Cranial Purge

Love

2012-02-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

A well of love

with depths untold

heart sinking deep

feeling the cold turn warm

as the love transforms

heart to soul

feel it all

to the bottom together we sink

and it is good.

Saturday Smiles

2012-02-11T04:34:00.000-08:00

Popping in quick to share a few videos that are bound to bring you smiles.

This guy is the best! OMG!!! Love him!

He makes me smile and laugh and feel good inside.

If you look him up on Youtube you will find lots more of his videos.

If you Google him, you will find his website.

He is a breath of fresh air. He teaches you to have fun and cut loose a little.

I bet he also makes you laugh!

Thanks for introducing me to this artist Elena!!! I needed it!

The next video shows a killer whale imitating a motor boat.

You'll have to follow the link as I wasn't able to imbed

but I think it's worth it. Not sure why but it fascinates me

and makes me smile. :)

Killer Whale Imitates Boat

Happy Saturday!!!

Spoons

2012-02-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

Do you (or someone you know) suffer from a debilitating condition?

Do you (or someone you know) suffer from chronic pain?
I have a story to share with you.

You'll have to follow the link as I did not request permission to post and it is copyright protected.

Go ahead. Take the time. It's worth it.

I'll be here when you get back.

The Spoon Theory

Great! You're back!

That story was shared with me by a wonderful online friend.

She knows I suffer from fibromyalgia and knows I have good days and bad.

My initial reaction to the story was, "Wow! I'm not alone. Someone gets it!"

I felt relief and understanding.

The story has stuck with me. I have shared it with many people.

It has given me a new way to look at my condition and my life.

It has taught me to take care of myself and pay attention

to the amount of energy I use and how I dish it out.

More recently, it has inspired me to make a new piece of art.

After finishing the piece and finding pleasure and satisfaction in it,

I have decided to do a "Spoon Series".

More to come...

Play Day

2012-02-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

A magical play day.

Visions of dreams.

Good eats, loads of laughs, art abound, all around.

hey

play

day

Imagination awakened.

Heart light.

Happiness flitting about like leaves in the wind.

hey

play

day

Weekend gone.

Play day done.

Back to the daily grind.

hey

play

day

Look back now

on shadow self

wondering where she went.

hey

play

day

Life lacks lustor

during everyday tasks.

Back to the daily grind.

hey

play

day

Make new mission.

New life position.

Make every day a play day.

hey

play

day

play day with a friend

Nature

2012-02-03T04:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you Caroline, for the inspiration!

New Day, New Mood, New Attitude

2012-02-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Find yourself in a bad mood?

Change your attitude!

The rubber band idea is working.

You might think it a bit barbaric, but it actually works!

Every time I start having negative thoughts

or start feeling yell-y (ready to yell)

(yell-y may not be a real word but my first choice was crotchety so you pick)

I snap my rubber band.

Oy!

Note to self: snap on back of wrist, not inside, to avoid numb fingers

I've been practicing the rubber band method of positivity for a few days now.

The method is a bit hard when those around you are the ones being negative.

I certainly don't want to snap myself for someone else dragging me down

so I am learning to walk away.

This morning, after I woke, I made myself a nice mug of green tea.

I sat down in my favorite chair and journaled.

The last bit I wrote, was a list of gratitude.

I closed the journal and looked out the window.

This is what I saw...

Fog and Frost.

The perfect ingredients for a grey mood?

I think not!

I checked my attitude and grabbed my camera,

headed out the back door

and had some fun!

A week ago I would be frustrated at my lack of time to play.

I would feel inferior due to my status as a beginner (wishful) photographer wannabe.

I would wish for less shaky hands and time to edit.

Today?

I gleefully grabbed a few minutes in the snow in my slippers.

I am okay with beginning as you have to start somewhere.

I am thankful for my hands. Shake adds character to all that I do. tee hee

Time to edit? I'll get there. Time with my children is my number one.

Fun Job

2012-02-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

Last week a friend was fretting.

She was completely bent out of shape over others opinions of her.

So I stated a long known truth.

She loved what I said so much she hired me

to make a sign for a friend's bar.

It was to look rustic and worn and state the simple truth.

Some jobs are so much fun!

It's your choice whether you care for other people's. ha ha ha!

Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. ~John F. Kennedy

Grrr.... Snap!

2012-01-31T07:32:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling so gosh darned grumbly the last few days.

I hate feeling frustrated and grumbly.

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed that I slide into a grumble rut.

The cutesy purple rubber band pictured on my wrist

is my attempt at getting rid of the grumblies.

