"MY CUP RUNITH OVER."

The funniest thing happened to me this morning. When I woke I was greeted by a cool breeze softly ruffling my curtains. It was a welcome relief from the heat. I felt the breeze calling me to my much neglected garden. I started my garden with good intentions. Hoping that all my watering, weeding and feeding would reward me with a harvest of vegetables. But before I knew it life got in the way. First it was the late frost that reeked havoc on my just sprouting garden. Then came work, bills and blistering heat. Although my desire to have a garden was strong my commitment was lacking. Sure I would go and and pull the occasional weed now and then, but then I would let the days duty's carry me away.

So this morning in search of the a cool breeze and some very much needed quite time, I headed out to the garden. And just like an old friend, my garden was waiting for me. It welcomed me with open arms. Not to mention to my surprise a bounty of vegetable, as well as hollyhocks, mint and sunflowers. It was then that I realized sitting there in the early morning shad on the dew covered grass, that my garden still loved me. It had just been waiting for me to remember, slow down and visit.

So I ran to the house and got a bowl and a cool glass of water, then headed back out to collect my bounty. I began to gather my vegetables and soon my bowl was full to running over of little cherry tomatoes, so I emptied my water glass and began to fill it as well. It was then that it struck me as I gathered my bounty that my little cherry tomato's are like blessings and my cup runith over.

Although I had been neglectful and unattentive the Lord never forgot about me. He was just waiting for me to remember, slow down and visit, and he would bless me with abundance. If I would just take a moment out of my busy day I would realize all the blessing I had received as well as answers to prays.

I hope that your garden runith over with cherry tomatoes as well. And as for the zucchini's, well those are the little blessing we give away in the dark of night, leaving them on unsuspecting neighbors porches.

Many blessing to you!!

xoxo

A mothers work is never done, thank goodness!!

Its funny no matter how old your children get, they still need you; what a great feeling that is!!

My daughter, Alex recently started a new job, she works at a care facility for the elderly. She has already developed a sweet spot for all the residence she meets. Everyday she bubbles with excitement to tell us of the special people she meets and of there interesting life's and funny doings. I'm so glad that she has this opportunity to get to meet and work with such amazing people. I think she might find she's getting more than just a paycheck, and that makes me smile.

My other daughter, McKenzie is getting ready to return to college for her final year of nursing school. She has most recently become a mother herself and is struggling with leaving her sweet baby boy during the day. I had forgot what an emotional time it can be for a new mother. It takes me back to when I had to do the same thing. And speaking with her on the phone this evening brought back all those emotions. I know now why I also had to go through all those emotions myself. It was so I could be prepared to help her through this time in her life and give her sound advise.

My son has also had his challenges. But he's a boy and it's a little harder to read his emotions, because he sure isn't going to talk about them. And that's OK, it's only important to be there just in case, waiting with an open heart and mind. I love that boy, he makes me laugh and no matter how big he gets, he will always be my baby boy, Cody bug.

It makes sense now, that's what all my trials were for, it was to make me a better person and an even better mom. I can now look back with thanks and gratitude for my trials. Its also comforting to know that with any trials that come my way (I sure there will be more) that they will be learning opportunities not just stress and uncertainty. I can now look uncertainty in the eye and say "Bring it on, teach me, mold me, let me learn to understand so that I can help my children grow"(no matter what their age).

I love being a mom. I love knowing that I am still needed and always will be.

Be kind to you.

I know it's been a while since my last blog update. I have no excuses but to say, I've been a little discouraged as of late. I haven't been able to get to a lot of creating, due to eye surgery. All that down time gave my mind time to runaway with itself, when it returned it brought unwanted house guest, by the name of self doubt, discouragement and frustration.

