Blogging in Baltimore

And that's about as productive as I probably will get this weekend. I am here accompanying the husband who has to judge an engineering competition. I am here as arm candy(or so I would like to believe...Hey we've all got our dreams). All I have to do is eat,drink, and look pretty. The last one is a matter of pride. Anyway, I'm lying in a bed at 4:06 pm in the Westin Hotel, contemplating how I could have smuggled some alcohol on the plane. No answers to that one. I've brought my computer, spent $13 for 24 hrs worth of Internet access (shame on them), brought books and sketchbook-I am ready to relax. Might meet friend Anita tomorrow for a dalliance somewhere off campus...I might not. Experimenting with taking a picture with my cell phone and sending it to my Gmail account to see if I can post it here. Woo hoo! It worked!

Mermaids & Hearts...

 Just wanted to post a few things that I was working on recently. This little mermaid has been floating around for quite sometime now with nothing to do. Finally added some mixed media details, modeling paste waves, glittery curly-q thingies for wind, and a shell tiara. I think she is done. Maybe. For now...

 Heart headed woman started out as a paint squiggle on a piece of wood one evening a couple of weeks ago. I think it must have been the wine. She just appeared like that and then had something to say. Go figure...

And last but not least, three working cats group napping. They say there is nothing else to do with all that nasty white stuff on the ground...

Healing Hands and a Big Heart

My friend Renee passed away unexpectedly last Wednesday from complications due to diabetes. Ours was not a "Let's grab a coffee and chat" friendship. We were somehow closer because she was also my massage therapist and when you bare your body to somebody, you also bare your soul in some ways. I saw her every month for over six years and I will miss her dearly. Most of the time our sessions were not very relaxing because we were too busy laughing over the stories we told each other about work, family, pets, and children. The massage was just a bonus. Renee was the one for whom I made the Greensleeves painting. She called me at work last week to tell me that she had saved my present to open on Christmas day. She told me how much she loved it and how it was hanging in her bedroom right now. I was thrilled and we spoke about when we were going to meet next. Then I received a call on Friday telling me that Renee had passed away. She was only 43. Life is short kids. Live it up and laugh a lot. See ya on the other side, Renee...

Snow Day!

We are finally getting some snow here in New Hampshire. At the last check, the husband measured 11 inches. That was at about 2 pm and it's now 5 and still snowing. Everything is closed around here so we had a day of plowing and playing catch up with the household chores. Daughter #4 was grateful to have this day to catch up with her midterm studying. Daughters #3 and #2 are snowed in at Plymouth and Portland. Oh well..less mouths to feed. More spicy mac n' cheese for us. The working cats are most displeased with the weather. Me, I finally got down to the studio about 4, escaping the torments of balancing the checkbook. I have been uploading music to itunes and browsing through various anime and manga books I have borrowed and bought from the library and amazon. I went to see an anime art exhibit in Portsmouth and found it fascinating. Who knows where dabbling and browsing leads?

Decisions, Decisions...

Which Angel would you pick? The soft blue angel of dreams or the vibrant red and green angel of hope? Someone has a decision to make. Choose well, Grasshopper.

Merry Christmas! (a day late...)

Now how do I get back up that chimney?

Had fun putting a ridiculous santa hat on all cats we could capture and lots of eating and drinking were done by all. Santa was good to me. He brought me a sturdy new easel which hopefully will not collapse backwards when I press too hard and photoshop elements. Woo hoo! How DID he know...I know what I'll be doing this coming year...

I hate my life...

Greensleeves Was My Delight...

Before Greensleeves...

Actually, she was my embarrassment. I have a hard time showing my art work to others. I can accept a compliment on my hair, accessories, the way I dress, my home, or my family, but God help the person who tries to compliment me on a piece of artwork. I usually look the other way and run. This week, I had a monthly appt with my massage therapist. This woman gives me a present every Xmas and I return it with generous tips through the year. This year I felt the need to give her a present also. We had spoken about our artistic leanings before-we both painted. So I decided to paint her a little something. Of course I left it till the last moment and finally brainstormed in front of the computer. I came up with a little lady dressed in green standing outside on a winter's night. Daughter #4 said, "What's the point?" Umm...I don't know. Do paintings need to have a point? So I thought some more and embellished it with this and that and finally remembered the old folk song Greensleeves. I wrapped it up and cushioned it with some of the Husband's cookies. And took it off to my appt. My therapist presented me with her gift, I presented her with mine, and then she didn't open it....What does that mean?!!? She said she was keeping the surprise. I kind of interpret that as, "What if I hate it?" Arrghh! So now I have to wait till my next appt to get her opinion which as I type this, I realize I did not make. Sigh.

And After...