A Whimsical Bohemian

me....unplugged

My laptop is sick and going to the "doctor" tomorrow. I am using my Blackberry to post this. I don't know when I'll be back. Waaaaa I can't stand computer problems.

Bagging ideas and toting them around doesn't always work out......

Once upon a time, oh say about 8 years ago, I decided I wanted to make handbags and tote bags.Long story short I then began to search out fabrics everywhere I went and found a place on line where I could order various hardware and various types of handles (bamboo, funky plastic etc). I also found another place on line to buy real leather shoulder straps in sets of 2 that the site had dyed in various colors so of course I got all the colors.  I had no website and no Etsy.  I sold by word of mouth  I did pretty well but didn't get rich from them either. I'd bead some of the fabric on the front on some of the hand bags and lined many in silk dupioni.  I know I've mentioned those on my blog before. Well I finally realized it wasn't filling my creative wellspring as I thought it might. So after about 2  years I decided to just stop. The last handbag I had I gave to my Mom who was very proud to tell people when asked "my daughter made this".  I have 2 totes left, one I made for myself to use for travel (pink striped) and the other was left over (black and tan).  During the time I had the business I took several custom orders and you know how that goes... someone wants a certain this or that or color or theme and whatnot, another wants a pocket here and not there and another may want even a theme....it just got tiresome and really overwhelming.. Looking back I should have done things a bit differently and definitely should have done some ARTED UP totes as well...but you know what they say about hindsight. I don't regret doing them though, it was a good learning experience.  I applaud all those who continually, and all alone, create and make beautiful bags by the 100s - it's a huge job.

Here are those totes:

The shoulder handles are leather. This side has 2 pockets, the one with the button has a magnetic snap.

The other side has two pockets, the larger one sized for magazines. There are also pockets on either end of the tote that fit a bottle of water or an umbrella or whatever.


Inside the tote it is lined and over that there is a clear vinyl on two sides. There are two large interior pockets and a smaller one on the other side along with a pocket that is quite unusual. The clear vinyl pocket you see with the zipper is actually a package where pillow cases came in. It is very sturdy and the zipper keeps things from falling out. There is a pocket behind that pocket as well.


As you can see the exterior pocket will hold 2, maybe even 3 magazines... or a favorite book and a magazine.

Here that secondary pocket fits an art journal perfectly.

I originally designed this tote for travel but I forget one key component when it was completely finished. IF you carry this on a plane it has to go underneath the seat in front of you it has to lay on its side.........WELL as you can see there is no zipper across the bag to close off the contents or even a large flap over the top.  This means you have to sit it just right and put your feet in front of it until you're up in the air and can take it out and stand it up.  Thus that was a real design flaw.  ALTHOUGH I am working on a remedy by possibly making and adding a flap over the middle now.

But aside from that I think I am going to ART this one up a bit..........the fabric is for outdoors, the kind you'd use on cushions so it wipes up easy.  I am not exactly sure how I'm going to do this yet....maybe gesso over all the exterior pockets and paint right on the surface OR maybe just printing some original art on to fabric and sewing it on the pockets.  I could spray it afterward with a a sealer either way.
This tote opens up wide and it can handle lots of art supplies and various other items I may want to take on a long or short trip.  I just think it needs a bit of WOW. Don't you? 
What do you see on the outside of this bag when you think "arted up"?

You see folks, this is one of those "things" that pops up when I am doing other things......I get driven to distraction. After that purge I did in my closet I've been mulling around ideas.

The black and tan tote below is the other tote I had left over, this one is like some of those I sold. Of those I sold one was done for someone in black and leopard print, another in lighter colors and one was ordered as a diaper bag in purples so I added more interior pockets and changing pad to that one. All had the leather shoulder handles. I did use this one to carry my laptop once.


Front side has a pocket with flap and magnetic snap plus an additional pocket.
There are no pockets on the ends like the other tote.
The shoulder handles are leather.

Second side has the magazine size pocket and a smaller one that will fit a water bottle.


The interior is good quality vinyl with a large pocket (fits the laptop) and a side pocket for extra cords etc plus an end pocket (trimmed in red) for a cell phone.

So there you have it..........my once upon a time handbag venture.
Did you ever start something that in the end just didn't stimulate you as you thought it would?

