Finally Got the Hairs Cut!! (updated)

Update: Ya know, as Miss Penny mentioned in the comments section, I do believe getting the hair cut has helped Darius to feel better about himself. He was enjoyable and helpful to be around last night and this morning. Vyron not so much. He didn't particularly need to feel better about himself and besides... he's two years old. They don't call them the Terrible Two's for nothing.

 

 

 

 

Darius' First Trip to a Barber Shop

 

 

 

 

I'm not particularly crazy about the results, but at least his hair is shorter.

Styling?

The wee one sporting his latest outfit that combines warmth with comfort. Note his unique ability to combine outerwear (jacket) with underwear (briefs and Elmo slippers) with panashe. Looking closely at the beads in his hair, is it any wonder that I want the boys to get haircuts? Geesh.

(I think he was showing his mother that he wasn't listening.)

"Help!! I'm Being Goosed!"

 

Watercolor on 140 lb paper.

The reference source is a photo of Sandy's grandson being chased by a goose.

I'm Infected....

I'm befuddled. I'm also on the edge of a psychotic episode. My pc seems to be infected with a LOONEY TOON causing virus'. I don't know if I'm coming or going. If you've ever had to deal with a pc virus, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, no amount of description can adequately convey the emotions one experiences.

I've had error and warning messages popping up all over the place... and some of them don't respond to anything. I've been scanning all day long. One attempt after another. One positive out of all of this is that God Bless SuperAntiSpyware!!!!!! I just finished a two hour scan and it got rid of a gazillion "threats". However, I am also getting warning messages that certain files/functions cannot be found. I'm thinking they are in the quarentine vault. I have no idea what the software is/was used for so I decided to come see if I can get this posted. So far, so good.

I won't share with you how I feel about those people who create viruses (viri??). You can use your imagination.

I worked on the goose painting for a while today. I hope to get it posted later tonight.

Nuthin' Much

Nuttin' much going on around here. Another day with The Group gone and I don't expect them tonight, either. It would be a great time to do some move-the-furniture-away-from-the-wall cleaning, but I'm sca-red. I'm sca-red the cleanliness would bring The Group back home. That's how it seems to work. Do some really deep cleaning and here come the boys. Gone in a flash.

This pc doesn't have any photo software on it. Good thing I am a procrastinator because I still have the Coral disk and can load it on here. I still need to download Picasa, too. Pictures bring a lot to a blog. To pull off text only, you really have to be a pretty good writer.... so that's what I'll be doing this evening.

What I have learned during this techno-challenging time was that I can't blame not getting things done on the pc. True, it uses a lot of my time, but I don't get things done without a pc, too. Go figure. Its like when the last of the children move out of the house and you discover the mess wasn't completely caused by them. (silly grin, he he he he)

Best of Show

If you watch any talk shows at all, you have probably seen the Best of Show beagle.

Ohmygosh! I have never seen a more perfect specimen of a beagle... or any dog. And I'm not particularily a dog person, but this dog has charisma or something. He's perfect in all ways. I hope you all got a chance to see him moving. He's adorable!!

I'm slowly rebuilding my bookmarks, thanks to google and links on blogs. If you think I should have a particular link, please email it to me. I don't want to miss anything.

Daily life.... 'Mom' and the boys (I now refer to them as The Group) spend most of their time away from the apartment. (They have my car, but I have my space.) I might say its because I kind of lost it last month. Blew my cool, so to speak. But in reality its because 'mom' is kindling a relationship with a long time friend and is spending most of her time at his place.

Call me desparate, but about the only way The Group is going to be able to get their own place is if 'mom' has a room mate... and this person already has their own place. He also has a "job". (be still my heart) And... and.... he has his own car!! He's a frigging prince, fer gawd sake!! And this is based on comparison with a couple of guys 'mom' hooked up with over the past few years. Too good to be true? Could be, but only time will tell. In any event, I have long periods of quiet and space. Its very nice.

Two different tenants had their car side windows busted out and things taken from the cars. Each was about a month apart. The cars are parked in front of the apts and just a few feet away from a through-street but folks are desparate and there really isn't much consequence if they get caught. It made me kind of glad that 'mom' had my car somewhere else.

I haven't done squat with regards to any art work while I've been off line. I just don't feel it... don't know why.

