Today

Is my 58th Birthday and I'm thankful for so many things......

Birthday Bash at Belloo's

Best Friends - Dehra and Me working it!

My Girl - Miss Dehra

Pat and Margo

Jeffery, Me, Caleb and Dehra



Had a great time and birthday party at Belloo's this weekend. Lots of nice friends, gifts, balloons and cake with "trick" candles! THAT created a huge fire HA HA! So technically it's my 58th birthday right now but not really until 3:25 pm tomorrow - THEN I'll really be 58 years old. Kenny and I are having a "day" together tomorrow then it's off to SC for Mother's 83rd Birthday on Wednesday. That is, if I can get gas. We filled up in Columbus but it's tough to find gas in Atlanta right now. This is getting more crazy by the day. Looking forward to tomorrow and see if I wake up with more "aches"........









Party at Belloo's

Got Gas?????

We finally got gas in both cars today - Kenny went out looking (there was not enough gas in the van to go looking) He came back after 2 unsuccessful trips and starting looking in the phone book. He had to go by the office so he left again and called me and said get in the van now and come the Kroger by his office. There was a line but it was going very smooth and I got to the pump in about 25 minutes. So, we are filled up (and don't dare go anywhere) and ready to go to Columbus tomorrow. Pat said they have gas there so we should be alright coming home. I didn't get to go my Life Drawing tonight and really bummed about that but we could not chance using that much gas. So I bathed the babies and watched some TV, did my laundry, had play time in the yard, did my nails - so this is what people do when they can't go anywhere!! Now, I have to pack for the weekend and when we get back - yeah - it will be my Birthday!!

A Beautiful Fall Painting Day

Cigar Box Paris Street 2

Cigar Box Paris Street 2

Cigar Box Fruit and Blue Jug Cigar Box Boats on the Water

We still have no gas - Kenny went to sit in line and they ran out before he got to the pump. Hopefully tomorrow and bummer - I won't get to go to my Life Drawing Session because IF we can get gas we have to save it for the trip to Columbus. I'm not going to bitch anymore - it won't do me any good. We also canceled our 4 day cabin get away. We decided that it would be more fun to just take off (if we have any gas) and maybe get a tent (which I have been soooo wanting to go back to) and camp out or spend a day in the city. Why pay so much money just to sit in a cabin? It costs a little bit to cancel but we are both relieved. We may even sleep in the van - I still want a small tent! This way we can get out of doing the same old thing - watching TV, on the computer, cooking, sleeping - that's what we would do at a cabin. I'd rather build a big campfire, roast marsh mellows, cook potatoes in the fire and talk! So we're still going to take a break but just not in someone else's cabin! So I painted today - all cigar boxes - I'm trying to get about 20 done for the art show I plan to do in Columbus. If people cannot afford oil paintings maybe at least I could cover some of the cost by selling the cigar boxes. I had fun today and don't have the pics yet - they are too wet but above are a few I did last week. The weather is just yummy and cool and I love it. Can't wait for that campfire!!!!

No Gas

There has been no regular gas in Cumming since Friday! We had to put premium in the van to go to Beluga this weekend and after a trip to Kroger my light is on empty so I guess I'll be at home tomorrow! We are supposed to get some gas by the end of the week and I sure hope so because we have to go to Columbus to work. This is so stupid because the oil rigs were not hurt that badly plus we need to drill off shore in our own land to stop this nonsense. And now the Democrats are stalling our financial well being to save the stupid people who made bad decisions about their homes and spent the money when they took out bad loans and now have no way to pay them back! I usually don't rant about things but this is pissing me off. I've have 2 encounters this past week of some one "wanting something for nothing" and I'm tired of it. Get a Freaking life people. So there and besides if I'm ever rich I'll give all my money to the Animals to them warn and fuzzy and happy.

