March 20, 2007

SPC #2 Widgets

I really ripped off Joy with this one, but I really like fd's flickr toys. They are so low maintenence. And with this crazy weather I'm in my wool socks one morning and in my flip flops the next. But my toes are a-tinglin' these days as there are some exciting possibilities on my brain. I am still longing to get that email from Patty our agent, but on the flip side our closing date for Jefferson Heights has been moved up to April. And our relocation funds are solidified. As I was expressing yesterday in conversation, I can't believe how much God is giving and then He expects immediate thankfulness and responsibility. I can't believe He has trusted me with so much.

And for no reason at all, I want to show off the pretty girl who is Brandt Sykes daughter, she's gorgeous! And I want to say congrats to the Levengood's on their long-awaited baby girl Katherine. Celebration is order!

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March 12, 2007

SPC Web Widgets #1

This is a little bit late, but I had a hard time finding a widget that was compatible with my blog without filling out tons of junk or making my computer freeze up. This was super easy and fun! I'm sure some of you are more creative than I with wording and subjects. Have fun!

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February 28, 2007

SPC B&W #4

This isn't all the way black and white, but I like it. There's only so many pictures I can look at of myself that are black and white. Another minivan shot. I just love taking pictures while I'm driving. Yeah, pull me over, arrest me. Driving while capturing images.

There are so many places I want to snap pictures of as I drive around and around and around town. And I did drive everywhere today, Eden and I. See I'm at that place, that place that desperate people reach, where you see how much money you need and you have no options to save anymore. All you can do is get a friggin job.

I went and turned in two applications, well one. The other process was a bit more complicated. I am reaching out stretching myself to come to grips with the reality that I am going to join the real workforce after being out of it for 6 years. Joel has been a pillar of strength as I come to this recognition. There is the life of a straving artist. Starving is one thing, but starving and in debt is another. I will not be in debt if I can help it!! So before our Marietta house sells I must be the one to make sure the minimum payments get paid. So who will pay me? Target? They just took down their "Now Hiring" sign the day after I apply "we're not hiring at this time". Starbucks? "Oh Ma'am you'll have to apply with the Hotel, see we're Hotel staff" Home Depot? That's my next bet, even though it's miles away from my home base. I keep waiting for that perfect thing to fall from the clouds.
But what made this kinda crappy use of my morning sans Josiah better was that I finally got the guts to introduce myself to Shawna at Main and Mocha who lives in my new neighborhood. Joel is so good about hob-nobbing, I'm shy (or aloof, take your pick). And then I took my weekly drive by our house and what did I see to my great delight!

It's painted!!! Sage green! I was only going to believe it when I could see it. I guess I'm just waiting for the builder's to screw up. We'll see how Joel likes it. I always think he'll poop on my happy light green color parade.

As much as I'd like to tell you about the neighbors I met this weekend and the cool has hell lofts that are in the old Clark Bro's Furniture building I must sew some baby shoes, apply for jobs, and get artist info together (look for me in a local publication soon!).

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February 20, 2007

SPC B&W #3

Here's me and my girl having a quiet before bath snuggle while Joel and Josiah visited baby Naya. I'm a bit too germy to visit a new baby, but I'll see you soon little Naya! Eden is testing new boundries and becoming a alot more fun. Isn't that annoying how those things some together? Why can't they just be sweet without any backlash. She's started falling asleep toward the end of our morning jaunts and then is almost impossible to wake up. When she does wake up it's full tilt tantrum, and she will not eat lunch. Afternoon naps are all thrown off depending on how much sleep she got.

But then she's become ever so adventurous. She thinks she's 7ft tall and can do anything and more than her brother. She understands (almost) everything I say, she's super organized and retains so much knowledge about her surroundings. She's probably ready to potty train, but we're putting that off until the new house. Eden can christen it. She loves looking at pictures and identifying everyone. I have no desire for another baby right now because she is the snuggliest baby ever! I mean, maybe Josiah just doesn't have much of a snuggle gene, but Eden sometimes won't even eat her meals unless she's sitting on a lap. My girl, she's petite and snuggly. Just with her personality she's a perfect form of birth control.

