A Day Of Inspiration

How is it that I have lived in Tampa for all these years and never been to Safety Harbour????
Teresa and I went in search of the Bowling Ball House..Another Roadside Attraction...The house is named "Whimzey" really.
We were amazed by what we found there ...creativity abounds, all done with recycled materials and a great inspiration to any artist as well as anyone wanting to go green.....and by how many people around these two artist's have jumped on their band wagon... Others have brightened up the homes all around The Bowling Ball House....What a great small town, right by the water...
We walked out onto the pier and watched the dolphins swim, while a stormy sky hung in the distance...A baby blue heron had his eye one us at the same time..
In the middle of the town there is the largest old oak tree I ever remember seeing and it is fenced off for it's own protection...beautiful....and people were in the park enjoying the farmers market as well.. I have heard of the Safety Harbour Spa for ever, and now I know where it is... Easy breezy to get there and very well worth the trip across the bay......
Wow.. I am ready to go looking for more Florida roadside attractions[ sooner rather then later]...
What a great day.... Thank You Teresa .....

Quiet!!!

All is well,but missing many on this beautiful Saturday......
Aidan turned 7 months old yesterday and his two top teeth are now in too, three bottom ones have been in... Jenn said he is grinding them together now...
I sent out 4 boxes this week of clothes and toys and such and can't wait for them to arrive.....
Work has been good this week with a sold out last night, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!
Wy and Amy had a safe trip up... and are looking forward to the change of scenery.....
Crock pot is on and full of yummy smells....
The book club book for August is read...
So lets go see whats up for the day....
 Have a good one all!!!!!!

Adventures in Florida

WoW!!! This is the last day of this big adventure... Aidan's last day of his first trip...
It went by way to fast...
I was so excited to get to be there for his first time in the pool...Splashing and kicking and loving every minute of it....
I put two different pairs of shoes on his feet, only long enough to get pictures, and he hated that....
He got to eat his Grandpa Angelos famous[ Suko] [Spelling ,I don't know]....  He loved it and I was not there for that but did see pictures. [I was working.]
It was the first time in a walker and he pushed himself backwards a bit but ,he still seems to prefer the bouncy chair more ,right now....
We took him to meet his Great Grandma White and Aunt Debbie, and he grinned up a storm for them.. Deb blew him some bubbles, fun... he loved that too!!!
 He met many, many, many other new people, both family and friends and had a big smile for everyone of them...What a great boy he is....
They all went to spend the night at the other Grandparents house last night, and we are waiting for their return....
I sure hate to see it come to an end... All three will be missed!!!
And now with Jalyn off on a big adventure of her own ,it is going to be weird around here...and she will be missed too!!!
Ok on with this last day.. We have to make it the best day yet....

July 13th. Lucky for Me

The kids and grandkid are here and I am so happy to see them again....
What a trooper Aidan is, so good on the all day, two plane, trip...
They arrived at 11:oop.m. and he was smiling and gabbing and so happy....
I put him right in the walker and he was off... backward of course, but on his way... What a great boy he is....Mom and dad were tired but good ,but can't believe the hot and sticky...It's been a while for them...
Wy was so excited to get to meet his grandson in person... It was a great night.
Even Aidan's two uncles came out into the late night to meet him....
All is well in our house and I am looking forward to everything to come while they are here...
Thank You!! Thank You!! for their safe return...
Thats all for now.. Stay tune for the adventures of Aidan in Florida.....
Should be a real hoot.... bye ya'll !!!!!!

End of another good month

WOW.... Fast  
We made it through Debby fine, but what a ride it was... was I saying something in the last blog about to much rain????? What was I thinking... I guess you showed me Debby....
Yesterday was a big day around here.. Wy and I had our 43 Anniversary....and Aidan turned six months old....
We had the most wonderful day ,beautiful weather, sunny and a light breeze, great food at the Columbia, and a nice ride around Clearwater beach....
Work has been very busy and good ,with many sold out days...Thank You!!! Thank You!!!! To all the new artists ...Great job...
Welcome home Linda and Allen ,Have a great visit....wish we could be there with you...
We are counting the days until Jenn, Andy and Aidan get here....
Well it's time for me to get going, so have a good one....

