Cuties!

Kaitlynn looks so cute as a blond!!

Maddie and Banana are very close.

Poor Banaba fell asleep while shopping with me at Office Depot.

She is much more awake in this picture!! Lol!

A ballet recital and a few hours of fear

My granddaughters had their ballet recital yesterday.  Maddie was just amazing and Kaitlyn, as always, was fabulous. I have to admit, that it was Maddie that stole the show with her hip-hop.  That little girl is going to be trouble!

It was both my birthday and my daughters birthday yesterday. The mothers did a dance to Rock Around the Clock and it was great to see Kristina have some fun.

Her whole life revolves around her daughters and sometimes I wish she would take some time for herself.

This morning at 9:30 in the morning Milie got out of the backyard. We spent hours looking for her and couldn't find her.  My neighbors were out on their bikes, walking, and in their cars looking for her.  It made me realize what a wonderful neighborhood I live in.  

At 1 o'clock, while I was outside speaking to one of my neighbors, Millie just walks up the street!  I did not even see where she came from!!  I am so happy!  I really love this little dog.

As you can see, I had been crying like a baby!

OUR FAMILY 2013

Got my family year book done just 10 minutes ago!! Thank God for rush delivery!!!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive layouts and designs so you can make your book just the way you want.

I make these books every year for my family; my brothers, my niece and nephew and my daughter. Everyone really looks forward to this book every year and that makes me feel great! It could have come out a lot better but I didn't start it until last night and today at 5 was the deadline to get it delivered before Christmas!!! (Not that I waited for the last moment or anything). So I had to rush through it and I am sure I left out tons of stuff. I am totally addicted to Project Life so used that project life format for this journal.

Oh well, next year I will do it monthly so that all I have to do it hit an ORDER button at the end of the year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

102 DAYS UNTIL RETREAT!!!

As you guys know, I host an art retreat in Key Largo every year called Keys 4 Art. March will be our fifth retreat and it only gets better and better. This year we have the uber-fabulous DJ Pettit teaching and I can't tell you how excited we all are!!!

Stop by our blog and check it out!

http://keys4art2013.blogspot.com

Check out this year's logo created by the fabulous TERI FLEMAL!!!

FABULOUS!!!

Beatriz Guzman is probably the most gifted scrapbooker I have ever met. She has a wonderful blog, AMAZING GRACE, in which she sells her amazing layouts. She has new layouts EVERY DAY. I can not even imagine that kind of fabulous talent. I love all here layouts but today's layout was just wonderful and I wanted to share it with you:


She used the gorgeous stamps by Julie Nutting for her layout. This would make Julie proud!!!

ANOTHER WONDERFUL KATHY ORTA PROJECT!!!

Check out her new memory keeper Christmas Stocking!!! Tutorials go on sale on her site this weekend!

Hoping you Guys Had a Fabulous Thanksgiving and Altered Coffee Sleeves

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We had a great time as we do every year at my brother's house.

Have a swap I am very late for!!! They are waiting for me and for that I am grateful! Altered Coffee Sleeves. These are my contributions to this swap:
I didn't want to make to too "christmasy" so I just added a few little tiny Christmas presents on them! I hope the ladies like them!

Any night owls out there?

I went to bed at 11:00 pm and have been up since 2:45. Finished reading Sycamore Row - probably the best book John Grisham has written in a long time. I was going to read another book - I have tons on my Kindle waiting to be read - but decided to come into my studio and continue to work on Kathy Orta's fabulous Memory Box project. I so envy people who can just lay down and sleep all night. I have been so out of the loop with my friends lately. Have been quite irresponsible with projects - haven't walked into the studio in weeks. It is amazing how the mind shuts down when there is just too much stress. I am really enjoying my partnership. It's different. Okay so I am pulling myself out of my funk. It is time to prepare for KEYS 4 ART 2014!!! My friends and I get together for an art retreat every year in Key Largo where I live. It is the highlight of my year!

Thank you!!

Prayer is very powerful!!  Especially in groups!

Charlie was not arrested today.  His probation officer decided to wait until the judge makes a decision.

