To Have and To Hold

Tomorrow is something I am really looking forward to. Stephanie from "Angelic Accents" is hosting a "To Have and To Hold Wedding Blog Party" for all those who love weddings...and who doesn't? Weddings represent all that is good in life...hope..new beginnings...loyalty and trust...and endless love for those who work as hard (seriously..alot HARDER) at the marriage as they did to have a beautiful wedding day. You just have to believe in happy endings..and "I DO!"

So, here is my little montage in honor of the wedding day...I am lucky enough to be able to enjoy many beautiful moments of lots of weddings as my daughters are both professional photographers and I get to peek at the pictures. My daughter, Emily, has graciously given me a few pics to share...I hope you enjoy them and at the very end of this post, I will share a personal moment that was precious to me personally..I hope it brings a little tear to your eyes or a smile to your face...it does to mine to know that love is alive and well and we are all a part of it. Blessings, friends and don't forget to check out the other posts at www.angelicaccents.blogspot.com.

The Magic of Weddings...first, there is the ring...

...then comes the planning for the special day...one must have the right pair of shoes...

..and don't forget the bling...lots of bling...

...and flowers everywhere imaginable...

...and don't forget the most biggest "wow" factor of all...THE DRESS!

Add some adoring vows and a little bubbly to seal the kiss...

And you are on your way to your happily ever after...

As promised...on a personal note...when my daughter had her wedding day, it was such a special day for us all...but, especially for my husband who came into our lives when she was just 3 years old. He was the happy ending that had eluded me the first time I was married and he stepped in as the best "step" father I could've ever hoped for. He is a rock and a hero and he does not cry easily. But, on that day, when Katy whispered in his ear as they danced, "Thank you for being my Dad.", all of his devotion and loyalty and love for her came back to him a hundred fold...and he cried...and so did I. Happy endings can really happen...so, do I believe?... "I DO!"

What Do I Wish to Know?

It's Wednesday and that means, time for another wishcasting at Jamie Ridler Studios. If you have never checked out her site, I really encourage you to do so as it is so uplifting and just an all around wonderful place to be. This week's question has an answer that came to me quickly...I wish to know Gratitude. With a capital "G". Not just, "Thanks, God.", but an all out, "OH MY GOSH, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY TOES TO THE TOP OF MY HEAD, THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERY BREATH YOU HAVE GIVEN ME!"....that kind of Gratitude. Sounds simple, right? Well, let me tell you...in my life, it is an act of will and is only possible when I am truly present and plugged into my spiritual self. Otherwise, as soon as things go well and without incident, I tend to go on my merry way and forget to say, "thank you." On the other hand, when things go awry as they often do, and life throws some curve balls my way, I am abt to say, "Gee...thanks alot!" with just a hint, mind you, of sarcasm. Why God doesn't smack me upside of the head, I really don't know. Or maybe I do know...because He loves me...even when those little frogs jump out of my mouth...even when I am a perfect little princess..(yeah, like THAT ever happens!) no matter what or how I am..He loves me. ..the same...everyday. For that and so much more, I AM GRATEFUL. It took a long time getting here, to accept this kind of love and not feel like dog dookie because I thought I was so unworthy of it. But, when I finally got it...I mean, really got it..that I am not loved by God because of what I do or what I have or have not done..I don't need to meet some kind of criteria for my Creator to love me...that I am loved simply because I am...regardless. Nothing can change it..it's a done deal..well, that transformed my life. It has become my soul's song..I say it in my profile..."It is enough, just being me." Not because I look at myself and think I am all that..to the contrary. I often look in the mirror and fail to see it, but in my heart, I know it is in there. I have been stamped with indelible ink with the word, "beloved." In gratitude, I hope to help others find their mark, too. Some days I do better than others...I hope this is one of those days. If you are reading this, I hope you can take away the knowledge that you are enough, too...enough to be treasured beyond belief, enough to be accepted as you are ...an incredible gift ...enough for the universe to be thankful for. Wake up each day thinking like that and we may just know gratitude like we have never imagined....so, this day..I raise my eyes upward and answer the question...I wish to know gratitude and at this moment, I think I am on my way. Be blessed!

