Well, here I was - standing at the front room window, staring out at the woods across our little dirt road..not really LOOKING at anything, just sorta staring out at all the fall colors...

When I notice this little critter strolling down the road, like it just OWNS the place..like, "Ok, all is good along this part of MY land..this is good...ahh, so is This..."

An' I think, well, that's sorta cool, it's somebody's little dog..looks like it knows where it's going..seems like it's havin'..

WAIT A MINUTE!!

This is NOT somebodys dog..Holy Toledo! -

So I look REALLY hard at this little thing strolling along...and look for the tail..Oops..short/nubby/almost like no tail at all...the back legs are hefty for the overall size of the critter, looking like it could jump a fence without blinking...an' it has short stubby ears...kinda like a BIG cat..

Then it dawns on me -- It's a Bobcat...

Just walkin' down the road like it's a Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, checkin' out the woods, sniffin' here and there the way cats do, like THEY know who's been down the street.

Then it came to a QUICK stop. Looked in the direction of the neighbors at the end of the dirt road, 'cause as is usual, their dog was barking..an' the cat sorta slinks itself into a sitting position.

Ah Ha! - So I REALLY take a good look at it, and for Real and Wholly Moley, it just looks so beautiful! - Wow! - I'd thot I'd heard it at night earlier this fall, screamin' in the woods the way the females do when their in heat..a sound that ever since I first heard one in 1991 - o - 1992 just made the hair on my arms stand straight up - And now I finally got the chance to see this little thing right in front of the cabin. She (I'm asuming it's the female, cause they do the most meandering.or so I've been told..) just sits in the dirt road, staring at the dog, the way cats LOOK at dogs, like, "Oh PLEEASE, you are SUCH a pain in my A**" And then she very slowly creeps off the right side of the road, makes a couple little hops and completely disapeares into the woods.

I reallized I was standing at the window with my mouth hanging open, just flabergasted at what I'd just seen - I'd wanted to see this thing for what seems like for EVAH, and I finally got a chance to see it!! I just read thru some info from both N.C. State Univ., and UNC on the bobcat in this part of the state. We're in the perfect location for them to live - lots of cover, plenty of downed trees for the female to make her little nest, and pleanty of food for them to survive on.

I'm just glad the dog was inside the cabin - we had a Redbone Coonhound way back in the day, and she was SO pigheaded, she made the mistake of going after a bobcat one night -- we'd been hearing the female making her screaming/meowing noise behind our house for a few nights...and the dog got out of the house, made a bee-line for the woods, and finally came back about 2 hours later. The next day she was whining, and moaning, and acting like it was the end of the world. She had trouble lifting her back legs, and it really scared me, so I took her to the vet. Ha! -- He just laughed!! - Took a couple looks at her, felt around her backside, then looked at me and said, "She's been messin' with the Wrong Critter!! -- Where do you live again? - Oh!, yes, out in the woods..Well (As he looks at the dog...) Young Lady, I Believe you've met your match! - "

Seems that the cat had smacked the dog along her back legs, up around her bum, but didn't break the skin - the area was swollen, sore, and you could see the outline of where the cat had made her "Point" - The Dog was Seriously in Ego Hurt, and moped around the house for the next few days. Next time she heard the bobcat screaming in heat, she started for the window, then REALLY FAST, layed down on my bed, and just stared out the window. HA!! -- Lesson Learned!! -- Don't Mess with the Bobcat!! Thank heavens the vet bill was only like $35 or so for the check-up. I think the dog's ego count went down to about -55...!!

So, that's the news from here - I' m hoping to hear the cat tonight if she is indeed in heat, and will make her Noise!! - I'll post on what happens in the next few days!!


Lady of The Tulips

>> Ok <<

So, what I decided was that being miserable just wastes my time, and doesn't accomplish anything -- And from that I learned that it is much more fun to sit at the work table and make something that I've never done before.

No, I'm not going to post some of my scribblings on here from my paint program - those are just going to sit here an' that's that.

What I DO have, tho are 3 new canvases that came outta nowhere - all full of texture, odd shapes and little things that I'd wanted to do before now, but just thot they wouldn't look right.

AND THAT"S THE POINT!! -- WHY do I need to try and make my work look just like "Everybody Else"?? My work is just that - MY WORK - So, if it isn't all polished and smooth - if it isn't all cookie cutter and ready to be picked up by Wal Mart and sent to china to get mass produced..

Then it is MINE -- And if there are things in/on it that look off shape/crooked, well, they are and that's that!

And they are so fun to DO!! -- Weeee -- and once I stood back and looked at what I'd accomplished, well, it just suprised the very livin' tar outta me! - Whoa!! -- I did THAT?! Huh! So, now there are all sorts of little thots of making even more textures, and a quick trip to the hardware store (You just cant imagine how many goodies there are that can be used in collage!!) will make some even more altered goodies. I'm sure the manufacturers never thot that some Art could be made from Hardware Items.

Shows what they know!

And with that, I'm off to mess with some goodies on me little work table. I'll post the canvases in just a minute - right now I gotta go take my meds. I've given up wasting time calling the Dr's office - If they got news for me, I'm gonna say, Well, how nice of you to call - No More wasting time on HOLD on the phone for 15 minutes..

Nope! - Off to Paint!!


Lady of The Tulips

Just a little something I got done earlier today -- Not sure what it is -- But it let me cut loose and mess with the paint-brush in my computer.

Plus I got to unload some pent-up hurt and irritation that got slammed in my face earlier today.

Won't go into it here, but let's just say that I'm tired of getting kicked in the face by people, and they just smile back while their doing the kicking.


Lady of The Tulips

So, what started out as just trying to find some kind of lettering, turned out to be a search for some thing in the dictionary in my computer, which THEN turned out to be a search for some phrases, which THEN turned out the discovery of the Paint Program installed in my computer..which made me just about jump up out of my chair, then I nearly said some very worddy birds...uh..dirty words..

ANDTHEN with my right hand ( which I barely use 'cause it makes things all wonky..) I got into the paint program, messed around with some of the brush details, messed around some more, an' this is what I came up with. Not much, looks like I'm back in the 1st. grade, but I just love the rawness of the brushstrokes..it really does look like I'm back in 1st grade.

An' that's ok, 'cause maybe by the time I hit 70, I'll be able to actually print legibally (oh hush, that's spelled bbbbaaadddd..so shut up...) and people won't shake their heads and say, "oh, she does need some help on her penmanship.." Or whatever you call it...

As for other stuff - Tom & I went for the monthly Saturday Morning Breakfast at the clubhouse - biscuits with gravy, scrambled eggs, and hot coffee. They also had pancakes, sausage and something else, but I figured what I had was enuf to stall my blood veins for the next 5 hours -- biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs & coffee. The only time I eat something like this is at the Saturday Morning Breakfast, so it's not like it's the everyday thing to do. I wouldn't be here if that WAS what I'd eat every day..besides, the Dr. would have a field day when my cholestrol screening came back..We chatted with a few people, but then Tom said he had to get back here to help noah with the yardwork and whatever else there is to do. So, that left me with trying to figure out what to do with the project over on the work table.

And I still need to get some type of printing on some tiny pieces of paper..and I'm no closer to doing that than when I started an hour ago.

But It Is fun to mess with the paint program on the computer..now I'm gonna be messin' with it for the nest 5 hours..watch me. ~~ No, there are too many things to get done around here before I set myself down an' be messin' with paint and stuff..

WAIT!! -- Isn't that what I do, but at another location in this very same room?!! WHAT THE....

Ok - I'm gonna go DO something..I'm just not gonna SAY just what it iz..hee, hee...


Lady of The Tulips

Here are some of the little plants that are popping up in the yard, mostly around all the wood scraps and firewood piles noah has near the sheds >> These are some of the wild plants that I want to know the names of, but for the time being, I'll just call them sweet little wildflowers.

I'm also waiting for a word or 2 from the Dr. office, but it seems that waiting for something from them is like waiting for my ship to come in. Wait! - Maybe if my ship comes in, Tom will be able to see it at the Port, and tell 'em to hang on while I drive up there!! Ha!! That's the ticket!!

Ok, so it's been a stressful week, and all this poppycock is driving me somewhat crazy. I'm working on a new canvas, and as for now, there is absolutely not one once or smudge or blip of paint or anything else on that thing - I've got a lot of teeny papers cut for it, and some other elements but as for putting those onTO the canvas, it just seems that something else comes up, and I'm at a loss to get any more work done. It's the aftereffects of the full moon: That's my cop-out for the end of the week. Plus, I'm still wondering what to do for the weekend, since tom got paid $200 less than we'd expected, so that was a teeny bit of a suprise. Goes to show what gettin' excited about pay - day will do. Never count your chickens, or whatever that old saying is - Good thing we make a habit of saving aside some extra every week!!

