Christmas is almost here. I will be so glad when it is over and in fact, I am ready for the new year to begin. Some would say that sounds negative but I really don't intend it  to be negative at all.  This year has gone by so fast and so much has happened that I am just plain tuckered out.  I need a rest.  Maybe this new year will move a little slower and perhaps I will have the time to do some of the things I had hoped to accomplish in 2013.  I made a list the other day.  My goals for 2014.  Some are left overs that didn't get done this year. 

1. Publish a new children's book.....I'd like to do Marmalade Jones finally

2. Publish Tiny Bones

3. Rewrite Blood Redemption

4. Do more promotion for all my books. 

5. Find a Gallery for my paintings.

6. Make $50,000

7. Lose 20 lbs.

8. Set my style for my paintings.

9. Participate in a show through the Art Association

10.  Stay grateful for all the blessings that I have received and trust that God is watching over me and will lead me down the path I need to follow.

Now you see?  I was not being a Grinch...I am just anxious to get started on all those great things to come in 2014. 

I had an unusual day.  I lost a white filling in m front tooth last night, so I called my dentist first thing this morning. They took me right away. I got a good report.  He said my dental hygiene was great and he could fix my tooth in a jiffy........so I didn't even have to get a shot.  It took such a short time that I was shocked. and didn't hurt at all........Thank You Dr. Chandler.  I asked him if this one would last 20 years like the last one and he said, he hoped it would.  I wanted a guarantee...lol...........oh well.....

I closed out the bank account for my business on the way home.  I don't need it.  Now I have all my pennies in one pig and it will be easier.  I guess it felt good to have a business account with the company name but it was not necessary.  It was an ego trip but didn't help me much. 

Tomorrow is housework day........that means I will probably paint.  I go into the studio to CLEAN UP and before I know it there is a brush in my hand. 

Christmas is two weeks away.  This year has flown by.  I have to say I am glad because it has not been an easy one, but I survived and I hope that next year is going to be better.  Let's all wish that.

I made myself a list of things I want to accomplish next year.  It has things like publish more books and make money and  find a new gallery.  I need to get busy so I will be ready to hit the ground running in January 1st. 

Sleep well my Artist and writer friends.  Read, Write and Paint and feel good tomorrow.  Goodnight.

I got my drivers license renewed today.  It expired on my birthday, which was Saturday.  The picture is actually very good.    The lady asked me if my height and weight were the same...unfortunately yes......maybe I should have lied and told her I grew 3 inches and lost 50 lbs.....lol.....oh well. 

I ran into an acquaintance at the DMV. She was looking good....evidently she has lost some weight.  I am happy for her.  I wish I had lost a bunch too. 

So now....I will go get dressed in painting clothes and hit the canvas.  I want to finish my duck picture.  I am having fun doing the whimsy.  Anyone want to join me?  I would love to have company painting.  That would be so much fun. 

Later....

I had a birthday yesterday. I am now 67 years old.  The fact is, I have felt 67 all year long so it doesn't feel any different.   Instead of spending my birthday eating cake and partying, I went to a book event.  Christee Atwood invited me to Baton Rouge to a Self Publishing seminar at the Jones Creek Library and after the speaking part, several other authors and I sold our books from tables in the back of the room.  It was fun. Being with a room full of writers is always fun.  My husband promised to take me out to dinner another night this week, so it will be ok.  At my age, it doesn't matter much to me if I have a cake. Actually, it's better if I don't.  My waistline is big enough already.

I do hope that I will have the time and mental energy to paint this week. If not then maybe I can work on Tiny Bones. I do need to revamp another few chapters.  That would be progress.

I am beginning to crawl out of this hole I have been in lately.  I want to be more creative.  I want to be strong and lean and happy.  I want to win the lottery and be able to publish as many books as I could write........Ohhhh the joy of it.........LOL

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.  It has been a very pleasant day.  My sister came up from their farm on the Mississippi Coast to cook Turkey and dressing at our mama's house.  It was good. I took Spinach Madeleine and green bean casserole and fruit salad to add to the feast.   I am filled with Thankfulness and food.

