Julie...an Artist??

My visit to Repartee Gallery went better than I expected. I brought four collages, an oil painting, and a watercolor in for feedback. The manager helped me choose a frame for the oil painting with plans to hang it in the gallery once it's framed. Out of the four collages, she kept the biggest one, and the only one that was already framed, and decided to hang it without approval of the rest of the committee--her parents' own the gallery so I think she feels safe making risky moves. She also took pictures of everything I brought in and planned to present them to the committee. She hopes to have an "emerging artist" feature wall soon where she can hang a couple of my things as well as some other unknowns.

Now I have to send her an artist bio and photo-Ugh! I'll give that some thought and I might need suggestions.

I'm still scared to death to put my art on my blog--baby steps.

P.S. what do you want me to paint next? Any suggestions?

Art is What I Do--But I'm Not an Artist...yet?

Okay, I am saying OUT LOUD, in all my vulnerability, that I am presenting some of my art to the manager of Repartee Gallery tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect and I can't even imagine what she'll say--but I feel compelled to hear what a non-family-member, non-friend has to say about my art.

In months past, I never would've told anyone about something like this for fear that I would fail and have to come back and tell the world what a loser I am. The truth is, I'm not afraid anymore. I finally don't care what anyone thinks about my art. I love to do artistic things and I am positive I will keep on doing it whether everyone hates it or not. Even if the closest to fame I get are the walls of my closest family and friends. Even if no one ever pays money for my art, I'm sure I'll keep on doing it because it's just something I have to do. I wonder if other people similarly have things they simply must do, regardless of the outcome?

P.S. Letting out, in writing, the thing you are most vulnerable about is very empowering. I highly recommend it.

If You Give Kate A Lic-A-Stix...

You can't just give a kid a lic-a-stix and withold the flavorful-but messy-lic-m-aid.

But, if you give Kate the lic-m-aid to dip her lic-a-stix in, and even if you show her how to do it carefully, she'll accidently spill it all over the table and floor.

If she spills the lic-m-aid all over the table and floor, she'll help clean it up--with her tongue.
Then she'll probably ask to look in the mirror in all her messy, greenish-blue glory.

If you take her to look to behold her messiness, she'll mostly likely want a bath.

Once she's in the bathtub she'll need some bubbles for some entertainment.

Of course, then she'll want to eat the bubbles.

But, if she eats the bubbles with the after taste of lic-m-aid, she'll probably need some water.

On a Sunday Afternoon

Mom, Dad, Me, and Uncle David (Bruce)

Scott took the picture

I really can't give justice to this photo. I can't tell you all the things that this moment meant to me. This was Scott's first meeting with my Dad's older brother. And the first time I've seen him in fourteen years. I don't even know what to say. All I can do right now is shake my head and wish that I could make sense of it all. I'm more grateful than ever for my life, my family, my parents, and the knowledge I have of Heavenly Father's Plan.

The Tag of 3's

Here's another Tag--thanks Kristi (and I mean that without my tongue in my cheek). : )

Three names you go by: Mommy, Julie, Sweetheart (I think that’s what Scott calls me?)

Three of your favorite things to do: read, create, spend time with Scott and Kate

Three favorite pets you have had/have: I don’t do pets, I can’t keep them alive

Three longest car/plane rides: 1. Return flight from Hawaii. Are flight was delayed so we missed our connection in Vegas. We spent the day in Vegas waiting for another connecting flight. This was a time Scott and I were grateful we didn't have children yet. 2. Driving to Utah from California with six people in a five-seater Toyota Camry. My brother was sprawled across our laps making a big stink the whole way. 3. Driving to the Temple for Baptisms when I lived in California.

Three favorite holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Kate’s birthday

Three favorite beverages: water, water, water--although, I'm not as much a camel as Scott.

I now tag: Jeni, Heidi, Tawny, Jane (He-he-he)

TAG-Things I've come to realize:

Kristi tagged me. Here it goes. I'll do the other one tomorrow.
1. My family...makes me happier than I ever dreamed they would.
2. When I talk...I don't even know what I'm trying to say.
3. I need...to quit clenching my teeth.
4. I have lost...the desire to keep a clean home.
5. I hate it when...I take my foot out of my mouth only to insert the other one.
6. When I'm hungry...I'm edgy!
7. Money...would make life easier but it's really just a tool.
8. People...scare me to death. I go through the ATM at the bank just so I don’t have to deal with anyone--even though I miss out on the sucker.
10. I'm in love with...Katie, Scott, giggles, tickles, story time, singing time, and spring time.
11. My Cell phone...is never charged because I never use it so it’s pretty useless.
12. When I woke up this morning...all I could think about was what I was going to eat for breakfast.
13. Right before I go to sleep at night...all the things I forgot to do race through my mind until I write them down.
14. Right now I'm thinking about...The dishes, the sweeping, the mopping, all the chores that are screaming my name and how horribly dirty my oven, fridge, and windows are.
15. Babies...are the specialist little people ever.
16. When I blog...I ignore all my chores.
17. Today I will...enjoy NOT potty training Kate because I quit. Ugh!
18. Tonight I will...enjoy NOT cooking dinner because our neighbors’ invited us over—wahoo!
19. Tomorrow I will...hopefully get out in the yard and make it look like spring.
20. I really want to...do more to help others.
21. Everyone I tag to do this will...eventually forgive me.

So, go to it Jeni.

10 Things about Kate

Tawny tagged me to post ten things about Kate:

1. Kate was born March 15th, 2006. She was a hefty 9 lbs. 3 oz. and a nice 21 in. long – not unlike Mommy who was 9 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 in. long.

2. She loves music and the song she requests everyday is “Daddy Song” otherwise entitled, “Daddy’s Homecoming”. After that she wants us to sing it repeatedly using names of other people she knows.

3. She is independent and not very cuddly. Every so often we get a great big love from her and we savor it for weeks.

4. She is happy 98% of the day.

5. She is allergic to peanuts – which basically ended all of Mommy and Daddy’s favorite comfort foods.

6. Her favorite things to play with are her Disney “people”, especially the princesses. We catch her trying to sing a song from Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, or Little Mermaid while holding the prince and princess close, dancing. She narrates her favorite movies for us with surprise and delight and at times even talks to the characters as someone might while watching sports. “Ah, Prince Hip (Philip) comes. Seeping Booty (Sleeping Beauty), wake up.” or “Nun, nun, dernella, Oh, No! (run, run, Cinderella)”

7. She loves reading books and tells the stories all by herself while pointing at and turning the pages. Her favorite books to tell are Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Harry and the Lady Next Door, all the David books (David Shannon), and anything by Dr. Suess.

8. She loves Sunday when she can “go to church” with a “pretty dress on” and lately she’s been talking about getting married in the temple in her white dress. Last week she pointed to the Bishopric on the stand saying, “Pre-sent Monson, Pre-sent Uu-dorf, Pre-sent Eye-ing,” and when she recognizes our neighbors and friends speaking in Sacrament Meeting she calls out their names.

9. First thing she wants to do every morning is turn lights on, wake mommy up, and “Datch Seeping Booty” (watch Sleeping Beauty).

10. She makes her mom and dad laugh and smile everyday-no matter what.

I tag Emmie, Hailey H & W, Carly, & Sam – and whoever else is in the mood.