Today, I learned another lesson in the art of living. I learned to trust that how I raised my children will not fail when I am not around to reinforce it. I am learning to let go and give them their wings. What an exhilarating feeling!
I am watching my oldest, my nearly 19 year old daughter, gain maturity, poise, and overall growing into a gorgeous, articulate, and incredibly funny young woman. The little girl will always be there running up to me for hugs and cuddles. The statuesque and brilliant woman I see lately is my new companion and house mate. What a FANTASTIC chrysalis! The beauty of it all? I get to sit back, take it all in, and watch my other two achieve their potential as well. Life is a blessing every day. The moments both large and small.
Living is an art for certain, being content and happy is my daily privilege and blessing.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Erte and I
I discovered Erte's art last January, 2009. I was with my friend at the Bellevue Square Mall, and we were sitting in an Art Gallery. We sat and chatted for 3 hours with the Gallery Manager, and went all over the rooms, looking at Picasso, Erte, Chagall, and others. Erte has been termed the Father of Art Deco. A fantastic talent, fashion designer, artist, jewelry, costumer, anything you can imagine, he could dream up for you and make it real, it seemed.
I started collecting various prints and framing them via ebay. One I have, Aphrodite, is on the front of this calendar http://www.amazon.com/Ert%C3%A9-Slimiline-2010-Wall-Calendar/dp/B002O8FDBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1270958015&sr=8-1
Every time I see an Erte, I see creativity, possibility, imagination, and joy. That is what I feel Art should make you feel and do; contemplate, associate, think, and feel.
I started collecting various prints and framing them via ebay. One I have, Aphrodite, is on the front of this calendar http://www.amazon.com/Ert%C3%A9-Slimiline-2010-Wall-Calendar/dp/B002O8FDBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1270958015&sr=8-1
Every time I see an Erte, I see creativity, possibility, imagination, and joy. That is what I feel Art should make you feel and do; contemplate, associate, think, and feel.
Oh you beautiful doll!
Yes, I have three of them, dolls. Two daughters and one son. Daily we go through our trials, joys, and varied experiences. So far, at the end of the day, we are able to come together as a family, laugh, giggle, josh each other, and go to bed in a peaceful manner. That is, unless one of the natives is restless. You know, squirrelly, ants in your pants, full of pee and vinegar, etc. Those are the nights when someone stirs the pot and the house can't settle down because either we are laughing, all wide awake, or discussing something. We are a family.
My three dolls dress up well, have good manners, compassion, intelligence, and you know they are "good" people. I hesitate to say kids anymore. They are 16, 17. and 18. On the threshold of adulthood. I am the proud parent for certain. We may not be the Waltons, definitely not the Duggars. We get things done, and move forward. When my youngest sees an elderly woman in her walker that she thinks may need assistance and asks me to stop the car so she can help her, I know I did something right.
My three dolls dress up well, have good manners, compassion, intelligence, and you know they are "good" people. I hesitate to say kids anymore. They are 16, 17. and 18. On the threshold of adulthood. I am the proud parent for certain. We may not be the Waltons, definitely not the Duggars. We get things done, and move forward. When my youngest sees an elderly woman in her walker that she thinks may need assistance and asks me to stop the car so she can help her, I know I did something right.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Humorous Approach to Life
Dad and I are what people here term "corny" at times in our humor. I used to ask my dad "how are you feeling?" when I was a kid, and his pat answer would be "with my fingers". Oh yes, corny. We send emails back and forth with different levels of humor to them, and enjoy the laughs. I received this today. Enjoy!
1. A bicycle can't stand
alone; it is two tired.
2. A will is a dead giveaway.
3. Time flies like an arrow;
fruit flies like a banana.
4. A backward poet writes inverse.
5. A chicken crossing the road:
poultry in motion.
6. When a clock is hungry it goes back
four seconds.
7. The guy who fell onto an upholstery
machine was fully recovered.
8. You are stuck with your debt
if you can't budge it.
