Painters and Contractors!!!!!!!!

Wow - we are having the outside of the house painted this week - simple yes - HA....9am bang bang bang bark bark bark! And me in a stuper! Can't sleep and can't wake up. Actually, the house looks great. I went with a very off white with a more off white trim. It looks great with the brick and very clean. Now, when we bought the house 4 years ago they had "Painted" all the windows shut! I need fresh air!! I could never get the windows open but the guys did and it's going to be wonderful. I got screens for the ones I want to open and also a storm door for the front and a new screen door for the deck. We are putting in a whole house fan with 2 vent fans on the roof too. There are a lot of times here in Atlanta when we can use this - except of course for the real heat. We wanted to tear down the deck and build a new one but duh - got to sell some more art work for that - maybe next year! Tomorrow hopefully will get the screens up and I think they are about done except for the attic fan. Needless, to say I've gotten nothing done this week. Tatiana and Matilda have been a little crazy and I've had to stay in the bedroom with them with the gate up. I will have to post photos after it's done. I'm also taking down all the blinds to clean - that's going to be a real job and tomorrow is thursday - yikes - almost the weekend! In the middle of all this I'm changing over winter to summer clothes - another dreaded job. Let's chalk this week up to spring cleaning! Oh, one photo I have to post. The little rose bush in Columbus at the "Compound".....

"Stop and smell the Roses"..........

My Cousin Denise

Thank you all for your kind comments. There is a "Life Celebration" for Denise in Reno this Saturday. We wish we could all be there for Laura and Don. My Mom asked me to write a poem for Denise and my other cousin Linda is going to go from Washington state and will read this at her service. I just wanted it to be on my blog - I am very sad right now but also richer because she was in my life....

The Bravest Woman I ever knew: Denise


Born with a burden but never burdened
Never grew tall but what a giant in life
Don’t think she can’t keep up with you
She’s small but filled with might

Who needs to walk when you can soar like the wind
Anytime, Anywhere, Any Day
And she doesn’t particularly need your help
Just follow her and she’ll show you the way

She is a daughter, She is a sister, She is a friend
She is a girl, She is a woman, She is a wife
We all have traveled the road with her
And are grateful to have been in her life

Had you ever seen a smile so bright
Or Determination to fill a room
Heard a laughter that filled your heart
And who would leave us all too soon

So rest Little Angel with God above
For what we now see in the sky so bright
Is Denise racing all around heaven
Guiding us with her light…….

Your Cousin, Claiborne
2008

The Bravest Woman I ever knew......

The bravest woman I ever knew……

Denise DeBerry-Davis
1964-2008

Denise was my cousin and what an amazing woman. She was born with spina bifida and began her life as a fighter. The doctors said she probably would not live past 12 years old. Her parents Laura and Don DeBerry and brothers, Donnie and David gave her inspiration for her determination to live her life to the fullest each and every day. As a small child she would drag her little body around and play with her brothers and I mean really play! Denise went through many operations and only had one kidney. I remember once as a child she wanted to spend the night with me and mother was so worried about how to empty her kidney bag – well Denise said what do you mean – I do it by myself and she did! She even rode my horse once too! As Denise grew into a teenager she decided she did not want to live in a wheelchair so she got braces and hand crutches and sold her wheelchair! Of course, then it was I’m going to drive a car! Now she was very tiny but she got a car with hand controls and off she went like the wind. She worked and bought her own home. When Kenny and I first moved to Nevada we stayed in Fallon with my Aunt Laura and Uncle Don. We got to spend a lot of time with Denise which I am so grateful for. She was funny, smart and feisty! Kenny would try to help her in the big cargo van and she have none of that – she just climbed right up. And I think the funniest story was Denise and I were going to a club one night and it was pouring down rain. There was a handicap parking space right at the club door. I said Denise there’s a parking space – she said leave for someone who needs it and I laughed and said “Your old cousin needs it because my hair will frizz”. Of course, I ending up soaking wet because she would never park in a handicap space. And she had a lot of fun in the casino’s because security would always think she was a 10 year girl playing the slot machines! She loved to whip out her driver’s license to prove she was “21”. I treasure the times I got to spend with Denise. She met and married her husband Ty who I regret I’ve never got to meet. Ty is also in a wheelchair but that never stopped them. They took trips and lived in their own home in Reno. This last trip she and Ty drove to Tucson, Az to visit Laura and Don at their winter home there. On the way back Denise got sick in Las Vegas and Ty’s parents came down to get them. Denise was put in the hospital and all the family arrived. She had double pneumonia and a bladder infection. The doctor’s did not give much hope but on Friday she woke up – knew everyone and was even getting feisty! She told her mother to go home and get some rest. Sadly to say this weekend Denise left this world. Throughout her life I never heard her complain about her condition or her challenges. She was a bright ray of sunshine for everyone who came across her path. We will remember Denise with laughter and tears but mostly for her spirit. God was kind enough to let us all be touched by this angel for 44 years. We will miss you Denise and I will always think of you as “The bravest Woman I’ve ever known”…….

