The 7' Pink Christmas Tree

Before Christmas, I passed by this pink tree every time I went to Borders. It was in the lobby across from a purple one. I would stop, look at it and I took pictures of it. (Obviously, here is one of them) We talked about it. My daughter Valerie and I discussed it. "Mom, did you see that pink tree at Borders?" Me:"Yes, isn't it awesome?" We agreed that we loved it. Loved it. Yes I can honestly say that. I loved it. That thought/feeling went out into the universe. Imagine my shock when I received that tree as a present on Christmas Eve. Wow! I was speechless. We all were!

My daughter-in-law (who also loved the tree) decided to surprise me with it. The only person who is not happy is my husband. He doesn't like the pink tree. We are talking about where to put it next year and do we need to buy new ornaments? What do you put on a pink tree? I don't know but I think I'll figure it out.......

Making Christmas Cards

Every year I make Christmas cards. I have a love/hate relationship with the process. It would be so easy to buy some cards but there is something inside me that holds me back, won't let me do it. Sometimes I'll make an exception and buy religious cards. The museum kind. I need them because my cards aren't the usual variety. One year I had an alien on the card. It was standing next to a Christmas tree and the message was Peace. I've also done pink flamingoes. Last year I made 50 one of a kind cards. I was possessed. The process goes like this: cut and fold the scrapbook paper; look through the boxes of old Christmas "stuff" and find just the right picture and/or message; glitter it up etc. Sometimes I'll make all the same card. I call them my "limited editions". So far I've made 13 cards and I'm designing the 2010 limited edition. It's almost done!! It's a great feeling of relief when I mail them.... and then I start thinking that maybe next year I'll just buy some cards!!!!!

Validated By the Exterminator

I hate to admit that I called the exterminator. The mice were having a party in the basement. Frank assures me that the mice will not suffer, but I still feel bad about the whole thing. We had an appointment at noon. While he was busy in the garage I was sitting at my newly beautified table in the living room. Frank enters the room and I start to explain "It's kind of messy in here". Frank says "You're an artist and this looks exactly like every other artists' space. Do you think that Robert Motherwell and Peter Max had neat spaces?" Wow! I have the exterminator to the stars!! Frank actually knew Robert Motherwell and Peter Max. Unbelievable!! He was their exterminator. We had a nice conversation about Robert Motherwell's art and then he finished the job and left. I went back to work with a spring in my step! Frank made my day! But not the mice....