So, this is short, but I have to go check on the dog - she's refusing to come in from the deck this morning, and it seems kinda chilly. I'm worried about her, and she seems to be actin' kinda funny today. What with the cancer she has, and some of the breathing difficulties she has, it all comes together to make me somewhat nervous for her...poor baby..

Lady of The Tulips

>> So, I got all excited yesterday, and hoped that my Dr. office called me back, and had some NEWS for me..<<

So much for thinkin' -- I called them, le's see...4 times?? -- Nothing. Wait, I mean they TALKED to me, but the answers I'd been waiting for aren't there. As in, the Hosp. where I went this week, hasn't sent the scans, ultra-sound or anything else to my Dr's office yet. And the staff at the Hosp. said, "Oh! - We'll have those to your doctors office this evening, or at the latest, tomorrow morning.." --

Did the earth turn in some other direction and not tell me? -- Did something happen to this part of America and Hospitals are not longer in charge of telling patients what they NEED TO KNOW??

sorry for the mini-rant there, but it's so #%&&@! irritating when I want to know what the #$^%*( is going on with ME, and nobody wants to do their job...OH! -- That's it! HA!! -- How DUMB!! --

Here I am, expecting somebody to do their JOB...

ok..so that's what that is for now..just a bunch of waiting for the cows to come home..or waiting for my ship to come in, and I'll be at the airport...

BUT -- on the ART front, it's much better than waiting for other people to do something..I've got a nice little project sitting on my table, and one that got finished, but hasn't gotten it's picture taken yet..so that will happen in a flash. or maybe in a little while. I'm not feeling up to being rush-ied just yet this morning..not enuf coffee in me to do all THAT. And there are some papers that I've been eyeing since the other morning,when I got a brainstorm to do a little something that I'd seen a few months ago -- a little bit of pattern on some ad or something, and it kinda looked like it could be made/altered just enuf with just the right patterned paper, some paints and maybe a slip of glitter glue thrown in for good measure. Then THAT will all be slammed together into a spiffy little canvas. At least, that's the thot for the morning --

The dog is being good -- she's not getting any better, but she seems to still have her crazy little sense of humor about her. The cancer on her side isn't getting any smaller, but it doesn't seem to bother her..just the lesions within her lung are what bother her the most. If she gets too bouncy and starts hopping up and down like she does when she wants a biscuit, then she starts coughing and has to stop and stand still for a minute. My poor baby! It breaks my heart, and there is just nothing the vet can do about it. How do you go into the lungs of an animal and try to take something out? -- Nope -- It just doesn't work like that. So, we'll leave Little Miss Sara as she is - just another crazy member of this crazy little household, along the shore of the Albemarle Sound. Watchin' all the animals around the yard (Noah and the 3-point buck he saw the other morning...) and catching a glimpse of the leaves turning color and falling slowly to the ground for the winter.

That's what's goin' on here -- just another day in the neighborhood --

Must get some glue on some shells...I'm not goin' to tell what their for, I'll just say that their lookin ' mighty fine on their new home..

Lady of The Tulips

"Smile Everyday" - 2009 Spring Bay Studio

Sorry for the washout appearance of this piece...the new light Noah put in the studio seems to make everything look like it's had better days. This is one of my newer works..she seems to be having a good time..

The conversation on this w/The Husband went totally off kilter..

"So..whaddya think of her?"

"uh..ya mean, who does she look like?"

"Yeah..you said she looked like Dolly Parton.."

"No -- Rachael Zoe.."

"Rachael Zoe?! -- You mean, like, Rachael Zoe..?"

"Yeah..Rachael Zoe.. Why?"

"Well, 'cause I didn't think you knew who she was, or what she looked like.."

"Yeah I Do! An' this looks like her.."

"Huh.."

"Why you say that??!! I told you what I thot of this .."

"Never mind..."

>> So that was the start of Saturday...an' it just continued to get weirder as the day went along..<<

See ~~ I watched a couple of the Rachael Zoe series last month, and one time, tom walked in and stood and watched the program with me for all of about 5 minutes. I didn't think anything of it -- sorta explained who she was, and why the background shots looked so fabulous, cause after all it's all shot in L.A. -- an then tom went on his merry little way. So, it was something of a suprise that he told me that this mermaid looked like Rachael Zoe, 'cause after all, there are MONTHS where tom won't remember what happened the day before, so how wa I supossed to react when he said he thot this looked like Rachael Zoe...Suprised? - Understatement of the year, that one.

So now, anyway, here she is, and she isn't too bad, all things considering..

But now the phone rings, an' it should be my Dr. -- yikes..le's see what happenes from here...


Lady of The Tulips

This time of year brings about an overabundance of things in the yard - sometimes it seems that when I walk around to see what's in the sheds, I find more things happening on the ground than I'd imagined.

This is a clump of one variety of mushroom that grows like crazy around some of the hardwoods in our yard. We seem to have these pop up not when it immediately stops raining, but some days afterwards - they seem to like the moisture that seeps into the ground, rather than the direct pouring of rain on them -- they tend to clump rather like a little plant, and I'm sure there is some fabulous botanical name for them. Me, I jus' call 'em mushrooms -- they get rather large, and this one got pushed over by noah - I'm not sure if he accidently stepped on this clump, or if one of the wild critters that visit every night, happened to do this. But these are a most interesting little plant -- if they are indeed called a plant. Something else, I think, but at the moment it totally escapes my memory.

I do have a ride to the Dr. office in the morning!! -- Yay!! -- so that's one headache avoided. I talked with the couple who are on the list in our community to give rides to people up to Va., and they were very happy to help me out. We talked after church yesterday, and even tho there may be a bit of fanagaling involved the wife is still going to make sure I get to the clinic where I need to have my tests, (or whatever their called) taken care of. SHWOO..whatta relief! - She's very optimistic for me, so that made me calm down a little bit - I told her that my family history doesn't exactly give me the most optimisim, but she said she's gone thru the same thing - Don't worry - an' that's that!! Ok then! Another friend of mine said it's probably the Dr making sure that he has a "baseline" to go on for future reference - in case something does come up in the future. That sound much better than what the assistant said to me. Sometimes people have the wording all wrong when they tell you something - making it sound so much worse than it actually is. That's what this whole thing seems to be to me.

At least that's what I'm chosing to go with for now.

And then -- Our middle son, the musician, called us last week - Thursday it was - to tell us, that on Nov. 1st., he was flying out to relocate to California.

Say WHAT??!!

What is that, like 4 days ahead of time - to say he's moving far, far away??!!

Ever feel like a sledge hammer hit's you between the eyes?

Yup - so, we then didnt hear from him till 'bout 5 p.m. Sat nite - "Can you guys come up an' see me before I take outta here in the morning?!" So, I'd just finished fixin' dinner, an we ate reeeaal fast, hopped in the car, an' drove up to the city. We made one slight mis-calculation, in that where he lives (lived) in in an old, old section of the city, with gazillions of one way streets..AND IT WAS HALLOWEEN..

So, not only did we get lost, turning on the wrong street, trying to get onto the RIGHT one-way-street, we also had to dodge little hoblins, a ton of little Pink Princesses, and some flat out scary lookin' adults walking along with the kids. Not something my eyes wanted to see at 7 p.m. --Our oldest called tom's cell phone, 'cause naturally we werent at the apt,when we said we were going to be..

"Where are you?!!"

"uhh...we're lost.."

"Well, where are you?!!!"

"Didn't you hear me, we're LOST!!!"

Not quite like, "Who's on first, what's on second", but for 5 minutes I felt like I was absolutely going to lose my mind..

Well, we did get to the right apartment, visited with our son, lottsa his friends, and hopped around lottsa boxes, stacks of unpacked things, and far too many odds and ends that still has my brain scrambled. I was very proud of myself, and didn't cry. I think maybe tomorrow it's gonna hit me, an' I'll cry like a baby...but his job allowed him to relocate, so that's good. His 2 other room-mates went too, and they all have the same jobs, so it's all worked out for that end of things. My son said he's gonna play like a good tourist, and take a gazillion pictures in the first couple weeks he's there..soaking in the fact that it IS Southern California, and yes, there will be no snow where he's living. And he'll even take a picture of one of the beaches where I used to go all the time when I was a teenager.

Wow.

Jealous???

Uhmm..sort of -- Even Tom was feeling a little left out of things. And he even said, "Well, I gotta realize I can't be 19 anymore.."

