All posts by greeneyesmom

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About greeneyesmom

I am an ARTIST….a writer….lover of Daisies and Trees and more oops almost forgot.. the wife of a wonderful preacherman!

Maybe I am not a leper after all?

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There are times in my life there are no good explanations that can be given….and these have been some of those times. It has felt as if the whole universe is ganging up against me…not in every area but just one. Not that I want it to be spread around to all the other areas of my life…please Lord I am not actually complaining! Just stating the facts the way they appear to me!…It is all about me isn’t it? (she laughs!)

In my eagerness to start a new adventure a couple of months ago, I never considered defeat….not that it never crossed my mind but I knew this was one thing I could do….me, the one who still hasn’t gotten a “real job” finally came into the job of my dreams….painting for a living…on canvas not walls! Ahhhh, at last, they will come from far and wide just to have a couple of hours listening to my one liners and learning to mix colors and paint a simple yet AWESOME painting on canvas…(not walls, remember!)

BUT…never did I think about NO ONE WOULD SHOW UP!! WHAT? NO WAY….NO ONE! REALLY…….(all caps explains the loudness of my typing…by the way!) If I remember right…“if you build it they will come!” At least that is what everyone tells you. Liars…liars all of them!!! Apparently it takes more than that….UGH!!!!

Tonight though…I had a break through!! Finally, out of the blue I had some students for a painting class I teach!! Hallelujah!!!  Maybe I am not a leper after all!!!? Class went great and it was a lot of fun and I believe the students had a good time too! It is actually very stress relieving and a calm place to just paint. I am thankful for this opportunity and I hope and pray that this will be the beginning of my dream job!

In a truth my actual dream job would be to have a studio in a garage apartment at my home with a cute little shingle with a picture of a palette on it, hung outside which townspeople would wander into and look at my work, buy a thing or two and tell their friends about. A unique little studio/shoppe where other artsy folks would come by and visit and eventually I would be found by that Travel channel lady, Samantha Brown,  who visits cities and tries the local fare…restaurants, bars and cute little out of the way shoppes.

Then OPRAH will catch that episode while relaxing at her beach house one day and next time she visits her father in Nashville she will take a drive to search out that quaint studio that the lovely artist has in her above the garage hideaway. She also loves all the artsy”vi nets” with old ladder back chairs and the old wooden windows  she has painted on…unique and lovely. Along with the gorgeous flowers the Artists sister brings to liven up the joint. As she chats with the Artist about art and life and various pondering s she will notice the business card and drop it into her pocket only to find it in a few weeks and see the blog address of the Artist for which she reads with great joy…the everyday musings of this eccentric and surprisingly youthful woman. Take that Freshly Pressed…who needs ya…..I got OPRAH!!

When asked to move to Chicago to star in her new television show on the.. OWN Network( of course!) about all things artsy, the Artist humbly declines, not that it wouldn’t be fun or a real kick in the pants to be  asked, the Artist could never compromise for her Art! This is my home….I must stay here. Besides…it is really cold in Chicago! And how could I ever leave my dream job? A gal can dream though!!!

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NO run of the mill!

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What is it about change that drives us crazy? Is it actually the changing part or the not knowing part? I say I would have to pick the not knowing part. Change is always good and without it life would be so boring. The days ahead can be so fun and crazy and frightening; enlightening as well as mysterious. As long as they are never run of the mill!

Many times I am the first one to whine about change….as if I am the only one in the world who is uncomfortable….well, it is all about ME right!(no one answer that!)There has been a change lately that I have not complained about one time…to GOD or anyone else. When I gave up the fight and stopped being mad my life changed for the better. Funny because I knew better! Especially dramatic is when the change pops up when you least expect it without any warning….as if a meteorite just slams you smack in the head. WOW that left a mark!

I consider myself fairly self aware…so much so I tend to actually care what people think of me. A painful way to live but it is the way it is. Hopefully it makes me a person who is not rude and has her filter on. I would rather be that way than blowing up all over the place. But, sometimes I have allowed that little bit of hurt to grow and eventually I end up with a whole field full of a bumper crop of mad. When change happens it is always new (hence the definition of the word!) and new is what I think is so great about it…..I like new.

