Merry Christmas!

We recently adopted a Bishon puppy named Babee and renamed her "Molly". Come to find out, she will be the 3rd Molly in our extended family. My cousin has a dog named Molly, and one of my cousins' names is Molly. Kind of funny. My girls have been smothering her with love all week and she still runs from my husband. She is very attached to me and I feel like a new mom again, sleepless nights, watching the dog pee and poop, feeding her by hand to get over the trauma of adoption. An  older lady gave her too us because "she couldn't give her the attention she needs". Right! This dog just needs lots of grooming, patience and love. What every dog and human needs, right??

Tomorrow is Christmas and we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I think of Mary as she was pregnant with child and how the baby was born in a manger, probably a nasty place. No matter where it was, it was nothing short of a miracle. I think that sums up my year too and life at the moment. Every day is a miracle and a gift from God. Merry Christmas everyone!

Yoga-Good for the body and soul!

I went to my usual yoga class today and we did a lot of hip stretches. Before I knew it, I was doing a split! Wow, all the years of practice are really paying off!!! I haven't lost any weight on Jillian Michael's program but I am seeing changes in my muscle tone, especially my arms! I apparently burned 504 calories and really worked up a sweat. Problem is, I really want to make brownies right now. Not a super idea huh? After logging my food for the day, I did pretty good. It amazes me how clear my mind is during yoga, during and after. I feel so good about myself and can't wait to do it again! My instructor, Shelley is truly the best and she's been teaching at the Y for years. Today, the phrase that stuck in my mind was "help me slow down and take in the moment". I do wish time would stop for a moment. Especially when I'm getting a hug from one of my little girls or cuddling with them in bed. Do I really have to work or go through the day? I'm sure we've all been there at times. So I challenge you today-make time stop, for a while and soak it in!

Get Creative! Its Halloween for goodness sakes!

Here is a pic from last year this time where the weather was still warm like today.Idon't remember the violent storms like we've had this year, but look at my little girls! They have grown up since this picture a few inches or so. I remember Halloween excitement as a child and trick or treating around the neighborhood into the wee hours of the night. This was always a good excuse to visit neighbors too and catch up with friends. Afterwards, my dad had to "check" my candy and I'd eat so much I'd usually get a tummy ache! We would relish in our conquest and count how many pieces of candy we retrieved. I always made my own costumes and don't recall my parents buying any accessories either. It was "use whatever is around the house". I'm pretty sure my parents were a little "cheap" about the subject of buying a costume, but it really did force me to "get creative". Maybe that helped me today as an art teacher. Many a day in my room or in my house I look around and "get creative" with things. One year, I remember making my costume up for Rainbow Bright. I drew rainbows on white contact paper and stuck them on the buttons of my pink overalls. The outfit was topped of with a hat with a large contact sticker of a huge rainbow that I drew. Not so good when it rained, but it worked.
Now that I'm an adult, I still  enjoy dressing up for Halloween and displaying pumpkins on my porch along with mums and a few other nick knacks. As a teacher, I love to entertain my students and goof off a bit. Halloween is a good excuse to express yourself and have fun being something you are not for a while. It is a chance to dream and be creative! Have fun this weekend and share one of your memories with someone!

Pumpkins

What is it about pumpkins this time of year? The color, the shapes and sizes? How they look on our front porch, spruce up a yard? Or is it looking forward to carving them for Halloween night and digging out the yucky pulp and seeing them glow from the inside out? I remember the first time my girls experienced this and they loved digging and scaping the pumpkins and the designs I carved out for them. I teach a lesson with my Kindergarteners where they draw overlapping pumpkins after visiting the pumpkin patch. Last year, I had the priviledge of teaching my oldest daughter and her drawing was mentioned as "artist of the month" for our school. I think pumpkins just make us happy and remind us of fond memories of our childhood during the season!

Pump me up Jillian Michaels!

O.K. I am into this new program with Julian Michaels online and it is really time consuming but fun! After filling up my entire grocery cart at the Teeter, the checkout guy looked at me and said, "Boy, she sure like the fresh produce!" I'll say, it is expensive to eat healthy! I ran out of room in my fridge!  Then my husband instructed me to do everything from sumo squats, jumps, pushups while he lounged on the couch. This was part of her workout plan. I ate black beans, cabbage and lime chicken tonight for dinner. Pretty good. Now if I could get this sinusitus to go away, I'd feel better. We'll see tomorrow. I will have before and after pics up soon for you!

Fall Leaves?

Today my family and I packed in the car and drove up the mountains to Doughton park. As we were going up the mountains, I noticed the leaves weren't as colorful and the wind storm recently blew them off. Kind of disappointing. However, we were able to meet my parents there and spend precious time with them hiking and eating yummy ham biscuits at the cafe at the 3,400ft mark. When I stepped into the door, I noticed someone's name on the list as "Doughton".  Turns out, Mr. Doughton, relative of Bob Doughton, who the park on the blue ridge was named after, was standing behing me! We talked a little bit and I was privileged to meet him and share a moment in NC history of the blue ridge. I'm proud to be a native of NC!

Recycled Jewelry!

I was inspired this past week by a visiting artist who came to our classroom and showed students how to make jewelry with recycled items we all have around the house. Admit it, you throw away several items such as containers for water, cream cheese, and baby wipes on a daily basis! I usually put these in the recycling bin in my garage. Did you even think you could make art with them? Check out these beautiful broaches and bracelet I made with my little girls one afternoon after school. Sure beats TV! I was addicted! I can't wait to make more today! Pull out all your bits and pieces of broken jewelry, sequins, fabrics and your plastic recycled items and get busy! Thanks Jennifer!