Today's Yin is Yesterday's Yang

Yesterday we had an early day. Our morning schedules overlapped each other and everyone needed to be ready and out the door by 7:40. Sunday evening we put our heads together and figured out a shower schedule and decided who was getting in the shower and when.

Monday morning came and went perfectly. I dropped the kids off at school and as I was pulling back into the driveway my husband was pulling out and was headed to work. I thought to myself, "This morning went off without a hitch...how perfect...how peaceful. A great way to start the new week."

Today, however, was the exact opposite. GGRRRR!! I use my radio as my alarm clock. I didn't sleep well tossing and turning most of the night. I finally fell asleep and didn't wake up until 6:50. I am usually up by 5:45. I saw the clock and thought maybe I was dreaming so I jumped up and ran to the dining room to look at the clock out there. No luck...it really was 6:50. I couldn't figure out why my alarm didn't go off. After investigating I learned that the volume somehow got turned down so I never heard it. Regardless of that issue I woke the kids up and within minutes everyone was moving around. Yes, the chaos ensued.

When all was said and done everything worked out fine. Even though it was a rushed morning I dropped the kids off at school in plenty of time. But as I was driving home I had to laugh. It's so ironic how you can have such a smooth morning one day then 24 hours later you are running around and freaking out.

But isn't that life? Isn't that what happens all the time...even with things you don't even realize? As I was making the beds I contemplated the concept of yin and yang. Everyone has good days, everyone has bad days. You can't have light without the dark. You can't appreciate your health if you've never had sickness.

Over the past few years I've realized that bad days don't have to upset us or piss us off. I try to look at it this way--perhaps crappy, stressful days can be used to our advantage and can help us appreciate the good days.

As I get older and my kids reach adulthood I've learned to look at things through a balanced perspective...or at least I try to do so. I try to appreciate everyday, good or bad.

Contemplating my moments of yin and yang reminded me of a name sign I made a couple of years ago...

Yes, "Balance" (and, of course, the Holey Pokey)...that's what it's all about!

More fun to come...until then,

"The Dragon King" - Book Review

I recently read a wonderful children's book called "The Dragon King" by Vivian Slade.

In "The Dragon King", Ethan is crowned king at a very young age after the sudden death of his father. Though Ethan is very sad over the loss of his father he still has his mother, Queen Sarah, to console him. Sarah spends time every day with her young son teaching him all the values that are needed to prepare a young king for any future battles. Over the years Queen Sarah makes sure that Ethan understands that all kings will, at some point in their lives, have to rise up and fight against great demons to protect their kingdom.

As expected one day out of the clear blue a huge and dreadful fire breathing dragon appears in the sky. This fear spreading monger terrorizes all of the people in Ethan's kingdom with his fiery breath leaving nothing but charred remains in his wake. Ethan summons his knights and they set out to conquer the beast. Sadly only a very few return with horrific stories of this cunning and frightening monster.

Finally the time arrives when Ethan realizes that he can no longer let the chaos continue. He decides that only he is the one who can take on and fight the dragon. Ethan gathers up his courage and sets out to save his kingdom from this ferocious enemy. Recalling the words of his mother, Ethan knows that all just and honorable kings are faithful, courageous and wise. Armored with these values Ethan knows that he must also use his imagination when fighting a beast. He must know in his heart and soul that he can defeat this monster.

This sweet and loving story has a bit of a twist to it as you approach it's ending and I don't want to give away any surprises. I wanted to share this story with you because I sincerely enjoyed it. While it was written for children I believe it can be read by anyone of any age. No matter the battle we all need to know that we all are kings of our own lives. We all must practice faith, courage and wisdom every day. And along with these three valuable traits we also must use our imagination. We must know that when we imagine ourselves defeating our demons--and make our imaginations come alive--we can will ourselves to win any struggle that life puts in front of us.

My review and promotion of this book is two fold. Of course I loved the story. But I also wanted to point out that the author, Vivian Slade, has promised that over the next three years she will give away 1,000,000 copies of the book to help children around the world. Vivian wants kids to truly understand that with faith, courage, wisdom and imagination they can dramatically change their lives. But to reach this goal your help is necessary! You can help the author by making a direct donation to their cause. Or you can purchase the Kindle and audio version of the book

Please consider this worthy cause!

