Halloween is my favorite holiday of them all. It's the one time of year adults can play dress up and it's 100% socially acceptable. Try playing dress up on any other day of the year and I guarantee you will get some odd looks, trust me I know. I embrace my inner child and wild imagination a little too well haha. In recent posts, I mentioned how I wasn't even going to go out this year for Halloween, which is kind of a mega deal. However remember that since my move I am facing all of my 'walls' or challenges and I am trying my best to successfully overcome them. With so many challenges under my belt, this challenge was an easier one to pass on. Especially once Beth's sister in-law got in on the 'hoopla' action. Before I could 'bat' an eyelash (sad pun I know) Beth was even in on the holiday spirit! Yay! This is the result
(Myself, Beth and Kim)
Typically I spend a month or so (ok sometimes I start thinking the day after Halloween hehe) what I'm going to dress up as. Then I spend even more time making my costume. This year, thanks to Threadbanger I was so impressed with Corinne's costume tutorial that I did my own slightly modified version of La Catrina, Day of the Dead. Here's a close up of my hat
You can't really see it..but that bit of black between the pink flowers is a really neat little bird to make up for the lack of vintage ostrich feathers in this town haha.
Beth also did some modifications of her own. After an incredible dinner at Karen's house (and getting her to dress up too), Beth decided it was time to go 'Trick or Drinking' hehe. Instead of bringing a pillowcase, or those cute Halloween bags/buckets, we all brought empty wine glasses. Karen was the designated driver. It was just too funny. I almost felt like we were mummer's when we arrived at a friends house and her boyfriend spent 10 minutes trying to figure out who we were. haha.
If you or your kids dressed up for Halloween parties over the weekend, or today, I would LOVE to see/hear what creative ideas you came up. I wonder if we'll see any little trick-or-treaters here tonight....
I woke up this morning super excited for Halloween..and then I looked out the window and got confused and so sad..here's why
The wicked awesome car that Beth let me drive around these past two months is covered in SNOW!!!! I adore this car. I re-learned how to drive a car in it again ( I haven't driven since early Jan 2005). It's the perfect compact size for me, and now this is a sign that my days with it are very limited and I will soon have to say goodbye to it for the winter as it makes it home in winter storage. Then I have to learn how to drive her CRV...eak! (I put a link in, after googling a picture that looks close to her 'model/make' of the CRV. I know very little about cars, so this is just to give you an idea of the difference in cars that I'll be driving).
Alright, I'm off to do some meditating, I feel a little off today (or is that the point, it IS Halloween despite the weather haha). I'll be doing my Halloween blog later today :)
ps: ok it wasn't really that much snow..but still its snow!!
I have no idea what I did, but "Everything's coming up Milhouse" for me these days. I'm certainly not complaining, I'd just like to know so I can do it more often haha.
I could not get to sleep at all last night. I tried making a steamer (boiled milk with vanilla), I put on the music station with spa music, I did some meditating. No dice. Finally around 3:30ish, the sandman finally dropped by and off to sleep I went. Next think I know it, Beth is off to run with a client and I'm snuggled up in her bed with Owen (who's very sick little man).That was at 5:30. I may have gotten 20 minutes sleep with him, but basically I've been up since then. I'm now making my costume while layers of paint dries on canvas, making dinner, blogging to make sure I don't sit still for more than a few minutes. I may crash. There is too much to be done to fall asleep yet!
Alright, so not the best start to my day but after that things really were coming up Milhouse. I went to a second hand store with two costume ideas in mind. I decided last night that I will go out for Halloween. I have to be honest I wasn't really liking the idea of not being home for Mardi Gras to play dress up and go out on the town with my friends. Anyone who knows anything about Newfoundland knows you must experience Mardi Gras on George Street. Then I remembered a photo my friend Terri posted on Facebook...
So on a mission I searched the bins for something that might work and right away, the first store, the first place I looked, a hat that was PERFECT for my costume, then the rest of the pieces of the costume just came together. So I won't reveal the costume until Halloween but I will give you this hint, here is a photo of all the pieces (minus my shoes haha). Can you guess what/who I'm going to be?
Well time for me to resume to my creation spree! Have a safe and spooky weekend everyone!
Ps:
I am a MEGA Simpsons fan, and tend to make a ridiculous amount of Simpson's references.. here's a YouTube video of the clip where Milhouse quotes this, you kinda have to get the whole character voice, and understand he's a bit of a nerd bird.
Pss:
Look who dropped by for a visit today! Jasmine!! She was all purrs when I pulled out the can of Tuna :)
The creative juices are unstoppable right now. I think they're taking over me! I love it!