"YA THINK??!!"

So that's the news from here - another batch of grey hairs for ME -- An' so much more goin' on right now that I can't stand it -- Gotta free pumpkin, an' Noahs jammerin about fixin' it up..Lawwdy, I better go make sure things aren't goin' to Hell in a Handbasket...


LAdy of THe TuLIps...

"I Am What I Am" ~~ 2009 Spring Bay Studio


This is the other little girl that's been behaving herself over by the antique hutch. She's going to have a couple little stamps set along the left side of the canvas, so she's dolled up a bit more than now. The paint got dry on the background before I had a chance to get some blending done that I'd planned all out..so much for that. But with the stamps and some messin' here and there, it should all work out.


I got a call from my Dr. office, not more than 1/2 hour after my last post. Seems that the results from my mammo were in the office after all -- some how my spaced out Dr. didn't see 'em, and his assistant caught them just before 4 p.m. -- So she called me with the news..

I've got 2 fairly large spots - "mass" -- and one that is there, but not so large as the others. I had to quick schedule some additional scans for this next week, and if the mass -ess (i'm not spellin' good today..) are what they appear to be, then the Dr. wants me to start radiation immediately. Not sure how that's going to happen, what with me bein' 70 miles from the hospital, but somehow it's gonna go. I was told that these things don't look too "worrysome", - that lots of women get these, and they don't amount to much...but if that's the case, I'm pondering on why the radiation right away?? -- Maybe I missed the train outta the station at a critical time, I don' know...but that's the news for now.

I got ahold of a woman down the street that sez she's going to get me to the hospital for tuesday - Tom threw a fit, sayin' that he's not going to be taking me to the offices, his boss threw a fit this morning telling him not to miss anymore days off, so it's looking more and more like I'm on my own for this fun little ordeal....an' now noah wants the computer and is breathing down my throat as we speak..so I'll go an' ponder just what the hell is going on..


Lady of the Tulips

Don't remember if this little girl has been visiting here before, but she's here now, so I guess I better make her feel welcome. She's all ready to go over by the boat ramp and play for awhile, so I better make sure she gets her picnic supplies all in order...

And in the mean time - went to the Dr. this morning - got in early to get all my bloodwork done, and the Dr. was already in his office, so he just had me pop in the room so I could take care of everything early! Yay!! It's a good thing we got there before 9 in the morning, 'cause by the time we left a little after 9:30, the office was starting to fill up. My bone scan does show that my bones are trying to turn to dust - what I didn't know, is that even tho I'm taking over 1200 units (I think that's what their called) of vitamin D, it still isn't enuf - and all the factors for getting osteoporosis -- well, I fit all of them. Wouldn't ya know it -- Older - White and skinny. Some days ya just can't win! - So the doc told me to go and get some extra vitamin D - even tho too I drink about a gazillion gallons every week of the stuff...go get another dose of the stuff with one of the over the counter type, an' we'll see in 6 months if theres any improvement.

The blood work took longer for the girl in the office to fill out the forms than it did to actually take the blood! - she had some big form to git all filed and sent somewhere, then I was being shown the door! - How cool is that?! - My original appt time wasn't until 11:45, but the receptionist said I could come in early. get my blood work done, go eat (I had to fast!) then come in for the appointment. But the Dr knows I have to come up to the city from wayyy down here, so he made it easier for me. How cool is that? That's why I really like that office - the women who work there are all nice, the one assistant is an absolute hoot, and between me crackin' jokes, and the doctor at the same time, we were making so much noise laughin' and havin' a time! - Ha! That's the way a Dr. appt should be! -

The only bummer is that the mammogram still hasnt been sent from the hospital where it was done. Because that particular hosp. isn't in with the group that my dr office and his group usually do business with, there's no telling how long it's gonna be before I find out my results. Blah. So, I'm just gonna relax, and if they happen to call be before my next appointment next spring (Yay!) then I'll deal with it when the time comes.

In the meantime, me an' the mermaids are just gonna keep on playin' around, and watch for some of the boats that come screamin' across the sound from over on the Outer Banks!! - Whoo! - Some of those guys just get GOIN', let me TELL you! - You'd think there was a race or somethin' goin' on! - Yee Gadzzzz....

So me & the girls are gonna go hang out an' see what's goin' on - the water is tryin' to calm down after a couple days of wind..just right to go and play! Wheeeee.............


Lady of The Tulps

"Friends of The Reef" - 2009 Spring Bay Studio

Here is one of the new little pieces I've finished up in the last week or so. I had so much fun messin' around with the fabric that is the coral, and then found some papers that co-existed with the fabric just so. And the fish were something that I'd done awhile ago, so they all went together pretty nicely.

I've got another mermaid to show, too - but gotta make this sorta short, as tom will be home in just a little while. He had a run out of state yesterday, and once the freight was unloaded at the warehouse/factory, it was after 9 p.m. - so he got back to the truck terminal around midnight, an' then stayed up at danny's apt., then went in early to work today. Had a "rush" order to get done, so that was an extra day for him. All good, cause it's freight that hasn't been ordered for a long time, and now these certain manufacturers are getting orders restocked. Yay!! -- Good Sign for everybody!!

We're going to go shopping - I'm finally going to look for a pair of shoes - I've got new boots, but have no everyday shoes, or anything to go to church in - my one & only pair of shoes are from '02 - tennis shoes. I think I jabbered about them the other day, an when Tom saw what kind of shape they are in, he said "You! are going to get new shoes!" - Whoa!! -- for him to say Yes to shopping sez something! - Yikes. Guess the shoes are in worse shape than I thot!! gadzzz.....

Gotta get some paint on my canvas - I'll show what's in the works a little later!!


Lady of The Tulips

W.I.P. ~~ Here's one of the little girls that is sitting very politely over on the work table..Tom sez she reminds him of Dolly Parton -- I'm not sure if it's Dolly, or Rachel Zoe, what with the wild hair, but either way, this little girl will make her way onto a new canvas that is sitting directly to her right --

There are some pretty groovy papers that will go around and next to and beside her -- If I can get over to the table !!

The crises with the computer system at our huge and cold Insurance company is still ongoing -- I did, however talk with a very sweet Customer Service Rep., who is doing every thing she can to make the $500 Plus go back into our checking account, but I'm not sure how long it's going to take. The Bank hung up on me while I was waiting for them to tell me if the money would go back in -- then the Ins. company called an said it'd be reset...

So who knows..

And Now I'm going to go and cry, 'cause Tom just started running his mouth about the whole thing, got all nasty to me..an now somehow it's all my fault....

Anybody want an old lady to house sit somewhere in the Florida Keys..say for the next 5 months or so??!!


Lady of The Tulips

"Untitled" -- here is one of the new works I've been trying like all stars and garters to get uploaded -- I'm not sure if some of the teeny little beads show up on the left of the canvas, but they are there!! -- There are also some butterfly's on the canvas, and some other things, too. I have some spots of glitter too, but it may not show up in the light. Just look, honest, it's all there!!

I'm still shaking from a nasty little incident this morning -- Tom was on the phone for the first time with the computer that pays out insurance for the cars -- he didn't know how to make the right payment, and the next thing he knows, the insurance company took $500 from our checking account!! -- I tell you, I'm still shaking!!! The thing was, he didn't know that, as is usually the case with large corporations, their computer systems aren't friends with people like us, who don't know how to use them correctly -- Thus tom saying to pay one amount, that wasn't what we wanted, but was just what the insurance company wanted - not just a monthly payment, but THE ENTIRE 6 MONTH AMOUNT!!!

Yup -- for some reason, my blood pressure is thru the roof right now, ad I'm trying to calm down, but with this little incident, it's gonna be awhile!! -- Then, too -- I've been trying to save up for a new pair of shoes -- I haven't bought some new shoes since Noah was in high school in '02, so you can imagine what kind of shape my one and only pair of shoes are in!! -- They are a nice tennis shoe, but lets just say that they have most certainly had better days. The sole is coming off, and it sorta flops when I walk, making this weird noise..not too loud, but it is something that you can hear. Embarassing to say the least when I'm in the store..sounds like I'm flopping my feet on purpose down the isle of Soups and Mixes...

So, if I can find something at the low-cost shoe warehouse tomorrow, I'm gonna be one happy girl. Probably won't get something, but I'm gonna give it the ol' college try!! Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir!! But with all these bills being paid, I'm just not sure if there's gonna be enuf left over for food and a pair of shoes. Tom pays for things, doesn't tell me and then expects me to figure out how to make it all work out.

Do not look at my grey hair, pleeze...

