2012 - Whole Wide World

It is the beginning of a New Year.  The resolutions that we all hope to keep; exercise, healthy lifestyle, keep connected with family and old friends, etc., etc..  I like millions of other people made a list, only this time my resolutions are more attainable.  I am not stressing myself over things that I have no control of.   I don't want to miss out on LIFE; which in many ways  has happened; not because of other influences, not really, but because I was afraid.  I have always been cautious, but fear seems to have crept into my life, and fear is not of the Lord.   You may be asking afraid of what?  LIFE!  I should enjoy it more. 

I was bumming out the other day because this Valentine's I will not have a love.  It felt strange to know that I am alone, but I am okay with it; tho that feeling  might change in the near future.  I must admit that I did have a bit of an anxiety over the thought when I saw the Valentine displays.  Then it occurred to me that this year I can do whatever I want!  No explanations, no excuses, no bullshit! 

So welcome 2012.  I will live the life God gave me, because no matter what happens the Lord is leading the way.

Christmas decos finally done

___________________________

The beginning of it all.

  CHAOS!

___________________________

                                             Serenity

 This ornament
 was purchased
 at an antique shop
 in Littleton, Colorado

And to think

 I almost did not

 decorate for Christmas

 this year

 because of

 my marital issues.

  Sheeeesh!

I love this mantel and fireplace.

(can you see Paige's little head in the mirror)

--Front porch day and night.--

Christmas Blessings

Ahhhhh, I am finally done.

  I will enjoy this set up way past

New Years day. 

 Will probably leave it up

 two to three weeks into

 January 2012. 

Hands

I am a bit of a collector of just about anything unusual.  I collect turkeys for display during the Fall season; I collect glass bottles and other fun trinkets; but my favorite collection are hands which are usually made out of wood, plaster or plastic.  I have always been fascinated with beautiful hands; NO I do not have a hand fetish, but I do appreciate beautiful hands on women and strong muscular hands on men.  My mother had beautiful Victorian hands, and so does my older sister.  I on the other hand (no pun intended) inherited my father's work hands, there is nothing feminine about them, they are strong but not gentil. 

Tonight my son will be dismantling the box spring from my bed.  I will be getting a new bed set tomorrow morning and since my house has narrow stairs, a queen box spring cannot fit on the stairwell, so we had to special order queen box springs.  Nathaniel who has very strong hands and is good for dismantling, throwing, hammering and breaking things apart will be helping with breaking old box spring.  You could say he has destructive hands, but they do come in handy (no pun intended)

Anyways, if you every get a chance to really look at your hands.  Think about all that they have accomplished; who they nourished, loved, touched, caressed, what they created, defended and how we can lift our hands up to the Creator of all in total surrender.  What an awesome thought.

Well now that I have shared my fascination with hands I will let Nathaniel get to the getting and break down the box spring.  I will probably have a breakdown, hands down.
      




                                                                             

Grasshoppers

This picture was taken last month, it was one of my last pictures on my Canon camera, because right after this photo was taken my camera died.  My son is intently photographing something in my dead daisies.  When I questioned what he was photographing, he would say, "nothing".  I took this picture of my son because of his concentration of subject matter.  Upon closer inspection he was photographing two grasshoppers mating.  What did I do?  Well, I might have made some snide remark and rolled my eyes to the back of head; usual response to unusual behavior.

  Have a great weekend!



Prayer and Grace

 Last night before going to bed I decided to give the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" another go.  A year ago my sister, Sylvia and a friend, Jane went to see this movie; at that time I just didn't get it.  I love Julia Roberts as an actress, but I just didn't get the movie.  Well, circumstances of my life have changed and I got the movie last night.  Prayer has always been a very important part of my life, and coming to the Lord with my brokenness, tears, anger, joy, gratitude is the relationship I am grateful to have with my Father, my King.  There are several scenes in this movie where I could not stop crying; the scene where Julie Roberts character is praying in such desperation is one of them.  I was brought to my knees over a month ago on a situation in my life, and a decision that I had to make.  I have had great support from my son, my sister and countless friends who were there when I went through this kind of turmoil eight years ago.  I would not have ever believed I would be going through such a knee jerker to my heart again.  God in his infinite wisdom and faithfulness is holding me up and giving me strength to go on and continue to live my life to its fullest.  And I am grateful.

