Tales from The Raspberry Rabbits

Christmas In July

2008-07-20T20:54:00.008-04:00

Hello my friends! Well, Christmas will be here before we know it. I mean it's already July 21st! As fast as time seems to go, why not get a head start on your Christmas shopping. There are so many perfect gifts to be found with my pink sisters at Make Mine Pink. We are having a shop hop in which you will hop to different stores to locate the shopping bag. You can win a prize just for hopping and collecting bags! Of course, the bunnies think this is a wonderful idea. What a great way to save time and gas and support women in business. Please visit us at http://www.makeminepink.com/ Above are just a few things that I have to offer. Please check my website at http://www.theraspberryrabbits.com/ for other items. Remember, my work is all one of a kind and handmade from the heart.

Have a great week.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF having a successful yardsale and getting rid of useless stuff that clutters my home and my mind. Only that which matters most remains.

Isn't She Lovely...Isn't She Wonderful...

2008-07-14T11:51:00.006-04:00

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? This is my 91 year old grammy (Muriel) or as I call her, "Cutie", or as the great grandkids call her, "Moo Moo." I traveled to Virginia Beach this weekend (3 1/2 hours) to go and decorate her new apartment. Yep, she lives alone at 91. Cool huh? My sister and the three kiddo's came to help too. We cleaned, unpacked, organized, hung curtain rods and curtains, hung pictures, shredded paper, threw away expired mustard (what is up with old people and year old expired condiments?) and transformed my grammy's new pad into a stylish abode that she would feel comfy in. The hardest part was trying to keep 3 lively children from acting like 3 lively children on the third floor of an elderly apartment complex. I have to say though that they did remarkably well. Thank goodness for the carpet swiffer and polishing cloths. Cutie grammy was thrilled with the results and made me cry when she started crying and saying how beautiful it was.

We also took her on a shopping trip. She wanted to go to Walmart. Yuck, but hey this was her shopping trip. She was so darn excited to get out and go shopping. On the way there she told me she didn't think she could walk very far. I looked at her and said, "you won't be walking, you'll be riding the scooter shopping buggy." Boy oh boy was she excited about that! My sister went in got it all set up and off Cutie went. We walked around with her in Walmart for over 2 hours. We took stuff off of shelves, compared prices, ate samples, got decorations and just let her enjoy her adventure. When we got back in the car, she started to cry and said that she had the best time. She said for the first time in her life she was able to go into a store and not worry about a budget and could just ride along looking at things because no one was rushing her. I thought about all the people that passed by us and said how nice we were to be taking care of her, what good helpers she had, how special she must be. Hmmm come to think of it, she is special. Very, very, special and she's lovely and she's wonderful.

Have a fun week.
Hugs,
Shell

This week IGF my Cutie grammy, my sister and the three kiddo's

Short, Cute and Sassy

2008-07-07T15:18:00.005-04:00

Sassy you say? Yep, Sassy.

It started last Saturday night when my friend, Michelle, arrived home after being gone for a few months. She's in the Navy. There we were on her back porch enjoying wine for me and beer for her, catching up on things when out of nowhere she says, "Shell, what are we going to do with your hair?" I just about spit my wine out from laughing. I said, "what do you mean?" She said, as she put her eyes down sheepishly, "well, it's just that you are short, cute, and sassy and you need a short, cute and sassy hair style."

I've been in the process of letting my hair grow since January and Michelle said that it looked like a "sexy mama 70's style." Again, I almost spit my wine out with laughter. I told her that was not true as I would need boobs to have a "sexy mama" look and since I have no boobs, I agreed that the hair must go and be transformed into short, cute and sassy. With that said, her mother-in-law, Sue, came in and we asked her for her opinion. Sue is a stylist and she concurred that indeed I "had no boobs" and that indeed I needed a short, cute and sassy hairstyle. So on Thursday evening Sue cut it. What do you think? I really love it and so does David and my friends.

The rest of my weekend went just as fabulous. I sold two art pieces from my website, I finished another little art quilt called Mr. and Mrs. Birdie go to brunch, and then I went out and bought a short, cute and sassy new car to match my new hairdo. (not really to match my hair, but I had you going didn't I?) Anyway, here is a picture of the car. I'll have more on that next time.

Have a good week. Be good, be cute, be sassy and be happy that your not short with no boobs.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF the fact that David liked my hair and he isn't a boob man.

Do, Did, Done

2008-06-30T14:10:00.005-04:00

My never ending to do list seems to grow and grow and grow. I get exhausted looking at it sometimes. However, this past week I did manage to finish my bookclub book, The Thirteenth Tale, which, by the way was very good. I got a makeover done to my website thanks to the wonderful team at Cottage Collections . I just love all the new colors and font. Check it out The Raspberry Rabbits . I finally made up my mind on what direction I want to head with my textile art and above are two of my new pieces that I just finished. They are soft, simple and oh so cottage. Of course they feature my favorite things, Rabbits and Roses. I'll have lots of pretty new goodies in the next couple of weeks featuring other critters, cottages and of course lovely roses. Be sure to check back often.

So that about finishes up that one particular list. I needed to do it, I did it and now it's done. Of course, the other 16 lists are still waiting in the background shouting out loud "Pick Me! Pick Me! Uhhh, the problems of being a hyper, overachiever that doesn't sleep. It could be worse though, I could be BORED!

Have a great week. Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF my friend Michelle coming home and floating in her pool yesterday for a whole entire hour.

Time Out

2008-06-23T19:35:00.002-04:00

Hey friends,
I'm taking a time out this week to finish my book for bookclub on Thursday night. I was gone all weekend, I work to much, well, heck, I'm behind. I really want to finish my book as it is a good one.

See ya next week.
Shell

The Bald Man and The Bunny

2008-06-16T11:30:00.008-04:00

Hey everyone! Welcome to Show and Tell Monday with all my cool friends at Make Mine Pink. I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day. David truly enjoyed his day watching NASCAR and Tiger Woods. Of course being a "bunny" daddy, his life is quite easy as his kids are quiet, require no college fund and David can buy the old car for himself (69 Camaro)to tinker on.

Little Chloe bunny just loves her daddy. They say that when a rabbit licks you that you are their favorite human. David came up to bunnyville yesterday and laid on the floor to pet the kids. Here's a picture of Chloe giving him kisses. For some reason she likes to kiss his bald head. Maybe because it's like a giant salt lick? Hmmm.... could be. We'll just pretend she likes him best.

