trip

Our god-children capture my heart! Five years old, doing my make-up! She had so much fun!

And here is the after! Well, the lipstick ran over just a little! We had all watched American Idol together. God-son is here-after going to be called Simon Jr, because he makes the most astute observations.

"David Cook sang (Music of the Night) the song really good, but he didn't look like he was having fun." Eight years old and he GETS it!!

Tomorrow morning, at 6:05, I leave with Dot and Assistant to meet Jade in Memphis and we fly into LaGuardia at noon!! We are so excited to have a New York City weekend together!

Assistant, Jade and I are attending the Beth and Carmine Minardi BEAUTY FOCUS class Sunday. It will be a fabulous boost to our carreers as hairstylists.

Saturday night, we all see LION KING. Friday afternoon we are all getting a shampoo and style at the Minardi Salon. After, we are attending Mass at St Patricks. The rest of the time will be a bargain/shopathon!

We began planning this January 9. Our fun time is finally here!!! TT and Isabella will be on their own. But judging by the refridgerator, I think a bit of partying is going down while Mama's away!!!!

How He Loves Us - Kim Walker / Jesus Culture

Oprah got offended when she thought her minister said God was jealous "of her", not understanding He is jealous FOR her. And for all of us.

American Idol Shout to The Lord Reprise

Dot n I sang this hundreds of times when we were in choir together. (We were in soprano section!) It is beautiful.

Dont Drink The Kool-Aid: Oprah, Obama and The Occult

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction.
Matthew 7:13

Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

happy

TT n I are happy! Can you tell? We had the funnest night out at a restaurant on the beach, listening to some new friends play guitar and sing. Went with godchildren's mom (she is such a great friend to us) and a friend of hers. We just had fun!

I haven't been much of a blogger these days. Busy with family, friends, cooking, and now, doing some more rearranging in the dining room and keeping room. Bought three Paul Jackson watercolor prints. Am all excited about getting some ART on our walls!

TT found out today that a sister and a nephew are coming back to the Catholic Church. Remember he is the eldest of twelve. One sibling died an infant. They were raised Catholic, but after their father died, they all had experiences with Jesus outside of the Church and all became Protestant. Their father was a convert in his early twenties. Coming back to the Catholic Church is a powerful way for them all to honor him. He was a fabulous man.

I deleted the post I wrote about my aching heart over the split up with the 'friend' that turned out to not be a friend at all. I have prayed a lot so that my heart would not be judging and hardened. I was concerned my post was a bit whiny. Yech.

I had spent time with her and her family almost exclusively, to the neglect of some other friends. It has been fun and heartwarming to see the Lord open doors of relationships all around me. I shan't be alone!!

I have been reading the Bible pretty regularily and His word keeps my heart tender and pliable. I hate it when I get arrogant and self-assured. Right now, I am in a wonderful place of security in my relationship with Him, just feeling like He is so near and tenderly watching over us.

The picture says it all!

St. Patrick's Day

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ within me,
Christ below me,
Christ above me,
Christ at my right,
Christ at my left,
Christ in lying down,
Christ in sitting,
Christ in rising up,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

---St. Patrick of Ireland

Glammy Jammie Oscar's Party

We watched many movies.

We sent out invitations.

We shopped for months for just the right jammies!

We cooked for hours, preparing the best foods!

And finally, the (second annual )Glammy Jammie Oscar Party began!

Smoked Salmon Pizza (cream cheese, capers and dill)
Meat Roll-ups stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese wrapped around Feta stuffed Olives
Focaccia with Rosemary and Grapes
Bruchetta
Crostinis
Rotel Cheese Dip with Frito Scoops
Veggie Tray with Fancy Ranch Dip
Pineapple, Gala Apple and Seedless Green Grape tray with Honey Cinnamon Yogurt Dip
Wheat-free Crackers and Sundried Tomato Hummus
White and Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
Star Punch (Fuzzy Navels with Star Fruit!)

Jade and I worked together very well in kitchen. Her dots helped a lot, too. Assistant made the Focaccia and Dot made the Meat Roll-ups. The food was beautiful and delish!