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February 6, 2007

SPC B&W

From our Christmas photo shoot

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January 24, 2007

SPC Resolutions #4

This is not really a self portrait. Cat took this last weekend at the Pickel Barrell. So give credit where it's due. I guess when I look at this picture of me I think of how I have turned 30 this year and I am starting to realize that my age does matter. I can't and won't dress the way I did in college. It's unattractive, it's sloppy. I have to clean up and be pretty. I resolve to be feminine. I do like pink, I like make-up (except when my mascara is poking me in the eyes), I like scented lotions that make my skin softer. And for the first time my husband bought me perfume for my 30th birthday! I would so wear high heels to keep my pants from dragging on the ground. Ugh, that's another thing. No more pants dragging on the ground! Being feminine is not about weakness, sappiness, flakiness, or being shallow. Being feminine is celebrating what God has made me. I want things to look nice. I want my purse to make me feel kinda stylish. I watch Project Runway and Runway Moms. Although I don't watch romantic comedies anymore (sappy). I think being a mother is a very feminine quality. And being the mother of a little girl brings it out even more. Eden and I had our 3 and half hours just with Eden this morning while Josiah was in school. We shopped!! For clothes!! I got one pair of pants and a shirt so I can look presentable at AVA. We went through the clearance jewelry at Target. Eden loved it. Then we went to the thrift store and had fun trying on shoes. I came home with an oh-so-feminine pair of Teva's, there in great shape too! It was fun shopping with Eden, we had a great girly time.

But resolutions aside, you'll see me in blue jeans and Doc Martens (although they are purple corduroy). I'll be sporting lots of hoodies and sneakers in my lifetime. But I will always want to dress in a way that makes my womanly side happy.

AND IN BIRD NEWS:

Here's my next little bird. It's not quite done, but almost. Look for it in New Eyes Shop. It's about 5"x7" on canvas.

Also I've paused on the birds for now to work more on Eliana. No worries Sam and Sara, I'll have that done before her 2nd birthday.

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January 17, 2007

SPC #3 Resolutions

One thing I would really like to do this next year. This new year of lots of changes, moving to a new place, brand new house, old friends, new church etc. I want to be even more natural, carefree, and happy with where I am and who I am. I have things I want to improve, but mostly I want to work on what God made me to be. That means lots of hard work, but also that means less self-absorbtion and more rolling with it. This picture is one Josiah took last week after his first day of school. I love it. It's not the most flattering picture of me, but it's very natural. I have that "Oh I love you, my little boy, let me give you a great big grin to prove it!". Josiah loves taking pictures and I'm not going to miss out on this creative experience. That's part of me being less uptight and more relaxed and natural. It's kinda cheesy but good and true.

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January 9, 2007

SPC Resolutions #2

Again, I don't like to use "resolution" because these are things I always strive to do, but this is a good exercize for me, so... I resolve to play outside with my kids more. Especially since Josiah got a tee-ball set, and a soccer ball with net for Christmas. He's got a pretty good hit. Passersby were cheering him on yesterday as he popped them up in the air. Eden likes retrieving the ball, not so much yesterday, she didn't even like the camera that much, as you can see. But it's great to spend so much sunny time with my kids. Far far away from the TV.

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January 3, 2007

SPC Resolutions #1

My first SPC Resolutions is not really a resolution because I always want to do this. No matter whether its May, June or January. I got to it and put some color on canvas. I want to knock this out asap. I got forms for Cleveland State Tech for their facilities. They need art I guess! So I need to pump out some new ones because they want work that's less than 4 years old. Post-Josiah art! That's an easy way to figure what I've got! I'm working on this adoption piece and I hope to make a new pod series really soon. I need to get down to IKEA for more frames. To be continued...