This weekend I decided to accomplish "mission organization." I cleaned, weeded out, hung pink Christmas lights, rearranged, glittered letters, dusted the bunnies and their dust bunny friends, organized my vision boards and well, decorated the pudd'in out of bunnyville. It feels so good up there and it's so hard for me to leave it. I'm so inspired to get to work on some new projects now that I have such an inspiring place to work. Of course, the kids have a very cool tunnel playground set up underneath the shelving unit with their play castle at the end. They are very happy with the new decor.

Have a fun week! Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF the fact that David is a good bunny daddy and didn't want to evict Silfay from the yard, when he ate all the leaves off the flowers in the beds. Ooops! Naughty bunny.

They picked me!

2008-06-16T11:06:00.005-04:00

Wow! I'm so excited that I have the honor of receiving the Arte y Pico award from Carrie at Noelle Garrett Designs and also from Inka at Inklings Designs. The Arte y Pico award is "given to those who have a penchant for art." Thank you Carrie and Inka, I am truly honored to be among such a talented group of women.

Here are the rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of and a link to the blog that presented it to him/her.

4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arty y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of the award.

5. You must also post these rules.

Now I am pleased to present this award to the following winners. They are:

1. Karin of Creative Chaos

2. Diane of Duda Daze

3. Susan of Ilkas Attic

4. Cathy of Treasured Heirlooms

5. Dianne of Mama's Pocketbook

Congratulations to all of you creative and talented women. You inspire me every day!

Hugs,

Michelle

PSA and The Pink Chunky Bunny

2008-06-09T19:06:00.009-04:00

We all have them. Addiction's that is. Some worse than others. Alcohol, gambling, eating, etc. Some have more than one. I fall into that category being a crazy bunny lady and all. However, it wasn't until recently that I noticed my newest addition even though I have suffered from it for at least 9 years. PSA, it's true. I have PSA big time. What is PSA you ask???? Ohhh, this is embarrassing. It's, it's, it's, well, it's Paint Swatch Addiction!!! I just can't help myself! I Looovvee paint swatches. There, I said it. I'm so bad that I collect paint swatches for my friends, put a ribbon through them (cause everything's prettier with a ribbon) and make them carry them around when they go shopping so they won't buy things that don't match their colors!

I went to Lowe's the other day to have a key made. I really, really tried to walk past the paint swatches and not look at them. I talked to myself the whole time. You don't need them, you don't need them, don't look at them, keep walking, but then my beloved Laura Ashley swatches shouted out to me, "don't you want to see my new colors." Yes, Laura, yes I do! I stood there just petting the pretty colors. What's bad is that I can't get just one swatch of my favorite colors, I have to get two of each in case one gets lost or wrinkled. So, I pay my $1.80 for my key and walk out the door with my giant, double fisted, heap of paint swatches. I know the fella behind me was thinking, "her poor husband, and OMG she's got pink in there!"

Then the most incredible, unbelievable thing happened to me. You see, even though I get my swatches from Lowes, I have them color matched at my Glidden paint store. I love their paint. The manager of the store is use to me sending my clients there for swatches and for paint. My painter only uses Glidden paint, so the manager knows me. Well the other day I sent my coworker, Stevie, to the paint store for, you guessed it, swatches. Stevie calls to tell me that they are out of the particular swatches I need for a client. I'm a bit agitated, but maintain my calm. Stevie then tells me he has a surprise for me. Ohhh boy! I love a surprise! What is it????? He won't tell and says I have to wait till he gets back to the office. Well, I never dreamed I would get this wonderful surprise. Apparently, the manager of the paint store loves the fact that I love swatches and loves the fact that I love his paint and loves the fact that I send everyone there to shop. He had decided to give me..... Are you ready????? The "MOTHER LOAD OF PAINT SWATCHES." Yes, it's true! I have the entire "Master Collection" (see it on the box) that is only given to managers of stores and high profile designers. Me, little ole' Shell, has the "Master Collection." This gift, in it's pretty carrying case, is like 100 more times more fabulous than getting the big box of brand new crayons at Christmas, which I told the manager while I thanked him over and over and told him he made my entire year! Of course he laughed as he knows I'm a bit whacked!

So, does this mean that I will stop getting swatches from Lowe's, Home Depot and wallpaper stores. Probably not. I mean hey, an addiction is an addiction right?

Now, as for the pink chunky bunny. This is something my pink sister's at Make Mine Pink will appreciate as they are now fans of Razzy (aka Chunky Bunny). How perfect is this? I found this fabulous pink, chunky bunny and just had to bring it home. It looks like a Buddha Bunny. I've heard that if you rub the Buddha's belly, it will bring luck and money. I wonder if it will work on a Pink Buddha Bunny Belly. Say that fast after a few glasses of wine!

Hugs to all and have a fabulous week.
Shell

This week IGF my nephew bunny, Fatty, getting better after his toe amputation and the fact that my wild bunny friend, Silfay, is still living in my yard and not smushed in the road.

Shabby Wabbits and The Busy Bee

2008-06-02T18:03:00.005-04:00

Hey my friends. First, let me say that I'm so glad that you enjoyed last week's post on the Chunky Bunny. He has started his exercise routine. Well kinda. He and Chloe come running over for carrots in the morning. I've tried to make Razzy follow me for his. However, Chloe get's hers and takes off running. Razzy gets mad at me for not giving him his carrot and goes over to steal Chloes. At least he had to hop around a little bit before he gets to her carrot right????

On to this week's post. Each Monday at Make Mine Pink, we do a show and tell. It's so much fun to see what everyone is up to. This weekend, I was able to create some things and I actually had an "aha" moment as Oprah would say. You see, my friend Lyd gave me an idea a few months ago. She's great at coming up with things. She said "Shabby Wabbits." I loved it! However, what in the heck are Shabby Wabbits??? It's been driving me crazy for months. What are they, what are they, what are they dag nabit! My "aha" moment came when I finally realized the KISS (keep it simple stupid). I love simple things. I love simple art. I love soft, simple colors. So, my Shabby Wabbits are just that. They are made from vintage and new fabrics and are filled with lavender and rose petals so they smell good. They measure 13 1/2" high by about 5" wide. See the picture above. Each one will be different and one of a kind. I will make up a bunch more as soon as my lavender shipment arrives.

I was indeed a Busy Bee and also finished a photo album that I was commissioned to make for a wonderful customer of mine. See above. I also made a checkbook cover that again is simple and pretty. I'm debating whether or not to keep the pen holder on them. Any feedback? I also made two handmade thank you cards, one congratulations card, two fathers day cards, two happy birthday cards and one get well card. Busy, busy, busy, but boy does it feel good to get things done and to finally have an idea I really like.

