my so called mind

old grill, old picture

i would like to say that i am okay.
i want to live the life i am meant to live.
dont we all. today i feel like someone has beat
the crap out of my mind. bryce and i have been
attending a new church. we both feel so at home
there. we go to class each sunday for the new
comers. it is nice to attend the class with him.
but today, just as each sunday, i come home feeling
refreshed and quickly one thing throws my mood to the
wind. and i asked him how he can let so many big things
go, but why can't i. he looked at me and said, " you have
too much conflict in your head. and he is right. when
he said "conflict" it was like i melted. the hair on my
arms stood up. he is right.

some days i think i am living in the wrong era. our world
is so out of control, there are few boundaries, kids are
adults, parents are friends. i continue to allow others
words to bed under my skin like a grain of sand that just
bores deeper and deeper. how do i let this all go. how
do i tell someone that they are out of line with out
coming off judgemental or hateful.

conflict.

i have a new dvd, pema chodron. this week i will try
to listen to it each day. i will work on letting of my
anger go, let words roll off as quickly as they hit me,
i will spend more time with my kids, listening to them
and not worrying about how other parents are doing it.
i will try not to hold b accountable for things that he
wont put an end to. i will handle it myself. [this is a
really hard one. this is very personal and has had
a ill affect on me. after over a year, i have learned
that he isn't going to help on this and i have to let
it go] i can do this!

conflict.

i will find a way to be happy where i am at and stop
focusing on when i can leave here. i may never get
to go to another environment, so i have to find a way
to be happy here, at least for now.

conflict.

i will continue to exercise and watch what i put into
my body. i will be mindful of my food and nourishment.
i will take time to reflect. i will work on not allowing/
others negative energy to affect my everyday, my
people, your people.

conflict.

i will remind myself everyday, that i am worthy,
i can do this, i am blessed. [stewart b. smalley]

conflict.

conflict + kelly = her so called mind.

....and now from my sponsors, five really good
things that i am going to focus on this week.

new books on encaustic and screen printing
unwired cover
happy comments left.
maybe squam
a husband who always talks me off the ledge.

peace.

the envy issue

the envy issue - greener pastures.

greener pastures was picked to grace the cover
of underwired magazine. a big shout of a thank
you goes out to laura, who made this so easy.

to be honest when she called to ask if i was interested
it too approximately 5 painful seconds to pull my
chubby chin off my floor. she sweetly offered to send
me an email with all the info. can you tell this hasn't
ever happened! i am so suave.

they found miss green at illustration fridays, so
another big shout of thanks to penelope!

yippee!

ps....vote for luke.

pretty please!

monday.

sage smudge kit.....cleansing.

"the pity in life is that most of us die before we
are fully born. don't miss yourself."

~erich fromm

happy monday!

five happy, and really good things.

daily inspiration....

oops....forgot to post my weekly really good things,

..an unexpected happy CHEER me on postcard..
..a pkg of nag champa soap, sage bundles and incense..
..purging the studio..
..one week of exercise and eating right..
..this quote, a daily reminder that is is okay to be me..

“To be alive is the biggest fear humans have. Death is
not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking
the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express what
we really are. Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of
humans. We have learned to live our lives trying to satisfy
other people’s demands. We have learned to live by other
people’s points of view because of the fear of not being
accepted and of not being good enough for someone else.
Trying to be good enough for them, we create an image of
perfection, but we do not fit this image. We create this
image, but this image is not real. We are never going to be
perfect from this point of view. Never!”

-The Four Agreements
[thank you miss swirly, for the reminder]

happy. and five good things

necco's - i dig them

another busy week, but a good busy. it is thursday and
i have neglected my 5 REALLY good things, brought to you
by liz, each week. so here goes

. 8:39am, munching on sweetheart necco's
.. g's bald head, swim sectional tonight.
... miss c's midterm card, all a's
.... the other miss c, finding her way in the world of design
..... b and i working on being better at "marriage"

how about you, what are you 5 things?

and as a vd bonus, i will leave you with some happy
eye candy.

..michelle brusegaard -peacock enclosures, mine are pink..

..holly hawk..leather cuffs [can't choose]

..jen lemen's altars..

..mimi doodles encaustic paintings..