Here's another question for you:
If money was no object and you could have a brick and mortar store of your own what would it look like and what would you sell? Would it be all your own art? A group of artists? A fabric store? A shoe store? Accessories? Bookstore? A combination of things? What location would be your ideal?
I'm curious.

I will show photos after I revamp the pink striped tote.....knowing me while I NEED to be getting things done for an update to my sad little shop.....I'll stop and do the unnecessary. Why do we roll like that I wonder!?  :) :(

Have a wonderful weekend darling bloggers
LOVE,
LISA
XOXOXO

And the winner is............and the prize is..........

First I want to sincerely thank all of you who stopped by my 3 Year Blog Anniversary post and left such loving, warm, sweet and kind comments. It was like getting a hug over and over again. Thank you to some who came out of the shadows for the first time to comment and to Monica Magness (who continues to have problems leaving comments) for her lovely email.  These are the reasons I continue to marinate in the blogisphere. I heart you all!

Now on to the giveaway:

I was going to put all the names in a hat and have one of the cats draw one BUT they were so uncooperative that I decided to use the random number generator instead.  In doing so the winner of my 3 Year Blog Anniversary giveaway is Christine of Du Bu Duh Designs! Congratulations Christine I hope you like your SUMMER OUTDOOR ART and TOTE prize.

It's summer and in summer we tend to get out side more.....this tote and some art supplies can be taken along for those times at the beach, a lake, the pool, camping, at a park.....or even just toting things out to the back yard.

The large basket tote bag is lined in red/white check cotton fabric with 2 cutout handles

Inside there is a red water bottle with a cylinder that freezes (we all need to stay hydrated on hot days), a 7-ft long beach towel (for lounging on the sand, grass, etc),
A pack of 3 canvas boards (5x7), set of acrylic paints, 2 brushes, small container for water with lid, a small bottle of matte mod podge and 2 foam brushes. A few things to do a bit of art with while out and about, add some found ephemera and scissors and you can do a bit of collaging too.

A little about the winner:
Since it was Christine who won I added one additional item just for her....a stack of random cotton fabrics she can hopefully use for her art dolls.  If you haven't seen Christine's work you simply must check it out by going to her blog and sidebar and seeing all the various blog events she has created dolls for. She is an artist and doll maker whose dolls are outstanding with each doll having such personality and style. They all have names, a story, a lovely outfit and faces that you can't help loving. I am a huge fan of her work.  Click here to see the Gypsy Caravan made by her husband and the dolls she made for the Mad Tea Party......I go back to look at this often as it never ceases to amaze me!  (You know me and Gypsy caravans) She has also donated some of her amazing work for charity events. Christine sells her dolls on Etsy but you have to act fast as every time she does an update they are snapped up in seconds! I was lucky enough to win one of her dolls during OWOH in 2008!!


So there it is......a few things to do some art with and when not used for outdoor art the bag can be used for all sorts of things, it's quite large and can accommodate all those random items like sunscreen, IPod, kids stuff, snacks, flip flops and more.





ENJOY!!!!!!!

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I am in the midst of making magic wands for a swap with my Glitter Sister Tribe. They're fun to make and the wonderful thing is magic wands don't have to have a star at the top ready for a princess. Magic wands can be made of anything and adorned in so many ways and definitely infused with power if you believe!  I will show them when the recipients have them in their hands in a week or so.

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My mind is in a whirl right now where I want to do EVERYTHING my mind dreams up RIGHT NOW! Do you ever get that way? One minute it's a painting, the next it's something with fabric, the next it's an art doll, the next whatever..........so many ideas that you could literally go round and round in a circle until you're a blur because you just can't settle on one thing?
I am an artist yet I've had little to prove it lately............and that's why!
I need a trip near the ocean to clear my head!

I hope you're all having a wonderful week and that it's not TOO hot where you are. We're having some amazing weather and I hope it will stay this way! My new wind chimes are seranading me with the most melodious sound in this afternoon breeze!

LOVE,
LISA
XOXOXO

Marinating in 3 year Blogiversary Bliss + a giveaway

UPDATE 7/21..........THE GIVEAWAY WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATE THIS AFTERNOON,  EARLY EVENING. SEE YOU THEN!