The not knowing what is coming down the pike is the hard part but,it does makes for a lively life. Even with all that, it is better to change than stay stagnate like a pond. The ponds are usually a creepy shade of green and it makes it hard for life to swim through it. I never want to be that creepy shade of green so when life changes…I want to say bring it on, Lord.

Beats the tar outta run of the mill!

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Summer lovin’

humor, hope, LIFE, Old Age, Tennessee, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

Tennessee state welcome sign
Tennessee state welcome sign (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Anyone who has heard me in the more recent years, whether in ear shot or taken the time to read my written words, has heard me say how much I hate snow…cold weather…all things winter. So I may be the only one in the state of Tennessee that isn’t bewildered by the delicious heat wave we are now experiencing.

I am pretty sure that it is because I have slipped into the old age syndrome of enjoying hot weather more. I can remember when I was a little girl and my grandmother would have us out in the yard “rendering lard” on a hot summer day. Or maybe it was a fall day that was still like summer….sadly another sign of my agedness…memory loss of what time of the year we did this gross chore. Any way, I can remember how she would be so hot stirring the pot and I would think….can’t we go play?..it is soooooo hot sitting here watching her stir!” At least when running we could catch a breeze. My granny though would just endure it…not complaining. I suppose it wouldn’t have done any good…that is the way life was for her on the farm.

I am not in any way saying that a temperature of 104 is nice…yes it is awful…my sweat is sweating (sexy huh!) but I still say it is better than the cold. I even get cold inside our house…my feet are cold, I have to put on socks for which I hate….then I sit wrapped up in a quilt (not a snuggy, how moronic!). I think I must have tired blood.Or maybe I have the rickets…when was the last time I ate an orange, maybe that is scurvy I am thinking about? Could be I am becoming less of a complainer….? Nahhh not me, can’t be that one.

Maybe I am in the process of becoming skinny somehow(it could happen!) …seems like skinny women are always cold, with their brittle little fingers and tiny arms all shivery. And I am the world worse to complain when the car is hot or I feel smooshed in a hot room…panic attack begins to hit…no ventilation…no fan! Yet I am as happy as a clam in our sweltering heat. Go figure!

The only thing I can find wrong is that fall is soon to come…darkness is early and the gloomy winter isn’t far behind. But until then I will revel in the HOT days of summer. I still have all of July and August, maybe they will be slooowwww and breezy. Another thing,  I have gotten in the habit of wanting a huge amount of ice in my drink…which scares me to death…my mother-in-law does that and I also have been carrying around a plastic glass with a lid and straw a lot lately….oh Lord, say it ain’t so! I feel those smirks from my husband…and my daughter….curses!

Oh well it could be worse I guess. At least we stay hydrated!

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What is a Father?

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Of course since father’s day is upon us it is logical that I write concerning the  fathers in my life and how I can’t even imagine life without them. For me is is a little different…I have a father, although he hasn’t been in my life for nearly forty plus years. The time I was able to spend with him was good. He worked hard and played hard and so the time was short. He died at a pretty young age. I have only tiny bits of memory of him, tidbits of fleeting moments that when you add them up not even a year or so it makes. I was very young and I have dealt with that, though when I was ten he chose to leave his family, for what ever the reason, so I was not physically with him very much. Just a few times to visit then later after I began to drive around seventeen I would have brief visits. They were not so fun…mostly sad. Never could I understand the reasons for his departure. I have since then realized where the mystery lies, blame enough for everyone involved, but we move on. Then four months after I married he passed away so the end of any future for us. I love him even though and thankful for his blood in me.

My father-in-law was my blessing then. He was a man of few words but plenty of hugs and kindness. He was a man who was to be admired and led a life of humility and grace. Gods hand was upon him and he always tried to be that hand extended to anyone he met. He gave me unconditional love, always and was a sweet example of a godly father. He left this world for the next only a few short months ago and I know he has found his reward in heaven. He is missed everyday by his son, I see the loss in his eyes as he attempts to honor his father even now while he takes care of his Mom. I honor my father-in-law for which I called Dad because he became that to me after I lost my own father.

