From Chaos Comes Happiness

I am in a good place this week. A sense of peace has come over me, a calmness that I haven't felt in a long time.      Focused . . .  that's what I am.                                                  Gratitude . . .  that's what I'm feeling.                                                                                                   Restoring . . . that's what I'm doing. Today I started an online e-course through artist and Brave Girl creator, Melody Ross. Do you know her? I like her. I like that she is real. Exposed. Honest. I am one day into the course, and I can already tell she has a spirit about her that is true. And I can already tell the course is going to take me on a journey that I need to go on. One that is going to help me forgive those moments in my life that have hurt, and one that will help me let out the person I am inside. The course is called "Soul Restoration". (You can read more about it here , if you wish). So, I fe

  Happy Fridays, dear friends! Time to gather for some Crafty Schmafty Fun! I am absolutely  thrilled to find you here . . . this, our 4th installment of the "Crafty Schmafty Fridays" series.  I'm really focused on the creative front, my dears, and joyfully look forward to sharing a project with you each week. So, let's not delay! This week, I am sharing with you (and giving you a sort of sneak peek!) at one of the classes I am going to be teaching at the Park District this coming summer. The class is called "Fridge to Canvas", and the idea behind it is pretty awesome . . . I have been a keeper of the art work both of my girls have brought home from school, and while I've weened the piles down slightly through the years . . . I still have a stack of precious works that I just can't bear to throw away. What was frustrating to me, is that these papers just sat in a bin in our storage area . . . just . . . waiting . . . for absolute

It's funny how the universe works. Sometimes the best lessons are learned when we least expect them. Ella lost another tooth last weekend. Another front tooth. Which means an adorable little toothless grin to cherish for a short time, and a little girl who talks so cute . . . it's almost unbearable. When she lost it, we oooo'd and ahhhh'd over her. She is missing both top teeth, and a bottom tooth as well. Poor thing. It's a challenge to have three missing teeth at the same time. Eating requires some strategy as to the correct placement of food, and talking can be a bit frustrating for one who does so much of it. But she is a trooper. As we all made a fuss over her toothless state, I stopped and observed her reaction to our reaction. I began to think that maybe we were making it a negative thing for this little girl. Words like, "Oh, poor sissy . . . how will you eat?" and "Oh, you poor girl . . . three teeth gone at the same time. That

My daughters think I am perfect. Beautiful. At 7am in the morning, just out of bed, with hair tousled and makeup smeared, I am beautiful. "The most beautiful Mommy in the whole wide world," is what they say. I am not naive enough to believe them. I know there are far more beautiful mommies out there in the world than I. But to them, I am perfect. Just as I am. And I love them for that. My husband thinks I am perfect. Beautiful. He's seen me at my best, and at my worst. Smaller, bigger, in labor or post op from surgery, with the flu or even hung over, he thinks I am beautiful. Stressed out, or laughing until I spit water out of my mouth, he thinks I am beautiful. I know it, because he tells me. I know it, because of how he looks at me - the way that only he has ever looked at me. The smile that tells me he loves me. The words. He is a handsome man, my husband. And he . . . in all his handsomeness . . . loves me. Just as I am. And I love him for that. I know that

Are you kidding me? Is it FRIDAY already ?  My friends . . . my deepest apology for the late posting of this weeks "Crafty Schmafty Friday".  The past 7 days have been crazy busy (as we took a few days and went to the Wisconsin Dells), crafty (as I prepared for Kate's classroom Valentines Party) and fun (as I celebrated a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner with Phil, Katie and Ella.) And at the end of all of it . . . when I finally stopped running . . . a COLD caught up with me. Luckily Phil was off work today, so I spent most of the day relaxing and getting some much needed rest. I still feel a little under the weather, and was just about to head up to bed for the night when I remembered . . . . CRAFTY SCHMAFTY FRIDAY!!! Well, this is only my THIRD WEEK! I can't skip already!!! NO WAY, NO HOW!!!! So, let's begin, shall we? This weeks Crafy Schmafty Friday post was born out of a Facebook discussion with some of my artsy sisters from the "Hello Soul,

Oh, how I love Fridays! They are quickly becoming one of my most favorite days EVER! And not just because it marks the end of a hectic school and work week. Nope, not at all. I love them because over here at From Chaos Comes Happiness . . .         they are . . . Crafty Schmafty Fridays!!!! Wahooooie! And my friends, I just LOVE getting my "Crafty" on!!! Now, one little bit of business before we begin. I finally  have my button ready for you to grab . . . so please venture over to the right side bar and take a look! I'd be absolutely honored if you would be so kind as to post my "Crafty Schmafty Fridays" button on your blog. Really . . . it would just thrill me! I'd love to see this become a great big Blog party each and every week, so please consider joining in! Whew . . . I'm glad the business is over. Let's us continue, shall we? WELCOME to this week's Crafty Schmafty Friday!!! And, oh, I think you're going to love what

When I was little, I wanted to be an artist. I know I've told you that before . . . maybe once or twice. It was the job I dreamed of. Well, one of the jobs I dreamed of. I wanted to make art . . . and I wanted to teach it. To empower, to inspire, to encourage, to teach. Really. It's what I think my core is made of. And my friends . . . I'm going to be doing it. I got a job, my friends. A dream job. A job that will allow ME to be ME. REALLY me. The me that can create, dream, inspire, motivate, encourage, teach, and share my talents with others. Really. Me. This summer, I'll be teaching art classes for our Park District. Yes, it's the park district (not my own studio). But it is the beginning of something amazing. I feel it. And I still feel like a "pinch me" would fit in right about now. You see, every season when the new park district catalog would arrive in our mailbox, I would quickly peruse the pages trying to find . . .SOMETHING that I

I'm starting to get my groove back with my blog. Can you feel it? The smooth ride . . . my hair flying in the wind . . . the sun shining on my face . . . yes, that's what I feel . . . Blogland . . . it's good to be here. (BIG smile). To celebrate my return to this great land of blog, I thought I'd try a little something different for me. Some sort of schedule by which I can commit myself to. Something to plan for, to think about, to dream of. I think a schedule, of sorts, is just what I need. So . . . without further ado . . . and in my best Maggie Smith impersonation . . . I hereby welcome you & christen thee, "Crafty Schmafty Fridays!"   "What?" you say, "What in the world is Crafty Schmafty Fridays?"   Well . . . Crafty Schmafty Fridays is going to be my attempt at sharing a creative idea, project or piece of art that I completed during that week. If you've read any of my posts this year, a big goal of mine is