What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
I don’t know if it is a special skill, but I see art in everything. Looking at a landscape, I want to paint it. Taking pictures, I see art. Letting my children take photos to see their point of view, I see art. Just going to Home Depot to take the paint swatches, I see potential art.
To me it is a skill, because I can’t think about not having my creativity; it would be unimaginable.
But this skill doesn’t shut off. I’m constantly getting ideas for paintings, drawings, photographs, furniture, stencils, landscaping, gardens, patios, etc. it never stops. I’m constantly seeing new art forms and how I can put my own spin on things.
Which I believe will help this new path of house designing. I love to learn new art forms. And to me, house designing is just that. New art.
Hope your week is filled with beautiful ideas.
Flowers!! Can’t wait for flowers!!Digital Art Photography My photo edited for a Paint planMy photo edited with photo appOne of my favorite paintings, given to my brotherMy photo and edited. A stump seen as a city scapeMetal shavings inside a drop saw My Photo editing: A pool. My mom’s favorite window painting. Landscape photoPhotograph (this was the closest I got to the edge😶)My Digital Art. Every dot hand placed. (Painting idea)
Etc. I have so many ideas. And one day I will get them all out. You know you are creative when you have 19 albums of art ideas. Haha 😂
Because we are trying to sell our house, all my time is spent focused on the house. Is it clean? Does it smell nice? Do the dishes. Do the laundry. Mop the floors.
But pile on top of that, make breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day from scratch. Take care of a two month year old. (Diapers, feeding, smiles). School is on pause; but my daughter is doing an awesome job reading her books from Nana.
But within all of this, I rarely have time to just play with my kiddos. Or even just watch them play.
But a big part of anyone’s childhood is to be read a bedtime story. Even when my mom was crazy busy, she would read us Indian in the Cupboard series. (Great books). But she made time. But for me, I don’t know where my time goes every day. By the time bedtime rolls in I’m tired and my body hurts, that I just was to be in bed.
It happens occasionally when my husband is home at night, and he can hold the little one. But with his schedule , and him being exhausted all the time, that’s slim.
So mom’s out there. Read books with your kids. Play imaginary games too. They are only little once. But also, if you have more kids, you might not have lots of free time in the future.
But also it will give your kids memories they keep forever. Because I have no idea how little I was when my mom read to me, but I can still remember.
What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?
When I was younger, my drawing style was a lot like tattoo art. I liked the dark lines outlining the design.
But I never wanted a tattoo. I’m one of those people, afraid of needles.
Even when my goal was the Olympics, I wasn’t going to get the ring tattoo. I would have just gotten fake tattoos made and stuck it on everyday. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I would have done it. One of a kind!
But if I had to choose a tattoo I would probably get a drawing of water, or a peach orange rose, a picture of my dog, an elephant family, my kids in some way, etc.
This was another reason. That I would change my mind too much. That I would get one, not like it, and want something else.
I’m not against tattoos. You can have them if you want to. Just don’t go overboard. And I’m in favor, especially, for the people who get tattoos to cover up scars. Cover up bad memories with something meaningful or beautiful.
If anything, if I’m really curious, then I will use face paint. No needles and washable.
This I think would be pretty as a tattoo. I’ve been painting this painting layout for the last 20 years. It’s a simple as layout. This one is from 10-30-2020.
I think that would also be my problem. Is and painting that I loved I would want a small square of it to be a tattoo. I would have a stain glass window effect.
That’s actually a cool idea of a painting…I might have to try that in the future.
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?
Well technically a 3500 large cab truck. The husband will be driving so that I can totally doze off in the front seat. Haha!
We actually were just talking about road tripping. But what I’m excited about it we are going to be getting a camper trailer. So eventually when we go on trips we will tow that around as well.
Which means no more hotels. No more random bathrooms. No more waiting for food.
The hotel one is a big thing. Because my husband and I are slight meat freaks. In the sense of, the hotel room is still not clean; not matter how much they do. So having a toddler run around touching everything. Licking things occasionally. Rubbing their face all over the floor. This makes my brain explode. But being in a camper trailer will mean the toddler is doing all of this in our own space. If it’s not super clean; I at least know the dirty.
Also, it will be our own bathroom. So if it has a weird smell of pee, I know it was one of the four of us. Unlike when you go to rest stops, fast food, or an unfortunate porta potty. Again think little kids. And bathrooms are full of germs. Blah!! So gross. Camper toilet sounds awesome.
Food. Food is hard now since I make everything from scratch. So the only place we can eat is cafe Rio. Only bowls. Cafe Rio is not popular everywhere. Also for some reason food seems to take forever. Especially when the whole car is hangry. So when we are hungry, we just pull over and I can whip up a lunch! More work for me, but less stress.
