Gut Bug

Journaling:

Spent a lot of time here today in a cold, clammy, drenching sweat with "stuff" coming out both ends. (TMI?)

Laying on a bathmat for a long time is tough on the shoulders.

It was not a good day.

Hoarders Marathon

Journaling:

There was and all-day marathon of "Hoarders" on A&E. Watched several episodes from Season 1. Hubby watch a couple with me then got into a cleaning frenzy.

We cleaned up all the stuff sitting around in the dining room. Then we tore apart the living room, bedroom and office, moving furniture from the walls, dusting backs and underneath.

We took pictures off the walls, dusting the backs and behind them. We wiped the baseboards and vacuumed all the rooms. Then we pulled apart the office closet and tossed out a pile of stuff.

The house was sparkling clean after that.

Thank you Hoarders!

Everything Old is New Again

Journaling:

Hubby got out today and worked on refinishing the headlight lenses on his truck. They are plastic and had gotten yellowed and cloudy because of time, heat and sunlight.

When he was finished they looked brand new.

Process notes:
Hubby's truck isn't really that icky color. I was trying an experiment with the watercolors by painting in the shadows first, then the color. It was a big fail. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Taylor Mali - Poet - Teacher

Journaling:
Discovered the joy who is Taylor Mali today. Watch his YouTube videos over and over and got happier at each viewing.

A lawyer once asked him, "Mali, you're a teacher, what do *you* make?" (This was during a conversation about occupations and salaries.)

And Mali replied, "I make a difference. What about you?"

---

From one of his poems:

"When two boys are fighting, I break it up. When two girls are fighting I wait until that shit's over then drag what's left to the nurse's office."

Funeral Food

Journaling:
Miz Dee brought us supper of three-cheese lasagna, salad with artichoke hearts, and garlic bread with Parmesan cheese.

She said it's customary in the south to bring food when there's been a death in the family.

God bless her!

RIP Smudge

Took Smudge to the vet for the final time today. She did not put up much of a fight.

We buried her under the bridal wreath bush in the backyard next to Molly and Beluga.

Then we cried.

She was a good kitty.

Holiday Greetings!

Happy Holidays to you folks out there with shining eyes and rosy cheeks who revel in the holiday spirit. For you I have a holiday wreath:



And for you folks who would rather just skip on over to January, I know how you feel. For you I have a deliciously evil snowman who has watched waaaaay to much Home Shopping Network with jingle bell music:



I was having a little Sharpie moment last night.

Hubby said he didn't think the snowman looked evil. I think he actually looks like a psychotic mass-murderer crackhead snowman, but what do I know??? He's kinda giving me nightmares.

Sold!

Woot! Sold my first two pieces of artwork! I was more than a little stunned at that turn of events, considering I didn't want to sell them.

Our local arts center had a membership show and competition. Most of my artwork is bound in my visual journal and runs across a 2-page spread. I didn't have anything frameable except the last few Urban Sketches I've done which were bound in a spiral sketchbook.

I did want to support the arts center with the entry fee and some artwork so the gallery walls wouldn't be so nekkid. Support your local arts!

So, with chagrin, I cut the sketches out of my sketchbook, matted and framed them. I tagged them with a price I didn't think anyone would pay for a sketchy-sketch. To my amazement they both sold!

Arrrggghhhh! I actually wanted to keep them. I rillyrilly didn't think they would sell.

The lady at the arts center told me that they could have sold at least 6-8 prints of Elm Street Bakery if they had been available. Oy. I have no idea how to make an arty print.

Here they are, matted and framed:

Elm Street Bakery




Hammond Shed



To the unknown purchasers:

Thank you so much for buying my little sketches and supporting our little local arts center. I hope they bring you much enjoyment.

When visitors look at them, tip their head to one side, and with a puzzled expression say, "They're so......" and struggle for the right word....

Quirky.

Quirky is the word they will be searching for there.

Just trying to be helpful.

Speck