Doesn't make the DUI charge go away by any means,  but it does mean that he will be home for the holidays.  Even if he has to go to jail for a little while after that, I can live with it.   It's just so sad to think about your son behind bars during the Christmas holidays.

Thank you so much for your love and your support.  I know it was becoming quite maudlin,  but I was becoming very overwhelmed.

So tomorrow?

WE MAKE ART !  It will feel fantastic to get back into my studio.  

Hugs

Its 3:27 am and he sleeps - I pray

He is sleeping quietly.  No horrible snoring .  No walking around the house like a Zombie. He is straight.  Amen!

Tomorrow he reports to his probation officer.  The officer has the discretion to leave him out to prove his case or to arrest him.   

Tomorrow we will know if we spend another holiday season in prison or not.

Wonderful surprises in the mail today!

Not too long ago, I posted about how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends.  That was confirmed today when I received these wonderful gifts from Lillian and Melody.

First, I received these two beautiful little purses from Melody.

They are absolutely perfect for the life here in Key Largo.  Thank you Melody!

Then I opened up an envelope and found this absolutely stunning handmade journal from Lillian.

Is it not absolutely amazing? !  Here's some more pictures. 

Love the tag Lil!

Ladies, you made me so happy today !!  Thank u!

New bewitching hour

Seems like 3:30 is my mew wake up time.  I hear the older u get the less sleep you need but this is a little ridiculous !  Maybe I should use this time to journal.

Today my partners and I are going to Hawks Cay for the Guardian Ad Litem Gala.  Good thing "gala" in the keys means a sundress and sandals for women and pants (no shorts) for men !

Its been so long I think I would be like a fish out of water if I had to actually go "gala"!!!

Crazy day at the office

Its great to be so SWAMPED you cant even think. 

 He has been sober for 2 days now. He aploligized to me for "checking out" and is running around with his brother getting things done. 

I can breath today.  Breathing is good.

Like a child

I got up a little while ago and went to his room.  I can tell by his quiet breathing that he is straight. 

I lay down next to him and put my arms around him.  He is so muscular and so big- but he is my baby.  The smell of his skin, the whisper of his breathing...  He is still my firstborn.

I just held him and asked God to take my strength, my health, my life and pour it all into him.

I think he is done.  At least for now.  He is back on his feet.  Embarresed and apologetic for. "checking out".  

We survived another one baby boy.

Dreaming

Have you ever fantasized about disappearing?  Have you ever dreamt about going somewhere where nobody knows you, where you don't know anyone, where nobody can find you???  Have u ever just wanted to "check out"?  To find a place where nobody "needs" you?  

I am overwhelmed by life in general.   I am so tired.  I love my family so much. But I fantasize about disappearing.  Of  becoming invisible.

Maybe its because I deal with people's problems, with their sorrows, all day long.  My mind and heart just dont ever rest.  I deal with problems ALL DAY - every day - and then come home to deal with my own.  Its just too much right now.

Not a good day

I am probably one of the most positive people you could ever meet in your life.  I have been through a lot of things and always manage to find that elusive silver lining.

But today is not a good day.  For the first time in my entire life, I am feeling defeated.   I hate feeling like this.  It is not who I am.  It is certainly not who I want to be.  

So I will give myself a few more hours of feeling like this and get up off my ass.  There may be things that will be inevitable.   There may be things that will ultimately be more than what I believe I can handle.   But I will have faith that somehow I will get through whatever comes my way.   I will believe that whatever happens it's God's plan.

But for now, for the next couple of hours, I will indulge in some sadness and self-pity.  Why not?   Despite what everyone else seems to believe, I am human too.  I can't always be "strong".  I should not have to be.

The days are going by so quickly

There have been a lot of things happening that I would have liked to blog about.  Some good things. Some bad.

Writing has always been very therapeutic for me.  Yet there have been days lately when the idea of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) takes a lot more energy than I seem to have.

Charlie got in trouble again.  Arrested for DUI on his birthday.  Violated his probation.  I don't think I even need to say how I feel about that.  I keep thanking God that nobody was hurt and try to see the positive in a very negative situation.  But either I'm getting too old for this stress, or I am just on overload with him.  

