Fleas On My Dog

Opie's singing his favorite Christmas song. Around here, we all join in singing this silly Christmas song. I've been known to sing it in at the check out line at a store. Seriously. Out loud. Try it when you're getting a little stressed out from all the things you still have to do before Christmas. Sing it in while you're circling the mall parking lot for the 13th time trying to find a parking space. It will make you feel happier, I promise. It's good medicine.

Repeat song as needed.

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I just finished my first batch of Hope Rocks.

Read the post below this one
to get the info on what the Hope Rocks mean.

I recycled some rocks I had used in a fountain until it thaws enough outside for me to find some in the yard. These had a polished finish so I kept it simple and used metallic gold and silver markers by Pilot. On Monday I'm scheduled to get an EKG and while I'm there I plan to distribute my Hope Rocks. I have to get the EKG to make sure I'm ready for the surgery I'm having on December 29 to remove some nasty scar tissue in my abdomen that's been causing me a lot of pain and discomfort.

I'll admit it's a little scary, OK a lot scary. I had some adhesions removed during another surgery almost 2 years ago that had stuck my liver and intestines together but my doc said there's lots more, and referred me to a G.I. doctor. The G.I. guy told me when I couldn't stand the pain any more to let him know and he'd remove it. But after a recent C Scan he decided to refer me to a specialist. That specialist just happened to be the doctor that helped Christopher Reeves after his traumatic accident. I thinks it's a sign I will be in good hands seeing how he operated on Superman. But I'm still having some anxiety about it. I would certainly appreciate any prayers and good thoughts you could send my way.

My plan of attack for my anxiety is to use my Hope Rocks to help me get through it. On Monday while I'm at the hospital getting my EKG, I'll have a pocket full of Hope Rocks to leave in various places. I know there are people facing far worse situations than myself, and my hope is that they will receive the gift of hope when they find one of the Hope Rocks. I prayed for each rock as I drew Hope on them and visualized good things for the people who'll find them. I believe the Hope Rocks will manifest hope in their hearts and will be the answered prayer they'd hoped to receive. Giving to others when you are in pain or are hurting in any manner can help ease your own pain. I'll be humming Fleas on my Dog even though Christmas will be over.

I know Christmas will be beautiful this year. I'll be surrounded by people I love and they love me. I have so much to be thankful for. I just hit my 2 year mile marker for quitting smoking. I married Superman, my very own super hero, this year. I have beautiful grandchildren (Birdie loves each one of you!!) and beautiful children. I have the best family in the world and the most amazing friends. These are the things I will think about when I get scared, and of course Opie singing his favorite Christmas song.

There are several people playing along with Hope Rocks even though the official start date isn't until January 6, 2011!! How cool is that?! Thank you so much, Dee, Cowgirl Red, Sandy and Leisanne for joining me to share some Hope for the holidays. I can't wait to see your rocks and hear about where you placed them! Please leave a comment if you participated with me in the Hope Rocks play along so other people will know to go see what you did with your Hope Rocks.

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas

From the bottom of my heart!
Happy Holidays, my dear friends!

See singing silly songs does give you peace.
Just look at Opie Taylor below.
Feliz Navidad!

Oh and in case everyone missed the winners of my Caption Contest they are;
Lily from Blahwg! Life on, and Off the Farm
Tera from Olive Hue Designs
and
Relyn from Come Sit By My Fire

I decided to award all 3 people who left witty captions. I wasn't feeling well for a few weeks and dropped the ball on asking for people to vote for the funniest ones. Thank you for playing along, Lily, Tera and Relyn. Your prize of my Poppy Love set of four greeting cards will be sent out as soon as I get your mailing addresses confirmed. Muahhhhs!

Smoke on the Water...

I've been wading through a lot of anger this past month. I would not be moving if it weren't for the new people who moved in below me. Last night I was woken from a deep sleep [again...] with the smell of cigarette smoke filling my bedroom. Despite 5-6 times of him being told not to smoke in the building, he still does. I feel a bit childish now but last night I did a bit of stomping on the floors, or rather walking heavily. VERY heavily. The woman doesn't smoke and I believe he must sneak a smoke inside after she's fallen asleep. Too lazy to get up and go outside on the deck to puff. I wanted to make sure I woke her up with my foot tromping. Next time I'll put some bad ass boots on. I actually typed that.... Yikes.

I understand addictions. I especially understand nicotine addiction. I have had the same demons wake me up at night to sneak a cigarette. Nicotine has caused me to get out of my hospital bed with an IV pole attached, in the dead of winter (wind chill well below 20) to smoke outside wearing only my hospital gown, hospital issued non-slip socks and a blanket thrown over my shoulders. I stood there freezing, puffing, and avoiding the glares people gave me driving or walking by. I was close to getting frostbite on my fingers and face just to have a cigarette.

So, yes, I understand the power and hold a white filtered kiss of death can have on you. You know it's slowly robbing you of life, and yet it feels like gold between your fingers in the middle of the night when you cannot sleep. A cigarette is so small, and yet so huge. It was during one of these freezing treks outside the hospital last December that gave me the will, the courage and the wisdom to quit.

