I received the best gifts this year. I got to have breakfast and spend time with my bestest bud ever (Paige), who traveled up to the frozen tundra from her tropical climate just to have brunch with me. (I wish!) I was so happy to spend a handful of hours with her, her man and their son – who just happens to be my Godson (and just came to realize I rock, with special thanks to John Deere). There’s never enough time, and there are never enough visits. I need to make more time for those special friendships – lesson learned.

The girls woke at 6am Christmas morning, squealing and giggling over the gifties under the tree. I design journal covers every year, this year Chickeymonkey got her first doodle pad. “Oodlez of Doodlez by Chickeymonkey”. Catybug’s cover design is based on her Smilly Girl (and family). They are already putting them to good use, young imaginations are going crazy around here! I found them resting later on Christmas morning attached to their Pengies and Monkeys.

  Even Tuckerhead scored this year. He was a happy puppy when he saw a pressie in the middle of the floor, and he was a GOOD DOG when he just sat there and didn’t. even. touch it. Yeah! Merry Christmas to me! I untied the bow and opened it up so he could see something was in there, then he sniffed around until he pulled out his very own squeaky frog. In 10 minutes (or less) the poor thing lost an eye. (the frog, not the dog.)

Now all the youngin’s in our house have their cuddly cozy stuffies and although the two larger ones aren’t pulling the stuffing out of theirs with their teeth, they are enjoying them all the same.

I didn’t even get to finish the 12 days of Christmas sandwich bag doodles – heck I spent two days in hypertension mode shipping and then waiting for word on delivery of the GTO painting (final scan coming soon). I just kept picturing the package lying on a tarmac being run over by a package cart, sqwished and forgotten. I kept hoping Woody and Buzz might find it and lasso it and throw it on a plane for me. At least my wild imagination kept me entertained, huh? Oh – and yes, the painting arrived, intact, on Christmas Eve. (A day late, but it got there!)

To my sweet, dear, wonderful friends who sent me all the Harry and David packages, I sure hope that these will be followed by 4 week supply of nutrisystem meals. Good grief. (Note to self: complain more about wide spread and thunder thighs.) I still love you, though, I do. Keep in mind that I say that from the bottom of my pure cane sugar and cocoa buzz. Here’s hoping eggbeaters sustain me after the first of the year. Again.

While I was waiting for paint to dry, I finished up the new Thursday Thirteen Forum , so if you’re a Thirteener, you can stop in and register for the new hangout. Cool, eh?

I also shopped for two little princesses yesterday so they could be prettiful for their piano recital lastnight. I’d post pics, but all I have are videos, and they’re lopsided. Anyone know how to rotate a video? (Anyone else want to whomp me in the head the next time I try to capture video lopsided?) You’ll have to trust me when I say my children are brilliant piano players, and you’ll have to believe me when I add that not one piano student played better than my girls.

I was totally impressed by all the students, really. It was amazing to hear them all at different stages of learning how to tickle those ivories. I am also excited to see how the instructor impacts my daughters over the course of the year.

* * * * * *There are several of you whose addresses I must have within the next week, if you know what I’m sayin’ … (Christmas Cards. Want one?) So please drop me an e-mail with your addy, so I can do what I need to do! If you think I’m not talking about you, you’re wrong. I am. You can use my contact form, or just e-mail it to me at Leanne at mydomain dot com. Replace mydomain with my domain name. You know. hehe.

Friday was a snow day here, school canceled – lots of snow to shovel. We decided to make a mini snowhill in the backyard for our mini-sledders, and yesterday was a good day for sledding. The snow packed and crunched beneath their boots, they squealed and giggled as Catybug dragged the Chickeymonkey around in circles – up the hill, down and around again. Such good sisters, they are so loving toward one another and such great playmates. I know it won’t last forever, so I’ll enjoy it while it’s here.

