The Rolling Stones, Fake Blood, & Obscene Gestures

I've been an art consultant for a little over 10 years. The art market is in such a sad state right now. People don't really buy $10,000 paintings when they are worried about their 401k. I read this disturbing article in USA Today about all the galleries that are closing. I unfortunately know from first hand experience how hard it is to sell art and keep a business afloat. I've gone from selling original works of art to working in a frame shop. Not a high end frame shop, but the type of place grandma takes her cross stitch and puts a cheep metal frame on it. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm more than happy to even be employed and feel lucky that I have a steady paycheck. It was anything but steady when I was pushing "fine art". I guess my point with this is, just when I think the glamorous life has passed me by and I'm doomed to stretching aunt Flo's sampler (I don't know why Flo...I should have went with Betty, aunt Flo probably runs a bunny ranch or something) someone brings this guitar in to frame...it's got autographs from The Stones! We also did one that was autographed by Led Zeppelin, and one by Paul McCartney.

Again, I'm not complaining about my job...anything but...I work with a bunch of boys (they are all over 30, but I've given you photographic proof they are boys)...and they are a lot of fun!

This is saw boy (protecting the names of the inocent). He works hard and sometimes eats fried fish for lunch...then complains about how sick he was for days afterword.

This is my manager "pointing" to the Led Zeppelin guitar we framed.

A lump in my throat...

After a very long few years of cancer, we put my cat Trina down today. For any of you who have had to put a pet down you know it's an incredibly difficult thing to do. There is something so wrong about it. One thinks about the will to survive and wishing you could read their minds so that they could tell you how they feel and what to do. I knew this day was coming, but even this morning she was still taking swipes at the dog (a source of entertainment for her) and jumped on my lap for a good neck scratch. I know she had to be in pain, Sunday night one of her tumors had a slight rupture and I knew it was only going to get worse. She had been through two surgeries, the cancer had spread and I suppose I could have kept taking her in for surgeries, but to what outcome? More suffering for something she could never recover from. I know I did the right thing, I know she has not been feeling well, but it's still a sick feeling to drive her to the animal hospital. You just wonder what they think, if they know.

I don't know what happens after you die, but part of me thinks maybe she is with her original owner now. She spent the first 3 years of her life with an elderly lady who passed away before she came to live with me.

I hope this is where she is and they are happy to see one another.

Photos from home...

Even though I live in Kentucky now I suspect I will always have some feeling of home being where my parents are. Even though I never lived in the house they currently live in, things from childhood are all around. A tablecloth my mom embroidered, books on the shelves I've seen my entire life, and the worn green quilt my great grandmother gave my mom that she would let my sister and I cuddle up in when we weren't feeling well.

And of course there are the flowers....

Where to start...

I thought Jesus loved all the children of the world? This sort of thing drives me insane. It's right up there with Christian breath mints....I'm not making this up folks...they are called "Testamints".

Dasher knew deep down Santa hated him...

Sometimes things reveal themselves. I was not even looking at the Santa, in fact I never even noticed him until I loaded the photos. I sometimes take my camera to antique stores as there is usually at least interesting subject matter. Maybe I should pay more attention...in any case, it provided a good laugh.

Lunch Bag

I've been taking my lunch everyday and was getting sick of shoving my sandwich in my purse. I looked for a new "lunch bag" but for some reason none really appealed to me. I guess I'm not a hot pink and purple polka dot fabric type of girl. I picked up a 3 dollar canvas bag at the local craft store and went to town with a little embroidery.

I love little projects like this that don't take too long and you can do them while watching TV. I also found a rubber made reusable water bottle lime with a green top that is the same color as my green written "lunch bag"...so cute!