Well, I'm gonna go an' take my blood pressure meds -- an' try to calm down an work on some other stuff on my table...oh, an' I'll show my newest little mermaid, too!! Just wait!!


Lady of The Tulps

OK!!! -- So here we are - another day at the work bench - table - place where I do my thang -- an' now there will finally be some pictures of my new work!! --

I guess I did something on my list of "Fix -It" dealiee things..I am so bad at all the jargon that goes on with computers..but suffice to say that I got it figured out, an' so now I'll add some of my new work -

But I wanted to show my table, when it wasn't too badly trashed on a "normal" work day. There are some fairly neat places in the shelves - the paint bottles all look very orderly, and the piles on the table aren't all sloping off to one side or another. And there are only 2 or 3 things piled up on my work chair.

So this particular afternoon wasn't too bad.

I just won't show how the poor place looks this morning. Suffice to say, that if it was on a continual basis, I'd be looking for someone to come in with a large snow shovel, that would be sure to grab up all the junk that is scattered all over the floor..not to mention along the walls...how it gets this way is beyound me - An then there are those fabulous magazines that show all the Studios - Clean - Orderly - Spiffied up like there's no tomorrow.

What about the rest of us - who not only become Cleaning Challenged, but also find dead bugs in weird places..or find old papers that came in the mail announcing fabulous sales...say, back in July?? Any hope for us??!!

Gotta Run - Hold on - there will be more Stuff in a bit..


Lady of The Tulips

So..while I'm waiting for my paint to dry on a little mermaid -- I'll pop on here to say that it is an absolute - leee beautiful day -- had a visitor just a little while ago, and while we stood out on the deck, I realized that here it is the middle of October, and the temps are wayyy up in the 70's. Now, for some of you digging out from snow, cold and wind, I know that those words are just not something you want to read, but I know that all this warmth is fleeting, and within a week or so, it's going to be right back in the Fall temperatures we should be having.

But it really flips me out that it's this warm.

And onto other news -- I hadn't mentioned it before, but next week I've got a Dr. appt, that I've been sort-of-kind-of dreading. I had my mammogram done last month -- first one in about forever, due to lack of $$ - Insurance, and all those other things. But, I finally got that done, and also had a Bone Scan. I got a card from my Dr., telling me that the bone scan showed that I'm in the early stages of Osteoporosis, which I'm still trying to deny -- Denial aint just the name of a river...an' all that. So, I guess at my appt next week, that's something we'll have to discuss. I'm taking more than the recommended daily amount with the vitamins I'm swallowing every day, and the problem gets thorny, because I'm also prone to develop kidney stones. So -- how to keep one from happening, over the other? - Clever question. An' I suppose we'll come up with some kind of solution.

The other thing that wasnt included in the Dr. note, was the results from my mammogram. Usually the Dr. jots a little something in the appropriate box, but this time he didn't. This has led me to ponder, think, fret and do all kinds of What If's over this -- I called the office, and was told he'd call back...still waiting..if ya know what I mean. So -- either it's just all good, or I may be the other one in the family who will develop cancer like my father and aunt did at about the same age as I am now. The rest of my family is all clear, but I'm the only one I know who hasn't gotten a clean bill of health in that department.

So the waiting for results is on. And I thought that Tom would join me for the appointment, but he's totally against going, so I have to drive myself up to the City to find out what the deal is. I'm so not thrilled with Tom;s attitude, but he's just that way these days, so I have to face all of this by myself.

Joy.

But - I'm also trying to be optimistic, and just say, well, the Doc got busy...everything is fine...there was just a misunderstanding..my suit was at the cleaners...an old friend came in from out of town...

But there is still a little nagging THANG that isn't going away.

But -- I'm still painting, and will do my darn-dest to get a picture on here come Hell or High Water. Then you can see some of my new fun - stuff!! Wheeeeeeee...........

Got to run for now, tho -- Keep me in your prayers, 'k? -- Certainly could use all the Good Vibes out there!!


Lady of The Tulips

Well, for real and honest, I've been trying for over 2 weeks to post some of my art on my blog, and I've gotten no where fast. I'm wondering if there is something of a THANG in my computer that doesn't want the world to see what I'm doing over on my little table, and it makes me quite sad. I've got some new work that looks pretty spiffy, even if I don't mind saying so.

But for now, you'll just have to take my word for it. There are nearly 6 new pieces in my storage hutch, and they have their own little frames, that I've gotten from all sorts of places - thrift stores, junk stores (if there's a difference with some, there's a very fine line..) and then I went out yesterday and splurged and bought some NEW frames, at the large world wide cheap store that is hated and loved by people. It was my only alternative, as I wasn't feeling well, and The Husband wasn't going to go anywhere else, so that was That!

There are also some new canvases that are all shiney and looking very blank -- Ha! - 'cause they are, so they too are waiting for some paint, paper and whatever else happens to get thrown their way (ha! again!!) -- I got some larger canvas this time around - it seems that people don't like the 8 X 10 as much as I thought, so I've gone with a larger format. We'll see what happens with those. I'm also getting excited, as the owner of the store & I will have a talk tomorrow - well, at least she's supossed to be in the store, so let's hope that there will be Good News on the Sale point of my work. Sales are Good! -- That's what I'm hoping to hear, and that will make up for an extremely bad day last week -- I was so depressed that I nearly took all my supplies and threw them in the woodstove, just to hear them all go up in flames.

Yup. That's what some very very negative words did to me last week - Along the lines of, well, if you want to make some money, then just go and get yourself a job, maybe at Wal Mart, then you wont have to say you don't have any money.

Ouch.

So, that being over with, it's sort of given me an extra boost towards my Art -- There are more little mermaids waiting in the wings, and there are some more little fish waiting in the wings, and there is even a little lobster (LOBSTAAAHH!) waiting in the wings.

Should be fun!!

Got to run - Somebody else wants to use this, so there goes something else that I was going to talk about, but it's going to have to wait for later..


Lady of The Tulips

Here's hoping this post will stick -- I did a post a little while ago, but somewhere out in the land of cyber-stuff, my post went hither thither and thon..or somewhere I've got no idea.

I just wanted to ask ya'll what you think of my new background? - let me know if it is a good thing, or a bad thing -

I've got some more news, but that's it for now -- gotta run!!

Lady of the Tulips

Oooh La-La! - A quick post, as there is some work over on the table, and I spent far too much time earlier today talking on the phone..yikes! - 3 hours? - Well, there were so many things to talk about! - But there went the time I SHOULD have been spending at my work table. Well, life throws things like that at you some days, so it all works out for good! -- The time chatting on the phone was good, the work on the table didn't suffer any for the break from it, and there is still some daylight left, so it's all peachy!

Got some good news from The Husband! - Looks like freight is really and for true starting to pick up, so that is good for the poor economy, for all the people associated with the Ports, and then all us little people who move all those valuable things from point A to point B - Yay!! -- The weekend work is going to start up for the Holiday Time, in probably a week or so - 6 days a week, so that is such good news! - That means that manufacturers are making products again, so JOBS are going to start coming around again! Let's hear it for the Good Change!! Saturdays will be spent driving for Tom, but after so many months with such little work, it is such good news - And for those who didn't want to work, they went out the door, and those that said it's too much, well, they too, are looking for another job. How sad is it, that in times where jobs are scarce, there are people who just take their job for granted! - Yee Gadz!!

Well - gotts to scoot and finish this stuff!! -- We are to have temps dropping tonite, so it looks like Fall is truly on it's way! - I even had a little fire in the woodstove yesterday, it was just chilly enough for one. And tonite it's even going to be colder! - Whoo-Buddy, break out the warmies!!

Lady of The Tulips

Ok -- so I did all the things the little boxes in HELP section of my blog-information space told me to do - and I still can not download, upload or set in any of my pictures on my blog!!

I worked like a mad-man for over an hour yesterday, trying this that and the other thig to get something on here, but ever since Noah did Something on the computer, that's the way it's been.

So until he gets over the little snit he's been having the last couple days, then there is little else I can do -- in terms of posting some of my spiffy new work. Agrivates (and makes me spell bad, too...) me to no end, but it just makes my blood pressure get even higher if tom comes into the mix too - he just adds cute comments like, "Well, just find somebody and pay them to fix it for you.."

Uhhh..anybody out there got a quick $200 they want to hand over to me?? Tom is truly clueless some days, and when he popped up with THAT little tidbit, I just was really glad we were on the phone and he wasn't within striking distance of my left hand.