What Do I Wish To Focus On?

It is another Wishcasting Wednesday at Jamie Ridler Studios...one of my favorite places. She always leads me to really think and ask myself some questions that bring much needed clarity to my life. This weeks question, "What do I wish to focus on?" could have several answers...obvious ones, like: losing weight, being healthy, getting organized, etc..but, I like to dig a bit deeper and try to find some new truth that isn't so obvious. Lately, I have found myself kind of stuck in the "If only's"...you know, "if only this hadn't happened, I would be happy" or "if only that person hadn't done that to me then I would be not going through this or that"...it is a very insidious little rut to fall into and can be hard to dig ones self out of. Especially, if one is rather feeling sorry for herself and wallowing in it like a little piggie neck deep in the mud. It seems to me, it really is an issue of not wanting to let go. If I let go of the "If only", then I might just have to move forward to the "What if?"..like, "what if I learn from this lesson and make something positive come out of it?" Or, even harder, "What if I stop feeling sorry for myself for what I don't have and be grateful for what I do and stop looking over the rainbow for something that is right in front of me?" Ahhh...now you see why I chose Dorothy as my blog picture. She epitomizes the state of being I have been in..there is something outside of myself that I am lacking and if I can just get my hands on it, life will be all bluebirds. If my life's circumstances were different, then I would find the end of the rainbow..it is all out of my hands..and on and on..blah.blah.blah. Pathetic! For Dorothy, it takes a freaking tornado to move her to a new place...she fights a wicked witch and goes through hell just to find out that the witch melts away with a bucket of water...Then, after all that, she is told that "She always had the power within her to go home" and she never needed the wizard at all, but just needed to click her shoes 3 times. I am sorry, but as much as I love the movie, if I were Dorothy, I think I would've punched Glinda square in her pretty little glittery face. And...I might add that I feel there is something missing at the movie that bothers me. When Dorothy finally clicks those heels and says, "There's no place like home", I just really wish that her life turned into one of brilliant color. That revelation should've counted for something and changed her world...who wants to live forever in sepia tones? SO!! I didn't really expect this to turn into a commentary on "The Wizard of Oz", but I feel like I am on a roll here. Is there an answer to the wishcasting question somewhere in this all? Yes, and here it is...I wish to focus on being over the rainbow about my life just where I am and as it is..in spite of the occasional tornado or fall in the pigpen. I do not need to follow a yellow brick road in search of someone or something outside of myself to bring some color in..I wish to stop giving away my power to those "if onlys" and choose to start dwelling in the possibility of "What if?" because that is where my power lies and Glinda is right..It has always been right there. So, I guess my focus is about letting go and letting in..letting go of the past...hurts, disappointments, painful rejections and all and focus on letting in...more love, more gratitude, more forgiveness..more blessing. I have a seriously blessed life...it is about time I clicked my heels about it!

Am I Dreaming??

