Canvas and Cocktails

Canvas and Cocktails.  It was fun.  I painted Red Rocks. Well.. I attempted to paint Red Rocks. So did Mark.  I was happier with my painting that Mark was with his.  I guess he had higher expectations for himself than I had for myself.

I guess the real reason for painting wasn't to prove we were amazing painters, but to prove that anyone can pick up a brush and paint.  Good or bad..  it's a painting.

I have all kinds of advise for the people who run this business.  First of all.. the music.. the music should be low and in the classical genre rather than LOUD and obnoxious 80's music played through tinny fuzzy speakers.  It just added a chaotic feeling to a situation that already felt a little chaotic.  Peaceful is the way I envisioned our experience.. but loud, noisy, and chaotic is how it was.

Dinner afterwards was nice though.  Good food, great company and my wonderful husband at my side.

All in all.. it was a good day... And I have an original Susan Tatum painting to hang on the wall.

Thankful

Often times we take for granted the love and support we have in our lives.  I'm guilty of that sometimes but I must say of late, I've been much more aware of how fortunate I am.

As I sat at our Thanksgiving table, I looked at the faces of my sons, their wives, my daughter, my mother, my granddaughter, and my husband.  I had an overwhelming feeling of pride and gratefulness. My sons are incredibly successful in their adult lives and they are so good at letting me know that they love me.  My daughter, although she is going through a bit of rough time, is bright and funny and beginning to make her way in this world.  My granddaughter is a little source of light and love who reminds me that life is something to be wondered at.  My mom has been steadfast in her love and commitment to me and my siblings.  Our road has had it's share of bumps and dangerous curves, but in the end, she is there. My daughters-in-law are bright, confident women who shine in their own right.  They stand strong by their husbands, but stand equally strong on their own.  They impress me more each time I spend time with them.  Then there's my husband. Words fail me quite frequently when I try and convey my feelings for him.  I have never felt so cared for. So loved.  He brings a stability into my life that I've never experienced.  When I wake up in the morning he's there to caress my hand and tell me how much he loves me. At night his chest and arms provide a warm cocoon of love for me to snuggle into.  Each day brings another opportunity for me to show him how much I love him.  I try to stay in the moment with him and just enjoy loving him. It isn't always easy, but it's something I strive for.

So, being thankful isn't just something I am on Thanksgiving, it's something I am every day of my life. I'm surrounded by love and grateful for all the people in my life.

Hell Week

It's been quite a week.  I had my first set of conferences at my new school.  The conferences went well and I felt pretty good about them overall.  They just go so late into the evenings and I really don't like working 13 hour days.  I have tomorrow off to make up for it, and so does Mark.. so I'm looking forward to spending uninterrupted time with him.  I'm thinking a motorcycle ride would be awesome!  It's been perfect weather to get out on the bike.

What's been rough to deal with this past 2 weeks is my broken toe.  It's not getting any better and seems to be getting worse.  I think I may need to call the doctor and get a boot or a shoe of some sort to help it heal.

Not being able to run and/or work out has been tough.  It's what helps me relieve stress and get out of my head.  Now, I'm sitting at home each evening with ice on my elevated foot and being a reluctant couch potato.  I need this to heal so I can get moving again.  Patience.. Patience... Patience..  **sigh**

Flooding and Evacuations

Well...  I never thought that I would be in a possible flood evacuation, but here I am. I'm surrounded by areas of evacuation.  I'm literally in a pocket.  I think I'm starting to understand how truly thankful I am that my home was built on an elevated plot.  My yard slopes down to keep the rain from getting into my basement.  I'm hoping that with the predicted additional rainfall that I'll remain safe from flooding and evacuation.

Just in case, Savannah, Mark and I have our bags packed, our animals ready to be crated and out the door we'll be able to go.  I really hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does I'll deal with it.  Mark, Savannah and I will be together and that's what counts.  I just really don't want to lose my home, or have it damaged.

Braces Gone!

She no longer has the metal and rubber bands in her mouth.  She has a retainer.  She's happy about that.

I wish I could say that I was not worried about her.  But I can't do that. I am worried.  She's not happy at school.  She doesn't follow the mainstream.  I know that in itself is not a reason to worry, but when it comes to school and graduating and making a life for herself, I worry.  It would just be so much easier on her and me if she did follow that mainstream.  So.. now she's saying she wants to transfer to an on-line school.  She wants to move out of the normal classroom and do all her learning from the computer. She wants to isolate herself and I'm not happy about that.  I'm worried about that.

I keep thinking that what is the big deal?  If she gets a degree and can move on to college, what's the big deal?  I don't know what the big deal is, but my gut tells me that it is a big deal.  There is something that isn't sitting right with me on this.  But then again.. it's Savannah and since she was 10 years old, she's been doing things that don't sit right with me

 I also ask myself if I'd have had the opportunity to learn on my own and quit going to a normal school, would I have done it.... and I think the answer would have been yes.  I hated school.  I was not a mainstream kid.. but I wasn't a trouble maker either.  I just didn't fit into the High School Rah Rah mentality.  I didn't like anything about it.  I moved on after school and made a life for myself.. and so will she..right?

So...  here we go again.  Savannah pushing my ideals and what I thought was ok.  Pushing me to think outside the box.  Finding myself thinking, "What will other people think?" Mad at myself for thinking that.  It's a different world.  I work in a school district that understands this. It's a new world.

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This parenting thing is rough sometimes.

Little Nadira

Tonight I'm a happy grandma.  I got to spend the day with my little granddaughter and it was a delightful day.  She's just so sweet and funny!  Yes.. there was a lot of laughter in my house today.  A lot of joy as well.  That little girl brings out the best in everyone.  I love her so much!

I'm going to go to bed now and wait for Mark to get home from his gig.  Tomorrow is another fun filled day with my baby girl.  I'm thinking the park and some shopping. Whatever we do, it's going to be fun and I'm looking forward to watching her learn and grow.  She's so smart!  Love...  so much love. <3 p="">

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah....

What a fun and energetic night it was at Red Rocks Amphitheater!  Mark and I were dancing and singing and having a grand ole time.  The Beatles Tribute Band, 1964 was so amazing.  They really captured the music, the look, and the excitement.  Now.. to be honest, there wasn't the ridiculous screaming that went on in the 60's, but there was a lot of happy people re-living their earlier lives when the Beatles made their mark in history.