Getting Older

I don't know about you but as I've aged I find that I things I used to enjoy I just can't anymore.

Roller coaster rides when I was younger, man, the bigger and faster they went the better. Upside down, twists and turns, unrealistic speeds, bring em on!! Now I find the Carousel goes just fast enough and high enough for me. Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. Now if one of my kids or my husband should manage to get me into line for a roller coaster by the time I actually get to the front of it, my legs are like jell-o, I'm sweating and I usually have to pee. I can do it, but it most certainly isn't enjoyable.

Same thing goes for movies, I can remember going to see one of the Friday the 13th movies with a girlfriend and laughing through the whole thing. I loved that kind of stuff. Well, today my youngest daughter and I put on a scary movie called "Chain Letter". I barely got through the opening credits without having to put my hand in front of my face and turn away so I didn't see something. 20 minutes into it, I made her turn it off. I just can't do scary movies anymore.

You would think as you get older and can better rationalize what is real and what is not and what is safe and what is not that you'd be able to do more, or have less fear about things, however, it seems to be working in reverse. Maybe it's the plight of of my own mortality and wanting to fill my life with more meaningful things......nah!!

August/September Birthdays

I don't know how you celebrate birthdays with your family, but with my husbands family, we do mass celebrations every 3 months or so.

There was a time when we had individual birthdays, however that was many, many people ago. My husbands immediate family, consists of him and his 7 sisters. However, many marriages, and children, and children's marriages and children, there are 65 of us and we are still growing.

One thing this family doesn't ever lack is love and laughter and an extra plate and food to set for anyone who may be joining us.

Wait till you see Christmas pictures!!! LOL

Jer

This is Jer, the little brother who terrorizes his sisters and hogs the tv to play his video games. His imagination, creativity and sense of humor is proof that he is a product of my husband and I. His aspirations in life it to be a video game tester, which I'm sure he'd rock at!!!

He's got a nasty stubborn streak which makes dealing with him a bit challenging at times, but he's a good boy for the most part. My biggest battle with him at the moment is getting him to shower on a regular basis which I am told is normal for his age. Thank goodness thats something he'll outgrow.

When he was born there was a collective sigh of relief on my part because he is named after his father who is named for his father. My husband has 7 sisters and no brothers, so the name had to carry on with us. So glad I didn't have to have 7 girls before I got a boy.

Melissa

This is Melissa, my child of recessive traits. I say that because she's the only one of my kids with blonde curly hair, blue eyes, she's left handed and color blind. However, she's got a larger than life personality with a drive and ambition for life that never stops.

As a baby she was the cutest thing ever and the naughtiest thing ever. Tantrums beyond comparison, however she got away with too much cause she was just so darn cute you couldn't help it.

She has large amounts of wander lust and my fear, and my hope, is that she grabs every chance she can get to take life by the horns and live it to it's fullest.

Paige

This is Paige, she's such a good girl. She'll be a senior in high school this year. She's grown so much in so many ways over the last 2 years. She's become more confident, and sure of herself. She's silly and fun, and very light hearted.

She's my biggest helper, she's got such a kind giving soul and she wears it all so well. She's beautiful inside and out. She does however, have a bit of a short fuse at times, especially where her brother is concerned. However in her defense he knows that and eggs her on as all little brothers should do.

I love watching her grow and make choices just to see where she'll land. Not quite sure yet what the future holds for her as she's not sure herself, this one will keep me guessing for a while.

My Husband

This is Jerry, my rock, my soul mate, my best friend, and my inspiration. We've been together for 25 years, married for 20 of those. He's a no nonsense kind of guy who calls it like he sees it. He's got an amazing sense of humor and wit about him which is why I fell in love with him in the first place.

Kellie

This beautiful young lady is Kellie, she is my oldest, my first baby. She's currently going to school to be a beautician and she's rockin' it! She's a headstrong, independent young lady. As soon as she figures out how fabulous she is she'll really be going places.

She is my girl of "firsts" so we learn through her, much to her chagrin, how to parent, how not to parent, when to hang on and when to let go. Letting go is probably the hardest thing ever, but we'll get there. Watching her grow and change and go through all the "firsts" has been both breath taking and nerve wracking, but she's doing it amazingly well.

I must admit that as awesome as she is, she is most like me, therefore this is probably my most trying relationship and something that we have to work at on a daily basis. Does it always work, nope, not always, however, there is never a doubt that we love each other and eventually we get back to a good place.

Life Outside the Studio

Welcome to my new blog. I have another blog where I blog my art, called A Note from the Queen, however, so much happens outside the studio that I felt the need for another avenue to express myself.

I'm the mom of 4 teenagers, wife to an amazing man, and owner of 3 small dogs. All of us live in about 1200 sq ft so life is never dull. I hope you'll join me on this new creative adventure.