Peaceful Purple

If I start feeling grumbly, I will look at the peaceful purple.

If that doesn't work,

SNAP!

Here's hoping it will help me snap out of it!

Anyone else hear Cher's voice in that line?

"Snap out of it!" ~ Cher

Ha!

Weekend Inspiration

2012-01-27T06:53:00.000-08:00

Need some motivation for your life?

Some inspiration?

Love life. Live happy.

Angels

2012-01-25T06:40:00.001-08:00

Do you believe in angels?

I do.

Life is fleeting

2012-01-24T07:08:00.000-08:00

We are given life and eventually that life is taken away.

The beginning and end are not in our hands.

The middle is entirely ours.

Life is fleeting.

Make the choice today.

Love every minute, every breath, every beautiful gift your life offers.

Choose to make every moment you are in

the best moment of your life.

~ ~ ~

A friend called me yesterday. She was at her mother's house consoling her as they waited for the coroner to take her husband's body away. He suffered a massive heart attack. She was in a state of shock. Her mother was in shock. I was obviously not expecting a call like that. I responded the only way one can.

I'm so very sorry. I love you. Please let me know what you need and I'll be there for you.

I left that phone call stunned. I have known Tom pretty much my whole life.

Here a whole life.

Gone in an instant.

Perhaps that's why it always surprises us.

~ ~ ~

Sending prayers and hugs to all who were touched by Tom's life.

Whom are pained by his death.

May he rest in peace.

Sometimes You Just Have To Play

2012-01-19T06:41:00.000-08:00

Some people have studios.

I have a dungeon.

I've been playing in my dungeon!

note to self: dungeons are not the best place for photo shots

Something has shifted in me this year.

Perhaps it's my word for 2012.

Faith.

It has allowed me more freedom to be.

Faith. Play.
Two words highly recommended by yours truly.

Today's Guest

2012-01-17T05:41:00.000-08:00

I am hosting a guest author/artist today.

My 10 y/o son wanted to share some of his writing.

I'm sure he would love to hear what you think!

Care to indulge him with some blogland love?

Lennon Vs. Carter

by Carter Retzlaff (with guest Lennon The Cat)

L- “Since I’m so famous you should re…”

C- “You are NOT famous! You’re a regular old cat that hascat asthma, can jump eight feet in the air, do a somersault in the air and canopen everything in the house!”

L- “Most cats can’t do that stuff you know.”

C- “Fine. You win.”

L- “Yes!!! I beat the record!”

C- “What record?”

L- “Oh, just the record on how many times I can win in oneday.”

C- “THAT’S IT! I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS!”

Yawn

L- “You’reboring.”

yawn… zzzzzzzzz

(the next day)

C- “Oh Lennon! I got a new rock wall for you!”

zoom

screech

L- “Wait a minute. Cats don’t climb rocks.”

C- “Wild cats do and anyway, you have your room at the top.”

L- “Really?”

C- “Yeah!”

Zoom

C- “Sucker! That rock wall is over 10 feet high. It’ll costa life to get down.”

C- “Yow!”

whack!

C- “Hey! Keep your butt out of my face!!!”

L- “This rope is awesome!”

C- “Rope? Hey! I didn’t order the Tarzan Special.”

L- “Hey, this computer has internet.”

C- “Internet? Computer? I bet he’s just joking.”

L- “Hey Carter! I can climb down too!”

C- “Lennon! Why I’m gonna get…”

ding dong

C- “Hold on. The mailman is here.”

3…

2…

1…

C- “A BILL FOR A HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR PLAYING EAT THECOW?!?!?!?!?!”

L- “That’s not all.”

C- “BLACK MAIL! THIS BLACKMAIL IS LITERALLY BLACK!”

L- “Ah. This video game called ‘Rabid Bunny Attack’ rocks!”

C- “Um… Hey Lennon!”

L- “What?”

C- “Can I play too?”

L- “Sure.”

(after climbing the rock wall)

C- “So what level are you on?”

L- “10”

C- “How many levels are there?”

L- “1000”

C- “Is it two player?”

L- “Yup.”

C- “When can I join in?”

L- “Any time.”

C- “What are we s’posed to do?”

L- “Well, you’re on the bunny side and I’m on the cat side.”

C- “What do we attack you with?”

L- “Plungers. And we attack you with swords and catapults.”

C- “That’s unfair!”

L- “Who said life was fair?”

C- “That’s it! I’m not going to talk to you! Good-bye!”

L- “Have a nice fall!”

C- “What do you mean, ‘have a nice fall’?”

Triiip

C- “Yaaaaaaaaaa!!!!”

splat!