No one knows [unless you've quit, too] how hard it was to return home to the tree house and work through all the triggers here that constantly reminded me I should be lighting up a smoke. The triggers were everywhere, and constant at times. I wore a nicotine patch, and ate Ativan like candy on some days. But I did it. I'm celebrating 9 months of being smoke free.

So when my world was invaded by a smoker I got mad. And I became afraid. The fear of being seduced in a time of weakness by the smells of tobacco is a genuine concern. And the constant stress this has caused is also a concern. I have literally cried every day for weeks now in sadness at my peaceful, slice of tranquility being blown up in a cloud of smoke. But my sanity, health, and well-being has more value than than living on a lake. [at least that's what I'm telling myself LOL]

In order for me to find some peace about moving I've chosen to call on my greatest resource to help me make it through the night, and the next 3 weeks--my sense of humor. Here's a few more reasons the season for lake living is withering away. Hopefully this will be even funnier one Day.... [I hope...]

• I went out on my deck last week and much to my dismay saw a rope nailed from one tree to another. On this rope was a bevy of underwear, blowing in the breeze. Mind you we live right next to a major boat ramp so every boat going by saw the flags of bras and granny panties hanging like a party from the trees. [Ahem... doesn't this woman know I'm the only one allowed to hang my undies out for every one to see??? Oh wait that's on my blog... not for a make-shift clothes line....] Cup of coffee, cool breeze, and Grandma's undies tainting the pristine views.... I have pictures. Dare I post them??? Go ahead beg me... [insert wicked smile]
  
• Superman & I came back to the Tree House one evening after dinner with plans to lie out on the grass on the point of the island to watch the meteorite showers. When we arrived we found that they had strung lights from every possible tree on the island, the flag pole, and their deck railing--all jury-rigged together with orange extension cords. It looked like the Midway at a carnival. Hello people we live on a lake! Bug City if you use mammoth sized light bulbs near the water in mid-summer. I can no longer see the lake at night because the island is lit up like a frigging used car lot. Hence the carnival music I had playing on my tunes for a few days. remember the Chevy Chase movie about Christmas, and all the lights? This is what their deck looks like. I kid you not... The island could now pass for an airport landing strip. This could be trouble because the Tree House is in the flight pattern for a fairly large airport 10 miles south of here. Yikes!
  
• They have three vehicles, and are only given 2 assigned parking spots. Last weekend he had a fourth car parked here all weekend he was doing repairs on. Told ya... a car lot. Or the graveyard for Cash for Clunkers.
  
• They are having a big party this weekend, At least I've been fore-warned. Gulpity-gulp...
  
• I want to rent a huge industrial strength fan to blow the smoke back down on them from my deck. Monsoon wind-like conditions suddenly kicked up on the lake. Craziest thing.....

OK I'm done now. Simply put it's time to go. I would rather believe I am on the horizon of something wonderful waiting to show itself to me in my future than being kicked out of my nest by force. I'll work to keep my sense of humor intact, and my boots ready to slip on. Hee Hee Just kidding.... I'll make Opie put on roller skates & practice leaping over barrels. [I have wood floors] My bad...

...UPCOMING NEWS...

I'll be filming the tree house, and will post the video for everyone to take a tour soon. Opie is practicing his opening welcome. He always greets our guests with a warmth, and sweetness that is akin to a red carpet being rolled out. Purely adorable.

Next up, when I get a few pictures of my new place, I'll hold a contest to name it. It will be open to you, my friends, and followers to name. I will award the winner with a piece of my art work. I will add pics as soon as I can. It's a white cottage like bungalow that sits on top of a hill. Get your creative thinking caps on...

I need your help & encouragement to make this move away from the Tree House a fun-filled adventure. All anyone really desires is a simple life, and I'm going to get me one of those! It's already on my Dream Board.

Thank you everyone! Comments are encouraged!!!

This time tomorrow is celebrating six months smoke freeness....

Six months ago I quit smoking....

I have much to celebrate. Much to be thankful for. More to look forward to.

Today's dreams will eventually become new treasures this time tomorrow...

Last night we celebrated Dylan's Birthday here at the Tree House. Personally, I believe birthdays should be celebrated for an entire month otherwise they wouldn't call it your "Birth Month".... I'm also the girl who believes you should always eat 2 cookies. One for each hand or one for each thigh. It's all about finding the perfect balance in life....

We topped off the evening by starting Dylan's first Dream Board or Vision Board... whatever you choose to call it--it's all about visualizing. I'll show you the process, and how we're designing her new DB (with her permission) as it takes shape. I'm also designing a new one for me, too. It was awesome to watch Dylan playing in the studio, hand-picking which colorful pieces of papers and "pretties" she wanted to adhere to her DB. Had she not had an early flight to Annapolis, I know she would have stayed all night designing her DB.