I am posting this a day early............busy, busy...places to go - people to meet!  :)

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Ok so it's not a party in the truest sense.....I didn't do it up big with decorations and the finest in food. So sorry if that's what you expected.  I  decided what I really wanted to do was write what's in my heart. I hope you'll stick with me here even if you're hungry and thirsty........there WILL be champagne at the end though...and it's quite heavenly!

To marinate is to be drenched and seeped in flavors….absorbing and intertwining with savory and sweet sensations.  To marinate is to preserve the goodness of spices sometimes hot and sometimes not.  To marinate is to float around surrounded by deliciousness and juiciness and a deliberate enhancement to taste sometimes with a bit of exotic nuances.

NO I am not talking cooking here……….I am talking about blogging......... believe it or not......

 

I feel that in the last 3 years I have been able to marinate in and absorb the most amazing flavors from all the people/blogs I have come in contact with. Be it through comments, emails, over the phone or live and in person meetings………it’s been a feast beyond belief.

I feel my soul has been enriched…..my spirit renewed again and again…...

There are some who would read this and think it ridiculous……those are the ones who do not blog. Those are the ones who don’t understand that through this medium what joys can happen in a very, very  unusual way..  They are the ones who do not believe you can meet people who are sincere, warm, caring, trusting, lovely, kind, and an inspiration ....via the computer.  And they don’t believe it because they’ve never experienced it….sad really.  I have now had the privilege of meeting in person many bloggers......some were short meetings, others for a long weekend. In each and every case I was blown away by the beauty inside and out, the genuine spirits, the tinkling of their laughter and the warmth of their hugs. It has never been anything but a truly positive experience and I so hope for more marinating in the presence of them and others in the future.

These pictures below celebrate those meetings.....it celebrates one of the reasons I blog.....it celebrates what can come from blogging.....it celebrates the kindred spirits and the sisterhood (ah, though there are male bloggers too we can't forget) that can be found through this medium. It is the most amazing feeling to put voice to face.  (if I missed someone I so apologize - I also apologize for not listing everyone's name)

Chinese food lunch -  2007 - Placerville, CA

 

Weekend in Sedona April 2008 (the GPS Tribe)

  I had added in a couple pics of those that weren't at the lunch the day this was taken.(and of course added the crowns)

 

Tinsel and Treasures - 2008 in Danville, CA

 

4th Street Peets Coffee

Berkeley,CA - July 2009

Although there are no pictures that show "meeting" through emailing and phone calls...they are just as important  That's how it begins afterall. Those delicious conversations over everything and anything.

In the three years since I began blogging I’ve had many ups and downs in my life. We all have them ....... and we all support, love, pray, wish, and affirm that all will be well for one another. I have given and been the recipient of that kind of support and I am hear to tell you it is invaluable. You can help to heal an aching heart with words…..they can be so powerful…….and so is the act of sending those thoughts in to the Universe. They work, they truly do. Even a comment that is merely dropping off a long overdue hello or the wish for a happy day has impact.  Happiness can be spread quite easily.

There is also fun………….and play………and parties and events and wonderful stories and tales and fabulous charity events in blogging. So much can be acccomplished by the coming together of talent and the willingness to show solidarity and passion. There are SO MANY givers out there who take up causes not only for the general population but for bloggers in need. It's an ever so extraordinary thing when forces are joined to help.....in any way. (below are just a few) I am in awe of the generosity of spirit and idea.

   

Bloggers are ageless……..ANYONE can pretend and imagine like children…….we encourage one another that regardless of age we are entitled to twirl around the garden and make up characters and even play with dolls as if they were human.  We encourage the art of imagination every day through one blog or another. We need flights of fantasy in a world that  is so serious all the time.  We need to marinate in the make believe!   Blogging affords us the ability to tap in to our child selves without judgment or a sideways glance.  It's also educational....blogging is like having a giant reference library at our fingertips by the giving and receiving of information from the ridiculous to the sublime.  I have learned so much, gleened so much, watched so much.

I can play as often as possible. I can do that here because I need to, want to..........and can.

There are tons of animal lovers among bloggers..........those of us who regard our four legged companions as an essential component of our families. We rejoice in their antics and weep for their loss.  Mine lay near by when I am writing a blog post, I think they want to see if they are included. I believe they'd have preferred I had named this blog after them. They are my assistants and likewise on occasion my irritants.......but love always prevails. They are actually the CEOs of this household if truth be told........NOTHING comes in to this house without their thorough inspection and approval. They've always approved the wonderful parcels I've received over the last 3 years......they think it's quite special.

