From Chaos Comes Happiness

I love that line from Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory . In the middle of his amazing chocolate factory, Mr. Wonka tells his group of golden ticket holders to hurry along as they have "So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."   Oh, I've been feeling that way this week. So much to do . . . my friends. Such little time. But, what is most important . . . is that I am doing. And not only in my studio. I'm feeling a little more focused these days. I'm cleaning cupboards. I'm organizing closets. (well . . . only one so far . . . but that's something, right?) I'm throwing things away. Do you know that I had cake mix in my cabinet that expired in 2010? Like, January of 2010? I KNOW! I digress . . . . I'm walking. I'm writing. I'm reading. I'm painting. I even went to a Natural Health Foods Store today, to find a natural way to deal with these unruly seasonal a...

I have a blessed life. With each and every breath I take, I am blessed. From the very first ray of sunshine that falls from the sky, to the very first sparkle of stardust at nightfall, I am reminded of the blessings in my life. I don't know if I always realized that. I was too busy going through the motions to really get it. But now, after 40 years, I finally see it. I am blessed. And with that affirmation, comes strength. The strength to stand tall. For what I believe. For what I feel. For what I want. For who I am. And standing tall . . . that is the biggest blessing of them all. Peace, my friends. Here's hoping you are standing tall, too.

Lately, I've been thinking about a past blog post that I wrote. It must have been a couple of years ago. I remember it so vividly. The day that I sat down at the computer and spilled my emotions right there onto the keyboard. I remember the feeling I had . . . emptiness . . . lost . . . unfulfilled . . . alone. I wrote it back in February of 2010. You can click here to pull up the original post, if you'd like. Or, I can give you the shortened version of it right now. My life back in February of 2010 was different than it is today. I was working close to full time for an healthcare auditing company. I was a stressed mom of a 3 year old toddler and 6 year old, juggling most of our family responsibilities while my dearest PG travels so often for his job. And while the latter hasn't changed much . . . everything else has. The name of the post is "Only in My Dreams".  In it, I tell the story of a recent visit to the local Michael's Art & Craft Store. I w...

It's that time, again! Pour the coffee, grab a chair, and let's talk . . . Don't you just love where You Tube freezes these videos? I mean . . . look at this photo above. Just SILLY!! I'm back in the studio this week, although the weather has been SO GORGEOUS that I easily could have done this Vlog from outside again. But, maybe next week. Hope you have a MAGNIFICENT MONDAY, my friends! xo xo

So, I bought a new bathing suit the other day. Yes, I just came back from Puerto Rico a couple weeks ago. And yes, I am buying a new bathing suit now . Sounds a little backwards, doesn't it? But the truth is I just decided, while visiting Puerto Rico, that I wanted a new suit. Because my old suit is . . . black. Solid black. And boring. And I have to say, not a single person at the resort had a black suit on. Seriously. Not a single person. My new suit? Not so boring. With only a little black. But primarily robins egg blue and white. Floral. A touch of pizzazz. Just like me. I've been a Black Bathing Suit beauty for years now. Frankly, because black is supposed to be . . . slimming. Right? But I ask you . . . is black  really slimming when worn in the bathing suit form? I mean, size 22 is size 22, no matter what color the bathing suit is, right? And a black bathing suit really doesn't cover all those curves any more than a robins egg blue, white and black floral p...

When starting my blog a few years ago, I never imagined becoming friends with strangers. Or even considering a stranger a true, dear friend. But I have, and I do. All because of . . . the Internet. I love that on any given day, I can sit at my laptop and be immediately connected with friends from all over the world. Some may be close (just blocks away), while others can be across the seas (Europe). But no matter how far away, I love that I can read a post from someone who is across the globe, and know that we are really all the same. The world seems so much smaller when I can read that a mother in France is going through the very same things I am going through, or that a gardener in Italy is also having challenges with her vegetables this season. Or perhaps, that there is an artist in Puerto Rico whose work inspires me so. I love the Internet. When Phil told me he had to visit Puerto Rico for work, and we decided that the girls and I could tag along, I have t...

Happy Monday my friends! Time for another Magnificent Monday Vlog!!!! I can't believe we are up to number 15 on the old VLOG list . . . THANK YOU SO much for joining me week after week and spending some time with me. This week, I'm spicing it up a little and adding some TEXT in the video!!!! I KNOW! Impressive, don't you think? So . . . grab your coffee, pull up a comfy chair, and let's chat! Oh . . . and we are OUTSIDE this time!!!! :) Wishing you a wonderful day, my friend!

Sunday. The day of worship. The day of rest. For me, Sunday is the day of new beginnings. A re-focus, so to speak. A time to re-evalute the week that was, and to set goals for the week that will be. I'm in a good place today. Must be that Puerto Rico SUN that is still warming my heart. I'm making a list today . . . a list of all the things I want to accomplish next week. I have been away from my lists for way too long. I think that is why I have stalled in this life of mine. Lists help me . . . they help me see what I have ahead of me. They help me feel so very good when I can cross things off of them as completed. So much to do . . . and I'm ready. I'll have a new VLOG tomorrow (Wahoooo!) sharing lots of things with you. But until then, here are a few more photos from our recent vacation. Oh, it was a good one, my friends. SO so good. Our view from our balcony . . . seriously . . . absolutely breathtaking. One of my favorite shots of the girls . ...

Yes . . . we are. And I feel . . . amazing. Rested. Peaceful. Calm. Relaxed. Renewed. Did I mention . . . calm? Yes, I feel calm. We've been back for two days, and I STILL feel calm. I guess having views like this may have helped . . . And seeing my daughter like this might have helped, too . . . But then again, it may have been spending hours right here that really helped . . . Oh, and maybe it was enjoying a ride like this that helped, too . . . I have so much to share with you from our recent get-away to Puerto Rico! (YES!! We went to Puerto Rico . . . and it was honestly the very best vacation we have ever had. Really. THE BEST.) I'll be back soon sharing more photos and stories. Just wanted to leave a quick note right now. Today, I'm off to purchase a new scrapbook to record all of our memories and photos of this trip in, and then . . . time to do the laundry! I am feeling so peaceful, my friends. This is JUST what I needed. Hugs to you all ...

to sunny skies and happy drives . . . to laughter and fun . . . and major soul searching . . .  artwork by . . . me!  Wishing you sunshine, where ever you may be! Peace, my friends!