Well, have a fun week and get lots of stuff done for yourself.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF Lyd and her wonderful ideas and getting stuff done.

Chunky Bunny

2008-05-26T20:03:00.007-04:00

I'm not sure if I should even tell this "tale from the Raspberry Rabbits." I always say that I am a crazy bunny lady, but I've never been sure of how many people actually paid attention. I'm almost 100% positive that after you read this post, you will concur that I am indeed a crazy bunny lady.

I get the friendly reminder from the vet that it is time for Razzy and Chloe's six month checkup. Being the ever good bunny mommy that I am, I schedule said appointment for checkup. You see, bunnies teeth grow like fingernails and if the bunnies are doing as they should when they eat and play with toys, the teeth file themselves down. However, Razzy has two back teeth that can be a bit naughty, so every six months I have them checked. I'll clip toenails, but I'm not about to file teeth. Eeeewwww!

So, Saturday morning we make our way to the vet. Mind you, the vet is a 2 1/2 hour drive, one way, from our home. My kids must be taken to the specialist vet that deals with exotic pets. Bunnies are exotic you know. I load the kids up in their "to go box" with plenty of hay for snacking. I have to stop and get gas. Yikes! $56.00 to fill the tank. Puke! More on this later.

We get to the exotic vet and as usual, we are treated with the utmost kindness. The vet tech puts Razzy in the plastic bucket to be weighed. I ask how he is doing. She replies, he has gained weight. What?????? He has 340 square feet to run and play in. He has an entire jungle gym on my studio floor. His diet is perfect. I mean bunnies don't eat carbs! How can this be??? Then.... the Dr. arrives. I love Dr. Leonatti. She is so kind. However, she calls Razzy "Chunky Bunny." Oh no.... I have a chunky bunny! She reviews his diet, which, like I said is perfect. She then says that I need to get him to exercise. How the ?x*&5@ do I do that? What can I say? He's lazy. He uses all 340 square feet of play area to find the best spot to sleep! Chloe loves to run and play and get in trouble. Razzy likes to flop on his side and take a nice nap! He got lazy after I got him neutered. As a bunny in puberty, he use to chase me around, grunting, trying to hump my leg. Now, privates removed, he's lazy!!

Anyway, she says his teeth have a little bit of a point, but seeing as HE SEEMS TO HAVE NO TROUBLE EATING, we will let them go until November. I promise to work out an exercise routine for him and promise that when he comes back in November, he will be Razzy the stud muffin. As for Chloe, she is perfect as always. Princess that she is....

I'm going to add my "IGF",( I'm grateful for's") here tonight instead of the end like I usually do. Being that it's Memorial Day, I want to say that I'm so incredibly grateful for all the men and women who protect our country. Those that give their all each and every day to give us freedom and all the things we seem to take for granted. Right now, I have a friend who is in the Navy on a humanitarian mission. The stories and pictures she sends are so humbling. I want to thank all those that make it possible for America to be the best place in the entire world to live. I mean when I think about it, where else do we have the freedom to work and earn money to pay $4.00 a gallon for gas, spend 5 hours and $56 on the road traveling to an exotic vet that will charge us $382 to tell us we have a CHUNKY BUNNY! No where. Most countries, we would have to eat the chunky bunny for dinner. GOD BLESS THE USA!!!! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!

Love to all,

Shell, the crazy bunny lady (do you believe me now?)

Enter as Strangers. Leave as Friends...

2008-05-19T20:10:00.010-04:00

Did you know? I didn't. It's National Friends Week. Of course there are tons and tons of national this and national that, but the more I thought about National Friends week, the more I loved it! Especially with blog land, we all enter as strangers and leave as friends.

I started thinking about all the different friends I have. Hmmm, there is the "Best" friend, which there can only be one. Beth your it. I think this person has to know you a very, very long time. This is a person who can tolerate all your weirdo quirks, listen to you when you need it and still love you when you are a total dork-wad. I read once that a best friend knows you before you became who you are. Such as, Shell before she was Shell the project manager, artist, wife, workaholic, silly girl, crazy bunny lady, anal cleaning finatic! I was just "Shell." Cool, I'll buy that.

However, then there are the soul mates you marry that become your best friends (yes, David is my true honey bunny). There are the book club friends, who are fabulous ladies and oh so entertaining. There are the friends that touch your life and become family, Ma and Pa, Michelle and Mommy Syl. Friends you meet through groups such as Make Mine Pink that form a sisterhood. Friends that you turn to for honest, opinions, advice and ideas, Lyd and John. Friends that are your family Bess Anne. Friends that you find through art groups. Friends that you make while building their dream home. Friends that live far away, but you miss and love so much, Fweesha, John, Goldie and Vikki. Friends you meet through magazines and teaching, Dawn. Friends that come each and every week to read your blabbing on a blog. My goodness! It's fabulous! When I think of all my friends, I can smile for years!!!

Of course, I can't forget the friends we find in animals. My precious bunnies and the friends I have met because of my precious bunnies. Visit http://www.potentiallynervous.blogspot.com/ (this is my favorite blog in the whole wide world!) Above are pictures of my newest, little, friend that hopped into my yard and into my heart. Of course I had to name it. It's name is Silfay (read the book Watership Down). This precious little creature appeared yesterday. I simply had to share carrots and lettuce with it (Razzy and Chloe don't mind as they have plenty like most spoiled children). I hope it grows up in my yard and has a happy little life. I pray no naughty-mean owls, dogs, cats or other critters give it a hard time. It is my little yard friend that graces me with it's presence and makes my heart happy. Oh what a wonderful thing.... National Friend Week, what a great week it is!

Cheers to you all!!! If you get 4 minutes and 3 seconds... hit the play button on my playlist (scroll down the left side. There is a song that I'm sending to all of you). You entered as strangers and became my friends. Love to you all.

Hugs and bunny kisses,

Shell

This week IGF living in the USA with no earthquake. Having friends to share my life.

Today's saying is "Frou Frou"

2008-05-12T19:40:00.014-04:00

Ahhhh, my three favorite colors, pink, yellow and green. I just love this combination. Those of you that know me, know my house is a haven or roses, rabbits and these three fabulous colors. I never tire of them. They're so soothing, comforting and peaceful.

