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! 😊

Sharp Knives & Letting Go

Sorry for the delay in writing. I got really lazy yesterday and didn't make it back to my computer! Ha!

I do want to thank all of you --- my special "bloggy" friends (smile) --- for your sweet words regarding missing me. Your words warmed my heart!

It still feels strange to be writing again, but here goes my attempt at it! Bare with me as I blurt out random things!! Ha!

Sharp Knives --- Be careful with them as you wash them in your sink!! They get angry with you for no reason and jump out and CUT YOU!! The next thing you know...  you are being driven to the doctor -- with NO make-up on and no shower, I might add!! -- by your daughter, while you hold a washcloth around your finger because it won't stop bleeding!!!

Yes. This is what happened to me last Wednesday!

Here is the result of my visit to the doctor ---

5 STITCHES!!!! 

Ya. That was NOT fun!! But, I was very thankful that Miranda was there with me. If it had been Ashley.... I would have been driving HER to the doctor! 

Sooooo....... typing on my computer is rather difficult right now. My finger is bandaged and I have a splint on it. I go back on Friday to get the stitches removed. Until then, I am not supposed to bend it or get it wet. So, ya. Showering is a lot of fun!-- NOT! 

Letting Go -- For those of you that have adult children.... was it hard to let them "go" and do "adult" things for the first time?? I experienced this with my Ashley yesterday. She has recently reconnected with a guy that she knew several years ago, when she attended her Junior College. This guy lives on the north side of Atlanta (100 miles away). They saw each other for the first time, since college, a few weeks ago. They both drove and met for dinner halfway between here and Atlanta. Then, a week ago (the day before the knife jumped up and cut me!!), the girls and I met him for lunch when we drove up to Atlanta to go to the art museum. I enjoyed meeting him very much and he seems like a very nice guy. 

Since then, he's been begging Ashley to drive up to where he lives and "hang out". THIS is where the "letting go" part comes in! --- Neither one of my girls has ever driven in (or thru) the big and BUSY city of Atlanta!!  The small town that we live in doesn't come close to comparing to Atlanta.... especially when you are talking about DRIVING!

The other part of "letting go", was letting her SPEND THE NIGHT up there (at his house!!!!) so that they could go to dinner and have more time together! WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I SAID SHE COULD GO???

Part of me is kicking myself, but part of me knows that she is 24 years old and is an adult. Letting go is not easy, but deep down... I know that it is necessary. I have just been praying for her safety and that she makes  the RIGHT CHOICES while she is up there.

You may be wondering.... "What does David think about all of this??" Well, his first concern was for her safety, driving in Atlanta. As for the rest.... I think he had to just put blinders on and "let her go".

If you read this before 11:00am EST ... please say a prayer for her safety, as she drives home. Thank you!

Taking a break

Hi friends ~

I am taking a break today from... "My Vacation A to Z". I have a horrible sinus headache and can not think straight... but, I thought that I owed you a different post to let you know how things are going with my new job.

My new job as a  4 yr old, Pre-K Assistant Teacher is a lot harder than I thought it would be!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the preschool itself!!! It is wonderful!! But, the teacher that I am working with is a new teacher and she was TOTALLY unprepared when school started, just over a week ago.

She told me in the beginning that because she WAS new and I was a veteran... she wanted us to work TOGETHER to teach the kids. I was fine with that, but it has turned out to be very difficult because every time I offered her help or suggested different (and better) ways of doing things (because of my experience)... she thinks that I am criticizing her!! I don't mean to come across that way... but, that is how she is seeing it! So... I have backed off of trying to offer my "suggestions" and have just let her handle things.

Last week, the kids were in control of the classroom!! SHE was not, which was not a good thing! Yesterday, she seemed to have a little bit better control over them, which I was glad to see. Hopefully, this will continue.

She has a VERY "high strung" personality and seems to have a hard time focusing on one thing at a time. This is another thing that is making things difficult. Last week, she was SO overwhelmed and she was a nervous wreck! This week, she seems to be a little more calm and in control. I can't help but wonder if the kids were "feeding" off of her nervousness last week, and that is why they were so "out of control".

