First Shot

Wow - I got approved yesterday by Blue Cross so I got my first shot today in my knee. Of course, Dr. A had just put a shot of Cortisone in on Wednesday so I said you aren't going to put in the same spot are you????? So he put it in the other side of the knee. The shots are not fun at all but I hope they work. They say it take a couple of them to start the lubrication so we'll see. We're in Columbus and got here just in time for the rain to begin. It's a nice gentle rain - hope I'll sleep good tonight. Then it's supposed to be cold on Saturday - hope so because I brought a bunch of cold weather clothes! I did bring my cane and some lower heel shoes for the weekend - I really want my 4 inchers but I'll see how I do. Have a great weekend everyone........

Knees

Well, it was back to the surgeon today about my knees. He IS a Dr. McDreamy but I really don't want to see him that bad! They did the X-rays and then I got the good news and the bad news. I did not re-tear anything from the surgery but I have severe arthritis in my left knee. He said remember I told you after the surgery??? Duh, I was on pain pills - actually I do remember him telling me that I may have trouble. There is a series of 5 shots once a week and I can do them every 6 months. It has to be approved by my insurance and that takes about a week. So today, he gave me a cordisone shot right in the knee - ouch dammit - and hopefully I can start the series next week. It's a lubrication shot but suposed to work pretty good. They are also very expensive so I hope I get approved by Blue Cross. So tonight it hurts really bad but I think part of that is the shot so maybe it will be better tomorrow. I just hope I can be back at least enough to perform this weekend in my high heels! It's suposed to rain tomorrow so I plan to be in my studio all day!

Back to Art Class

" Walking Thru Life"

50 years

9 x 12 Oil on Canvas

This was the last group until after Thanksgiving so I was so glad to get there. There is something about being around other artists that is amazing and inspiring. I wish I could do it more often. I wanted to do this small painting for my friends Donna and James in Columbus. They are our most loyal fans at Belloo's - I don't they have ever missed a night when we are playing there. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October and we were not able to attend their party. I wanted to do something that would represent their 50 years of marriage so I thought about a winding path thru the fall woods. I thought it says 50 years of walking the path of life and all the while, holding hands. I hope they like it and hope they have many many more. I also have an appointment with Dr A the knee surgeon tomorrow so we'll see what he has to say about my knee. This is absolutely miserable not being able to walk without pain. And sometimes just the ache is horrible. Not to mention I could not wear my 4" heels this weekend - now you know it hurts if I can't to that. I hope it's not torn again - I really think I overdid it last week and of course, have only had one day to stay off my knee. And I know he going to say I have to ride that dreaded stationery bike. I would love to ride my Trike but it's at my mothers and there are too may hills around here anyway. I'm tired tonight -Matilda woke me up early this morning - so I'm going to try and read for a bit and sleep for a long while......

Find of the Day: A $10.00 filing cabinet at the thrift store for Kenny! It's in good shape and he needs one real bad!

Day Off - For real

I did it - I really did it - I stayed in bed all day! Well, I got up to fix something to eat. My body just said no way you are going anywhere. I woke up early - I hate this - at 9am - had my tea and read the news. I did get up and tell Kenny I wanted to go for a ride and take the girls and my camera to see some leaves. I really wanted to do this. My knees hurt so bad so I limped back to bed just to rest and stayed there. I did research for art on the computer, watched soap opera's, read some of my book, took "Kitty Naps" - that's 15 minutes or less. Turned the TV off and read for a while - took a "Cat Nap" - about 30 minutes. Kenny brought Chinese so I moved from the bed to the living room and we ate and watched "Grey's" and another show. I did sketch some around midnight (in bed) and now I'm going to read my book again and try to stay up really late so I can sleep in because it's a Beluga night tomorrow. I do feel a little rested but my knees are still horrible. I'm really not sure what to do about tomorrow night. I broke down and took 1/2 a pain pill today - and no, I have not even tried the stationery bike - they hurt too bad. I wonder how my little flat silver boots will look tomorrow night????? Oh, Matilda has "claimed" the Snuggle Ball - she absolutely loves it!! Tatiana has not even tried to get in it......

Yorkie Christmas in November?????