More to come soon!

Strive to be positive...

I know it's hard to have a positive outlook on life. Every time you turn around you get negative messages from T.V., the radio, newspapers, magazines, etc. And all of the beloved social networking sites display drama every other minute...it's difficult to shield yourself from it all.

I stumbled across this quote from The Daily Guru in my email this morning that I, from the depth of my soul, believe is true...

"Thoughts are like boomerangs. What you throw out there into the Universe will always come back to you." -- The Daily Guru

You must make it your own personal mission--every day--to keep healthy thoughts in your mind. I learned about practicing positive thinking years ago. And only recently I realized again how important it is to have a positive attitude and how it can change everything in your life.

You and only you can make yourself happy. Starting your day with a simple thought like this, "Today is a great day!" really can help. Just repeat it over and over again several times early in the morning.

I'm not saying your day will be perfect but it will be better than if you start out swimming in negativity!

Go on and give it a try! I have a feeling it will work for you.

Okay...more happiness on the way...until then,

Illustration Friday - 'Sight'

The topic for today's 'Illustration Friday' is 'Sight'.

Here's my contribution...

"She sees the world through rose colored glasses and it drives everyone nuts!"

More fun to come...until then,

Playtime sharing...

I'm quite fanatical about collecting saying or quotes and every so often I simply hear something...no matter how trivial...and it sticks in my mind. One day a few months ago I came across this description or title and thought it sounded so sweet so I wrote it down:

I don't know why but I felt compelled to try and paint my version of the 'Bluebird of Happiness'. But being that my 'playtime' is so limited that note sat in my messy paint area for several weeks. Here's my messy paint area, by the way...

I finally got started on my Bluebird a few weeks ago. I want to add more to the background but here's where I am so far...

Now most people would paint the background first then paint the main subject, but I'm kind of weird and get ahead of myself at times. Either that or I'm just a backwards thinker!

Meanwhile, I'll keep looking at this and figure out what else to add. It could possibly be another 6 months before I consider it complete, but whatever. That's how my life is these days! Never enough time to do what I really want. Oh well! Someday I suppose I'll have more time.

Okay...more fun and sharing on the way...until then,

"The God Box"

I just finished reading a lovely book called 'The God Box' by Mary Lou Quinlan.

I connected with this author on a number levels. I lost my mom several months ago but at times it's still feels as fresh as if she only passed yesterday. I have many fond memories of my mother and I miss her every single day. But reading this book reminded me that my mother truly lives on through me. My mom, like the author's mother, was a devout Catholic and throughout her lifetime she constantly shared her faith with all of us.

I can easily recall the countless times she would offer to pray for a friend or loved one who might be struggling with one of life's difficulties. My mom's practice of praying for others was very similar to Mary Lou Quinlan's mom, Mary Finlayson. The only difference between my mom and Mary was that Mary wrote down all of her petitions to God on tiny bits of scrap paper. After writing her prayers she folded each piece of paper up until it was very small and stuck it in her God Box. Once Mary tucked each little prayer in her God Box she believed the issue was no longer something to worry about. Her prayer was with God and the worry was His to handle. What a wonderful practice of letting go and letting God handle your worries!

The night before her mother's funeral Mary Lou, her brother, Jack and her father were exhausted and trying to hold themselves together. Everything in the house reminded them of their loving mother and wife. Suddenly they remembered the God Box but realized that even after all these years they had no idea where Mary kept it. Determined to find this box they went on a search throughout the house. Finally Mary Lou discovers not only one God Box but ten of them stuffed full of prayers that her mother had written down over a 20 year span.

The book shares how Mary not only prayed for her family, but also friends and even strangers. She prayed for help with simple life decisions like what kind of flooring to choose as well as overwhelming life scenarios such as loved ones dealing with infertility and her own battle with cancer.

In The God Box, Mary Lou Quinlan shares with her readers the emotional journey that unfolds as she discovers the varied wishes and concerns of her mother over the years. You learn about her family from the early days to the present and many of their struggles and happy times in between. This sweet and loving tribute will warm your heart. You will laugh. You will cry. And it's likely that you will finish the book with a desire to create your own God Box.

I highly recommend this darling book...it's a quick and highly inspirational read!

More to come soon...until then,

Quote sharing...