 

I celebrate these 3 years blogging with a sense of ultimate joy!!  

 

I am still that oceandreamer!



My art was in the shadows when life altered my journey for awhile
but through blogging I  had the chance to bring it in to the light again. My passion in life.
As an artist it is so important to be able to share what we do.
I love all the art swaps and challenges and holiday exchanges that have occured the last 3 years as well. Receiving anothers art in exchange for your own is sublime!


Thank you for always supporting my dreams

I am just truly full of gratitude for you being here with me these last 3 years and if you’re new here, I WELCOME you with open arms!  Please know your visits here matter greatly and I do not for one moment take them for granted.

Thank you for stopping by even if just to peek in.  Thank you for being all that I marinate in: guardian angels, friends, acquaintances, joy bringers, love whisperers, gift givers, heart melters,  spirit lifters, merrimakers, hand holders, cheerleaders, artists and creators, inpsirationalists, wordsmiths, shell seekers, oceansisters, dream weavers, kindred souls, luminous spirits, incandescent stars!

Here's to many more years of sharing

"CLINK"

Last but not least in commemaration of this auspicious occasion I want to give back by having a GIVEAWAY.  The winnings will remain a secret until such time the winners name is announced. Haven't I talked enough?  So leave a comment in this post until Midnight PST Tuesday the 21st. I will announce not only the winning name BUT what that person will be receiving on Wednesday July 22nd! Ah come on, you can wait to find out, it won't be bad. Right now just sit back, sip your POP from its straw and help me celebrate!

I realize I get wordy and long but believe me I edited this down. So much comes pouring out when it comes from the heart (and it's all sincere).

Now here's a bit of laughter for you.................I didn't want to get too over the top with a real sentimental song so I thought this would go well with the champagne as both will make you giggle.
And a one, two.............

LOVE,
LISA
XOXOXO

Really? Where has the time gone?

This coming Saturday the 18th will make 3 years since I began blogging. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by and how much has gone on in my life since I began to blog. Wow!
So much to say.....so much to be grateful for......
SO....
to commemorate the occasion I will be having a casual little giveaway party on Saturday to say thank you for hanging in there with me these last 3 years.
I hope you'll come back then - you can have a little nosh and throw your name in!
See you then!
XOXOXO
Love,
Lisa

Kitchens and friends and sunny days out holding hands

Good morning everyone, I trust you had a lovely weekend....at least I hope so. Won't you join me in a cuppa and a muffin while we chat.

I thought I'd share some of the things I've been doing in my kitchen, I only wish the light had been better. I could have played around with it to make it better but frankly I don't have time. I think you'll get the idea though.
It's pretty clear I like COLOR!

This is one end of the kitchen as I stand in the middle. The trim around the window is what BohoMan recently installed and then we painted it, the inside of the window and the sill all the aqua blue. It truly contrasts wonderfully with the citrus green walls.  I brought in the blue shelf from my studio to put teacups on and the white dresser under it came from the studio as well.... it now holds tea towels and other sundry things. You can see my cabinets are oak stained.....boy do I NOT like them. When we remodeled back in 1990 I wanted white painted cabinets but was talked out of it (by the stainers)because to do them right and the paint last would have been 3x what it cost to just have them stained. I WILL have white cabinets some day if I have to paint them myself. Oh I could go on with what I'd change in there now............
But that's not the point right now.
I recently finished a painting for the wall (left side). It's very random but I wanted lots of color and so I just let it flow. It has no title or definitive theme or story but it works nicely with all the other color I've been adding.
oh and P.S. the 2 things hanging to the right of the window are actually wooden placemats from Target! I loved the colors and it was instant art for a narrow area!


I love hanging things in the window, a curtain valance just doesn't work in there because it blocks too much light. I have stained glass stars that were a gift a few years ago, birds, crystal with a face, glass balls, and a colored mirrored mobile that when it moves as the light hits it drives dots ALL over the kitchen.(the cats go crazy).  I have two more stained glass pieces coming from an Etsy seller that I can't wait to hang in the window as well. (a fairy and a blue bird).

