Easter weekend

Spent the weekend relaxing for the most part. Hanging outside like we're camping (wishful thinking). Dean and I both have the itch to be outdoors, preferably roughing it in the mountains. So much so that our car is already packed and ready to go the very second we can get away. In the interim we have this awesome table out on our sitting area that can hold a fire. It was perfect weather with beautiful blue skies. Just enough chill in the air for warming up by. We just love our time spent outdoors!!

This made me smile today

I was going through my photo collection in my browser and came across this absolutely delightful photo of my niece Shea and her girlfriend. I remember last year when I took the photo, Shea hadn't realized I was in town yet and I was going to surprise her. She saw me with my lens from far away and both she and her girlfriend decided to show off for me. So adorable and so Shea.

Symbols of love

There are 2 things I wear each and every day. My wedding ring and my Mothers ring. Knowing that I have these to wear as a constant is not only comforting but it's also a beautiful reminder of the 2 people I love most in this world. I liken my wedding ring as an old rugged canvas cloth. It shelters, provides security, protects and is a safe haven from storms, it's strong and stable.....just like my marriage. The other more delicate ring which I recently and most joyfully received after my Mother passed away is like a quilt to me, cuddly, warm, fuzzy, soft, handmade and comforting..... like my Mom's love was for me.

You may have guessed it, I'm an old sentimental fool and these two symbols of love keep me confident in not only knowing that I love completely but I am also loved in return. What could be better than that in this life? Beats me if I know!

Sweet and Beautiful Alli

A pretty page for a

pretty girl

Shea update and other news

For my friends who would like to be updated on my lovely niece Shea, and her ongoing progress, here is her very own Shea Blog with pictures and a journal.

She would love to hear from you and if you are so inclined to leave her a message it's really easy. Just go to her guestbook and sign in ;)

On another note....I finally went back to my treadmill routine!! This past year was the longest I ever stepped out of it. 3 months of lack of motivation. It feels good to be back in the groove again. I really forgot how good it makes me feels.

Well, I received my new car. It's an adjustment but not a hard one. The Acadia has more umph than the Envoy and feels more like a muscle SUV. Bigger tires and a sportier fells to it. It has a ton of really cool bells and whistles. One in particular is a refection of the dash projected onto the windshield. I guess this will give me no excuses for speeding now...lol The doo dads will take me a year to figure out.

When I first had it delivered and before I ever sat in it, it was involved in an accident. :0 In a parking lot with a parked car. The person who delivered it didn't see the little white 2 seater BMW (expensive) car next to him. The bad news is her spoiler is cashed and will probably cost about $2000 to replace (glad for insurance). A coincidence to the whole mess is the owner of the car knows Dean's daughter. The good news to come out of this is that scratch is not a scratch on mine but rather the rubber from her bumper . It came off with a little elbow and fingernail action. No repairs for me :)

This is what had me full of delight yesterday afternoon..... a little birdie called a ruby capped king something or other. He kept tapping at the window like he wanted in. As true to Colleen fashion, I grabbed my camera to get some convenient close ups of the little fellow To my amazement it looked like he was starting to pose for me. It was so dang cute!

I caught this series of shots and upon later reflection, I don't think he was posing at all. Is what he's doing equivalent to "flipping me the bird"??? I guess I should be used to it by now, I mean...it has happened before from my total addiction of putting the lens to the eye thing. NO I won't be posting those pictures either!! You know who you are...LOL

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!
My little Irish dude!

Something to ponder

I found this incredible site Tera's Wish , whereas, through her workshops she offers challenges to the self-proclaimed artist in having them think like an artist. Some of her ideas, statements and thought provoking questions and answers are to enable or jump starts the process of creating. Her suggestions make you think about exploring different avenues in order to tap into the creative process as well as solutions to overcoming the obstacles that prevail every artist who wants to create something unique in their lives. Creating things for an artist is to express something about themselves to share their perspectives on life or it can be as simplistic as to feed their inner soul by letting loose their imagination and giving freedom to their dreams. Below is a quote from her site that resonates to me:

Creativity

"Creativity is generally defined as the process of creating or the intellectual process of creating or being inventive. Creativity is usually referred to in the context of art and craft, but in truth, creativity affects every facet of our lives. If you rearrange your furniture or cook a meal, you are using creativity. Sometimes creativity involves creating something wholly new, but usually it is an interpretive process -- your own version of something already in existence."

I find this statement to be extremely liberating on many levels, especially considering there are so many preconceived notions that we as artists mustn't copy another's work or it always needs to be fresh, new and inventive. In this phrase, I find that I have more freedom to pursue the essence of creating without labels or dictates. I can say I am an artist and even if it's not on paper or made from scratch, I live it by the very things I do or by the choices I make, like she says by "making a meal" or even in picking out a pillow for my couch! Ha what a revelation :P

I am an artist!

I am creative and

I live art everyday!!

How awesome is that!

Totally Syched!!

Envoy XL Denali-old car

New GMC Acadia

It's time to trade my car that I enjoyed so much these past 3 years!. Lease is up on it already and they don't make Envoy Xl Denali's anymore :( ... so Dean got a call on the new GMC Acadia and as it turns out it's a really good deal for trading up with no payments for 6 months :O. Coming to my drivway soon the black on black super awesome GMC Acadia!! Whoo Hoo!

Our Atlanta Meeting

Last week was good. Finally feeling like myself again after many days of being sick. All our meetings in Atlanta went well and were productive. So much work ahead of us.....

A picture of the process with Dean heading up the meeting at Urban Design Group offices.

New Stuff ;)