I just spent the last 7 hours down in the Spidey Cave painting non-stop. I completed a mini series I started a little while back. I'm still not sure how I feel about them. The concept has a lot of meaning to me while the final result isn't what I'm used to painting so it's a bit strange for me to look at. Regardless, I enjoyed the process of painting. I also have started in on a second painting for my new collection. I'm really excited about this one. Playing with molding paste is always fun!! But now I have to wait for it to dry before I can move on..patience is a virtue I do not possess. I decided to take the rest of the evening off instead of diving into a new painting. I have an early rise tomorrow and it's very easy to get lost in time down there. I want to make sure i get enough sleep.
I wonder if this is a sign that I'm giving myself permission to settle in. I've felt like an uprooted tree since moving here. All of my belongings, my family, my friends are back home and I just plucked myself out of it and moved here. Painting is a very raw and personal process I go through. I guess you could say it's a different kind of journal for me. I'm starting to think with recent developments in my life and a little bit of radical acceptance I might just be allowing myself to plant my roots here. That doesn't change how I feel about wanting to live in Newfoundland ( Nova Scotia is just grand, but there's no place like home, especially for an islander) but it sure does make it easier, and in some odd way, is very liberating. I felt so free today. I want to hold on to that feeling.
Ok...giving in, time for some nachos and Coronation Street.
So I'm down here in the Spidey Cave completely lost in a world of colour and chaos. The creative bug bite me today and it feels so good to be back at the paints again. So I'm taking a break and I sign into my blog to check and see what other blogs I'm following are saying today, and I spied with my little eye that I started blogging a month ago today! I think I sat up a little taller in that moment..that's some serious dedication. I'm terrible for being a firecracker when something starts and then quickly turning into a total flop. That's terrible that I just admitted that to the entire world....however...YAY me! I'm changing this through my blog, and a few other things since moving. Totally deserving of a happy dance don't you think?
And the Exciting Train doesn't stop here folks. All aboard the exciting train! I sold a painting the first day of the art show! Holy crap. I was not in a million years expecting that. I nearly fell through the floor when the moment of 'yes this is really happening' occurred. Mega exciting! (see a theme here hehe). And now I'm down here in the cave painting away at a new collection I just started. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this collection takes me, it's always an adventure.
Continuing on with awesome news, Beth and I just finished creating a Facebook page for Your Place, the gym she owns and operates. Thank you to all the good sports who let me take their photos while they were working out!! To the ladies in EZ-Step and Pilates with Beth today, I will hopefully have them all edited and at the gym waiting for you to see tomorrow, and over the next few days.
Ok, I saved the best for last. This one is going to knock the socks right clean off ya! Yesterday, though filled with fabulous news, was also a personally challenging day for me. I have been weighing out the pros and cons of a very serious decision for a few weeks now. It sucked. Honestly. No matter which option I went with, I would be loosing something of great importance. I think I made the right one, because it is the hardest, and well...'you know what they say'. So as I sat rocking Owen in the chair by the fireplace (he's sick, and it was a great opportunity to snuggle the little tater tot), Beth and I were talking about the decision I made and ...are you ready for this? She is going home next week for a business trip and she offered to bring one of my cats back if it would help me any. *this is where my heart melted and I had to try to not cry uncontrollably like the crazy cat lady for being so happy..keep it cool* Ok...seriously how incredibly amazing and thoughtful is that?
I have three cats.
So you must be wondering how did I make my decision?
Well, I chose Zephyr. I was talking to Beth and when I started to talk about Zephyr the tears just came a flooding. He has diabetes and we don't know how old he is. I took him into my home in 2009 thanks to the generous help of my friends who donated money to cover the majority of the vet expenses becuase my heart is wayy bigger than my wallet. So the thought of anything happening to him while I'm away and not being there with him just about kills me. I think that's just about the point where she offered to let me have a cat here maybe...lol...I swear that was not my intention at all. Scouts honour! For those of you who know me any bit at all are probably shocked I never said Demetri without hesitation. He's my baby, he was my first cat, and he's my b'y. I should never pick favorites...but you know...Anderson Cooper had a show about that the other day, that parents actually do pick favorites..or 'tend to lean towards one child more than the other(s)'. and that's all I'm saying about that. haha. And of course I could never pry Shemar from his daddy even if I tried! So Zephyr it is. And I cannot wait to sook the face right clean off that handsome little man.
(left-right) Zephyr, Shemar, Demetri
So yeah..that's what I gotta say today. Hope you all experienced a moment where you felt this kinda happy today,and if it was a mega poopy day then try to create yourself a happy one tomorrow!
Remember as a child being asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
What was your first answer?