I also love having Gerbera daisies in cylinder vases on the sill. I need to go get some more as these are starting to wilt a bit.  You can see my clothesline through the window and my giant windchimes that when the window is open on a breezy day fills the house with its sounds. I am on the hunt for more windchimes....I am very picky about the sound....it has to be melodious. The ones on our front porch have taken a beating and are falling apart so they really need to be replaced. This big one isn't the only one so....I like the sounds to literally surround the house.


We bought these moroccon looking metal lanterns over the weekend but they only had the orange, white and green..........the fourth one although hard to even tell in this photo....was white that we spray painted a lovely deep purple.  When I find the color I am seeking the white one in this photo will become a lovely fuschia.
COLOR  COLOR!!!

This is part of the light fixture above the kitchen table........the shades were a an ok blue but I felt they needed changing. I used colorwash spray to mottle them a sort of lime and sea blue, I like when you look up the insides look almost tie dyed or batiked.  I think the brown of the fixture itself needs changing but I haven't made up my mind about that yet. COLOR COLOR COLOR!

I was using the kitchen table for a project so I didn't take a pic of the whole room yet.......I will another day, especially after I make a new tablecloth.
So that's what I've been working on lately......it's just so nice to get up in the morning and go in there to see all that color welcoming the day. I am still searcing for my collection of 50's cotton tablecloths...I want to display them on a shelf or ladder in another part of the kitchen. They are packed away in garagapalooza...........so you know what that means.
Are you a person who likes to be surrounded by color? The wonderful thing about that is paint is an easy fix as well as accessories like various glass and things hanging that reflect the sunlight. If you have all white walls you can accentuate with colorful accessories to truly bring a room alive!









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Yesterday I had the priviledge of meeting up with 3 fellow bloggers (for the first time) for coffee at Peets on 4th Street in Berkeley.   Zorana, Sharon of All Norah's Art(who was here visiting Zorana from Texas to attend some art workshops) and Darla from Bayside to Mountainside whose birthday it just happened to be. It was a glorious couple of hours getting to know all three of these lovely ladies, I was thrilled to be sitting with them sipping coffee and chatting and laughing and getting to know one another! Sharon shared some of her art which was a rare treat to get to see it in person, I am a big fan of her!. We were also able to see some of Zorana's journal art as well. Such talent!!!  The extraordinary thing was how easy it all was...........no pretense, no awkwardness, no fumbling for something to say.........it was relaxed and genuine and went by way too fast! That's how it should be!
No one likes their photo taken (I know I don't) so we promised not to show any pictures BUT I found a way around it..........I hope this is ok girls. :)  Thank you for a lovely time, it was such a pleasure to finally meet you all!!
Sharon I hope you had a good flight home today!


After we said goodbye BohoMan (who was doing his own thing in the area) and I met up for brunch.



We sat partially under a bright yellow umbrella

Next to planters filled all around us with rosemary

We had a lovely time, great food, yummy drinks and the weather was perfection.
We walked a while afterwards holding hands, popping in and out of the shops, enjoying the perfect weather......... a beautiful day out!

It was a splendid weekend all the way around!

Now it's back to some projects that need to be completed and mailed out. Sue if you're reading this, that includes you.....you'll have it in plenty of time!!!

Life is good!

Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO

Celebrating Mom on her birthday.........

This was her as a young woman - before marriage.

Today would have been my Mom's 88th birthday! She so wanted to live to be a 100 and I like to think she would have had she not gotten sick. She was so full of life and smiles and positivity and laughter and silly. For someone her age who was married for 56 years (until my Dad passed away) and had 5 kids..... she could be quite naive at times. BUT that generation didn't talk openly about certain subjects, it just wasn't done. So when I would tell her certain things her eyes would widen and she'd say "OH Lisa" or "oh for heaven's sake".  We'd both end up laughing.
There was a time in my teen years where I thought she didn't know anything, I didn't want to go anywhere with her, I thought if she took me shopping she wanted me to wear "old lady" clothes. The truth is it wasn't her, it was me. You know those years when we thought WE had all the answers and no one could tell us what to do without us rebelling and we thought our friends parents were way more cool.  I think teen girls and their mothers go through that battle and have since the beginning of time....I think it's a rite of passage.
When I was a little girl my Mom got her first gray hair.....I remember her remarking about seeing it in the mirror. Well when I heard that I began to cry. My Mom asked me "why are you crying?" Well the fact was that I associated gray hair with being really old and being really old meant she might die. Can you believe that?  She was younger than I am now and I had her elderly and on her way out because of one or two gray hairs. She didn't even get gray until much later.
She had a joy about her...............one of things she always said was if you went somewhere and didn't have a good time it was YOUR fault. She believed everyone was responsible for their own good time. She always tried to be positive.......saying always "think happy thoughts". Sometimes that would irritate me when I needed a bit more in depth advice. BUT she meant well.  People gravitated to her because of that sunny disposition.......even in later years on our many trips to the ER the nurses and doctors would remark how no matter what she always had a smile and would thank them.
She was crafty too. She sewed a lot of her clothes when I was growing up and mine and sometimes shirts for all the guys.  She made amazing Halloween costumes. She made Christmas decorations and Easter decorations and curtains for the house. She once had a sort of family reunion at our house where a few of our relatives from back east came to visit.......she decided to do a luau theme and everyone dressed in Hawaiian like clothes and as part of the theme she made a volcano that actually erupted out on the patio.   She didn't draw or paint but she could create other things nonetheless. She was truly clever. The list would be too long of all the various things she created.
Basically my Mom loved life, imagination and creativity!