I haven't shared a quote for a really long time! Life at our house has been hectic lately so I'll blame my long hiatus on that!

Here you go...

"Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey, trusting that whatever happens, it will be OK. Creating your own adventure!" ~ Elana Lindquist

I got the quote from one of my favorite inspirational websites, "The Daily Guru".

I loved it and needed to hear it this morning...especially the 'trusting whatever happens, it will be OK' part! Some days I get so caught up in the worry and fear, but I must make a point to tell myself that it will be OK. Things always manage to work themselves out.

And here's a photo of one of my paintings from a few years ago...I like to look at this one when I'm feeling overwhelmed by life...

OK...I have to get moving. Of all things we are bracing ourselves for a big snow storm today! What the heck?!?! It's April 23rd and Mother Nature is playing big time games with us here in the Northeast! Unreal! I say it all the time...why do I live here???

Well, there's not much we can do about it so we'll just hang in there for a couple of days. Then hopefully the warmth will be back!

I'll be sharing more goodies soon...until then,

Writing My 'Master-Peace'

I have a sketch book that I like to use for doodles or simple little drawings. In looking over my sketch book most of my doodles or drawings are dated in the first half of each year. It seems that in late winter and early spring my business slows enough so that I have the time to spend doing what I really love and that's just creating my own little designs or doodles.

In the 'custom artwork' business world your time is spent catering to creating the designs and themes that your customer wants. In turn you have less time to create what's in your own heart and what is inspirational to yourself.

This issue has been something I've dealt with for the past few years. I've been pining away  trying to create a part of my business that is all about 'my' designs and 'my' themes and 'my' ideas. But it's always a struggle because the custom artwork is the niche of my business that pays the bills.

So here we are.

But back to my sketchbook full of doodles and drawings...

I pulled out my sketchbook and took some photos of some little quotes that I doodled a while ago. They are very inspirational and I thought I'd share them with you.

The designs are utterly simplistic and certainly nothing to write home about, but what I like is the message. Our lives are really in our own hands and we are the authors of our own life stories.

On the second page I like how I used the word 'Peace'. I have a really busy life and I've suffered from a high level of anxiety for many years. I continually tell myself that I need to take more time for me so I can feel 'peace' in my life. I am constantly learning about little things you can do to make your days less anxiety-ridden and using the word 'Peace' throughout my days has helped me greatly.

So I'm spending my days attempting to write my own 'Master-Peace'.

Okay, I just got back from the gym and I need to get in the shower and get my day moving. I'll have more to share soon...until then,

Computer Issues

A few days ago we had a major computer crash. I was working on my website when all of a sudden everything shut down. I couldn't get it back up and running for anything. Thankfully I have a laptop from which I can also work so I wasn't completely out of commision. But the main desktop computer that went down is the one I use for business and it has all of my artwork photos as well as my personal family pictures, videos, documents, etc.

I went into complete panic mode worrying that I lost so many precious memories along with a large number of important papers and work photos. Suddenly I gained a new appreciation for the term 'back up'...something I've only done on occasion! (Yes, I know that is such a sad statement to make considering I've been in business for so long. But apparently I had been in denial thinking that something like this wouldn't happen to me.)

As well as the laptop I use I have another older laptop that still runs, but the power adaptor needs replaced so that computer wasn't working either. Therefore we were down to only one computer and we had to take turns using the laptop. My whole family was sort of wondering around in circles all weekend! It was kind of sad to see how we are all so addicted to our computers.

But I tried to make lemonade out of my lemons! Here are some of the things I took care of while living somewhat computer-free for a few days:

• I cleaned out my pantry.
• I cleaned around our computer desk as well as under the desk where all the dust bunnies love to hide.
• I had all the laundry done way before Monday--which rarely happens around here.
• I learned how to use our external hard drive--which will be used on a regular basis now!
• We got all of our tax papers together and had them ready to drop off.
• And on Sunday morning as I wondered around the house trying to find something to do I kept telling myself, "Jane, it's okay if you lost all of those photos. What's more important is that your family is together. You have three beautiful and healthy children. Your husband loves you. You have a roof over your head..." and so on. So even though I was worried I knew everything was going to be okay.