Please pray for this young teacher as she struggles to learn the ropes... and for me!!.... as I try to keep up and stay calm myself!

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As far as other things in my life ---

I quit Curves last week and joined the YMCA. I knew that I was not going to continue going to Curves because it was nowhere near where I am working now. (It's not convienent for me... I won't go!) The Y is just two blocks over from my new school!! A PERFECT location! I plan to go every M/W/F afternoons, after work. Tuesdays, I will go and see my mom. Then, on Thursdays, I will go and see my C.R. -- I hate not getting home early in the afternoons anymore, but that's ok. I'm getting used to it.

Miranda started Nursing School last week. It is SO COOL to hear about what she is learning each day! Soon, she will begin going to the hospital to learn. I CAN'T WAIT to hear about her experiences there!!!

Ashley is back in school. She is an Art Education student. She is not too happy right now because she is in a sculpture class. This is NOT something that she enjoys!! She would rather be painting.

She also has a new guy in her life. We met him this past weekend. He is very sweet. She says that they are just in the "talking" stage right now, which is fine. She has been hurt so many times by guys that I would rather her NOT jump into a relationship too quickly. 

I am enjoying getting to know the ladies that I work with. One of them, in particular, I can see as a potential furture "good friend". She and I are very close in age and we have a LOT in common! She has three boys that are in the same age range as my girls. In fact.... my girls know who her sons are!! LOL!  I am hoping that she and I can go to lunch one day soon and get to know each other a little better.

This weekend, I will be at my church pretty much the whole weekend!! Saturday, I will be getting ready for an event on Sunday. And then, Sunday... I will be AT the event all day! I'll be one tired puppy by Sunday night!!

We have no plans for Labor Day weekend, as a family. My very BEST friend that lives in Atlanta is (hopefully) coming down on that Saturday to go "thrifting" with me!! I can NOT wait!! I have been anxious for her to come down all summer! I can't wait to take her to all of our new Thrift Stores!

The only other thing that we might do on Labor Day weekend... is go up to the campground and visit our camping friends. Some of them will be camping. We are not ready to go camping yet. It's still WAY too hot!! I am anxious for Fall to come so that we can really camp!

Ok... I better run. Time to go get ready for work!

Hope you all have a blessed day!

Catching Up

Hello!

Life has been rather busy around here, lately! My blog "postings" and my blog "readings" have been few and far between, it seems! I guess being BUSY is a good thing. It means that I am staying active and there are a lot of things going on in my life. If that weren't the case.... then, I would be sitting around, being bored!

Here's just a bit of what's been going on around here ---

David has been working on rebuilding our "retaining wall" in our back yard. He started the project at the beginning of April and just finished it over this past weekend. It took him a LOT longer than he had expected, but it looks great!! The wall was first built about 10 years ago, when we had our in ground pool put in. David used landscape timbers back then, but knew that they were only going to be "temporary". Ha!! Ten years later....... they are just NOW getting replaced! I should have taken a "before" photo and then a "during" (maybe more than one!) photo before showing you the "after" photos. Oops! You can get the idea from these photos, tho.

The wall looks GREAT and I am happy to now have have my Lantana planted in the flower beds again! (The other ones didn't survive.)

The steps still need to be "tweaked" just a little. We didn't measure quite right!

I am SO HAPPY that my rose bush is doing so well!!

My poor garden needs som work! And our grass..... welll, we are working on that, as well!

The bricks are surrounding a small seedling that I found. I "think" it is from one of my previous plants and is trying to survive! ~ The pool looks inviting, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it's still a too chilly to swim, just yet! Maybe by this time next month. -- Maybe!

Here's a look at my garden when I first got everything planted.

This picture is from July 4, 2006. David had almost completed our screened in porch. You can see how the "Great Wall" used to look. (These are friends of ours in the picture. Not us!)

David also built a pen for our dogs. Now, my flowers will should SURVIVE the jaws of Chester! LOL! My "Knock Out" Rose bush is coming back, beautifully!!!! And my Stella de Ora Daylilly is coming back, too! YAY!! My plans are to add more flowers and plants to this garden.

