Yes! to 2010!

I have had a change of attitude. Life is just too short to be depressed. I did not want to drag my sour grapes into the new year, so I did a turn around. I have been seeking joy all week and I have found it in so many places. Like say for instance:

1. Eggnog!

2. My kitties are holding and doing well!

3. Elk!

4. A warm bed and a good movie and cats purring, heaven.

5. The knowledge that my cousin Randy is not suffering anymore and is doing a dance with spirit right now.

6. A lump of porcelain and an afternoon, pure BLISS.

7. Good friends far and close and my blogging friends whom I adore.

8. My landlady telling me how much she appreciates me.

9. A phone call from a friend I have not talked to for ages.

10. Tomorrow is a brand new YEAR! Full of possibilities!

HAPPY 2010! May the year be full of love and peace and bliss for all of you! XOXO

Elk Sighting

These guys (just guessing) were looking for food in a field near where I was working. The field was full of cows and for a few tense minutes I thought there was going to be a rumble, but the elk backed off. It was wonderful to see them, thought I would share. Happy Tuesday. XOXO

Peace

My cousin Randy passed today, 10 minutes after I told him I loved him (he was sleeping so could not reply). This is not a good photo, as it is blurry, but it is the most recent one I have and he was sick when this was taken, but you can still see what a beautiful man he was. He was the bravest man I know. Go with God sweet cousin, we will not forget you. XOXO

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! XOXO

I am following Renee's example and choosing to be happy, no matter what. I am going through with my dinner plans and actually have invited more friends. Between people and animals my little house is going to be full. I am working tomorrow, but will spend the evening baking. I am wishing each and every one of you, my lovely blog friends a happy and magical Christmas. Love, XOXO

Updates

Things on one hand are getting suckier(I know it is not a real word, but it is now) and on the other hand I have lots of jobs and money is coming in, so that has been helpful. The sucky part is that my cousin R is going fast and is not expected to live until Christmas. His family is in a lot of heavy pain right now. And it is Christmas. Somehow that makes it all so much worse. I am going to miss him very much.
Also very sucky is that my cat B is still ill and is now having more issues. Spike is holding.
I do have fun plans for Christmas, I am only hoping that I will be able to do them, as long as I don't have some emergency with the cats.
I have two dear friends coming for dinner to my house. I have a bottle of champagne and hopefully for this one day I can have peace and joy and fun and leave all the ugliness outside in the cold.
I love you.xoxo

Life

I have always wanted this blog to be a happy place to come, but lately I have had so much sad news that it has become a place to ask for help and prayers. I have so many friends and family who are sick and some are dying and two sick kitties and here it is Christmas. I had word last night that my cousin R is not good, he is losing his battle with the big C. I am beyond sad. I do realize that death is part of life and I do not fear death, I KNOW that our spirit does not die, it is only that it seems that so often the ending is so full of ugly pain. I wonder about the why of this and I do believe it is because we cling to life, if we could just let go perhaps it would not be so painful. I hate all of it and I am one who tends to feel the pain of others. I have dealt with it over the years and can do very well most of the time, but right now I am struggling.
All is not lost though, I do know that the pain will stop, this is just a bump in the road. I have a good blogging friend who told me the other day that she was going to be the happiest depressed person ever, it made me smile and I will be the happiest sad person ever, because despite what goes on, despite the fact that I want to hide under the covers and run from the heartache, I know I won't, I know I will make it through and that there will be unknown gifts along the way.
I am full of gratitude for my health and I have so very much to be grateful for.
Would you send good thoughts to R and please to his family and to Renee who is feeling very ill.
Thank you so much and I promise this blog will get happy again soon(fingers crossed). XOXO

Random Thoughts

I thought I would check in with a little quickie.
It has been a busy week with work, kitty nursing and Christmas stuff. I think it may get a bit more relaxed the next couple weeks. I am looking forward to doing some art. The cats are still holding. B is still way too thin and Spike does not seem as good as new, but they are doing okay for the most part. We take it a day at a time.
This week I had a huge disappointment. Obama has been my hero and I really believed in him, but after this week and the whole health care fiasco I fear he has abandoned us. I am now totally disgusted with politics and may never vote again. Really disheartened. What do you all think?
On a happy note I saw a wonderful movie, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox", I loved it. The animation was grand and I laughed a lot, something I needed to do.
Attempting to keep my thoughts positive and looking for things that make me joyful, and doing more of them :-).
I hope you are all having a great week. XOXO

Note From the Universe

I receive notes from the universe ( www.tut.com ) and this note came today. I really needed it. I really believe it, and today, if only today I am doing it :-). I thought some of you could use it too, so here it is:
Surrender to the magic, Anne. That's why it's there. That's why you're there - to learn that there really are miracles and that they abound, as if on command, once you understand the truth about your reality and heritage. Surrender, yet prepare. Ask, yet expect.
Happy Monday. XOXO

Taos Mountain in Winter

Some Wintry photos for you. I have the next 3 glorious days off and will be spending it, cleaning and decorating and getting the few gifts I have to send wrapped and cards made out. I do wish there was some time for art, but there is not, so I will make do.