I suppose the most touching part of the night for me was Marion Colliard's acceptance speech for winning Best Actress as Edith Pief in La Vie en Rose. TT, Dot and I loved that movie (remember our affection for Paris) and were taken with her humility and joy.

Jade, friend and dots have been here since Thursday nite. We have enjoyed every second. This morning it was hard to say goodbye, but knowing we will be together in NYC in six weeks eases the pain of separation.

Next goal. . . working off the extra winter pounds and poufs around our middles!

Living

Life is simple now that I have learned how to live happy .

I came home from work tonight and Kalena and I made "brinner". (that is breakfast for dinner) We all watched American Idol together. Brinner on the couch. The kids were doing acrobatics in between asking, "Miss H, did you like her, do you think she will get voted off, are you gonna vote for her?"

Little D not only ate everything on her plate, but she went back for seconds! OMG, that was a record worthy of Olympic coverage! She was so proud of herself. She came and whispered in my ear something, and I said, "I love you, too, D." She said, "No, I said I love my EGGS!!"

After eating, little D got out my brushes and combs and barrettes and proceeded to coif her mother's hair and mine!

In between, both Dot and Jade and Assistant were texting me their Idol opinions! And god-son continued asking me if I was gonna vote for the Rocker Nurse!

At the end of the show, Dot texted me to tell me to get outside to see the lunar eclipse. Sure enough, the moon looked blood-red. It looked apocolyptic.

Then Jade called to talk about when she would arrive tomorrow nite. OMG, how exciting that she and the girls will be here for our Glammy Jammy Oscars Party!

Cheese Omlette, Heart-shaped Waffles, Bacon, American Idol, two god-children, a very good friend, a new hair-do, kids eating their entire meal, texts and calls from grown daughters and a lunar eclipse. . . what a very happy night!

Does living get any better?!

Forty Twelve!

It was one of my happiest birthdays ever! I told TT that I have never had a birthday with so few material things AND so much love.

Everyone is rather tight (eeeeek) on money right now. So, I asked for dirt for my garden! I am planting an herb garden on March 20. Last weekend, we emptied out the 25' x 2' planter and lined it with weed matt and rocks for good drainage. I want this Miracle Gro Organic Garden Mix dirt that is $7.77 for a two cubic foot bag! It will take about fifteen bags to fill my planter!

So, everyone gave me dirt! And I am thrilled!

Dot, Assistant, Kalina and mom-of-squishy-baby came over with lovely foods for brunch and mimosas. Dot should go into catering (and modeling and makeup and dancing. . . she is just so gifted and beautiful).

In the midst of it all, I got to talk to KE, my best friend from high school and exchange texts with daughter Jade. I later got to talk to her and we excitedly made plans for her visit next weekend with her girls and her good friend (so the gift continues, I will get to see her and my grand-dots!!!) Son-in-luv came over later in the evening and was a walking birthday card. What a beautiful thing to have him sit and tell us just how much he loves our daughter and how much he loves us and loves spending time with us.

After eating and opening cards and gift cards for dirt, somehow we got into my storage stuff and got out a couple of my mom's square dance dresses. Only Dot and Kalina have the 24 inch waists to fit into her tiny clothing. Dot even busted out Mother's petticoats!

Our home was filled with love, laughter, children playing, food, friends and family. It was a lovely, sunshiney, sparkly day. Inside and outside!

Just Plain Happy

I thank God for my priest telling me the way out of depression was to compromise my expectations and get HAPPY with my reality.

It resonated with me how much of my life I have spent miserable over what would later ammount to nothing. I have always been a "make a mountain out of a molehill" kind of person. Oi.

When I decided to get happy, nothing much had changed. Funny, the changes came later.

God gave me the amazing grace to forgive a huge debt. As I held the debtor ransom, my heart was in bondage. I was playing Christmas music from our old church, Brownsville and the Spirit of God swept my heart and I knew the way out of the torment. . . forgive it and let it go. I was free as soon as I said, "Yes, Lord, I release and forgive."

Soon after that, TT, Dot and Hub would go to Orlando and stay with Jade and the children. Gloriously, I was given back my heart-daughter. Dot is my blood daugher. My beloved firstborn.

