A to Z Blog Challenge - Round 2 - Letter D

 I have chosen the word

Here is my (sort of) dog, Levi... 

I must warn you. This is not a very "happy" post. 

You might be wondering why I said, "sort of" above.

Levi is a sweetheart. I love him! BUT>>>> he has become my husband's dog. Levi mopes around the house until his "daddy" comes home. It's pathetic!! Then, when daddy comes home... it's like someone turned on his "happy switch"!! Of course.. David gives him so much attention, I can't blame Levi for getting so excited. 

Let me be honest...

Levi gets MOST of David's love and attention and I get the leftovers. It sounds stupid, but it's not. My therapist explained to me that David feels "safe" giving Levi so much attention because it's so easy to make a dog happy. I'm probably not explaining that quite right. Levi gets fed special food. He gets brushed and combed and petted NON STOP!! He gets rubbed and talked to so sweet. 

Me?? I get a sad grumble that is IF I get spoken to at all! And touched?? ME??? Nope. I get a light hug and a "peck" of a kiss. 

Well.. Levi just ran to the door to greet his Daddy!! Wahooo!! Let the happy times begin!! NOT!

A to Z Blog Challenge - Round 2 - Letter C

Today's word is ... Calendar

First... here is the link to my post back in 2010 - Click HERE

I like the way I looked in the first photo! I can tell that I was a lot thinner. Wish I could be thinner again. Siiiggghhh....

Anyway..... I have a "thing" for Calendars. Whether it be... wall calendars. Desk calendars. Planners with calendars. Pocket size calendars. You name the type and I'll most likely have one! Well... actually.. I'll have one of EACH!!! LOL 

Right now, I have the following... 

- a wall calendar in my kitchen. I got it for a Christmas gift last year from my youngest daughter. She made it online and it has family pics for each month. I love it!

- a desk pad calendar. It is one of Susan Branch's OH-SO-CUTE! designs. I love it!

- a BIG daily agenda planner with monthly calendars. I don't use this one like I should. I will write out my agenda (if I have one) for the day and 9 times out of 10... I won't even look at it during the day! But... I love it!

- a pocket sized calendar for my purse. I haven't been using this one as much this year because I haven't had as many doctor's appointments and other "appointments" as I was having. I'm sure the main reason that I'm not using it as much as I am at home more now than I used to be. -- Thanks, Covid-19!! 😠

I feel like I'm forgetting one. But.. that's all I can think of. 

Calendars have always been a love of mine. I keep a lot of my calendars and agenda books because they usually have so much information written on them. They are kinda' like a journal in their own way. 

One of my favorite calendars that I have is one from my teenage years. I think it's from 1981! I dated several different boys that year. ( I was like.. 16 years old!) I colored coded each boy because I I kinda' saw dated more than one at a time. (oops!) 

I don't remember what color each boy was... but, I can remember which boys were on there! - Timmy, Mark & David. And... maybe... Jimmy & Darryl. I can't remember for sure. LOL! That was a fun year. 😁

A to Z Blog Challenge - Round 2 - Letter B

Well... once again, my blog post from 10 years ago corresponds with what's happening in our crazy world right now! WOW! My word back then was BECK for "Glenn Beck". Take a look at the reason why HERE.  No worries. I won't be writing on that subject today or anything along those lines. 😉

My word for today is BOY! 

That is a strange word around my house. Why?? Because for years... the only "boys" in my house were my husband and our dog(s)! 

BUT... early next year... we will have a new GRANDSON!! He will be the first BOY! We have two beautiful daughters and two precious grand "girls". My husbands brother even has two girls! 

Having a little boy in the family will be so different! We keep saying.. "We don't know what to do with a boy!" But, I'm sure we'll get used to it REAL FAST! 

A to Z Blog Challenge (2) - Letter A

 It's really interesting that in 2010, my word was ALONE. (LINK) It's interesting because ten years later... I could have written this exact post! I'm not sure why I felt so alone back then, but I KNOW why I feel that way now. 

Anyway... My word for today is... ART.

You could have probably guessed that one! LOL!

I truly am enjoying being back into it. Painting and creating... along with writing... are my passions. They bring me joy and take my mind off of the things that have me stressed or down. I am in my own world while I am painting.

I've actually been doing it on and off again for about a year, but during this Covid-19 Pandemic CRAP... I have really been enjoying it! 

God tells us to find Joy in ALL THINGS. Well.. there you go! Painting is the joy that I have found through this pandemic, crazy MESS that we are living in this year! 

That makes me think of another word that I could have used for the letter "A" --- AMERICA. I won't go into just "what" I would write about it, because I might use those thoughts for when I get to the letter "U" for United States of America. (If I can remember to!)

Anyway... back to ART. 

I guess you can say that I have always loved art. I can remember way back to when I was little and I had drawn a very colorful picture that was nothing but one big line, drawn with a black crayon or marker, that swirled around and made lots of small sections that I colored in with every different colored crayon that I had. (I'll have to make one and come back and insert it here to show you.) I can remember my mom showing it to one of her friends and her friend thought it was so beautiful and said that I should make more, frame them and sell them. 

