-a mere 78 degrees.

Tues morning it was nice enough to sit out on the deck-gram enjoyed the fresh air too. Here is the view they have seen every day for 24 yrs now. What a retirement~ Mon and i went into town (branson) and went to the antique mall. I managed to find a few things while there. We had BBQ for grandpa's bday dinner-got him a sugar free pie and we

had mini-cupcakes. We heard some interesting stories about his growing up-his fave bday being his 16th when he could drive legally.

I got a call from gary that evening-remember he is in vegas-turns out he had a bad feeling and decided to come home for now-only he made a detour to grams-he was a mile away-so he got to come visit too and be there for the bday. He and i went to town on wed and went through the Titanic exhibit-it was really interesting and they have actual artifacts from the ship.He headed home tonight, but i stayed until thurs morn as did my parents. Here is a photo of grandpa, dad, gary and my gram. You would never think he is 90! I'm not posting the picture w/me in it because a)not photogenic and b)it's my blog and i can do that!

Here is the bridge out of town... and me driving through the mountains. Hard to photograph yourself while driving...:) and finally i'll post my goodies-found a few things in berryville arkansas and eureka springs...

The Birds

I never did finish the story of the baby birds. We had a storm on a thurs after i posted-the winds blew the nest away. I did see one "baby" near the crape myrtle trees-it flew and hid when nala and i got near-so i guess they had both learned to fly and were off into the world.

Groupie

It's official, Gary and I are now groupies. Tues night we went to see "Gentleman Auction House" playing at The Cavern. I introduced myself to Eric (founder, writer, singer, musician) since he knows my family in st louis. He thanked us for coming out to see them. (stupid me forgot my camera) They were GREAT! loved the music. Wed, we got up to go to Austin as we had discussed last week-just so happened that they were playing again in Austin wed night. We went to "Mohawk" downtown (i think we were the oldest ones there) and saw them again. They were sitting at the bar and saw us walk in (surprise!) really enjoyed them the 2nd time around-and promised them we were NOT stalking and really, we won't be in Tucson Az to see them thurs :)
Hope they come out with another CD cause i'm hooked. Can't get their songs out of my mind.

Life the past Week

Got word from the vet that Nala is fine-no cancer! yea. I knew she was fine. (now it's just confirmed) Another birthday came and went. 44. only a number to me. It was probably my least favorite birthday in my entire life. My depression was really bad-starting fri morning. I know when a few things change here, i'll get better. A few wks ago when i thought things were looking up-and the dr said..."keep taking the meds" i thought he was being silly-instead, he must have known...so, i keep popping my 'happy pills' and go on. My goal this past week was to get the house cleaned since it's well past time to do so-i'm getting there, then i tackle the art room. THEN maybe i can make art.
My cousin's boyfriends' band Gentleman Auction House is playing in dallas this week! at the Cavern on lower Greenville. will either see them there or in Austin the following night since we may be out of town. how cool is that? i know a band member-sorta. more later~off to clean (i know, how exciting) :)

Nala News

Nala has a cyst on her neck. Vet wasn't concerned. One popped up on her leg not too long ago and she kept messing with it. Took her to vet on mon-gave us antibiotics and said if we wanted it cut off, to do so while she was on the meds.

Since we use a mobile vet, can go 6 days a wk w/no appt-so wed gary took her in to have it removed and sent off for biopsy. Gary is worried, I have a much more upbeat attitude-she is fine. no cancer. We'll get the results on fri. In the meantime, here are some pictures. now that the pink bandage is off, she seems ok w/it-but if she tries to mess w/her stitches, on goes the conehead which she HATES.

The Birds

No, not the Hitchcock movie...my birds. Can't believe how much they have grown in a week!

A Gift

Not all packages come wrapped in pretty paper. While mowing tuesday, i discoverd that a bird built a nest on our circuit breaker box. I went to get the camera to take her picture, but she flew off before i could take it. I got to thinking that there might be eggs, so i climbed up to look and no eggs. There were two babies. I got their picture-not even up and chirping yet. Got mama's picture too-can't get them to upload now, but when i can i will-and keep their progress posted.

17 DAYS...and counting

It's almost time for Pirates of the Caribbean 3
and you can bet i'll be there day one...right after work. Day before my birthday, what a nice
present from Mr Depp. :)