My husband is the father of  our four which in itself is a heavy calling. He has been a strong tower for me to lean on and he has led our children in the ways of the Lord. He was the one who wrestled and played with them as toddlers, taught them to fish and hunt and to eat the nasty fish, fowl and deer that they caught. I am blessed that he was the one for this and that the kids loved it as much as he. They are all weird that way! We all have our place! HE has always been quick to admit his humanity as well as pattern love and forgiveness to them all. I can’t thank God enough for giving me him to father my children, he is the Daddy I never had which was what I had prayed for when we had our first born. Words can not be written to adequately describe my children’s father, we have all been blessed by his love.

But, I can not leave out the one who took me in when I was lost, my heavenly father. When described to me way back when more than thirty years ago as a father to the fatherless, I was IN! That totally described how I felt and if HE was going to be there for me…no matter what….. I was signed up. He has never let me down. No matter when I call upon him HE has been there to comfort me and bring me peace.

So, on this father’s day 2012 I am thankful for the men in my life who have influenced me for the good. My brother, brother-in-law and uncle’s who loved me and lived the life before me and continue to impact my life. i will forever be thankful for you! My heart will be full from the memories and love they have given. Thank you guys…..and HAPPY FATHER’S DAY YA’LL!!!

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Fancy Cross Painting

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Fancy Cross Painting

Christianity, Faith, GOD, LIFE, Miscellaneous, Uncategorized

I painted this in acrylics and it has been very popular. I am thankful for this as it is a new take on the usual style cross. They are available for purchase if anyone should want one..just let me know. They are on Esty also!

Sister dear

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I have found myself remiss!

Not that this is the first time this has happened … tends to be the normal for me these days.  Although, I did do the right thing yesterday on the historic day of my big sister’s birthday, the one thing I forgot … I am busy by the way … I am an important person! LOL Well, maybe just too busy, but, nevertheless, I omitted a very important blog post.

My tradition has been to celebrate, in words, my dear family members that have had an important day … i.e., birthday or whatever. And, I did do this in one fashion by way of her gift. But I forgot to write her a blog post for which I humbly beg forgiveness. Not to her because she would probably rather me NOT … but to myself.

I enjoy so much writing about my V.I.P.’s, and so, here is the make up!

In reference to the birthday gift … I made a lame homemade one! WooHoo, right?

What am I seven? Apparently so! But, there I went, making her a handmade gift. I think it was a hit, though, because it made us both cry! Geez we have gotten old. What goes around comes around.

Back in my younger days when I was in college and was having a “dry spell” so to speak and I would spend my Saturday nights watching “DALLAS” (which I loved, no haters out there, please) (and, yes, I am thrilled to have it make a comeback. Don’t call me at eight o’clock tomorrow night!) anyways … I would make collages.

I recycled back then. My love for magazines and love to create worked together. I would cut out words, like any good kidnapper, that were interesting and/or had a cool font … my graphics mind coming through there … and I made word collages.

Sometimes they were about certain subjects and sometimes just random. It was fun to me and they were very pretty and interesting to look at. Or, at least I thought they were. On the occasion of my Nephews graduation from high school I made him one. He probably thought … how lame!

I thought that with a collage I would say all the things to and about my sister that are sometimes awkward to say face to face. What do you do for a person who nearly raised you, when you got in the way most of the time … moving in and out on her for years? She has always had a soft heart for me, as I have for her. She has ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME! ALWAYS! More than anyone else in my family, before my husband of course. Even as grown-ups she has been my sounding board, protector, and comrade in arms.

Growing up she was the coolest of the cool. She was a true real hippie back in the ’70’s when it was cool to be. These kids these days ain’t got nothing on the gang back then.