Lastnight, while I waited for our Cement Sissy™ Tuckerhead to diddle in the snow, the outside light caught the sled just so, and it was so neat that I had to grab my camera. Here’s another snow shot from inside my nice warm studio:

Today is the day for The Perfect Post Awards. I had to partake this month, because I read this entry by the One And Only MommaK about Thanksgiving, and it really touched my Holiday Heartstrings.

“Thankful. I knew what it meant. I’m sure you did too. We knew that we should be damn grateful for having a huge turkey dinner with Aunt Sally, Cousin Mike and Nana in attendance. We rolled our eyes as we were forced to go around the table and each say what we were thankful for but we knew its importance. Many had to wipe their eyes and noses so a box of kleenex was kept close at hand. We were delighted to have a four day holiday from school and that the smell of the first snow was in the air. We were thankful. Oh yes, we were.”

She really gives good blog, if you know what I’m sayin’, so please take a minute and enjoy her entire post, “No Thank You?” and thank her, for me.

You decide.

To everyone on my blogroll, all of my blogging friends that I’ve been lax in getting around to – I do still love you. I will try to improve and set aside a little time every day to stay in touch more, better. I do still read, quickly – but I do. My apologies, and hugs, too.

Please do me a favor or two, if you will. First, I need to know if I have you on my blogroll and if your link is right. (I did go through it and I hope I didn’t forget anyone.)

Second, please ask me a question from something you’ve blogged lately about something that is important to you; this will challenge me to spend quality time at your place.

Well, he’s not very good at math, but at least he knows his ABC’s, eh?

I’m still here, finishing up a project so that I can get out into the studio and stay there for the next month. I had considered having a special, which would have just been a specific size (small) at a specific price, but looking at my current painting schedule and the time left before Christmas, I’d really be pushing it to add more than just a couple more paintings or portraits before the holidays. It would be great to paint a dog or two since I have two more cat paintings sketched and waiting, so they’re 3 to 1 now. I’m adding a new subject to my gallery this year, too. I’ll get those sketches up here for you to see soon! I’m anxious to clear my design queue and reconnect with my brushes and oils.

For those of you who are thinking about commissioning me to paint a custom portrait (of anything) by Christmas – drop me an e-mail and I’ll get you scheduled before I am completely booked. I’ll offer an 8×8 canvas panel at a discounted price just for those last couple of openings.

First come, first serve – and I’ll paint right up until the 18th of December to get everything done, dry and shipped in time.

Boy – this year is almost over. I just can’t believe how fast it has gone!

And along comes ReviewMe, a neat opportunity for bloggers to make some cash on the side just for having an opinion!

ReviewMe just launched, and of course I didn’t just climb on board, I shoved and pushed my way through the line. Actually, it was easy schmeazy to sign up, and within moments I had an account and my first review. If you’re reading this, then you should know I’m getting paid to review ReviewMe. This is a paid advertisement – but it sure as heck doesn’t seem that way, does it? As a blogger, you can make anywhere from $20 – $200 per post. Not bad, eh?

From ReviewMe:

Bloggers: Get paid to review services and Web sites that are of interest to your readers, and reap the benefits of conversation with advertisers.

Advertisers: Get your service or Web site reviewed by bloggers, gaining your site traffic, invaluable feedback, and word of mouth buzz.

Do you have a blog? Go on and sign up. It’s that easy to make a few bucks with your blog. Really.

I was watching the CMA’s the other night and I did catch the Female Vocalist of the Year announcement, so I did see this “live”. I knew she was ticked off, but honestly didn’t think it would become such an “issue”. Was I surprised? Sure, I thought she was a great role model – but nobody’s perfect, we all act like idiots from time to time – right? Dang if there aren’t a ton of people having a cow about this vid – I actually had to laugh – and I’m glad to see something real.

Now that the Be Just Like Faith Because She’s So Perfect bubble has burst, what’s left?

Regular, normal, everyday life. That’s what. Cussing at idiot drivers. Being ticked off when you don’t win something and thought you would. Having a temper, upset feelings or negative emotions in general. Trying to remember not to display any of that when there’s a camera pointed right in your face, or a blogger around.