I forgot to post this pic of Martina’s Bass player. It’s so moody and jazzy and c o o l .

Did I mention I filed our taxes already? I did. And now I’m thinking about ripping out a few more walls in our house, but not before I finish the blog design I’m working on – and the custom dog portrait that is waiting in my studio.

So little to do, so much time.

Scratch that, reverse it.

(Thanks Mr. Wonka, that will forever be stuck in my head.)

We’ve been looking at houses, too. We’d like to move far far away from this stupid snow. I’ve found two homes that are completely out of our price range but they’re beautiful and I want them. Which one can you “see me in”?

Beautiful Gorgeous Immaculate House #1or

This Wonderful Private Southern Belle of a Home

A cardinal in my backyard on Saturday, 1/14/06 

Every year on my birthday, I like to think about what I’ve learned over the past year, to see if that old saying “Older and Wiser” is true. I try to learn lessons and allow events to better shape my character, and hopefully out of all of it I’m a little better of a person, and I like myself a little more for who I am and what I stand for. My list isn’t all-inclusive, but these are probably the most significant things that have moved me and got me thinking in a years time. Here are my deep thoughts from last year, of course all of those things still apply.

I’ve learned that being the best friend I know how to be has to be good enough. I can try to be better, but I have to try on my own terms – not someone elses. If someone doesn’t like the kind of friend I am, they can opt out. I can’t handle the pressure I put on myself for disappointing other people. I try. Damn hard. I’m not perfect – no one is.

I’ve learned not to expect anything from anyone. I will never, ever be disappointed – and I be delighted more often than not. Two thumbs up in that situation, every single time. Guaranteed.

I do enjoy doing things for other people, as much as I hate to admit it. I realized that I spend most of my days doing things for other people, in hopes that they can have the same kind of happiness I have.

I was disappointed to find out this year that I am NOT in control. Dammit. I have to let go, and trust God more.

I’ve learned that nothing was ever resolved by sitting around doing nothing and accepting things as they are. You can promote change by taking action, and being one hell of a determined person. I’m not talking about politics or world events, I’m talking about personal lives and events.

I actually have an interest in learning – and I thought I’d given that up when I graduated high school. I surprised myself with that one, teaching myself how to do things, researching so that I could learn and it would stick. No one is too old to learn something new.

In a nutshell, this past year was a lot about lessons learned through relationships with people. My family, friends, and people I’ve met through the internet.

I can’t wait to see what I learn over this next year!

“If life hands you lemons, make lemonade” they say. Or, in my case, cut one in half and stare in amazement at the little tiny packets of pulp wondering “how can they be so small, and pack such a punch?”, admiring the beauty and symmetry of one single fruit. Then take it out to the studio and ponder it as a still life painting, imagine it sitting among tubes of color – inspired by brightly colored things that exist naturally all around us. Photograph it, open it up on the computer and zoom in to 200% to see more detail than I could with the naked eye. Oh yeah. This will make for a wonderful still life painting, I think.

In other news, my dear friend Taba asked if she could paint from one of my other photographs, Very Blue. Taba and I go way back as mentors and co-inspirers – and I was so giggly and excited when she sent along the link to her painting of my photography. Please, go have a look at it, it’s right here, listed for sale on ebay. Wouldn’t it be cool to own a painting of one of my photographs? C’mon, you know you want to. Go bid on it, you’ll be supporting a self-representing artist and buying her very first painting of 2006! She has other auctions up too, for custom pet portraits. Yes, I know, I paint those too – but every artist has their own way of painting, and I love her way. So, then, you can have one of hers AND one of mine. I won’t be offended. I promise.

We refilled our feeders (better late than never!) and our birds are back with a vengence! Our Chickadee’s and a new breed – I’ll try to get a better photo of that one to show you.

We also have a new neighbor. Lastnight, my neighbor brought over her brand new baby …

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(I took this photo at Sea World last Spring.)For those of you who haven’t seen March of the Penquins, you must! I loved this film. I do enjoy documentaries on animals and their behaviors, but I think even if you’re not one to get into that kind of show you would like it. Morgan Freeman did an outstanding job narrating – he has the perfect voice for it. The penquins amazed me, their behavior, their dedication and devotion made us laugh, and sniffle, and when the babies were born Caitybug and I were both in “awww”. It was beautifully done!

The Red Violin was interesting, and confusing, and interesting again. In the end, I liked it very much, guessed what he found out (not to give it away), and was glad the movie ended the way it did.

All in all, it was another good Family Flick night. How is your weekend going?

We have a set of these ornaments that appear to be antique. They aren’t, of course, they are el-cheapo antique ornament lookalikes. What I love about them is the way their paint reflects light, and how the glow radiates around them on the tree. I was chatting with a friend yesterday when I looked over at the tree and saw this, this is exactly what I love about sitting in a dark room with only the Christmas tree lit. I also am loving how my ornament pics look so pretty on my new Wrapping Paper theme! They fit right in!

In addition to the “ornament of the day”, I’d like to thank everyone for playing in yesterday’s TT. Although I haven’t gotten to everyone yet, I will, and I want you to know how much it makes me smile to know that this little meme has brought so many new friends together. Thanks for joining in and making it what it has become.

Happy Friday!

This lovely little Jingle Bell hopped right off the tree, onto some aluminum foil and posed for me. How ’bout that. Good thing, too, because I was having a hard time choosing my next ornament! Some of my ornaments have character, sentiment and background, some are just what they are. I love jingle bells and I love the sound of jingle bell wreaths. Last year, we opted for a little bitty tree since hubby was in Iraq, leaving all of our traditional things in the attic for the season because they kinda made us sad to think about ’em. The girls chose our midget tree, which was adorable, they chose a string of lights, and two sets of ornaments. I had some influence over the jingle bells, I must admit.

Now, here’s my annual Make-a-Flake plug, because it’s fun.