Finally Monday morning arrived and we dropped off the computer for repair. We assumed the hard drive was fried. But thankfully it wasn't!! It was just a virus...which amazes me somewhat. We have Norton Internet Security and it has been installed on this computer since we bought it and it's been updated. However we suspect that a stinking virus or malware or whatever somehow got into our system and the Norton firewall was turned off. It's simply criminal how these things work!

But I'm completely thankful that it was easily repaired. I have all of my important files back in my hands and they have all been unharmed! Now I will be backing things up constantly!

So over the past few days I learned a huge lesson from many aspects. First of all...Back up your work! Secondly when you are forced into some down time you have to pick yourself up, get busy and get those things you've left on the back burner taken care of. And finally and most important, look around you and focus on and realize what really matters in your life!

Okay...now that I have my favorite computer back there will be more on the way soon...until then,

Sharing this simple thought...

I have a small board in my work space that I consider my 'inspiration board'.

I also have a small TV in my work room and I almost always have it on. Even though I don't really watch it because I'm painting and my eyes are elsewhere in the room I can certainly listen to it.

Every so often I hear someone say something that strikes a chord in me and I'll jot it down quickly and post it on my inspiration board.

Here's one I heard and saved a few months ago...I wrote it down but then also took a photo of it...

Pin It

This thought resonates within me because many days I am constantly on the go. I run here and I run there and then I run somewhere else. The next thing I know...I'm exhausted and it's time for bed.

But every so often I get one of those days where things aren't quite so hectic. Yet instead of enjoying the down time these feelings of guilt creep into my mind. Rather than relaxing that negative voice in my head tells me that I'm being lazy and irresponsible. What??? Are you serious??? Why would I ever let those thoughts bother me???

Well, I decided that I have to lay blame on the perfectionist part of my personality. I'm a Virgo and while you might not think I'm a perfectionist by looking at the dust on my furniture or the clutter on my dining room table, I am definitely a perfectionist when it relates to my work. I am highly critical of how each finished product looks and if I'm not satisfied with even the tiniest detail I HAVE to fix it or it will eat away at me.

Sometimes I tell myself that my perfectionism is a good thing. I have many return customers who praise my work and refer my websites to their friends and family. So perhaps it's the 'love in the details' that makes all the difference with my artwork. Or maybe it's the 'devil in the details'??? Hmmm...that's something to ponder for sure!

Meanwhile, as the guilt oozed from my pores last week when I had a slow day I looked up at my inspiration board and saw it and thought to myself, 'Jane, it's okay to take a day to rest! You don't have to constantly run, run, run. As the quote says we are human 'beings' not human 'doings'! So just 'BE' and enjoy it!

Okay more sharing on the way...until then,

Daily Sharing...

Today I chose to share a few items that I made over the years that were for some customers in Greece. No, I'm not familiar with the Greek language. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm only fluent in English!

So you wonder, how did I know how to print the letters to make sure I spelled the names correctly in the Greek language? It's rather simple! Through a number of emails my customers placed their orders--not through my shopping cart system. Then these customers emailed me images or .pdf files with the children's name in Greek. Otherwise I would have been quite lost as to how to print the letters.

The themes on the name signs shown above were chosen from the samples on my website.
The themes for the hand painted canvas wall art pieces were customized by the customer's own ideas and requests.
So, in a nutshell, I can create personalized items in another language as long as you can provide a file or image that shows the correct way to write each particular name or word.

I also painted a few hand painted clocks for my customers in Greece, but I'll show those another day.

More sharing on the way...until then,

Sharing...

I've been very slow at getting back into the swing of things regarding my life and my work in the new year. I'm trying to figure out what my problem is, but I think it's just the season. I think I'm suffering from S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder and I'm trying to get my positive side in gear and hopefully pull myself out of this rut. If the stinking sun would shine it would help. But there's no use complaining about that. So I've been trudging through my days and I'm focusing on the handful of orders I have to get processed. Slowly I'm getting them finished.

Meanwhile, I just wrapped up a couple of cute ones to be shipped out today and I just wanted to share them...I thought they turned out well...and they lifted my spirits a bit...

Elijah is a custom size sign that measures 32" long x 12" wide. I worked with the customer to come up with the theme and design...it was so fun to paint all the different critters.

The lo-o-o-ong neck giraffe growth chart was custom designed and personalized for a little girl named Cecelia. I love, love, love painting giraffes!