My granddaughters are growing and beautiful.  Savannah just turned two years old on October 29.  We went to Disney World that weekend and though exhausting, it's always wonderful to spend time with them and with my daughter.

Haven't felt very creative.  I'm working on a wonderful project by Kathy Orta.  It is going very slowly and I haven't gotten as much done as I wish I would have, but the idea is for it to be therapeutic and relaxing.  So I am taking my time.  It's called a memory box and it is absolutely spectacular.  I will blog about it, hopefully tomorrow, so you guys can see the amazing talent that Kathy is.

My partnership with Jessica and Bernadette is going wonderfully.  I am enjoying practicing law again and for that I am grateful.  It is great to have two talented women to bounce ideas off of.  I have always loved practicing law, but had lost sight of my love for the law within the stress of the everyday practice.  I am once again finding the passion in what I do.  I am luckier than most.

I need more "me" time.  I need to get into my studio and get full of paint and glue.  I need to cut beautiful paper and create something pretty.  But to be able to do that, to be able to enjoy the creative endeavors that I want to do, I need to breathe.  Right now, it's hard to breathe.

I need to learn to cope with all of the issues with my son.  He had been doing so well.  Although on an objective level I know that so many years of addiction do not just go away;  although I know that there will be relapses and there will be falls he will need to get up from;  although I know all of these things, it still breaks my heart in 300,000 pieces to see the light go out of his eyes. To see him struggle.  To see him so afraid of life that he would rather be numb to any feelings.  And all I can do is talk to him and continue to talk to him until he is so frustrated with me that we just both walk away from each other.  But I can't stop talking to him.  I can't stop trying to make him see what I see.  Not only am I not mentally able to stop doing it, I am afraid that if I do he will forget to breathe.

I am so grateful for so many wonderful things in my life.  I hold onto that as a drowning man holds onto whatever floats by him.  And sadly, I no longer know how to keep my head above water.  So I hold onto whatever I can and pray that one day things will be "normal" and I won't have to be so afraid all the time.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today we celebrated my mother's 78th birthday.  Her birthday is actually on the 26th but we are going to Disney next weekend for Savannah's 2nd birthday so we celebrated today.

I think we were all thinking how close we came to losing her a few months ago and we are grateful God let us keep her.

Happy birthday Mom.

PROJECT LIFE

I am excited about this project life.  I think it will be a very personalized way to scrap your days. As usual, I have purchased just about everything that goes with project life. And there is not one thing I regret buying. It's fun to sit there with just pictures and blank pages and not have to stress about embellishments or anything else although you can put them on too.  

To  me project life is not so much about the pretty things on the scrapbook page but about the pictures and the thoughts that go along with them. I have done several pages that I'm happy with. I need to go back and write.  

It is also good practice because I have decided that as of January 1 I will do the project life page for every week. Obviously things happen in your life even if it's just seeing a beautiful bird you photograph or an old lady dancing to the sound of her iPod,   Kittens in the street, the wonderful smell of fresh donuts- the smell is enough to take you back when you were a child.

Yea.....  I think I ,am going to love Project life

JUST THINKING.....

about how blessed I am to have so many wonderful friends in the United States and abroad.  I am honored to have these women as part of my life.  Strong artistic women who care.  

I just wanted to say how much you are loved and appreciated.  And I know you know who you are.

IN A SLUMP

I hate it when I fall into these slumps.  Totally do not feel like doing anything creative.  It took me a month and a half to finish something that should've taken me two days.  Uggggh.  I just refuse to send out something I would not want to receive.

I have not worked in my personal journal and several months.  I think that is why my mind is so scrambled.  Journaling is my therapy.  I have to get into the habit again of journaling every day.  Because even on those days where nothing interesting happens, journaling can be a form of relaxation.

My BFF Jacquie and I are doing project life.  We both really enjoy it but have to struggle for the time to do it.  I have some new ideas on how to do it that I am looking forward to trying.  

Received new art supplies these past two weeks which I will share at some point.  I have several of Kathy Orta tutorials that I want to do.  Her projects are absolutely fabulous.   If you live under a rock and don't know Kathy, go to paperphenomenon.com.  All of her projects are really great.  Some of the supplies that I have received our specifically to do her projects.   I sat down in my studio on Saturday, determined to at least start one of the projects I want to do.  When into the studio, looked at all the pretty supplies, glanced around, and closed the door.  I went into my room and watch back to back lifetime movies.  A very chick thing to do.  , And had lots and lots of popcorn.  They say this is a symptom of early senility.  I am not quite sure. LOL!