Below is my current Dream Board. Right now I don't have any material things posted on it. It's more about visualizing how I feel about me, the inner me. Healing, and the love, hope, peace, and joy I want for myself, and other people in my life. These are the things that are important for my personal healing. I'll add some "things", some "stuff", some "fluff" later I'd like to have that are more 3 dimensional; Like what kind of auto I'd like to have, which starlet's skinny butt I wanna have, or pictures of a lakeside home with attached cottage that will be my permanent studio, and which starlet's skinny butt I wanna have.... Ohhhh, wait.... I already wrote that... Maybe I should post it twice on my DB... one wish for each butt cheek to balance the two cookie philosophy I have.....

Top of my Dream Board

I look back on my DB I made almost a year ago. (June 2008) It took me a while to tackle (or allow, believe and RECEIVE) some of the things I put on here. I didn't realize how many things are being birthed right now or have already come to fruition until I really stopped to look at it today.

• Better breathing (I quit smoking December 14, 2008)
• I'm writing my book, writing a blog, and finished writing my 101 list. Some call it a bucket list....
• I'm painting.... not just starting paintings BUT finishing them... Big wow here!!!
  

Creamy white filling.... the Middle of my Dream Board

This is the part of my DB that makes me a wee bit weepy.

• "I have the strength to get things done...." a year ago I was paralyzed with fears, weak in every part of my body, in my mind. I'm still working on the mind part.... (OK who chuckled???) Driving is still my biggest challenge but I'm working on it.
  
• "I get another chance to live it up..." I added to the original...
  
• My Dreams are in full bloom...." I'm still working on this one physically. I have a hard time sleeping, and still need meds. I hate the "needing" meds part. Part of PTSD is not being able to sleep. But I am working on it... Sometimes I feel so guilty that I have to take a medication to sleep. I've tried herbals but for now they are just not strong enough.
  
• This also depicts wanting to live my dreams---not just dream about them. HUGE!!! HUGE!!!! HUGE step forward for me!!!

And finally..... the bottom of my Dream Board

See the mailing package on the right? (above the four-leaf clover) That's the envelope a beautiful necklace I ordered from Healing Stones, in New Zealand, came in. I ordered it for Sonja, my fabulous massage therapist (who BTW is working hard to get my muscles back into shape, and break up the scar tissue I developed after the accident) I want to travel to Australia and New Zealand... Who wants a postcard from me from one of those countries????

This time tomorrow I'll be starting my first online art lesson with Tim Gagnon....check him out.

This is a painting I started 4 years ago. It is from the movie, "Beloved", with Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. I had a newspaper clipping from this scene in the movie on my bulletin board for over 7 years before I actually started this painting. I loved the energy exchange between them in the photo. I'll add this to the 101 List. Finish, please.....

Tim Gagnon is a phenomenal artist who also happens to teach online classes. I was researching techniques online and discovered him. WOW! You need to check him out! He has some videos posted on You Tube that shows him painting. Click on his name to watch him paint "Red Sky, Clouds" sped up. Big WoW!

I have an entire cloud series to paint (in my head) and one of my goals is to learn how to paint clouds that make you fly through the sky emotionally. Pink and golden yellow tinged clouds like Maxfield Parrish paints--my all time favorite artist. Tim paints those kind of clouds. So I stepped up to the plate almost 2 weeks ago & signed up for his classes. (Yippy! Big pats on the back to me!!!!) Tomorrow is my first lesson with him, and in the first few lessons, he will be teaching me how to paint "those" kind of clouds. I'll keep you posted with my before & after progress with this, too.

Here are the next 10 things on my 101 List

• Finish my painting, Beloved.
• Learn to paint clouds that make my heart fly
  
• Painting lessons
• PPOP (paint picture of picture) of Bekah Williams , fabulous blues singer from Cincinnati, OH. I shot her pics for her first CD.
• Yoga, walking, Pilates, kayaking or some type of exercise every day
• Hey, friends.... may I add Stop Smoking to my list even though I quit December 13, 2008??? This is huge stuff here. It was probably my biggest "this time tomorrow" thing I'm gonna do on my list! Note the word "was"... Huge X mark on my 101 To Do List
  
• Paint the wooden number 3 I bought 1.5 years ago for my front door at the Tree House
• Volunteer to read at the library to children. I'll post pics of this when I do & when I used to do it....much to my horror and embarrassment of my youngest son, Jake. LOL
• Plant more Colorado native flowers on my grandparent's graves in Pagosa Springs, CO which means I will have to visit there again. <3>
  
• PRACTICE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAYS (more about this later as I near the one year anniversary of the auto accident, 5-4-08... I'm working on calling it the "divine appointment".

I thought about numbering the items on my 101 list instead of using bullets. And/or prioritizing them... For right now getting them down on paper is a big step. Placing an order on when I do them may not work for a right-brained person like myself plus would mess with the perfectionist side of me. I'll go back and add a counter to each post that contains items on my to-do list.

I would suggest everyone begin a list of 101 FUN, Wonderful "important to you" things to do. After all, this is your wonderful life, too....