9. He broke into song because he
couldn't find the key.
10. A calendar's days are numbered.
11. A boiled egg is hard to beat.
12. He had a photographic memory
which was never developed.
13. The short fortune-teller who escaped
from prison: a small medium at large.
14. Those who get too big for their
britches will be exposed in the end.
15. When you've seen one shopping
centre you've seen a mall.
16. If you jump off a Paris bridge,
you are in Seine.
17. When she saw her first strands of grey
hair, she thought she'd dye.
18. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
19. Acupuncture: a jab well done.
20. Marathon runners with bad shoes
suffer the agony of de feet.
21. The roundest knight at king Arthur's
round table was Sir Cumference.
He acquired his size from too much pi.
22. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan
island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
23. She was only a whisky maker,
but he loved her still.
24. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from
algebra class because it was a weapon
of math disruption.
25. No matter how much you push the envelope,
it'll still be stationery.
26. A dog gave birth to puppies near the
road and was cited for littering.
27. Two silk worms had a race.
They ended up in a tie.
28. A hole has been found in the nudist
camp wall.. The police are looking into it.
29. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
30. I wondered why the baseball
kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
31. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab
centre said: 'Keep off the Grass.'
32. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital.
When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a
nurse said, 'No change yet.'
1. A bicycle can't stand
alone; it is two tired.
2. A will is a dead giveaway.
3. Time flies like an arrow;
fruit flies like a banana.
4. A backward poet writes inverse.
5. A chicken crossing the road:
poultry in motion.
6. When a clock is hungry it goes back
four seconds.
7. The guy who fell onto an upholstery
machine was fully recovered.
8. You are stuck with your debt
if you can't budge it.
9. He broke into song because he
couldn't find the key.
10. A calendar's days are numbered.
11. A boiled egg is hard to beat.
12. He had a photographic memory
which was never developed.
13. The short fortune-teller who escaped
from prison: a small medium at large.
14. Those who get too big for their
britches will be exposed in the end.
15. When you've seen one shopping
centre you've seen a mall.
16. If you jump off a Paris bridge,
you are in Seine.
17. When she saw her first strands of grey
hair, she thought she'd dye.
18. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
19. Acupuncture: a jab well done.
20. Marathon runners with bad shoes
suffer the agony of de feet.
21. The roundest knight at king Arthur's
round table was Sir Cumference.
He acquired his size from too much pi.
22. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan
island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
23. She was only a whisky maker,
but he loved her still.
24. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from
algebra class because it was a weapon
of math disruption.
25. No matter how much you push the envelope,
it'll still be stationery.
26. A dog gave birth to puppies near the
road and was cited for littering.
27. Two silk worms had a race.
They ended up in a tie.
28. A hole has been found in the nudist
camp wall.. The police are looking into it.
29. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
30. I wondered why the baseball
kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
31. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab
centre said: 'Keep off the Grass.'
32. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital.
When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a
nurse said, 'No change yet.'
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Wonder of it All
"Loving you, is easy 'cause you're beautiful...everything that you do, keeps me loving you..."
This is where my kids and I start "La la la la la, la la la la la" and so on. If you ever want to hear cats get tortured in the alley, tune in when we attempt the high note ;)
The wonder of it, is how music can lighten a mood, a situation, or bring back such memories to people or groups. That song brings to mind lighthearted fun as a child myself, and later with my own children. It conveys a positive mood, message and feeling. Nearly an impossible song to hear, and feel down about.
I'm on the path to college. My oldest is as well. We will be entering together. If the youngest goes to Running Start next year, so will she. All that is needed is for brother to join in, and all four of us are in school together. It is a wonder to me, that we have the freedom to choose our course of studies, whether we go or not, and make what we can of ourselves. When I grow up....we shall see what happens;) After all, I am only 41 right now. I have AT LEAST another 40 years to go. 60 if I am lucky. Be well!