I think I've run out of things to yak about now. I'm glad to be back. Lord it was boring without being able to surf the web.

I'm Baaaack!!

I'm back online and am currently trying to get this new (used) pc to look and act like my previous one. You know how us ole crones can be....

"Change?! I don't want no stinking change!!"

"If it was good enough for Truman, then its good enough for me. There's no need to make it better!!"

I've got things to catch up on and catch up with so this is just a short one to let ya know I'm back online. Man, it was boring!!!!

A2Z Project - Letter J

How about Jester and Jack O'Lantern?



The jester may look a little haggard but he's really only 27 yrs old. He's not very funny and his life is difficult because of it. Goes to show how important a good choice of career is in life.

Sunday, January 13

 I don't know how you guys do it. You guys who always seem to .... seem to ..... well, seem to not bitch about life. Its all I can do to keep from going totally 'round the bend, as it were, and committing murder or at least mayhem.

I'm watching the boys, because mom spent the night somewhere else. The sick, snotty nosed "boys". (I wanted to use the term rug rats, but I held back. I'm sure it will come up again... the opportunity to call it as I see it.) There was no sleeping last night. The minute I would fall asleep one of the rug rats would be up and crying. Put 'em back to bed and all would be quiet. But the minute I would drift off, then more whining and crying. And whats up with boys?! I swear, they whine and cry more than females. "mommma, ganmama, Vyron touched me....WWWWWWhine." "I want my mommy." (And I don't know why they want her... all she does is yell and scream at them. Its a happy little home around here.)

I want them to visit. VISIT... not live here!! (You knew that was coming, huh.) I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!

Oh sure, all I have to do is be tough and kick them out, but we all know about mother-guilt. Damned if I do, Damned if I don't. WHINE.

Just please over look me. It helps relieve the built up pressure if I whine a little every so often. Is there any question about where the boys got their whining?

Tornado

We've had a tornado. Technically it was in Vancouver, Washington, but that's like an extention of Portland. (To others, Portland would be an extention of Vancouver.) The news people are so excited! Something a little out of the ordinary.

It has been rated as a "F 0". Go ahead. You can laugh. But it was a tornado, nonetheless.

They don't happen often around here. Folks calling in to the news station and sharing their experiences. Sounds like it was scary. Thankfully it didn't last long. Lots of debris being flung around. Trees uprooted, shopping carts flying through the air, large truck flipped over, etc.

A2Z Project - Letter I

Some of my "I" illustrations are from past work. The first one here represents Instrument.


Another past work representing India


And here's a few quick sketches using words suggested by my daughter.

Sunday

One of my turn-ons is a bare chested dude working a broom and mop.



The cold is SLOWLY receding, but gawd I'm so tired of coughing. I'm sure all the neighbors in apartments around me are also very very tired of my coughing. My muscles are sore. And I can say with great humbleness that I have a better understanding of what people with health situations, such as CF, go through when they have to constantly try to clear their lungs.

I didn't think of it in time but I wished I had gotten a gallon of real orange juice and a pint of vodka. Between the vitamin C and the drying of alcohol, surely I could have put a cap on this cold sooner. Even if I couldn't, I probably wouldn't have cared.

Can you tell... I really have nothing to say. 'Mom' spend the weekend with a male friend. I'm hoping it leads to "roomate" situation for 'mom'. Its about my only hope in her getting her own place. She took Darius with her. He could make or break a deal, know what I mean? Vyron showed up there this evening... thats another make or break deal. All my hopes and dreams could be dashed, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

All this time alone and I did nothing. I'm too tired. Seriously. All this coughing is wearing me out. Thank goodness its on its way out.

Okay, I've got to go draw an iron or something.

Letter H - Head Cold

Need I say more. Hack...hack...sniff...aaaaachooooooo

On a different note, my daughter asked me if I would be interested in being her 'roommate'. We'd find another apartment and move in together. I already knew what my answer was going to be but I told her I'd think about it. That I'd think about it while two young boys were screaming and crying as loudly as they could, as they threw a temper tantrum. Ohmygawd... there is no way I would purposefully make my permanent living arrangement to include living with these two ... these two.... little boy-devils. When I thought of the actual physical move, I knew for sure I would not do this. I think I've probably moved 20 to 30 times in my life and I just can't do it any more. Besides.... please commit me if I give up the possibility of returning to living alone in my own space. With my own car. And my own pc. I could not think of one "payoff" for me in this arrangement.