C- “I think I broke something. Yaaaaa!!! My knee is bentbackward!”

L- “Okay. Now I can switch bunnies to have swords andcatapults and… oh yeah. I’ll visit you in the hospital.”

C- “Darned you Lennon!”

The End

Betty

2012-01-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Because I have no time to post

and because I've been thinking about

Betty White's big birthday coming up...

(90 years young)

I thought I would share one of her quotes of wisdom.

She is the best!

“Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding” ~ Betty White

Be Positively Positive

2012-01-13T05:43:00.000-08:00

It's Friday.

Yay!!!

Woke with a song in my head this morning.

The song everyone loves to hate.

Rebecca Black - Friday

I have an eight year old daughter.

She loves the song. Loves the girl.

My daughter is about the sweetest girl you could ever meet.

And she likes the song everyone loves to hate.

Why do people love to hate it?

Why do people love to hate in general?

What happened if you don't have anything nice to say,

don't say anything.

I'll admit it's not my favorite song.

Not even close.

But I would never berated and hate on a young girl trying to live her dream.

I would never publicly insult her or say nasty things toward her song on a public forum.

Opinions are like assholes.

Everyone has one.

It doesn't mean you have to share yours.

Sharing something positive and constructive?
Brilliant!
But why! Oh why! Do people feel the need to be so hurtful?

If you don't like it, don't watch it.
That simple.
Keep calm and carry on.

My daughter loves the song.

She finds it fun and catchy.

She's eight years old. Perfect audience for a song like this.

Different strokes for different folks.

I went to a movie with my kids a year ago.

They had a preview for Justin Bieber's movie.

You should have heard the comments that came from the mouths of parents

in the audience of that theatre.

"I swear that kid has to be gay."

"God I cannot stand that idiot! He has zero talent."

"If I have to hear one more thing about Justin Bieber, I think I'll shoot myself."

Really people?

Really?

This is the way you talk in front of your kids.

Negative Nellies the lot of them.

Read any Yahoo article out there.

Heck, read my hometown paper online.

The comments section are ferocious.

Everyone hides behind the screen and throws daggers and shit at the screen.

Why are we such an unhappy and negative society?

Is everyone so full of toxic hate that they can't help but spill over?

It makes me sad. It makes me scared.

Scared for my kids. Scared for future generations.

I say we start now.

It's a new day.

Let's start a movement of positivity.

For every negative comment out there, post a positive.

For every hateful word, share two words of love.

For every bit of nonacceptance, tell someone you love them just the way they are.

No one's perfect. If you feel the need to rip, do it with your spouse.

Have fun poking with a friend. Get it out of your system and move on.

Don't post it permanently.

Don't put it where it can hurt others.

Let's change this world and choose to be positively positive.

I dedicate this post and song to my darling daughter who is

loving

kind

accepting

and

positive.

She makes me want to be a better person.

Apologies

2012-01-12T04:25:00.000-08:00

My apologies in advance for the ten tons of snow.

I woke this morning and looked outside.

It was pitch dark and as still as the pages of a bible in an atheist's bookshelf.

But it's coming.
Oh boy is it coming.

I owe an apology to everyone living even remotely close to me.

Darling daughter made me do it.

She read it in a book (children's) so you know it has to be true.

She forced me into a snow dance.

The book said, if the weatherman predicts snow,

in order to guarantee a good amount, before bed you must...

put your pajamas on backward and inside out

put a spoon under your pillow

tape a penny to your bedroom door

get up on the bed and do the craziest dance you can imagine.

You should have seen us!

It was partay time at our house!!!

I got so wrapped up in the fun, I forgot the point.

Snow? Oh nooooooo!

We shouldn't have danced so hard!

But we did.

So.

I apologize in advance for the snow.

Beautiful You

2012-01-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

You know how you wake up every morning,

go out into the world and share your sunshine?

How you throw compliments that make others blush with pride?

How you lend a hand when you see someone in need?

How you build the confidence of your children with love and praise?

How you see the beauty in everyone you meet?

How you appreciate the gift of friendship and let your friends feel your appreciation?

How you love and accept every flaw in Mother Nature not as a flaw but as perfectly imperfect?

Will you do me a favor this morning?

Before you head out the door,

will you look in the mirror

and start there?

Throw yourself compliments and watch yourself blush.

Do you see need in your eyes? Fill that need.

Give yourself the love and praise you deserve and the confidence will follow.

Look at the beauty that is looking back at you.

Appreciate yourself as the best friend you could have.

Love and accept every perfect imperfection you were blessed with.

Start with beautiful you.