..new blogs to drool over,
..swallowtail..
..stephanie lee studios..
..mccabe, the dancing mermaid and her rocks..
..and urban prairie refueled..

and how can i NOT mention our hometown boy
top 24 finalist in american idol...........[insert drumroll]

..LUKE MENARD..
he's pretty sweet to look at too!

hope you feel the love today

[ if ] ..choose..

illustration friday ..choose..

choose to be kind.
and choose to head over to if to see other choices.

new at etsy.

..funk.. print

new prints added at etsy. 5 new girls, full of spunk

and funk. [originals are available at nahcotta.

if you would like to check them out.....walk this way.

..thanks a bunch..

today.

peacock blue

today, a friend called me. today, they just needed
someone to listen. i am warm all over from the feeling
of happyness this person brings to me. knowing that we
used to rip on one another as kids, growing up together,
seeing the other go through bad spells and then seeing
each find their own spot in life....feeling happy for the others
stability. watching this person grow into what i knew they
could be. kind. caring. secure.

today someone trusted me enough to ask me to listen.
and in return they listened.

breath in. i calm my body.
breath out. i smile.
dwelling in this present moment.

i know this is a wonderful moment.

peace.

blank canvas awaits.

what a happy happy weekend. the best since summers
end. most days i feel like i am on a rollercoaster. this
weekend we had our taxes done....check. i finished up
another job on friday.....check. kids were with their
dad.....check. my work-a-holic "b" was game free....check.
we both snuck in two naps and went to dinner, chomped on
some delicious gourmet burgers. i feel so rested and caught
up. why oh why do we think running ourselves into the
ground is the way to live?

i have a sketch ready for my blank canvas, it will be for
a new dear friend who has tirelessy worked to help dawn
and i with our little caroline's fight against juvenile cancer.
she makes purses. oh and little pockets, each full of pattern,
vintage fabrics, ribbon and ties. there is a bit of a handbag
crusade here in this little middle indiana town. if you would like
to check them out....go here. she is part of an amazing, creative,
kind and beautiful family. we have fallen in love with them.

i am off to start my day....peace ya'll

eta iii LIVE tonight

enormous tiny artshow iii opening tonight!
Feb 8- March 9

support all the artists, there is such a great list!
if you are interested in any work, contact deb
or abbie at the gallery.

Nahcotta

there are new pictures up of all the pieces ready
to be hung for the show. quite a nice image. i only
wish i could be there in person.

FIVE really....REALLY good things.

sweet towels

here are my really REALLY good 5 things
so far this week....

some news hopefully coming soon - i will share if i get
a yes.

seeing "g" wearing his varsity jacket, and his constant "kip"
impressions that are straight on!
[Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online
with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training
to be a cage fighter.]

nahcotta opening this weekend! if you go to the opening,
email me all the details and i will drool.

phone calls about my artwork, new design job possiblities

taxes being done this weekend.

bonus goodness: the obama video below "yes we can"

what are five really good things in your world

peace....

Yes We Can

are you ready for a change?
hope = vote.....

a bit of sparkle

the rock star christine of sparkletopia, interviewed little
old me. if you haven't visited this inspiring site,
hop on over to get sprinkled with a daily dose of
inspiration.

redhead

"the redhead" - #7 eta iii

8x8 gallery wrapped canvas
original mixed media
number seven of the eta iii show

big box going out today.

last four pieces are now here too....

are you ready?

ready....enormous tiny artshow iii

six pieces sitting waiting to be mailed out for their cross
country journey to portsmouth, nh. hoping to finish the
last three today.

if you would like to see her two sisters and others

you can check them out here.

peace ya'll

five really good things

canvas - january 2008

miz liz elayne is so good about being thankful and reminding
me that i need to take each day and count my blessings.
this week has been filled with many busy hours. i had
become so complacent the end of 2007. but i hit the door
running this month. and even though it has been a frenzy,
it has been a productive, self-fulfilling month....so that is

my number one

1. month of january - self awareness

2. finishing "the accidental buddhist", it was so nice
sitting down each morning and reading for an hour.
breath in, breath out

3. six canvas waiting for a warm coat of varnish, three
blank ones waiting in the wings. each to be sent to the
nahcotta gallery for the enormous tiny artshow iii
[ paintings posted tomorrow - fingers crossed ]

4. finishing up two jobs, with several new ones coming
in - sweet surprises

5. getting rid of the little voice in the back of my head
that was saying.....are you good enough. i love putting
that voice out of its misery.

i bet you have 5 good things too, c'mon tell me.