So, after all the frustration and headache, and having a good long crying jag and feeling like I should just throw in the towel as far as working on my art, I did come back in here this morning, and have a much bigger canvas 98% finished - 14 X 16 is the canvas size, I think. Anyway, it's much larger than any I've used before, so it was a challenge to start a project with a much bigger space to work with. But I painted and painted, added this and that, then painted some other pieces of paper, got some fabric cut, matte -medium-painted too, and now they are all finding their way onto the new canvas. Weeee!! It's really quite a different piece, but it's really fun, too. And if the creek don't rise, and the sun sets in the west tonight, I'm gonna try REALLLLYYY carefully to ask noah to help me out with my pictures.

Either that or I'm gonna have to go an DO SOMETHING that I shouldn't.

Just what that would be, I have no idea, but it sounds really good, donchya think??

Got to Run - Keep me in your prayers that something can be done with my pictures!!


Lady of The Tulips

~~ Ok, so I'm over the rant I ranted about the other day ~~ About how I just can not fig're out how to make certain delightful goodies pop up on my blog - and since then I've read nearly 12,345 things that tell you what to do when confronting this issue.

None of them made one lick of sense to me.

So, 'till I can get our oldest down to our little cabin in the woods here, it's just gonna be one of those things - sooner or later there will be postings of my art on here once again. But for now, I'll just tell you some of the things that are happening around the place.

Like, for instance, our little mouse on the desk is doing this odd flashing thing, and there is no telling what it means. probably that it needs new batteries. Something easy, is what I'm hoping for.

AND the other for instance, is that I'm supossed to have a Dr. appt next week, but after going thru hoops and ladders (or is that a childs game?) - I was able to get a ride up to The City - but there were some very odd happenings associated with that schedule, so that's looking like it's out of the question. So, I will reschedule the Dr. appt and get either Tom to take me, or figure out some other way to get up to the office. There is too much drama with the ride to the city to go into here, but suffice to say, that I got yelled at, was questioned about why I had 2 Dr. appts in less that 3 weeks, and the local "Taxi" service seemed to have far too many stipulations that are unwritten and unspoken for me to deal with. So that's that. All I need to do is get an update on my x-rays an' go home. Sheesh..

But the ART stuff is going so incredibly well - yesterday during all my drama, I kinda slowed down on painting, as I was recovering from the YELLING at that I got - but in the afternoon I got some painting done on a canvas, and there are now some fabrics, beads and papers that are blending in together quite well, even if I don't mind saying so. More Beach Theme Stuff -- and it's increasingly difficult to think of going to the beach when the temps are starting to cool down. Noah had to let me know that the overnight low was down in the upper 40's, which for here is COOL. Get that. Some places there's snow, an' he's bellyachin' 'cause it's below 50 overnight. What'z that child gonna do when it REALLY gets cold?

So - that's it for now - I've got to check on my xrays now, and make sure my fabric is ready for adhearing to the canvas - Weeee...it's so much fun doin' STUFF that makes me start humming, "Unnnder the Boooardwalk...Dowwn by the Seaaaa--eeeaaahh, yeah..."

Gotta Love It!!

Lady of The Tulips

I have to admit, that when it comes to adding things to my blog, I am about the most feeble individual at doing those things, that I know on this earth -- Case in point - I've been sitting here for the last half-hour, trying like all stars and get out, to add some "Gadgets" to my blog -- some great other blogs that I read at least a couple times each week, plus some other things that would certainly dress things up.

But, since I'm not up on how to click and drag things here and there, it has been something of a pain in my neck (actually it's my left shoulder that gets all stiff and sore...) to try and "simply add to Your Blog!!" --

Obviously these individuals have never thot that there are others in the world who have the least amount of experience with computers - when it comes to adding little things to their sites or blogs.

And add to it, that the dog is breathing down my back, and trying like anything to get my attention so she can get a biscuit...

Anybody want to go visit one of the local establishments that serve drinks?

JUST KIDDING!!

Mainly because I honestly have no idea of where any such place would be..and I take a week before I even have 2 beers these days...

>> But on to other news <<

I'm steadly working on things over on the table..and I have a nice new canvas all finished, and waiting for some beads to be added later this afternoon - I'm working on a frame too, so that should all get done in just a jiffy.

And I'm going to get my bravery up and ask noah to help me with my blog, so I can add the little gadgets that I want to share with everybody else.

If you hear a lot of noise and general grumpiness, that would be noah, cause he does not like to help me with the computer. He thinks I should just go out and spent $100 and take a computer class...

As if..

Lady of The Tulips - pondering on how to be more savvy when it comes to fitting in with this modern world...

>> Ok, I don't know what it is with downloading my pictures, but for this week, it doesn't seem to be something that's going to happen <<

But it does make me sad, as I want to share some of my pieces that will be going to the shop this weekend. But suffice to say, that they are all that carefree - weekend - away - from - the - house kind of work - all Seashore, Fish, and Mermaids playing on the water. I think that it must be some kind of Water Muse who has infiltrated my brain these last few weeks, and that's just fine with me! Whatever the Muse is, it just is keeping me more focused than I think I've ever been. How great is that, to actually sit at the work table, and make things that create a feeling of fun, play and all-around Good Times! That's what we need more of these days, lots of time for relaxation, not more stress (Tho I'm tending toward being stressed getting all the work done in time for the store opening!!) So,with a calm shade of pale blue, with some Aqua thrown in for good measure, the current piece is coming along nicely.

Noah has been out in the yard, cleaning up odds and ends before the winds and storms of fall come along. He's also gotten some of the woodwork along the roof line all filled in with putty, and gotten some extra insulation stuff (it looks horrid, but seems to fill in cracks pretty well) - all set up as well. We're talking now about adding some more insulation up in the attic, so that's going to probably be an ongoing item for the next month or so. Or until the weather gets too cold to be climbing up in said attic! Noah has also gotten some fix-ups done inside the house too, little bits and pieces of paint that needed some help. Yay! Tom said "I'm workin' on it" when I asked him to do some of the work - not holding my breath!!

Well, too much time here, so must go - and it's time for my meds, so That is really necessary!

Lady of The Tulipd

~~ Well, here it is, another day with cool temperatures, and let me TELL you, it is so very welcome, after a late summer filled with scorching heat, and humidity that would melt your toes, if you stood on some pavement long enuf. ~~

Well, maybe not truly melt your toes, but you get my drift -- I'm also glad to say that today I went to have some x-rays taken, and the initial results are all good - the woman looking them over said everything looked just fine, so that is all I needed to hear!! -- Good news is always, well, good news!! -- So, I was also able to get a ride with one of the members of the local civic league -- the board of directors have come up with an idea to have directors help out any civic league members with travel /ride requirements to out of town locations - for anything from having a Dr. appt (Me!) to going shopping, to whatever - as long as it is within reason. So, last week I called the Clubhouse, talked with the secretary, got 2 phone numbers, called and made a request, and Tah-Dah! - Secured a ride up to The City for my x-rays. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, my oh MY what a wonderful day!! The ride was nice, conversation was pleasant, and the x-rays took less than an hour to go thru! How 'bout THAT?? I was amazed, and far too happy to get out of the diagnostic center in less than 2 hours, believe me! - Enuf of Dr offices for the week for this little girl!

So now the work has to get back into rhythym oops, thats really spelled bad - well, actually I like that spelling, so THERE --

Le's see, where waz I -- Oh! - ART STUFF -- yup, it has to get back into HAPPENING, so without any more delay, I'm off to go do some sketches -- and I'm going to try for the 3rd day in a row, to download some pictures on HERE - I keep trying, and the little computer answer is "We're working on that issue" - Uhh...like, WHEN?!

Sorry - teeny rant there. -

Lady of The Tulips - keeping her fingers crossed that her pictures will POST on here in the morning

Boy Howdy -- We finally have some decent weather along the shore here, and does it feel wonderful!! - No heat/humidity/dampness everywhere, just a sweet gentle breeze coming off the Sound, making the leaves in the trees sound like little whispers. And now their coloring is becoming more apparant (sp) everyday. Just Wonderful, I'm tellin' ya!!

>> And on the other front -- I'm still having trouble getting pictures to download on my blog, thus why you haven't seen our very nice little bathroom cabinet, or some of the flowers on the Rose of Sharon, that are STILL blooming. For Real!! - And too, I wanted to show off one of the frames that I bought at a thrift store the other week, but take my word for it - in the 80's, it was just the THING to have -- with the pinks and greens -- oh yeah -- but now it's slowly being transformed into a better looking frame - bits of the dark stain just barely visible, and a slight coat of white along the sides. Very Antique looking -- which is just fine.

