Another Christmas Come and Gone

Well here we go into another new year in just a few days. Our Christmas here in New Mexico was a really good time. All the girls are here and we had a friend over. We played Phase 10 and watched movies and ate a wonderful dinner. I also got to talk to both of my sons. Justin has now gone back to Italy and Matt is still in Iraq. The picture is from the website for family members of the 1st Cav and there is my Matt, top center in the the Santa hat next to the tree top. It was a great surprise to see him in the photo. To me he looks good and he sounded good too on the phone. He gets to come home sometime in January for his 2 weeks R&R. I can not wait to wrap my arms around him and give him a big hug.

Well I am off to teach a class tonight so I will have to tell more about the holidays another time. I hope the weather holds out, it is starting to snow again and the temperature is dropping. I'm not a fan of driving on icy roads. Wish me luck.

Let's Create!

I am so excited to be participating in a year long doll swap that originated on Violette's website (www.violettesfolkart.com). We will be each making a doll per month and mailing it out to one of the other participants. I will post pictures of the dolls I make and receive throughout the year. I have my first dolled planned out and is she ever cute. If she turns out the way I envision then I think she will become a workshop project.

I am also hosting a mixed media charm swap on the ArtUnraveled yahoo group. It is full already but again I will be posting pictures of the charms as they come in. For those of you who didn't get in on the swap and want a really cool piece of jewelry, there will be two up for auction at AU next year. I had enough people for two separate swaps so there will be two available. Barbara Matthiessen has graciously offered to help put at least one together for the auction. So all you who know her and her work know it will be totally awesome.

I am also putting together a Christmas Collage House for my class here next week. It is really cute. My dad built me a bunch of really neat wooden house niches. They are going to be the base for several classes I teach next year. Again, I will be posting pictures here and on my picture trail when they are complete.

Tonight it is a class beading a Christmas Tree pin. I have 5 or 6 students so far so it will be a nice lively class. Maybe I should bring cocoa and cookies or something. Just to get the holiday spirit happening.

Well happy creating to all of you.

For Lisa and her mother

Another Sunday

Well here I sit amid all the Christmas stuff I pulled out of the garage several days ago. The only thing I have accomplished it putting up the tree (half decorated). I love this time of year but just can't seem to summon the energy to get it done. I look at all the stuff I need to get done and then at the stuff I want to get done and just don't get to either one. I really need to organize myself better. I think I would even feel better if I were a little more together. I don't believe in New Year's resolution but I think I will try harder in 2007.

Justin is now gone again. He is in California with my parents. I know they are enjoying him just as much as I did. We had such a good time together. He is now a wonderful man. I can't believe he grown and on his own. I still see him as the little boy with the big smile who loves sports. I guess he will always be my little boy no matter how big he gets.

Okay enough rambling. I will now get my butt in gear and do the Christmas thing.

Enjoying the time of year

This week has been a wonderful time for me and my family. My son Justin is home from Italy for the holidays. He will leave me on Saturday and go back to California for the rest of his leave but I am so enjoying my time with him. It is the first time in 2 1/1 years that he has been home. He has less then a year left in Italy then he hopes to get stationed in San Diego. That is closest to his girlfriend and California is where he grew up so it feels like home to him. We have been doing alot of shopping and eating. We are putting up the Christmas tree and the outside lights. I love this time of year.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I reflect on all I have to be thankful for. Life has a funny way of working itself out. The best thing about today is I got to talk to both of my sons. Matt was able to call me from Iraq and Justin from Italy. Matt seems to be doing good. His roommate has a computer that has NetZero Voice and he lets Matt use it to call home. It is $15.00 a month for unlimited calls. It is through the computer and seemed to work really well. We didn't get disconnected once. He sounded really good but I could hear the homesickness in his voice. He loves to get mail so if anyone would like to send a postcard or letter he would love it. I will add his address to the end of this post. If any of you have a child in class and would like to have the class send letters and pictures to Matt and his unit that would be great. He would gladly share them with all his buddies. We send him a unit care package once a month and he said everyone loves it. A local grocery store here (John Brooks) gives me cases at the stores cost. It saves me a lot of money. If any of you would like to send something but don't want to send it directly I would gladly send it for you. Just post a comment with your email and I will send you my address. Well I will keep you all updated on how Matt is doing.

Justin is doing good too. He is coming home on Dec 1st for a month long visit. He will be here in ABQ from 12/4 to 12/9. I can't wait to see him. The rest of the time he will be in California. I will let you all know how much fun we are all having.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving to all you who celebrate the holiday. Happy Day to all of you who don't. The photo is of a really cool tree on the top of Sandia Mountain. We took a drive up there today. It was cold, windy and beautiful.

