The Story of Us

Today's rant is brought to you by House. lol

Why is it that not everyone gets what it means to love or show love? They say they love but it's not your definition of love. Co-existing isn't love. Amazing sex isn't love. Lack of interest isn't love.

It seems that I haven't, yet, learned the lesson I need to learn because I end up in the same cycle. Different person, but the same theme. The same response, "Nothing I do for you is ever good enough." Well no. It's not.

How hard is it to show the little things? To take time to read my blog. To show interest in what I'm creating. To ask me about my day. To actually listen and save the information in your mind. To respond to texts or links. To appreciate and show respect. Guess it's pretty darned hard for some. Oh, but if something is "wrong" all of a sudden, that's when they're scrambling to find out info. That's when my blog is read. That's when my texts are responded. That's when bouquets appear. That's when. I don't get it.

The other day I was listening to the song "Grenade" by Bruno Mars. It's a really sad song, if I do say so myself. The guy is willing to risk his life for an unrequited love. It's pretty dumb, too. Seriously. You know this girl doesn't love you the way you love her. So, move on. But, it's never that simple. It's the battle between your heart and mind. I'm not at the Grenade point in my life. I was at one point, but all of the burn that's gone on has completely numbed me. I am, however, constantly in the heart vs. mind battle. I'm routing for the mind.

Illustration Friday -- Layers

Here's another little ode to Starbucks. This week's topic was: Layers and what a better way to show layers than to illustrate their Caramel Macchiato. :D

I cut down on my coffee and tea intake and have elected to drink Starbucks 1-2x a week. I normally order myself a Soy Chai Tea Latte (Iced or Hot), but this week the Caramel Macchiato worked as my "Layers" illustration. And heck, it's pretty tastey, too! :D

Next week's topic: Swarm

Retro Sweets

Do you remember the days of Bazooka bubble gum, Garbage Pail Kids collectors cards with gum, Wax Lips, Tiny Chiclets, Candy cigarrettes and the Big League Chew? The other day a FB friend of mine was wondering why they didn't make the Peach flavored Jolly Ranchers anymore; which are also one of my favorites. I searched online and found that they're sold in a variety package called "Passion Mix" at my local Albertson's. Yay!

I still have my collection of Garbage Pail Kids cards stored away at my mom's. lol Hey! Maybe they're worth something!

So, I began to reminisce about my middle school days when I'd stop at the nearby 7-11 for quick and sweet deal. 5 Super Bubbles for 25¢! What a bargain! I haven't seen the Apple Super Bubble in ages. Once in a while I'll stroll down the candy isle looking for this particular brand and flavor and hadn't found them until now at Retro Candy Online.
*sigh* Now I get to remember what my first French kiss tasted like. True story. lol

Thankful Thursdays!

It's that time of week again! :)

• I'm grateful to have medical and dental insurance for myself and my Mini Me
• I'm grateful that there are new advances in medical and dental technology
• I'm grateful that my current job gives me extra funds to use for medical purposes like getting my Mini Me glasses for the first time
• I'm grateful EVERY DAY for having a reliable vehicle that I love :)
• I'm grateful that my divorce settlement is almost over
• I'm grateful that the X and I get along so much better now
• I'm grateful my tax return came in and was enough to pay off some debt
• I'm grateful to have a quick witted, loving, understanding and intelligent son
• I'm grateful that my Mini Me's dog, Brina, is always happy to see me
• I'm grateful to be able to take personal time off to get myself checked out
• I'm grateful to Wendy's for having some tastey salads (The Apple Pecan Chicken Salad and their Baja Salad are soooooo good)
• I'm grateful that my job is finally keeping me busier during the day
• I'm grateful I have a new sketchbook arriving via snail mail
• I'm grateful to still have money in the bank and more coming my way
• I'm grateful to be able to go to "The Bank of my Mini Me"; even if he charges 10% interest :D
• I'm grateful that I'll get to pay him back next week. lol
• I'm grateful for homemade oatmeal that magically appears most mornings ♥
• I'm grateful that I can make my Mini Me's birthday wish come true.... soon :) (He wants to go to Yosemite National Park)
  

• I'm grateful to have a Mini Me that loves the outdoors as much as I do
• I'm grateful that my Mini Me thinks I'm the best artist there is; even if I tell him there are tons of others that can outdo me in different areas of art ;) He'll say, "No, mom. You're still the best!"
• I'm grateful to be able to dream and have so many goals that I still want to accomplish ♥

"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty." ~Doris Day

Illustrating for Fun! :D

 

There's something about Illustrations made for children that give me the warm fuzzies. They're carefree, fun and full of color! When I became a mom, I became more and more interested in illustrating children's books (amongst other things in the art world). Better yet, I've dreamed of writing and illustrating my own series. It's still an aspiration of mine, so why not start practicing? ;) While my Mini Me was watching "World World" on PBS, I decided to take the liberty to tweak Dog, which got me thinking about my dog, Brina.

 

I rarely get to see Brina (my Mini Me's dog) or Pixel (my Mini Me's cat) since they live with their dad. However, I got to hang out with Brina the other day and I snapped a pic of her peering up at me requesting to be let out. Using that pic, this was my attempt at illustrating both Brina and Pixel.

Makes me wonder if Brina and Pixel's adventures could come to life? Hmm... 

Capturing 2 generations

From time to time I've been asked to photograph folks and from time to time I'm there to capture moments. This weekend, I was asked to photograph a set of grandparents with all of their grandchildren. Included are also photos of the kids' parents w/ their own parents. ;)

Meet the Arzate Family:

 

 

  

Illustration Fridays :D

I have decided that my sketching/drawing needs practice, as all skills do. So, at minimum, I'll be illustrating on Fridays (or throughout the week)! Oh, and I grabbed the idea from Here.

Last week's topic: Sweater

The text reads: "This sweater was given to me to replace another sweater that I've owned for 17 years." 

I've always been drawn to hooded sweaters. No pun intended. The sweater that's being replaced is an old high school hoodie that belonged to my h.s. bf. LOL My point is that it truly belongs to ME since I've owned it the longest. However, my current Love doesn't agree. More so because it was the first thing I'd throw on when I was cold. Here's the thing, the replacement had to meet the following requirements:

• Appeal
• Interior Softness
• Thickness
• Comfort
• And it had to be given to me ;)

Ding! Ding! This new replacement meets all of the above. But shhhh.... I still have the other hoodie hanging in my closet. **grins**

These are the supplies I used. :)

Next Friday's topic will be: Layer