I guess I should start at the beginning to make more sense of the matter. I have been a little hard on myself lately. Frustrated because after four months of hard, although it be enjoyable work, I'm still not a world wide success. That's right believe it or not after all my soulful creative work, not one literary agent or licensing deal has come my way. And mind you its not for my lake of creating or waiting.
I've made myself available, started a blog, went and signed up for Facebook, sent e-mails to all of my friends, other artists and still opportunity did not come knocking.
But frustration, self doubt and discouragement dropped by and they really seem to be enjoying their visit. They get great satisfaction out of taking advantage of me. I want them to leave but to say so would be bad manners. Its like we've been condition to be polite at all time. So when unexpected guest show up needing a place to stay we politely offer up our time, space and energy to these unwanted guests. These guests have a tendency to be loud, disruptive and down right rude. Not to mention I caught one of them drinking out of the milk carton!




Well NO MORE, I'm not having it, its time my guest hit the road.
Its time to be kind to me, to tell myself its "OK", just keep trying. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day, or so the saying goes. I need to keep my creativity going as an outlet, a place to enjoy and express. I want to use my art as a vehicle to meet other artist who share common interests. I need to travel the journey of creativity for me.
My creativity should be like planting a little seedling, it needs to be nurtured. It needs the rain for water to help it grow. Sometime it maybe stormy, but the seedling will remain strong and steadfast because after the storm comes the sun.
I know one day come rain or shine, my creativity will keep growing reaching higher, branching out further. My leaves will dance with joy on the soft morning breeze. I will continue to grow sturdy and strong, offering shelter and shade for any inspiring idea, that may come along. I'll share my beauty with all those who surround me, swaying with grace and rhythm.

Although that's the way I want things to go, its not always so, and that's "OK". I took a moment and browsed the blogs of my favorite artist and bloggers, and found the emotions I was having were not so uncommon. That at times we all battle doubt, discouragement and frustration. I realized that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and start creating.


I will embraced all the beauty that surrounds me and hold it tight. I will put it in my pocket to have with me always.

Now onward and upward!!

Here it comes, ready or not!!

That's right the big "4" "5" will be upon me soon, on July 28th to be exact. Yup you guessed it, I'll be 45 on Wednesday.(Yea I think)

I don't quite know what to think of 45, I've been 44 for so long I was just getting use to that age. Oh well time marches on, with crows feet.

My family keeps asking what I want for my birthday, and all I can think is that I have all that I want, a happy family, a healthy grandson and an amazing husband. What more can a girl ask for?

I have received so many gifts and blessing in my life, that my cup run-ith over and I am happy for it. I know none of it was my doing or I would have messed the whole thing up, it was all the Lord's doing. He always knew that he had his job cut out for him with me. I'm just grateful that he never gave up on me or got tired of trying.

I guess that is the message that I want to touch on: Never give up, never stop trying.

I know how it is some days its all you can do to get out of bed,......but you do!

You just have to know that tomorrow is another day and if you can just get through today its bound to be better, how could it not. The sun will come out tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow will be .... (or something like that)

What your tomorrow is, is completely up to you and what you want to make of it. Make it filled with creativity and joy. Go out and paint something, sew something, write a poem, tell a child a story, interview yourself in the mirror like your Barbara Walters, that's a fun one, you just might learn something.

That's how I want to approach my 45th birthday, I want to continue to create an amazing life full of love and laughter, joys and even some sorrows to keep me humble and grateful.
And last but not least I plan on going out and doing a cartwheel in my front yard, just because I still can (I think).

"Inspired"

It's been a inspired weekend for me. I celebrated my oldest daughters 24th birthday.

Days like that really help put things in to perspective. It makes you take a minute to reflect. It's funny that when looking back you only remember the joy and happiness of bringing that beautiful baby home. Nine gruelling months and 8 hours of labor take a backseat to all the wonder that your new bundle of joy has brought into your life. And even more amazing is how much joy and wonder that little child continues to bring. For my little gift has blessed us with a gift of her own, little Jackson.