Boy, did Matilda and Tatiana get a surprise today! A HUGE box with their name on it got delivered to our door. It was from Florida so we suspected who it was from - our Florida Yorkie Friends of course! We put the box in the floor and opened it up. Wow - a Snuggle Ball! And Sweaters from Adam and Jerry and Angel Mellie. See, Mellie went to the Rainbow Bridge last year and her mom now has two boy Yorkies. Soooo, she sent Mellie's sweaters for the girls cause they don't fit little boys - it covers up their little thing! There has to be special sweaters for boy Yorkies I guess! Anyway, it was like Christmas for Matilda and Tatiana and they loved it. We send lots of hugs and kisses to the boys, and Mom and Maggie for making our day so special. I tried to work today and did get all my laundry done and all the blankets from the art show washed and folded. Did a little cleaning but my knees are still so swollen and hurt so bad. I'm not sure what to do - I think stay off of them tomorrow and Kenny says ride the bike but I know that is going to kill me. I have no idea how I'm going to work in heels this weekend - it may have to be the flat boots. This is not good and it they don't get better I'll have to go back to Dr. McDreamy (the knee doc)! They hurt worse than they did right after the surgery and they ache all the time. On a better note I did get all my Christmas Yorkie paintings hung upstairs already - hey, Thanksgiving is almost here! I do have to put a light on the newest one because it goes on the easel. I have 5 Yorkie Christmas Oil paintings now - I love it! I'll got pillows under my knees and right now Matilda has claimed the snuggle ball and it's in the bed! I am going to "try" and take it easy tomorrow - if I can paint I'll do it sitting down!

Halloween at Belloo's

Our favorite - we all think Larry should wear this wig every night - FINE!!!

Me and Dehra

Arthur - the Serious Jazz Musician!!

Clarence as King Tut

Me and Mel


Fun fun night at Belloo's and a great costumes!

Belloo's Art Show

Roy and his "painting"

After an exhausting week I finally am finding time to post about the art show. It really looked beautiul with all the paintings hanging on the brick walls of the club. It was somewhat of a light turn out but still successful and that is what counts. I sold three paintings and all of my cigar boxes - could have sold a lot more of those! I even got some orders for more boxes and I think another future sell of a painting. The people were great and I had two wonderful artists come and buy boxes from me. It was a lot of work but I enjoyed doing it and have missed my art shows. We hope to do another one in the spring there and maybe one at Beluga too. We covered all the expenses and some left over for our "budget" so I feel like I at least contribute to something to me and Kenny. So thanks everyone for a good art show and now I'm ready to get back to painting - that's the real fun part!

The Set Up

Well, it's not done but Pat and I worked until 3 am hanging paintings at the club. He had put me on some very strong anti-biotics and given me a B-12 shot. I am so tired and still sick but the "Show must Go On"! I thought I would come home and sleep but nooooooooooo - I got up 3 times to smoke a cig, drink a glass of milk (after I had drank a big glass of Scotch thinking it would let me go to sleep), played solitare, and finally at 6am took a xanax! I was up by 10:30! I've got to go back to the club by 1 - finish arranging everything - then back to the house, dressed and "make-uped" and back to the club by 6 for the art show! I hope I stay on my feet "high heels" tonight! Kenny hasn't left Atlanta yet (he's trying but he's always late) - is that a "Trinklein" thing? Now, the bright side I'm sitting on the deck with a sweat shirt and hat drinking my tea on this beautiful autumn day - things are looking up already. And just think - after tonight I have to dress up like Mrs. Santa Claus and do two shows tomorrow night AND Saturday night! I'll make it - I'll just click my heels three times.........

Packed and ready to Go!

The trailer is packed with 28 paintings, easels, and stuff. Now if I can just drive it down to Columbus I'll be fine! Kenny is coming later but I'm leaving today to get some things done before the show. We had our first "freeze" of the year - There was "frost" on the Pumpkin this morning - yeah! I've still got this cold or some kind of krud but at least I got some sleep. Got a busy busy weekend and will have pictures to follow!

Getting Ready

I'm busy framing paintings and printing brochures for the art show next Thursday. We got a hitch on the van today so I can haul a trailer (and a camper too, Kenny!) My friend came for a visit today and we had some nice girl time together. We have not seen each other in years so it was nice and I cooked a Crab Quiche. It's COLD (I love it) and going to rain tomorrow with the high of 52 - that is for Christy - and we turned the fire place on tonight for the first time. Love it, Love it, Love it! Tomorrow it's Beluga day - yikes that means do my roots and nails! Gotta go.....have a great weekend....