Spring has Sprung

"Lemon Zest Petunia"
I think it's really no more cold weather. You know why - my hair is frizzy! It's very nice and yesterday I planted a few flowers. Kenny and I went to Home Depot and got me some purple petunias and yellow ones. The Yellow one is new and called "Lemon Zest" - really pretty. I will get some red and white ones later. And I'm hoping for a red geraium for maybe Mother's Day! My allergeries are still really bad. I woke up and 6 am and felt like I had strep throat! It hurt so bad so I made a cup of tea and had an ibruprofen. I finally got back to sleep around 10. I fell better tonight and hope I can sleep. I did cut the grass today because it's suposed to rain tomorrow plus we have to get ready to go to Columbus. I tried to paint but the creative brain said Nope - I'm not working today - oh well, some days it works and some days not. Got lots to do tomorrow and now I have to play "Squeaky Toy" with Tatiana - she is sitting in the bed barking at me.



Best of My Day - enjoying the nice weather and cutting the grass!

Sunday Art Clinic

"Follow me Downtown"
Well, I was "Tired but Inspired" at the Art Clinic today. I actually went to my dressing room at 2:30 am and slept on the floor until 6 am when Kenny got everything packed up. I came home and went right to bed then Matilda woke me up at 10:30! So I got up, had my tea, read the news, showered, and got there by 1pm and painting for 5 hours. I felt good and got a lot accomplished today but I'm fading fast now. I finished "Follow Me Downtown" - this is photo I took of Greenville, SC a few years ago (the girl is made up). I love the spattered sunlight on the sidewalk and buildings so I'm pleased with this one. I almost finished my still life but will have to work on it a little more. It's going to be one of my favorite and I want to do more still lifes. I'm back home and Kenny went to Kroger for me and I made a nice fruit salad with cheese and crackers. Now I'm putty in my chair and Desperate House Wives is about to come on so I'm down for the count. We had a great weekend at Beluga and I love my new Rod Stewart song! Now, I'll probably be useless tomorrow but I'm going to sleep hard and dream about painting.......

The Bunnies are Gone!!!

I guess Mommy Bunny got fed up with the kids too - I had to yell at them {kids}yesterday and when Kenny got home he had to run a bunch out of the yard too. I put a string of dental floss over the hole to see if Mommy was coming back to feed them and before we went to work I was going to check and I saw the Mommy Bunny hopping off. So I knew she was coming back. Then this afternoon Noisy Neighbor knocked on the door and said they were gone. We think the Mommy moved them or "someone" took them - I hope it's the Mommy. I wanted to get a another picture with their little eyes open but I was too busy running off the kids. Damn. So, the Bunny Saga is over and they were really cute. We're headed back to work - great night last night - and tomorrow Shane is doing another 5 hour art clinic so I've got the clock set for noon and I'm going to drag myself to Marietta and paint! I'll be "Tired but Inspired" - Hey, I like that! Happy Weekend to Everyone....