Before starting any project, I need to unwind.  I am really happy at the new law firm I truly believe I made the right decision.  Jessica and Bernadette are great to work with.  They are both fabulous lawyers.  We work hard, but we always have fun.  The interaction of ideas is what I missed most when I worked alone.  BUT (and you know there was a butt coming) I am not thrilled with the lack of personal downtime.  I do understand that as part of the three partner firm, you cannot be less than a third of that firm.  My partners will tell you that I carry my load plus a lot more. I guess I just need some me time.  And frankly, that does not look good right now.  Not only do I have a much bigger responsibility in this firm,  I have an incredible amount of work.  Thank God I enjoy it.  On top of that, I want to study for the certification examination that is in February.  I want to become certified in family and marital law. Is it necessary? No.   Doesn't really make any difference at the end of the day? No.   So why do it huh?  Well, why not.  I have no place higher to go. I have no other accomplishments that I need to reach.  Very few lawyers are certified in their field to practice and I like the idea of being one of the few like the Marines. Either that or like my friends tell me I am after all a masochist.

We are also starting to plan our Keys 4 Art retreat in March 2014.  I can hardly believe it is only five months away!   Every year seems to go by faster and faster.  A little scary when you're 52 years old!  For this retreat, the wonderful DJ Pettit Will be teaching a three day class on her wonderful journals.  DJ is a beautiful soul and a fantastic artist and I know my friends will love her.  We have always been so blessed to have such wonderful artists join us at our retreat!  This event is the one thing I look forward to the most every year.  Each and everyone of the artists who attend are my friends.  I love these women dearly, and I know they look forward to this as much as I do.

If anybody bumps into my muse, please send her home!

The days are slipping by

Haven't had a chance to come back and blog since my trip to Cuba. Lots of good things happening but very short on time. Last night I saw the movie The Butler. It was an amazing amazing movie. It makes you sad, disgusted, angry, and a million other emotions all at one time.<br />

<br />

What a shameful chapter in our country's history.  And when we look at it we have to realize that this happened in our lifetime!  Or at least in mine.  This is not something that happened 200 years ago. I was repulsed at what I saw and totally blown away by the fact that this actually happened in the United States.  I don't believe anyone can look at that movie and not have the same feelings that I did.  It makes me wonder why it is that we've always gone to the rescue of every other country in the world, fought against every injustice in those other countries, and treated our own citizens like animals.  <br />

<br />

If you haven't seen that movie, do yourself a huge favor and watch it. Not only is it an exceptional movie, but it is one that will make you FEEL.

A NEW JOURNEY!

So I was sort of teasing everyone with a surprise event.

I have merged with a new law firm in Key Largo. It is with two amazing partners, Jessica Reilly and Bernadette Restivo and I could not be happier. We are all strong women with years of experience. I truly believe we will make a huge difference in Key Largo and am excited about this new journey with Restivo, Reilly and Vigil-Farinas, LLC!

Come visit our website: http://www.rrvflaw.com

I just got back from Cuba last night. I will post some pictures throughout the week. We went to Varadero beach which was absolutely beautiful! I will share it with you as soon as I get 10 minutes!! Have an awesome day!

HUGE EVENT IN MY LIFE!!

Big event happening in the next two weeks!!! Have to keep it under wraps for now though. Can't wait to let you know!

Friday morning I fly to Cuba. I am so looking forward to it. I miss everyone terribly.

Be back in 10 days peeps!!

FEELING GOOD!!

I am one of those persons that works in spurts.  Days and weeks can go by and I am totally blocked in work and in art.  Then the cloud lifts and I get everything done.

This was a good weekend.  I have owed this calendar pages for MONTHS.  They are on their way with a little "I'm sorry" gift!!

I got both of Lee's journals done and packed.

My peeps and I are starting a new RR -  Journey of Dreams.">

Mail Art!!