This is where my kids and I start "La la la la la, la la la la la" and so on. If you ever want to hear cats get tortured in the alley, tune in when we attempt the high note ;)
The wonder of it, is how music can lighten a mood, a situation, or bring back such memories to people or groups. That song brings to mind lighthearted fun as a child myself, and later with my own children. It conveys a positive mood, message and feeling. Nearly an impossible song to hear, and feel down about.
I'm on the path to college. My oldest is as well. We will be entering together. If the youngest goes to Running Start next year, so will she. All that is needed is for brother to join in, and all four of us are in school together. It is a wonder to me, that we have the freedom to choose our course of studies, whether we go or not, and make what we can of ourselves. When I grow up....we shall see what happens;) After all, I am only 41 right now. I have AT LEAST another 40 years to go. 60 if I am lucky. Be well!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Oh My Daddy...
Yes, I am George's Daughter. Who else would put up with me, or him? I sold a sofa and loveseat on craigslist, then purchased a sectional that same night on Craigslist. Fantastic set, and it looks terrific. How far did Dad go to pick it up with me? 125 miles round trip. We have always liked out trips and drives. He was in a mood until we got there, I was in one when we returned. Then we both laughed after we finally moved the monstrous sectional into my living room via the front door;)
This week has been challenging to say the least. George has been there this entire time. Today when I phoned, he said "ah, back to normal I see". I asked how he knew. "by the tone in your voice". Yes, I am truly blessed, and so is he. The patience and comeraderie we enjoy is definitely not what I witness often enough with other parent/child relationships. It is developed, not automatic. We have grown into this relationship over the years. It is work to keep it going and communication and understanding is required. I can only hope that I am laying a proper foundation for my kids and I in the future.
Tonight, I attended the parent/student meeting for Running Start. Information abounded, however, answers were rather vague. When I inquired about the mandatory testing for graduation "that's up to the student". We are told "the student is responsible for..." That is fine and dandy, however, we PARENTS are "responsible" for their education and bills until they are 18, or graduated. Too many holes need filling in this story, and you know who is going to be asking a lot of questions :-)
This week has been challenging to say the least. George has been there this entire time. Today when I phoned, he said "ah, back to normal I see". I asked how he knew. "by the tone in your voice". Yes, I am truly blessed, and so is he. The patience and comeraderie we enjoy is definitely not what I witness often enough with other parent/child relationships. It is developed, not automatic. We have grown into this relationship over the years. It is work to keep it going and communication and understanding is required. I can only hope that I am laying a proper foundation for my kids and I in the future.
Tonight, I attended the parent/student meeting for Running Start. Information abounded, however, answers were rather vague. When I inquired about the mandatory testing for graduation "that's up to the student". We are told "the student is responsible for..." That is fine and dandy, however, we PARENTS are "responsible" for their education and bills until they are 18, or graduated. Too many holes need filling in this story, and you know who is going to be asking a lot of questions :-)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
What a day....
Well, yesterday was FANTASTIC! Today was fraught with tension and seeking solutions. Fortunately, it is nearing its end! I am watching Big Fat Greek Wedding and getting my laugh. Yes, I was raised around Greeks, Russians, and all other varieties of Orthodox Christian. While it does not define me as a person, there are parts of me that will never deviate from the basic foundation it provided me. Discipline, discernment, desire to seek the truth, optimism with realism thrown in, and always a questioning mind. I cherish my memories, and look forward to a bright future.
My chosen degree/major is The Classics. That would be Greek and Latin languages and the history surrounding the cultures and people. I cannot WAIT! My ultimate goal? To live abroad and work as an archivist/translator/historian, etc. Life is GOOD! So, now for the trip I want to take to the UK in June/July......
My chosen degree/major is The Classics. That would be Greek and Latin languages and the history surrounding the cultures and people. I cannot WAIT! My ultimate goal? To live abroad and work as an archivist/translator/historian, etc. Life is GOOD! So, now for the trip I want to take to the UK in June/July......
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