So why is it that this book I made at Art and Soul has blue and purple? Well, because it was the first class I took and I went with the flow of what Beth mixed up in the containers. Because most artists like bright, vibrant, vivid colors. Because most of the inks and paints that the instructors brought for us to use were not soft and "frou, frou." Because, unlike everyone else, I'm a "frou frou" artist! However, every class after this one, my artwork was pink, yellow and green and well... very "frou frou." It was actually quite comical because several gals were in the other classes with me and remarked on my elegant, soft colors and the pink. They even commented on how my art matched my rosey, pink, "frou frou" apron. I'm sure they may have been secretly sneering or puking just a little as I was the only one in all of the classes with this type of art, but I truly didn't care. I am who I am. After all, I'm a proud member of Make Mine Pink http://www.makeminepink.com/ I love my pink sisters!

However, with all that said, I truly love this book even if it is blue and purple. All the pages are handmade. We did a color wash technique and dried the pages on plastic. The outside of the book was a different technique with paper paste, rubber stamps, stencils and color washes. It was messy. It was sticky and it was so much fun. The book was hand stitched together and the biding has decorative beads that I sewed onto it. It's the first book I ever made and it was fabulous. I'm sure some of you don't quite get it (like my darling husband), but it's just a book of pretty papers and designs. It's art, not a novel. It's pretty, that's it. Our instructor, Albie Smith, was awesome! What a fabulous lady. She was very proud of us and we were proud of ourselves. The process was so much fun that I want to make another book. Of course, this one will be pink, yellow and green and just scream, you guessed it, "frou frou."

Have a good week,

Shell

This week IGF knowing who I am and liking myself anyway and the family that lost their home to a tornado yesterday found their pet bunny safe and sound hopping around the destroyed living room.

Art for my Soul

2008-05-05T19:42:00.013-04:00

It came, it went. The Art and Soul retreat in Hampton, Virginia. I registered for classes back in November. My best friend, Beth, and I decided to give ourselves a 40th birthday present while we celebrated being best friends for 28 years. We met when we were 12. We made art together all the time. We were in art classes when we were little and to this day, we still love to create art together. What better way to celebrate than going to an art retreat. This is a picture of me and Beth. A little blurry because people can't operate my camera. Having a best friend like Beth is a true gift.

From the minute we got to the hotel on Wednesday, I knew we were in for a special treat. What a fabulous room! The people were so friendly and kind. Artists are usually like that. To be surrounded by some of the most incredible artist was so inspiring. We took classes every day from 9 until 4:30 and then again from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. We were tired, but not in the "gotta go to work and deal with crap" kinda way.

For the first time in years, my mind was free from responsibility and all I had to do was let my soul be and create. The paints, the inks, the glue's, the papers! The kindest people coming up to the breakfast table and asking if they could join us. Learning about their lives and their art was so much fun. I met so many artist that I have admired in my beloved Somerset Magazines. To see them and their work in person was a totally thrilling experience. To learn more about them on a personal level was even better.

I met a lady named Jo who is an incredible bead artist. Here is a picture of her holding a gourd that she painted and the beaded. It took her 2 years to create this masterpiece. She has won numerous awards and money for this one of a kind piece. The detail was amazing. She gave Beth and me a lesson on beading and we would love to go visit her in Williamsburg, VA for some classes. She was so nice.

For years I have admired the work of mixed media artist, Beryl Taylor. To meet her in person and be able to take a class from her was the icing on the cake. I could look at her art for hours and never tire of it. She is an incredible lady who is so funny and so incredibly kind. I could also listen to her talk all day long. She is from England. She signed her book for me Mixed Media Explorations and this is a picture of her and me and some of her beautiful work. She creates fabric from paper and that is what she taught us to do. I will be making a lot of this. It's so fun!

I will never forget this trip and I would love to go on another one. Maybe next time I can go to the one in Portland, OR. Maybe one day I could even go to the one in Italy. Hmmm, better start saving for that one. Of course, Beth will have to go with me. Best Friends Forever....

I'll put pictures of my work up as I finish them. I took 6 classes and learned so much. I want to take my time finishing the projects so I can hang them on the walls in "Bunnyville" (what I have named my studio).

Have a great week. Hugs to all and I encourage you to purchase art for your soul. It's good for you. Remember, no mass produced, fall apart Walmart! Buy original, buy handmade!

Shell

This week IGF having a best friend for 28 years and being able to shed responsibilities and just play for 5 days.

Make Mine Pink Shop Hop

2008-04-24T18:44:00.003-04:00

Hi my friends,

I'm taking a mid-week minute to post some fun information regarding my friends at Make Mine Pink. Please join us for a shop and blog "hop" from April 21 through May 10th! You know it's going to be fun and the bunnies will enjoy hopping from shop to shop and blog to blog.

In addition to all the "hopping around," today we'll be sharing a favorite recipe (see below). On Monday, April 28 we'll have a Mother's day gift guide. On Thursday, May 1st there will be a celebration with flowers and May baskets and on Monday May 5th, we'll be having a special Spring giveaway. Oooooo, don't ya just love a giveaway!!!

Please join us at http://www.makeminepink.com/ for this fun event. Do something special for yourself. Heck, spend some of your tax refund!! Shopping on the internet saves gas!! Also, you help support a wonderful, fabulous, fun group of women in business!

STRAWBERRY ALMOND CAKE: This recipe is from a Create and Decorate Magazine and is from a lady named Lyn Stade. I don't know her, but I love her. This cake is easy and everyone loves it! Thanks for sharing Lyn!

Cake: 1 box white cake mix 1/2 c. room temp. butter 2 whole eggs 1 1/4

Parade of Homes

2008-04-21T07:18:00.007-04:00

This week I wanted to share the pictures of the finished parade house. We won first place in our price category and then to our surprise, we won best in show out of the 58 houses in the parade. We are still in shock and so darn excited we can't hardly stand ourselves! If you read my earlier post "you just gotta laugh," you remember all the crazy things that happened when I was trying to get this house finished. So, to win best in show is such an honor.

Have a great week.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF the fact that hard work does pay off and the fact that I'm halfway through my 19 days straight of working and my art retreat is closer.

Only That Which Matters

2008-04-14T12:44:00.010-04:00

What a perfect weekend. The sky was blue, the air was warm and I had time to clean, organize and weed out. Oh I just love a clean house. It makes me feel so good and refreshed. I do, well I should say, David has some serious nail holes to patch, but it's really not that bad. David says the walls are going to fall down from all the nail holes, but it really isn't that bad.