I am participating in an art mail swap in one of my groups.  Love mail art!

Using my awesome envelope punch

Its easy-peezy!!

Will post again when they are done!

This is a little youtube video of some of the envelopes. The screaming in the background is not an old lady getting attacked - it's my Macaw Pancho who is demanding to be fed!!! I didn't even here him until I reviewed the video!!! LMAO!!!

GO KAITLYNN!!!

Kaitlynn decided to do some of her own coreography today!!!



I don't remember my body moving that way at 6!!!

I DON'T UNDERSTAND

I was retained by a very sweet man to represent him in a divorce he truly did not want.  He is a very educated man with a high ranking job.  A man who lived for his wife and daughters.  The idea of a divorce, of being away from his daughters and of losing the love of his life was devastating to him.

She has been callous.  Totally without regard for his feelings.  She just focuses on  herself and what she wants without thinking.  She has been married to this man for 18 years.  She knows him better than anyone.  I understand that people fall "out" of love.  I really do.

But how can you just make a decision to do what you want to do without giving the effects of your actions any consideration whatsoever?  I have been practicing family law for 20 years and this is still a question that I can not answer.  I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

My client killed himself yesterday morning.  Walked over to a park and shot himself in the head.  I guess she wont have to worry about how much she can get from him now.

VINTAGE VALISE MINI ALBUM

This has GOT to be one of the cutest mini albums I have ever seen!  I have this die and have never figures out what to do with it!

Bathing Beauties Post Card

The theme for this months post card is bathing beauties.

I send to Michele this month.  I hope you like it Michele and that it brings a smile to your face!

LEE'S ASIAN PAGES

Yep! These were not done on time either!  But they are DONE!

Both pages are made totally from fabric.  A beautiful background fabric with bamboos.  Wonderdul sari ribbon.  The images were also printed on fabric. Everything was then sewn on fabulous Fabriano paper.

THIS IS THE MOST HILARIOUS THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!

HOW MANY OF YOU CAN RELATE TO THIS???????

SMILE FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

From Julie Fei-Fan Balzer Pinterest posting:

FINALLY DID SUE"S PAGES!!

A long  time ago my friends and I did an Asian themed round robin journal.

For some reason, and I can't even remember why, I never did pages for Sue's journal.

For a long time now, I could not bring myself to do any more Asian pages! LOL!

This weekend, lo and behold, I finally got them done.

Sue really loves haiku poetry.  I found this wonderful haiku about a geisha and knew that she would love it.

I apologize for the delays honey. You know I love you! It's on its way to you tomorrow.

MEN ONLY

I mostly represent men in divorce cases.  Women tend to use their children as weapons in divorce cases and I have never wanted to be a part of that

I have always avoided representing women and over time I have come to be known for representing men.

A client sent me this picture yesterday

I guess he knows huh?

MAKE YOUR OWN WASHI TAPE!!

I came across this tutorial today and I think it's fabulous!!  I love the idea of making my own washi tape.   Mind you, I will never use the 3000 rolls of washi tape I have!!!  But the idea of being able to do anything I want is really great.



I plan to do some of these this evening.  Will let you guys know how it goes!

EILEEN'S RR JOURNAL

Eileen and I are participating in a round robin journal with our kindred souls group.

The theme of Eileen's journal is faces.

When ever a journal has this theme, everyone uses women's faces.  When I think of beautiful faces, this picture of John Lennon is the most beautiful and soulful face I have ever seen.

 I hope Eileen loves this image as much as I do.

Zimmerman Verdict Watch

As much as I try not to get too wrapped up in these high profile cases, this case intrigues me.  It intrigues me not only for the legal issues involved, which as an attorney I find interesting, but for the societal issues underlying this case that everyone is trying so hard to ignore.  The proverbial elephant in the room.

My opinion?  If the jury does its job without fear of the consequences of its verdict, Zimmerman will be acquitted.  Do I think he is innocent?  Hell no.  That child is dead because of his vigilante actions. But no matter what side you are on, how do you avoid reasonable doubt in this case?

We will see how this turns out

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI

Happy birthday papi.  You would have been 78 yesterday.  I couldnt bring myself to write you a letter yesterday but thought about you all day

I still miss you so much.  I thought this was supposed to get easier?  I guess I am luckier than most.  So many people say "I never realized what a great dad I had."   

