Purple Poppies

Every few months I get together with the Beta girls and we paint.  It's therapeutic, it's cathartic, it's relaxing.  This particular painting is called Purple Poppies and while it's not my favorite painting that I've done, it's still high on the list.  

I started with a blank canvas, then added yellow and white paint in the top left to begin crafting the sun.  After finishing the sun, I started to add red to the yellow to create orange in the sky.  After adding half of the form as orange, I added more red and less yellow to finish out the sunset colors.  

After drying, I began with the black and green stems at varying lengths.  I tried to make sure that there was nothing overly patterned or matchy in an effort to keep the stems more life-like.  I began with the purple poppies and added in a hint of white to lighten les fleurs.

The final creation adorns our living room wall.  I'm happy, but always looking forward to the next creation!

I'm linking up with Your Whims Wednesday at My Girlish Whims and Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge and the Weekend Wrapup Party at tatertots & jello today! 

Source: lanipauli.tumblr.com via Pinterest on Pinterest

Letters of Intent #6

As usual on Fridays, I'm linking up with Foursons for Letters of Intent.  Check out the other letters and write one of your own!

Dear USA Network, 

I know you have to make movies fit into the alloted time you have but do you really have to cut the funny parts out?  Like when Nick Cage sticks his hand in between the rocks in National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets and pretends like something eats him?  That's a good part!  Ugh.

Sincerely,

Stop Cutting Out the Good Parts

Dear People Who Take Care of My Child,

When I tell you that she doesn't sweat and it's very dangerous for her to overheat, please believe me.  I'm not an over-protective, hypochondriac mom who is just trying to give you a hard time.  I mean, really... Don't make me pull the 'she will die' card on you because I really hate to do that.  

Thanks for paying attention,

Mommy

Dear World,

Randi is not old.  She is not closer to 40 than 50 (Though she is closer to 50 than I am.  I'm just speaking the truth, Randi.).  She does not have one foot in the grave and she's not interested in the sexy mature singles with whom Match.com would like to pair her.  She is, however, an awesome person, amazing mom, and super friend.  Even if she does wear Gloria Vanderbilt jeans.   

xoxo,

Sam

Dear Morning Run,

Why are you so elusive? Always just a little out of reach, I miss you each morning.  One day we will have our time in the sun.  One day.

Love,

Soon-to-be Running Princess

True Friends

So, tonight's post was supposed to be entitled 'Facedumped' and was to chronicle the lessons I learned during my Lenten sacrifice of Facebook, however...

I have learned a very important lesson regarding friendship over the last few days that especially touched me tonight.  I decided to forgo the Facebook post until tomorrow and go with my friendship lesson tonight.  I hope it touches you in some way like it did me.

True friends...

...are there for you when you need them - whether you know it or not.
...know that sometimes you just need Mexican...even if it is just a reason to drink a pitcher {or two} of frozen margaritas.
...know how to listen, even when you can't talk.
...celebrate your badges - and have their own.
...send the text they know you need - even if you don't answer it.
...celebrate you for who you are right now, not who they want you to be.
...give you a bloggy award - because you're funny, but also just because.
...notice when you're missing.
...call when they get your cryptic email - even if they're busy.
...keep on you because they know you have 'star potential,' could be 'red hot,' or are a 'shining star' in the making - you just need to see it.
...smile with you when you're happy and cry with you when you're sad.
...understand that sometimes you have to 'buck up.'
...keep calling - even when you don't return their phone calls.
...understand that a relationship is reciprocal and cyclical.  It's not all about you and it's not all about them.
...are comfortable saying, 'I don't know what you're going through, but I'm here for you.  No matter what.'  Because that really does make a difference...
...totally understand that your kid just doesn't eat, or just has dry skin, or just doesn't sleep, or just can't run fast because that's the way they were made...and that's okay.

Thank you, true friends... for being there, for loving me, and for making me love myself.  I can't always be there for myself, so thank you for doing it for me.  I love each of you.