When I was in my first marriage, I told him I wanted us to pray for the Lord to bring us an older girl to adopt so Dot would have an older sister. He thought I was nuts. Really, I did too.

We divorced two years later. And along comes TT, my knight in shining armor. And Jade. I cut her hair one afternoon. And fell in love with her. God had prepared my heart for her two years before. That is why I call her my heart daughter. She helped TT and I get together. She started calling me "mom" before her father and I even married.

Dot came to me and said, "Mommy, I want Jade for my sister and TT for my daddy."

There was alot of love among us. Why it fell apart is history. How it came back together is a miracle. I can't forget that it happened AFTER I forgave the big debt. Like forgiving was the token for the richness of a healed family.

I love Jade. Deeply. Dot and I are twins in many areas. But in many, we are opposite. And that's where Jade and I are alike. I feel like my heart has warm honey flowing over it. I have both my girls. I need them both. Dot tried to fill the gap and be all for me. She couldn't. I will never forget that she tried.

When she and Jade got reconnected, I told Dot, "Now I can die in peace, knowing you won't be alone, you have your sister." She said, "I thought about that."

I am in no hurry!!

I have had a broken heart over not having more children. I decided to believe God would fill my life. Now I have many! Two twelve year old god-daughters, an eight year old god-son, a five year old god-daughter and a twelve year old and six year old granddaughter!!! My arms are rarely empty and my heart stays full of joy.

Every day I go to work to a full schedule of fabulous clients/friends. Work is a JOY! How is it legal to have so much FUN earning a living?

My husband is a loving, caring, kind man who makes the best spaghetti in the world and who keeps me sane in the mornings when I can't decide what to wear and need my lunch packed. He loves me, through and through.

I have decided why waste today worrying about tomorrow? "For I have been young and I have been old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread," says the psalmist.

Life is seasonal. I spent a decade in lonely agony and disappointment. How I pictured my life and how it has been are worlds apart. TT and I lost the excessive riches of this world. But we have gained the better. We share a magnificent faith, a deeply loving family and dear friends. Like I heard at Thanksgiving, "Thank You for friends that are like family and family that are friends." It is so wonderful to be in this happy place.

Tomorrow is Valentines. Thank You Lord for how You have poured out Your care and love into my life.

SUPERbowl!

This was one reason I got the TV for TT. He loves watching football with his best friend. BF LOVES NewYork Giants, so we had the SuperBowl party!!

I made Black Bean Chunky Beef Chili, mini hamburgers (Sliders), oven roasted french fries, Jade's Macaroni and Cheese. We had sour cream, chopped dill pickles and salsa to top the chili. Friends brought Hot Wings, Deviled Eggs, Veggie Tray, Individual CheeseCakes, Cookies, Chips n Guacamole. . . I may be leaving something out. It was a FEAST!!

Had leftovers tonight! That's a nice reward.

While this picture looks pretty quiet, we had a rip-roaring fun time. And wasn't that an exciting game?!!

Don't tell me people never change. I was screaming right along with them at the final touchdown!!

I am a convert. Gotta go study up on the Gators for next season!!

growing

I just wanted to see if it really does look longer! Once every decade, I stupidly cut off all my hair. This has been the least traumatic for me. Not so insecure as I once was. Better styling tools now.

Read the book HOW NOT TO LOOK OLD, at the suggestion of Beth Minardi, the hair color guru I will be studying under in a year. That book confirmed what I knew. Too short (or too long, for that matter) is O.L. (old lady!!)

I have instructed all my clients that I need their first comment to be, "My goodness, Hattigrace, your hair has really grown fast!!" I take Biotin daily to help it along!

You know I stopped smoking cigarettes September 23rd-ish. Have not had ONE!! Getting through January was a big deal. That was when I caved last year. But New Year's Eve and my friend's birthday, I had a cigar!! No inhaling, so I thought I was fine.

Then, I noticed I was craving cigs more. TT reminded me how the mouth absorbs nicotene. Hmmmm, I forgot about that. I was only thinking about my lungs and not inhaling. So, this is most likely that last cigar I will have. Didn't really enjoy it that much anyway.

Well, this is a deep and thought-provoking post!!!

Plans

While Jade and I were sitting on the couch New Year's Day, she asked about my continuing education.