enormous tiny artshow iii

hot damn!!!! i am so excited about this. here is the
enormous tiny art show iii postcard. just read those
names...i am drooling! and too see that i am sitting
next to rachel austin, and to get to be part of a show
that includes these chickies; christine, marisa, mati and
penelope. I am one lucky girl. one lucky girl who is
way behind.....hmmmm wonder if i am the only one????
one lucky girl who is so happy that i was invited
and one lucky girl who is counting her blessings and
having fun with all of this. you can look at the artists
and the work here.

enjoy....

moving on

.....here is what is going on in my neck of the woods

-working on several jobs
-getting my enormous tiny pieces together.
[of course, i am running behind!]
-spent saturday at the pool
-working on my studio only hours
-filling in my new momAgenda daily planner, this thing rocks!
-selling purses for caroline
-blonde is now my color [again]
-reading everyday....what a nice break
-catching up on many blogs...so much going on!
-finished an interview - coming soon.
-sketching on tracing paper [my favorite]
-digging sparkletopia...christine is a rockstar!
-just discover these poochcollars, this girl and
this new blog

what's going on in your neck of the woods.

mondo beyond part ii

ah.....peace.

in part two, andrea asks us to write out intentions for 2008.
twhat we'd want more of in our life, what we want to come
our way and our intent on bringing all of this into our lives

here are my intentions for 2008.....

....walk more use less gas. get a recycling station

for the house. not be so wasteful

....focus on my studio hours, put forth a better effort
to stick to those hours so that i can be present on
weekends evenings and holidays

....to exercise, meditate and read more. sit down and
do creative projects that are fun but not necessary.
this will keep my creative juices flowing rather than
when i am on a deadline and it takes all the fun out of it.

to play more games with my kids, entertain more and
this summer sit out on our deck listening to some
great music and sipping a beer with my feet up.


....here is what andrea says about the final piece of the
puzzle.

"After you list your intentions, let's do the list that is
truly Mondo Beyondo status. What are the things
you are wanting to manifest that are almost too
scary to even write down? The ones that elicit a
gremlin response of "You can't have that!" or "Who are
you to ask for that?" or "Fat chance. That will never
happen. You're not a good enough....(fill in the blank)"
Are you nervous? You should be. This list should be a
bit dangerous. It should make you feel a little shy and
excited.Butterflies abound."

....here is my mondo beyond [holy crap!]

to find a gallery who is interested in hanging my work.
i will find this gallery all by myself, write up the show
guidelines, name it and sell it. [if this is what you have
to do to get it]

to sell more on my website, bringing in new items
on a regular basis, not feeling afraid that it won't
sell or other wont like - because they will like it.

we will take a vacation with out 17 others, someplace
warm and sunny and sand and palm trees

to keep my little clean and organized, so that next year
and tax season i am not scrambling and wanting to cry.

i will learn to meditate so that i can be the person i
know that i am .....peaceful, kind and caring. i will
give up anger and resentment - regardless of what
others think of this. allowing myself to feel content
and not buying into what those around me think makes
us happy - because it doesn't make me happy.

i will buy a old schwinn to toodled around this itty bitty
town and it will have a basket and a bell....because i
have always wanted one and i have never allowed
myself to buy one because bryce thinks it is silly and
would be embarrassed - but that is his dark cloud
not mine.

peace ya'll

mondo beyondo

"i shall not" ....december 2007

love wide #2
4ft x 4ft canvas
mixed media
acrylics, paper and silver leaf.
text...."i shall not walk alone" ben harper

this is the first year for me to participate in MONDO BEYONDO
superhero andrea scher posted this on her site. it is a ritual

that allows you to start fresh, move forward and find peace
with what came before....paraphrasing there! i don't know
about you-but i am happy to give it a try. lord knows i need
to try. so here goes....feel free to leave yours here or on
your own blog.

1. what do you want to acknowledge yourself for in
regard to 2007?

