Growing Royalty

So I guess you noticed the new picture with our blog title. Yep, it's from Epcot at Disney World. We actually arrived while a huge garden show was in progress. Every Disney princess was "growing" at the entrance to Epcot. So I thought I'd post a couple of pictures of that scene minus the drenching rain. Enjoy!

Here's What to Do for a 3 Column Look on YOUR Blog!

Jeni, since you asked I've decided to post my "secret." I used the html given by "The Cutest Blog on the Block." You'll have to go in and change the html code in your blog. Just follow the directions given HERE . I actually opened two windows in my internet explorer so I could work on my blog html and in the other window read the directions to change the code. Only took a few minutes!!! Let me know if you have problems....I can always be bribed into coming over to help!!!

Techno Challenged or Climate Change?

Well, I suppose I should be on here more but my scanner died. It's been dead now for 2 months and I can't get any of my pictures scanned to put on the blog. Thus no posts! Well, actually, it's more than that. I've been overwelmed with vacation time. I don't think my brain really knew how wound up tight I was until I finished my final projects and then headed to Disney World. And it rained the whole week. My brain couldn't handle it. The lack of sunshine was not computing. I had carefully planned the whole week and it definitely did not include rain, lots and lots of rain!!

We found ourselves trudging around Epcot in rain that was flowing east to west, yep, sideways . Animal Kingdom was 6 inches under water halfway through our day....and don't get me started on our walk through the Magic Kingdom. I was rather proud of myself for taking it all in stride. We had our memorable moments, sitting in wet seats, rain dripping through our umbrellas because they were totally saturated. Somehow I had to come up with a new plan...so indoor activities it was. We went to Disney Hollywood Studios and ran from one activity to another. We did the same at Epcot. We managed a second day at Magic Kingdom and arrived at the locked gates 15 minutes early and caught Storm Troopers scanning the crowd. Darth Vader had landed and it was officially Star Wars Weekend and it hadn't started raining yet! We saw Darth Maul, Chewie, and a whole slew of Star Wars characters. Yep, Chuk was ecstatic. And then it started raining again. I was drenched. Our adventure at Disney World turned out great, don't get me wrong, but it RAINED the whole week, not a short afternoon rain. The kind of rain where you are dripping wet all day, hair is stringy, and shoes NEVER, EVER dry out!!! Coming home from vacation meant I could finally dry out and rest.

So everything is moving in slow motion. There is a pounding in my head, a soreness in my feet (all that running from cover to cover)....I think I'm officially exhausted due to climate change, so I am spending my days trying to rest. As much as that can happen, with all our kids and grandkids hanging out (which I totally love!) and spur of the moment happenings such as Chuck falling off the attic ladder (he's okay but you should see the bruises!!!).

We just finished updating our hurricane prep info and spent time trying to figure out how to fight the millions of mosquitoes that like to hang out at our front door. Probably another byproduct of climate change.....sigh....it's going to be a long summer.

FINALLY!!!!

I am finished for this semester...working so hard I had no time for blogging! Took my last final today and I am excited to be home for the summer! I do have some photos to share with you of my designs from Design II. Tomorrow I will place some of my black and white photos from my Photography I class on the blog for you to see.

The above design is titled "Rising" and is made with wood and 3 different guages of wire.

The design above is a relief and is titled "Searching." It is made from hard board and measures 24" by 24" and is 12 layers deep.

This plaster sculpture (above) was my final project where we were learning about form. Every angle looks different. I left it with texture rather than smoothing it out.

This final piece is made from balsa wood stained different wood types and was sculpted over a three week period. It is titled "Becoming." Notice how the darker woods migrate to a lighter color as you move from the base to the top.

Here's a Fun Game for YOU!

Put The Big Red Button on your site

"Beginnings"

Interesting isn't it? Like hatching eggs, weird creatures have invaded my home and left their empty shells behind.

Okay, so it's only symbolic. Most of them have moved out, spreading themselves far afield to raise their own special broods.

I got a little creative. Between the staple gun and industial adhesive I did manage to keep all my apendages. Batting, muslin, orange peels, paper mache', clay, balloons, thread, cheesecloth, and white spray paint, who knew these things would end up looking like this?

I entitled this creation"Beginnings," as it represents some of the feelings I have had as a mother beginning my family. My beginnings were fragile and required a great deal of courage. I lost my own mother when I was 17 years old, she was such a meek quiet person, I wanted to be just like her. Anyone who knows me knows that didn't happen!

I have watched the circle of beginnings come back around...watching my children begin their own families. It's like a full circle event to watch a grandchild being born in to the world, knowing that somehow that significant moment has somehow completed me. What started out as me and my husband has grown to a family of 27 wonderful souls. And it won't end there.

A mother's nurturing arm reaches out all through the life span of her family, through the obstacles, seeking to sustain and nourish the hearts and spirits of her children and grandchildren. Her influence never ends.

There is so much represented in this piece, hopefully you will find a connection that speaks to where you are in your journey with your family.