"I went to New York three years ago, London and Paris two years ago, didn't go anywhere last year because of the moving expense into the new Studio, but I am looking for something to attend in New York for '08."

"Hey, if you go to New York, call me, I'll go with you!"

Was I hearing right? OMG, what a THRILL!

Being Hattigrace, I was on the computer the next day, searching. I knew the class I wanted to attend.

It just came together beautifully. Long story short, Dot, Jade, Assistant and I are heading to New York for the Beth and Carmine Minardi BEAUTY FOCUS class in April! We have our airfare purchased, our lovely room reserved, class tickets bought and tickets to see The Lion King!!

I have not seen a show in NYC. I am over the moon with excitement! We are also trying for Good Morning America tickets. A and I watch it every day. You know, Diane and Robin are our best friends!!!

From now til April I cannot spend a dime on anything. Oi, between TT's TV and the rest of Christmas and now this. . . breath, breath, we only live once, right? As Dot says, "I have never regretted a trip I have taken or even thought about the expense of it once I came back."

I feel so blessed, taking a special trip with my two daughters and my dear friend and business partner.

A true circle of life.

HAPPY New Year

That's what it is. The very happiest new year we have ever had. Ever.

As much as I talk/write, I don't tell all. Some things stay deep in my heart. Mostly the aches that no one can heal. I try to focus on all the good stuff. Leave the sad stuff to the only One that can help.

TT has a daughter. She was 17 when I married him. I was 28. You guessed it. . . I blew it on about every count. I had come out of a very bad marriage. Basically I wanted everything my way. Oi, what a wake of wreckage behind me.

She had enough. I don't blame her. Much of the time, I really didn't like me either.

So, we have walked separately for a little over a decade. I stopped talking. Just prayed. Every Sunday, "God, please help me be who I need to be and heal our family." TT prayed the same.

I don't exactly know how it all changed or why. That really doesn't matter.

But gloriously, she is back. With her two girls. TT's granddaughters. And she graciously has introduced me to them as, "This is my Mom Hattigrace. . . your grandma!" They are beautiful like her. Smart and full of humor and deeply caring. And they call me "gramma"!!!

I have died and gone to Heaven.

Dot and Hubby have the New Year's Eve party every year. She said, "Jade is coming to our party." So, we all brought in 2008 together. It was a happy, happy night. The best part was the next day when Jade and I got about eight hours together to just talk and talk and talk and talk. Her sweet girls were with us and would give delicious hugs every now and then.

I told Dot, "You are my only Dot. And she is my only Jade. One can never replace the other. You are both number one."

To be truthful, I have had a hole in my heart for a decade. Jade has this fabulous gift of being able to laugh at herself. While deeply empathetic, she is equally lighthearted. She loves to talk. She loves to text. She loves to hug. She loves to listen. She brings sonshine into any room.

Can you imagine being in the room with both Dots? It is one very happy, fun place!

I have slept soundly all night long since December 31. I feel complete again. My family is whole. I feel whole.

Now, I just need to find our family jet so we can all see each other every weekend!

Meanwhile, I guess we will have to keep texting.

Merry Christmas Isabella, er, TT!

I tried to load this movie to YouTube, but having problems. So, thought I would show you the still at least.

I only lie about good things, like what I am giving my husband for Christmas! He was pretty surprised, to say the least.

Always good to have Isabella's approval.

And, 4Dinners, have a very happy birthday!

He's home!!

It was way too quiet this weekend. Okay, be honest Hattigrace. . . Uh, I did get a lot done. First, I rested, slept, rested and slept. I did not eat any sugar or drink any wine. I felt like I was coming up out of quicksand. My chest had been feeling very tight. Not pain, just pressure. Arms, uh, the left one, going numb at night when I was not laying on it. Hmmmmm.

Dang it, my body is way sensitive. I knitted this really cool short cape. Giant needles, so it went fast. Felt good to knit again.

TT was in O with Dot and Hub. Seeing TT's elder Dot. And his grand dots! A very happy time for them. And for me, cause I would die if I couldn't see my Dot, and it had been a long time for TT. But the quiet of the house even got to Isabella. She kept getting up in his chair, waiting at the top of the stairs for him, looking at me as if to say, "What did you do with him?"