I always knew.

MERMAID CIRCUS

Back in April I bought MERMAID CIRCUS,  an online class by Jane Davenport and Teesha Moore. I love Jane Davenport and anyone who knows me at all knows that Teesha is my hero!

The class was pricey ($200) but it sounded like so much fun!  I ADORE mermaids so how could I not LOVE this class right?

I hope everyone who is taking it really loves it.

I have to admit to being disappointed.

I can't even put my finger on why,  but I really am.   Maybe I am just not INTO it yet you know?  But that is my biggest issue with this class!  It closes in August (I believe on the 30th) and you have no access to it any longer.  THAT bothers me.  ALOT.

If I pay $200 for a class I expect to be able to access it 4-ever or at least to be able to download it.  I guess I should have looked into this in the first place but I have purchased other Jane Davenport classes and they have not been limited like this.

I guess five months should probably be enough to do a class but not all of us have the time to do that and other times we are just not "feeling" it yet.  You know?

I don't know.....  maybe it's just me.

DJ PETTITT!! Last post!

Okay, so where was I???  Oh yeah, we gessoed our pages in the hotel room and brought them into class the next day.  Sitting at our tables at 9 am enjoying Momma's breakfast we were all really excited to get started.

 Two fabulous artists with two INCREDIBLY different  personalities!!!  I think Donna scared DJ a little!!

DJ's pages,  page wraps made out of fabric and the gorgeous spine on her book,

Jacquie did her book about her mother.  The picture on the front is actually an altered picture of her mom.

We had a music break to dance and celebrate Eileen being the first one that finished her book!! And it is AMAZING!

 

Eileen did her victory dance and Jacquie got DJ to shake that thing!  (and if you know how quiet and sweet DJ is you understand how awesome this is!)

CASSIA, DONNA and KARMA

As they always do, Bill and Donna treated everyone to a limousine ride and a nice dinner.  These dinners are always a lot of fun and this one did not disappoint!

The paint all over my hands matched my nail polish!!!

 

DJ (left)       OLGA and CASSIA
                I know both these wonderful ladies from home!
 

 Way too soon it was over!!!

SO HERE IS MY JOURNAL AND MY THOUGHTS ON IT:

SPINE

LIKE:  I like the way the spine looks with all the buttons. As  usual, my A-type personality required tons of buttons!

DISLIKE:  In hindsight I woud have used much thicker fabric on the spine.  The fabric is beautiful but way too thin and the spine is really really flimsy.

SOLUTION:  Take it apart and put it back together with a stronger spine.

FRONT COVER ( A Little Birdie Told Me)

LIKE:  I like the colors and the bird

DISLIKE:  I hate the way the writing with acrylic paint came out (especially since I screwed up the T).

SOLUTION:  Gesso!!!

BACK COVER:

A COUPLE OF THE INSIDE PAGES:

LIKE:   I love the super heavy gesso (Liquitex) and the colors.  It is wonderful to use the same colors throughout the book (black, teal and mustard) because you do not have to worry about putting the pages in any kind of order.  The circles are a theme throughout the book (I LOVE circles).  Used different things to make them.

DISLIKE:  These are 6x6 pieces of watercolor paper.  We cut them from huge sheets and since they did not fit in the cutter and I could not see myself measuring square by square I tore them.  Didn't do such a great job.  Some are 6x6 and others are not.  It doesn't really look bad but I would like it to be more even.

SOLUTION:  Do it better next time!

Right side page of the layout above is part of the FABRIC WRAP.  The fabric wrap is exactly what it sounds like.  You sew pieces of fabric together and embellish and then use it to "wrap" your signatures.  LOVE IT. 

Left side of layout above is part of the fabric wrap.

SIDE VIEW OF JOURNAL:

LIKE:   A thick yummy book with many many pages.

DISLIKE:  TOO MANY pages!

SOLUTION:  Since I have to take it apart to do the spine again, I will probably divide this into two journals (since I did double what DJ suggested!).

SO THAT'S IT!!!  My awesome experience with DJ Pettitt!