Want some snow????

This was a picture of my back porch furniture a few weeks ago - so pretty right? lovely fluffy snow....


and this is a picture from this morning. I can't even open the screen door. There is a HELL of alot of pretty white fluffy stuff out there...

I'm sure that next summer we'll be complaining of a drought.

I don't know what the meme is for Thursday - is it blooming Thursday or something like that? How about "way to much snow Thursday?"

Happy WTMS Thursday!!!

Snow/Sea Bear

As the snow hills are over my head...and more expected tonight - I expect to see this guy walking down the street.

I know it's January...but I want Daffodils!!!!

Happy Animal Wednesday - what animals do YOU expect to see today?

Class

I started a Friday night drawing class last night. In the past it's been life drawing or portrait drawing and actually, I thought this would be the same - didn't read the class description. But it is really a basic drawing class. At first I was not sure, but I like the instructor, he knows me and in the end - of course - I learned. We did a still life and some random drawings, he knows my style and helps with little things. So no matter what, I'll learn.

First he had us use ballpoint pen (which I abandoned after the block shown below) and do our own mental still life - all about volume and light source and shadows. I think I was the only one who ended up with a block of swiss cheese, and snake and a boat full of mice on a water filled table top. Tom was great, and helped me with the top of the snake - i'm not great on volume.


And then he set up a still life for use to work on. And I really did work on that cup laying on it's side - I really struggled with that perspective.



Next week starts my comic class - which I am very excited about


I've got to get the scanning and computer thing down...and the word placement - Yikes.

But - I've got 39 pages done so far. Thirty Nine!!! I can't believe it. Once I get them all scanned in I'll show you....

Wish me luck!!

more snow

What you can't see on the picture is the heavy, wet snowfall that's got me at home this morning. I usually don't mind being stuck at home, but today I thought I'd go to work so I got dressed and everything. And I still might go in when/if it let's up. So now the question is....do I take off these "professional" (read - fairly uncomfortable) clothes, and put on my comfies. The problem is that then when I have to actually go to work, I'll want to go in my comfy sweats. Which I can't do as we are practically a Japanese company now and they see to dress pretty professionally at work. What a dilemma.

By now you're thinking - what the heck is she complaining about - why is she wasting her time with this insignificant drivel?

Well...the point is - I'm taking great pleasure in worrying about things like this instead of life and death decisions. I'm enjoying the insignificant. I'm enjoying focusing on the petty things.

"oh dear" she thought while shopping after work "should I buy the purple Sateen sheets or the polka dot cotton ones?"

Delightful!

May your day be filled with only insignificant worries.

Animal Wednesday - baby spikey

Isn't this the cutest little fella? Don't you just want to pick him up and smooth down those spikey quills?

What is it about baby animals that makes us go "awwhhhh"? is it the chubby belly? The sleepy face?

The photography is from this site - lovely animal photos.

Have a happy Animal Wednesday

The NEXT project

I loved everyone's comments on my sketchbook project, and I could finish it and send it in. But...maybe I'm just not ready to part with Miss Em yet and send her out into the big world without me.

That might have some truth in it.

But - ever hopeful fool that I am - I joined the next project - which is more of a writing/drawing sketchbook. Now I know what I'm getting myself into and the first thing that will happen to each of those pages will be a coat of gesso!

The theme is "a Day in the Life". I'm looking forward to it. I think I'll have fun with that theme - random items from my day could be interesting (to someone). But I'll also do drawings from work meetings - sketching in the back of the room!

Like this guy who was in a meeting with me today. Ok, yes, - I've exaggerated his physique, but he was big and barely fit the chair. I'll do a series of drawing of a day in his life.

Like here he is waiting for his morning coffee......


Could be fun.

Speaking of fun - it feels good to be sharing again, posting again, emailing friends, commenting. I'm starting to wake up - that's how I feel now.

SKetchbook project

I signed up for the Sketchbook project with the theme of "Help" - which made sense to me back in September. By December, I had done one drawing and needed so much help myself - I couldn't even THINK about this sketchbook.

Since after Christmas, I've been trying to finish the book, but have decided to GIVE UP! Yes...the hat in the ring, disgrace etc. There are 80 pages in this book! Now I could have taken all the pages out and done one big painting/drawing and folded it up to fit into the book, but it just was all too much to organize.

I did get about 11 pictures sketched out, and you saw some the other day that were going to get folded up and put into the book. Anyway, here are the 11 or so - pencil sketches mostly. You can see why I'm throwing up my hands in despair and moving on.... 80 pages!!!