He had a wonderful time. His younger grand dot gave him this little pony. Of course, Isabella couldn't stand it that TT didn't give it to her to play with. We heard all sorts of whining and carrying on!

His elder grand dot gave him this singing coffee cup! I LOVE it! Like Father Mercy told me, "Hattigrace, sometimes we have to compromise our expectations so we can get happy with our realities." Words that have changed my life. Oh, that's right, the cup is TT's!!! Well, I hope he plays the song for me a lot!

See the two remotes? That was one of his bigger Christmas gifts. I got him DVR. I had it set up while he was gone. Complete with red bows! When he saw it, he asked with great excitement, "Did you get a new TV?!!!!" That kind of stung. . . wish I could have. As it is, the presents under the tree look like we have twelve children. It is going to be a very good Christmas, but I am not Donald Trump!! He felt bad he had said anything, I felt bad I can't do more. But I think he is real happy about the DVR. He will be able to have his own instant replay on football games and we can watch American Idol with no commercials!!

So, he's back home, snoring in his chair while Isabella is lurking about trying to swipe his pony. Don worry, be 'appy!

Eduardo's Story of Life

Go see BELLA, the movie. It is supposed to be beautiful.

Evel Knievel accepted Jesus Christ

This is beautiful.

Thanksgiving Day

Isn't life about family and friends? We had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Thirteen at the table. Teaching our god-children how to make fresh whipped cream was so fun!

Only my helpers get to lick the beaters! One trauma at about 11:30, just as I was putting the sweet potatos and the corn pudding in the oven. My oven QUIT! Flashed on it's screen, "Call Service Professional". Thank GOD TT has been taking care of our great neighbor's dogs and had a key to their house. We used their oven and so once again, they literally saved the day!! Wheeewwww.

After we had all gourged ourselves on too much food, we had a Silly String War! What fun. Got us all laughing, running from each other. In general, we were breathing, which none of us thought we could do when we tottered away from the table!

You know, it is a great compliment when my Dot feels at home enough still that she takes a nappy! We had a lovely chit-chat. Okay, I had more photos for this post of TT. . . I don't know where Picasa put them. I will try again later.

Meanwhile, just wanted to say, we had a very good day. We hold Isabella close to our aching hearts and are healing a bit from our loss.
I moved a bunch of furnature around to accomodate all the people and decided I loved the change. So, our dining room is now where the living room was and the former dining room, which is right off the kitchen is a sitting room. I think the new term is the "occassion room"? Anyway, the house seems bigger, more current, and certainly more welcoming.

Christmas tree goes up tomorrow!! Yippeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

gone

We are so sad. Picked up puppy at airport last night, 10:00. She was very dirty, as had been traveling in her little crate since 3:45. She flew from Kentucky to Cincinnati to here.

She seemed so tiny, frail. Brought her home, gave her some food and water, introduced her to Isabella. Well, puppy was scared to death of enthusiastic, tail wagging, barking big sister. She cried out in distress.

I took her to "her room", cleaned her up, against her will gave her some Nutrical and tried to get her to drink some more water. She threw up a couple of times. I thought it was from the stress.

This morning, I went into the bathroom to little piles of diarrhea. . . she was very weak, but wagged her tail when she saw me. Tim immediately took her to the vet.

They were concerned about all her symptoms and said they would I.V. her and keep her for the day. Two hours later, we lost her.

After the autopsy, the doc called me. She had Parvo. We could not have saved her. The stress of the trip most likely exacerbated it, but she was so tiny, bony, that she did not have much to fight with.

We have spent the rest of the day and night washing floors, laundry, decontaminating our home in protection of Isabella. She is current on her vaccinations. But it is still scary.

Our hearts are heavy. It will be a while before we recover from this.

nervous

Sister arrives tomorrow night at 9:30. I have given Isabella her bath and hair do. Spent a lot of time with her. She is used to being the only princess. . .

Have done a lot of reading on how to successfully bring a new puppy into a family. Don't introduce them face to face, but you know where they sniff each other. . . have not read, should puppy sniff Isabella first, or vice versa? Anyone know?