The dogs now have their OWN yard! YAY!

We have had two nights of tornado weather, too!! The first night (two weeks ago), was mostly just high winds and a LOT of rain! But, the second (just this past Friday) was VERY SCARY! We had two tornado WARNINGS!! The first one was about 7:30 in the evening and the second was in the middle of the night, about 3:15am!! Both storms, luckily, passed to the north of us. I didn't get much sleep that night! Tornadoes fascinate and scare me, both at the same time. I would love to see one ---- from a SAFE distance! --- but, I am terrified of them, just the same.

Thursday, I got my hair cut and my highlights redone. My stylist did a GREAT job! I only wish that I could style it the way that she did! LOL! I have had many compliments, which is always nice!

I switched gyms last week, too. I have gone back to Curves for Women. I used to belong to this gym and then I lost my job and quit because of the cost. Then, back around Thanksgiving of last year, I joined Gold's Gym because it was cheaper. But, after several months of "trying" to lose weight by going to Gold's.... I decided that I need to go back to Curves. I was actually able to LOSE weight when I was a member there, so... I think it is where I am supposed to be. I started the Curves Diet today. (Wish me luck on that one!!) I do great at exercise, but "dieting" is NOT my thing! I struggle with it, BIG TIME! Food temptations get the best of me.... always!

I have also been researching my family history again. This time it is my paternal grandmother's lineage that I am tracking. Genealogy is such fun! I had "thought" that my grandmother was from Birmingham, Alabama.... but, discovered that she was actually from the county that I live in RIGHT NOW!! Unbelievable!! I was blown away by this new found fact!! My plans are to go to the county courthouse and do some research there, soon. I want to see if I can find the cemetery where my ancestor's are buried. If I can find that... it will, hopefully, answer a LOT of unanswered questions!!

My girls are winding down their Spring Semester of college and are EXTREMELY stressed at the moment! I barely saw either of them last week. Thankfully, we had a very nice day together yesterday. We laughed and everyone's stress was forgotten for the day! But, today is Monday and they are already running around getting ready to start their week.

My poor Ashley has also had the added stress of having relationship problems with her boyfriend this past week! (NOT good timing!!) I won't go into details, but it looks like they have worked things out... for now. There's almost nothing worse than seeing your child broken-hearted!

I hope that catches you up a little bit on my life, lately!

God Bless!

A to Z Blog Challenge -- A & B

I saw this fun Blog Challenge on my friend Becca's Blog. I have done an A to Z Blog Challenge before, but this one is a little bit different. For this one... you have to name 5 things that start with the letter of the day and then write about them. If you care to play along... you can join in by clicking the link button on my side bar.

I am a day behind, so this posting will contain both letter A & B.

Letter A

Ashley

Ashley is my first-born daughter. She has a birthday this month and will be 24!! I am having a hard time accepting the fact that I have a child that is THIS OLD!! Of course..... I am not getting any older, myself! **Smile** It seems like yesterday that I was 24 years old!! Ashley was two years old when I was her age! WOW!

Anniversary

David and I will be celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary this month!! WOW! The years have flown by so very fast! We are planning on taking a weekend trip somewhere to celebrate. We haven't decided on just "where", yet.

Atlanta

This is the city that I grew up in -- Atlanta, Georgia. I was born in Columbus, Georgia... but when I was three years old, my Daddy was transferred to Atlanta by the finance company that he worked for at the time. I grew up on the east side of Atlanta in the county of Dekalb. It's funny.... David took a transfer 12 years ago with the company that he works for and now, I am right back to where I started from!! I love where I live now, but there are many things that I miss about Atlanta.

April

The month of April is a very special month to me. It is the month that I was married, bought my first house and my second, had my first child, and it is when nature comes back to life in all of it's beautiful Spring colors!!

All My Children

This was my mother's favorite soap opera. She never missed an episode! As I grew up, I became a fan of the show as well, and watched it as often as I could. Over the past few years, I have finally moved on and no longer watch it. My mother no longer watches it either. Since her stroke, she has a hard time focusing on TV shows and movies. I heard, just the other day, that All My Children's ratings were down and that the show may be canceled. This makes me sad, but I understand.