...so many things happen with each year bringing joy
and pain. i didn't get a job that would have made a huge
difference in our family's income, my kids cost of education
and one large opportunity for me as a designer. I hate
interviews, hate the process - but i did it. I am proud that i
did it I made it to the final rounds and when i didn't get it, i
was devastated. i was bummed out. but, i didn't get it and
because i didn't get the job.....i got to paint more. i made it
through two series, the girl and h.o.m.e. in october i was
selected to be part of our local art show which is juried and
a regional show. november i had my first solo showing...i am
proud of those steps i took to continue to put myself out there.

our family grew closer and i have watched my kids grow and
work hard at school....i am proud that my kids love me, that
even after hairy days they hug me and say "goodnite mom"

i am SO proud that i made it through another year of freelancing
and my little company indigosoul and mostly that even on days
of doubt, i continue to paint my little creations - they make me
smile inside and out.

oh and the highlight of my year was sitting next to miss cand
listening to the words of the dalai lama....namaste

2. what is there to grieve about 2007

I forgive myself for not getting that design job. i forgive myself
for not bringing in more income and allowing myself to sit in front
of the computer and surf art sites rather than going out for a walk
or doing pilates. and because i didn't exercise - i have to let go
of the fact that i made myself even chubbier. i hate that i am the
heaviest i have ever been - so i say to hell with the weight, i am
going to let it go so that i don't cry when istand in front of the
mirror and i am on my 4th old outfit and it doesn't' even fit! and
mostly i forgive myself for allowing a specific someone to put their
lack of responsibility on me. to feel bad because they don't think
they should have to help, unless it is on their terms. i forgive myself

for allowing this negative force to suck my energy to so many low
points.

3. what else do you need to say about the year to
declare it complete?

the year was like any other....high and low, but it just slides into
the next.i learned what i will take with me and what i will change
and that through it all, what matters most are those i cherish who
are sleeping soundly as i type this and another one who is, i am
sure, up and studying south of here.

self challenge, create, peace and forgiveness are my 2008.

oh and when you are done with this one she has part ii posted too!

mondo beyond part ii: where are you going? [thanks andrea]

happy

december 30, 2007 - babs, pinto and mandy pepperidge

celebrating a friends 50th birthday.
[friend who is 50 - not in the picture]

some days i moan and groan about living here in middle indiana.
see how bundled up i am - because it is COLD! but the thing
that i always go back to is our great group of friends. we
tend to drive each other nuts, tease each other daily, pull
pranks. we board the buffett bus each summer, we've
played beer pong in the 90's, danced at our weddings, watch
each others kids, have girls night and piss each other off,
but at the end of the day....we love each other, show
up and we are present.

for that i am thankful and blessed.

what i know

......2008 - may you shine brite on the camp.

i have done nothing but spin in my thoughts the past few
months. i have asked too many whys and have had too
many regrets and seem to continually stifle my path because
of old fear. i have done this my whole life. taught this way
of thinking at a young age. as hard as i try to get rid of it, some
days it is still on my heels.

what i know is....

eventhough some days it doesn't feel like ihave made progress - i have.

happyness and success isn't followed up with green

a simple balanced life is what i must work towards.

i can't continue to sabotage my success and growth

i am worthy of my dreams, whatever they may be

i have to take a deep breath and clear my head

my art makes people happy

my art is me

what i perceive as others success and greatness, isn't
always wrapped neatly in a tidy little box with a pink bow

what i know is.....that i have to take care of myself

mind, body, spirit and creative self

what i know is.....last year is simply, last year.
now i must focus on what i am going to do about
tomorrow.

what i know is.....i can do this.

frida on friday

favorite frida and free necklaces

busy busy finishing up wedding programs and a HUGE canvas.
say a little prayer that i get it all done and keep my sanity

in the process!

happy friday.....

5 really good things

my new find by dollalchemy.com

five good things.......

1. while in nashville, there was an arts and craft show

in the opryland hotel. i found this as soon as i walked in

to door. martin the dollmaker sat in his booth sketching

and making little clay spiders with wirey legs. he was the

only artist there. the rest was basically flea market vendors.

i have to say - i have never loved the trolls, but this sweet

face scooped a full load from my heart. i need to name her,

so here are my thoughts....

a. mettalise [graceful pearl]

b. nissa [friendly elf]

c. gerta [protection]

d. effie

martin and his wife celena live in denmark. celena is from

the states. they are trying to get their books published with

their freakishly beautiful dolls and illos. please visit their website.

the shop will be up soon. their trolls and fairies are gorgeous, unique

and very soulful. the craftmanship is something else. the face and

hands are polymer clay. face is handpainted. simply gorgeous.
polymer clay

2. 5 days of rest and fun with bryce. we really REALLY needed it.

