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....

A Disaster Becomes an Opportunity

Last Wednesday night disaster struck. I have my studio space in my living room and I was consolidating it in preparation for Thanksgiving. I love my space - and the room. While moving my table, the leg fell off and all my stuff (pens, markers, rulers, glue etc.) fell on the floor. Yikes! After the shock wore off we put all my stuff in boxes and hid them under the table. Thanksgiving was wonderful and unless you looked behind and/or under the table there was no indication of the mess that was on the floor. Then I had a thought - this might be a good time to paint the table. I did, and then I had another thought, why not decorate it? Right now I am in the process applying a "damask" style design. The metal legs are next and I'm going to really jazz them up. Painting the table has brought me back to myself - I'm doing something that I love to do. Paint furniture! Now when I think about this whole experience it makes me smile. If the table hadn't collapsed I never would have thought about painting it again. There was too much stuff on it. My disaster was an opportunity in disguise!

Saturday's Adventure

Yesterday my friend and I went out for our usual Saturday adventure - Tag Sales! We were really excited because the town of Bridgewater was having a town wide sale. It started at the firehouse where we picked up a list and a map. There were over 20! It was freezing but we didn't care. I am the navigator and have to plan the route. We used to travel with a bag of maps, but since I have my iphone I use it to find the sales. Alas, there was no service in Bridgewater! Back to the maps! Even though we were cold, the morning was beautiful and I was thankful for the opportunity of traveling around and just soaking up the atmosphere. I found some neat stuff: a couple of bracelets, a pair of earrings and the lamps in the picture. I got them for a song and love the way they look in my dining room. It was a lovely way to spend the morning!

The Jacket

I've always wanted a fringed jacket. The kind that a cowgirl would wear. The "Annie get your gun" kind. I found one on Saturday and it was in my favorite color, aqua. The price was $5. There was no hesitation. I bought it. When I modeled it for my family, they were aghast! You can't wear that out! The color is awful! You look like the 70's. I was deflated! What was I thinking? I discussed it with my niece Laura and she told me that she has a fringed jacket too. She only wears it in her room. Maybe I'll just wear it in my room too. I still like it and it makes me feel good and for that reason it was worth at least $5.

A Relaxing Afternoon

I found myself with some free time today. There is an art store in New Milford that was my destination. On my way I unloaded a carful of stuff at the Good Will store. After the art stop I went to another favorite place "Connecticut Memories". The owner is going out of business and is having a huge sale. It's actually been going on for a couple of months but there's no rush! I found some old photos and vintage Christmas cards. On my way home I drove past a little house that was surrounded by Sunflowers! I parked my car and walked to the house to take some photos of these awesome flowers. This one is from my phone using the Hipstamatic app. Taking pictures of these beautiful flowers was, for me, a centering experience. I felt on top of the world. I am blessed to know that I always have the means and the opportunities to take pictures every day! Thank You God!