Plus, that means that I don't have to work my poor little fingers to the BONE getting all the coats of paint JUST RIGHT and EVEN - kinda like drawing a straight line - mine always go off on a weird angle, looking like somebody had a bad hangover. NO - not me, those days are looong over, thank you very much!! But my straight lines sometimes look that way - even with the use of a ruler....go figure..

Noah's been getting the exterior of the cabin all ship shape before the onset of full-on winter - got a lot of the little cracks and nicks along the windows all filled in with putty, and now is getting primer set up along the edges of all the frames of said windows - there was only bare wood - no wonder I could feel the cold seeping in thru the walls and windows all last winter!! - There was no nothing to keep the cold out!! Ack! - So, even tho Noah bumped his head and made it bleed (Give 'er one for the Gipper!!) he's still out on the ladder, painting and sanding and making sure we don't have leakiee windows anymore. I thot some of the work hadn't been done by the previous owner, but didn't wanna say anything. Well, noah went out last week while he was doing some other work, an' lo and behold, he sees what Hadn't been done! - Whoa!! -

Never a Dull Moment here!!

I'm feeling much better today - not so tired as I've been in the last week - so that seems to mean that the meds that the Dr. gave me on my birthday are working. Thank Heavens!! - I hated to miss church on sunday, but there was no strength in this ol' girls body That Day - Whoo--iiee, it was ugggly!! So now there's no excuse to get things Done!!

And with that, I'm off to get Work Done - an' hopefully figure out how to show off my frames - Doncha just love thrift stores??!!


Lady of The Tulips

>> Well << I have to say, that my son is at this moment, my absolute hero -- Don't know what he did, but this weekend I couledn't get into my email, my blog, or other things that I usually use. Everytime I get a system update on my computer, the same thing happens. So -- while talking on the phone this morning, my dear son overheard me complaining that I was having problems, again, with my computer. So, in about 2 minutes, he waltzes in, types about 6 things into these little teeny boxes, and Tah-Dah!! -- the whole world is nice, clean, and there aren't dirty dishes on the kitchen counter..

Well -- the world may be all nice and pink and blue, but, there are still dirty dishes on the kitchen counter...

Oh Well ~

But Good News -- is that the new shop will be close to finished this next weekend, and I was able to pick up my other work from my first shop, with no questions asked...just Have a Nice Day, and I got a check for $41.00 -- Not close to what I wanted, but it IS some pay, so I'll go with that. The other shop is really in a state of flux -- things are in 2 different locations, the new store, and the old store -- poor little crabs floating on the walls, with none of their little fishie friends...other little mermaids, all sitting on sweet shelves, with all of Their friends stuck in boxes and on their way to the other location.

It's a mess, I'm tellin' ya!! -- But it will be soo much better -- the new location is about 2 times bigger (!!) that the original Mermaid Store, so THAT'S TOO COOL!! -- Plus, I found the section where I can hang my art!! -- YAY!! -- And it's all in a very good place, lots of light, plenty of space for everything I ever EVAH wanna do, so I'm pretty jazzed!! YAY!! The owner of the new space just loves loves me little mermaids, so that helps with the down dayz lately, where I nearly gave everything up an' went to work at Wal-Mert...honest and for real. But, those blue dayz are over, OVAH and I'm on my way.

Plus, I happened to get a chance to BUY new things at the ART STORE -- Yay Again...and I'll even post a shot of my NEW CLEAN AND SHINEY PAINT PALLETTE!!!

With no paint blobs to found on it what so evah!!

Oh, I just don't know whether to &&&& or what, I'm just so excited.

But -- my birthday was not NOT what I wanted - overslept before church, by 1/2 hour, so there went getting to church..an' then I realized I felt horrid, I MEAN HORRID -- I'd been feeling GLAKCK for the past couple dayz - figured it was all the stress of getting work ready for the new store...then realized, No - I'm comin down with something.

So I had tom drive me to the clinic..an' there we sat for over 3 hours...BUT -- the good thing is I found out what I have, and got meds to make it all Disappear!! -- Icxkyy tasting meds, but they work, so I'm ready to go take another dose, and go from there. And Tom bought me a giant-or package of muffins that we made into our "Birthday Cake" - put 2 candles on 2 of the giantor things, sang happy birthday, an' that was our excitement for the night!! Whoo- Hoo!!

So - off now to work - paint and do all things like I should!!


Lady of The Tulips

Welll, I WAZ going to download a picture of the new bathroom cabinet we bought, but for some reason, the picture wouldn't download, so you'll have to take my word for it -- it really is a nice cabinet!! Oak - solid wood, and nearly a steal at less than $90!! I'm still looking for some type of storage unit - shelf unit for the space next to the cabinet, but so far the only things I've found look like they should be in somebody's garage. Nothing wrong with a nice storage unit in ones garage, but that type of steel Thing in the bathroom just doesn't cut in for me.

I'm still missin' my little buddy out on the deck..I'm still so used to lookin' out the door an' seein' him all curled up asleep on the deck chair, that it nearly takes my breath away when I suddenly realize that he's gone. Tom is still ripping mad over the fact that somebody was in such a hurry monday morning that they couldn't slow down long enuf to avoid hitting the cat..uurrgghhh...

But life goes on, and I'v been working like a Mad Woman all this week, trying to get at least 4 if not 5 pieces all wrapped up -- GoodNews!! -- I've been selected to join in the New Shop up in the City!! Yay!! -- Went up to talk with the owner of the Beach-Themed place last weekend, but the owner was in her new store, painting and fixing things up -- Seems the original store had something of a disaster just at the start of the summer -- A drunk driver was being chased by the police, and at what was estimated to be 95 miles an hour, took the corner where the shop sits, and missed the turn, and slammed into the front of the building, completely demolishing the exterior corner (where the front door & custom painting's are --uh, were) of the building. So, once the dust all cleared, the owner took to cleaning, repainting, getting items all taken out, then put back in again. Took 2 months, and nearly lost the summer season, but they made it -- reopened, and then had the owner - manager of the building tell them that he was raising their rent by $500 a month.

Is it any wonder that Bankers are not thought of in exactly glowing terms these days?

Fortunately, the owner of the store, found another space, where ironically I'd had some art/craft items a few years ago -- that store closed, and some others had taken the space -- now they've left, and the owner of this current store has taken the lease -- SHWOO -- lottsa stuff!! -- but now the space is wide open for new art!! -- And with that, I've been asked to bring some of my mermaids, fish-iees and All Things Beach to the store. I'm going to get into the space, and see where I'm going to have my stuff hanging - tomorrow - and then we'll go from there. The store where I've been selling my art -- well, that owner is going to give me back the art that hasn't sold, and I'm supossed to finally get my check from her for the things that have sold. It isn't that I'm angry with her, it's just that for the amount of work that I pour into each piece, plus the drive up there..well, I'd like to make more than the $4.00 and $6.00 I've made on each piece currently.

Not being greedy, but...the work is worth just a teeny bit more than $4.00 each.

So, I've completed 3 new pieces, got a couple new frames all painted out, and now have to finish a 4th piece this morning, and get it all packed up for tomorrow. Tom is driving me up to the city, and he's actually pretty excited about the day!! -- Well, either that, or since it's his birthday, he just wants to spend my hard earned check on something for himself!! Ha!!

And I'm completely exhausted!! -- I've been goin' like crazy, haven't slept much, 'cause my brain keeps thinking of all kinds of ways to decorate the space I'm going to have...even tho I haven't even SEEN the space yet...gads...

So, It's all in the final turn now, and I can kind of relax today --

Oh, and did I mention, that in the middle of all this, noah decided that it was time to haul off and paint out the closet in the studio? -- And tear out all the things, storage baskets, frames, etc., that were stored in there??? -- And make lots of noise, NOISE in the mean time????

And he's at it this morning in the master bedroom tearing apart my closet in there, too...

Not that I don't appreciate the work. No, I'm really glad he's doing the work.

It's just not the time for said work to be done...

Making my nerves rattle even more than they need to...

So I'm off to have a good strong cup of Trucker Coffee -- Tom refuses to make coffee anything less than Extra Strength..good for Over The Road truck drivers..
Think that's why my nerves are a little edgy this morning??

Ha!!


Lady of The Tulips

>>Don't know what just to say this morning<<

Seems somebody was in a hurry early, zipping down the street in front of our house, opposite our dirt road. Little Bub was trying to make it across that street, to get to the house, and sleep on his favorite chair out on the back porch.

But like I said, somebody was in a hurry -- people always go flying around the corner in front of our cabin, like the world is on fire, or something close.

And little teeny bub couldn't make it across the street fast enough to avoid the speeding car.

Noah found him when he went outside to pick up the morning paper.

