Attitude of Gratitude!!! Day 6

Today I am grateful for friends who understood why I was so worried this morning, and didn't think I was over-reacting! I am grateful that everything turned out to be fine and it was just another silly 'game'. 

I am grateful for having my two youngest back at home safely with me again. 

I am grateful for a lovely Autumn walk this afternoon with Susannah - the cold air and sunshine was exactly what I needed.

 I am grateful for my gorgeous Rosie - such a sweet natured dog who always looks at us to check if it's ok whenever someone says hello to her or wants to pet her when we are out. It's as if she is checking we are safe and she is safe...making sure everything is ok before she says hello.  

I am grateful for a relaxing evening by the fire, a game of Othello, then watching the children play Othello, listening to the radio, chatting, cuddling Sam, drinking tea....chatting with Abby....and now I'm grateful it's bedtime :)

For today......

Outside My Window... It is dark and cold....the grass is brown and we wake up to it all frosty each morning - sparkling like crystals in the daylight.  They forecast a little snow by the end of the week.  I think they said this is the latest Edmonton has had snow in over 20 years or something....

I am thinking...about some messages I received...and how I am reminded once again of the lucky escape I have had.  Although I still have moments when I think otherwise, they are few and far between, and really I know everything has happened for the best and I really have had such a lucky escape.  When I think of what could have been.....I am also thinking that I am NO ONE'S WIFE!!!  :)  OH NO!!!!  NO THANK YOU!!!  :)  ppfffftttt  sorry buddy you gave that up a LONG time ago :)  

I am thankful for...a lovely weekend with Susannah with a little bit of everything thrown in,  shopping,  relaxing, walking, photography, art, movie time, reading, games night, chatting,

From the kitchen... garlic and dill potatoes

I am wearing...socks, because it's no longer sandal wearing weather :(

I am creating...art every day as part of 'AEDM'....a curriculum for all my classes as well as a timetable for them....and ideas for numerous other classes.  Canvases to sell on Etsy....

I am going...to take the children to Farmfair, the art gallery and their climbing class this week as well as to meet some friends for a walk at a park - maybe the Wilderness Centre.  
I am reading...'Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons',

I am hoping...to find time to work on my posters this week.

I am hearing... Fitzy laughing on Now Radio...and Susie tapping on the keyboard as she chats to her friends.


Around the house...I need to wash the windows.  They are driving me crazy.  I am just never at home.  I am hoping to have a day at home this week when I can actually get some things done.  Washing the windows would definitely be one thing I would like to do!  Upstairs and down, inside and out!..


One of my favorite things...is having what I call 'real artists' contact me online and treat ME like a 'real artist'...they don't know I am new to all of this and therefore they don't treat me any differently than they treat other artists....the more time I spend around artists, in art stores...around Whyte Ave....talking with artists...hanging around those places and with those people...the more I feel like I BELONG...like I AM an artist....and they LIKE my work...and they respect my work and my classes and value them....you have no idea how good that feels :)  

I am an ARTIST.  I am an ART TEACHER.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...the kids are looking forward to their friends sleeping over next weekend.  I'm looking forward to introducing T to art class MY style :)  Laurence is coming home at some point...he said he probably won't be at the twins all week.  We have climbing class....not too much going on as it's Fall Break.  Hope to get out with Rosie and get fresh air most days and make the most of there being no snow.  

Library tomorrow.  Susannah needs a book for her homework.  One of my canvases is heading off across the country!  

:)

Senses....

• One thing I saw today was…a Dad with his four little boys taking the time to teach them the patience to hold seed  in their hands and stand still very quietly, waiting for the birds to come and feed from their hands.  

• One thing I heard …a squirrel squealing at Rosie today in the woods.  Rosie had wanted to chase it but wasn't fast enough...the squirrel I'm sure was laughing at Rosie for failing to catch him!  A guy saw what happened and was commenting on Rosie's failed attempt :)  

• One thing I touched today was…a battery operated candle that was beeping loudly in a restaurant...we were trying to get it to stop beeping because Susie had knocked it over and it started flashing and beeping....so I took it out of the lantern and started to try and stop it from beeping...but it wouldn't stop....it was HILARIOUS!!  We were in fits of giggles!  I eventually shoved it down my top and it stopped!!!  Hahaha  So I took it out and put it back in the lantern quickly!  Saying it had just wanted a glimpse of my boobs!  lol - but the server told us they are candles that have alarms on them to stop people stealing them hahahahaha  :)  But kids play with them so often that they ignore the alarms going off all the time :)  

• One thing I tasted …  Fresh strawberries.  Mmmmmm

• One pleasant smell I had today was…the musty smell of fallen leaves, trees....the woody smell of Autumn.  

Snapshots from Sunday.....

Art Every Day Month....

I have been working on the canvas I started the other day....

xxx

So true :)

Five questions.

“If you paint in your mind a picture of bright

and happy expectations, you put yourself into a

condition conducive to your goal."

~ Norman Vincent Peale

1. What movie do you love to quote?

I quote lots of movies...but quite often will say 'Just keep swimming, just keep swimming'  :)  

2. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?

No - it is on my list of 40 before 40....quite a few people promise me rides on their bikes this Summer but no one actually followed through!  I looked at a fabulous vespa that was for sale this Summer for an amazing price - but decided to wait until I move into town.  I've always been so set against motorbikes - never wanted Lloyd to ride one because I've seen too many accidents and people killed and injured.....but now I think it's a fear I need to combat - like all my other fears - so I can at least say I have ridden on the back of one!

3. What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

I quite like driving in the rain.  I also like staying home and curling up to read or watch a movie - or play a game....or paint.  It depends who I'm with and how warm it is.  If it's Summer rain it's nice to sit on the porch and smell the rain :)  In the summer I like to have the windows open and listen to it too - it doesn't rain here very often.  I love falling asleep listening to the rain against the window too :)  

4. Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts, or one really big, (expensive) gift?

A bunch of small gifts I think.  Gifts that show thought.  

5. Do you ever lose track of days and show up somewhere wrong?

Not really....long weekends when the Monday is a holiday tend to mess up my week a bit but not too badly.

Snapshots from our day.....

Attitude of Gratitude!!! Day 5

Today I am grateful for the strength and courage to stay calm even when someone was trying to anger and hurt me.

I am grateful for the beautiful frosty morning we woke to....the sparkly rooftop and glistening grass.  

 I am grateful for quality time with my lovely Daughter Susannah Fernandez. And for the loving way she reassures me that I am a good Mom.  

I am grateful for the funny guy in DeSerres who offered me a discount on Modpodge. 

I am grateful for my fabulous Accountant (she knows who she is ♥ ) who has told me so many ways I can save money through deductions on business purchases and things I use.  Even my fabulous Modpodge!!  

I am grateful for the canvas I managed to finish today...the movie time with Susannah tonight and the game of Othello tonight....as well as the girly chats tonight about friendships and relationships 

xxx

Everybody's got a dark side, Nobody's picture perfect....

Don't run away.......just tell me that you'll stay.  Will you love me?  Even with my dark side?