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December 20, 2006

SPC Red #2

Driving back from Dalton yesterday with the kids. We all deserved a Dum Dum. Nothing sold there, bummer, I don't think they advertised very well.

I didn't see that many sold stickers. Signe had some work there, man, I love her stuff. If I had $500 I would take one home. But last night after trucking around Home Depot looking at what kinda color scheme will work for our new kitchen, we came home and found that the Bird Pod has been purchased! Merry Christmas Bird pod owners! I thought it would never sell! Everyone complimented me up and down and no one was buying it, until now. Yeah. Now I can buy more presents for Joel.

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December 15, 2006

SPT Red

Oh I am so tired and so over Christmas cookied. Ugh. It was good to go out with Cat last night and chisel away at more presents last night. But dude, Christmas is expensive! I worked a couple days at Lee U this week and it is really fun to be away from the kiddies and be helpful and interact with others, but when I think about my kids while I'm working I remember I really don't want to be handing them off so I can work.

I rolled by the house in progress after work and the insulation was going up, the roof was getting started and there were workers crawling all over the upper porch. Man, its so exciting! I can't wait to have a brand....new.....house! Wow. I then rolled over to Willisons to get the kids. Jos was still napping and Eden was standing 3 inches from Cinderella. Mary Ferris and little Henry were visiting and Jess welcomed me in, "Katie, you want some wine?" "Soooo, it's been one of those kinda days!" I said. It was very fun to meet Mary and have a smidge of down time with the new community that is brewing here in Chattanooga.

Back to the red. This months Self Portrait Challenge is red and this is my only Christmas project to display. I finished the little girl stitchette the other day and have started the little boy tonight. I hope to make little stuffed ornaments/dolls with them. I wanted to make button wreaths, maybe another puff or poinsetta wreath, finish our stockings from last year. I mean there were lots of great Christmas projects out there.

This was a nice therapeutic project though. Its so nice to do something special with my hands while I can spend time with my family.

We had a goofy time with our tree trimming this year. Mom decided that her living room would be too small for them, us and Kirk's family. So Dad took down the French doors and Mom built a wall of boxes dividing the room and we stuck the tree inside. It's kinda wierd, but we have plenty of room and the tree is delightful. The kids and the cat leave the last foot of the tree naked, but it's charming and loaded with traditional goodness. Josiah and Eden had a ball running around the tree farm and watching Grandpa and Papa put the tree up and lights on. We all nogged it up (rum and no rum alike) and listened to a little Sufjan.

I'll have Lu Lu along with my kids tommorow and I'm glad it will be warm so we can hit Ross' Landing playground. Anyone wanna join us?

And this weekend we will go down to Marietta so Joel can train his replacement at Venture Phys Therapy. And, oh yeah, he got in a fender-bender and we will have to pick up the tried and true Camry to replace the Corolla that is not worth fixing. God is good. I feel like my emotions are balancing out and with Christmas right around the corner I feel like life will return to normal state. The contact with familiar friends and places is becoming less of a shock and more just real. I am kinda nervous about taking the kids back down to Marietta. I hope there are no hard separation moments.

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November 28, 2006

SPT Glam #4

This is the last week of Self Portrait Challenge Glam Month. It's been a fun challenge. I haven't had nearly as much success as Joy has. I love her photo shoots, I guess it helps to have a photoblogging husband that takes great shots! It's hard to be glamorus when you have to take the pics yourself. These are my "Lady sings the Blues" glam shots. Not that I am blue, I'm doing alright. There are so many things to think about, and the biggest conflict I have is the part-time job. I want it to be perfect. I don't want to put anyone out, and I don't want to be away from my kids too much. Joel thinks I'm crazy sometimes, well, most of the time. This has been something he doesn't get about me since day one. I want my job to be something that is applicable to my talents and he just wants to see the money. I have an opp to work for the book company I used to work for starting Thursday but the amount I will get paid is not quite the fundage I need for the drive it will be. I will give it a try though. And in exchange for watching little Lu, my two will have great company for two days a week. Even though we are moving gradually, I feel like it is an immediate process. Immeditely get jobs, immediately find activities for the kids, immediately unpack, help clean and cook, change phone numbers (email me if you need it BTW). There will be lots of opportunities to do things, more so than in Marietta.