The Blue Elephant Herd

The Blue Elephant Herd

The "Herd" having Breakfast in Bed with Matilda

Matilda says This is MY Herd

Tatiana and her Blue Elephant



What is it about certain toys???? I found this cute little Blue Elephant a long time ago and it was 92 cents at Walmart. Little did I know that it would become the "favorite" of all times. Matilda and Tatiana just love it. Matilda can squeak it and Tatiana can't but she loves it anyway. Sooooooo, smart mama decides to get another one so they each would have one - HA - they both only want the same one. When we leave to go to Columbus or South Carolina Matilda always puts the Blue Elephant in front of the door to the garage so we won't forget it. And I panic to try and find it to bring it back home. While in WW this part week they have some more and out of sheer terror that I would lose one I bought another Blue Elephant. I should have put it up somewhere (like my mother always told me to so there would be an extra one) but Nooooo they are just too cute with a new toy. So now we have a "Herd" of Blue Elephants. They still only want the new one and they can tell the difference. And here I am today trying to get ready for the gig with lots to do but I had to take these pictures!!!!!!

Figure Drawing

The one thing I learned tonight - no faces at this stage!!!! You get a sticky note on the face!!!

Wow - I want to paint so bad but this is so good for me! Tonight we had a beautiful Mother-to-Be -in-8-weeks. The poses were great and I'm still having trouble with form and fore-shortening (that's the hardest)....But Shane said he was very proud of me and I'll get better every time. I don't think I did as well tonight but it was great for the experience. I hope to paint in my studio tomorrow - I can't believe it's already Thursday and I have to go to work on Friday night - where did this week go???? But the weather is absolute Heaven! In the 50's at night 70's in the Day. I had the windows and doors open all day today and no air conditioning. Kenny has the Attic fan on right now and my feet are actually cold and I love it. Slept with the windows open last night and boy I'm going to again tonight. I don't know when I have slept that good. What is it about fresh air. I grew sleeping with windows open and I didn't know how much I missed it. Of course, I remember those hot nights too! Now Tatiana wants to play and it's 1:30 AM - And Matilda just wants her Blue Elephant. We bought another one at Walmart - this makes 3 Blue Elephant's in the house - and they still both want the same one - the new one - how in the hell to they know the difference - THEY DO! And I love it!!!!

Mother and Daddy

Richard Claiborne and Veleda Hemphill 1962
I had a friend Grayson asked me to see a photo of my Mother and Daddy when they were young - I posted some to them a couple of weeks ago - Daddy, 95 1/2 and Mother - 83 this Oct 1st. So when I was home I asked mother for one. She found one taken in 1962. I was 12 years old and it was my cousin's wedding. My Daddy's brother Baxter had passed away and Donna Rey asked my Daddy to give her away at her wedding. It was bittersweet but we all got dressed up (my Dad in Tails)!!! I had a very grown up dress of Baby Blue satin - I'll have to try ad find that picture but I assure you I was not at attractive 12 year old!! I think it had something to do with the "curly hair"!! My Mother would have been 37 years old here and my Daddy 49 - wow - I can remember that night! I LOVE the white gloves I had them too. So for everyone who sees all the "old people" pictures of my parents here they are way before digital and Internet! I think they look marvelous!!!

Cold Front

Finally Finally Finally - it's cooler tonight - it was hot and muggy today but Matilda wanted to go outside and play about 6:30 so I took her and Tatiana in the back. It was very nice and sprinkling a little rain. So hoping I had enough gas to finish I cut the yard. It was wonderful riding and feeling the cool breeze in my face. I did have enough gas so I got the front yard done too. Kenny has been working all day in his office and he saw me out the front so when I came to the back yard he had the little mower out! He said what a great idea. He surprised me more by saying let's go have pizza and our wonderful new pizza place. We had a nice dinner then walked around the new outdoor mall right up from our house. There are fountains and brick walkways and very high end stores so I just window shopped! On to Walmart (to shop) - for a few things. When we came out of WW is was raining - oooooh I love it. But when we got home not a drop so we threw open the windows and turned on the attic fan. This is wonderful. Hurrah for fall.

