QUOTE FOR THE DAY

People of character do the right thing not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world.

-  Author Unknown

CINDY FARINAS 01/09/1996 - 07/14/2011

After weeks of being sick, I put Cindy to sleep this morning.  She was done.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI

Today is my dad's 76th birthday.  Or would have been.

Happy birthday Papi.  I have been thinking about you since I got up this morning.  Thinking about your last birthday.  Your 74th.  Julio organized a surprise party for you at Carraba's.  I am so grateful that he did.  It's funny because he called me to suggest it and I remember he said "you know, we always give Mom a birthday party but I can't remember every giving dad a party."

We had no way of knowing it would be your last.  But that day you were happy.

You were surrounded by your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, your sister, your wife.  You were happy.

My dad and his sister.

My dad and his wife, Mercedes.

Kristina and Kaitlynn

My brother Albert, his wife, Lisa, my nephew Eric and his wife Lucy.

Always the clown.

Bernie and his mom Cira.

My wonderful father in law who we lost this past November.

Looking at these pictures, you did not look healthy.  How did we miss that?  How did we not see what was happening to you?

I bought some flowers for you today - you always like them.  You were one of the few men who admitted he liked receiving them!

I love you Papi.  I miss you every single day.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

I recently read Eat, Pray, Love ... gotta tell you I envy her!!  Anyway, I LOVE this quote from the book and thought I'd share it:

"See, now that is your problem.  You're wishing too much baby.  You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be."

How awesome is THAT??  Think about it!

KEYS 4 ART 2012

I have received numerous emails regarding our retreat.  I am so flattered that so many of you are interested!

However (and you KNEW that was coming!), this retreat is a very small retreat which I hold in my home every year.  The only cost to the attendees is their airfare and the cost of the instructors.

The maximum number of women is 15 and it has always been the same 15 women.  In order for anyone else to be able to attend, one of the fantabulous 15 would have to say they will not be attending and that has yet to happen.

It really is great fun.  If you are interested in taking a look at pictures from Keys 4 Art 2011, go to the following links:

IT ONLY GETS BETTER
KEYS 4 ART
KEYS 4 ART DAY 5 (PAPERQUEEN)
KEYS 4 ART DAY 4 (PAPERQUEEN)
KEYS 4 ART DAY 3 (PAPERQUEEN)
KEYS 4 ART DAY 1 (PAPERQUEEN)
ART FRIENDS ARE THE BEST FRIENDS (PAPERQUEEN)

The PaperQueen blog is my friend Eileen's.  Her blog is so much fun and she did such an amazing job of recapping the retreat that this is the best way to show it to you.

Have fun!     I wish I could invite more people!

KEYS 4 ART 2012!!! March 11-17, 2012

Our third Keys 4 Art retreat!!!  Can you believe it?  We are already making plans for the 2012 retreat!

This year we will have the amazing LYNNE PERELLA come teach a workshop!!! Woo HOO!!

FINALLY UP AND OUT OF BED!

I have been laying in bed for EIGHT days.  That has NEVER happened to me before and I am taking it as God's way to make me rest.  But I'm done with this.  I don't like feeling weak or sick!

The pneumonia is gone, the lungs are "disinfected" and everything else seems to be under control.

Thank you for your emails and calls!  They have meant a lot.

I am in my studio for the first time since last week and I plan to get my hands nice and dirty!  The best medicine ever.

Have a great 4th everyone.