Painless Christmas Cards

                                                                        Photos by
                                                          Aaron Phillips Photography

If you are like me, you dread taking photos of your children for a Christmas card.  I haven't done it in a year or two, because I hated dealing with uncooperative teens with bad attitudes.  The photo session usually ends with me in tears and a headache.  But not this year!  I hired my friend Aaron Phillips to take on my three.  I must say, it was worth every cent I paid for, which by the way was very reasonable.  I told Aaron I wanted shots that captured my children's personalities, and not the typical posed shots.  These photos I'm showing aren't even the best ones.  I'm saving those for my Christmas card.  I couldn't have been more pleased with the photos I got back, however, the greatest part of it was that I never once lost my temper, and they had a fun time as well.

Aaron@aaronphillipsphotography.com  601-954-6539

After The Storm

                                                                 Acrylic on Paper

This morning, I read a legend about a German baron, who at his castle, stretched wires from one tower to another in hopes that the wind would make them into a harp, but when the gentle wind blew, there was no music.  Then one night, there was a huge storm.  When the baron looked out with terror at the mighty winds, he heard the music from his harp, which rose above the sound of the storm.  It needed the tempest to bring out the music.

If you keep strong in your believing, you can always count on God to make the aftermath of difficult times, a thousand times richer than it was before the storm.  I know this to be true from personal experience.    I have several friends that are going through hard times right now, and I want them to remember that “Weeping may last for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning.”

After the rain comes the flowers.

Winter Rain

                                                                       
                                                                   
                                     

                                                                      24 x 48

                                                                  Mixed Media

                                                                       (Sold)

With this week being Thanksgiving, people give a lot of thought to the things in their lives that they are thankful for, and since I just talked to one of my best friends on the phone, I'm saying I am thankful for friendships.

Although I have many good friends, and many casual ones, I am very fortunate that I can say that I have two or three true committed friends, who sacrificially give to our friendship.  There is no manipulation or self-serving attitudes between us.  Through many trials, our relationships have remained secure and steadfast.   The Proverbs sums it up.  "...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  They know who they are, and I am thankful this day for each of you.

Angel On Plexiglas

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                                                                Acrylic on Plexiglas

I subscribe to Penelope Trunk’s blog.  The other day, she had a link to a site where you could take a free personality test.  It was the Jung Typology Test.  Not only did it tell you your type personality, but what job best fits you.  I was skeptical, but I took it.  It said I was an ISFP (introverted, sensing, feeling and perceiving).  A description of this according to Keirsey Research was that of an Artisan - Composer.  According to Dr. David Keirsey, a “Composer are in tune with their senses, and so have a sure grasp of what belongs, and what doesn’t belong, in all kinds of works of art......Composers have an exceptional ability- seemingly inborn-to work with subtle differences in color, tone, texture, aroma, and flavor.”  It also said that Composers were impulsive, sensitive to the pain of others, and have a hard time expressing themselves verbally, which I do.  I am much better at writing it down.  That’s why I blog.

I wont bore you with the rest, but it described me almost perfectly.  Among other professions, it said I may be a painter or chef. (I love to cook.)  It also said I could be a legal secretary.  I was a Paralegal for 9 years before I had children.  

If you want to take the test go to www.humanmetrics.com.  It was fun.

Update on Disrespectful Child:  She had to wear sweats to school because she “has no blue jeans”, (she does).  Still no remorse!!!!!

Thankful

                                                        ( I don't remember it's name )
                                                       Available at VIEW GALLERY

I am in a major conflict with one of my children.  She was disrespectful to me, so I took away the items that I had just bought her.  We had not even left the store’s parking lot, and this disrespectful attitude, that has become more prevalent lately reared it’s ugly head.  The war continued this morning when she wanted to wear what I bought her to school.  I stood my ground and said no.  So, we drove to school in silence.  What upsets me is the fact that there is no remorse, and as I drove home, I found myself feeling more and more down.  I hate when I am at odds with anyone, especially my children, but it is my responsibility to discipline them, and shape them to be functioning humans in society one day.  The easy thing would be to give in, however, I have an obligation to teach them certain standards to live by and how to treat others, at least as long as they are under my roof.  Each of them are a gift to me, but with this wonderful gift comes this responsibility.

So, as I drove home, I thought,  in spite of the fact I have a child that is being a “butt” right now, I have so much to be thankful for, and I was going to focus on that.  Each of my children are healthy and as a whole, very good kids.  I have a husband that works hard, and provides for us.  I have wonderful friends that care for me.  I am home with my parents and siblings after so many years of being estranged from them.  I have the privilege of being able to stay at home and do what I love to do, paint.  It is the season to be thankful, and for me, I know that I am truly blessed.

Three Dancers

If you are in Oxford this weekend, stop by and see my latest work at Nella on the Square.  On Thursday, they are having their Fashion + Art Series from 4:30 - 7:30.  It should be a lot of fun!

Getting Rid Of Clutter

                                                           
                                                                     "African Woman"
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There is something in my life that I haven’t wanted to give up.  It’s been more of a longing for a certain thing.  I’ve been able to put it aside for a while, yet the longing returns at times, almost to the point of obsession.  I woke up this morning with it on my mind and I knew the time had come for me to put it to rest, but I needed God’s help.

I picked up a book and read these words.  “I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveliness within your being.  My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession.  Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away.  I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that abundantly.”

My sense of self worth must not depend on others, as it so often does.  By not getting the object of my desire and the positive feelings that would come along with it, God has been teaching me to depend on Him for my fulfillment.  This means I need to be satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as God’s will at the moment.  I guess “at the moment” is the key right now.  I don’t know what tomorrow, a year or ten years will bring, but I have to keep my eyes focused on what is right for me today.  I am not naive enough to believe that this longing will be gone simply because I have written these words, but I am willing to surrender it, and I know God will be faithful in this as He has been in so many other areas of my life.  I just have to do my part.

Anytime

                                                                              36 x 48
                                                                          Mixed Media


Why does it often take the loss of someone we care about to remind us not to take those we love for granted, and that life here on this earth is a gift and in reality, just a brief moment compared to eternity?  My friends, my son, my city, and many across my state are mourning the death of three young men that were killed this Sunday in an automobile accident.  For many of our children, it is their first experience with a death of a peer, and a shocking look at their own mortality. 
I've had to take a quiet distance with my son, knowing that he doesn't need a "life lesson" right now, yet letting him know that I do understand his pain through my personal loss of friends when I was young. 

It shouldn't take a tragedy such as this to remind each one of us to live our lives in accordance to God's standards.  None of us will escape death, and when our time comes, I believe each of us will stand before The Father.  The question is, will He say, "well done my good and faithful servant"?  For me personally, I wonder.  There are so many areas of my life that I know are not pleasing to Him.  Some I don't want to change.  It is sad that it takes an incident like this to get your life back on track and your eyes focused on where they should be.  But most importantly, being thankful for the grace and forgiveness He extends to us when asked.