Letter B

Bananas

I have no idea why I am writing about banana's!! This is the one food on this planet that I do NOT like!! I can't stand the smell or the taste of them! Blech! Many people have tried to get me to "like" them, but I refuse! Yes... I KNOW that they are healthy and good for you! But... NO! I do NOT like them and will NOT eat them! You can't make me!

Books

I love books!! I would rather read a book about something than read about it online. Back before Christmas, I seriously thought about asking David to get me one of those electronic book "thingy's", like the Kindle or the Nook. But, I have thought about it since then, and have decided that I like actual books a whole lot better! Just yesterday, I purchased my very first copy of Tom Sawyer! I was at a little flea market near my house that I hadn't been to in a while and found a booth FULL of old books! I could have stayed there forever looking at all of them! (In fact... I may go back and look some more!) This is where I found the Tom Sawyer book. I can't find a "year" on it, but from looking online, I believe it is from the 1950's or 60's. If you take me to a book store, you will have a hard time getting me out!!

Bags

I have a "thing" for bags, too! I love them! I use them for everything. In stores, I am drawn to them. I certainly don't need any more, but if I see a cute one... you can almost bet that I will buy it!

Butterflies

My mother loves butterflies. I always think of her when I see one. She recently told me that she would love to have butterflies released at her funeral. I had never thought of this or heard of it, but isn't it a beautiful thought! I have no idea how I will carry out her wish, but it is something that I need to research.

Birds

Now that it is Spring, the birds are returning to my bird feeder! YAY! Yesterday, I saw a bright red cardinal and a chickadee! Birds are also something that my mother loves. All that I know about birds, I learned from her.

My New Painting

I have a very talented daughter! Ashley painted this painting to go in our newly redecorated, living room. Didn't she do a beautiful job? **Smile**

Ashley picked up the love of painting while in high school. She is now an art student, here at our hometown college. Her desire is to teach art to elementary students.

THANK YOU, ASHLEY!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Snapshot Saturday - 12/11/10 - Thisisme's pick!

My friend "Thisisme" over at Southhamsdarling picked: 43 - 8 - 42

Here's the photo --

This photo is from Ashley's 8th birthday party. The girls were having a BIG TIME ripping up the tissue paper from the gifts and tossing it up in the air!!

Ashley is the one with the flowered shirt and pink headband, on the right. That's Miranda, just behind her. She wasn't quite three, yet.

This was our "finished basement" in the house that we lived in (and LOVED!) when we lived east of Atlanta, Georgia in a town called.... Snellville.

When we moved into this house, the basement was "unfinished". David was able to "finish" it for us so that we would have a den and playroom for our family. It was WONDERFUL and I miss it! The house that we have now, does not have a basement.

The glass tables once belonged to my mother. Not exactly "kid friendly".

The blue blanket on one of the couches is hiding the CHEWED OFF arm of the couch that our first dog ate right after we were first married!! The couch was brand new, when that happened!! It was a VERY comfy couch though, and we weren't about to get rid of it.

Thanks for the great photo pick!! **Smile**

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 2

Today, I am thankful my oldest daughter - Ashley.

First of all I would like to thank God for this precious child, because she truly is a gift from God. I was so young (22) when I had her. I had no idea what I was doing as I became a mother for the first time, but she made it so easy!

She is 23 years old now and is every mother's dream child. She is patient, kind, loving and giving. She never expects anything in return.

She volunteers MANY hours at our church, working with the youth, each week. She also goes to school full-time and works many hours during the week at a cute little shop called "By Invitation".

She loves the Lord and radiates that love, wherever she goes.

While in high school, she began a love for art and is now a wonderful artist!! She would love to become an elementary school art teacher, but her main goal is just to teach kids art and share her passion for it.

Here are just a few of her creations ----

My prayer for Ashley is that she graduates from college and finds not only the job of her dreams but also that special someone to share her wonderful life with.

I love you, my precious Ashley!