With her long auburn hair and big hazel eyes she was gorgeous and seemed to attract many cute guys … which I LOVED. Her group of friends were fun to hang around … on a limited basis for me since I was like eleven-ish and beyond. Great music to be heard and embroidered jeans and jackets … cool drawings and ART. Must be where I got it from!

I could never show her how much I have loved being raised by her. She was a trip for sure and when you are a kid without any strong basis for feeling secure, she was there for me … always.

Happy Birthday sister dear, my friend, and fellow blogger … who is whippin’ my butt in the bloggosphere … Miss-out-do-me! I am happy to relinquish  to her the braggin’ rights. She deserves it all!

Happy Birthday Sharon … and many many more!

I hope she takes a better picture and replaces this one for me … she helps me edit since I am a hopeless failure at it!!!

 

Sister dear

children, enjoyment, encouragement, Family, Friends, Miscellaneous, Mothers, , , , , , , , ,

I have found myself remiss!

Not that this is the first time this has happened … tends to be the normal for me these days.  Although, I did do the right thing yesterday on the historic day of my big sister’s birthday, the one thing I forgot … I am busy by the way … I am an important person! LOL Well, maybe just too busy, but, nevertheless, I omitted a very important blog post.

My tradition has been to celebrate, in words, my dear family members that have had an important day … i.e., birthday or whatever. And, I did do this in one fashion by way of her gift. But I forgot to write her a blog post for which I humbly beg forgiveness. Not to her because she would probably rather me NOT … but to myself.

I enjoy so much writing about my V.I.P.’s, and so, here is the make up!

In reference to the birthday gift … I made a lame homemade one! WooHoo, right?

What am I seven? Apparently so! But, there I went, making her a handmade gift. I think it was a hit, though, because it made us both cry! Geez we have gotten old. What goes around comes around.

Back in my younger days when I was in college and was having a “dry spell” so to speak and I would spend my Saturday nights watching “DALLAS” (which I loved, no haters out there, please) (and, yes, I am thrilled to have it make a comeback. Don’t call me at eight o’clock tomorrow night!) anyways … I would make collages.

I recycled back then. My love for magazines and love to create worked together. I would cut out words, like any good kidnapper, that were interesting and/or had a cool font … my graphics mind coming through there … and I made word collages.

Sometimes they were about certain subjects and sometimes just random. It was fun to me and they were very pretty and interesting to look at. Or, at least I thought they were. On the occasion of my Nephews graduation from high school I made him one. He probably thought … how lame!

I thought that with a collage I would say all the things to and about my sister that are sometimes awkward to say face to face. What do you do for a person who nearly raised you, when you got in the way most of the time … moving in and out on her for years? She has always had a soft heart for me, as I have for her. She has ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME! ALWAYS! More than anyone else in my family, before my husband of course. Even as grown-ups she has been my sounding board, protector, and comrade in arms.

Growing up she was the coolest of the cool. She was a true real hippie back in the ’70’s when it was cool to be. These kids these days ain’t got nothing on the gang back then.

With her long auburn hair and big hazel eyes she was gorgeous and seemed to attract many cute guys … which I LOVED. Her group of friends were fun to hang around … on a limited basis for me since I was like eleven-ish and beyond. Great music to be heard and embroidered jeans and jackets … cool drawings and ART. Must be where I got it from!

I could never show her how much I have loved being raised by her. She was a trip for sure and when you are a kid without any strong basis for feeling secure, she was there for me … always.

Happy Birthday sister dear, my friend, and fellow blogger … who is whippin’ my butt in the bloggosphere … Miss-out-do-me! I am happy to relinquish  to her the braggin’ rights. She deserves it all!

Happy Birthday Sharon … and many many more!

I hope she takes a better picture and replaces this one for me … she helps me edit since I am a hopeless failure at it!!!

 

Reader’s Appreciation Award!

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Thank you to ….http://jensinewall.wordpress.com/ for the award!! READER APPRECIATION AWARD!!! I am honored and humbled…of course! I must applaud all of you fellow bloggers, it appears we are a mutual admiration society and I think that is A. O.K.! If we can’t brag on ourselves than who will!!
So here we go with the whatsit’s and whoseit’s!