If there are any blues for me its just been my body deciding to take sick leave when I need it to work. I've been wanting to dig back into two paintings that I've begun and my back has not been well. I am still walking, sleeping fine etc. I just need to stretch, rest and start some kinda exercize. Which if Cat had her way it would be walking with each other every evening, I'm sure. That wouldn't be so bad at all.

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November 15, 2006

SPT Glam #2

Remember those Oil of Olay commercials back in the day that would show some totally non-wrinkly woman applying this anti-aging creme in the most sophisticated of ways and the creme was applied in a totally opaque swab-blob and in a graceful movement it was transparent against her olivey skin? no? I do. It made me want to wear make-up that very instant!!

The one luxurious thing I have for myself every day are the beautiful products I now have to put on my body! This birthday, my 30th, I was showered with Burts Bees. I now have the Wild Lettuce Toner, Milk and Honey body Lotion, Shea Butter Hand Creme, Carrot Complexion Soap and all the tid bits from a head to toe package. But the best I think is the Radiance Creme with Royal Jelly. Man, that stuff is like putting whipped marshmallow fluff on your face and it truly makes it glow right after!!

So this is me being glamourus applying my Radiance Creme and looking radiant. And don't all those commercials have the woman with with her perfect hair or wrapped up tightly and perfectly in a towel? Well, I set it up and snapped a few then I set it free!

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November 8, 2006

SPT Glam #1

This month's Self Portrait Challenge I can get into. Even though I don't feel like the most glamorous person. I don't wear my hair all polished, I don't wear heels, I don't wear lipstick and I can't really make it through classic movies. I know some folks are all into Audry Hepburn, eh, not really me. Ella Fitzgerald though, have a listen (thx for the tip J-nette) But even though I don't need mascara really, I wear it every day. Submit mascara laden dark lashes under the macro and juice it up in Photoshop and there you have my glamour.

I know, my dear readers that you don't sign up for this, but I have to share a bit. This past week and a half I've been feeling really cruddy. I haven't wanted to talk about it that much because honestly I started to get worried. Worried that I was pregnant. I have been careful and I am that kinda woman that birth control works for. So feeling nauseous all day long and moody, falling asleep at 8:30. These things happened and I was waiting, waiting for the gumption to get a test. Last night even Joel was convinced. We talked quietly about how it would still be wonderful. So many of you all, my readers, have experienced unplanned pregnancies, and they seem so wonderful but at the moment of realization wasn't it terrifying? Wasn't it something you wanted to change just for a moment? I was groaning through my emotions thinking about going through it again. My biggest sadness was that I wanted so much to spend more time with Eden. I want her to be my baby a little while longer. She isn't weaned, she loves to snuggle, she's my baby girl and I want to have a little time when Josiah is in school so it can be just me and her. This morning at 5:30am Eden woke up and I realized that I wasn't pregnant. I was so thankful. I love my children. I would like to have one more, but God is good. He decided that my wants were Ok today. I am a bit troubled that I felt so bad. It was like a week and a half of PMS. It's annoying and I don't want to deal with this every month. I have definately decided that I need to start charting again. And that means replacing my basal thermometer battery. It's beepin' kinda worbelly. Did I keep ya on the edge of your seat? Just a little bit?


Glad I have just two.

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September 27, 2006

SPC-with someone

Here I am with my two girls. Eden the painting, and Eden my girl. I have been longing to work on the painting summore, but time has not allowed me. I will need to get hoppin' on it since I want it in the Shorter show in about a month.


