Frisco Arts in the Square 2012

Loni and I went to the Frisco 2012 Arts in the Square today.  This is our second year to attend this arts festival. 

I enjoyed seeing some familiar artists and talking a some that were new to me.

My goal was to find a ring since I have asked the boys to buy me a new ring for my birthday.  Unfortunately, the artist I was hoping would attend this year did not, so I had to look at different rings.  I did not find the one I want for my birthday, but I did buy this one from T.K. Connor of Nashville, TN, only my gemstone is green.

I also purchased a metal print on brushed aluminum from Jean Claude Louis of Seattle, Washington.  I was interested in this print when I saw it at Artscape, but put off purchasing it that day.  When I saw it again today, I knew it was meant to be.  I bought it for my bathroom.

It was a beautiful day to be out and enjoying music and great art, but the wind was picking up and I was worried about some of the booths with glass, and delicate pieces.  The last booth I was in the paintings were starting to blow away from the sides about 2 feet.  I would have attached them from the top and the bottom.

Loni says "Mama C attracts all sorts."  She has certainly witnessed how that happens from our DART rail trip and some of our other outings.  Today was no different.  As we were leaving the festival and walking to the van, a white vehicle was coming towards us and the man driving kept waving.  It turned out he was waving at me.  He stopped and rolled down his window and asked if I could tell him what was going on.  I leaned down to explain about the art festival and got a huge nose full of pot smoke.  The young man was quite high and had obviously hit the munchie stage based on the white bakery bag and open chip bag on his seat.  I told him the festival was free, pointed to where he could park free and told him I thought he would really enjoy the art and music.  It was quite a while before the smell left my nostrils.  I hope he stopped and got some fresh air.  We were trying to figure out why he thought I could help him, was it the hat, or do I just look like a Mama to everyone.  

I am already looking forward to next year's Arts in the Square.

The Lettuce Violet

I currently have four African Violets in the house.  Two of them are Loni's and two are mine.  

One of mine is really blooming right now.  It is a strange African Violet, Loni always says it looks like lettuce.  It does have huge leaves. All I know is I enjoy talking to it and watching it bloom.

I am Getting Stronger

 Kelly Clarkson's song "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) doesn't entirely pertain to me, but this part does.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me"

Thanks to the big "kick in the ass" I got early this week, I do feel like I am getting stronger, and I have started "thinking 'bout me."

I have been on a huge emotional roller coaster since New Year's Eve, 2011, but I think things are starting to turn around.  I know there are going to be more dips and highs, but I believe I won't scream and cry through them now.

Thank you dear friend for "kicking" me.  I know I did not appreciate it the other night, just like I never appreciated it all those years ago, but you are right I needed it.  You may have to kick me some more down the road, but I know you are up to it. I also know there will be times when you will enjoy it just a little too much, I'll try not to take offense.

As you tell me  "I Know, You Know."

 Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

Great Day

Today has been a great day!

I woke up after 9 1/2 hours of excellent sleep, yes I had to use some medication to get it but the insomnia cycle had to be broken. Truthfully, I could have slept another 3 hours, but I had to get the youngest up and out of the house for his haircut.  

While the youngest was gone I cleaned out my medicine cabinet of old drugs.  I also made sure I had plenty of my medications to take to Alaska.

Once the youngest was back from his haircut (where for some reason they thought he wanted to look like Justin Beiber) he and I started working on the backyard of the oasis.  We gathered up 3 bags of trash because Mama was on a decluttering kick, pulled weeds, and washed down patios.  Once Bryan does his second mowing of the year it is going to look really great out there.  I also spent some time on the porch swing visiting with some friends that stopped by to store things in my barn.

The afternoon was spent washing dirt, bugs and tree seeds out of my hair, and doing laundry. 

We invited Loni to have dinner with us and I made spaghetti.  After dinner Loni went home to do her own thing, and the youngest left to go to a friend's new apartment for the evening.  I imagine that will be a regular occurrence now that two friends are sharing an apartment. The apartment will probably be the new gathering spot over Mama's.  

I spent some time on the porch swing before the bugs just started eating me up. I didn't feel like getting out the candles and stuff tonight.

Yes it was a great day.  

 

I Think I Have It

Each year on my birthday I pick a theme for the upcoming year. 

I have been thinking about this year's since November.  I have changed it in my mind a zillion times.  This morning I think I have it.  

I spent a good portion of yesterday being mad at one of my oldest, dearest friends over something he said to me the night before.  I told Loni part of what he told me and she said he hadn't said anything my other friends didn't know but just hadn't said.  Well, she was partially correct, but he said things others can't say to me because they don't know all the things about me he does.

He has made me mad a lot lately because he has really been as he says "harping" at me.  I know he is right in what he is saying, it is just that it hits something buried so deep that it hurts my entire being. It doesn't help that he grabs onto it and pulls.  He is determined to "break the bubble."  I know it is because he cares.  I know it is because he wants to see me happy before he leaves this earth, and he knows I am not the kind of happy I could be.  I also know he will be a "pain in my ass" until I start dealing with some things.  He says "it has been long enough."

So now that I think I have my theme, I am going to chew on it for the next 20 days to see if it needs any tweaking, and just what steps I need to take to work within the theme.

 

Running on Empty

Finally fell asleep a little after 4:00 A.M., up before 8:00 A.M. to meet with a repairman.

Have been cleaning house and doing laundry this morning, now I am getting ready to run errands.

Pretty much running on empty.

Sleeping Better

I have had two nights of fairly deep sleep by sleeping on the couch.  Even though I am still only getting between 4-5 hours, I can tell it is a much more restful sleep and that I am feeling better.

The only reason I can think this location is working out better is that it is much cooler and I can sleep with the door open when I need more air.  My bedroom tends to get stuffy at night, and I don't like to sleep with my bedroom window open as my neighbors' security light shines directly into my bedroom.  

Of course there is no sleeping late when you are on the couch.  The birds wake you up very early.  

I do believe I know what is nearly emptying the turtle pond each night.  Coyotes. 

 

So the couch is the new bed until I get to the point where I cannot manage without turning on the a/c, then it is back to the bedroom.