Gonna be careful to treat Isabella as the apple of my eye and not ignore her for the puppy. That's what has me nervous, because I think Isabella is so sweet because of how much I handled her and loved on her and talked soft and sweet to her. How is puppy gonna be secure if I can't do that?

"They" say that the first couple of weeks can be tough and then all of a sudden, they start getting along. That is encouraging.

I am prepared for the worst. Hoping for the best. Doesn't life settle somewhere in between?

I have not been painting. Just so busy with holiday preparations. I have almost all my Christmas bought and wrapped. Was concerned once puppy got here I would not have the time.

I start college in January. Still have CPT to take. I know I will end up in remedial math. I am fine with that. Will be good to pick up a paint brush again.

Having god-children and their families over for Thanksgiving, along with my dear daughter and son-in-law. Will be moving furniture around to accommodate that! We are very excited about the holidays.

Painting will have to wait!

sister

Isabella needs a sister and we think we have found her.

She's from Kentucky, eleven weeks old, her mother is daddy is three pounds, her mama is six pounds, so she is supposed to end up about five pounds. So, little sister will be bigger than Isabella.

Isabella has never been accepted by any dog. All my friends have very large dogs, so they treat her like an annoyance or like she is invisible. It has given her a bit of a complex. I think she will be much happier with a sista'!

Any suggestions for dealing with a new puppy and a one year old dog? And names. . . I have no inspiration yet. Any ideas?

art festival

We all went to the Art Festival today.

And we couldn't wait for the sugary funnel cakes! God-son and I got in a bit of a sugar fight and he inadvertantly doused me real good!

We had a great laugh. Look at my black velvet jeans! It was everywhere! Even in my purse.

Today was actually Isabella's first birthday. I feel real bad because we left her home while we attended Mass, then the Festival, then dinner at our extended family's house. She did not seem mad at us. And here I thought I was going to have a big party for her. Not a very good dog mommie am I?

third class

Here is the original print.

My copy.

This week, she had me start filling in the color with a thicker paint. Mixing color is very hard for me. Kind of scary, since color is a major part of my hair career! But, I definitely learned a lot with this lesson. I laughed out loud over her face the first time around. It did improve!

I met a woman Saturday on my outing with Gardenia, Susan E. Myers. Oh, my, she really "got me". She is very in tune with the emotional, spiritual connection with painting. I love her work. LOVE her work. I hope she can take me on as a student. She just "retired" from the junior college I am starting at in January. Drat. Well, I have to trust the right instruction will be there for me.

TT and I had a delightful weekend with our god-children and their mama. I made costumes and we played in the park after church, watched a movie together. . . a wonderful time.

Did you have a nice weekend, too?

Second Class

I am loving my Monday night painting class!

After tracing the entire painting onto the canvas (which was quite a long process itself!), my first assignment was to paint darks and lights.

First, I was instructed to paint a wash over the entire canvas of Yellow Ochre for warmth.

Then used varying intensities of black and water for all the darks. The teacher taught me to squint, looking at the original to see only the "value", or dark and light. Then, I was to duplicate that on mine. Blocking in the major shapes in this manner is called a "layin".

Next, she wants me to begin in the upper left hand corner applying color. Because I am right handed, I won't be smudging my work.

I hope I get some time this week to work on this!

P.S. I have been working on my math skills. My first "test" to see what I am learning I got an 86 on! Not too bad considering I haven't had any math for 34 years!! Hahahaha!

Pensacola Tornado

Thursday, October 18 began as a very rainy, dark morning. I was foiling my first client when my second client called to say there were tornado warnings, but she was still on her way.

By the time she arrived, she said the tornado was downtown, which is only a mile from us. In moments, we saw the inky funnel cloud looming over us out my big window. My first client dove into her bag for her cell phone, Assistant grabbed hers and I began pacing the hallway with mine, "Heavenly Father, protect us in Your mercy, TT, a tornado is on it's way, get Isabella and get in the den, Hail Mary full of grace. . . "

"A., where is Dot?"

"She went to the mall."

Ring her. "Dot, a tornado is coming. DO NOT leave the mall."

"Okay, Mom. Listen, while you are on the phone, I found a great birthday gift for New Mommy. Do you want to go in with me on it?"

