Guinea Pig for a Day?

This past Thursday I was a guinea pig. It was my first time as a client at Warren Tech Cosmotology Department. After twice cutting my own hair, I decided to try out these "salon experts in training". I had scheduled only a haircut, but because there seemed to be time enough, I opted for some highlights as well. Under the tutelage of "Mrs. T", Marissa and Holly "foiled" my hair.  Because my hair "bleached" out really quickly, some toner had to be applied and time trickled away. My "junior color gurus" told me they really LOVE doing color and had known since they were young that this would be their passion. It was great to be in this estrogen-infused environment, and it reminded me a bit of when my girls were younger. After Marissa was called to some other task, Holly, a high school junior, proceeded to layer my hair with cautious fingers and scissors, snipping off 1/4 inch at a time. With eyes on the clock at 2:40PM, there was little time left. "Mrs. T" took over as Holly dashed to the bus. I paid and was out the door.

One Small Step for (WO)man...?

I'VE BEEN PUBLISHED!!!! The illustration appears on pg 35 of the SCBWI Bulletin for January/February 2015. Art Director thought the illustration print-worthy & I even got paid!
"Now that's validation!" I say, as I hang on to a smidgeon of hope for a future illustration career.
I procede onward (and upward?), as I complete the illustrations for new book written by Roz Silva (working title Three Tales, Four Dogs) planning to be published by Dayton Publishing soon.

Stop and smell the chicory?

Really just a twist on the "stop and smell the roses" adage, this question pushed me to ask WIKIPEDIA if chicory has a smell. I read all sorts of info about chicory, but I will really have to wait til summer to see/smell for myself! That's kind of really where I was going with this...

A walk to the post office to mail a package to my son makes me yearn for the warmer weather. He and daughter live in the Southern Hemisphere and happen to be going to the beach today, while I bundle up in New Jersey. The weather has been kind to me so far, but a chilly winter has started to become an expected reality.

This entry today was to also remind myself (and anyone who reads this) to appreciate the simple things about this Christmas season. Don't make it all about how much money you spend. Just the camaraderie of getting together with family and friends, making Christmas cookies (I saw a great recipe for a twist on the Linzer Tart today–perhaps for a future entry!), sending a card, or maybe you have "some old thing" in your house that you know someone would treasure.

Make some memories and have a wonderful holiday season!!!!

HEY, Muffin!

Winter is upon us in New Jersey. It's Comfort Food/Carb Season and here come the holidays! Followed by New Year's resolutions...to lose those that 10 pounds brought on by "just a taste" or "it's the holidays". The MUFFIN TOP wins out and the "fat pants" come out of the closet again. Salads just don't have the same appeal when the wind is whipping, and the cold just about freezes your hands off when you run out to get the garbage cans from the curb. Walks are a bit harder to initiate. OK...barely night and it's dark out. Another day without a walk, and dinner is ready. Time to eat again!

"My dogs are hurtin' me"

I have started a walking regimen and walk about 20-25 minutes everyday with the goal of continual improvement of my plantar faciitis...as well as getting rid of the "muffin top". Imagine these are the personification of my feet–ooooh, the pain in their faces! (I am exaggerating, of course, but sure would like to be 100% again.) Is this what one means when they say "my dogs are hurtin' me"???? The next thing you know I could be drawing muffins!

POOF!

I have "graduated" from Physical Therapy and now will have to forge out on my own with the discipline of stretching and an optimistic walking routine as winter approaches. POOF! How life's events dissolve into the next. And how fall will turn to winter in the blink of an eye.  POOF! My 2-3 day sessions of Physical Therapy per week are finally over,  but have given me the opportunity to grab snippets of the beautiful colors of fall on my drive back home.  Grabbing these scenes as they come, as there will not be a "repeat performance". POOF!

Road  to Penwell, taken over a week ago. How fast the leaves are turning–soon to turn to dismal grey twigs.

PT Boredom or P.T. BARNUM?

Ok, so now I have been in Physical Therapy for my Plantar Faciitis for 5 weeks and getting tired of the whole routine...Maybe this means I am ready to leave. I am balancing on one foot, balancing on foam, as if I am on the tight wire & trying not to fall off the "tippy board".  I am recumbent biking, throwing weighted balls, and now have been introduced to the Total Gym & woke up a bit crippled from the "heel-dropping".  While waiting, I sketched a man on the recumbent bike with his arms folded. When he saw it, he admitted he looked bored.

Am I ready for the CIRCUS? Am I ready for life as it once was?   I just want to be HEALED! This has been a long process.