Tea in Fontaine Vaucluse, France

"Tea in France"

24 x 48

Oil on Canvas

Fontaine Vaucluse, France

On one of the best days of my life - a little town high in the mountains of France called Fontaine Vaucluse - we were winding down the day with a cup of tea. This was one of the most beautiful villages we visited in France. It is the home of a wonderful place where very very nice paper is made and we saw how they did this with a water wheel. I also watched an artist in her studio paint Poppies with a palette knife which inspired my love of painting Poppies. Kenny and I had a picnic on the river and just a lazy day in this wonderful town. Eight years later (almost to the day) I finished this painting. This photo was taken in 2000 on my 50th Birthday trip to France. I think it captures the peace and contentment of the day. It was one of the best!! I think I'm keeping this one! In the photo of the village we were sitting in the restaurant on the left! And I do remember the waiter being very "French" Handsome - I think I asked Kenny if I could bring him home but he said no! Ha Ha ......

A Quick Visit

Maggie and her Uncle Kenny

Maggie and Adam playing in New York

Maggie and the Green Tomatoes


Just a short short visit from Maggie, Adam, and Deb last night. They are on their way home from New York after visiting "Pop" - Deb's Dad. It was so great to see all of them and Maggie was sooooo sweet when she got here. We met them at the top of the hill and got here out of the "House on Wheels". I got hugs and kisses and then "let me down I want my Uncle Kenny" and then she tore off down the hill into his arms! And Adam was so glad to get in the back yard and out of the crate! Maggie wanted to catch "fire flys" like we did this summer and we got the jars and everything but I think they have all flown south - is that where fire flies go??? We ran and played in the yard then came inside. Kenny was going to watch the debate and Maggie (they always remember) said I want some ice cream! Well, we didin't have any ice cream but I told her Aunt Claiborne has something better - a Snow Cone!!! I found a "pampered chef" shaved ice thingy this summer at the thrift store. Brand new and still in the Box for $2.00 - I love it and you mix up this syrup with kool-aid. So I made her a Cherry Icie and she loved it. Mommy Deb liked it too but Maggie wanted hers so Deb did not get very much. Maggie said I made the best "icies" in the world. So Deb said it was jammie time and oh no - not yet - please mama - Aunt Claiborne tell me a story. So we go and I make up a story about Maggie Fire Fly and how she had to get from New York to Georgia - it was fairly long (you know me) and when we got to the part of how all the fire flies found their way to the Back Yard in Georgia and The End - you KNOW what happeded - Tell it again, Aunt Claiborne!!! So after lights out and a short version of the story Maggie was gone night-night. Deb and I got a bit of time to sit in the swing downstairs and visit which was really nice. I miss her and so glad I've been able to see her 3 times this year! Poor Adam was so tired he laid between us and slept. We all got up this morning and had some more backyard time and Maggie found the last of the green tomatoes. Too soon it was time for them to hit the road to FL so we all had lots of hugs, kisses and licky's from everyone and off they go. We hope to see them again this spring. It's alwasy so nice for them to come and Maggie is just a dream (although I have no idea how Deb keeps up with her!!!) So they should be home safe and sound tonight and I'll bet Maggie says Mom, tell the story of Maggie Fire Fly!!! We love you guys!

Dr J and Beluga

Dr J in Action
Dehra, Dr J, and Me

My Favorite - us laughing - we do this a lot!

Dehra and Me

Girlfriends

Reaching out to you

A couple of weeks ago Dehra's friend, Fontaine came by and took some photos of us at Beluga. It's really hard to get good "live shots" because my mouth is usually wide open and we do make some ugly faces when we sing!! HA - But Fontaine is great and he got some good ones. On this same night Dr J (Julius Evring) the Basketball was there and we got a nice picture with him - and he was a great man too. Usually when someone like this comes in no one has a camera so it was great Fontaine was there that night! So for some of my favorites......

Cool Weekend

The weather was wonderful in Columbus for a change. Cool, breezy - just perfect! We all just hung out on Saturday and Will cooked. We had a wonderful audience on Saturday night - just not enough of them but they were all really into the show. We just don't know how we can continue to take a 7 piece band with us. That's gonna suck but we'll just have to see how things are going to shake out. Now, I've got to get busy unpacking, laundry and hope to paint tomorrow! Have a great week.

Night Line

I'm watching one of my favorites- Night Line. There was a wonderful piece on "Robin" from Good Mornng America and her journey with Breast Cancer. I know it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so many people are affected by this. My heart is still heavy after all these years and I miss Kathy M. so much. As I watched Robin tell her story I remembered Kathy describing some of the same things and I wish I could have been there thru the whole process with her. Sadly, I was there mostly at the end. Robin went into the whole "I'm losing my Hair" Thing. Kathy did this and so many people don't understand it - I know I didn't at the time either. She had to take Chemo agan and didn't want to because she would loose her hair. I talked and talked and finally said Iwas coming home from Vegas and if she would pick me up at the airport I would be the one getting off the plane with a shaved head. She did the Chemo! Oh, how I wish if all I had to do was shave my head and see her meeting me with a smile. Don't forget to get your mamagrams.......I must cry a little now......