Home from the hills

It is a week tomorrow that we got back, and we are right back at it hot and heavy..
It was a very good trip, cool some and hot some,work and play and a lot of catching up with friends both old and new.... it had been a year for me so I drank it all in....
Work as been good this week, fun ,fun ,fun..... Busy...
I was back at breakfast yesterday for the 1st. time in ages... I love me some routine.....
Ja was back when we got here ,but is off on another big trip and enjoying life a bit....
The school year ends for Amy, but she is working a few weeks early this summer ,so not so much....
Jenn, Andy and Aidan are doing well and looking forward to coming here in July...
I came home to lots of tomato's on my two plants that were planted last summer.. which is already more than they did last year with 16 plants... I had no luck at all.....But things are looking up there...
Rain Rain Rain Rain...Am I in Seattle?????
How do you guys do it there????
Anyway I just wanted to touch base here.. talk to you again soon, try to keep dry and have a safe one.....

Mother's Day

I want to say a great big Thank You for such a nice Mother's Day!!!
It was busy and good, just like I like it...
We had a Full House yesterday at PWAT, 54 people and all did a wonderful job... Thank You ,Charles and Erin for your help to make everything go so smoothly...
Elizabeth's Garden ,is a great painting...
the mimosa's  were a big hit too!!
I am also excited about Jenn and Andy's new car and Amy's new Ipad..and Jalyn's in California, Plus, Aidan is four months old with two teeth in and two more coming, rolling over and eating rice cereal already...Wow,  nice guys.....
This is going to be a very busy week... I worked Saturday,  Sunday and Today, then, Wednesday and Thursday and leave for North Carolina Friday....It will be the first time I have been there in a year....
Way to long....
Wy signed me up for another year of the Art House Sketchbook, and I can't wait to receive it....and to get started on it.....yeah!!! Thank You ,Wy!! The two I already did are now ready to view on the Art house Co-Op sketchbook web site..Please feel free to take a look...
The heat is upon us now, and I have not gotten in the pool yet this year, but today may be the first time... The temperature in the pool is 74, so maybe..... we shall see ...
Hope you all have as good a week as I  will ...
 So, Bye for now...

New class

Teaching the new class in Clearwater, at the Hyatt yesterday, was so much fun!! Thank You to the Ladies that showed up to paint with me... You all brought out  the artist within....and I couldn't have done it without you!!!![ Great Job Ladies]
The windy, windy weather was really whipping up the sea and sand... I was very happy to watch it from such a beautiful location. I was thrilled to be able to Teach my very own creation too!!!!
What A great Job I have!!!!!
Amy was off to pathfinders yesterday , .. nice cool weather for that for a change... It's usually so hot, this time of year.....
Aidan will be four months in a few days and has his first two teeth already... What a cute boy!!! Have I said that before????
We are having a rare cool snap and it feels so good ...savouring the moments to remember on hotter days....
I am not sure what I will do with this beautiful day.. but lets get on with it... ya'll have a good one ya hear....

Cool Morning

All windows and doors open this A.M...... 67degrees and it feels great... not many more of these so we have to enjoy while we can....
P.W.A.T. is now offering a class on Monday afternoons in Clearwater, at the Hyatt Regency, and I got to assist the first demo class that Geri taught... What fun, and what a view... right on the beach, looking at the sparkling water and painting and making memories...
The class is offered to everyone, not just hotel guests..and is from 1:00 to 3:00 every Monday!!!!
I have been busy painting the two" Girlfriend" paintings for next Tuesday night and that should be fun.. You get to choose which one you want to do....
We had a very nice Easter weekend, And Thank You very much for including us this year Ed and Christine......It reminded Wy and I of the days we were raising our family and everyone came to our house for celebrations....nice job you guys... Thanks....
Now go enjoy this beautiful day.....

