Silent Sunday- A Tale of Two Teens on their way to the Prom.....

 Isn't she beautiful?

 

 

I'll be back tomorrow with art updates!  Have a marvelous Sunday!

Happy New Year to YOU!

I've definitely been gone, but hopefully not forgotten!  The computer I had been sharing with my daughter (since my own computer died last Spring) finally crashed and while I've been using my hubby's think pad for reading blogs, I have really slacked off on the actual writing of my own blog!

This last week I've been thinking and thinking- trying to come up with some good resolutions for this bright new year  And as always, I had something of a hard time narrowing it down; BUT I did come up with a few.... 

1. Keep the Quit- many of you know that I quit smoking for the umpteenth time last August; my goal here is to stick with it!
2. Be Grateful- remember the gratitude journal I made a while back?  I need to get back to daily entries.
3. Stay Positive- this is not always an easy thing for me, but I'm gonna work on it!  
4. Be a Better Juggler- parenting, wifing, arting, teaching, blogging- these are just a few of the things that I love in my life and I need to do find a better way to balance them all...get those balls back in the air if you will!

To be honest, 2011 was the hardest year I've had in a long time.  There were a lot of health issues that led to financial issues both of which have had me in and out of a funk for a while now.  But there were also a lot of good things that happened last year!  And while I am grateful to begin a fresh year; I do want to take a moment to think about some of the 
blessings that 2011 has brought my way;
 Being able to combine teaching with being an artist- I love the freedom of my little classes- and having time to paint is such a wonderful feeling!

 Our new little kitten- Mojo has been such a wonderful, funny addition to our family.....

 

   helping start the Sisterhood of Traveling Sketchbooks- I have loved this physical connection with my bloggy, artist friends!

And then of course, there are the blessings that have only gotten better over the years.....

 my sweet (mostly) husband Bill- I can't believe we're about to have our 20th anniversary in a few weeks!

and

my "babies" on Christmas morning, sleepy, but beautiful!

I'll end my rambling of resolutions and gratitude here.....I hope you all had a blessed 2011 and an even better beginning to 2012!

Love and Hugs,

Stephanie

Simple Woman's Daybook; August 21, 2011

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...The sun is shining- it's gonna be a beautiful (if a little hot ;)) day!

I am thinking...that I should go for a walk before it gets too hot

I am thankful...so many things but mostly right now, I'm thankful for my family who is wonderful

In the kitchen...the coffee is brewing- yum

I am wearing...  tank top and boxers

I am creating...a painting that represents how I feel while I am quitting smoking- I read somewhere that it's a bit like a grieving process, which I thought was an interesting take...the painting is called "Preparing to Thaw" and it's about the good stuff that will come after the hard parts of quitting.

I am going...to clean my supply shelves today

I am wondering...what I want to do for our next project in art class.....one last Summer project and then on to Autumn- one of my favorite themes!

I am reading... Re-reading Practical Magic- Alice Hoffman rocks

I am hoping...to start a second art class for kindergarteners- they are so much fun to work with!

I am looking forward to...being past the hard part of quitting smoking

I am hearing...cicadas- told you it was gonna be a hot one!

Around the house...only my hubby and I are awake....

I am pondering...what to have for breakfast......

One of my favorite things...I LOVE birthday cake for breakfast!

A few plans for the rest of the week: our daughters Senior advisory meeting, art class, painting and a little cleaning

Here are a couple of pictures for thought I am sharing...my "baby's" 12th birthday was yesterday....we were joking with him that if he'd turned 12 in 2012- his birthday would be on August 20, at 12:20pm in the year 2012- that would have been kinda cool, but he decided to go ahead and be 12 now ;)

 Stop by the Simple Woman's Daybook to see what other folks are thankful for, or better yet, create your own gratitude entry!
x
Stephanie

Silent Sunday: Garrett's 11th Birthday