Where Does the Time Go

As I was mentally preparing this post, I was thinking, "I didn't get much done again yesterday", but then realized that I got a lot done yesterday, I just don't have a lot to show for it.


I began my day by posting and then reading the blogs to which I subscribe in Reader. After a quick breakfast - one of my favorites - wheat toast with peanut butter - I took a shower and then headed out to the dealership to have my oil changed. From there, I stopped at a store to get some eye drops (my eyes have been itchy and dripping for about a week) and then grabbed a large black coffee for my daughter at the McDonald's drive thru. I spent several hours at her house visiting and helping pick up. When I got home I was starved so had a quick lunch and then picked up a bit in the art room. It still needs at least a couple of hours dedicated to it, but I've gotten started. I went to a Pilates class last evening - whew! I am a bit sore and tight in the shoulders this morning. By the time I got home from my class it was dark and the Tigers were on. I sat with a cold pack on the back of my neck and upper shoulders and then worked crossword puzzles while watching to the bitter end. They lost in the 9th inning.


Here is a quick sketch of a couple of Pilates poses.

And in answer to the queries I've received about Yo Gabba Gabba, it is a show on Nick Jr. featuring a funky looking DJ who brings out a boom box suitcase full of creatures that come to life. Here they are:

And here she is enjoying it again.

And here is her "What do you mean I can't watch this show all day long?" face

I just couldn't end the post with that face, so thought I'd share one that I'd like to use as a model to sketch a baby face.

Much nicer.

I am planning to go to my conditioning class this morning, but will use either a red or yellow cord rather than the blue and purple. I don't so much want a hard workout as I want a good stretch and some movement. Miss Z is due to arrive this afternoon and I don't know yet whether she is staying for one overnight or two. I'd like to go to the life drawing class tomorrow, but won't be able to decide until I know how long I have Zoë. 

I do hope to get some play time in my art room between the end of my workout and Miss Z's arrival. I will share with you tomorrow. Meanwhile, I gotta ask,  What are you doing today? Does it include some kind of creativity? Are you painting, drawing, cooking, gardening? Do share...

xoxo

Daily Sketches

I hate to admit it, but I haven't been on the treadmill since the day I upped the jogging speed to 3.5 mph from the very comfortable 2.5 mph. The fact is my right ankle has been a bit wonky ever since and I am limping just a bit. My problem is that I tend to be overzealous - I think if 2.5 mph is good, just think how wonderful 5 mph would be. Before I settled on 3.5, I actually tried both 5 mph and 4 mph. Every time I do something like this, I think to myself, "Lesson learned." Well, I guess I am a slow learner. I will continue to listen to this ankle until it appears ready for more and then I will jog at 2.5 and enjoy that again.


This evening I have Miss K and her little sister, Miss Z and I am quite looking forward to it. My first born grandgirl, Miss P, turns 9 tomorrow and I am left wondering where all that time has gone.


I got up a bit late this morning to a blustery, snowy world. I have to admit it is awfully pretty, but I am glad to be inside with no need to venture out. I've done my two Posemaniacs sketches, one as a pretty much blind contour and one "sighted".

And then did a quick sketch of an abandoned Texaco station. I used this as a warm-up exercise just to get the juices flowing. I should have taken my time and produced something better, but sometimes just a quick exercise is what I feel I need.

The latest report on my sister is that she will be sent home today with some kind of vest that inflates and deflates to mimic deep breathing (something she is unable to do) and I think it shakes your chest to dislodge mucus and the hospital staff is teaching her husband how to use a nebulizer. I'll wait until they've had a chance to get settled at home and then will call to check on her. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes.

I have had my two mugs of morning coffee and am about to head to the kitchen for my cereal with blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and banana. I am unable to decide whether to call it cereal with fruit of fruit with cereal.

I hope you are having a warm, healthy day and that you are making time for yourself.

xoxo

Paint My Photo, A Vulture, and A Quick Sketch

On someone's blog yesterday there was mention of a ning group called Paint My Photo. That was too intriguing to pass up, so I joined last evening. There is over 950 pages of photos - lots of flowers, some of people, lots of buildings, landscapes, seascapes.....


I chose an old building to draw (it is called Paint My Photo, but I think sketching is all right, too) and here it is. My perspective is not all it should be and I am still smudging my ink.

I haven't worked any more on my watercolor yet, but am pleased that so many of you were willing to leave comments/suggestions. My daughter's contribution to my girl tribe, Miss 3 and Miss 8, are coming around noon today and staying until late Sunday. My son's contribution, Miss 7 and Miss 5 months, are going to spend Saturday evening with us as well. I'm not sure I will have any solitary art time, but I am sure to have some group art going on.