On an up note, 'mom' is babysitting tomorrow night so I will have some personal time. Yahoo!!

I'm running out of tissues... gotta go now. aaah....aaaah..... aaaachoooooo!!

Looking to Loosen Your Painting Style? video

The video is just under 5 minutes and is in a foreign language (foreign for us Yanks, anyway...? is that an appropriate term, Yanks?). I enjoyed watching it because the woman looks interesting. Her painting is done completely spontaneously, as far as I can tell, and she uses arm-wide brush stokes for the most part.... in a very loose manner, to my untrained eyes. Just something I enjoyed watching and thought you might also. Viewing priority would be mid-range if the subject interests you and you have a few minutes. (I put that here because I get the impression that some of you have very full and busy lives. Actually, I'm not sure why I'm putting a disclaimer here. Never mind.)

Sigh

Well... so far 2008 kinda sucks, but I'm sure the year will go downhill from here. (hey, its called sarcastic humor. If you don't get it, it probably just means you're not sarcastic.) Sigh.

Here's where I should be putting on a happy face but it doesn't fit any more. Seems I've outgrown it. (snort. snicker.)

I still don't have my letter H to post. I tried to do something but never made it. I think I've cleared off the table 15 or 20 times so I could sit there and draw. After a few minutes its time to feed the rug rats again. Then its snack time. Then another meal time. And if it isn't time to waste food then I've got these little nose pickers up in my face again, touching everything or wiggling the table, reaching for the pencils... you get the picture. Oh. And 'bless their little hearts'. And I'm really sorry for society once D gets out there. Really, really sorry.

I got a sketch and a half done by using photos from a magazine. I didn't finish the dog once I saw how crooked he had become.



I can't even come up with much to talk about...which is, no doubt, a good thing since I would just be whining and complaining anyway.

A2Z Project - Letter G

I have decided to really stretch the letter G subject for this week out of fear of falling behind. (I've got to get going on letter H.) The G is for Graphic. A graphic depiction of fake orchids in a small vase.

The Perfect White Elephant Gift

This vase is a perfect example of what should constitute a "White Elephant" gift.

Just A Few Pictures from Christmas

Just a few pictures from Christmas Eve. Each of the kids got three presents. The adults pulled White Elephant gifts again. I got one that is a perfect example of what constitutes a White Elephant gift... I'll take a picture of it later today and post it. A person from my son's company came, too. The receptionist. She brought her two daughters, a friend of theirs, and her mother. A "Southern Grandmother" according to my son... and he wants his kids to have a 'Southern Gramma' in their lives. (00) Okay. Now if you can just twist it a little..... Fortunately for me, I understand the comment and I have no qualms about it. But maybe he shouldn't have said it out loud while I'm sitting next to him. You know, just to be polite.

The Look of Christmas

"I don't care if you don't want to do it. Now, hug your brother and smile!!"

The Finish Line

The finish line is coming into sight, at least for me. Nine more hours and I will be able to put another Christmas under my belt. Oh. Wait a minute. I don't think its gonna fit under my belt. Oh well, you know what I mean. Once Christmas Eve is over, I'm done with the holiday season. Look at me... I've already started counting the hours. Can you say 'curmudgeon'? Does that word even fit?

Curmudgeon: 2: a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man.

Yeah. It fits. Well, except for the 'old man' part. Just insert 'old woman' and everything is kewl.

Hope ya'll have a pleasant little Christmas.

Three Cookies Left

Busy day yesterday, at least for this place. The three girls came over and the cookies were baked. Then everyone (except me) went to a high school basketball game. After the game, 'mom' took the girls home and went to visit one of her friends in the area. So... after the baking I had the place to myself. I caught up with my naps.
You know, because I could.

We started the day off with a pizza.


The kitchen was a bit crowded at times. The 14 yr old kept up with friends by texting. I heard her tell 'mom' that she could text without having to look at the screen.


The boys were demonstrating their belching skills. The wee one is the best at it.


There was Christmas music playing all the while..... LOUDLY.


Darius discovered his love for ipods. And he has his favorite music, too.