PFC Matthew Huf
HHC 2BSTB, 2BCT, 1CD
FOB Prosperity
APO, AE 09348

Time Sure Flys

I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last post. I have been a very remiss blogger. Lot's of things happening, the two biggest things are Matt is now on his way to Iraq and I now work at Starbuck's.

I ask any of you who read this to please keep Matt in your good thoughts. I know he is doing the job he signed up for but it is still hard as a mother to let him go. I really didn't think it would be this hard for me to have him be deployed. I will keep you all updated as to how he is. Dave, Erik and I went to Ft Hood last weekend to spend some time with him. It was a very short amount of time. that went way too fast. But I love him and any time with him was great. The drive there and back was an adventure in itself. That wil be a story for another day.

I started working at Starbuck's a couple of weeks ago and love it so far. It sure is hard getting used to working outside the home again. It has been awhile and I am still exhausted everyday. I have to say the coffee is good and the benefits are great. Starbuck's is a wonderful company to work for, they really care about their employees.

Are you all ready for the finale of Project Runway? I can't wait until tomorrow. It is going to be a good one. I don't think they kicked Jeffery off, it is just a way to get us to keep watching. I don't think Uli or Michael have a chance but I could be wrong. We will all see tomorrow night.

Sunday, A Day of Rest

Today I finally got to do what I have been wanting to do for so long. NOTHING!!!!!! I took a nap, worked on a proposal and watched endless amounts of TV. I just love FoodTV network on Sunday's. I can catch up on all the shows I missed throughout the week. I also found out today, for all you Gordon Ramsey fans, that he has another English version show starting this Tuesday on BBCAmerica. It is Ramsey's Worst Nightmares, I think it is a spinoff of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. I just love watching him. I will get back to business tomorrow, but for now, NOTHING!!!!!

Celebrate the No's

Years ago I was a consultant for a party plan company. One of the incentive ideas that they had was what they called Celebrate the No's. The consultants were all challenged to get as many no's as they could when asking for bookings. Their theory was that you will only get so many no's before someone will say yes. Let me tell you party bookings were at an all time high in the months following that challenge.

This concept translates very well to everyday life. There are those of us who hold ourselves back because we are afraid of rejection. When what we should be doing is grasping those no's with both hands because the yes's are there waiting for their turn. The more no's you get the more yes's you will get, it is the law of averages.

I want to challenge all of you to see how many no's you can get. Great things are out there for us, we just need to jump in a Celebrate the No's.

Recovering from Art Unraveled

Well another wonderful AU event has come and gone. I had the most wonderful time meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. It was so nice to see everyone again. My classes were awesome. The photo is what I did in Traci Bunkers, Uber Self Portrait class. It had to be my favorite by far. Not that I didn't like my others, but this one was just great. I had so much fun.

I want to thank Sylvia for the great time I had at lunch with her. Although it was the most expensive salad I ever ate, the laughter and good company were priceless. You inspire me so much and I am glad to count you as a friend. Tomorrow's post will contain the No Factor I told you about at lunch that you insisted I put in a post.

It has been so long since I posted that I have way too much to say in one post. I will add bits and pieces over the next few posts. Lets just say that it was like a hotel here for about six weeks over the summer. We had many guests come through our door. It was wonderful and tiring all at the same time.

Friends and Fun

Well I have been having a wonderful time with my friend Jennie visiting from California. She is on her way to Arkansas to spend time with her cousin and stopped for a week with me. It is so nice to have a kindred art spirit in my home. We have been arting it up since she got here. Yesterday we painted her hiking shoes that she bought for her Arkansas trip. They were an awful black and we gave them new life. I will post pictures tomorrow so you can all see them. They are wonderful, so much so she went an bought a pair of Converse to wear instead so they don't get ruined. Well they also were too tight on her feet but whatever the reason they may not see the nature. Tomorrow we are going to work on Goddess dolls and try and get to the Altoid tins on Friday. THis is so wonderful, I just can't explain it.

I have been doing quite a bit of studying on Chakras and crystal healing. It is all so very interesting, just the little bit I have been doing has made such a huge difference in my life. I am able to get to calmness more easily. Now just to convince the hubby and family that it really works. I am definately going to learn as much about it as I can. I really feel a calling to use it to help others.

Well is is so late that I really need to get some sleep. Puppies and kids will be up very early and it is I who gets up with them. I have taken to lying down to nap when Erik takes his afternoon siesta. It is the only way I can function after 6pm. Tomorrow I have an interview for a really good job here on base. I think I am one of the front runners for it. At least that is what I am told and they already have given me a key to the place so no one has to stay late when I have my classes or come in on Saturdays. It is kind of cool and everyone there seems happy that I have a key. It has been a long time since I have had a 40 hour a week job out side the home. Nearly four years, since I was pregnant with Erik. We need the money but I will miss being home with Erik the most. He is more then ready to go to daycare, loves being with other kids and asked to go to school everyday.