"Sure, sure. Just don't leave the mall."

Back to work. Begin a razor cut on second client while first client's foils are heating up in color processor. Cool cut, a Victoria B. bob. The ominous black cloud has receded into the horizon a bit.

Dot calls. "The tornado came by here. Everyone started screaming. Their hair was blowing and insulation was floating in the air and it was really loud. But I am okay now."

Relief. She's okay. Back to cutting. The tornado came very near the mall. The mall. The mall. " SHIT!!!!!!!!" We live four blocks from the mall. "TT and Isabella."

Stop cutting. Try TT's cell phone. No answer. Try home phone. No answer. Hands are now shaking. Must stay on schedule. "A., get ahold of TT. Call Dot. Tell her to check on him. I have to know they are okay."

"OOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!" Major cut on bird finger with brand new razor (I don't use a guard). It is over an inch long, and deep. A. faints at the sight of blood so I shoooooe her out of the room. "You have to get a bandaid on me while I hold my finger together", I tell my client.

Finger bandaged. Back to work. TT calls. He and Isabella and house are safe. Wheeeewwww. Breathing again.

Later, we learn the Office Depot parking lot is a mass of turned upside down vehicles.

Dot had gone there first before going to mall. She was ahead of danger by ten minutes. Her father prays every day for our safety. Keep praying, TT.

first class

First painting class tonight with Valerie Aune . This is not college, but an artist who teaches five students at a time in her home studio. She is fabulous!! I was cross-eyed, trying to mix paint to match house paint swatches, and spots in a magazine picture she had circled!

She starts by having us copy a master's painting. Says that many lessons are in copying. As much as a pianist first learns to play by playing other people's music before he begins composing his own.

So, I selected John Singer Sargent's "Street in Venice", 1882. I thought she kind of resembled me and one day, I want to go to Italy.

I know I started a separate art blog, but it is all meshing together for right now. I will use that to display my finished work, but I guess you all are going to go through the agony of the process with me!

TT said I had shining eyes from the class. I really like her style of teaching. Hope I will be able to continue with her once I start college.

art

Friday night we all went to the Art Museum for the Duane Hanson- Real Life opening reception. The kids love art. Their mama loves art. And TT and I love art!

I worked all last weekend on my sewing room/office to transform it into my office/studio because I have decided to. . . . GO TO COLLEGE!!!!! Yup. I am going tomorrow (God willing, that is) to register for January! Going for my AA in Studio Arts. Who knows, I may not stay that course. I do love to write. I actually have many interests. But will start with Studio Art degree.

I only took one semester of college. My parents did not encourage higher education. Funny, because I think my father went for four years to become an accountant.

Mother got her MRS degree twice. She married her high school sweetheart, but was widowed near the end of WW2. She had my eldest sis by her first. He never got to see his baby girl. Died when she was only four months old. Then, when Eldest was four, Mother married my father.

At any rate, it worked for them for her to stay home, raise us girls, refinish antique furniture, quilt, hook rugs, embroider and knit. That seems like a dream world, huh? She always referred to people who did not possess her "common sense" as "educated nit-wits". And Daddy seemed to slight the "college boys".

Whatever, I did not get it that college would help me. Passed that erroneousness on to my Dot, who really would have loved a higher education. Oi.

I don't know why the bug has bit me at this stage in life, but it really has. I did some online lessons in algebra and I floated the whole next day from solving one equation!!!

I know this, I want our god-children to go to college. I am already instilling that plan in their trusting brains.

Young Eagle

God-son's first flight today. Pilot was incredible. Walked god-son through every step of pre-flight plane check. Pilot is retired and lives on the airfield access. Some people have horses, he has airplanes. They don't take a cent for this. Just want to pass the love of flying on to the next generation.

TT could tell you more about the plane, but suffice it to say, it is new and fabby!

As god-son disappeared, I told his mama, "He'll never be the same." Once a man flies, can't no one tell him he don't have wings!

It'll be years before god-son will understand why TT and I watched him fly off into the clouds with tears streaming down our cheeks.

Harrison Ford is the founder of the Young Eagles. A star making a way for over a million boys and girls to test out the galaxies for themselves.