3. christmas around the corner

4. 3 healthy, funny, warped, gorgeous kids

5. my little warm and creative artistic community who always have

time for my silly questions, and wrap their supportive arms around

me as i skip along in my artist path.

a big shout out to liz elayne, who is always present and here for
so many of us....now bring your butt back to middle indiana so
we can meet for a cup of joe!

happy, happy thursday!

nashville

opryland hotel - december 07

just got back from 5 days in nashville....wow this place is
so full of life! a city within the city. and we went to
the legends corner bar and saw this group

johnny t and due south

....they rock.
check them out here...or here...
they had to be one of the best
live bands i have ever laid
my eyes upon.

beer + live music = dancing kelly

peace ya'll

happy

last nite, i opened my email and this is what i found....

.........................................
Hii.
:]

I saw your work in Moondance today, and I have to say its really inspiring to see such wild and crazy and might I say beautiful art come out of this itty bitty town we live in.
I love your work, and you've really inspired me to use my creativity to speak my mind instead of holding it inside, like I've been doing for so long.
Im really young and just starting out, Im only 16 so I still have time I suppose.

Thank you. (:

...........................................

this is why i paint what i do. the girl is still in my head. the colors of my childhood,
comes out with each stroke.

a gentle gift this holiday season.

peace ya'll

pink christmas

fluffy pink, glorious wreath.

i had to make this....it made my hectic crazy
day all better. i have done very little

decorating this year. just too many irons
in the fire. but still it is enough. plain
and simple just the way i like it.

if you would like to, please sign up
for my newsletters. i have some exciting
things on the horizon and i am so excited.
just need your name and email.

so go over here--------------------->

thank you oh so much!

and liz - your shirt is heading out tomorrow!

peace!

h.o.m.e.

cropped image of [i am] #5 in the h.o.m.e. series

"i am home"

new items added on etsy
two new prints and the i am original
one last original from the girls series
left - [ahead]

you can find them here...

happy thursday!

deep breath

pink buddha.....i am out of images

" i am not a surrealist, i never painted dreams. I
painted my own reality. the only think i know is
that i paint because i need to, and i paint whatever
passes through my head, without any other
consideration." ~ frida kahlo

amen.....

blessings

planted - mixed media
24in x 24in on pine
acrylics, paper, silver leaf
graphite and oil crayons...itty
bitty bits of glitter

SOLD!

i am putting myself on a self-imposed
internet sabbatical. i need to catchup
and emotionally prepare for the upcoming
holiday - that i am not looking forward to.

this is the last of my most recent paintings.
the next few weeks will be filled with new
ideas and canvas.

blessings this thanksgiving to each
and all. and a big happy birthday to
miss swirly, whom i adore.....

peace

i am

i am home h.o.m.e. series #5

{ as you walk and eat and travel be where you are.

otherwise you will miss most of your life.}

~buddha

the week started off very painfully. my uncle and godfather
has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. this man is so
vibrant, work-a-holic, addicted to golf and he has been in
a hospital bed for over two weeks. so it is really hard for
all of us to digest this news. as you all know i am a
procrastinator, so i have been slowly digging myself out of
a stack of to dos. if i were rich, i would hire an assistant,
but iam not so tahiti and the assistant will have to be put
on hold. one day, i am going to teach myself a lesson
and just work like hell as each job comes in and then be
done and have tons of quality free time.

i hope that life is treating you each well. the leaves are
falling here and winter is just around the corner. ugh!
but i am ready to get the house all pruttied up for
the holidays.....

peace

free your mind

hanging - the vault, moon dance cafe

{ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds. }
~marley

blessed

slip into layers
h.o.m.e. series #4
8x8 canvas - mixed media

online shop just about ready and new etsy items coming
soon. if you happen to see any original that you are interested

in - just email me!

my life is full of layers, some deep, some brittle and thin.
today i took gabe to the natatorium to swim and on the
way there he played the guitar for me. what a gift that
is. i soaked it all in. in just a few short days he has plucked
his way through ben harpers "i shall not walk alone" one
of my favorites. he did it for me.

then i came home to such a kind email, it made me cry.
someone so dear to me. i am yet again blessed by all
the simple things. it is so hard not to remember this when
i am stressed, or tired or just plain fed up. but a little
note full of kindness - makes all of the difference.

this past week was filled with good things, things that
reminded me that i can do this. that jobs will continue
to come in. maybe not when i am most broke, or not
always the jobs i want, but that doesn't matter, they
come when i need them most.

peace

five really good things

happy, 8x8 mixed media - canvas

name five really good things. right now.