Okay now I really need to go to bed. Sweet dreams to everyone.

Petroglyphs

We went to the Petroglyph National Monument today. I love to look at the old Petroglyphs and try to imagine who was drawing them and why. What were the conditions when they were drawing them. They bring to mind so many questions. It was a good day.

Happy 4th of July

Well what a better way to spend the day then with good friends and family. And of course the Thunderbirds. We actually saw them on Saturday here on Base at the airshow. They are awesome. I would recommend it to everyone to see them at least once. Of course we are kind of partial, hubby is in the Air Force after all.

I know I haven't posted in awhile, I will get better. Time just got away with all the company we've been having. Plus my classes are getting busy, which is a very good thing. Helps pay the bills you know. I have taken a lot of pictures that I will be adding to my Picture Trail in the next couple of days, so go and take a look.

I have been working on some neat Shrine Curio Cabinets that my dad built for me. He is awesome, I gave him a sketch and he made it a reality. He also built me some racks for all my tubes of seed beads. I will have to take some pics of those, all you beaders will want some.

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July.

Okay the blogger picture thing isn't working so I will have to add photos later.

Happy Father's Day

To my husband who I love more then anyone. You are the best father there is. Thank you from Stephany, Courtney, Allyson, Erik and Justin & Matt.

To Fred, my step dad, who has always been there for me no matter what. I love you.

Promoted!!!!

My wonderful husband has been promoted to Master Sergeant!! We are very excited and proud of him. He has worked hard to get to this point.

I taught a workshop today in Mountainair, NM on ATC's. They have a flegling group of wonderful artists who are delving into ATC's and wanted a few pointers. They are a wonderful group of people who I think made great cards without my help, but were able to take some tips and hints away today to help them in their endeavor to create. Most of them I think are more digital or painters, so the collage elements were new to them. A few were saying how they didn't think they could do collage but I was able to convince them that it wasn't as hard as they thought. And they created some really neat backgrounds for their cards.

I also showed them some of my favorite "tools" I use to create my cards, now they want me to come back and bring the tools for them to play with one or two at a time. I may do that because it is only an hour drive from Albuquerque and our friends run a restaurant there so it always nice to see them.

I have my surgery next Friday. I was told by the new doctor that I don't have torn tendons, it is a sever case of trigger thumb. Which is good news because it will be a much shorter recovery time. I will still have to do some left handed art to commemorate the surgery.

Dr. Appointment

Well today was an interesting day to say the least. I had the pleasure of experiencing a pelvic ultrasound. The first part went okay, it was the same as having one during pregnancy, then they said okay go in the bathroom and put on the gown. That can never be a good thing to hear. Skipping all the gory details, it became a little unsettling when the lady called her partner over and said "Is that the ovary? It seems kind of close." They then proceeded to discuss my insides like I wasn't there. There must be some kind of rules that say not to talk like that in front of the patient. My mind is just overflowing with all kinds of things. I really do hope the doctor doesn't take very long to get back to me.

Other then that it was a good day. I didn't accomplish much and actually took a nap this afternoon. Every now and then my body just says it needs some extra sleep and I oblige. Luckily Erik went to sleep also so I could really rest.

Tomorrow I am off to the Orthopedic Hand Specialist to see about my thumb. Finally, I hope they schedule surgery because I am really tired of walking around with torn tendons. IT HURTS!!!! Okay enough of that.

Matt (number 2 son, in Army) called today to say he was leaving tomorrow for Ft. Benning, GA to begin Airborne training. He is excited and a little nervous too. I am just proud and worried at the same time. I know he is tired of schools and just wants to begin day to day stuff. I miss him and can't wait for him to finish so he can come home for three weeks. The picture is of him when he got home from Basic Training last fall.

Our little Jada

Well I was another scorcher here in New Mexico. Somewhere in the high 90's, at least we don't have the humidity though. I like the heat but not the humidity. The day was a nice one though, I taught my beading class here on base tonight. I did a crocheted wire and bead bracelet and pendant. The students seemed to like it and most of them finished it. I also finally got over to the Beaded Iris and scheduled some classes for the next few months. I really need to spend some time coming up with some new projects. I have a good following of students so I want to keep them happy. The worst part of new projects is writing the instructions. My least favorite part, it is something I need to work on. I think I will do a separate post tomorrow of all my upcoming classes so anyone local who reads this can come have some fun.

The picture is of Jada, our new little girl. She is an adorable puppy who loves to chew everything. She is pretty cute though. I think she is a keeper.

I think I am getting the hang of this blog deal. Now I just need to figure out how to customize it a bit more. And I need to light a fire under my husband to finish my website so I can have my schedule and workshops online for other to see. Who knows, maybe someone from a fun place will want me to come do a workshop for them. That is my goal, to be a traveling instructor. I can't wait!!