But yea definitely a truck. Airplanes are short, but the process before the flight is long and unbearable.
Train would be fun. But not realistic when the husband only has so much time off.
Bus…no. Nope. Can you imagine two wired kids, one infant, and two frustrated parents?? “And a partridge in a pear tree.”
Bike. Haha! Bike. Me biking. That’s funny. Maybe motorcycle, 8 years ago, with no kids. Again hubby in charge. But bicycle…I can do a trail and bike for a bit. Especially if I have a motor, but more than that, no thanks.
This one is hard. Because I don’t know if there is truly a true confident person. Everyone, even the most confident person, has doubts. If you don’t you aren’t human.
Like I’m not a very confident person. But put me in a pool or behind a canvas and I change completely. You wouldn’t even recognize me.
My husband is pretty confident in several aspects of his life. But he is constantly doubting on various decisions. He’s just worried if he is making the right decision. But that’s life. You live, and learn.
My daughter, I would say is the most confident person I know. But she’s only six. It’s amazing to see how a six year old’s mind works. They are fearless! I think she lives with the motto, “ask for forgiveness later.” But I know in her teenage years she will have doubts; we all do.
My son is confident too. But again he is almost three. The mind of a two year old is mind-blowing. He believes his way is the only way. He’s also super independent. I sometimes really want to help him, but nope. Not allowed in his book. Even if he fails and fails, he continually tries until he gets it. He doesn’t ask for help. So to me that is confidence as well. Confidence that you can do it yourself eventually.
My siblings and mama too. They are confident in different aspects of their lives, but they are still unsure of things.
Which to me it is normal. Doubts or questions are a normal part of growing up.
So if you see that super confident person in your life; and it seems like have it all together, they are probably struggling with something too. And sometimes the super confident person needs help, but their persona is against asking for help. So try and be that person for them. Everyone needs someone.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Digital Art “Us” By: emily2jane 03-16-25
I like drawing quick easy drawings. All I need is my phone and my pointer finger.
I first saw this prompt and said, nope and skipped over it. But then I read some of the responses and discovered that I do indeed do some of the various things. But I would say it’s more lighthearted or comical; its just always done throughout my life, so it has just stayed.
I do the “knock on wood”. Haha! I never thought of this as superstition. Because I think everyone does this. You say something and in panic you knock on wood. That’s normal. And when I was younger my older brother would knock on my head instead….I figured out years later that he was calling my head wood. I was not a happy one…
My husband says that if he helps with the dishes then the weather will drastically change. Like if it’s a sunny day, it will suddenly snow! Or if it was calm, the wind would erupt and go crazy. Haha! But to his credit, when he does help occasionally it does snow, or pours, or the winds get up to 70mph.
True for me too. If I fold the socks… I have a basket for clean laundry, and in the bottom it naturally collects all the socks. And on a rare day I decide to fold them. I always say the weather is going to change since I’m messing with the socks. And it does sometimes, but less often than my husband.
I trust my gut. I don’t know if this superstitious, but everyone knows: when your gut squirms you listen.
These were the ones that stuck out to me the most.
Knocking on wood, doing dishes, gut, and socks. Those pesky socks…
We’ll have a fun weekend. If you want the weather to change, fold your socks or have your husband load the dishwasher, it might work.
Reading a book. I know before I said I rarely get to read, but when I do, I can’t put the book down. Even being a mama of three I have occasionally stayed up until 3am reading a book. That’s why it’s rare. Because I always feel terrible the next few days as I’m trying to recoup after my bad decision.
Painting. Drawing. I can just paint for hours. Once life is less crazy, I hope to just disappear to a shed and paint, paint, paint. Like I had a college painting class that was 6hrs long. Several of my classmates would complain that it was too long; whereas, I wanted more time in a day to paint. like yesterday I painted a Spider-Man painting for my son, and it took 3hrs to complete. But it only seemed like 2hrs.
Swimming. I love swimming. Even to this day. Yes, I’m out of shape, but I love swimming laps. I tend to forget about everything, as I enter into my bubble of the pool and just swim. Once I can swim more, I hope I could spend about 1hr a day swimming. It would be the best and safest way for me to get back in shape. Hopefully soon!
Dishes. Strangely enough I can lose myself in doing the dishes. I don’t like doing dishes, but if you have the right tunes, alone time, and the soapy water.
Folding laundry. Since I’m constantly doing chores I’ve tried to make them more enjoyable. I lay my new baby on the bed, I have music playing, and I get to folding. Again. I really dislike folding laundry, but if you have to do something you might as well make it fun.