I wish I still had that piece of "artwork". I probably WOULD frame it and hang it on my wall! Hmmm.... maybe I'll frame the one that I make and just do that, for the memory! 

In high school, I took every art class that I could!! I learned to draw and to use acrylic paints. I did other things as well, but those are the two that interested me the most. I'm pretty sure that I didn't learn about watercolor or oil painting. 

I went on to go to the Art Institute of Atlanta to study "Commercial Art". I didn't stick with it, though. I learned real quick that I was NOT as good at art as I thought I was! 

Through the years, I have done many types of art. When my girls were little, I painted on t-shirts and sweatshirts for them. I made them for gifts as well. 

My mom was an artist. She did some BEAUTIFUL work!!! So detailed!! I am thankful to have several of her pieces! She took some classes at an art school after high school, as well.

My daughter, Ashley.. is also an artist. She took art classes in high school and went on to study Art Education in college. She does BEAUTIFUL work, as well!! I am also thankful to have many of her paintings. 

I'm not sure if being artistic is an inherited trait, or not. BUT... in my book... I would say it is! I think I have proof! 😊

A to Z Blog Challenge - Round 2!

HOLY COW!!!! 

It's been almost TEN YEARS (by about a month!!) since I started the 

A to Z Blog Challenge, 

back on August 30, 2010! I was struggling with what to write about this morning and decided to bring the challenge back!!! 😃

Click on the link above to see what this is all about! 

And then... come back and read my first post for Round 2!

I will also give a link to the Letter of the Day from 2010, just to compare, but I won't use the same word twice. 

Showing Pride

I painted this colorful rooster last night. I just LOVE the way he turned out! 

The question is... should I be “proud” of how well I painted him? 

I "want" to be proud. But.. according to verse 5:4 of the book of Proverbs in my Bible, it says...

"Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin."

Basically... God hates pride. 

Also .. Proverbs 16:5 -- "The Lord detests the proud."

So... the answer would be to give the glory to GOD. Thank HIM for the accomplishment that I have made. 

Thank you Lord, for giving me the gift of being artistic and creative. 

Obsessed With Painting!

I have been OBSESSED with painting this summer!! It started when the Covid-19 "Stay at home" order was issued, back in April... I think. I've been painting a LOT since then!! 

I took lots of art classes in high school and even did a year at the Art Institute of Atlanta. My mom was a fabulous artist, as was my aunt Frances. My daughter, Ashley is an AMAZING artist, as well! Soooo.... I guess it runs in the family. 

In the past, I had always stuck with using acrylics when I have painted. I have always loved the "look" of watercolor paintings, as well. Soooo... I decided that I was going to learn how to paint using watercolors. 

I started off by using the little square watercolor "cakes" that I had in two different art kits. Ashley gave me one and David gave me another one. Then, after watching YouTube videos to learn... I decided that I really wanted to get some more professional tubes of paint to use. So.. I bought a large set of watercolor paints. I also bought some really good brushes. Ever since then.. all I want to do is PAINT!! 

I have also brought out my acrylic paints, as well. Recently.. I have been going back and forth between the two. 

Here are some of my paintings and an explanation of each picture. 

This is a collection of small watercolor paintings that I have done.

I was just trying different techniques and styles. 

Some of these are from pics that I saw on Pinterest and some 

are just things that I made up in my mind. 

My friend Cindy loved the one with the path to the beach so much that 

I gave it to her! 

This one is from a pic that I saw on Pinterest. 

I used acrylics to paint it. 

I did NOT paint it exactly the way

the original artist did. 

I wish I had taken a "before" picture. 

I painted this on a board that I got from the thrift store.

The board was stained and had a checkerboard on it. 

I'm sure someone used it as part of their country decor.

This one is a watercolor. Again... I used Pinterest for the idea.

And.. again... it is NOT exactly like the original.

The frame is one that I picked up from the thrift store. 

I would rather find and repurpose something than buy it new!

This is another watercolor that I did. I wasn't totally pleased with it,

but... I thought it was at least good enough to frame. I already had this 

thrifted frame, too! And ... the mat was brand NEW, but it came from

the Goodwill Outlet! 

This one isn't my best, but it's "ok". 

I had a LOT of trouble with the angles of the barn roof.

I love barns and intend to paint more. 

I really liked this one because of the flag!

It is painted on a plaque that I picked up from...

you guessed it!! ... The thrift store! 

Watercolor flowers in thrift store frame.

These flowers are super easy to do and are 

the very first flowers that I learned to paint!

I found this frame at the thrift store and knew that I could only 

paint a piece of "Life is Good" art to go in it. 

Sooooo... thanks to Google... I found this "Van Go" picture. 

I DID paint this one to be exactly like the original artwork.

This is done in watercolor. 

This was a plaque and again, I wish I had taken a "before" pic.

It was red though and for some reason (can't remember what)... 

It made me think that I wanted to do something football related.

This is NOT like the original artwork that I saw on Pinterest. 

I changed it up just a little.

