GRANDMA AGAIN......THIRD TIME!

I have had trouble getting motivated to post on my blog. There are so many reasons, but time has been the number one reason.
The wonderful news is the fact I'm a grandma again! I believe it's truly one of the rewards in our lives. My cousin's husband used to say, " Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own"! The gift granchildren give you is the unconditional love and all the fun without any of the major responsibilities...
I don't get much time with my grandchildren, but so enjoy the time when I get it!
My youngest daughter, Lindsay just had her second child on April 29th. She is blessed to have one of each now. Maggie who will be four years old in October and now Samuel Michael.
I went down to Princeton, New Jersey a week before Sam was born and then spent one week after trying to help where I could. It also gave me the opportunity to spend some fun time with Maggie. It gives one the chance to be a little silly with her and have all kinds of real and pretend adventures.
We did 'bubbles', made cookies, went to the mall, did sidewalk chalk, danced, cut paper, read books, fun at bathtime, did each other's hair, and whatever other 'mischief' we could think of doing. What fun! She is definitely one of the happiest children I know.
Sam looks just like his Daddy. If his fingers and toes are any indication, I think he's going to be quite tall.
I could go on and on, but pictures are more interesting.

Maggie the cookie baker

Maggie says Welcome Home to Mommy

Maggie loves her bubble time

Maggie's first chance to play her very personal guitar her Uncle Den made for her...

Baby Sam, as Maggie likes to call him

Family time with Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Sam

Maggie, for the most part, has always called me 'MeMe' and occasionally slips into 'Grammie'. I wonder what Sam will call me?

OPENING RECEPTION COME AND GONE...

Well, it's been one week since my 'Opening Reception' for my three month long photography show 'Life is Good'.
I had no idea what to expect, but had high hopes there would be a great turn out. From my perspective, I was just slightly disappointed in the numbers, but was told it was a good turn out. There were 20 who came to support me and I am truly grateful.
With all the advertising that went out, I thought there might be more people come who didn't know me, but that wasn't the case.
That being said, I was so touched by my friends and family that took time out of their busy schedules to attend.
My really big surprise came when my lifelong girlfriend and her husband drove from Toronto to surprise me. Boy, was I surprised! They also purchased a piece.
My five cousins who are so important to me also came to support me.
Some members of the Spirit of the Hills Arts Association came to give added support as well.
I am truly blessed on so many levels and must continue to remember that fact.
Yes, life is good!

BIG WEEK COMING!

Well, once again I've been remiss about posting to my blog.
Without going in to details, I've been having a few health issues which we are still trying to get resolved. I hope to have a better idea what's going on this week when I go see a specialist...it's very frustrating to do test after test and no one can definitively answer what is causing all this nonsense! I'm optimistic I'll get an answer or two this week!

This is my really big week when considering my photography.
The 'Opening Reception' for my 'One Woman' three month show is this coming Tuesday, April 12th, 6 - 8 PM! I have hung approximately 30 pieces at the Trent Hills Library in Campbellford, Ontario, CANADA and they will hang for three months. Since this is my very first 'solo' show, I'm both excited and yet a little apprehensive. I have many expectations for this show on many levels. Certainly a few of those reasons are monetary, personal recognition and feedback, of course! Artists need somewhat of a thick skin. It doesn't take long to realize not everyone will like your work, however, both positive and negative critiques can really help as I move forward.

The Kawartha Tourism Centre is going to hang 4 - 5 of my pieces. This is the first time photgraphy will be included in their giftshop! Woohoo!
I will stick to seasonal photography as requested. I'll post different pictures based on the season we happen to be in at the time. The photos going in the first of the week are floral photos with flowers that appear in the spring.

I BELIEVE....................

It's been a few weeks since I've posted. Although I have a few things I wish to post about, this particular posting is titled 'I believe'.
A very dear friend sent this to me this week via email. I felt it was worth doing a post including the email sent. I have no idea who the original author of this was or is, however, they should be applauded.

My rational mind knows all these things to be true. My emotional mind still struggles with some of these points. These are important thoughts and lessons!

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we died
Pictures show that we live!
Have a seat. Relax . . .
And read this slowly.

I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is,
They're going to hurt you
Every once in a while,
And you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,
Even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with Loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people
Who do what has to be done,
When it needs to be done,
Regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I
Can do anything or nothing
And have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect
to kick you when you're down
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes, when I'm angry,
I have the right to be angry, but that
Doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do
With what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them,
And less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough
To be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn
To forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad
Your heart is broken,
The world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances
May have influenced who we are, but,
We are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be
So eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing
And see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed
In a matter of hours
By people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think
You have no more to give,
When a friend cries out to you,
You will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall
Do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about
Most in life
Are taken from you too soon.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have
The best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

Whomever reads this, I hope they find some or all of it speaks to them.

Keep believing!