God is very generous with His grace. I am taking my time with changes in my life, especially positive changes.  I am taking God's grace for healing, growing, loving, laughing and just being me again.  I am accepting His grace.


Thank You Father!

 

Praying scene from "Eat, Pray, Love"

 

 

Estate Sales

My family loves Estate Sales.  It is a past time of ours that started in New Jersey.  Yard sales, and flea markets were something my husband and I grew up with; dumpster diving well that is more my husband's thing.

On June 16th, Nathaniel and I attended an estate sale held by Rebecca Nohes.  The sale was held in a store front apartment in Manitou Springs, CO.  Once we walked into the apartment where the estate sale was held, I could not believe my eyes.  The apartment was HUGE!  I LOVE old architecture.  After checking out the rooms in the apartment, the shopping started.  I purchased several items, not high priced, but things I know I would use at home; like a cowbell. 

A lot of the furniture was not over priced and by the end of the first day stuff was being reduced.  By the third day, which Cal and Nathaniel attended they were down to 75% off the small stuff and over 45% off the furniture.  My son said the place was almost picked clean.  Unfortunately, I did not get information on the family that lived there, that is my favorite part of estate sales; who the people were.   

This couple was walking their llamas with their little dog as we were coming into Manitou.   

                                         Can you find Waldo?

 

I found this vase by artist Lynn Loftus

 sitting on the edge of staircase

  

Amber handblown glasses. 

Cowbell

This bottle still had lid. Check out phone number

   

Taking a breather after estate sale

(Thank God Nathaniel is not a dumpster diver. PHEW!!)

                                                                                                               

A day at the Broadmoor

Nathaniel and I are home all week for Spring Break, although my teachers still had assignments for me to complete. One of my assingments is to write a paper on a figurative artists, there was no way I would drive to Denver, not with these gas prices.  So, my figure drawing teacher recommended the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, but they are renovating for new works.  Then she recommended The Hayden-Hays Gallery at the Broadmoor.  So, Nathaniel and I packed our water bottles, notebook and camera and off we went to visit the Broadmoor.  Too bad I had not washed or vacuumed my van, but we drove up to the Broadmoor and again we were treated like royalty.  Nathaniel and I looked like throwbacks from the 80's; Nathaniel with his Pink Floyd sweatshirt and me with my old faded blue skirt and sandals.  Thank God we blended with the people in designer clothes, oh well.  The galleries at the Broadmoor are great.  The gallery directors were professional and very kind; they were helpful with my assignment and allowed us to take photos.  I will be doing my paper on "Drying Peppers" by Kim English.  The colors, lights and the figure on this piece caught my attention at first glance.

Kim English

"Drying Peppers"

20 x 30

Oil on Canvas

This painting by Gary Ernest Smith, "Cowboy at Sunset" was my second choice. 

Gary Ernest Smith

"Cowboy at Sunset"

40 x 30

Oil on Canvas

             The Broadmoor

This was the only picture I took as we were driving out of The Broadmoor. 

Nathaniel took all the other pictures.  He is a talented photographer.

 

Leaving Las Vegas

(The Broadmoor)

Autumn Decorations

I have been buying Fall knick knacks for many years, and I usually wait for the seasonal sales, but lately stores have been very savy with their merchandise.  Unfortunately, I do have to restrain myself; remember I lost my job this past Summer.

Anyways . . .

My son suggested that I take photos of our home and put them in my blog; I thought what a wonderful idea (it was something I was going to do anyways), but I will give him the credit.

 Some of these turkey were antique shop finds, the large one back center was from a hobby store and the back right turkey was a yardsale find.  These turkeys are so great to display.  The glass turkey in the center was an antique store find and it is a little lopsided, I just love it.  I had been eyeing the amber glass turkey for almost 5 months and my husband and son encouraged me to buy it;  it might not have been at the shop much longer. 

Coffee Table setting

Sweet find at a little

                                         shop in Littleton, CO

For our future grandchildren.  No pressure Nate.

I enjoy surrounding my family and home with beautiful finds

but my favorite find for this Fall is . . . .

Mr. Ghosty!