I went through the house like I do every year giving it a good cleaning. Every year I'm amazed at how much stuff accumulates. Stuff, stuff and more stuff. Stuff that people gave me, stuff I bought, stuff that I'm thinking, "why in the world did I buy that?" Upon looking around I saw my favorite, favorite things that I have had for years or that someone has made for me. Things that I would never be able to part with. Things that I would want to take to the nursing home. With this in mind I decided that I'm going to keep "only that which matters." I took down all the pictures that were just "fillers." I packed up all the nick knacks who's only purpose was to collect dust. I rearranged things so that now "only that which matters" is there for me to enjoy every day. David really loves it as he hates clutter too. However, he's still grumbling about the walls falling down from nail holes. It really isn't that bad.

By doing this, I feel like my mind has been uncluttered. I've simplified things so I don't get so anxious about all the stuff that needs to be cleaned. I will now have more time to spend with the real bunnies instead of worrying about the dust bunnies. In fact, I spent the whole day Sunday in my studio. I sewed and created something really fun (more on that later) and smooched and kissed and took photos of my sweet little fuzzy kids. As you can see from the photos, Razzy and Chloe were very happy to spend the day with me even if they did take naps.

Enjoy your week, do a little Spring cleaning, or just take a nap and enjoy doing "only that which matters."

Hugs,

Shell

This week I am grateful for napping bunnies and the fresh mulch in the flower beds (it's so pretty).

Eat Rainbows and Poop Butterflies

2008-04-07T18:57:00.004-04:00

What kinda title is that for a blog post? I can hear all of you asking that question. As well as, "how much wine has she had?" Well, my sister and my nieces and nephew came for a visit this weekend. As a special treat, I took them the see Horton Hears a Whoo at the movie theater. During this one part there is this adorable little character that is fat, round, and has big eyes with a sweet toothy grin. She says, "In my world there's ponies and they eat rainbows and poop butterflies." I was quite impressed at how many adults in the theater knew this line and said it out loud. Could we all be searching for the utopia of eating rainbows and pooping butterflies? Hmmm. Could be. Needless to say, I laughed and laughed and have continued to share this happy little statement with everyone. Of course, the kids find it very funny that auntie thinks it's funny and they proceed to say it while eating their breakfast the next morning. As for me, the auntie, lets just pray that those rainbows have some fiber in them. Constipation of butterflies might be quite painful no matter how soft their wings are. (have I scared you yet?)

So anyway, the movie really was wonderful and being the total artsy geek that I am, I got lost in all the wonderful colors, animation, imagination and pure fantasy. I actually started designing things in my head that I could make with fabric. Lot's of artist get their inspiration from nature. All of my inspiration comes from people. Someone can say something and it makes me think of it in 3D. I love hearing about artists and how they came to create the art they do. I love to look at works of other artist, not to copy them, but to get inspiration to create something of my own.

Above is my bunny bag, which I am honored to say has been published in Haute Handbags magazine which is in the bookstore now. I still can't believe my little bag is in there and got a full page. I'm so darn excited! Dreams really do come true and worlds can be created by our thoughts. I bet we can even eat rainbows and poop butterflies if we just imagine it.

Have a fabulous week, oh, and I turned the music off the autostart. It's still there if you want to turn it on and listen to what I'm listening to. If not, enjoy the silence.

Hugs,

Shell

This week I'm grateful for three things: My niece, Laura, my niece Noelle and my nephew, Jonathan. Auntie loves you all dearly!

And I'm Feel'in Good

2008-03-31T19:31:00.004-04:00

Here I am, 40 and I'm feel'in good. What a great birthday I had. My book club (hello my fabulous friends) treated me to a wonderful dinner last Wed. night at my favorite restaurant. We actually discussed the book for the entire dinner, which really never happens. The book is called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Read it if you get a chance. It's incredible. So after discussing many points of the book, my fabulous book club friends decide to nag me, pick on me, and basically give me a hard time about going to work the next day on my 40th birthday. It's just wrong they say. Use this day as a turning point. Do something for yourself. For goodness sake be irresponsible for one day and just play!!! Ok, ok. I get the point. The more I thought about it, the more I thought I deserved it. I called my boss at 9:00 that night and told him I was giving myself a present and taking the day off. It shocked him a little bit because he knows I am a die-hard on the responsibility chart, but he also knows I have a crap load of vacation that I never get to take and this is my 40th birthday. He only called me twice during the day and I only took 3 calls from my subcontractors. Not bad for me. In fact, that is quite impressive if I do say so myself.

What a wonderful gift to me (with the encouragement and nagging of my fabulous friends). I had the best day. I spent it with my two fuzzy critters, my sewing machine, my tea and my beloved magazines. David stayed up late Wed. and surprised me by decorating the house with black balloons, crepe paper, 40 signs etc. It scared the crap out of me when I got up and came in the kitchen. What fun! Then he gave me a great, funny card about farting when your old. Anyone that knows David knows that he thinks farts are the funniest thing in the world. Seeing as I love funny cards, it was the perfect card from my sweetie, (isn't that just sick). He also gave me my new Canon EOS camera that I have been wanting so badly. It's incredible.

So as I spent the day with myself, my mind was free to think and ponder and wonder. Here is a new point in my life. At 40, I'm feel'in way better than I did at 30. I have much to be proud of. Much to be happy about and I'm ready to make some major changes over this next decade. I'm feel'in good. Yes indeed, I'm feel'in good. A turning point it is. Uplift my sails and head into a new direction. Change is good, but at the same time knowing who you are and realizing that who you are was developed early in life is a good thing. You see we may change a little over the years and try to become someone else, but in reality, we are who we are. As you can see from the pictures of me at 5 and 8, I'm still a pant's wearing, dress hating, critter loving, free spirited, silly, crazy girl and I'M FEEL'IN GOOD!

Have a fun week and feel good.

Shell

This week IGF my honey bunny, David and all my fabulous friends that always make me feel good.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2008-03-24T19:57:00.007-04:00

Well another week has come and gone. I had off from work today and spent the day with my bunnies and my sewing machine. Lot's of fun indeed. I made a journal and a small art quilt to sell on my site. I was getting worried, because I have sold almost everything and only had two items left. Yikes!