Happy Birthday Justin

Today, June 12th, my oldest son turned 25 years old. Happy Birthday Justin, I love and miss you very much. (He is in the Navy stationed in Italy).

Well after what seems like fate, I have decided to look further into the vending machine art stuff. I am going to submit a piece to Art-o-mat to see if they will put my art into one of their vending machines. It is a really cool program. Here is the link if you want to check it out more.
http://www.artomat.org/home.html

I had my second art session at Hogares today. This week I had the girls. They seemed to really enjoy creating. Next time we are going to do ATC's. I brought my binder with all the ones I have traded for and some of my own that I have kept to show them and they are really excited. I would like to continue with this after the summer is over, it is very rewarding for me. I feel as though I am giving back a little. These kids are really appreciative of every thing I am doing for them.

Well we have an addition to our family. Sunday we got a puppy for our kids. She is so cute though and is so far a really good girl. I guess her name is Jada, at least that is what has stuck so far. Our friends that we got her from were calling her Reba, but I wasn't to fond of that so we decided to come up with something different. It is similar enough that she isn't very confused. She is a 7 week old red Queensland Heeler.I will post some photos of her later on.

98 degrees

And I don't mean the band. It is so hot here today the kids aren't even outside playing. I am staying indoors trying to get some art accomplished. It seems the last few weeks I am just sitting outside looking in the window at someone elses life. I guess that's what happens when you get old. My oldest son, Justin, is back in Italy now. He called this morning to say he is back on the ship. I know he wishes he were still here but is planning on coming home again at Christmas. He and Cindy are hoping to get married then also.

Well I went to the Orthopedic doctor on base to see when I will get my thumb fixed and found out that I have torn the tendon in my thumb. So now I have to go downtown to a hand specialist for the surgery. I will just be glad when it is over because my hand hurts more and more everyday.

Enough for today. I am off to brave the heat and go to the bead store. I need lime green beads to finish a bracelet for a friend. The picture is from the trip to the zoo that Erik and I took on Saturday. I am thinking of using the photo for a Quilt Challenge that Quilting Arts Magazine is having. It is a good issue, I highly recommend it.

Spinning Wheels

Did you ever have a day where you had so many projects to complete that you didn't do anything because you didn't know where to start? Well that is me today. I just can't seem to get going and I need to because of the impending surgery on my right thumb. Once I have the surgery I will be forced to do everything left handed, which should prove interesting. So I am trying to get class samples and round robins all caught up.

I have decided though to do a series of left handed art while I am healing. I will post pics of them as I do them. It should be interesting to see if the pieces become better as time goes by. It will be 6-8 weeks before my hand in back to normal the Dr. says. Well I go tomorrow to find out when the surgery will be.

New Adventure

Today was a great day for my creative spirit. I signed up to volunteer at a Day Treatment facility for teenagers with substance abuse problems to teach them art. So now every Monday I will get to share creative ideas with them. The director and therapists that I met with today were so excited about my projects I brought as examples that they were all wanting to be on duty on Mondays so they could join in. It was very good for my ego and my muse. I really think this is going to be a good union for all of us. I may tap into some of your creative idea's if I for some reason I run dry. There will be turn over of kids so I will be able to repeat some of the favorites and I will always have Mandalas available for them to color if they don't feel like doing the project. As you can tell I am very excited about the whole thing. I will keep you updated as to how it is progressing.


The photo is one that my oldest son, Justin took while his ship was deployed to Africa earlier this year. I think it is a beautiful sunset. At least I think it is a sunset, I guess I need to ask him.

Memorial Day Thanks

Thank you to all the military people (past, present, and future) who help to keep our country a good place to live. I will not forget.

Quiet Time

I hope this wonderful day finds all of you happy. It is a good day to reflect and create. For those of you who are not big racing fans it is a nice day to be outside. Of course if you are Nascar fans it is time for the 600. For those of you who don't know me or my family. We live for Nascar.

Today is my step-dad's 75th birthday. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting on a couch with a big dog that growled everytime I moved. Watching my mom getted married. I was 5 years old, where have the last 39 years gone. Happy Birthday Fred, I wish I was there to celebrate with you. I know Erik would love to have some watermelon with you.

Day One - Let's Journey Together

Welcome to the very first post of my very first blog. This is a way for me to put my thoughts down on "paper". Some days may be more interesting then others. My intention is to make it interesting and inspiring to those who choose to read it . Now the trick is to learn how to use all the bells and whistles to make this blog a go.

Okay, got the picture part down. This is my 3 yo Erik creating one of his masterpieces. He loves to do art so we got him this easel for his birthday. He will spend hours drawing, coloring and painting. The first thing he does in the morning is go to the easel and use the white board. I am sure you will be seeing much more of him and his artwork.