A little press in the Columbus Ledger Paper

Claiborne relishes art of entertaining
BY SONYA SORICH - ssorich@ledger-enquirer.com
Microphone in hand, Claiborne likely represents the kind of entertainer her fans would like to become.
Not the singer who drunkenly slurs karaoke lyrics, but the performer who's able to have her own party on stage while maintaining enough wit to banter with her audience.
The performer who devotes a few minutes to a tried-and-true dance tune, and then resuscitates a jazz classic to bring a new crowd of partiers to their feet.
These are the qualities that help drive the solo-named singer's appeal at Belloo's, the downtown Columbus nightclub where she's performed on about a monthly basis since 2006.
She also created much of the artwork that decorates the hot spot.
Friday and Saturday, Claiborne performs with her backup musicians in an act that is collectively called Claiborne & Friends.
She found the gig after an extended history of live entertainment, including a decade-long stint in Las Vegas.
Relying on influences like Judy Garland and Lucille Ball, Claiborne serves up an act that relies on music, but just as much on comedy and audience interaction. It's a good going-out option for partiers craving a big-band feel.
© 2008 Ledger-Enquirer and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.http://www.ledgerenquirer.com

Life Drawing

I have been painting over 10 years now and I have never drawn from life!! OMG, what a rush - tonight I went to Shane's Life Drawing Night -no instruction - just pay $10 for the model - and draw. I CANNOT draw and this is great for me. Oh, I can grid on the canvas or even sketch a little then paint with lights and shadows but it has always frustrated me because I cannot draw from life. So, this is only the beginning - a very slow beginning but I'm jacked. I loved it and it's so different. I have looked for a drawing course, but at the same time I don't want to sit and draw circles and eggs and flowers. So even though there is no instruction it is where my interest is - drawing the human figure. It's a long trek over to Marietta and when art classes start it will be twice a week but I know it will be worth it. Now remember, Shane told me to do "jester" drawing - the model poses for 2 minutes with several poses, then 5 minutes, then 25 minutes for 4 times. You move around and get different angles and poses. It was great fun and I did learn something even though you may not can tell from the photo's! So a new door is opening and I'm ready to run through it!!

No Huricane Rain

Oh well, we are not going to get any rain from Ike either but we did have thunderstorms yesterday and today - I loved it - Tatiana hated it. I'm just glad we don't live in Houston anymore - but I've always been glad about that!!! Did NOT like Houston or Texas! I painted today and I'm getting there with my Christmas Card (still no previews) and several other paintings. I'm going to do something tomorrow night - jump in and go to a "Life Class" at Shane's. There is a live model and no instruction - you just paint on your own. Shane has been trying to get me to come for a long time. Since our class does not start until October I've got to get some inspiration so I'm going. I may end up watching every one else but I'll try and paint something. This is a step that I need to learn so it will be very interesting. I had a very nice day - housekeeper came so the house is clean - had wonderful shrimp corn chowder that I made last night - and I painted with my little babies in the studio with me while it was raining! That's what we call a near perfect day - only made better if it was cold! And maybe a few snow flurries.....oh oh - wish full thinking now. I'm starting to look up fall decorations on line - oh oh - I'm really getting the fall fever! Just go away Summer! Now, I'm an old lady rambling...so have a good day yourself. Oh, great report at the Doc yesterday for all my blood work but I did have a bone density test and now have to take pill for Osteaphoris (I have no idea how to spell it) but it's an old woman thing!!!!

Trip Home

My Daddy and Me

My Mother and Me

Playing in Granny's Yard

Daddy's favorite thing: Reading

Had a wonderful 2 day visit in SC with Mother and Daddy. Lots of good time together, tricycle riding, good food, laughter and lots of love. Daddy felt pretty good one day and we spent a little time together doing stuff but he has very little energy. And of course, mother is just a ball of fire at 83!! I got a photo of Daddy (95 and 1/2) doing what he loves best - reading the "Washington Post"..of course with Tatiana as his "lap top" as he calls her. Every moment is precious with them. Back home now and must get ready for "Beluga" tonight. I'm tired but had a great time and Matilda and Tatiana loved playing in the yard and terrorizing the "Kitty's". .......