I started thinking about what I would write in tonight's blog and nothing was coming to me. I started to worry I wouldn't have anything to say (a freak moment I know as I always have something to say). Anyway, as I prepared dinner, my subject walked through the door. You see, David is selling a bunch of his fishing equipment that he has not used in EIGHT YEARS!!! He will finally part with all that crap as he wants parts for his 69 Camaro. Yippeeeeeeee, closet space! Anyway, this fella and his friend and this little boy come to look at all this crap. The little boy has to use the potty, so David points in the direction. Mind you, our house has a very open floor plan..... I make sure the little boy knows where the potty is and he's on his way. Well, he does not close the door and proceeds to peeing. Then, he does not wash his hands and is suddenly standing near me in the kitchen. He says to me, "I'm home schooled." "Did you know that pee is all the waste of your body?" As I bite my lip to keep from laughing, I reply, "yes, I did know that." I ask him how old he is and he tells me six. He says his birthday is August 7th, but last year they celebrated on August 2nd. I ask him why August 2nd? He says that his dad could not get off work. I ask him where his dad works and he replies, "the stinky plant." I want all of you to read this with your best country accent. The stiiiinkkiiiiy plaaant. I'm totally about to spit my wine out all over the place. Basically, his dad works at the waste water treatment plant. He then proceeds to tell me that his whole family likes NASCAR. His dad has painted half of the master bedroom for his driver and half of the bedroom for his wife's driver. The little boy has his entire room decorated in Jeff Gordon. Being a Jeff Gordon fan myself, I tell him he has made an excellent choice and he smiles that I too am a fan although my house is decorated in frou frou roses and rabbits and only the garage has any resemblance of NASCAR.

Next, his daddy comes in as he's waiting for David to retrieve the rest of the fishing gear. He is dressed in blue jeans, a camo hat, a flannel shirt and he has a hearing aid. He says, "it sure does smell good in here." "Somebody sure can cook." He then asks me if, "I work outside of the home like my husband." I tell him that I do and that I'm in construction. He's a bit puzzled and then looks around our home and replies that it is "very spacious and did we buy it like this." I tell him that I designed it, had a Russian artist paint the ceiling with roses and paint the mural on the wall. I'm not sure if all that registered, but he replies, "it sure is nice Mam, nice ta meet cha." and follows David back to the garage.

The whole thing was totally hilarious and I just gotta laugh! As I finished my dinner and my wine, I thought, "don't worry, be happy, because ideas always present themselves if you let them.

Have a great week and don't worry, be happy.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF my two cutie bunnies and my artwork that I was able to create today on my day off.

You Just Gotta Laugh

2008-03-17T19:13:00.002-04:00

Hi and happy luck o' the Irish to ya! I'm part Irish. My maiden name was Mooney. However, I don't dress in green on this day, and I'm certainly glad I'm not in school where I would be pinched for not wearing said "green outfit." Green is my favorite color though, but that has to deal more with growth, renewal and heck, CASH!

This weeks post has again taken a different spin from where I originally thought it would be. It's amazing the things that happen in my life in the matter of one week that cause me to pause and say,"I just gotta laugh."

Let me give you a little sample of my past week. First, for the second time this month I have tried to renew my driver's license only to have the camera break (not because of my face). It's a bo-hick DMV in bo-hick NC for goodness sakes. They have one small, little room where we all wait like baby birds anticipating mama bringing the worm. Instead of signing a "sign-in" list and some "Joe Schmuck-a-telly" shouting "NEXT," they have this elaborate computerized system where a computerized voice says, "bong, number 197 please go to station 5, bong, number 197 please go to station 5." I'm not kidding. The room is maybe, 20' x 20'. Shouting "NEXT," would be much more efficient and then they could invest all our tax paying dollars into a BACK-UP CAMERA!!! Helloo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You just gotta laugh....

Next, is the always entertaining events of my job. Our Parade home is nearing completion. Being the ever efficient, over planner, completely anal, project manager that I am, everything was picked and scheduled by me months in advance. It started out last week with the fireplace granite I picked in January that was accidentally sold to someone else. Thus, I had to pick another complimentary color in 15 minutes that took a few days to get in. You just gotta laugh.

Second, I had an opening to get the hardwood floor guy in early and called to ask if he was bored and wanted to start 3 days earlier. Only to find out that the hardwood flooring supplier had not even made the hardwood floor I selected back in January. Thus, I had to select another complimentary color in 15 minutes that could be here by the initial scheduled date. You just gotta laugh.

Then I call to get the natural gas connected to the house only to find out that the "dual fuel" range I ordered, back in January, was not the range on the site. The one on the site was a full gas range. The paperwork said dual fuel, my bill said dual fuel, but the range on the site was... Wrong! Take that back and who the heck got my dual fuel range? To date we're still trying to find it. You just gotta laugh.

Then, even though I mentioned to the fireplace folks on 6 different occasions that this house had natural gas, they still delivered propane gas logs. I'd like an exchange these please. You just gotta laugh.

Then the electricians were to hang my fabulous pot rack above my fabulous butcher block island. We all agreed that it should be a certain height as to not interfere with the preparation of food and banging your head on a pot. However, this got lost somewhere in translation and the pot rack is about 3" from the 9' ceiling. Hello!!! Where's the step ladder so I can hang my pot???? You just gotta laugh.

So today, one week later, I'm all excited about my granite counter tops being installed. They are this yummy chocolate color and I'm just dying to see how they will look with my beaded cabinets and warm wall color. Well, I get a call from my fabulous cabinet maker. He says, "shuuug," that's Southern for "sugar." We have a small problem. They cut the sink template backwards and you'll need to put the large side of the sink on the left and the small side on the right." Well, that's not so bad. It could be worse. I say, ok and we get a new sink delivered to the site ASAP. Then, my cell phone rings again and it's my fabulous cabinet maker. "Shuuug, we have another problem. The seam where the granite meets up near the sink is well, well, hmmm, it's not the same color." "We're not sure why this happened, but it is as you like to say "booger." Your kidding me, I say. "No, my fabulous cabinet maker replies, it's booger!" Needless to say I will have to rearrange the schedule again in order to accommodate the tardy, booger, granite. You just gotta laugh.

Finally, I'm commenting to everyone how cute "princess" Chloe bunny was sitting up in my chair taking a nap. Well, it was a fake nap. What she really was doing was chewing a few holes in the fabric and pulling stuffing out all over. Naughty bunny!!! You just gotta laugh.

So there you have it. One week in my life and I actually left out some things. I do want to thank all of you that commented on last week's post. I got tremendous feedback and it was oh so fun! To those of you that stated concern for me, I thank you for your sweetness and tell you not to worry. To those of you that offered advice, I thank you for your wisdom and I listened to you. To those of you who have known me forever, know my crazy personality, and laughed at me. I say, thank you and I laughed with you. Because after all, sometimes... you just gotta laugh!!