Sitting in bed. When I finally get to sit in bed and relax, I tend to stay up too late. Like 11pm-Midnight. Just because it’s my first chance that day at complete silent alone time. I should be sleeping, because I’m exhausted. But instead I want to watch a movie, or write a blog post, or just be.
So I don’t know three of the six things I listed count as “activities” but that’s what my life consists of. When I’m not cleaning, cooking from scratch, changing diapers, homeschooling, or giving hugs.
Enjoy your Friday!! I had to just look to see what day it was. Haha! I wonder if that will ever change… but FRIDAY!!
You’ve had a great life so far. This letter is not at your ending, you’ve still got a lot of life still to go.
How is the husband? Is he still going strong? Does he still take in projects at 99 years old? Is he just as kind and caring as he has always been? You should know how much he loves you.
How are your kiddos doing? Have they all accomplished everything they have set their minds to? How are your grandkids/ great grandkids? I’m thinking guessing they are still running a muck and keeping you on your toes. But they love their great grandma so much. You should be proud of what you initially started.
I saw your paintings in a gallery. I’m amazed that you are still painting to this day. What’s also amazing is that you paint just because you love to paint, not for the money side of things. But I still hope you are doing well in that department.
Are your grandkids reading that short story collection you put together? I still read them at night when I don’t want to watch a movie but still want a story. Also I’m happy you finally finished your Life of Two Best Friends series. I was always constantly anticipating the ending. Thankfully it didn’t take you 100 years of age to finally finish it. Only 36. Haha!
I hope you have accomplished all you have wanted in life. You have a wonderful family. You have used your God given talents for pure joy. You have a loving and wonderful husband. You brought up wonderful children. They had wonderful children.
You should be proud of yourself. I am proud of you.
Lots of Love,
Younger You. ❤️
.-.-.-.-.
That was actually quite fun. This would be fun to do just normally throughout your life. Just every 2-5 years write a letter to yourself, asking questions. Digging deep. Because then you can write a return reply and you can ask about all things you have accomplished in that short amount of time. You can just pause for a moment and see that yes, you may not be as far along as you were hoping, but you still accomplished a lot so far.
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.
I have several questions. That I’m sure people can relate.
#1: How are you feeling?
I wish this question would be changed to how’s your day going? Or did you accomplish what you wanted today?
Something like that. Because if you ask me how I’m feeling my answer is always going to be I’m tired. I think I’m going to be tired for at least another ten years. But the problem is; is I answer by saying I’m tired and people get annoyed by my answer. So if you want a different answer ask me a different question.
Family is different. They can ask me how I’m doing. Because they know everything. Haha!
#2 What’s for dinner?
It’s not that I hate this question. But when I’m in the point of my cycle where I don’t want to choose, this question bothers me. Especially when I’ve already asked my husband what he wants and he doesn’t give me an answer. Hopefully as my kids grow up they will just ask, “Hey mom, can we have pizza for dinner?” Or “Can we have lasagna?” I’ve never been good at choosing. So excited for that day!!
#3 Do you really want to do that? Or, Choose that? Or, Do you think that is a good decision?
I know why this is asked. It is to help people learn. Someone questions you, so that you can really think about what you are doing. But for me this question always causes the person to question themselves. Even if their decision is good or right; they still doubt themselves. Then they ask that question, “What do you think?” And the other person replies, “I don’t know. You decide. It’s your decision.” That’s the part that irks me. If you are going to question me and make me second guess myself; then when I ask you for your opinion you better have a compelling response. If not, stay quiet. Let me figure things out through my own failure or success.
#4 Does this dress make me look big?
This question just bugs me. Because I know, not all women, but there are those few that ask this question fishing for a fight, compliments, vain, etc. But honestly you need to trust your own idea of what you like. Because at least for me, if you don’t absolutely love what you try on, you will never wear it. If you are worried about looking big, even before you buy it; then you will be constantly worried about that, and never give it a chance out of your closet.
And if I ask this question it’s to my husband or my mom. Because they give me honest answers. My body is a strange portion. I have big shoulders, long torso, and long legs. So if dresses are made for a short person then it’s going to look like I’m wearing a long shirt or that I lost half of my dress. So I ask for their opinion to know if it looks okay. I want them to confirm my thoughts.
Unless it’s family I cannot answer this question. Because I will answer honestly. And I never know if they are asking for the honest truth or for me to make them feel good.
That’s why I love thrift stores or Ross so much. Because if it’s not quite right, when I get home, then I’m not out too much. But I usually keep it and wear it at home. Or if I love it enough, I’ll hold onto it for my daughters. Everything comes back into style. Maybe by the time they are my size, they will like digging through my closet.
I guess there wasn’t many. But I’m sure there are more.
But like everything. As long as people are asking out of care or concern, all is fine.
emily2jane 