Cookies were packed away in an empty tin I had around. These would go with the girls back to their place after the game. Everyone had plenty to eat during the baking of them and we still have three left this morning. They are crunchy cookies. Dried cookies. Good for dunking, that's fer sure.

Christmas Bake Off

We're having a Christmas baking session today. It sounds much more seasonal than it really is... to be more factual, some grand daughters are coming over in an hour or so to bake some cookies. Chocolate chip. Some with nuts, some without. We'll also be getting some you-bake-pizza for lunch. Thats about all I can muster for Christmas cheer... and it wouldn't be happening unless pressured into it. (and there was a little innocent pressure applied, but its all good.) I'm just grateful C is here to do the actual "doing of it". It will make it more fun for the girls. In any event, we will be having a full house for a few hours.

It is my number two daughter's three girls that are coming over, 14,11, and 9 yrs old. Thank goodness my daughter C is here (aka 'mom') to work it for me. I consider her my representative. I am so not a "gramma" in the storybook sense of the word. I would be prone to buying a couple of dozen cookies from a bakery and saying "All Done Now!! Wasn't that fun?!" And at those ages, you can't fool them into thinking just sitting on a couch with an old lady saying "ohmygawd, you're growing too fast!" is fun. That doesn't even work on 'mom's' 4 and 2 yr olds.

The group might end up going to a high school basketball game later this afternoon. I'm hoping the game is free. If its free to get in, then 'mom' will take the boys to the game as well. (insert a group hug here.)

Now 'mom' and I are trying to get the place a little more organized with some manuevering room. "Stuff it in the closet for now!"

The Creative Spirit

I don't want you to miss a good art blog. Roshanda left a comment on an older entry here so I checked out her blog. I thought you might want to check it out too. She does wonderful caricatures.

A2Z Project - Letter F

I am so boring. One of my weak areas is originality. I don't have any. All those little colored boxes over there... they're mine. I wouldn't want to think out side of the box, know what I mean?

I'm not sure why doing these alphabet letters has become a chore for me... I was all gun ho at first. I'm going to blame it on all the noise around here, but really, its a toss up as to what's up with this.

F is for feather. A blue feather. A blue feather that represents a quote from Richard Bach. "Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they're yours."


Just some doodling. The guy is from an ad... I wanted to try the angle and practice foreshortening. The other one is strickly a doodle.



On another note... I finally focused on the garbage disposal and got it to working. The reset button is recessed so you can't just push it. You have to find something slim and stick it up and push.

It looks like things may not be changing much around here for a while. I'm talking about the people staying here with me. You know.... 'mom' and her boys. For a while she was going to hookup again with her ex boyfriend and get an apartment. Neither of them can afford anything on their own, but together they can barely scrap by. But the ex still has all of his issues and anger management problems and it would just be a matter of time, a matter of a short time, before all the drama is engaged again and the same shit happens. I'm glad she's giving it up. Its a lose-lose situation. I just need to be more accepting.

New email address

Since my "normal" email address has gone belly up, I have signed up for a new email account: senile.woman@hotmail.com

I've used the other email for over ten years without a hitch. Now this. Weirdness.

Its amazing how much noise two little boys can make... amazing, but not surprising. LOUDNESS... CONSTANT LOUDNESS.... CONTINUING AND CONSTANT LOUDNESS. Holy Crap, Batman!!

I sent them away for this afternoon. I crammed some gas money in 'mom's' hands and pushed them out the door. "No hurry... take your time. Bye Bye!!" The quiet time is worth the money, at least for now.

Cranky Day

Now don't go and be jealous. Sometimes you have to wait your turn in order to wake up to a cranky day. Lordy.... everyone except me is REALLY CRANKY this morning. "How cranky are they?" They are so cranky I willingly told 'mom' to get out. Of course, I didn't word it that way, but that's what I meant.

"Why don't you get dressed and go take a break? Here's some money for gas."

"Now, when you say break... what does that mean exactly?"

"It means go away for a few hours and come back in a much better mood. It does not mean you have to be back in a few minutes.... nor does it mean you can be gone forever. It means 'Get the hell outta here and don't come back until you are in a better mood.'

Of course the quote only got one ' to it because its not the exact words. I was more diplomatic. And I'm here to tell you that within 30 minutes 'mom' was up, dressed, and outta here. Thank goodness, too. I was about to reach out and bop her one and that would have been very hard on our relationship.