More critters to love

I little green bird showed no fear when my Josiah went up to him and started to pet him!! Crazy! Of course I sent him to wash his hands good.


Before I could come out with some birdseed he flew off, leaving my kids to watch the apple tree across the yard.

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September 6, 2006

SPC-with someone, and much gratitude

This weeks SPC is pretty simple. Self Portrait with someone. And I must say that getting a picture with my son Josiah is easier than getting one by myself! He's always around me and snuggles with me more than Eden (Eden is Joel's snuggle bug). I love pictures with my son because even though everyone says he's a min-Joel, which I am not denying, I look into his eyes and I see mine. In these pictures our eyes look the same. It's wierd. Having little people that once were in you, are from you, contain parts of your make-up, yet they are totally independant people, crazy. My boy drives me crazy alot these days, but he also gives me great comfort. I find his letting go and desire to be with friends and start school (sniff) gives me a strange sense of freedom yet I ache for my first little one. The one who broke me big-time. He tested my faith over and over with his skinniness as a baby. He will continue to be the first to change me in many other areas. I am glad that my second child is a daughter because Josiah seems to be best boy experience I could ask for.

I also want to take a moment to quickly thank you all for all your comments and thoughts on my latest painting. I have not named it yet, and I have not finished it. I want to work on it like I'm jonesin' for a hit, but I must prioritize. Tonight I will work again. I wanted to tell those of you that do not now how much emotion goes into this piece for all of us. I'm speaking of us young moms. This is a portrait of Juden who is 2 1/2 now and this past Easter fell from a 2nd story window. He had no major injuries. His mom, Linda, is a much more private person than I so I will not go into whatever I've heard etc. I know when I heard the follow up tale of her seeing a sparrow/swallow outside that same window in the spot that Juden landed and how it gave Linda such peace to know that God sent that little bird to remind her of His watchful eye; it touched a part of me that we all know. That sense that we are out of control and the One who created our children will watch over them and over US every day. Guilt, fear, beating youself up for choices you made. All these things are futile. God loves us as parents as much as he loves those little children. We are all important. As an artist who is also a full-time mom, I was determined to portray this. I have come to terms with the fact that my most powerul works involve things that are very close to home, like little kids. I think as women we still battle our choice to become a mother and how debasing it is on an everyday level, to have that choice elevated in fine art in something that I hope I can achieve over and over. Lord knows I run into moms that are embarassing 'the Cause' and also others who snubb their noses at me and my choice. I hope that reflection on parenthood will help vindicate not just my decision but the whole world of mommy-hood. We are weak and strong at the same time, and we are thankful all the time too. I am so grateful for all of you for looking and admiring. Please remember how special you are to God for parenting these little children and remember your Heavenly Father is perfectly parenting us all.

This is a better outdoor pic, not so orange.

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August 30, 2006

SPC-enclosed places

I've been on Office Depot's case about my broken camera and so-called extended warranty. Turns our they really didn't want to go throught the hassle so they gave me credit of the price of my old camera for a new one! I didn't get the Nikon I want, but I got a new Nikon! It has this fun mosiac shot thing that I thought fit well with the SPC this month. I've started a set on flickr of my other funny mosaics. Enjoy!

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August 22, 2006

SPT enclosed spaces

Another awesome pic from the phantom cat.

I'm lucky these days to join any of my little themed days. And since SPC has gotten harder (at least for me it has) I just don't always have the stamina. I thought this photo was absolutely awesome!! I want to say thank yous a million to my friends who shot so many pics that I never get to because I'm the one leaning a quarter of the way down the kiddie slide grabbing Eden's arm so she won't fly full speed down the big kid slide. And this time it was especially great because the slide was extra slick and I asked Josiah to stand at the bottom and catch her. Her shoes ended up slowing her down quite a bit, but Josiah did his job and gave her a big brother lift from the end of the slide to the ground. Special times. There are many other pics that Cat took at the Botanical Gardens of the kids having a blastola. Check them out!

