Saturday, December 24, 2005

Christmas Eve

The busy Christmas season is almost over. I had my last day at the shop yesterday. We are closing the shop from 12/24 - 1/4 so we can finally enjoy some time off and relax a little. We also plan to do some remodeling during that time. I have even put my Ebay store on vacation settings. After all the hustle and bustle, today is house cleaning day! We have been so busy, we still don't have the house back together after Bryan's move back and the subsequent rearranging of the entire house that followed! Today is the day to reclaim the house!

I had hoped to get Christmas cards out by now, but since I never did have the time, I've decided to send out Happy New Year cards. We still have to take our annual family photo in front of the fireplace, probably today. This will be the first year in a couple that all three boys will be together for Christmas at our house! THAT makes me very happy, doesn't even matter what else happens, only that they will all be here!

My brother and his wife are coming up on Monday for the day. It will be good to see them. We won't see my dad this year until after New Years, he is going back east for Christmas. Better him than me, too much snow back there! We are supposed to have a 60 degree day on Christmas!

I guess that's it for now, I hope to write more later in my vacation. Perhaps I'll continue on with my art story. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!

Friday, December 09, 2005

Happy Holidays!

It's that time of year again! There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. I like to complain about time or the shortage of it I've noticed! I wish I could clone myself! Then someone else could perform all the daily mundane tasks that I hate so much. We did finally get our Christmas tree up last week, but I still have to wrap the presents to put under it. Then there are the dishes and housecleaning that keeps piling up on me.

Fortunately, I did finally get some painting time in this week, may even finish a painting by the end of today. I am revisiting the rock landscape series. It has been too long since I worked on them. I love my rocks! People must think I'm nuts! I have my grandmother to thank for the love of rocks. She started me collecting them when I was only 5 or 6 years old.

In other news, my eldest son is moving back in with us! I must admit I am much happier about this than I first thought I might be. He is 19, almost 20 and he spent the last 5 months in his own apartment doing quite well if I say so myself! Until last week when he lost his job. He's going back to school in January, so he's coming home! It was 3 years to the day that he left to live with his dad in Arkansas! It is nice this time though, because he has done A LOT of growing up since then. Another plus, he's already found a new job.

So it's shaping up to be a great Christmas with all three of my boys being here with us! In case I don't get back here before then, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Like I said before....slippin', slippin', slippin'.....

Another week has slipped by and I have been swamped with Ebay orders. My continuing art story is being postponed until I can get caught up with everything. Of course, wouldn't you know it...as soon as I get slammed with Ebay orders....We are supposed to be moving into the new shop space and getting it set up. So, this morning after getting more orders out.....it's back to the shop to get more things moved in and then set up!

What a week it's been! I think it seems more overwhelming because I just had a wonderful, relaxing four day weekend. Thinking I had all the time in the world to get into the shop, until WHAM!, Monday morning I wake up to more work than I expected.

I guess I shouldn't complain, this is a great thing! In fact, just a week ago I was complaining about how slow business was. I guess that's what I get for complaining! The universe has a way have getting back at me for my negative energy. I need to stay positive!

Actually, I'm very happy as I sit here typing this morning. I'm VERY CLOSE to meeting my sales goal for the year....all in all, it has been an awesome year! I have to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful people who have supported my artwork this year and made my dream a reality! This was my first year, actually half year, to make a living from my art since 1995! I was able to finally quit the part-time job and devote all of my time to painting and business. I will write more about this awesome goal in the continuation of my art story. Basically, I have finally proved wrong the naysayers from my past....people who told me that I could never do it myself! These people tried to tell me that without them I could never sell my art! Well.....I have now proved you wrong! I can do anything I put my mind to. That feels soooooo good! Great, in fact! I guess I had better get back to work!