A Beautiful Spring Day

Now if it would only stay this nice! No Hotter! It was 70 degrees and sunny all day - just beautiful. I changed all the knobs on the kitchen cabinets - I got a great deal on line - Glass antique Blue Knobs - Regular $9.99 each and I got them for $.49 each! Now that's a deal. When we first moved I hated the blue cabinet tops but some where along the way I'm so glad we didn't get the granite and now I like the blue. So the Glass knobs really set it off! I also made a "Crockpot Apple Pie" and used Splenda - it's wonderful. Think I'll have some more for the midnight snack! AND the Bunnies have their eyes open. I'm trying to think of a way to move them to the back yard so the kids and "neighbor" will leave them the hell alone! She was in my yard last night and wanted a flashlight! GO HOME and take your kids with you! My good kid neighbor's came over (they don't try to hold them) and we looked into the hole and their little eyes are all open and they are so cute. Of course, you want to hold them but I want them to survive too. And I read all about them and they want to be wild. Of course, don't we all want to be wild! It's going to be friday already tomorrow so it's back to work at the club. A very good and talented musician we know died this week at 28. He OD'ed and that is very sad and such a tragic waste of talent. May he rest in peace.

Best of My Day: looking into the sweet bunny eyes!

Baby Bunny's

Well, they survived the weekend while we were gone but I'm surprised they did. I'm so mad at my neighbor I could spit nails (that's being nice) - I was worried about her bratty children bothering them but it was her that could not leave them alone. She took them out of their den (oh, she said the mommy bunny came by - duh) and took them into her house! With three kids! Then the put up a little "Tent" in my front yard because it was going to get cold. I said LEAVE THEM ALONE...the poor things don't even have their eyes open yet and the Mommy is taking care of them herself. I went on line and read about how she comes to feed them twice a day and that cottontail bunnies do not want to be held or kept as pets. They love the wild and will hurt themselves to escape from your hands if you try and hold them. It's suposed to get warm again this week and I sure hope they are grown enough to survive. She had them in a blanket so I said let me take a picture before you kill them! OK, I didn't really say that but I was thinking it! Then I kept saying just leave them alone. I think I'll sit in my yard with a big straw hat and a pitchfork and dare them to come in my yard! Please, Emma, I'm not really mean but don't like stupid people. Trust me, they are not allowed in "Nana's World" or not allowed to touch Tatiana and Matilda! I just had to get that off my chest and I will keep posting about the Bunny's - I sure hope they grow up quick and hop hop hop away really fast. It was a cold rainy day and I loved it! I'm tired from the weekend but going to get some painting done this week. And Kenny just mailed the taxes -yeah - maybe I can have my husband back! It's the first tiime in a while we haven't filed an extension so I'm really glad he got that over with. I don't know how he does it - I'm one of those who would have to have an accountant (I really don't like math!) And we're back to a two car family (we sold the sable) and getting the house painted with the money. I'd rather have a 20th anniversary cruise but the house really needs painting!!!! On with the week....

Best of My Day: Driving in the Rain!

Just when I thought it couldn't be better

Matilda in the flowers
My bass player LeBron came out on the other deck and brought me sausage, bacon, toast and a boiled egg! I had a breakfast (at 2 pm) on the deck with the fire! Just like camping out. Of course, Matilda got most of the bacon!!! Then I took some more pictures - had to share this one!

Cool morning with a fire on the Deck

Sunday fireplace on the Deck with Matilda

I'm enjoying a very cool morning in Columbus on our deck with a roaring fire! It really feels more like fall than spring and I love it. Because in just a few weeks it will be so hot here and sticky! I think Matilda is loving it too (Tatiana and her Daddy are still in the bed!) We had a nice weekend at the club and yesterday we were reheasing and a photographer I know here came to do a Model portfolio - she loves Audrey Hepburn!!! So I took a few shots and maybe will paint something from them. I delivered a commission this weekend and sold a cigar box too - yeah....It's going to get cold again (30's) for a couple of days and then warm again. I'm ready to go home and settle in tonight for "Desperate Housewives" - a new one - yeah...Hey, I think I'll have the fireplace on at home too - one last time!

First Cut of the Grass

"Bath Day" - only got one of Matilda!

First Grass Cut of the Year!