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June 28, 2006

Weathered

On day 3 of the shovelling my hands are blistered and sore. I am getting kinda fond of getting dirty and sweating and then taking my dirty brown self up to my bright white room and taking a luke warm shower and feeling refreshed.

And just when I thought I was in a valley of sorts as far as painting, I picked up my brush and put a good couple layers on a comission. It's lookin' pretty neato, even Joel thinks so. I'm not sure if the folks who are paying for this painting ever check my blog, so I'll just post a detail cuz it's a surprise:

Pretty trippy!

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June 13, 2006

I love Pop!

This month's SPC is Pop Art. Enjoy some Pop!

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May 17, 2006

Self Portrait

This is me. I'm a Mama 24/7. A mama that got a full body Swedish massage and a facial last night. I sat with two kindred spirits who share motherhood and anniversary dates with me and sipped pomegranate martinis and ate things that are waaaay off my very flexible diet these days. A evening that was almost not something I deserve. As I strolled through the Avenues with my two kids this morning I realized I had tasted a little bit of the fancy pants rich life with my pampered treatment last night. When I looked at the Ann Taylor dresses in the windows and thought "I should learn to sew a dress like that" I was brought back down to earth. I'm not rich, I have no prospect of being rich but I have the prospect of change and new beginnings. I have pleasantly sore muscles from being worked over, and I have a new appreciation for being treated like I was. Because I look at my reflection in my thrift store jeans and my absolute fave t-shirt (which just so happens to have 3 paint stains on it, and both armpits have holes in them) and I feel like myself. I look at my two children who are blessedly red-headed, and super cute in their thrift store clothes, and I know that when I am without these super-cute accessories I feel a little bit off kilter.

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May 10, 2006

Brutal Self Portrait Tuesday

This is one of my artist headshots in front of Seated Nude. Here's me, this is my face. I sometimes get sick of looking at it. Especially when I have a bad hair cut (I cut it myself) or my skin is giving me a challenge of somekind. May's SPT is introductions.

One thing about me that I've been battling is my pediatrician. Not that my kids have anything wrong with them, or that I go very often at all, but I hate going to my kids doctor. I have free healthcare, therefore I have to pay in time, inconvienience and an impersonal atmosphere. But as a Christian who cares not just about people, my children, the pollution of food and the over-medication of healthy people, I have a problem with being over treated. Many of my friends choose to not vaccinate their children. I do not have the strong convictions that they do. See, many years ago Jesus saved me from much bitterness and fear. To me they went hand and hand. In my decisions about vaccines I can't succome to my fear and that's all it would be, for me. I still battle it every day, but I remember my freedom and decide to continue to live free. Something about the vaccines though make me feel uncomfortable. I am not into studying and reading and searching for an unbias source, because in my mind there can't be! the drug companies are very powerful and everyone is hungry for money. It grieved me when I went to my midwives office and almost every item there had a drug company's name on it and I had a hard time getting MY form of birth control which was NOT a hormone form. I am balancing between the stubborness against "normal" childhood care (vaccines, flouride drops, vitamin D supplement, some or all formula, too much juice, too many toys, too much TV, daycare, fast food, prepared food with high fructose corn syrup...sigh) and the exhaustion of being on a high horse. I give my son juice, my kids have cookies occasionally, TV everyday, formula with cereal or with a sitter, and they are vaccinated.

Today in my probably hormonal weakness I welled up and cried as my baby girl got an MMR, pneumococcal, and varicella. I hate that I know of two instances of mumps and measeles in Atlanta. I don't like drugs, but I also believe that without them we would have similar problems to many countries that are much poorer. How many mothers in these destitute places would give anything for their children to be free from simple diseases? I want my kids to have every opportunity. I want entry into schools to be as flawless as possible, I want travel to be less worrisome, I want them to not remember that pain. Most of all I am like all of Creation that groans for their Creator. With the world so imperfect I cry because my spirit longs for the day that Christ returns and takes away all pain, sorrow and sickness.