I am heartbroke and so sad. He was such a fun little cat -- Bub would do anything to chase off other cats..zip off the porch to catch a lizard..explore around the shed.

But now our little friend is gone, and now I'm just going to go and sit out on the front porch, and look at the woods as they change color.

Sitting on the front porch in the turquoise chair was one of bub's favorite spots, too.

I'll sit in the turquoise chair for him.

Rest in Peace, little buddy...


Lady of The Tulips

~~ Just a quick thing here, to say that all is well ~~

Got off the phone a little while ago..2 hours to schedule some routine stuff at the Dr's office..then that order gets sent to another clinic..then That order gets sent to another regional office..No wonder medical THANGS are so thru the roof..and No -- I won't get into the whole Health Care Debate...but all the phone tag stuff I went thru today is one big indicator of how the system needs to get fixed somehow...


My news for the day -- !! -- Is that I have another shop owner who wants to see my work -- Did I mention this yesterday? -- I can't remember..but I'm going to get up to the city on sunday to show some work...and if all goes well, sign up for a nice space in a NEW shop -- Brand New in Fact -- if the owner accepts my work, I get a 5' X 8' space, and can decorate it however I want -- hang my work and Dance For Joy!! - would have to pay rent every month, but hey, that's ok, as I can price my work accordingly, not at $75 less than I need to make!! Yay and Double Yay!!
I'm scared, excited, worried, all those things rolled into one big THANG -- Shwoo --

So am finishing a sketch & painting right as we speak...no..make that Write...yeah, tha's it -- and then some playing,glueing,messin' 'roun' with some papers, beads, stickers, anything else that happens to be lying 'round..Wheeee

Gotts to Run -- Noah wantz the 'puter, so me gotta go..


Lady of The Tulips

So, yeah the picture is a little blurry..ok, it's pretty darn blurry, but noah ran outside the other morning while he was working on the front porch, then came in the studio, grabbed the camera, trotted back to the front porch, and took this picture. Didn't tell me word One about whyy he was taking the camera, but this is what he discovered...

I am so glad we have these wonderful Praying Mantises!! -- They are nearly one of the most perfect insects to have in and around a garden!! -- They eat all those terrible bugs, slugs and Horrid Things that ruin all the hard work you do in the garden, with a blink of an eye. We used to have a gazillion of these little critters in our garden in the city, and one evening when I was watering a pretty big marigold, out popped a praying mantis, all irritated, wet and stomping around on the leaves of the flower like it was just looking to make all the water STOP. I nearly apologized to the thing...sheesh..

So now there is a good explaination why some of the creepy bugs have been disappearing..so this bug should have, like, it's own house or something. Wait. I think they do have some kind of place where they live..nest? Uhmm..something like that. So we are grateful for the small things -- like these in the garden!!

And on to ART things -- talked to another shop owner this afternoon -- had talked with her some years ago, actually not too long before I had my mini-stroke, an' she had wanted me to show some of my art in her store back then. But Other Things happened, then we moved, yadda, yadda, yadda -- SO -- now she's moving into an even Bigger store, an' has asked me to bring some of my pieces to show her this weekend. YAY!! -- I am trying not to get excited/I'm excited, and am pretty scared all at the same time. The irony is -- the place where this woman is relocating - is also a place where I had tried to sell some handmade greeting cards some years ago...think I sold 3 or something...but the owner of the shop didn't want to keep cards in her space, so I had to go -- sorta like last hired, first fired kinda thing. So -- Hopefully now it's gonna be a far better story than back 4 years ago!! Keep me in your prayers!! -- I can use all the Positive out there!!

And for now, I gotta get working -- some new stuff over on the table..still have to cut some foamcore -- gotta frame that's an odd size, so the canvas I bought naturally doesnt fit the frame...cute. Advice To All Out There -- TAKE MEASUREMENTS!! whenever possible!! -- I looked at the frame w/The Husband, and didn't bother to make sure my sheet that is exactly 9 x 12 was in my purse, that I use to make sure the frame will fit my canvases...Dumb A****!! So this is My Word To The Wise!!


>>Lady ofThe Tulips <<

Before he went out on the road for a weeks vacation (must be nice..) our oldest took this shot of the dining room/kitchen just before he went back up to the city.

He was experimenting with the camera, and wanted to know if he could borrow it for his trip - he said it didn't take pictures good enuf for what he wanted, so he left on his sourjourn anyway. I guess he got a camera for his-own self, so we shall see what he comes home with.

>> Actually he's gone on a pretty neat trip -- got it all planned out -- go to the play-off games of the East Coast Minor League Baseball teams -- then see who ends up playing in the final championship game. Not a bad idea, an' he's going to see if he can make it to about 4 games in the time he has. He'd gone on a similar trip a couple years ago with noah, and they camped the whole time, up and down the East Coast, with some stops here and there to check out baseball parks, tourist places related to baseball, and some other places, like great buffet restraunts where they could stuff their faces!! Growing Boys gotta eat!! <<

~~ So today I'm waiting for my latest canvas to dry -- just got it finished this morning, and now am twiddling my fingers -- I'm not that good at waiting, but with some pieces glued on the canvas, I'm leary of touching the piece, an' watching one of the glued thangs go flying off...ACK!! .... so I'll try to do the Waiting For Things To Dry deal...sigh ~~

We are seeing more and more geese flying due south these days -- some of the woodpeckers are flying around the Sound as well, and they seem to be all bent to get somewhere. I've also started to see some of the vultures make their comeback to the woods -- they were gone almost all summer, but now their making their presence known -- big groups of them congregate in the tallest pine trees, 5 - 6 of 'em, all making their weird noises, an' they are So Big!! Those poor pine trees, I've no idea how the things can hold up those big ol' birds!!

So the cabin is settling into Fall -- our woods are changing color ever so subtly, and the nighttime temperatures are getting cool now. Wow. And not even a month ago it was absolutely blistering hot. Goes to show ya...

Must get a sheet of foamcore cut -- and do some investigating of the tv -- should be a baseball game on this afternoon!!


Lady of The Tulips

"Her And Her Darn Crabby Friends"

2009 -- Spring Bay Studio

~ Thot it was time for the little girl to get herself where she felt she needed to be ~

I've got another one in the works, but for now, this is what this little girl said..Well, not actually SAID, but there was mention of making something of a debut...but not like with the Junior League - o - anything quite that fancy.

'Sides -- it's jus' a fun an' play day today, so let's not get all worked up and grouchy!!

Lady of The Tulips

Sooo -- here it is another week, and there are some new things coming along nicely over on the work table..the camera is once again giving me fits and spits, but if it goes how I think it should, there will be some pictures on here in just a little bit. A Brain Spurt came along to me in the middle of the night (When I can never find a pencil to write things down...) about some pictures, and ways of making little subtle differences, so I'm moving toward those changes too.

Ever Ever so many things to think about. Now to mention some new things that are desperately needed in the studio. One of which is replacing this poor old and very wobbly table/computer desk. The first time it was put together was by our oldest, who is admitedly not one to do anything like furniture making..so the original holes for nails have been rather, shall we say, Beat Up..so trying to make them work right for rebuilding the desk when we got down here was really a headache for poor noah.

So now -- even with some shimmy-shimmy-cocoa-bop-kinda tricks up his sleeve, noah still couldn't get the desk to stand still if you lean against it...so if I mistakenly bump the edge, or use the desk to push my chair away from the desktop...Yikes!! It feels and looks like it's going to greet the floor at any minute.

So, now we have 2 items to replace -- the shelf in the master bathroom -- and a new computer desk. BUT -- it's all good, as there are sales (!!) everywhere it seems, an' now we have a little bit saved up for Both Things!!Yay!!

So, it's starting off to be a pretty good week -- and there is a little girl that wants to make her debut too, so to hush her up, I'll be getting a picture of her on here too.

Shwoo -- I'm Tellin' you -- ever so many things!!

Must go and Take Care of Business!!

Lady of The Tulips

Ahhh..here is a shot of the workday not too terribly long ago, where The Husband got himself under the sink...got the plumbing all set --shut Off, and proceeded to take off the old fixture, dismantle whatever was lurking under the sink, then let Noah have a go at tearing out the old, musty cabinet and that weird long extension-thingie.

All in all, it only took about 2 hours (!!) for all the work to get done..but I just HAD to get a picture of You-Know-Who under that little bitty sink!! He actually didn't make as much noise as I thot he would. He does have a tendancy to make Lots of Noise when dismantling things. So I'm quite pleased that he just did his job with the least amount of Quacking!!