Now most blog awards have rules and I am fully able to abide. Link back to the blogger who nominated you, link to your nominees and post the award. Not sure what bragging rights come with this award so I won’t bother with many. It is hard to accept any awards of appreciation because I appreciate you all so much. Thank you for all of you allowing us into your lives and taking part in an amazing “family” of bloggers. So here goes, go forth and appreciate!!!

1. http://thewanderingyouth.wordpress.com
2. http://ellepeterson.wordpress.com
3. http://ninepoundhammer.wordpress.com
4. http://mazeaday.wordpress.com
5 http://natashanuttall.wordpress.com
7. http://caffenaitedandrandom.wordpress.com

6. http://goodoldgirl.wordpress.com

Whew…7 is all I could do, it’s Sunday and it makes my back hurt to attempt any more….and I switched the numbers…deal with it!
I appreciate ya’ll!!!

greeneyesmom aka www.preacherswifeintheknow.wordpress.com

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June…here we go!

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SO the month of June is upon us and for me it is the beginning of real summer. Today is the beginning of all things summer…hot days, flip-flops, old lady shorts (pedal pushers) as well as “happy hour” at SONIC! Gotta love them cherry lime-aides! Yes, it has happened…I am not cool any more.

This does not come to me as a surprise…I felt it coming….creaking joints, pain in the back, and gray hair. I can take it all except the gray hair. I am not willing to give into that one. Gotta keep it colored. Makes since why my mom did it..now! Back in the day I was pushing April to wear flip flops…even if my toes were a bit chilly, I was there. Then cut-off jean shorts and a raggedy tee-shirt and I was good to go. Now days I usually schlep around in corrective looking sandals and pedal pushers with a “big” shirt as to cover that “oh so spacious” acreage around the middle. OH Lordy!!

June is the place of beginnings…schools out and time to have fun…lay by the pool, put SunIn in my hair and listen to top forty on the radio. But that was a long time ago and I am not so sure girls do that anymore….the Sun-In and top forty radio. They have become so sophisticated now….foiled hair and IPods are the choices now! At least June has stayed the same.

June bugs are a cool product of June as well as all the fat yellow and black striped bumble bees. Have there ever been a more cute insect? Considering the word insect I think not. Maybe a Caterpillar because of the fuzzy factor but not really because of the wormy-ness too close to its ancestor the snake. Also, June is the month you start to hear the ice cream truck. Yesterday, probably as a pre-June trial run, I heard the music way in the distance and it made me smile.

June is also a good month for a picnic. The heat is usually not as hot as in July and August so this is the best time for a picnic. Later in the year it will be unbearable. I actually mean the ones that are in the backyard, under a tree with the wind blowing, laying on your back watching the leaves twirl. There is no more peaceful a place than on a quilt laying under the trees. Unless you are fortunate to have a hammock that is. Now that is livin’!

June is also a good time to shop for back to school clothes..shorts that is. They are on sale about now and good to start the hot new year. In Tennessee it is hot right up through Halloween most of the time, so we wear summer clothes till we are sick of them. We can’t wait for that first cool crisp evening and the turning of the leaves. (oops different month!)

So to wrap up this frivolous homage to June, I will end with a hope and a wish. I hope everyone takes the time to picnic under the trees, while the grass is still fresh and green, take your shoes off and let your feet breath and walk in the crispness. Take caution for the June bugs but are brave enough to catch one, tie a thread around its leg and play….I suppose that may be not so PC! Would that go under the heading of endangerment to insects? If so forgive me and do not do it. Just enjoy watching them buzz along with the Bumble Bees….look for Zenia’s they love those!

Now on to a wish….a wish for summer to last as long as it did when I was a kid. It was nearly six months worth or it felt like it. If not that then, for the summer to be FUN! We all need a bit of FUN! I revel in the summer sun and it is a commodity I wish could be bottled up. If only I could, to take away those ugly, sad, cold winter months. No matter how hot it is it is never as bad as the cold…bitter cold of winter.

So June….here we go, oh how I adore thee!

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