When my kids are testy and fussy at lunchtime I like to launch into a spiritual that I learned at church growing up:
We won't have to cry no more, when Jesus comes!
We won't have to cry no more, when Jesus comes!
We won't have to cry no more, when Jesus comes,
No more trouble in the land, trouble in the land!

I'm gonna SHOUT all my troubles are over, when Jesus comes!
I'm gonna SHOUT all my troubles are over, when Jesus comes!
I'm gonna SHOUT all my troubles are over, when Jesus comes,
No more trouble in the land, trouble in the land.
That's a good bit about me, and maybe not intro material, but as I get older I'm less and less about small talk.

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May 3, 2006

Self Portrait., um...Wednesday

May is for introduction thanks to the newly improved spiffy SPT website!

I'm 29, in the ATL area, I have a wonderful husband of 7 years, 2 kiddies: Josiah 3years, and Eden 1 year. Am am an artist, a painter, I try to show my work as much as possible. I'm going to school to get my BFA, one class at a time.

I love Jesus, he's my personal savior. I don't think I would make it through a day without His grace and peace in my life. I am constantly reminded of what being a pefect parent is when I need my Heavenly Father to take care of me.

Here's a good way to introduce myself:
A Five Meme!

Five minutes to yourself:
-check my email
-eat
-do a quick sweep of scattered clothing and gather together
-sit
-drink something refreshing

Five bucks to spend:
-Starbucks latte or mocha
-couple pair of shoes at the thrift store
-a cute tee on clearance
-a nice pen
-picture frame for pod at IKEA

Five things to part with right now:
-my coffee table
-my virus ridden desktop
-a couple strollers
-my Volvo Wagon
-an empty futon frame

Five items you couldn't part with:
-my comfy couches
-my thrift store jcrew jeans
-Lifeblood
-my camera
-my (gulp) laptop, tee-hee

Five words you love:
-"my dawgs are barkin"
-"no big woof"
-"giddy-up"
-"H, I, larious!"
-"yummy-licious!"

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April 25, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday

April's theme is "April Fool".

This is my breakfast attire. Oh, how loverly the patterns are. They blend so well, and seeing as my two children give me about 5 1/2 hours of sleep a night these past few weeks, they are just about the only cheery thing about me in the morning. When it comes to meal times I get down and dirty practical. I mean my choice of apron isn't nearly as feminine and cute as the one Cat got me. After all my projects the past few days, I have bruises, spotches and exhaustion. The practical and comfy attire is way necessary. I mean, I only really wear real clothes from 10am to 2pm, then it's back to the grubbies.

Now to the bath...

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April 18, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday

This is the April Fool's theme for Self Portrait Tuesday. This photo is "When you want to wear your flip-flops but yours are upstairs and the hungry kids are downstairs" I put on Joel's size 10 1/2 flip flops and try not to fall out of them. They are comfy though because they're Tevas and most of mine are thrift store rejects or Target variety. When I thought of this theme I thought of how I must look. My hair tied up so I can see past my bangs, my jeans rolled up because my ankles are hot. Hot ankles? Why yes, they do get toasty. My apron and Joel's huge flip-flops. There ya go, it gets the job done.

A happy day has arrived! Joel's brother Nathan and his wife had a healthy baby boy this morning. 8lbs, 7oz 2 weeks early. Whew! What's up with these big Knutson boys! Kaden Russell Knutson. Congrats Nate and Laura!

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April 11, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait Tuesday is about being silly. In the vein of April Fools. I'm sure that we all have loony pictures of us doing stuff with our kids. I love this felt hat so much I can't wear out these pictures! The theme of Toddler Thursday was Robert Smith, I think, who did work with felt. Large, looping pieces of felt. I had to keep Josiah from stepping on it when we went to see the permanent collection at the High. Well, I made this hat and it became Josiah's 3rd birthday hat. He didn't want to wear it at first, but he's warmed up to it by now.