Here she was in an aftercare hospital after a regular hospital stay and I brought her the hat and tshirt as it was Halloween- she was cackling for me as I took the picture. They had a party at the hospital that night where she was wheeled in for dinner with other patients and she had a great time singing along and laughing.
Six weeks later she passed away.

When she was around 78-79 we were at a summer party at one of my brothers house. It was all his and his then girlfriends friends, me, BohoMan and my Mom. After a lovely meal outside my brother and I were looking at CD's and put on a sort of Brazilian one......lively, great guitar. We both looked out the window to the long table where everyone was still sitting outside when we saw everyone suddenly stand up..........we stood with our mouths open! There was my Mom saying to everyone "come on" as she started a conga line.....they were all holding the waist of the person in front of them as she lead them down the yard to another door, inside the house and out again. Everyone was laughing and loving her!  Keep in mind my Mom didn't drink....oh maybe an occasional glass of wine or drink....but it was rare. This was my Mom naturally, she didn't need anything to make that good time she always talked about....but herself. (oh how I wish I'd had my video camera with me that day) The guests that day, who have become mutual friends of ours, still talk about my Mom and how much they loved her!
She was a frustrated singer and dancer. Neither one was something she did well but it didn't stop her. When she was near 80 I believe......while living in a large Senior Living complex that was a lovely place (she had her own apartment) they had a resident talent show. I left work early that day and arrived with my video camera..........when they announced the next act they helped her on to the "stage" dressed in a black vintage flapper dress (with all the fringe and modified to fit her because she had gained weight).....wearing red tights and black shoes she did the Charleston! I couldn't believe my eyes.....I could see she was getting tired but she kept it up until the song was over. She got a huge round of applause. I haven't seen that tape in a while.........it's not something I can watch yet. But one day I will and celebrate her willingness to participate even at that age and when she didn't always feel that great.
So you see she was definitely someone with a zest for life.


This was her on the last birthday(she turned 85) we would spend with her. I brought a cake and balloons and party hats for everyone. She was in a Resident Care Facility by then and they had her dressed so lovely with a little bit of make up on. They had made special food and she really enjoyed the day! On prior birthdays we'd take her someplace but by then it was getting harder and harder for her in terms of stamina....she had a good day nonetheless. I only wish I'd someone take a picture of her and I together. A huge regret.

I miss her each and every day. There are times I may cry and others I feel happy and smile that I was lucky enough to have had her for a mother....and I cherish all the wonderful memories. I used to tell her I wanted to write a book about what we all called her "Mom-isms"......funny things she'd say or movie titles she'd get wrong in a hilarious way, mispronounced words and hilarious stories......all naturally her. She would say "you have to wait until I can lose some weight first" to which I'd ask what that had to do with writing a book. Her reason? She wanted to look good if we got on TV or something!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
I love you with all my heart!