Lo is doing a wonderful, admirable job with this sketchbook. Look at her wonderful cat and dog drawings and she has FILLED UP THAT BOOK!!!!! That is one hell of an accomplishment.

If they do it again, I'll try the project again but it'll be better planned this time.

woohoo snowy!!!

My back deck furniture in the afternoon......



and in the evening. We must have around 2 feet out there!



It's so pretty when it's all pristine like this, I plan to go out early in the morning for a quick walk around. A few days later, it'll be all yuck and nasty but it's lovely to look at now. We'll find a place in the woods for snowshoeing this weekend and enjoy the heck out of it.

So what do you do on a snowy day? Well - I worked from home for most of the day and then tried to work on my sketchbook project...which I don't think I'll actually send it. My theme was HELP and I'm stymied.

I did work on an 18 x 24 Ms Em drawing that I was going to fold up into the sketchbook, but I don't think I can do it. Here's the draft. Lousy cropping - it's too big for my little scanner and went in all sideways and everything.




Needs color and it looks better on one sheet of paper.....but its the first drawing I've done in months and it feels way good.

Animal Wednesday again - more Florida animals

Yes...more animals from around the pond. These were taken in the development that my mom lives in; just bike riding around the streets. Above photo - isn't the blue amazing behind that white curvy neck?
This guy was moving but I like this photo - it sort of reminds me of a sea monster, with his neck curving out of the water...

More shots below of gorgeous birds just looking for a meal. I like the second guys ponytail.



I was planning on posting some pictures of Northern animals in the snow this week, but it just started snowing and it's 2:00 am. So no deer picking their way thru the snowy woods, or tracks of tiny animals will be seen until hours from now - it's OK with me, while I really do love snow - so far this year I'm wishing I was a florida resident enjoying milder weather. We've had some cold days so far.

DH and I are still recuperating. Loss hits us at strange time, and we get teary or cranky. Work has been overwhelmingly busy - which is good - but tiring. Bedtime has been around 8:30 pm all week, with a fairly solid sleep thru the night. Which for me means - way tired. But it's all good, still have a good job - excellent bennies - so I'm happy. Next week I start my comic class and friday night drawing - so things will be VERY busy for the first quarter of the year. Again...it's all good.

So that's it.

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone!!!

It's still Wednesday night and here they are....

DON'T go in the water around here!!!!


From far away they look like logs....deadly logs!!

Look at that grin...





Getting ready to slither into the water - looking for some delicious dinner


The others getting ready to follow.

And a Turkey Buzzard doing the smart thing and flying away.

Oh, these alligators give me delicious shivers of prehistoric fear. I love to watch them - am terrified of them - there's no reasoning with these animals. No taming them. ooooohhhh.....

Animal Wednesday - camera missing???

I took GOBS of animal photos when we went bike riding last week....but DH kept the camera down in Florida to take pictures of furniture, household items etc. But I thought - no worries - he'll be home on Tuesday and I'll get the camera back.

Well...he did get home last night but I forgot to ask him for the camera and I've been poking around early this am and can't find it.

But when I do...you'll be AMAZED at the size of the alligators we saw...you really will be.

So this week, Animal Wednesday just might turn into Animal Thursday - I'll let you know

Day 2 of this New Year

I am home - late due to airplane delays, but home.

I walked into the house and felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I'm so glad to be home I ran around to the rooms just peeping in to see that all was well. And then I made myself cinnamon french toast for a late dinner.

My poor DH is still down there in Florida dealing with lawyers and the like but he'll be home soon.

In a way, it all has worked out well - if that word can be used. We had the week to recoup, and organize, and cry. We're both ready to move on - as we have to. I did have one strange experience this week but I'll recount that at a later date.

I feel that I can now start to focus more on what I need to do for me - which is healthier living, fun with friends, artwork, comics, friday night drawing class, see more of my darling nephews and their loving parents - all without that imminent feeling of doom. (oh lord, please let it stay that way for awhile!)

A passage of life has come and marked us, but we're OK.

I am off to my own delicious bed, with my own nightlight, and my favorite stack of books by the bedside. It's luxury, pure and simple.

Day 7 and Day 1

Day 7 after MIL died and yes...a week brings some healing.

Day 1 of the New Year and we did 15 miles off road on our trusty Florida bikes. Whew and yeah!

I have crossed fingers for 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL,

THANKS FOR BEING THERE,

Love, Mim