Landmines and leaves

No... not THAT kind of landmine. Five dogs and fall leaves... need I say more?

Sadly, three of the dogs in the picture are no longer with us. This photo was taken last year and since, the dark dog in the back (Sheba) has passed to the Rainbow Bridge as have Dusty and Holly (top row left and middle row left). Sigh, they are with us such a short time yet have so much unconditional love to share.

~Shelley

She calls it a what?!

A home studio. Yup. I guess, in reality, it's in her home. It's a place to paint. A place to hold classes. But... this is no ordinary studio. Not as we in the Decorative Art world know it.

This, this is a home studio like no other. Altered and morphed into an experience. As a friend called it... a hybrid. Yup, that word suits.

Sharlene Arseneau owns Artfully Toled in Calgary and I was honoured to be taken to and welcomed into her home to see this treasure. Oh my, I wish I lived closer and could take advantage of all she has to offer. The classes are varied and beautiful with something for everyone. The environment is welcoming and the inventory and supplies are organized and vast. Pattern packets, books, surfaces like no other, paints, mediums and a warm, inviting hostess and gifted artist.

Sharlene picked me up from the hotel on the Monday and went to the UPS Store to drop off the boxes of booth supplies destined for the Seattle Painting Convention, North
West Toleliners (and I dutifully filled out all the forms and customs forms, lol), then off to lunch and to visit Cactus Art Supplies. Wow, what a place. Everything my heart desires (but couldn't possibly buy 'cause no more room in my luggage [grin] - honey, you were safe, lol).

Then she took me to her home to show it off and continue our social girl chat [smile]. So glad to call Sharlene a friend. Thanks, Sharlene, I had the best visit and getting-to-know-you time.

~Shelley

I could get used to this

Oh, he treats me like a Queen. I could get used to this.

Oh, wait... I AM used to this, lol.

I was tired. Had a long week. Enjoyed it, but it was time to come home. My flight left Calgary at 6 pm, arrived in Ottawa close to midnight. My man was there to meet and greet me.

What a welcome. He always makes me happy to come home. And he had a bouquet of flowers for me and a charm. Sigh. Spoiled and I know it.

The flowers were a wildflower mix. I love wildflowers and carnations. Beautiful and not fussy. The charm was a Pandora charm for my bracelet(s), he picked out the Breast Cancer dangle charm as I have had some close friends fighting this cancer and he thought it would be meaningful to me. He's so thoughtful, and so right. Yup, my man is a keeper.

I'm so glad to be home and in his loving, warm arms. I am blessed.

~Shelley

My new best friend

My battery-operated personal fan! I would never take it out in public, but in the privacy of my own home... well, I embrace it, lol.

Top five reasons I LOVE menopause (which, by the way, has been occurring fairly regularly for the last 15 years and in ernest the last couple):

1. Several times a day I get to go on sizzling tropical vacations. For free!

2. My heating bills are way down. This would be good provided that the “power surges” would come when it’s cool out... but Murphy’s Law seems to prevail. That is, none or few in the cold months and LOTS so far during one of the hottest summers on record.

3. IF I make a New Year’s resolution, I have forgotten it by the next day. In fact, I forget if I even made any.

4. Getting dressed in the morning is like going to the Racetrack - do I bet on the skinny jeans because I sweated off 3 pounds of water weight in the night or do I bet it will be one of those mornings when only some elastic waisted track pants will fit?

5. I've no need to spend big bucks at the spa. I get steam baths many times every night (and day).

6. No need for an electric blanket to keep hubby warm. Or wait 5 minutes and he’s more likely to wake up shivering because my “surge” is over and I’ve now hogged all the sheets.

7. There is exciting new mystery in my marriage. The mystery is, my husband never knows from one minute to the next whether I will be a weeping mess or a screaming fishwife. One thing he can depend on, I will not be the boring, joyful, even-tempered woman he first met.

O.K., I realize I have now listed seven reasons, not five. In the interests of accuracy, I should go back in this post and change the number. Normally I would. But here's the eighth reason I love menopause: I don't give a shit about accuracy or much of anything else. I am a hot, cranky, depressed, brain-deranged harridan. I celebrate this b_ _ch!

(What else can I do?)

Comment... if you dare! Heeheehee!

~Shelley

The end of summer fun...

It was a dark and windy night...

Nooooo, not that kind of story, lol.


Actually, it is Labour Day and kind of a cool, rainy, dreary day. So here I sit, me on my 'puter at the kitchen table and hubby on his 'puter in the familyroom, lol. Hey, we can message each other!

Have "laboured" (heehee, pun intended) over my arrangements and organization for this week's coming painting convention in Calgary, Alberta (PIA - Paint-in Alberta). Think I have everything under control. Willow and Debbie Cotton will be there with me but they will be so busy with their classes, that "tag" I'm it for the booth and any necessary demos, lol. Did I tell you I'll be cloning myself?

Labour Day brings with it the close of summer and it truly seems that way today. Tomorrow my better half ends his vacation time and heads off to work [pouting]. It's been nice having him 'round (yes, dear, I know you're reading this but it's true!). We've had together time and day trips but I guess it's back to reality.

This morning my dear old dog (Hunter) decided to gift us with another puddle on the floor. Yes... she'd already been out and no, she does not have a bladder infection 'cause she has now been following me around and at my feet for the last few hours. Sigh... is she "losing it" as this is about the 3rd or 4th "accident" in a couple weeks? Couple times I have literally been behind her beating it down the stairs to the back door and she has hung a right at the kitchen for the "splash proof" carpet of the diningroom instead of heading for the backdoor and outside. I mutter away as I sop it up and spray with vinegar and say maybe it's "time" before I don't like her anymore [lopsided smile]. Or... is it a "let's get back at you guys" for some unknown slight (yes, she has been known for this over the years... as her grandmother, Sheena, was well-known for and, dare I say, loved?)? I will monitor the situation for a couple days prior to my leaving and hope it is something I can put off (or reconsider) 'til I get back from Calgary. Yes... I will "warn" my friend who will be taking care of a few of my furbabies including Hunter.

Okay, 'nuff fooling around [grin], I'm off to do some laundry and a few other must-do's so my list won't be quite so long.

~Shelley