Today

I am having trouble figuring out how to get the pictures I want, to down load from this new computer...
so for now, I am posting without them...
I gave up and we turned the air conditioner on yesterday when the temp. registered 92...
I thought I might actually melt, I was so hot...
Our favorite family of birds have now returned to the fire place and it's always such a pleasure to hear them in there, at least at first... By Mother"s Day we will be more then ready to say goodbye to the increasing loudness of the whole family...
But, Like I said, I am happy they are back again this year....
They have been returning to raise their family's here for more years than I can remember now, and it is a comfort to know they still will...
Teresa had Mom and I over yesterday for lunch and that was very nice... Thank You Teresa!!! It was the first time Mom has left the house since before Christmas and she has needed to...so Thanks, and every thing was yummy too!!!! Your garden is beautiful....You have worked hard and it shows....
Aidan is 14 weeks old and doing well,Thank you! Thank You!!  [What a cute boy]
Leah was supposed to arrive for a visit to Seattle yesterday but due to that horrible weather in Texas ,and else where.. both her flights were cancelled... hopefully today will be better ..
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people who had that bad weather....

April 2nd.

Hottest March on record in Florida, and many other states too!!
W-O-W! That's impressive!!!!
We have still not turned our air conditioner on, and it is supposed to be a really hot week coming up, we
 shall see how long we can hold out....
Pet Portraits went well yesterday at Painting With A Twist,and all the budding new artists can be proud of them selves. Nice job everyone....
I have gotten to work 6 of the last 7 days and am a very happy camper...Thank You!! Thank You!!
All seems right in my world for now, and that's all I can ask for... hope the same for you....

A Three Month Old

Holy Smoke!!!1 Aidan is 3 months old today... how can the time pass so quickly???
Amy got home from a week with them in Seattle and had a great trip and is in love with a certain little boy, as am I...
 I am so excited to have a new, computer and that we are now able to skype at will, instead of when it let us on...
Things are changing so fast in Aidan's world and its the only way we can keep up....
He has got the biggest, most expressive eyes, and a great big smile.....
What a guy!!!!!
Anyway everything else in my world seems a bit insignificant ,in comparison to having a grandson....
all is well,  I haven't had a lot to write about.
Spring is here ,I am Happy and working at what I love and all seems right....
I did submit a two piece painting of Bayshore to Downtown Tampa view, to P.W.A.T. for approval..so we shall see if it becomes a date night painting or what....
hope everyone is well and have a good day....

where does the time go?

How can it be that we are already to the end of this month??
Anyway things are moving along at a quick clip and all is well...
 Wy is getting a bit better and so is Amy...
Aidan is growing and smiling and the family is doing great....
Work has been very good ,lots of days sold out this month, and we are still having loads of fun...
The more the merrier, seems to be true....
 Thank you ! Thank You!!
We have enjoyed getting to see John at breakfast these days and loved talking to Jeanette on the phone this week..{ sure do miss getting to see her}  ,but she is busy and happy at her two jobs....
Marsha called me this week and she is coming here with Steve on her birthday for a week and staying at the beach... She sure needs a vacation after spending the last year taking care of a sick family member and then the passing....
she is good people........
I have worked the last three days straight and two were sold out, I am pooped but very happy....
The yard is alive with the sights and sounds of spring..
Today is grocery shopping and other chores...so I best get on with it... my best to all.....

Feb. 2012 WOW!!!!

 Sorry it has been so long , but I have spent the whole month of Jan. with my new grandson and his mom and dad... It was a wonderful time and I am missing them so.... Yesterday Aidan turned six weeks old and I wasn't there for it, I am very sad about that, but I must get used to missing these many mile stones in his life.... What a beautiful, sweet boy, he is ......
I was back at work for S.O.S. this weekend and proceeded to embarrass myself by tripping and falling down ,  nothing hurt but my pride, Thank goodness...
Tonight I am Teaching "Palms at the Beach," {My painting} and already have 21 people signed up...Yeah!!! Tomorrow night is" Looking Up" ,and its  a fund raiser, we have  29 people. I am excited to get back into the  swing of things again....
Wy is still not doing great and now Amy is layed up too, Hopefully all will be better soon....
Anyway, I just wanted to touch base ,so I hope everyone has a great week.. I will be back!!!!