My kids

I don't think I have a picture of my son on here. Somehow he has become larger than me....MUCH larger. He's always been a big kid, but this is ridiculous. He's 6'5" and only 16. Here's the proof. He's standing next to Robert, who is also 6'5". This pic is from last August, so I'm sure he's grown since then. I'm going to have to raise my doorways.

And here's my beautiful daughter. She's funny as hell.

Half-Marathon......check.

Okay, so that's done. Nothing like listening to a Nor'Easter blow in overnight, the night before the half. Thunder, lightning, wind shaking the windows. Ugh. Plus, the temps dropped about 25 degrees. I was lying there awake at 4 a.m. wondering if I'd be pissed at myself if I just blew off the race. I decided I would, and finally fell asleep. When the alarm went off at 6:30, I got up and it had calmed down. Still cloudy and cool, but not raining. Yet. The rain waited till about mile 3 or 4. But having the rain drip off my visor gave me something to look at. And thankfully my Ipod was in a neoprene holder, so it didn't kick the bucket during the race. And speaking of Ipods, I don't usually wear those during a race - preferring to be very tuned in to what is happening around me - but I kind of enjoyed just tuning in to the music instead this time. Made a killer playlist the night before, which seemed to help with motivation. I had a good run, no walking through water stops, and placed first in my age group. Yay!

20 mile training run this weekend, which will be a nice, slow run.

LDAF Half Marathon

That's this Sunday. A good training run for the marathon next month. If you're not sure, a half marathon is 13.1 and a full is (duh) 26.2. Pre-race nerves already.

Off to Dover again today to pick up artwork from my website guy and also officially buy my convertible. I've been leasing it and can't quite bear to part with it yet. I hope they start making hybrid convertibles.

Another painting on the canvas that's nearly done. I'll post it when it is. Five days till I hang my solo show at Sedona Restaurant in Bethany.

And elsewhere in Dover....

Wow, what a beautiful day. The first really warm, sunny, gorgeous day in a while. We had the top down and were enjoying some of the rural sights of Dover. Here's a couple of shots that you may end up seeing on canvas soon.

Dover Days Watering Cans

Here's some shots from the Dover Days Artist Reception at the Dover Mall on Friday. Artists were commissioned to paint a watering can that best reflected Dover. These cans are to be auctioned during the Dover Days festival in May. It was a fun project with very different, creative designs on the cans. I think the festival is the first weekend of May and apparently it's a pretty big wing-ding for Dover. I'll be there face painting. Come on out!

Rehoboth Red Chair

Here's a (really bad) photo of a still wet, new painting. Just finished it today. I'm no photographer, but that's what I pay my website guy for. He'll take a good pic and put it on the website soon. Just a sneak peak. Next one is on the easel, sketched in and ready to be started on Thursday.

Had the first read-through for The Little Foxes last night and now I'm in a panic because I've seen how many lines I have to memorize. Good Lord!

15, 20......and counting

Okay, so 15 miles was last week and today is 20. I'm waiting for GNC to open so I can go get some GU packets (a lovely little invention of "goo" in a foil pack that you slurp down while running long distances to keep from dropping dead on the trail or street). Fortunately it's sunny and nice out, with no gale winds. A nice change. Unfortunately, 20 miles is 20 miles, and it adds up to be about 3 hours of running. (Somebody remind me why I do this again??)

First read-through of The Little Foxes tonight, should be fun. If I can walk.

The Little Foxes

Ever heard of it? Me either....it's an old movie (maybe a book too) starring Betty Davis, and I'm not sure who else. Ive rented it on Netflix, but it hasn't come yet. Am I rambling? Anyway, Possum Point Players is running the show this coming June. I auditioned this week and landed the role of Regina (Betty Davis' part). So I get to play a conniving, evil woman. I'll be a stretch, but.... I believe that Elizabeth Taylor played the role on Broadway. She's one of my favorites. I'll post the dates a little later when I can give more info in general. I'm psyched!

And speaking of theatre, Little Shop of Horrors is playing at Possum Point this weekend. I painted part of the set and also "designed" the crazy dentist's jacket.

Attended a meeting at the Children's Beach House today regarding the painting of the children's adirondack chairs that will be auctioned off this coming August. There are 12 local artists taking part in this venture, and I feel so honored to be one of them. All of the money raised from the auction will go to the kids and families that benefit from the Children's Beach House and their programs. The chairs need to be painted by June 1 and will be in the windows of various local sponsors. Kennedy Gallery is sponsoring Sherry Biele's chair and mine as well.

Sherry and I will also be part of an Open House at the Kennedy Gallery this coming July. More info on that later.

Tomorrow I'm off to my website guru with some of my latest paintings for prints and website postings. Keep an eye out for new stuff. More, more more to come.

Now pray for some sun! Enough rain already!

Staying Grounded

You know, there's nothing like life's ups and downs to keep you grounded. There's also nothing like teenagers to do exactly the same thing. With a 13 year old and a 16 year old in the house, it's easy to stay extremely humble and always on your toes for the latest drama. I've become accustomed to being outright ignored and have discovered that my daughter is very able to wake up, eat breakfast, watch the news with me, get dressed and get driven to school without a word to me...or for that matter, even a glance. That is, unless she needs money. That takes communication. The two have also become extremely adept at totally destroying an immaculately clean room within minutes of entry. I think if I installed a clothes basket that took up half of their rooms, they'd still find a way to not use it. And what's really special is finding CLEAN clothes in the laundry hamper because they didn't feel like putting that particular item of clothing back in a drawer. Sometimes they're still folded. Amazing. I know this is my karma for doing the same thing to my mother.