Happy Thanksgiving

I wanted to take a few minutes to say thank you.  To my family, who continue to amaze me with their great capicity to love and care.  To my husband who works himself sick to provide for us with great love.  To my kids, who have grown into incredible young adults.  Their drive and optomism give me hope for the next generation.  To my friends in the Bay Area whom I have missed greatly, and to my new friends in OC and on line who have welcomed me with open arms and hearts.  You filled a deep void created by my loss of community after moving to a new town.  I love you all, and I am so thankful to have you in my life.  God bless you.



Journaling with Katherine England

Many people know her for her beautiful mosaic art...  but Katherine is a fabulous art journaling teacher.  I took a journaling class from her at my friend Sue's house on Saturday.  Sue is the most fabulous hostess.  Her lunch spreads are always to die for... She lives in Dana Point, in the most Zen home I have ever been in.  The energy she sets in her home is tranquil and relaxing.  Her gracious and giving personality so sweet.  She was my first friend here in Orange County... I am so thankful we met. 

Katherine showed us how to draw with our right brain...  and it was a really amazing transformation for me.  I can actually draw.  and the more I draw, the better I get. 

Here are some photos of my drawings  I am just really tickled that they are beyond the stick figure drawings I usually do...  So FUN... If you ever get a chance to take a journaling class with her, do it... She is really great, and so fun..  I love taking classes from different people and learning  how to do different art journaling techniques.  It helps me stretch as an artist.  Pick up your pens and start doodling yourself and see what you come up with. 

Playing with dryer sheets...

I LOVE dryer sheets.  I don't know why people throw them away.  I make the coolest things with them. My husband and daughter know I will be upset if they throw even one away in the trash.  We have a special box on top of the dryer where the used ones go....  When the box is full,... I pull them out and start playing...

Here is a necklace I made with some.  I colored them with watered down acrylic paints.  I love how vibrant the colors are, and it is very light and easy to wear.  People are always amazed that it is made from dryer sheets...  Sometimes I use Rit dye to color them, but I have found the paints work just as well and give you a lot more color options for a cheaper price.  I am all about what looks good for cheap...  Style on a shoestring is so in right now...  And these bib statement necklaces are all the rage with fabric flowers.  I love the light airy feel of the dryer sheets...  If you don't like the smell of them, wash them all together in a load of whites with some bleach.  It takes the scent out.  I have put perfume oil on mine, and the scent lingers, so I don't need to wear perfume when I wear this necklace.  It always smells like China Rain from my favorite store Body Time in Berkeley.

I would love to hear about what you like to make with them... Please comment with a link to your blog with photos of your own dryer sheet creations.

AHS Homecoming

The whole family at the Game

my 4 babies all grown up



Zack and his girlfiend Skylar...  I LOVE this girl... she is the best girlfriend.I could ask for for my son.



kayleigh and Casey Coffman before the dance at Savannahs house

Savannah and Kayleigh, (my brother Chip's daughter)



Zack and Skylar in their dance duds...


We went up to the Bay Area for the Homecoming celebrations last weekend.  Zack was nominated for Homecoming King, and we all walked out on the field with him  He did a great job as the MC at the rally.  Everyone looked so great.  He didn't win, but he is still the king of our hearts.  At the rally, he had me introduce him, and when I finished he said "Thanks Mom, I love you.."  all the women in the crowd went "Awwwww."  Makes you feel good that your 17 year old son is not to embarassed to say it in public.  It is hard to believe that this young man, is the same adorably chubby baby pictured above just 16 short years ago.  The time flies by so fast, and before you know it, they are grown.

  I look at these pictures now, and see how little and sweet they were.  At the time, I was so overwhelmed with 3 small children, then I had a fourth, and with two in diapers, two rambunctious boys, a newborn and an adolescent, I felt like a crazy person.  I lived in my car, the mom taxi, taking kids here and there.  Plus I worked full time.  I didn't appreciate how precious this time was.  I didn't see that it would fly by in the blink of an eye.  I will never hear those bickering kids again.  Those chubby feet will never track dog poop in on my carpet again.  I will never see all of them in the bath together again like that.  The hectic holiday times, easter basket assembly and hiding christmas gifts in crazy places from curious eyes is no longer a concern.  The huge delimma of what to be for trick or treat, or what to take for sharing days are over. 

I want a do over.  I want to go back to that young mother I was...  hold her hand, look into her eyes and tell her, "These moments will past faster than you know...  Hold on to them.  Enjoy them... they are precious."  I want to tell her to hold and kiss them more, because the day is fast approaching when they won't let you.  I really want her to understand that the true miracle of motherhood,  is that the difficult parts, the tiredness, the hecticness, the irritability, all fades with time, and you are left with funny stories to tell at the holidays, and embarassing photos and movies to show future son and daughter in laws.  The rewards, if you are good at your job of mothering, are grown children who still say I love you and hug you when they see you.  Grandchildren are the ultimate gift, and opportunity to do things differently than you did as a parent.  I hope when that time comes, I will be wiser...  and be in the moment more.  Appreciating all of it as it happens, and not waiting for it all to pass, like I did when I was younger.