Love,
Lisa
XOXOXOXO

P.S. I did a shrine for my Mom for Stephanie's Dia de Bloglandia last year(see sidebar)..........it has her glasses, a fave watch, and other things of hers........after I finished it my Mom finally appeared in a dream and told me she missed me. I will NEVER forget that and will always be grateful to Stephanie for her inspiration.♥

My Life on a To Do List

Get up in the morning with the sleep still in your eyes
You have a to do list drumming in your head
You grab a pair of jeans and shirt
and fold back the covers on your bed

You know you must start with a cup
and pull that tossled hair in a bun
As you sip on your coffee you know
Another day has begun

There's paint and lists awaiting you
the dust bunnies glide 'cross the floor
you need to get to the post office
and your blog has become quite a bore

You sit with your thoughts for a moment
Wondering how to juggle it all
You set out to make a to do list
but inevitably things tend to fall

So you start with finishing a project
that feels good to complete in the end
So you're ready to go to the next thing
when something in the plan takes a bend

You get distracted by something not pending
Maybe laundry or drawing or sewing
It all seems fine to begin with
but that wasn't the direction you were going.

That's life...

That's what happens
Even when there are well made plans
You just have to go with the flow of it
And hope it all meets your demands.

What I'm saying here is quite simple
I'm letting you know where I am
I am juggling and balancing and tossing
and seeing where all the balls land.

See you soon! I hope you're all having a spectacular week!
I'll be back hopefully with some photos of things and a much clearer mind!

Oh no, I just looked down at my feet......
**adding much needed pedicure to the list**
See what I mean?

Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

HAPPY 4TH!
BE SAFE AND ENJOY!!


Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO

A renewed relationship, a new baby and time going backwards....

See this adorable boy?


That is my nephew when he was 3 years old. Oh that face......those eyes that disappeared when he laughed......they still do. 
Although we'd been close over the years....in the last couple of years we've been out of touch (much to my sadness) but recently he contacted me in a very loving way and I have been over the moon ever since!
He also had news that he and his lovely wife are expecting their first child come November ............and again..........I have been over the moon! BohoMan and I both are completely overjoyed.

Yesterday he called to let us know it's going to be a BOY! They are so thrilled and excited and he is already a mush about this baby(it's so cute).........I know they are going to be great parents!  I am SO happy and thrilled we get to be a part of this journey, I almost feel like it's a grandchild not a great nephew that's coming.
Sadly they live out of state but luckily with email and phone we can be kept apprised of all the progress and come the first part of next year (after they've had time to settle in with the wee fella) we'll be flying out there.
I cannot express to you what this has all meant to me..........meant to us. We dearly love this guy and to have him back in our lives is beyond words.

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On a different subject a trip to Michael's (with my coupon in hand for a specific item) resulted in a complete turn around. As I was walking down an aisle I just happened to glance up and saw this on the very top shelf. I looked about but it was the only one so I called a clerk over who went for a ladder and I knew I had to have it the minute she handed it to down to me. Like a blank canvas it's calling out for imagination!

A  doll house.

I told BohoMan the way I reacted to it there may be a chance I am regressing....hahahahaha! He laughed and said pretty soon I'll be 5 years old and he'll be holding my hand saying "come on now, let's go" to which I'd respond "NO, I DON'T want to". 
Could he be right?
I have plans in mind......a cottage perhaps.....a whimisical cottage where some things aren't as they seem! It first needs windows and some shingles on the roof. I also bought wood trim for it as well as some paint. I'm taking it slow though so it comes together just right.
It got me to thinking it could be perfect for the sisters.

BUT when I gathered them together Fia was missing.
She's the one on the far left with the dark hair in the above photo....and she's MISSING!!!! I have searched everywhere and now have put out an ADB on her (All Doll Bulletin). I cannot imagine where she could be, she's  the one who keeps all the sisters together, she's the artist among the group. She starred in the Halloween Party story last year. She is admittedly my favorite!!
The search is on!

Is it possible I'm like Benjamin Button??
HA!

I'll let you know about Fia and will show you the dollhouse when it's complete.
In the meantime how is it humanly possible it is JULY already? While at Michael's one of the clerks was putting out all the Halloween stuff down one aisle........I actually stopped and said to him ........ "you've got to be kidding!!!"
Please, time goes by fast enough as it is! If I see ONE Christmas item before summer is over I am going to SCREAM!

I am still working bit by bit on things around here.....I purged so many shoes and I'm not even done yet. WHY do we keep things we NEVER wear?
In between I've been redoing my blog and banner a bit, I like it I think.....for now. *wink wink*

Hope you're all having a lovely week!

Love,
Lisa
XOXOXOXO