Where have I been?

Several people have asked me where I've been lately. Yes, I'm usually a pretty prolific blogger but have been quite distracted lately. When I've not been in the front yard, driveway, or garage painting, sanding, or spackling day and night, I've been at the show house doing just about the same. This is our last week to finish so we are in semi-panic until, at least I was until today until I finally got the window treatments up and lots of the "smalls" in. Also went by the shop after to get moe stuff. We've been collecting for months but weren't sure if we had enough or too little so we need a little more, I got a little more, and am looking for a little more.

So I'm giving you a sneak peek pics until we are completely finished and ready for our close-ups supposedly on Monday. The newspapers are supposed to be there for photo ops on Monday and I have a little...umm...not exactly stage fright...it's more in line with CAMERA HOG, PUBLICITY HOUND...I'LL DO NEARLY ANYTHING TO GET INTO THE PAPER OR...be still my heart...ON T.V. Stay tuned for the full blown post of detailed photos of the finished product.

Blessings

So as not to be a downer, alls I'm gonna say is that things have been unusually challenging recently in my personal life. That led me to want to make a post to remind myself to think about the positive blessings and not dwell on the negative and I wanted to share some of them with you.

Special places where a person's heart's and soul's desires perhaps from many generations ago are hidden and reveal themselves when they are ready or you are open to their love. Thank heavens I have my art as an outlet, I would have been stuffing my wallet with pizza for years without it (you GOTTA watch Multiplicity A.S.A.P. even if you've seen it, you should see it again).

There's not enough room in the universe to talk about what friends get you through. Even if they are not physically with you, they are the greatest comfort to know that they are out there when you need them or just want to enjoy them.

Plus they don't have to live with you so if you annoy them they take a break and come back later; you are like their grandchildren!

Soul sisters which I also call "soul sitters" because they look after your heart and soul and keep you safe from harm...

...and you do the same for them when they need it and allow it...

...support like none other, for me at least...the greatest gift God's given to me.

And my Family of Man...or men, in my case.

Except for my one "daughter" in India...Lobsong.

Plus Tunesess and the four-legged grandpup, Boh, short for Natty Boh, short for National Bohemian, the National beer of Maryland.

Here and gone...

...waiting to be together again in sweet glory.

And God, Buddha, Mohammad, Allah showing themselves as loving, giving eternal fathers embracing us in good times and bad. Walking with us on the beach or in glass; always with us and always loving us no matter what.

And the winner is...

...drum roll please......Michelle B.!!!!!!! Thank you to all who participated in this giveaway; I wish I had something to sent to all of you, how about my love? I promise to have another giveaway soon. Michelle, please email me your info and I'll get this little pretty out to you right away. Congratulations!

Yee Haw!!!!

I'm at home alone!! This is the first time that Paul and Matt have gone out of town and left me at home (except for my 89-year-old tather-in-law two floors down). I've imagined what I would do with the extra time and without interruptions and, so far, I'm executing things quite well. I've been getting some things done that were way overdue such as painting this great headboard I got from PJ's months ago and just either kept forgetting or hadn't had time to give it a new color. I like it. And, of course, the sanity saver-art. I stayed in my workroom until the wee hours last night and...

...again tonight.

Plus collecting things that have been hanging around waiting for me to pack them up and take them to the shop which I'll be doing tomorrow.

But most of my time has been spent at the show house making this room into...

...this room-so far. Karen and Janine did all the crummy work before I got back and have been there with me while I painted. They did all the taping, priming, and trim, then I just waltzed in, grabbed a roller and got the joy of covering those crappy yellow walls with beautiful robins' egg blue. You probably won't get any more sneak peeks until we are finished decorating-the fun part-but I shall post that a.s.a.p.

I even cleaned up the garden this evening before the bugs got too bad. The things that I have not gotten around to doing are...

...this...

...this...or...

...this. But these are always waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down on the to-do list so what's new?

Silver Bella Giveaway

Since everyone is champing at the bit for swaps but none have presented themselves yet, I'm going to jump-start things with a giveaway. This giveaway has a bit of a challenge; don't be afraid, I'm sure y'all are all up to it. Here's the deal: Now that your on my blog check out anything/everything you desire but leave a comment on this post and also the post named, "What's New with Doojies @ The Pink Cabbage?". Then go to http://www.mizjuneytalks.blogspot.com/ and get to know a Bella new this year and leave a comment on any of her posts; she's Julia and we've been best friends since we were in elementary school (and we are old). We haven't seen each other in over 15 years but have remained close via email and blogs and will finally be reunited at Silver Bella in November. So many awesome things to look forward to but that will definitely be the cherry and whipped cream for me. Do all this by August 20th and I will draw on the 21st. I shall be equitable about choosing; there will be a hat involved and completely random, no favorites, sorry, though I love you all who I know and all I will get to know; it's an amazing event. Gig 'em. P.S. Oops, I guess you might want some details on this giveaway piece. It's an antique silver plate tea server I got from Chicks Picks topped with a once-rustic bird from the cottage and a little baby bird. I painted all robin's egg blue then covered it with the same color German glass glitter and added a little nest basket with eggs and tied on with a silk ribbon and pink velvet leaves. It stands about 10" tall. Sent to the lucky winner free of charge.