I was out and about with the camera yesterday when the hubster pointed out the street cleaner out the front window. It was huge and was doing a very efficient job.

I also saw a mention of a free app for Mac called Sketchbook Copic Edition that I will be trying soon. I will share results when I have them. The comment was that because the tablet surface is so smooth, it is difficult to draw like you would on paper. I am thinking of putting a thin sheet of paper on the tablet before I start drawing to see if that will help. More later.....

I think I will get on the treadmill before the girls show up this morning and then enjoy this beautiful weather. As far as I know the mosquitoes are hiding out somewhere, so the girls and I just might have to spend some time hoola hooping and swinging in the side yard.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and find some time for yourself to do something arty - or that you find the time to spend with someone special to you.

xoxo

The Little Housewife and a Quick Sketch

I have been a very good housewife today. I began by cleaning the bathrooms (2), then I swept and scrubbed the kitchen and the back entrance. After I cooled off from that, I vacuumed the back bath, master bedroom and the living room including down the hallway. From there, I folded a load of laundry and made the bed with clean sheets from the dryer. I did a quick walk around the house clearing off surfaces of tables and such and putting things where they belonged. Once I was done with that, I went to my studio and sorted my old book collection by size. I should sweep and scrub my studio floor and dust the living room and master bedroom. Perhaps another day.......

Meanwhile, I have done a quick sketch of a farm at the bottom of a hill that I saw in Wisconsin. What caught my eye was the checkered silo. Here is my rendition:

Last evening my son came out for a visit bringing his two little girls and his niece, Miss 8. The two older girls had a great time doing art at the kitchen table while the rest of us (including Miss 5 months) enjoyed the Tiger game. This next weekend we have Miss 8 and her little sister, Miss 3 for the whole weekend with Miss 7 and Miss 5 months for Saturday afternoon into the late evening. It should make for a very busy weekend.

I am on the second binge day of the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) diet and will begin the VLC (very low calorie) part of the diet tomorrow. I will be following the VLC phase for 21 days and will keep you posted as to my progress. So far, I am surprised by how difficult it is for me to binge. I am trying to eat lots of fats as prescribed. 

I stopped at Meijers yesterday and purchased some beef steak and some very lean hamburger and measured it into 3.5 ounce portions in preparation. I also bought tomatoes, cucumbers and mixed salad greens for the vegetable portions, along with oranges and apples for the fruit portion. I bought Melba toast and some garlic Melba snacks for the "bread" portion. I am planning to drink lots of water and follow the diet strictly.

I am advised to keep busy while on the VLC portion of the diet, so I envision making some books and doing more watercolor playing.

xoxo

Sketching

I didn't spend a lot of time in my art room yesterday even though I thought I would. My sister had spent the night again Sunday and I had a chiropractor appointment in the morning. Her daughter arrived to pick her up just as I was getting ready to go so it worked out very well.

When I got home I put the guest room back together, stripped the bed and washed the linens and ran the vaccuum. The hubster and I then went to the mall where he has a space and rearranged, added new things and took a couple of things back home. We had to stop on the way back to get some groceries and when we got home I made chicken noodle soup. We'd bought a rotisserie chicken while Mom was here and I saved the carcass especially for this purpose. The soup was fantastic (if I do say so myself ).

The Australian Open has started and I blame it for my lack of interest in the art room - I really like watching tennis and have several favorites.

I did make a couple of quick sketches last evening (with "quick" being the operative word). One is of a girl I tried to do in the manner of Milliande in her journaling video I watched yesterday where she starts with a circle and goes from there. You can watch it here:



Milliande has been doing a video each day this month with a different art journaling technique. She is fantastic!

Here is my quick attempt. I did erase the lines:

I also drew a quick chickadee. This is the most common endearment my Mom uses. I am not totally pleased with either of these, but for quick sketches, they are a start.

For today, the first thing I need to do is clean up my art room - it is a very big mess!

This afternoon I have to make the call to the dermatologist to find out if they have the results of Mom's biopsies yet. When I called yesterday, as instructed, the results had not come back yet.

I intend to begin the next two pages in the collaborated book swap I am doing, but won't be able to share them until the intended recipient receives them. I am still waiting to hear from the first ones that I sent out more than a week ago.

If I am going to get moving on this art room mess, I'd better get a move on.

I hope to see you tomorrow!

xoxo