 Sara had to go home after eating because they have goats and piggies to take care of. While they were expanding the outbuildings on the farm, Their goat, Dolly got too close to the male Domino and now she is having twins....at the wrong time of year.  Miss Dolly needs to watch her social calendar a little closer....lol....fortunately Uncle Woody built her a nice warm shed and filled it with dry hay and even put her a heater out there.so she  and the kids will be warm and cozy.  Miss Annabelle the pig got a new playmate this summer and he grew up a whole lot faster than anyone would have guessed.  So now she is having piggies, also at the wrong time of the year....She has a new pen of her own and a nice warm shed to keep them comfy too.  Annabelle is so much bigger than Leon that nobody can quite figure out how tey accomplished all that..but it appears that nature will find a way.

I just finished a plate of leftovers for my dinner. Thanksgiving dinner is one of those meals that seem to get better with time.  It won't last long but I plan to enjoy at least one turkey-day sandwich for lunch tomorrow.  When we get down to the tiny pieces, I will throw it in a pot and make turkey chowder. Then I can coast for awhile and wait for  Christmas Dinner.  Then we get t do it all again. 

Now...The evening is settling in.......Vic lit the Hannuka  candle for today and I think I feel the urge to paint a bit. 
I am Thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me and I pray that He knows that I appreciate  it all.  Have a good evening, everyone.  Pray for Peace. 

Picture Hanging Challenge

This past week I brought home all my paintings from SanCan Art Gallery in Erath, LA  The gallery has now officially closed.  I had 30 pieces there.  Where am I going to hang these things?  Yikes..

During the process, I spent time talking with artist, Amy Carruth.  She really did give me a boost.  I enjoy talking with other artists anyway, but Amy has such a great personality and is so insightful.  We were talking about the fact that her work is so HER!  It is what it is, she says.  But I have never found a style of my own like that.  I paint realistic landscapes one day and deconstructed  Crock-a-moly the next.  She gave me an exercise to FIND ME.   I want to do it and see if it makes me more consistent. 

Amy said to get a big board. like a canvas panel.  Paint me.  Embellish it with anything and everything that makes it me.

 Okay....me with short messy hair.......maybe with pink streaks in it.....maybe not. lol.   Clothes?  Jeans and a big loose shirt....but with pearls and stuff sewn on it.  Lacey bits.  Color......RED!  .  Bare feet.  a cat curled up nearby.   hmmmmm.  I wonder if I did another board net week if it would be different....lol............ahhhhhh..The many faces of Rosemary! 

Alvin says that he is considering building me a studio in the back yard.  I wonder if I would feel lonely out there working alone.  Would it be scary at night?   well, even if I didn't sit out there painting, it would give me a place to store all my stuff......and hang some of these paintings.  I need to get off my butt and find another gallery who might be willing to hang my work.  I am such a shy chiken....arrgghh! 

2013 has been a very strange and interesting year.  Our 43 year old son came home to recover from some medical issues and then I got my dream job that lasted for less than six months and generally have been in a bit of a funk for more than two months.  Today I decided that I am tired of that.  It is time to get over the bad stuff and get back to living.  So....

1. I am going to post my paintings and books on e-bay and amazon.com and restart this blog and look at the good things in my life and not worry about what may not be perfect.  In the few months I had my dream job, I learned to use Photo-shop and I learned some very good marketing tips.  I also grew as an artist and writer and  am enjoying both very much.  I should be able to do this.


2.  I am rewriting one of my novels and plan to publish it next year.  I took the first couple of chapters in to my writing group...and....they LIKED it.  YES!   They didn't like my Vampire book so much so this is a good thing.  LOL

3. I will get over  the fear of self promotion and Do some of that.  I will tweet and post my books on Penterest and Facebook and do it right.  I have published 5 books.  I have nothing to prove.  I just need to do what needs to be done.  I already have two book signings for December at B&N.

SMILE........I am blessed and I am reasonably healthy and I have so many things to be grateful for.  Thank You, Heavenly Father....I appreciate what you have done for me.