An Old Friend

I got a phone call today from a childhood friend. Well, we met in the 2nd grade but go way beyond that - we shared a lot of our adult lives together too. Then of course, as things go - got busy, a "child"to raise, lifestyles, and even though we don't live that far apart we just didn't get to see each other. It was good to hear her voice and catch up a little. I thought I heard some sadness in her voice and it finally did come out. I won't go into the story but this is a smart, beautiful, lady who has been mentally beat down by a controlling man. I knew it but thought OK everything must be better now. Well, it's not and she reached out today to "Get her life Back" and I'm proud of her. It's so hard to admit something like that and even though it might have been a tiny step for her it's a big step in her life. I wish things could have been different for her but I do know the man and can't say I'm surprised. At one point, she said to me, You would never have let a man treat you that way, would you? I said no but at the same time no one is perfect. I had to go through some men to find my soul mate Kenny. And believe me, he's not perfect but I did realize something as I was hearing her story. No matter if we don't agree, argue, fight, pout, or get disappointed we always know that there is love backing it up. That is the difference. To find that kind of love comes along very rarely. We all have done things or said things in anger but to be cruel and hurt someone just for the sake of hurting has no love in it. I'm angry for her, hurt for her and yet I have hope and I know that there is a strong woman left inside her. I pray for her to have strength and I hope I can provide comfort and be a friend to her. We all need that sometimes.

Christmas is right around the Corner

"We been good, Santa"

I haven't bought any presents, or made any crafts but I did finish my Christmas Card painting tonight! I know some of you will get to see this before I send out Christmas Cards but I just can't wait to post it. This is always such an accomplishment every year for me so I'm just excited. This is the fifth Oil Painting in my series. I can't wait to hang them all in the dining room! I love painting the babies and Matilda and Tatiana look very sweet this year. Of course, they are whispering to Santa what they want in their stocking! I haven't written the poem yet but it will come as I look at the picture. We did not get to go camping - Kenny has a ton of phone calls (wall street) and his Desk Top crashed so he was pretty stressed out. I said let's wait until we can go and relax so instead I went to Art Class which is a good thing. It's supposed to rain on Wednesday too so we would have been packing up in the rain. I think we'll wait until the time is right - of course, now I've got to unpack everything! And then repack for Columbus this weekend. I'm living out of a suitcase again (well, several suitcases)! It was wonderful to get back to my Art Group and see old friends. Jill brought me a lovely little flower arrangement that is on my night stand for my Birthday (YES, I'm STILL celebrating my 58th) HA. I worked so hard at Beluga this weekend I could not get out of bed on Sunday until 4 pm - my body is just really tired. So I guess tomorrow I'll unpack and do laundry! But this is always a very important day when I finish my Christmas Card so I have had a good one!

My Mother is 83

Mother riding "Bonnie Blue Bell" on her 83rd Birthday!!
Ha - she has more energy than me! We had a wonderful couple of days in SC celebrating My and Mother's birthday - poor Daddy! Two old red-headed women with birthdays! We went to Olive Garden with my cousin Karen and Paul - wonderful time and dinner. Then the next day Karen took us to "The Clock" - a Greer must - for lunch. Mother bought Kenny and I a camping stove to go with our "tent" for the great camping trip next week. But then we got home and she started going thru her "stuff" and you would think we bought out "Dick's Sporting Goods". Let's just say we are totally outfitted to camp now. A wonderful little folding table and chairs that they used on the Parkway will be just right for inside the tent. I can't wait to sit by a campfire! And I did get enough gas to get home too and it is getting a little better in Atlanta now but still not good. I hope we have some folks come out to Beluga this weekend - Billy is already crying about not making any money and can't pay for the sax player this weekend. Everyone is hurting right now and we just pray things will get better soon. It's a tough time for everyone and I'm just grateful for what we have. We're all home tonight safe and sound and cuddled in bed for very cool night - low 50's - yeah. I'm very tired but once again grateful for a trip home and time with my mother and daddy. My camera battery died but get a load of this 83 year old on a trike! The end of our day yesterday was a trike ride - we joked about at out age we out in the dark riding in the road on our trike's with Tatiana and Matilda wrapped in little blankets in the baskets - I just love the picture........

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!!!!