Have a fabulous week and laugh with me.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF my friend, Kim, for watching my bunnies while I'm away and IGF the fact that all of the above happened to me and not my sweetie homeowners.

The Dreaded Schedule

2008-03-10T19:17:00.002-04:00

Yuck! Puke! Gag! Spit! Choke! Cry! Stomp my feet! My life has been reduced to a dreaded schedule!!! I'm a totally driven, self motivated, employee extrodonaire, hyper person. You think a schedule would already be part of my life. Well, it kinda is, but not to the point it needs to be now. I'm organized, efficient and a goal maker, but lately, I find no matter how hard I try I can't fit it all in. Then I get to the overwhelmed part of it where I want to run away and live in a camper. I've never wanted to give into a schedule because it's felt like a total loss of life. Where every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year is planned out and just blends into one blob of meaningless nothing. The same thing over and over and over. Get up at this time, eat at this time, wash clothes on this day, clean house on this day, pay bills on this day, talk to friends on this day, not to mention breaking it down by the hour. Now that's pure torture to my soul!!!! I live in a beautiful house, drive a fabulous car, have nice clothes and pay $100 to have my hair still look dorky. Like the song says, "you're a slave to the money then you die."

For years I have tried to make a schedule and it has never really worked. My life has never operated that way. When I took the personality classes in college, I was one of those people who saw the big picture, the entire forest. The person who gets a ton of things done, but not by the clock. I remember we had to plan a make-believe-trip to Washington D.C. The people in my group with the same personality traits as me said, we'll leave at this time, stay in this hotel and we want to see, A.B.C while we are there. The opposite group of like minded souls said, we will leave at exactly 6:00 am., arrive at such and such a time, take two pee breaks, eat lunch at such and such time, check into hotel at such and such a time, visit this place at this time, etc. Get my point?

It's so hard for me to function like that, but I really need some help to get everything done that needs to be done. I mean pretty much 5:30 am until 6:00 pm Monday through Friday revolves around my full time job. Then add in my art business, then add in my Silpada business, then add in bills, cleaning, food, friends, family, pets, book club, forums, marketing, emails, etc. and it's all gone to hell in a hand basket.

I've read all these wonderful books about time management and I can't help but feel like that is not my reality. I mean how do you tell a friend that needs a shoulder to cry on that she can only call on this day at this time because it is not on the schedule? How do you tell your husband that for the rest of our "working" lives that we will do the same things week after week after week? I don't even have children and it's hard for me. Every book I read talks about creating a ritual. Maybe I can deal with it better if I treat it as a ritual. Hmmmm let's see, some sacred time for cleaning the toilet, balancing the checkbook and making a grocery list. Yeah right!

What I really want is FREEDOM! I want to be that 21 year old again that went away with the love of her life every weekend to Hatteras to lay on the beach and read books. I want to LIVE again and have time for my husband, wine with friends, long meaningful conversations, time reading a good book, petting bunnies and days getting lost creating something fabulous with my hands that makes me smitten every time I look at it.

NBC nightly news reported a few weeks (or months) ago that most women are truly depressed from 30 until 65. That once they reach 70, they are happy again. I know why. It's because they finally get to live again without the dreaded schedule. They are truly FREE from responsibilities. Their life is not scheduled and planned out. It just happens....

Have a good week and if you have any scheduling advice, or advice in general, please post it here.

Hugs,

Shell

This week IGF, Mommy Sylvia (I love you) and my Dear Friend, Commander Miller. You both make my life so much richer.

Happy Feet

2008-03-03T20:31:00.005-05:00

Bottom picture, Razzy is saying "hey, where's the parsley?" Top picture, Chloe is saying "what parsley? I didn't see any parsley." Her lips in the second picture look so funny, like she's saying, "ha, ha, ha, I got the parsley." I know, I know, I need help, but bunnies make me laugh.

On to this week's post.

I have to admit that this was not my original topic for tonight, but after a few glasses of wine and listening to a song, my ideas went in another direction. You all know that music has a major influence on my little ol' pea brain. I can't help it. It is one of my most favorite artistic forms. It has such power to move us, shake us and even break us down into tears. I really do love all sorts of music, except classical. I just don't get classical. I guess I'm not classy enough, but I digress.

Anywho, the song that should be playing now as you read my little bit of blab is one of my most favorite 80's songs. I Ran, by A Flock of Seagulls. What was it about the music from that time that always makes me want to dance, shake my booty and get my groove on???? It was such happy music. It had such an awesome beat. Not to mention the fact that I had the most perfect "mall" hair. Remember, the big bangs, the long, long layers and the Aqua Net hair spray? Yes, the only time in my life that I had great, fabulous hair.

Just listening to this song makes me want to dance around the house, jump on the couch, jump on the bed and sing at the top of my lungs (be glad you can't hear me sing) and act like a complete and total dork! I've been fighting a poo poo mood for a few days and I have to say that just listening to fun, happy, music makes me feel so good. Yes, I have happy feet. I am the Dance Diva even if it is the dance floor in my living room.

Have a wonderful week. Put some music on, jump on the couch, jump on the bed, grab your pretend microphone and sing your heart out. However, you may want to close the curtains before you do this. No need to scare the neighbors more than you already have.

Hugs to you all,

Shell

This week IGF my phone conversation with my brother last night (hi Michael) and my new daily addiction to http://www.potentiallynervous.blogspot.com/ This blog makes me happy every day. Check it out.

Try, Try Again or Get A Reality Check

2008-02-25T19:50:00.003-05:00

I love learning. I like to see new things, hear new things, do new things, and meet new people. At the same time I find comfort in my cozy, cottage home and my truest friends. I love muted, soft, pastel, colors and soft bunnies and soft colored roses and soft fabrics. When I was little, I loved to wear my pale pink, soft pajama's with roses on them, sleep under a quilt and rub the satin ear of my stuffed bunny as I fell asleep. I'm torn between the old and the new.

Every year I attend a quilt festival in Virginia. It's incredible! A plethora of textiles, fibers and artistic works. As always, I love to take a class and learn something new and exciting. This year I took a class called "flower doodles." It was wonderful. Our instructor, Susan Edmondson, was fabulous. She brought many pieces of her "flower doodle" works (that's a picture of her work above), but also brought many of her textile collage pieces. While I loved and appreciated her "flower doodle" work, it was the collage pieces that I couldn't stop drooling over. They were spectacular! I found myself lost in every intricate detail.