Now, the question is ..... can I survive two small boys who are in a cranky mood? Its gonna be a toss-up.

On another note... I still can't get into my hotmail account. I wonder if I've gotten a virus or something. Sigh.

A2Z Project - Letter E

E is for Eager Emily. Emily is a made up name to fit with the letter E. One does what one must.

 

 

Everything around here seems to be breaking. Is it the munchkins? I don't know, but it makes me wonder some times. Currently the garbage disposal isn't working. The motor hums, but nothing moves... including the water in the sink. It drains very very slowly. Also, the inside of the dish washer falls out. 'Mom' says they all do that. Well, its never done it with me before, but I only used it about three times until 'mom' and the munchkins arrived.

My knee is acting up, too. It does this every so often. I don't know what the deal is, but I'm limping around with a counter full of dirty dishes and a sink full of dirty water. Fortunately, I'm taking it all in stride, especially because I just need to report it and a magic elf will appear and fix it all for me. Any way, that's my plan. (and did you notice the tiny little pun... bummed knee, taking it in stride? One does what one must.

My email isn't working either. I'm hoping its a hotmail problem. The other thing that is not working is blogger's photo upload process. When I get to the place to upload something the entire session closes up and disappears. Gremblins in my pc?

Ree Brown - A Simple Life

Ree, folk artist. The video is about 10 minutes long. Many will yawn, but a few will see. I enjoyed it... a look at a simple life with many layers.

Testing

Can I post anything without a photo? So far, so good. It seems as though blogger isn't going to allow me to post any photos. Good thing the service is free.

Some Days Are Like That

I was trying to post some photos of the floods in Washington State, but blogger doesn't seem to like it, or s/he on a coffee break or something.

I finally got around to calling the property management people and got the oven fixed, the leak in the bathroom sink fixed, and the weather stripping on the door fixed. I was feeling pretty good about the activity. This morning I noticed its wet around the base of the toilet. My first thought was to blame it on the boys and their aim, but I'm beginning to think it might be some other problem. Silly me. I just want things to work right and to continue to work right, you know, like forever.

My daughter, aka 'mom', got a jump for the car and has taken it to get a new battery. It needed a battery and we are all crossing our fingers hoping that is all that it needs. She's also going to take it to get the tags, too. ohmygosh... everything might be legal soon.

Before this, 'mom' had gone grocery shopping. She got a ride (and a jump) from a friend. 'Mom' can be down right handy. A problem arises with me whenever I begin to feel that I'm the only one paying or providing things... that's when I get bitchy. If I know and or feel 'mom' is contributing too, that's when the "team player" comes out.

All of this is leading up to the comment.... "OHMYGOSH, I'VE HAD THE BOYS ALL TO MYSELF FOR THE ENTIRE DAY!!" It started out good... we're playing and goofing around with each other. Then I began to get tired and "poo-poo" was no longer funny. Okay, to be honest, it was never funny to me but the boys think its HILARIOUS!! Then they wanted to play. I wanted them to lay down and take a nap. It was touch and go for a while, but.... snicker..... they're asleep now. Who's the champ. I'm the champ!!

I'm going to go put my feet up for a few minutes while I can. (the sounds of tiny violins can be heard in the background. Poor baby. Bless her little heart.

Anyone speak Brazilian?

Someone has left a comment on the post below (Mogdigliani portraits) and I can't read it. I'm not sure if I'm being asked to remove the video or to pay money for it. I recognize a trademark symbol and I think I understand the word denairo, although my spelling might not be good... but other than that, I get nothink. I checked out the web site s/he requested I add to my blogroll, but I still don't know what its about. If you've got a clue as to what is being said, plz let me know. Thanks.

Mogdigliani Portraits - Video 6+ minutes

A2Z Project - Letter D

Letter D = Dangerous Dougie Doggy, bandana thief.


Delightful Darlene, daring dame.


Unfinished 'Decisions'...

Repeating Myself

I haven't done anything creative. I've had opportunity but lacked desire. Yet I wanted something to post. Even bad art is better than no art. IMHO.
The above was taken from a post card a friend had... she asked me to copy it for her, which I did.

One of those attempts that are never completed.

Foreshortening study.

Nothing much going on here. If anything exciting happens I'll be back.