We finally got the mower started so I could do one of my favorite things - cut the grass!! I'll be sneezing like crazy tomorrow but it felt so good. BUT, I had found an ant hill so I put some poison on it then my neighbor came over and I was going to put some on what I thought was another ant hill. There was some fur in the ground and it starting moving!!!! She lifted it up - we thought it was a bird and you won't believe - it was FOUR baby bunnies! There was a nest and I had actually run over it with the mower but they were buried in the ground. They did not have their eyes open yet but they looked really good and they wiggled. We put the fur back over it and I googled it and found out the Mommy Bunny feeds about twice a day - dawn and dusk. They don't mind the human touch but said to just leave them alone - that the mommy should come back. Oh, I hope so. This is a Columbus weekend and I hope they will be here when we get back. It also said not to try and tame a cottontail because they would rather be in the wild. I just hope those Pesky Kids will leave them alone this weekend too. I hope to get a photo but I do not want to disturb them any more - can you imagine the trauma of a tractor running over your bed!!!! I think their names will be Winky, Binky, Dinky and Nod!!! It was also "Bath" day for the girls so they look all pretty in their pink bows. It was a beautiful day today in the 70's but tomorrow it's going to be real stormy and by Sunday cold again! At least the rain will wash some of the pollen away - it's awful here right now and everything is "Yellow". I'm going to mix a drink at Belloo's this weekend and call it "Georgia Pollen" - after two of them you won't care if you sneeze! And it will be "Yellow" - sounds like Scotch to me!! Have a great weekend everyone.....


Best of My Day: Cutting the grass and then realizing I didn't kill the Baby Bunnies!!!

Garden

Ok, I did it today! I planted my leaf lettuce seed. The first thing I get to pick in my garden is lettuce because it will be ready in May. When it gets hot, the lettuce gets bitter but there is nothing like that first "Granny Salad". This was a salad my Daddy's Grandmother always made. It's just the tender leaf lettuce and spring onions with the dressing (that's the kicker!). I usually add tomatoes but they will have to be grocery store ones in May. The dressing (there is no reciepe) you just have to stick your finger in it and taste! It's Cider Vinegar, sugar (I use Splenda now) and Duke's Mayo! Just mix it up until it's a little sweet and a little sour - Yum!
I also picked 3 tullips out of my yard today and they are on the kithchen counter. Yep, spring is almost here although we may be back in the 30's next week. I'm still not complaining - that dreadful heat is coming I know. My knee feels better today too for which I'm very grateful. I also built one more bird feeder - that's 5 we have now and I think that will do it. I just love the little birds so very much. I was hoping for a mommy in my watering can at the back door again but it may still be too early. The nest is still in there so we will see what happens. I was going to cut the grass but can't get the mower to start. Kenny went and got a battery but Nope - that's not it. May be the starter and I so wanted to cut the grass. You know that is one of my favorite things in the world to do! NOT weed eat - or use the push mower - just my little tractor!!! Tomorrow is suposed to be beautiful so we'll see what I come up with then!

Best of My Day: Getting my hands in the dirt and planting my first seeds of the season....
PS> Sissy, a great Father's Day gift for Grampy would be a nail gun for his air compressor!!! He may already have one....

Silly Picture

It's Saturday afternoon - lying in bed because we have to work tonight. I was giving Tatiana a rub down and kisses and she was so sweet. So I took silly pictures of her!!!!!!

Little Pantings and Cigar Boxes

"Woodworm"

Oil on Canvas 5 x 7

"Greenville"

Working on this one!!!!

"Country Lane"

Oil on Cigar Box

"Poppies on the Ledge"

Oil on Cigar Box

Boy, was I tired after yesterday. But I got up and made a "picnic lunch" - fried chicken legs, deviled eggs, corn on the cob and chips with dip! It was really good and Kenny loved it. And it felt like picnic weather too - mid 70's today! But get this - it's going to drop 20 degrees tonight and the High tomorrow is on 50! I did another closet today (stage closet) but only got one bag for the thrift store. I was bored with that so my paintings were just calling my name. I'm still doing small paintings and boxes to "learn" more. One is very special - I had a old picture of my Daddy in his Woodshop on my desk downstairs. Probably taken a couple years ago - so I painted it with not much detail - just an "impression" and I'm going to give it to him. I actually love it and oh, the memories that go along with this one! My Daddy's shop is where we can go and not say a word to each other but just connect. There is nothing like that feeling. Then, I finished a couple of cigar boxes. The pictures are not very good but I'll post them anyway. I did 2 more boxes today and started two more and one more 5 x 7! It was a good painting day. Now, when I got up to come upstairs I could not put any pressure on my knee - ouch - that hurt like hell. I had done 10 minutes on my bike today then sat at my art table for about 4 hours. I MAY have overdone it a little yesterday going up and down the stairs. I came up and put ice on it and I think I'll take it easy tomorrow! I still feel good about everything I'm doing though and look forward to another great weekend at Beluga!