I best get busy :-).

Have a wonderful Saturday! XOXO

Ravens

This is for all of you who love ravens as much as I do. This field was full of them last week as were the trees, my camera could not take in all of them, but this give you an idea of how many there were.

Happy Wednesday. XOXO

Sparkly

Here are my lights, from outside, inside and just an arty shot, they look like little space ships :-).

The sparkle helps cheer me up. It is my goal this week to get my joy back. I must learn to live what I believe and it has proven harder than I thought, but I never give up. My choice is to be happy no matter what goes on. My goal is to not let life beat me down. There is still plenty of beauty and love and light to go around. Wishing you a sparkly Monday. XOXO

Ahhh, Sunday...

My favorite day has arrived, I have the day off and I am feeling better about life. God gave me a gift in a kind neighbor who has volunteered to help with giving fluids. He did a great job holding, and it is so much less stressful for all concerned! Many others have stepped up with information and tips and I am more than grateful. I will soon be making my own animal food as I have also found out that dogs don't need grain either. Right now they are on no grain, no by product, organic food and soon will have fresh organic raw meat added to that. This will be difficult for me as I don't eat meat, but I will do whatever is best for my boys.
See below post to find out the answer to the quiz :-).
Today I am hanging lights. I am having a carefree artist day, it has been a very long month since I have felt carefree. Wishing you a joyful, carefree Sunday. XOXO

Truth or Fiction?

I got this fun game from Sukipoet. I will list 10 things about myself and one is false.
Make a guess which one is not true.
1. I once told a man 3 times my size that I would scratch his eyes out if he did not remove himself from in front of me at a Sting function (He rudely stood in front of me and I could not see), he moved immediately :-). True, I can be mean if it is called for and if I am very hormonal :-).
2. Speaking of Sting, we once knew each other for a brief time. True, he is a lovely man.
3. In my 20's I tried many illegal substances. True, I was a curious girl.
4. I once lived with a man who had a recurring role in the old "Streets of San Francisco" series, he played a cop. True.
5. I have not been to a doctor since I was 21. Due to a bad experience when I was 6 I don't trust them. True.
6. I was once interrogated by FBI agents. True, I have not always had the best taste in men :-).
7. I have a tattoo of a dragonfly on my right shoulder. FALSE, I love tattoos, but I hate needles.
8. When I was 13 I became a bible thumping christian, though it was short lived :-). True.
9. I believe in fairies. TRUE!
10. When I was 6, a man landed a helicopter into a nearby field and gave my friend and I a ride.
True.
Anonymous and Dawn and Renee, you got the answer right. Thank you all for playing! xoxo

Snow Day

Everything was canceled due to snow today. I did have to go out into the blizzard to get cat food, but now I am back and off to make a veggie stew and perhaps do a little drawing or some kind of simple art project as I am going a bit loopy from not having done any art for weeks.

If it were not so cold (16 degrees) I would go out and hang my lights, I may do it anyway :-). Do you notice the cute little table and chairs (there is also a bench on the other side)? They were a gift from clients who no longer had room for them. I love them and have always wanted a set like it. Thank you all for your sweet comments and prayers and thank you dear Jennifer for shopping in my ETSY shop :-).

Updates and Prayer Requests

Well, the boys are both holding their own and the fluids get harder to give, not easier as I thought, but I get it done. I have no idea how long they will live, but I aim to give them the best until they leave.
I heard news about several people I love very much, bad news and I need prayers and good thoughts. The first I cannot name as she would kill me, but let's call her K, she was just told she has cancer, I am not sure of the details yet. My cousin R's cancer has spread to his lungs and he needs prayers. Then there is my mom, who while she is doing really well, has a lot of pain in her legs. And last, but not least is Renee, who is having a really bad week, health wise. Thank you for thinking of them and sending out love.
On an upbeat note, I bought sparkly lights to hang as I have never done this and I NEED to get into the spirit of the season. I also need some fun and to do some art. I need to start taking some care of me this week.
I know I have not been around much, but I hope to catch up with all of you this weekend.
Love and hugs. XOXO