The "flower doodles" class consisted of using wax pastels and painting with them on fabric. Then using the sewing machine to "thread paint" the designs. It was a very fun class and I loved the concept. However, for years I have been trying to paint. For years my best friend, Beth, has said, "Shell, you stink at painting." She's right. Yet, I keep trying and trying and trying. I thought I could do it this time because it was basically "coloring" with crayon like things and mushing it together with paintbrushes and textile medium. How hard could it be? Apparently, looking at my piece, very hard. Then again, I wonder if it's because I'm always hopping all over the place trying so many new things that I don't learn to master a few things. What's the saying? A Jack of all trades and a master of none? Our instructor said something that kind of hit me. She was talking about her work and how it evolved. She said, "you try many things and then one day you just find your niche and you don't worry about any of the other stuff anymore." I felt she was talking to me. "Shell, you stink at painting, give it up." The hyper, over-achiever part of me refuses to give in, while the girl at age 40 still loves and treasures the things she loved at 5.

So, do I try, try again or get a reality check and realize that while I may not be good with paint, I am good with textures, fabrics, fibers and color? That I am good at layering them all together to create my own kind of art, my own niche. Almost all my favorite artists focus on one thing. They don't hop all along the bunny trail trying to make stuff that is not them. They create from their heart. They sing their own song and dance their own dance. They paint when they know they stink at sewing and they sew when they stink at painting. Yet, each and every one of them gives a gift and a piece of beauty to this earth.

Dag, I just had my reality check.

Have a great week and hugs to you all.

Shell

This week, IGF my best friend, Beth, for always being my best friend and my ability to see the writing on the wall even if it is covered with paint.

Gratefulness

2008-02-18T19:29:00.003-05:00

Last week I received many emails about my "go out and play" post. My sister called and said how much she enjoyed it, but then she said, "do you know what you forgot?" Hmmm. Nope I said. "Well, you forgot to put in the two things you are grateful for." Oh my gosh! I did forget! I think I got so excited about standing on my head and roller skating (by the way, had a blast) that I guess I was grateful for those things and didn't even think about it.

So as usual my mind started thinking of all the things I'm grateful for. Also, I have received many emails, phone calls and comments from people telling me things they are grateful for. One friend said she was grateful that Tom Petty didn't have a wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl. (now that's funny) Another friend said she was grateful she wasn't walking her dog down the road when a big, giant, dirt devil (a tornado of dirt, debris, leaves, etc.) came by. She was grateful that she didn't have to pick leaves and debris from her teeth and hair. (now that's funny too). With that in mind, I decided to do a list of a few things I'm grateful for to make up for last week. Instead of typing out "I'm grateful for," I will just type IGF. You get the picture. So let's begin.

IGF David being home safely tonight from the Daytona 500 in FL.

IGF the fact that David and I have been together 19 years and he's ok with the fact that I sleep in pajamas that have Happy Bunny on them saying "you'd be cooler if you were me."

IGF being able to work at a job where I can wear pants, especially blue jeans and comfy shoes. I don't do dresses. Gag, spit, puke. Hated them when I was little, hate them now. And pantyhose? Who's brilliant invention was that?

IGF my fabulous friends that love me even though I'm a crazy bunny lady, super hyper, snort when I laugh hard, and talk too much.

IGF my ability to create things with my hands that others actually buy. Still blows my mind.

IGF my nieces and nephews that keep me young at heart and provide the best form of birth control.

IGF visits with my sister where we drink wine and brush each other's hair and laugh so hard we snort or pee.

IGF the fact that every week it is so easy for me to come up with something to write about and share with you. One friend said she would feel it was like homework. To me, it's something to look forward to.

Sharing my silly thoughts with you, laughing, crying, snorting, peeing, and playing like we're 10 again. Now that's something IGF.

Have a great week and please keep sharing your IGF's with me. It really makes my day.

Hugs,

Shell

Come Out and Play with Me

2008-02-11T19:33:00.000-05:00

Remember when you were little and you could hardly wait to get home from school so you could go out and play? Remember when you would just run for the pure fun of it, not because you were trying to work off that fat gut and butt you acquired in adulthood? Remember your make- believe adventures and stories that you would create? I miss it don't you?

The construction business is soooooooooooooooo slowwwww! For the first time in eight years, I'm bored!!!!! I'm a hyper person and I don't do the "relaxing" thing very well. My co-worker, Steve, was cleaning out the garage at work the other day and found a long piece of rope. I asked him to make me a jump rope. I don't think I have jumped rope in 17 years! He brought it to me and I went into the lobby of the office to give it a try. I wouldn't let Steve watch me in case I tripped, fell, busted my butt, or something of the like. Well kiddo's let me tell ya, it was FUN! I got pretty winded, but kept going until I could swing the rope and jump without the rope hitting the ground. Fabulous! Then, I got another idea. I wonder if I can still do a headstand? Hmmmm, can't recall the last time I did that, but I see it in the yoga magazines all the time. Heck, why not give it a try. So into my office I go. I put my head on the carpet, swung my legs up on the wall and woohoo, I did it! Of course, Steve happened to be sitting at my desk and I scared him. He remarked @#*?!! Shell, what are you doing? I laughed very hard and dared him to try. He didn't (chicken). I have done a headstand every day since. Now I'm even more professional in that I don't have to have my legs resting on the wall. I can balance them straight up in the air. Tonight I even split my legs apart and pulled them back up. David was quite impressed, although, I think he was thinking something sexual at the time. Naughty boy!

David is going to Daytona for the big NASCAR race with our friend Eric. This means Valentine's Day is wide open for me and my friend, Eric's wife, Michelle. We are going rollerskating! I'm so excited! I haven't skated in, oh, I guess, about, hmmm, 20 years! Now I do rollerblade around the neighborhood all the time, but roller skating is a different animal and a different sense of balance. Me being the clean freak that I am could not handle the thought of putting my little footies into some stinky rental skates. So I bought some! I've been practicing in the driveway. I believe I will need some bandages on my ankles for the blisters, but boy is it fun. When I was young I could spin around very, very, fast like ice skaters. So far I have managed to spin around four times before I feel like I'm gonna puke. I have a long way to go, but at least I'm having a good time making myself dizzy.

My point to all of this ramble is that I dare you to just go and play. No gym membership needed, no special outfits, no high profile water bottle. Just play. Play, play, play, play, play!! I may be almost forty, but at heart, I'm still a little tomboy who loves skating, dancing, crafting, laughing and standing on my head.

Have a great week and go out and play!

Shell