Best of My Day: Painting my Daddy in his shop and "remembering".......

spring cleaning

I'm not sure what has happened but I'm on a mission! I started cleaning out my "bag" closet - the one above the bathtub that I love! I now have a van full of "donations" - I had stuff in there from years ago and I got rid of it all! It does feel good to do this. I then started on my closet in the master bedroom (I have closets in every room!) I did move a lot of winter stuff downstairs - that was my exercise for the month! My knee did good but sore today. I'm going to tackle the "Stage Closet" downstairs today - no going up and down all day! Now, of course, it's only supposed to about 50 degrees tomorrow so I have a keep a few warm things around for a while longer. I told Kenny I felt better than I have in a long time - getting my knee fixed has done wonders for me - I'm on the way back - yeah.....

Best of My Day: Finishing one spring cleaning room.....

More about Monday

On another note I went to the Doc yesterday and got my stitches out - he says my knee looks good (even if I did perorm in heels) as he rolled his eyes! Dr A says I have a lot more "Arthur" in my knee than he thought at first so he may want to try the "lubrication" shots after 8 weeks. We'll see but for now it's get on the bike and don't hurt myself! My whole outlook has been lifted after this surgery. I was in pain for so long and that can be very depressing but I found myself this week just "feeling lighter" (not weight-wise ha ha) but mentally. Now, today is great - got all my errands done yesterday, house keeper cleaned the house, and I cooked so I can actually decide what I WANT to do today. It's going to be a rainy week so I'm thinking about starting on the dreaded "closet clean-out"! Maybe - I'll decide that later - it may just be a lazy day too

The Weekend

I did it I did it I did it and I did it in High Heels!!!! I did use my cane but performed both nights at Beluga - oh, I did enjoy the huge men lifting me up on my box to sit on the piano! We had a good weekend though and I didn't hurt myself at all. Then I did the craziest thing - Shane was conducting a 5 hour art workshop on Sunday and I HAD to go. So I actually set my clock, got up, showered and drove to Marietta to paint for 5 hours! It was glorius and I always learn something. I did tell everyone I thought they were fools to be up that early - we had got to bed around 6 am! I'm working on a painting that I took years ago of Downtown Greeenville, SC and it will be nice when I can finish it. Also, I took the two paintings that Shane is going to show at the Calhoun Art Center this month. Maybe, just maybe, they will sell! I was really exhausted by Sunday night but Kenny and I went to Kroger and I made our favorite soup - we call it "Myrtle Beach Soup" because when we were on vacation last year we had this at a great Italian place and they actually gave me the receipe. I'll share it with everyone. It doesn't sound that good but it is heavenly (don't tell the kids it has collard greeens in it) - I NEVER eat greens but they are good in this.
Minestra Beans
“Beans and Greens”
Emberto’s Myrtle Beach SC


Ingredients:

Ham Stock ( I use beef or chicken broth)
2 cans Great Northern White Beans
1 Can Collard Greeens
1 Can Crushed Tomatoes
½ Cup Onion
1-2 Cloves Chopped Garlic

Heat Stock, watet, onions and garlic until onion is tender
Reduce heat, add beans, collards, tomatoes.

Bake in oven 350 degrees for 45-60 Minutes

Serve with Parmesan Cheese

Claiborne’s Note: I cook sweet Italian sausage and the onions and garlic – I add that to the soup for a “Meat Meal” - I really think the “Baking” is the secret!!!!! Enjoy

On another note I went to the Doc yesterday and got my stitches out - he says my knee looks good (even if I did perorm in heels) as he rolled his eyes! Dr A says I have a lot more "Arthur" in my knee than he thought at first so he may want to try the "lubrication" shots after 8 weeks. We'll see but for now it's get on the bike and don't hurt myself! My whole outlook has been lifted after this surgery. I was in pain for so long and that can be very depressing but I found myself this week just "feeling lighter" (not weight-wise ha ha) but mentally. Now, today is great - got all my errands done yesterday, house keeper cleaned the house, and I cooked so I can actually decide what I WANT to do today. It's going to be a rainy week so I'm thinking about starting on the dreaded "closet clean-out"! Maybe - I'll decide that later - it may just be a lazy day too!

Best of my Day: Not "having" to do anything!