And lucky for me I was blessed with three children, so I know I have much more joy to look forward to, and I can't wait.
The whole cycle of life is inspiring to me, its never ending and forever filling your days with happiness and adventure. Theres not one moment that I would go back and change, unless it was to tell them all how much I love them even more.
Might I advise that in our daily routine of fast pace activities and hectic work schedules we never forget to take the time to show our love and appreciation for those that we love and admire. In all my limited 24 years of raising this family, it has always been imperative to teach my children how to show love and appreciation for all that they have and all those who they know.
I'm also lucky enough to have a wonderful husband to help me, and that will also be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this August. (That will be another day of perspective and reflection I'm sure.)

All this reflection also helped to inspire me artistically and I was able to finish up to projects I was working on:






Well I guess thats enough of my ramblings for the day, but I would like to leave with this parting message: Remember to take hold of every day like it is the first and could be the last. Never miss an opportunity to be giving and helpful and always say "I Love You".

"Remember when"

I was going through some old photo's today and found some pictures of my cute little house.

These are before and after photo's, we moved into our home in 1996, our children ages were 6,8,10.

I just knew the first time I laid eyes on this little fixer upper that I had to have it.

Wow what a difference. Its amazing how a lot of love and hard work can change a house into a home. I have spent the best years of my life in this home raising our children and building our family. There's not one sore back or sleepless night I would change. This home we have changed and built up has also changed us and built us up.

Time really flies when your having fun, now our children are 24,22,20 and our oldest daughter and her husband just blessed us with a grand son, yes at the age of 44 I am a grandma and loving every minute of it. I cant get enough, would you just look at those cheeks.

The one thing I have learned from this adventure is that, it takes a family to make a home not matter where you are and it takes a lot of love and hard work to make a family.

So when you close your eyes tonight, take a minute to picture all that you have built and give thanks.

Thanks to all of my neighbors, friends and family members for giving me everything I have every wanted and more. Just keep it coming.

"I AM"

Well I have put it off for as long as I can, it is now time to come out into the light, time to open up and share with you all my dreams and wishes.

As far back as I can remember I have always wanted to be an Artist. But I knew that dream would not be an achievable one for me, why you might ask? Because I can't draw, unlike my sister and mother and other close family members who draw beautifully. I have trouble staying in the lines of the average coloring book.

So who was I to think I could be so bold as to want to be an artist. Well I'll tell you who! I am my fathers little "tootsie roll" his little brown eyed girl with ratty hair and bear feet running from the closest brush or comb. That's right I am stubborn and persistent and always want my way. Just ask any of my siblings or my husband and children.

So I want to be an artist and I'm saying it out loud for all the world to hear and I'm putting my scribbles out there as well for all the world to see. I guess this is my own twelve step program for Artist Anonymous.
The first step is admitting you have a dream. The second step understanding that art comes in many shapes and sizes, and understanding that we are all artists of one kind or another. We need to look around us and see all that we have created, even if its as simple (or difficult in my case) as reading a recipe and creating a new dish. Or what about the artistic way you iron or fold your families clothes or the way you painted up your toe nails and finger nails.

The truth be told just waking up and starting your day makes everyone of us an ARTIST, by definition:

art-ist: 1. one who is skilled in any of the fine arts 2. one who does anything very well 3. a professional in any of the performing arts

Who knew all these years I have been thinking I was not good enough and come to find out that by definition, I am an artist. I am skilled in the fine are of caring for my children, helping them become good people. And lets not forget the performing arts of taking off where his mother left off and raising a good husband. And the one thing that I do real well is LOVE and LAUGH and CARE.

So if I take a moment and look around me at all of my projects all of my works of art, I can truly say I am an ARTIST, I am the Lords apprentice, and loving every minute of it and for that I am grateful.

I dedicate this post to my Dad, even though he is no longer with us I always carry him in my heart and I know we will be together again. Thanks for believing in me, dad.
Love
Tootsie