Thanksgiving

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Gladys.
Gladys who?
Gladys Thanksgiving. Aren't you?

Many Happy Thanksgivings, everyone. Now, in saying that, I have to a second out of furious grocery shopping/baking/cooking/cleaning extravaganza to say what I am thankful for.

It may be cliche that I am thankful for my parents but I am completely sincere when I say that I am. If it wasn't for my parents I have no idea where my children and I would be. Mom and Dad have bent over backwards to help us; making meals when I had my surgery, watching my kids while I recovered, taking them to school, to church, to the park , etc. There are too many things to list that I am grateful to them for. Just last night Mom and I stood in the kitchen chatting about movies, people, christmas presents, etc. until 1:30 in the morning. It's not surprising really. Mom has become one of my closest and dearest friends. And Dad and I get along better than we have in years. Grateful.

I am thankful for my faraway friends, all who sent their love and faith from afar while P & J and I were settling here in Ohio. Their words of encouragement have meant more to me than any other time before. I needed my friends and my family (be they related or no longer related) and they've had my back ever since I took a fateful leap and came back home.

(I am thankful for a certain awesome man from the North who makes frequent trips down here to see me and the kids. He is a rock of goodness, kindness and strength that I have not seen in many other men. One of the smartest guys I know, and funniest, he is the sweetest man. Period. He loves my kids and me and wants to be here with us and for us. I don't think I can ask for much better... I don't think 'better' exists. I love you D)

My kids. My kids are the funniest kids I know. Their sense of humor can range from dry and witty to silly and weird. P is an artist/dancer/singer/current archeologist while J is a builder/mechanic/astronaut/mummy-finder. They are my light in the dark, and they can pull me out of a bad mood just by being themselves. They both help me through the pain, they comfort me in ways I didn't know they could. And they love snuggles, movie-night and sleepovers in the living room. In short, P & J are the greatest gift (aside from the Heavens above) to me. I hope they grow up knowing that.

Love and Cranberry Sauce,
M

Art Shows! Things!

Art show, Art show, Art show, Art show.... It's like a mantra that I've been repeating for the last few weeks. The time is upon me, and I must show my stuff.

Art shows are incredibly personal, I think. You're really putting yourself out there in a way that is akin to being naked. Not that I'm going to show up to my art show naked, although that would be something Dali would do, but I shall be clothed nonetheless. Un Mundo Cafe in Beautiful, Downtown Springfield - December 6th @ 7pm. If you haven't seen the gorgeous banner.... here's a reminder:

isn't it pretty?

I'll be putting forth my works of watercolors, acrylics and graphic design posters. Perfect for the holiday season! Perfect for the unbelievably hard to buy for person! Who doesn't like art, I ask you!?
Besides people who have one dimensional personalities.... but we won't go there. Not today anyway.

*clears throat* moving on!

Yet another hint of things to come.
<3 Mellissa

New Things and Such

Well, I said pics up by Sunday--I just didn't let on which Sunday that would be. Today is the day. New Things and I am excited.

Theme change! Thanksgiving nostalgia coats the blog for the month! I wanted the header to be a little different so I snagged a vintage Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade picture featuring the Pink Panther. I'm a little in love with it! I could only imagine how cool it must be to be living in Manhattan and watching the floats go by as a kid.

I've been working on some graphic design goodness; my art show in December is looming before me and I'm getting my graphic savvy on. They're fun and odd and ... I really am a sort of warped mind. I feel like I am really putting myself out there for display, not only with designs but with my paints as well. The nerves are starting to get to me but pushing it down and shoving on is basically what must be done.

It's just a matter of time before there's more.

Is anyone going to go see Thor 2? My beloved mom and I are going... there will be chocolate bars involved while looking at Chris Hemsworth, not to mention my not-so-secret love for Tom Hiddleston. He's adorbs. Because of the first movie I actually got into reading the comics! I actually wish the writers of the film would incorporate more Old English, (you know, with the Thee's and Thou's thing going on.) or at least a larger fusion of old-speak. A moderate attempt, I believe, was giving for the first movie with Odin's character ("In the name of my father and his father before, I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!").

'You think me strange?'
-M