So I Was Just Thinking

Well, I am ready for November to come so I can start filling in my new calendar journal page. November brings new things. A new job teaching at Wright Career College A new apartment My birthday Thanksgiving Day Decorating the new place for Christmas A somewhat empty art journal to fill. Here is last month's calendar page. I am glad the month is over. Kathryn hasn't posted her new monthly reminder to participate in the journal, but you can see where she has been published in Somerset Studio Magazine. Yay, Kathryn! New Note: Kathryn's post is up here!!

I know that I have been pretty good at posting lately. I hate to leave my blog friends hanging but I am at a lack for words. My mom always told me if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. That being the case, I will leave you with a song I heard on the radio and my latest entries to my sketchbook. I will be back tomorrow with my calendar journal entries.

I had given up entirely. Given up on finding a job. I decided that I was going to just get used to being at home and painting and doing other homey things. So today, I saw two very ripe bananas sitting on the microwave. I couldn't just let them go to the fruit flies, and I don't have compost bin. The only logical thing to do was make banana bread. Then the challenges began. The butter was too cold to cream with sugar so I just left it in a bowl to get to room temperature. Then I decided it wouldn't hurt to put the sugar on top while it was waiting but then I got carried away. I measured flour and baking powder on top of the uncreamed butter and I hadn't even added the eggs yet. What was I to do? I considered dumping it all and starting over but thought better of it. I just let it sit, much like I did while I waited to hear about my job interview. After a couple of hours, I decided to try again. I got out a whisk and a wooden spoon (don't have a hand mixer) a...

So I did it! I used a page in my new journal. I am low on things to collage with (when I say "low" I mean "don't got no.") A certain procrastinator who shall remain nameless and isn't me hasn't found a new place to live yet so most of our household goods sit in a warehouse waiting for us. So I resort to straight out illustration and water color. Send out those good vibes, break out your voodoo dolls, pray for angels, whatever it takes to get that someone to call the movers or choose a new apartment. I would do it myself, but it's funny how those rental agencies kinda like their renters to have an income.

...Not always in the case of job interviews. As a seasoned job seeker, I have come to learn that if you have an interview and the interviewer says, "We will let you know by Friday after we have interviewed all the candidates, and they don't call on Friday," that generally it means -- We chose someone else, but we don't want to call you so you will probably be receiving a letter or email next week letting you know so and good luck. Why can't you just call and say "Thanks, but no thanks." Enough about that...On to something more interesting. Today after dropping Caitlin off for another band competition, I went to Hobby Lobby to get two new sketchbooks. A big one for some art journaling and the like and a small purse sized one for trying out different techniques My question for you today is, "Do you suffer New Sketchbook-itis?" What is New Sketchbook-itis? It is the disorder that makes you not want to make the first mark in a new sketchbook. I...

Maybe you have noticed the button in the side bar. FEATURING is a new magazine that I am helping to edit. It will be coming out in the spring 2012. FEATURING is the brainchild of my friend Marit. If you would like to find out more about subscribing or even contributing to the magazine, please click on the blinky at the top of the sidebar. We are very excited about this great project. I will keep you updated about the magazine's progress, but you can always click on the sidebar to see how we are coming along. Now here's a project I tell myself I am going to participate in and never get around to it - A Year In the Life of an Art Journal.   I don't think I have ever done even one prompt, but this time I decided to jump in and have some fun. THE PROMPT : Scars THE SONG : Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE : rips and tearing (Collage of printed images from internet;  the jar of hearts is a spaghetti jar filled with  hand painted hearts that I photogr...

I participated in 30 Days of Lists . I saw it first at Michelle's blog and told myself that I had to do it. AND...I actually did. There was only one day that I didn't complete and I don't think I will. Below is a compilation of the lists I completed. If you click on it, it should take you to Flickr where you can see it larger and can zoom it in. (I hope.) And for those following my journey, I had a job interview today. Send out the good vibrations. I won't find out until Friday.

{this moment} - A weekly ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' at SouleMama and here in the comments for all to find and see. This moment required a series of photos.  

...not that she will see this today. Although her apartment complex has a computer she can use, and I got her an email address, she still remains somewhat digitally disconnected. She's thinking about buying an iPad or an iPhone, though. (Don't worry, I will send her the link and tell her to go check her email.) Mom just got back from seeing my brother get married in North Carolina. She has also been very busy coordinating the carpet people putting carpet in my Texas house. Additionally, she has put her house on the market and moved into a senior apartment complex. Moving to the community has been the best thing ever. They have coffee hour every afternoon. Someone arranged a Senior Prom last month at a country club where there was food and dancing. Most of the time when I call her she is talking to one of her neighbors. It is very nice to know that she is making new friends now that I am in Missouri. I hope you have a good day, mom. Here are some pics from the past.  Mo...

They did it! My brother and his gal tied the knot and I got to be there to witness it. And what a ceremony it was filled with humor and love and a little pirate speak, too. (You had to be there.) I took a lot of pics, but for some reason many of them came out blurry, so I will share with you various pics  from the 2 day drive there and back and the celebrating while we were there. (In no particular order.) Our trip started off with a visit to Nostalgiaville. We saw signs for it 30+ miles away and just had to check it out. Remember these?? I really wanted to spend lots of money here.   We passed through a lot of these on the way to and from NC.   James and Caitlin tolerated a few photos before the rehearsal dinner. Ever the entertainer. The girls at the rehearsal dinner. James and the bride-to-be sharing a toast.  Don't they look alike? It's funny because they are actually Sisters-in-law.  The lovely bride.  Little Man learned about th...