This one is one of my very favorites that I have done!!!

It is done with acrylics. It is painted on a canvas that I got from

... yes... the thrift store!

I've been picking up canvases there all the time now!

This one was a canvas that was originally from a retail store.

This is acrylic and is painted on a an artboard, or whatever it is called.

It's like a canvas, but is flat.. like a board. 

Anyway... I gave this one to my friend Rosa who is battling breast cancer. 

I called it ... "Roses for Rosa".

I have had many complements on this one!

Another acrylic. This was a repurposed square canvas.

This one is a watercolor. The frame is from the thrift store.

I called this one ... "Baby Chicadees". 

I saw the pic on Pinterest. 

My friend Teresa bought this one from me!

I had this beautiful beaded frame that I thrifted.

I wanted something elegant to go in it.

I had done another drawing of just a wedding dress

last year that finally sold in my booth. 

So.. I decided to do another "wedding" type painting for this frame. 

I searched Pinterest, of course.. and got this idea from one that I saw.

This is my own creation, though.

It is done in watercolor.

This is a thrifted "Byrd Cookie" wooden tray.

It was a light gray. I used chalk paint and these 

farm decals to change the look. It is sealed with clear sealer.

It was fun and super easy to do!

This one is acrylic. It is painted on a blank canvas that I found at the thrift store!

(I actually got 3 blank ones for $2 each!! They retail for $16 at the craft store!)

I am not quite finished with this one. It still needs "something". 

It is my own creation. 

THIS ONE... I loveeeee!!! 

I got the idea from Pinterest. I just LOVE the colors! 

It is acrylic and is done on a repurposed canvas from the thrift store.

This one is acrylic and is on one of the blank canvases that I thrifted.

I'm not happy with the black lettering. I tried every other color and didn't

like them either. So, I just went with black. Oh well. 

This is acrylic and painted on what I call a "block" frame.

It can stand up on it's own because it is wide. 

This was thrifted, as well. It was light blue with words on it.

Another acrylic on a square, thrifted canvas. 

I still need to do a little work on the leaves, I think.

Mask Controversy Over Covid-19 Virus

Instead of going into a long explanation about Covid-19 (Coronavirus) ... if you are reading this blog post and don't know what it is... please research it so that you will understand what I am about to write about. 

I was on Facebook just now and one of my high school friends (age 55) posted this... 

I’m so mad right now! Had my pulmonary appointment today. Because of having to wear a mask now my prescription strength has to be increased and I have to add an additional medication.
On top of that one of the medication is for COPD and not asthma so insurance denied the medication. My doctor knows what is best yet insurance opposes her recommendation.
But yes Government and media hype just keep it up.

She works for a major corporation that is considered "essential" and is required to wear a face mask due to Covid-19. 

Reading through the comments on her post.. I learned quite a lot. Here are snips from the comments...

My doc said to take it off often. she said it’s the particles getting trapped in the masks that are creating health issues

Yep, I'm on oxygen 24/7 now because can't breath with a mask( O2 with mask has been in mid 70. Dropped to mid 60) sleep test for BIPAP canceled by insurance today so it can't be adjusted unless pulmonary specialist evaluates. So I'm on oxygen 24/7 is all Dr. Can offer??  insurance is a waste of money.

i was on a once per year doctor visit now I have to go every 3 months. She said it’s definitely from the mask. I hate it. But what can I do? Nothing

yes I believe that 100% its not meant to wear all day and especially in this heat. We all are sweating and its staying in the mask. We are meant to breath fresh air.

For the record my doctor said the plexiglass shields at the register in the stores is the best protection out there. She also said 10 feet away without a mask is safe

After doing a little research, I realized why masks am have not been traditionally worn here in the states, and it’s not just cultural. Although Covid and the flu are not the same in their lethality, they are transmitted similarly. Studies show that face masks do not show that wearing a mask mitigates or prevents transmission, and depending on the mask actually increases risk to health.

I have Asthma, like my friend and take the same medication. I am SO thankful that I don't have to wear a mask 24/7! 

Whether you agree with our Governor here in Georgia or not... I think he is making the right decision on not having our state be a mandatory mask wearing state. 

It's Been A Minute

By a "minute", I actually mean about 8 YEARS!!! YIKES! 

I've been writing (as in actual physical "writing"... as in paper and pen) almost daily for over 20 years. I've tried blogging over the years, too. I use to enjoy it so much! I'm thinking about continuing this one, but also adding another one that will be of my journal writings (the paper and pen ones) from over the years. I'd like to have them saved other than by just paper. 

Of course... I "could" just either type them out in Word and save them that way. Or.. I could take photos of each entry and save them that way. I don't really like the idea of the photos, though. Typing them out would be the best option, I believe. It will be VERY time consuming. I do know that! So... we'll see. 

I'd like to continue on with this blog. I actually didn't think it still existed!! LOL!! I'm glad it did. I want to download the mobile app, too. I think that will help. It cost a little bit, but if I'm going to use it... It would be worth it. 

Anyway.. 

I'm excited to get started!