He's still the age where if I tell him it's cool, he agrees most of the time. So go take a silly picture and make me laugh!

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March 21, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait Tuesday is about time, so here's my AM and PM in the hall bath. The bathroom where little potty lives and many bath toys are strewn about. The bath where towels belong on pegs not bars and the linoleum tile is the cheapest that the hardware store has to offer. It is here that I chopped my hair off this morning. I didn't mean to chop it so much, but it had to be even and hey, it's just hair. It'll always grow back.

Here's that bath after Eden has a peaceful dip in the sink (I can't believe my 10 month old can still fit in the sink). And we have a good hairbrushing, Tylenol dispersing, and snuggle before we nurse and sleep. My hair's not so bad, it's been this short before.

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March 14, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday

This months theme is time. I have searched for a description of the time theme on the SPT blog but haven't found one, so I'll do my own thing with the idea of time.

Josiah asked me what was on the tree. The buds on the dogwood have been getting bigger and more noticeable. I pulled the branch down for him to see. He asked what they were and I said they would become flowers. He then tried to pull at the sides of the buds to get to the flower. It teases you with it's bumpy center just whispering that it's there. No wonder Jos wanted to pull back at the shell. I found myself saying, "No Josiah, you can't force it open, you have to let the flower grow." There are so many things you can allude to with that phrase. I could reflect on how I want to get moving on our dreams faster, how I can't stand this waiting period. Although I must say the spring weather makes your brain hurt a lot less about change. I could reflect on art and how it takes time to produce mature work. I feel I have just barely scratched the surface of being a mature artist. Sometimes I create great works. Most of the time I create OK works. And some that never get seen, or never get sold are bad works. I could remember that art is something that takes time and it can't always be pushed into a deadline. Even though some of my best art has come from a healthy pressure. I could reflect on my children and how I have to let them grow. I have to challenge them along with myself. I have to give them my time to become the people they need to be. I have to give them knowledge of Our Savior through not just my silent prayers but with my public worship. I have to be intentional about their learning things like letters, numbers, sounds, how to relate, how to respond, and how to create things without destroying. And there we make a full circle, "No Josiah, you can't force it open, you have to let the flower grow." But it's a message to me too. I can't force things to happen I have to wait and enjoy the journey everyday. Every single day.

Some lyrics from one of our familys favorite albums these days, House Party by Dan Zanes:

the trees are my friends
they offer up their limbs
to shade me from the sun
and whisper with the leaves on the wings of the breeze

Continue reading "Self Portrait Tuesday"

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February 14, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday aka Valentines

Since it's Valentines Day I thought I would post a big smoochy picture of my lips. Self Portrait Tuesday's "All of Me" theme is dredging up the ugly in all of us therefore I wanted to show my mark. While on "the Pill" when I was first married I noticed I gained a freckle on my lip. For some odd reason I thought it would go away, but it didn't. The hormones gave me a freckle. If it was a naturally occuring freckle I might not dislike it so much, but this one gives me the chills. If you are on "the Pill" just to keep from having babies I say stop! Find another way (if the drug companies let you). That should put a nice zinger in your Valentines Day plans *wink, say no more!*. See more Self Portrait artists here

I have no groovy shots of the paintings I'm working on today. Last night was not as thrilling with progress. I am giving myself a break tonight, so I can have sweet conversations with my husband. He got Kalamata olives for Valentines. Imagine one of those inside a flimsy white envelope. Yum. I did have a happy Valentines accident! I grabbed up red hearts that were intended for cards and made a little makeshift mobile instead!

I was trying to sew hearts onto cards and it was a whole lot easier to sew them down the middle in a line. Maybe some of you would like a belated Valentines chain?? Hmmm?? The first 3 folks to comment I'll send you one. If you don't think I have your address, email me

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