That's what She Said

Sometimes I live in the land of lost conversations around here.  I tell my kids to do something and they deny that I ever said a thing.  I have entire conversations with Dave and he says it was all in my head. 

Now, it's true that some conversations I have with my family do happen entirely (or partially) in my head...but they're the conversations that I invite them into after, and only after, I've already gotten myself totally riled up by what the imaginary them said to me in my head.  Yup, those conversations always end well....

Anyway, I'm thinking I'm going to adopt a nonverbal system of communicating with my family.  You know, texting or in a note pad.  Something I can refer back to as evidence.  I think my family will balk at the idea at first, but once they realize how quiet the house is without my constant yammering, they'll surely embrace it.

I'll let you know how it goes.


P.S. OK, OK, full disclosure:  my family does hear and respond to a lot of what I say...it's just those silly ones where they don't that stick out in my mind...I'm neurotic like that.

This painting/gift card is available for purchase at:  Flower Family

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!

On Porpoise

I rather love times when I get to sit back and simply watch the "youth of today"...i.e. my kids and their friends.  And it's so much fun getting to glimpse the things they do that I'll likely never do again in my lifetime (on purpose anyway).

• belly flopping - over and over and over again until huge red blotches stain the chest and abs.

• swimming in a pool fully clothed - just because hey, there's a pool and I want to get in...now.

• wild-n-crazy water battle with a HUGE porpoise and a HUGE orca as the bounty to be protected/stolen while using water guns to attack and kick boards as shields.

Now, one thing I'll likely do that they did today...say "Do it on porpoise" over and over again...just because a big inflatable porpoise is in the vicinity.  Yeah, because that never loses its charm.

So, do me a favor and imagine that I started this post with "purpose" spelled "porpoise".  Deal?  Thanks!  You're the best!

This painting/bookmark is available for purchase at:  Scalloped Clover

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!

Predator and Prey

We live in the land of "Just a minute!" 'round these parts.  Seems like every request is followed by those words I've come to not like so very much.  Now, if they truly meant sixty seconds, we'd be good, but what they truly mean is, "Go away now and I'm going to completely ignore what you asked me to do until you nag me relentlessly."

So this morning when I said, "Come on, it's time to go," and it was followed by, "Just a minute!" well, I decided I'd use said "minute" in the best possible way I could.  I leaned in, wrapped my arms around my kid, kissed and tickled him.


Little guy:  "Stop attacking me!!!"

Me:  "If this is 'attacking,' then you'd better get used to it...because I'm totally the predator and you're the prey in this situation."


And then he got ready to go right quick!

This painting/gift card is available for purchase at:  Hoots the Owl

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!

Color Explosion

Ya, I know. It's supposed to be all about the fireworks exploding today...celebrating the lady that America is.  Brilliant colors streaming across the sky and all. But as I sit here in the midst of a crowd, I rather prefer gazing at the brilliant colors we all come in. It's a divine flesh tones crayola box. And then you have to add a fabulous sixty-four pack (are those drool-worthy or what?!?!) on the side for all the kayaks, SUPs, canoes, bicycles, doggie outfits, and hair colors, of course. Happy birthday, America!

This painting/bookmark is available for purchase here:  Color Explosion

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!

Trying a New Thing

Trying new things can be soooooo scary!  It's funny, I've always told my kids, "Hey, just try it, it doesn't matter how well you do, just go for it."  But it's hard to live by my own words.  It's not that I'm not willing to try new things.  I am!  It's the whole part of "it doesn't matter how well you do" part that gets me every time.

Anyway, last night I took the opportunity to do some glass work with friends.  I was making a little sushi type dish and found myself just staring at my little blank canvas...thinking, "I don't want to screw this up!  Especially in front of my group of lovely creative ladies!!"  I picked some colors, cut some glass, lay stuff, scrapped the entire thing completely, started again...and then I remembered and somehow managed to fully embrace "it doesn't matter how well you do".  And then I had so much fun!  And I loved what I and everyone else created!

Course I am having a little tingle of nervousness as I await the firing and final result...I am neurotic, after all.

This painting/gift card is available for purchase here:  Spring Flower

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Actually it was more like goose, goose, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, DUCK, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE.

All caps for big 'uns, lower case for little 'uns.

Dave and I went on the most wonderful walk today and had the most fabulous encounters with ducks and geese...and these ducks and geese were decidedly not from Texas.  My encounters with ducks in Austin has been that of pure avoidance, and likely fear on their part.  My encounters with geese in Austin has been that of pure avoidance, and definitely fear on my part.

Well, these Oregonian ducks and geese were delightful.  They let us approach them and their young.  The geese even let Dave become an honorary goose, tagging along at the end of their line for a bit.

Duck, duck, goose...pretty sure I'm gonna like that game a bit more from now on.

This painting/gift card is available for purchase at:  Have a Heart

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!

WWWD?

Perhaps I'm sticking my neck out on this one, but no matter where you stand on the abortion choice issue, you have to admire Senator Wendy Davis' strength and passion.  You have to...right?  At any rate, I certainly do.

WWWD?  What Would Wendy Do?  

That's what runs through my head these days if I'm up against anything challenging...you know, if she could stay standing whilst speaking constantly and coherently, denying her urges to go to the bathroom, eat, or drink, and never even lean on something once pain and fatigue had surely set in for eleven long hours...well then surely I could face whatever challenge I was presented with...surely!


As I found myself "starving" after a long hike, feeling lightheaded and straight up cranky, did I whine?  Uh, well, yes I did.  Just a bit...until I thought, "WWWD?"

As I found myself desperate for sleep after an airline delay and then an airline cancellation on my next flight and I'd been up since 4:00 AM and ended up in the San Francisco airport with no chance of getting anywhere anytime soon (and had had plenty of opportunities to eat, drink, go potty, sit, and lean) did I start griping?  Um, have to admit I did a little...until I thought, "WWWD?"


I used to always think of the labor and births of my own children as my reference for "I can get through this," but now I have Wendy Davis to thank for a new and improved reference for "I can get through this without complaint and look darn good while I get 'er done."

Yup, "WWWD?"  Feel free to use it!

This painting is available for purchase at:  Sticking my Neck Out

Thanks for "liking" my blog posts!!