Wow...do I have news to share with you! First, let me begin by saying that this year has been one of so much growth for me. It has been a year of deciphering just what works in my life and what doesn't..in my art and in my relationships. It has meant some hard decisions had to be made and some painful truths had to be faced and at one point, I felt so stripped that I didn't know what I believed anymore or exactly where my niche was. I have been a primitive folk artist for so many years and had reached that point where the joy was just gone. I needed a change and a new outlet for my creativity and so, I went back to my childhood and started to get to know that little girl within and let her come out to play...and what emerged was a totally different art that just made me smile whenever I had a brush in hand...I have always had a tremendous imagination and it seemed all of my fantasies came to life...mermaids, fairies and angels...little children with pudgy faces and flowers..lots of flowers, with lots of color! I took a few classes and discovered the technique of collage and that added even more to my world of possibilities..it felt like waking up after a long sleep, refreshing and full of expectation for what each day's imaginings would create. So, Queen B. Artistry was born..."B" being for me...bertie. "Queen" being for what my daughter said I have always been...I guess I may have used that title a few times during my children's growing up..you know...just a reminder of who is in charge? Anyway...I digress..which I am bound to do from time to time..Where was I? Oh..the exciting news! You know when you do something in your life and you just know it feels right and is the thing to do? Sometimes, you feel like you might be the only one who knows it is right and you just need that bit of confirmation to make it really feel right? Well...this new venture and art genre was a bit scary for me. It meant walking in a different direction, when the primitive look was still selling really well and represented security...big time. Well, I can say with great joy and relief that I got my confirmation...at a primitive art show of all places! I will just spit it out...I was approached by a beautiful lady at this show..she loved my new artwork and said it gave her such a happy feeling. This wonderful lady has a publishing company and are you ready???Wait for it...ok..that is long enough! She has asked me to illustrate A SERIES, I repeat, SERIES of children's books, featuring my little childhood characters! I can't tell you the details yet, as it is TOP SECRET and I would have to kill you..heehee. But, I can tell you that I am working on the first one and have already made plans for 2 more and who knows where this may lead? I am just flabberghasted and awed at how when you do what you love, the universe seems to align in agreement and God just opens the doors..ironically, this is usually after you have been heart broken because of other doors closing that you thought were reallllly good doors and you can't understand why they are now closed. Luckily, God knows what we don't...that there is something far more wonderful behind door #2..He is the ultimate Monty Hall, only he doesn't ever have a booby prize waiting for you. So! I must admit, I am a bit daunted at the task as it is new to me, this illustration process, but I know I am on the right path...my mind is filled to the brim with ideas and inspiration and my little characters are just itching to get out on that paper, so they can dance and dance...I think I will join them and as I do, I know I will be pinching myself and repeating, "Am I dreaming???"

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AND TURN OFF MY PLAYLIST BEFORE WATCHING VIDEO SO YOU DON'T HEAR THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME! THANKYOU AND ENJOY THIS LITTLE TREASURE! I kind of messed up a bit here...I wrote a post about this video that is actually the next post after this..I wanted it to be the other way around, but it is late and for some reason, my brain did not function the way I wanted...nothing new there! I would really like it if you read the post about "How do you live your moments" first and then watch the video, but you know what? Just as long as you get the message any which way is just fine. Soooo...here it is...take it in and feel it deep. And then...share it with someone you love and then, could you spare one of those little moments to let me know if it made a difference. love to you all!

How do you live your moments?

I just had to share something that really touched me...I mean, REALLY touched me. It is a message that I would want to share with my granddaughters, my daughters and with anyone that I think would have the heart to listen. Our world is in a whirlwind of trouble and pain...It is soooo easy to get discouraged and feel like life is just too big and the problems and angst just too much to take in. And, it is. It is too much to take in all at once. The earthquakes, the tsunamis, the war, the hatred, etc...already I can feel myself wanting to shut down from the weight. So...what to do? We can't shut our eyes and pretend we don't see..but WE CAN shift our vision and change our world...one moment at a time. Easy to say, not so easy to do...can you slow down? Can you really look around you at all of the wonder and see a miracle in a ladybug? Or in a baby's giggle? Can you touch and taste all of the limitless treats and sensations that surround you that in your hurry, you blur past them to get to work or drive that child to dance class? I know I have had many a blurry day and have missed the miracle. I am going to try to do better and be more present, more aware and more expectant in the simple moments of life...it is a new perspective..and it is about time. It is about gratitude and grace and seeing with a new set of eyes...maybe, just maybe, it will really be a miracle when the little things become the big things and instead of casting our eyes downward at the enormity of the pain in this world, we will cast our eyes upward at the beauty and limitless love that encompasses it all . Sounds good to me.

