PS to Becky and Gary

So, how am I doing??????

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE.......SOLD

Bet you know what my new passion is....... Thanks to my friend Teri who thought I needed a new diversion......An Auction Queen is born!

But what should my major focus be???? Jewelry....linens.......chairs.....or just box lots where half the fun is seeing just exactly what treasures are buried in that box? So far I have tried all of the above.

Will I ever be a collector? Not in the purest sense....cuz I guess I am just a "pack rat" by nature so I am truly attempting to use good judgement in my purchases.

So far.......

• A couple box lots of frames - they will come in handy for framing those works of art I am creating. Actually - some are really quite interesting, some antiques and even a couple with canvas pictures (most of those are just begging to be painted over).
• A few lots of jewelry. The good news is that in one of the $3.00 lots was a beautiful peacock pin - one just sold for almost $40.00 on ebay a couple weeks ago - so perhaps a can make a few bucks on that one. Some of the other pieces are saleable and there is always the option of remaking some of the pieces.
• And of course there is always the linens - new tableclothes for me and my daughter, napkins to match and even better - some beautiful linen napkins whose deep desire is to be dyed using batik as the method.
• There are also some items that will be Christmas presents so they must remain a secret for now.
• My favorites are the chairs. And why?????? They are going to be painted with whimsical patterns. One or two should be good enough for the Artist Guild's "Chairity Auction" to raise money for a scholarship fund.

Obviously, it's late - just couldn't seem to sleep tonight......but actually I am feeling a little drowsy - so will sign off for now.

Hopefully pleasant dreams will ensue directly.

REKINDLING A PAST RELAXATION

According to my friends at Woodynook - Becky and Gary, I really need to post more often. I know that they are right!!!! I am sincerely going to try to do better. So here it goes. Today's post.

Flashback to my days in college - up to our ears in books, paints, brushes, pastels, watercolors, clay, jewelry, et al. The dorm room was an absolute disaster - three of us in a room made for two and to make things worse - Karen, an art major; Patty, an art minor and me - also an art minor. Negotiating the most complicated of mazes would be a piece of cake compared to navigating that incredibly small space.

I am back to "up to my ears in art supplies". I have searched and found the numerous boxes that housed my art supplies. Packed away, but not forgotten for XX years. (To tell you that number would give away my age - a definite no, no) Surprisingly most survived. In fact, about two weeks ago I actually did a painting. A fall scene on a lane. Those that have seen it think it's good, but I still am not sure - but then again, I was always my own worst critic.

I have even gone a step further. My friend Jan invited Cindy (a mutual friend and my neighbor) and I to go to her Artist Guild meeting in a nearby town. We actually liked it so much that we joined. I believe that it will be an incentive to keep the muses flowing and a chance to meet some new people and fellow artists.

I also believe that it is "just what the doctor ordered" for me. I have found that it is very therapeutic for me and will help me during the healing process. You see, Carl and I did most everything together. Am I going to continue those activities - YOU BET - but I think that I also need something that is "me".

With the help of my son and a neighbor, I will soon be moving the easel from the living room to my "OSS" (not Office of Strategic Services) but rather my "Office, Studio, Sewing" room. I am really excited about having a new space of my own and I thought it should have a sobriquet.

There should be plenty of space for the easel, paints, brushes, jewelry making supplies, etc. And I can finally use the new sewing machine I have had for months - but haven't used because it was so much trouble to sew because if I didn't finish what I was sewing, I had to put everything away and get it all back out to complete the project. It will also be great to have the lovely computer desk my daughter Sarah gave me out of basement storage - and have a permanent place to put my 'puter and printer.

Perhaps down the line I will add a gallery of my work - for any to critique. I will definitely keep that under advisement.....In the meantime - with only a few weeks left until Christmas - does anyone on my list need a piece of art for their wall??????????

Coming soon - my other new diversion........

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

FAMILY FOOTBALL STARZ

There were practices, there were games.......the team played their hearts out for both. Steady improvement for all the guys was seen with each practice and game......why?.....terrific coaches. It was terrific when I was merely a loud obnoxious football mother - but nothing beats being a loud, obnoxious football grandma!!!!

Best of all was the final game - I was yelling and screaming "Go defense - get those flags Rob; go offense - get a td Dman"; and numerous "Go Eagles!!!!" (Hard for a Steelers fan) only to find out that the loudmouth yelling for the opposing team was none other than my dear friend Rene whose grandson was playing. She just wanted to know who that fast kid was that kept getting her grandson's flags.....Go Rob!!!!

What fun when we found out who the loudmouth on the other side was - we hugged and laughed (I got to laugh a little louder since our team won and my grandson made a couple of the touchdowns) but who was counting.

This program sponsored by the NFL is a wonderful experience and I was glad to be a part of it as it truly was a family time with all of us attending games - once parents, siblings, 2 grandmas and an uncle.

A big thanks to the Eagle coaches as well as the other coaches and the NFL for having such a great program for these kids. My grandkids' team was in the K and 1st grade group. There were also teams for kids in 2nd and 3rd grade.

I can't wait for next season as there will be 3 grandsons playing and more games to watch. Couldn't one be on the Steelers team????? Just kidding.

BROKEN HEARTS DO NOT EASILY MEND

How does one go on when a heart is broken. On August 24th my heart was ripped apart - the love of my life, my soul mate, my best friend left this earth.... Each day is a challenge as I attempt to continue on. The dreams and plans for the future will no longer be built upon. But I must go on....but even the mere thought of creating new dreams is a task that cannot be even considered at this time. I just cherish each memory and try to smile.