I just don't know what it is...in general I love to paint. But I absolutely LOVE to paint animals more than anything. I've developed my own little signature design for a variety of them and I just can't seem to get enough of painting them. Giraffes, frogs, elephants, turtles and fish are among my favorites, but I really enjoy painting just about any animal. I even had someone request a gazelle to be painted on a name sign! I had to find a picture of one, but I think it turned out pretty well.

Okay...just thought I'd share a few pictures of my work with you today...more to come soon...until then,

"Meditating" Signs...

Every so often I get requests for personalized door signs that are basically 'do not disturb' signs, but they are used for meditation purposes.

Again, some fun ways to relay this message...

I can't say for sure which one I like best. I love the colors that were requested with this theme...they are so pretty and soothing.

Okay...time to focus on work. I'm sure I'll be posting more fun stuff soon...until then,

"Happy"

Gotta love John Lennon!

More on the way soon...until then,

Feeling nostalgic...

My two younger kids got their school pictures taken a few weeks ago. (My oldest son is a senior so we had his pictures taken by a local professional photographer.) Today my daughter brought her school pictures home.

Every year when I get the kids' school pictures I just stick the most current photo in the same frame on top of all the past years' photos.
 
But first...

I have to go through a little 'ritual'.

I take all of their pictures out of the frame, line them up side by side and sit in awe and amazement at how  much they've grown and how fast the years have gone by.
 
Tonight I had my daughter's pictures all lined up. I have 28 of them. (No my daughter hasn't been in school for 28 years! LOL! They get school pictures taken twice a year now plus I had photos taken in preschool and even before they started school.)

With all of these pictures in front of me I got very emotional and teared up. All of these thoughts rushed through my mind...

• My oldest son is getting ready for college next year. He is adamant that he is going to live on campus and not live at home.
• My daughter is 15 years old...about to turn 16. Driving is just around the corner!!
• My baby--my youngest son--is only 13 years old and he is already 5'11' and towering over me!!

What??? What the??? What is going on??? This is how I still see them:

Where, oh, where has the time gone???

Honestly, I can't complain. They are terrific kids and I am blessed beyond words! I just feel sad every once in awhile because so much has changed in our lives in the past year. And from where I am standing it's only going to change even more!

Ay Yi Yi Yi Yi...

Okay, Jane! No more self pity!

It's only the very beginning of my day and I can't start things off with a negative attitude. I have to pull myself together make it a point to be grateful for all I have!

I have to put my positive self talk to work...

"Today is a great day...today is a great day...today is a great day..."

I'll just keep saying it until it becomes a reality!!

More on the way! Until then,

Love this quote...

A family friend (who is only 14--such wisdom for a teen!) shared this on Facebook...and I loved it!

"Sad?
You will later be happy.
Alone?
You will later have company.
Crying?
You will later smile.
Why?
Cause according to Newton...
For every action there's an equal or opposite reaction."

I don't know who wrote it but I sure do love it!

More fun on the way...

Only Positive Thinking...

I tried something new this morning...I got the idea from this blog:

http://www.alteredpages.blogspot.com

It looked like fun so I thought I'd give it a try...

A few years ago I bought a really old falling apart geography book at a flea market. This old book has been sitting in my garage and for some reason I finally decided to pull it out last week. It's been sitting in my work area waiting for me to use it for something. Then this morning I found this blog, saw what they were doing and thought I'd give it a whirl...

The story behind this altered page...

This past week or so I've been helping my 15 year old daughter cope with anxiety. I hate to say it but she's inherited this awful curse from me. My sister has the same issue as did my mom. So here we are...now it's my daughter's turn. My heart breaks for her...she's only 15! I didn't have my first anxiety/panic attack until I was well into my 20's. But it's such a different world now. So we've been spending lots of time talking and the one thing I stress more than anything is the power of positive thinking.

Well, this subject must have been sitting in the front of my subconscious mind because as soon as I started looking for words that resonated within me I chose all positive words...

...the image is hard to read, so here's a list of what I circled:

rich
valuable
thrive
pearls
great
excellent
high rank
important
ranks high

...hence the name of my page...Only Positive Thinking!

This was a fun exercise and I recommend that you try it! It's relaxing and a good way to start your day. :D

More fun on the way...