Mine was an artist. It slowly changed to psychologist, then focused on child psychiatrist, then broadened to art therapist (for any age), and now I went full circle back to my first answer. I just want to be an artist. I want to share the gift of creating through teaching art, and through sharing my paintings with others as they find their ways onto the walls of people's nests.
Today marks a huge celebration for my career as an artist. Today is day one of my first art show ever!!! I was originally booked for the end of February through til April (which the owner of The Sprout confirmed I still have this slot available!! YAY!!!). However the artist who had this current slot booked had to cancel and Julia came in contact with myself and Dominique. And here it is, a show with myself, Dominique Hurley and Lori Reddy. Thank you universe for giving me this opportunity and gift! I was in need of a sense of personal achievement and direction when it comes to my art. Who knows what the outcome of this show will be like in regards to sales, but I'm just excited to have the exposure. Knowing how many people pass through the doors of The Sprout and will be seeing my work there on the walls! Oh someone pinch me now, I think I must be dreaming still! If it weren't for the pictures Dominique posted I still think I would be in disbelief. Here are the photos of my work that Dominique captured for me to help me feel part of this show.
All of my pieces can be found on my Facebook page and my website for a closer viewing if you do not live near The Sprout. If you do live in the area, please pop by for some incredibly yummy vegetarian food and check out all the art work!
The Sprout - 364 Duckworth St., St. John's Newfoundland
(709) 579-5485
October 25 - November 28th 2011 (closed Mondays)
Here is the link for the rest of the pictures Dominique took this morning.
Dreams really can come true. And it's so exciting to see and experience first hand, especially a childhood dream. I have no idea where this will take me, or how this turn out, I just know that today I am happy and today this is real! What a fabulous way to practice living in the moment!
I'm just settling down at the homestead after a weekend trip to Moncton. Beth participated in the 'Legs for Literacy' marathon in Moncton. She has been training for this half marathon for a long time now ( a full 21.1K and placed 6th in her division with 34 other people!!). How amazing is she?! Owen (her grandson), Kayla (Owen's mom) and I waited at the finish line cheering her on. So proud to see her accomplish this goal.
Well her legs may be sore from running all that ways, but let me tell you, I'm still feeling the pain from last night in my legs. While poking around a mall in Moncton, we strolled into a store where Kayla fell in love with a dress. For fun Beth said she should try it on. It fit her like a glove and she looked simply stunning in it! The next thing I know, Beth has me in the change room putting on a dress and heels that made me feel like Tyra Banks herself haha. Never in my life would you catch me in a dress or heels like this. Well Beth swooped up the clothes and shoes, rang them in and decided Kayla and I needed a night out on the town. How fabulous is she? A quick stop at Shoppers ended up with me getting my makeup done for free for the night (BONUS!) and though the two of us could barely walk (thank goodness I brought my flats with me in my purse) we had a grand time. Kayla and I finally got to hang out and get to know each other. We danced like no tomorrow and never stopped laughing and smiling the whole time. It was wonderful. My circle of friends grows more :)
Friday night, Beth took me to a show by a local (and brilliant) playwrite, Mark Raddin. Well my god, I never roared so hard at a play, and I've been to my share. It was called Stagette. They sold out their first night and had to book another three shows based on popular demand! Hats off to 'Amherst Comedy Troupe' who can be found on Facebook as a group (not sure how to link them, sorry)
I finally completed my first painting here! Not sure if I have blogged about that yet or not. Picture will follow soon. Sadly the 'crackle paste' medium I used for one particular area did not crackle/dry as I had expected. I guess the Spidey Cave is too damp. So I'm hoping to adjust this and try again if not I have an idea to replace Plan A haha. It felt so liberating.
Tomorrow morning is an early one for Dominique, Lori and my boyfriend Craig will be setting up the art show at 'The Sprout' restaurant back home. Oh how my heart aches that I cann't be there to help, and soak in the experience of my first show ever. Lori (who I haven't met yet) was a darling and wrote to me in e-mail
We will cover you Sadie as best we can and you will be present through your art and spirit.
What a sweetheart. I hope it goes well. So if you live in Newfoundland and will be in the St. John's area between tomorrow and November 24 I encourage you to pop by 'The Sprout' for a yummy bite to eat and check out the art work. Feel free to buy them too!! hehe.
So this past week I overcame many challenges. I learned how to let go of control when it came to this art show.I overcame my fear of dresses and makeup and once I gave myself permission to wear these items, I was able to be more comfortable (ok minus the shoe part...blisters and bandaids to prove it!! lol) and had a blast with a new friend. (I knew Kayla before tonight but we rarely spoke, or had opportunity to hang out and get to know each other). I can feel myself becoming stronger, I can feel myself growing as a person. And the best part is, another month is almost done. Which hopefully means I'm a month closer to seeing my little family again.
