Let us never speak of 2009 again.

I was at a get-together at a friend's house last night and it seems universally agreed upon that 2009 s*cked really, really badly. I think after today, we shall never speak of it again.

Looking forward to heading out to DC today for a wing-ding of a time with crazy Lorrie. Spending two nights at a beautiful resort on the National Harbor. We get to dress up and be all girlie, what fun. Unfortunately, we won't have anyone to kiss at midnight, so we'll just send up kisses to the sky like Eddie Murphy and his iiiiiice cream. (I know that probably was lost on most people - watch "Delirious".

Found this video today, soooo cute.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Please let 2010 be awesome!

Quiet time

Ahhh...a week off. Sleeping in, working out, napping, getting my nails done, having time to get into the studio. It's heaven. HEAVEN. I love my job, but I really like having some time off too.

Rehearsals for "I Ought To Be in Pictures" by Neil Simon are going well. Nearly "off book" which means I know my lines. It's much easier to act when you're face isn't looking down into the book you're holding. The opening is January 22, which is right around the corner. Not a lot of time, but we'll get there. One of those wham-bam plays.

Time for a little coffee. The house is very, very quiet. Peace.

Christmas Can-Can

Thought I'd embed it...it's worth watching.

Post Christmas

Today's Post Secret fave. I don't even want to know the party affiliation of my family members.

What a beautiful sunny day. Off to the studio!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Can-Can

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1909243034?bctid=53156488001

Be yourself

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away. ~Raymond Hull
Happy Christmas Eve!

As the New Year gets closer, my mind will turn to deeper thoughts and planning/pondering 2010. In my 45th year, there are things that I am (finally) resolute on. One of those being that I am okay with just being myself. I have done what the above quote suggests for a good portion of my life, and it is truly a soul-sucking process. Now my mantra is - if it's working for me, my kids and/or my friends and I'm not hurting anyone, then it's good enough. Once you change for one person, another will come along and expect the same for them. Soon you've changed so many times and whittle away so much of you, that there is nothing but a suggestion of who you used to be.

Life is good. I have a home, a job, healthy children, a great family and friends, a studio where I can do what I love most, and so much more. Sometimes it's difficult to balance it all, and sometimes the balance isn't always there, but life is a work in progress. There are going to be bumps, people you piss off, and people you hurt. But when it all boils down, you still have to live with yourself and be okay with your own decisions.

R.I.P. to Big Bob. You were da' man. They serve lasagne in heaven, I'm sure of it. ;)

Time treadmill

Wow wow wow. Once again, the time warp has happened and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I have most of my gifts to wrap still. No cookies made, blah blah. (I really don't care, though, so it's not so bad.) One more commission to finish tonight, in time for Christmas (nothing like last minute) and then a couple days of rest. Vacation time next week so I can spend time in the studio and with the kids, and at rehearsal...probably won't feel much like vacation, come to think of it.

Looking at my poor, dried out hands from the winter weather already. My body/skin/hair/brain just hates the cold. All I can do this time of year is think about the sun and the beach and how to get there.

This is my blog, so I can freely say MERRY CHRISTMAS without worrying about offending anyone. I hope it's peaceful and happy for you.

This is a cool Post Secret because of the DMB reference. (Love him.)

So, I'm looking out my office window and there's snow and ice. Rehoboth didn't get hit quite as hard as places north of us, but it's still covered out there.

I have a bunch of pics to post, will do that very soon.

Stringing up the LIGHTS!!!

I know Christmas lights can be a pain in the butt, but this is ridiculous!



LOUISA, Va. (AP)- A Louisa County man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife after an argument over Christmas lights has been sentenced to life in prison.

Louisa Circuit Court Judge Timothy K. Sanner sentenced Forrest M. Smythers Jr. on Monday to life plus three years for first-degree murder and felonious use of a firearm, and five years for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Prosecutors say the 54-year-old Smythers shot Dawn Smythers once in the head with a .22 caliber rifle in their home on Jan. 16. Forrest Smythers told investigators that he had wanted to take down their Christmas lights, but that his wife had opposed the idea.

Uncle Jay

This was his 6 month review. He'll probably post his year-end review in a few weeks. Stay tuned...

10 days

Until Christmas, and then a few more till New Year's and then.....then.....JANUARY. One of the biggest wastes of a month there is. It's long, it's cold, it's dark and God, it's miserable.

BUT, for now, we'll focus on December 15. The decorations are up, the party planning is in progress (well, kind of, in theory...I am thinking about it, if not really acting on it) and the enormous amounts of money are flying into other people's hands. Check!

First real rehearsal for "I Ought to Be in Pictures" last night. Jim Killion is a riot. Should be a fun one.

Just added another commission (for CHRISTMAS) last night.

Web updates

The website has been updated.

Mini's are marked down to 50% (let's move 'em!). They are now $50 each and going fast. Need a holiday gift?

I can now take purchases online as well.