Now I have to get a shot of the very cute little cabinet and new sink, with this existing faucet set just right on top of it. Very small, but this bathroom is small, so the dimensions fit just peachy. Now I've been on the hunt for something to set all my baskets, odds and ends and THANGS on, so they have a Very Specific Place. The clever trick is to get something that won't be affected by the moisture in the bathroom. The original builders of the cabin didn't put a window on the outer wall, so it gets pretty damp in the room. But I've looked at a couple different options, and now it's the DecisionMakingTime...And -- the best thing, is that there will be no attaching, building or any such thing...I'm on a thing for a standing shelf unit. Found one, too!! Now it's talking The Husband into buying said shelf unit.....

It's just taking a little while...

I'll tell ya about it later...


Meanwhile!! -- Tom has a Dr. appt. early..I mean EARLY in the morning, so for me to get some ART supplies, that means that I have to get up with him..an' get out onto Ocean Highway before the farmers get to their fields. Well, maybe not THAT early, but it's gonna be before 8 a.m. -- for ME that's like, the crack of dawn. But we'll combine 2 things at once...I sit with him in the Dr. office while he waits to find out his blood pressure (it should be low still..) an' then we go to Dunkin Donuts for a lite lunch (a sandwich an' naturally some coffee) an' then on to the Art Store. I've made a list of some paint colors Needed! -- An' I'll also look at some papers that are supposed to be on sale. Who can resist all those yummy colors and patterns?! They are such eye candy!!

So for now I must go and make sure some ink is dry on me little work table...an' get to painting Something New...

You'll see tomorrow when we get back from The Big City..


Lady of The Tulips

"Untitled" - 2009

Here is one of the pieces that I talked about the other day -- done earlier on, but had some added bits and pieces just last week, sorta-kinda to dress it up a bit. Now it has a touch more color, and it looks spiffy-er if I don't mind saying so!

Today there are some other papers on the work table, and a new canvas that came in the mail just last week -- so many things at one time!! My poor head is spinning with all the new-ness!! I also got my apron done yesterday, despite having an attack of some flu bug overnight. Hit me like a ton of bricks, as the saying goes. Don' know where it came from, or why it decided to hit in the first place, but there ya go. Got up feeling like the local sand and fill company just dropped a load of dirt on me, an' drove off laughing. But , I press onward!! -- And not only got some papers cut and messed with, but also finished said apron, did some work in the master bathroom, and cut some other things out for the new canvas.

Shwoo!!

So now it's time to mess with some of the papers I bought a few weeks ago, as a Place Where I Swore I'd Never Buy Anything...

But The Husband was in said store getting some other things, and pitched something of a hissy fit, saying that he wasn't going to go to any other places for the day, so if I needed to get anything,then I just better get what I needed right then and there, or Else.

Ever feel like your looking down the train tracks and even tho you know you shouldn't be there, you still just stand there watching as Number 15 train bound for Atlanta is barreling toward you??

Well, that's b'out how I felt -- not so much like a train was hitting me, but like I was looking toward something I'd rather not do..

But it all worked out for the Good -- got some papers that aren't half bad..found some little bits and pieces to add here and there...and All Together it just is Good.

So with that being said, it's time to Get To Work!!

Besides it's a beeeautiful morning, the sun is Shining, The Dog is happy out on the deck (which noah cleaned over the weekend!!) and the Cat is doing whatever he darn well feels like doing...!!



Lady of The Tulips

"She Said, Oooh, La, La! I'm going to Cut Loose!!"

Spring Bay Studio -- 2009 --

This is one of the pieces that I worked out the other day - a little different mermaid than I have done in the past, but she just sorta came to me outta the blue -- she also has some more colors since I took this picture..little bits more of blue and green..just to make her feel more at home away from her little sea home.

We are having weather that definetly feels like Fall is here -- lots of rain in the last 36 hours, and it doesn't look like it has any plans to go away any time soon. The storm itself looks like it's swirling just overhead..lots of wind that's coming straight off the Sound, then some strong rain, then the Wind again...the radar looks just horrid, and even the shot Noah looked at on the Weather Channel had him mumbling about the clouds. There just doesn't look like there will be sun for our future!! The temps are really cool too -- 73 I think it was at the last reading...not what it usually is along this area this time of year...we're supossed to be near 82 - o - 84. Not a chance of that today!!

So we are getting other things taken care of today!! -- I've been sewing up a new apron..the fabric was nearly a steal at under $6.00 for the entire amount!! Ha! -- Shipping cost more than all the fabric! -- But that's ok, 'cause it is coming along quite nicely, and this time tomorrow I'll be wearing it while I clean and bake some nummy chicken! The fun thing about the pattern, is that it also was a near steal! - $2.99!! - Let's hear it for not spending an arm and a leg!! Whoo- Hoo!! I'll post the finished apron tomorrow. Even Tom said it looked pretty good. Whoa!! That's sayin' somethin'!!

There are a couple other projects that are just getting finished on the little work table, so those too, will get posted either tomorrow or the following day -- what with today being a holiday here in the states, my brain seems that it wants to be on vacation too -- I know it's Labor Day, an' it's monday..ok..so that means tomorrow will be tuesday. 'k. I guess I'm ok after all...jus' sorta thot I'd missed a day or 2 again. Did that last week about 4 times in one day....sheesh...

Must check some paint and see if the paper I've got my latest sketch on is doin' ok in all this damp weather. Things feel a little moist around the house. Even little miss muffett is just lazin' around today. Too dark outside to play, an' she didn't even bark at the cat this morning!! But she made enuf noise at the cat last night to last for the next 4 days anyway, so being quiet today is jus' fine!!


Lady of The Tulips

Most of the daylilies are thru blooming for the season, but there are a few that are holding on for dear life, still blooming their little heads off. These are just one of the batch around the yard that are defying the odds of Fall Approaching, and are still blooming. So, Take That Fall!!

And on the other hand there are signs that the weather and calendar are against All Things Fall -- Later this week we are to have HEAT again..with those wild and wicked humidity readings that make everything in the house wilt and fall over. But not our couch, 'cause it is a rather imposing item, so it refuses to wilt.

But the things outside are holding on and trying to keep their summer identity. Some are doing just fine, not just these flowers, but on some of the bushes -- Rose of Sharon for instance, there are blooms too -- I still haven't gotten around to posting pictures of those - but I'll try to get out there in a little while. We are also watching some of the geese around the neighborhood, strutting themselves around the edge of the rivers..looking like they firmly believe they own the place (whichever place they happen to be standing on..) -- and looking too, for all the world like there will be no Fall, let alone Winter. But alas, it is creeping up on us, and there are some of the older geese that have started forming their little spiffy V's -- swooping and flying around the area as if they are in some kind of Blue Angels Demonstration. "Look Mommy!! They ca fly sideways!!" --

Well -- so on the Art Front -- I took some pieces up to the shop this last weekend, and they aren't priced too high, so I'm hoping to have those sold by the end of the month -- It is already September, so that isn't getting too rediculously greedy now, is it? -- The owner of the shop called me yesterday to say that some of the pieces aren't going to get priced as much as she had first said, so that put me in something of a funk yesterday afternoon. I sorta moped around, kicked things in the studio, made the kitchen clean and tidy with a WHOOSH of cleaning. Got out some tomatoes and made them into a decent batch of stewed tomatoes for Spanish Rice.

Then finally calmed down. There isn't much to do when the Economy is rotten, and people are afraid of spending on much of anything these days, so the fact that some of my pieces are even being sold is saying something!! -- The only bad part of yesterday, was when Noah needed me to help him put up a small cabinent..'k, not only did I spell that wrong, but holding the stuiped thing up on the wall, while noah measured, remeasured, took his time checking if the thing was even on the wall. -- ALL WHILE I'M HOLDING IT UP ON THE WALL...

And to top it off, some masking tape that was on the side of the cabinent stuck to my hand in a big ol' blob, and it didn't come off...so there I am, holding this THING on the wall, big globsof painters masking tape all over my right hand, and my arms are starting to shake from holdingthe THING on the wall...

"Can you hold it steady so I can mark the holes for the woodscrews?

"I'm TRYING TO!!"

Somehow the little thing got put up - my arms have recuperated - and the laundryroom sink that was between me, the wall, and the cabinent is doing just fine...

Oh, and by the way, did I mention that Tom had some of his dirty sneakers on the floor under the laundryroom sink..so I had to keep kicking them out of my way, so I could sorta/kinda stand close to the wall and hold up Said Item? --

Oh, go ahead and stare at my grey hairs...

> I'm off to mess with some new canvases I got in the mail yesterday<<


Lady of The Tulips