1. selling a few originals and being asked to
do a big custom piece!

2. this mornings really hot shower, rejuvenation
at it's best

3. sitting with easy ed and putting together his
new orleans news.

4. feeling calmer about my artisitic path

5. blue skys, autumn colors and leaves falling

...liz did it, now i have done it and we
double dog dare you to do it too.

peace ya'll

fly away home

fly away home
h.o.m.e. series #3

the last couple of weeks has
been such a whirlwind. so many
things to do and take care of and
the midst of it all sad happenings,
crazy life, sad life.

my uncle tom is sick and they are looking
for cancer, caroline is still fighting her cancer -
she is on transplant #2, she is only 5.
and evan cousineau passed away last friday, one
day before his 10th birthday. his family lives near
los angeles, so if anyone out there see's anything
about his benefit, give them a call and see if you can
help. they will have a foundation. his parents names
are mark and gina cousineau, they are very involved
in the waterpolo community. evan was on the same
floor as caroline, they were bosom buddies.

i just floors me, that gina had to go home without
one of her kids and now they are expected to pick
up the pieces. so i will hold my kids even closer now, laugh
more, play more checkers and be happy when clance rings
the door bell 20 times in a row when she gets home from
school.

check out evan's story here...

here are my blessings -

..heather calling me tonight 5 times laughing hysterically
..really great and supportive friends

..my new art and feeling like i am on to something
..my new girl who arrived today in a happy happy box, thischick
sent her to me with oh so many extra things - so sweet [livefree]
..ice cold yuengling lager - yum
..c's second part of her i.u. profile series
..new organizers for the studio
..my healthy gorgeous kids

now go hug someone you love

the big show

the camp, november 1, 2007

messy studio + productive painting = tired kelly

tomorrow i pack up every single painting i can find and
take them down to the coffee shop to display for the month
of november. i am pretty excited. it has been a productive
week. i had to bust out several new pieces to fill in some
space. i had sold a couple and donated a couple. i was
was low on fuel. this week i finished 3 pieces that had been
yearning for some attention and i just finished the 4th in
my h.o.m.e. series [ i am home ].

i have never displayed my art before. i am a bit uneasy,
but hell - it's about time. i have to start somewhere.
right?! heck yes i am right.

i have all of my little plague cards done, bio, info sheet.
and three prints framed. so i should have close to
20 items in the vault. it is a fun room. the coffee
shop once housed a jewelry store. the vault has
been converted into a cozy conference room. i can't
sit in there for meetings. i am too distracted by all
the art! darn a.d.d.!

tomorrow nite is the re-grand opening [formerly
campbell's on main ] of the moon dance cafe.
and my art will be part of that....sweet!

so that is all i have got. tomorrow nite is the first
alive after five [a new committee that i sit on for
the downtown.] we are hosting our first - first friday.

here are the logo's i designed for each.

i love designing logos. so if you are looking for
one or know someone who is - give me a buzz.
camp indigo will send you a little thank you if
you do!

i am off to finish up and head to bed.
i really got a lot of work done today. i am
always amazed at how good that makes you
feel, eventhough you are worn out.

peace....ya'll

sacred life *[mr. dalai lama]

"with realization of one's own potential and
self-confidence in one's ability, one can build
a better world." ~dalai lama

i gave myself a little birthday gift. thursday

i hopped in the car and drove to bloomington
to spend a few days with miz c. we went out
for mexican thursday night with her two roomates
and one of their mom's. then friday early morn,
miz c and i went to listen to the dalai lama speak.

as we entered the auditorium, i had goosebumps

on every inch of my body. on the stage sat tibetan
monks and nuns, sitting in yoga form and chanting
their mantras. peace simply overcame my body.
this was a teaching session. the dalai lama spoke

in his native tongue and the the translator spoke

to the audience explaining the readings. at first,
i was a bit taken back by this presentation, but i just
went with it - watching every move he made and held
on to every syllabel that flowed from his mouth.
this went on for over two hours and as time passed
he became more animated, he began to giggle. what
a gift this soul is.

then what i had been waiting for, he spoke directly to

us. his personal ideals and thoughts. i sat high in the

balcony and let the tears flow, i knew i was witnessing
something grand. a kind spirit, a peaceful man, a man
who giggles and makes you feel like you are the only one

in the room.

i wasn't going to go, i worried that the tickets were too

expensive, but for once i just said screw it - and i seized
the moment.

on the way home, i stopped at a funky new age shop. they
have something for every faith, belief or non believer. i picked
up a book that a dear chick had told me about....the four agreements.
i am soaking that up too.

his message is so simple, it is profound. why is something this
simple so hard for us to grasp on to? here was his message....

"whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion."

oh....and a warm heart.

and with that - peace be with each of you.

bless my soul....om

on my way to bloomtown to see the dalai lama

tomorrow morning. i am filled with glee and

anticipation.

tomorrow i will witness greatness and learn from
a peacemaker. and i get to share this all with miz

c. happy birthday to me!

if * [grow ] dear miss allison

i am allison

if - grow

8x24 canvas

mixed media

acrylics, silverleaf and found paper

[for miss allison who is learning to grow

in the midst of some hard circumstances]
if you want to see more growth....look here

I just finished this piece for
miss allison. her sister is caroline who

i have written about many times. allison
just turned 7 and is a very brave and
giving girl.

her mom has been in minnesota with
caroline for over 7 months. allison and her
baby sister have had to be brave girls without
their mom. many family and friends stepping up
to make sure the other girls are taken care of,
but allison sure does miss her mom.

i am hoping this little piece will make her smile.
and that the blues and greens will match her
newly painted room.

now go hug someone you love!

peace....

*[new doo]

new doo - october 16th

so here is the new doo......dark, but boy does it make
my baby blues shine! i was trying to get a decent spt.

i don't know how others get such amazing shots of themselves,
i just not very photogenic - so i sit here taking hundreds of
them, giggling out loud at how silly i look. this one shows the
cut the best - but i was so frustrated i did the stupid tween
shot and i am sorry but i just can't look at my mouth that
way - it was silly!

this is the darkest my hair has ever been. i was a toehead
as a child - so i still don't recognized myself.

five really good things

bourbon street - october 2006

1. another team heading down to work in new orleans.
even though i don't get to make this trip....so happy that
there are still people out there with kindness in there
hearts and can make the trip.

2. hanging my artwork around the house and realizing that
i have been productive, that i do have my style as an
artist and embrassing it all.

3. last month i contemplating throwing the towel in on my
freelance design career. today i am so happy that i got over
that moment of insanity! i am truly blessed and happy to be
working in my little studio.

4. delilahblue nudging her way onto the chair, resting her
chin on my chest as i sip on my morning cup of joe.

5. my sassy new mia farrow doo, darker than ever!

thanks liz for the gentle nudge of five really good things....

seriously!

what is the date today - i have it somewhere.
ah yes, here it is - october 12th. hmmmm.....

october 12th! are you kidding me - why am
i hearing christmas music on 93.1?! seriously -
is this a joke? all day christmas music, and
the sad thing is i sat there and sang along, in
a trance like state as i drove.

what is wrong with this picture?!

brrrrrrrrrrr.....

fall has arrived in middle indiana

last friday nite i stood on the track at 9pm, watching the
athenians thump nmhs. it was over 80 degrees! today,
just 5 days later, i am sitting in my studio wrapped in a
blanket. my finger tips ache from the cold. indiana falls
are beautiful and one of my most favorite times. i am a
summer and fall girl for sure. the summer was so dry, that
leaves are already falling and not the vivid colors that
fall normally blesses us with.

speaking of blessings - here are mine...

. finally catching up
. the henry tucker foundation - ragball tourney
. girlfriends
. cheri' being featured as a three part series for i.u.
. my colorful walls
. heathly kids
. heather receiving top honors as young lawyer of the year.
. being part of caroline's fundraising

the above images are from priebe's pumpkin patch, right
here in montgomery county. i built there website last year.
it is such a fun place. you can visit them here the pumpkin patch

blessings ya'll!

word

silly silly girls - canon rebel october 07

this is what i constantly find on my little rebel. i go to
load images and i find these little treats the kids leave me.
teen spt's. this is all the rage and they all make the face.

the yearbook is littered with little faces such as the one above.
self expression? can it be considered self-expression since
every kid is doing it? do you notice when you are out and
about that the kids are constantly taking pictures of themselves.
either with a digital or their cells phones.

then of course, we can't leave out the gangsta move....peace
sign at the chest.

word