Letting Go...

It has been awhile since I last posted, hasn't it? Needless to say, it was a whirlwind summer and the time got away from me, but that is not the only reason I was away. I normally like to share all the good stuff, the inspiring moments...you know..I like to make you feel good. I have a harder time sharing the really hard times..the things that make me feel a bit more vulnerable than I would like. But, I have decided that if you have the interest to read this blog and get to know me better, then, I must be real and being authentic, means just that. Be real and share it all. So, here goes...
I had a really painful thing happen to me this summer and I stayed away from blogging because it was just too hard to put on a happy face or even share what was inside. I lost a friendship. I mean, one of those "think you will be friends until you die, kindred spirit, one in a million" friendships. It was not just a growing apart, but a cruel severing and betrayal of all I believed in. It left me speechless. Literally. I could not speak without bursting into tears. I did not even talk to my friend about what this had done to me. I couldn't and I knew that no words of explanation could suffice or take my pain away. I have had so much loss in my life and this was one place I felt safe...and it was gone in an instant. So, as is my usual response to pain...I ran. I retreated so far into myself that I swore I would never trust another person again. I would never love with such abandon and put myself out there again. I was done and no one would ever climb the massive wall I started to build and get to me ever again. It didn't take long for all kinds of nasty things to start climbing and covering that wall..vines of bitterness. Dreams of how could I get even and hurt the heart that had so callously rejected mine. My dreams took on a darkness that scared me. I began to tell myself that I had never had a good moment or memory that was not tainted and a lie. I really became sick inside and my passion for life and the magic in my days seemed to die. It was truly one of the blackest times of my life...to feel such anger and not be able to forgive. I begged God to show me why this had happened? I do not have all of the answers, but I am learning a lot about myself as I await them. It took some time for me to look at myself and say, "This is not me. Nor is this who I want to be. I do not repay evil with evil. I believe in forgiveness, not retribution. I will not allow anyone to rob me of the magic in my life. No one deserves that kind of power...and most importantly, no one will rob me of my desire to love, put my heart out there and risk being hurt in order to experience all that life has to offer." I had to tell myself these things about a gazillion times a day at first and slowly...ever slowly, my heart began to change. I do have wonderful memories of this friend. We did share laughter and tears and times of fun like I have never had in my life. It does make me sad to think that they were thrown away so easily, but they did exist all the same. I wish no ill will on anyone and forgive completely...that does not mean that the friendship goes on..it just means that the bitterness does not. I have learned that I am stronger than I thought. I remember talking with my friend about how I could not survive if we were ever not friends. I know now that I am stronger than that. I choose to have people in my life, but I am no longer the insecure, needy girl who has to have them to survive. What I have written in my profile...the last line..has been tested and proven true. "It is enough...just being me." So, is that the lesson I was to learn? If so, it is a big one. I have never in my life valued myself enough to be able to say those words and mean them, until now. Now, I know they are not just words...they are my soul's cry. This friend once told me that some people come into your life for a reason and some for only a season...we did have some seasons that I will never forget and with time, they will not bring sadness to me to recall. I share this with you all as an encouragement as I know we all get hurt in this life. If you are in the same boat and have a hurt so deep that it is entangling and entwining you in vines of bitterness, hatred and pain..no matter what the other person did...let it go. Let it go! Feel your pain, cry your tears, scream your lungs out..and when you have emptied yourself of all that you need to let out, refill the cup...with love. with compassion. with forgiveness. Don't let yourself get lost and never shut off your capacity to love again. Be your authentic self and move on, always forward and realize that even if you have no answers as to "why" things happened, it doesn't change the "what"are you going to do to be true to yourself and come out the other side a better, stronger, wiser...you. As for me, it feels good to be me again. I am open and good things are coming to me because I am no longer holding them at arm's length...it is enough...more than enough...just being me. Finally, for real...now, that is magic.