All nighter

My daughter has been up for something like 26 hours and is quite proud of herself for pulling her first "all-nighter". She and a friend decided to get 2 LARGE Amp energy drinks and drank them around 10 p.m. They did not sleep at all. In fact, were so "amped up", were out climbing the big dirt hill behind the house at 6 a.m. I told them they could be an advertisement for the stuff. Certainly works.

Post Secret isn't up till later today. Off to Christmas shop....

The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

One of my favorite (non-traditional) Christmas songs.

December 10 and the weather is nuts.

Yesterday was something like 65 degrees, today is a gale warning. The day before yesterday was flash flooding. It's like someone is up in heaven playing with the knobs or something.

I auditioned for "I Ought To Be in Pictures" by Neil Simon, a 3-person play, opening January 22, 2010 at Possum Point Theatre in Georgetown, and landed the role of Steffi. Excited. Will be running around like crazy again, but still excited. Playing opposite very talented people.

Lightening the Soul

From today's Daily Om.

Lightening the Soul
Soul Evolution

From the moment we are born, our souls may feel heavy because they are carrying the weight of all we have lived, loved, and learned in our past incarnations. It is only when we actively seek to work through our issues that we can lighten the load and our souls can evolve. Divesting ourselves of what no longer serves us, such as unwarranted fear, the inability to feel empathy, or self-limiting behaviors, are just some of the many challenges we may face in this lifetime. While some issues we face are easier to deal with because they are the final remains of residue from a past life, other issues offer greater challenges because we are meant to work through them throughout this lifetime.

Often, we expect ourselves to recover quickly from difficult or painful circumstances. When we do not or cannot, we may feel emotionally inept or hopeless. The evolution of the soul, however, is an ongoing process that can take many lifetimes. It is a matter of accepting that even when we do our best there are going to be situations, people, and outcomes that we cannot control. It is also important to remember that your experiences now may be setting the groundwork for future healing, whether in this lifetime or the next one. The more you release in each time, the more you grow and the more your soul will evolve.

Although it is not always possible to work through all of our issues in a single lifetime, it is important that we confront what we are called to face in this life and do the work we need to do. It is also important to remember that the most effective way to let your soul grow is to be an active participant in life. Be present in each moment and your soul will do this work for you.

This goes out to Tiger Woods.

Shots from the studio

No-snow

Is anyone in Sussex County surprised we didn't get snow? We have this no-snow bubble around us for 95% of the time. And I think when we do get it, and it hits the ground, there's some kind of Sussex acid that dissolves it, to teach it a damned lesson.

My ex-husband is stranded, however, somewhere out in West VA. They got quite a bit. And my friend in Stafford VA got it too. I'm okay with it.

So, off to the studio to paint for a peaceful 3 hours or so. Yay. Today's Post Secret - appeals to my romantic side, which takes up most of me.

Fuhhhhhhriday

Haley and I watched The Polar Express last night. I used to read "special" Christmas books to the kids (every night there was a bedtime story, but certain books were reserved for Christmas time). The book is not very long and is beautifully illustrated. The movie, however, is very long and doesn't stick to the book very much at all. That doesn't take away from the charm of the movie, just makes it different. The animation is amazing in the movie, but at the same time is a little creepy/unsettling. I absolutely love Tom Hanks, but even he is a little scary. The ghost is enough to induce nightmares, and the (absolutely awful, obnoxious) kid with the space pajamas and thick glasses needs to have a severe ass kicking by all the other kids on the train. You know Santa wants to do it too...desperately...but contains himself.

All that being said, the movie is truly a feast for the eyes and definitely worth seeing, even for adults. It's always a good reminder to get back to just innocent belief and away from our grown-up (boring) skepticism.

The theatre sets are done. One more commission before Christmas, then it's time to get some new inventory. Even I am bored with my stuff. Yawn.

Rain

So, as I was walking through the RAIN again today, I was ducking into a parking garage (stupidly forgot an umbrella and trenchcoat) and saw a sign that said "Violators will be Immobilized". Isn't that COOL? I had images of ray guns held by little parking garage attendants, that would zap any and all violators, rendering them useless, and yes, immobile. (I know, it's probably just a boring old "boot" that they put on the cars, but I immensely enjoy my version better.) In fact, I would love to post a sign on the doorway to my home that says something similar.

December

One more month of 2009. I remember last New Year's Eve - feeling/hoping/wishing that 2009 would be a FANTASTIC year. Huh! Not so much. In fact, this year was one of the worst in many ways. Though it also has had some remarkably fantastic moments. The kids are healthy, we're in a new house, I'm in a new job, Dustin is happy in school, Haley is growing up to be a beautiful, fun, young woman. I know that New Year's Eve is just another day, really...but there's always something so hopeful about it. As if maybe, magically, the universe will alter itself in some way and January 1 will open the door to all and every good thing.

Haley and I will be decorating this week, and since I haven't put up our (fake) Christmas tree alone...for a very long time...it should be interesting. I'm anticipating quite a few words of a colorful variety. From me, not Haley. Well, who knows. She did decorate the tree by herself last year and did a fine job. The job is hers again this year, should she choose to accept the challenge. I'll bake cookies in return.


She loves to get in the Christmas tree box. Wonder if she'll fit this year?