New chapter in new home with lazy pets.

In July of 2017, I had a thought stirring around. What if I sell my home of 11 years and down size to an apartment? People do it all the time. For various reasons. Mine was because I had a big house. I was sick of mowing the lawn. Shoveling the snow. Cleaning 3 toilets. (Ickkk) Storing ungodly amounts of stuff. Paying for utilities that I never used. The clutter was causing so much anxiety I felt like I was lugging an anchor around. Home maintenance was dragging me down! The thought of simplifying my life was so attractive! So in August I began the 'Big Purge'. About half of my possessions were either donated to charity or given away to family and friends. Plus the big stuff that needed to be hauled away to the dump such as a big TV and entertainment center-those things you cannot even GIVE away! Then in September the next step would be to fix up the place and get it ready for sale! The minor repairs and updates-new flooring, new paint, new kitchen updates, landscaping etc were necessary in order to sell. Family members were there to help! OMG. I could never have done this without the wonderful help of Mom and Dad!!!!! You can see the AFTER pictures below of the new flooring. Fantastico!!!! The sign went up in October. Had a first showing. First offer. Second showing. Second offer. Bidding Wars began and it was sold in 24 hours. For full asking price. Yikes! Sellers market indeed. Moved out of the McMansion on November 17. And again, FAMILY and friends helped with the big move. HUGE shout out to sister KAY (Omaha ZOO QUEEN Extraordinaire) KLATT and LUCY (Radio GODDESS DJ ) CHAPMAN for taking they're free time on a SATURDAY and moving my stuff! People are awesome. And moving SUCKS. But 6 months of stress has come and gone. Well, not gone completely...Leia and I have moved from a 3000 sq ft house to a 1100 sq ft apartment that is absolutely perfect. Pets are pretty much settled in. They sleep a lot and will probably get fat. Need a cool cat tree...Life is simplified. Less clutter. Smaller home. No maintenance. It feels good right now. I will miss my birds...But I sure as hell won't miss worrying about a furnace break down...I'm 1 month into living the apartment life. LOVE.

 

Happy Birthday to my little big guy 15 years young blonde Pomeranian So Long August. HELLO SEPTEMBER!!!!

Happy Birthday FURBY! Time is flying by and I'm not dedicating much time to this blog unfortunately lately. That will surely change very soon. I've purged a TON of useless crap and my workspace has migrated downstairs to the basement. I'm downsizing and simplifying my life and selling my home of 11 years. Daughter is finally going back to college and my dear pal Furby is 15 years young this month. Family life and the lengthy process of preparing a house to move is stressful, but, it could be worse. I have a home. And I am blessed to have lived in it with the people and pets that have come and gone. So long August. HELLO SEPTEMBER and my favorite season (and holiday-Halloween) Fall. Love. Furry friend who sticks by me unconditionally. More love.

Celebrating Independence Day by playing with fire!

It's colorful and bright and fun and loud and dangerous. Kids are lighting off explosives by age 5. Yep, that's not uncommon. Not my kid. Wasn't able to hold a sparkler until age 10. Maybe.
Today I will enjoy some picnic food and fireworks without having my kids fingers severed. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Old Man Pugsley the Pug Painted Pet Portrait

 
 An oldie but goodie. This old man Pugsley like most Pugs, sat obediently for his close up. Transformed this photo into a painted portrait with love. Vibrant colors. Loose strokes. Folk art whimsy. Acrylic on 12X12 Canvas board. Pugsley boy.

Norcross Pop Ins Vintage Pop Up Cocktail Invitation Cards Rooster and Whale!

My darling cocktail invites from Norcross Pop-Ins New York. discovered at an estate sale back in the day. NIB. They had two sets of each. For a whopping .10 cents each. So unique. So fun. So whimsical. And oh so psychedelic! Totally from the 1960's era. You'd have to get all gussied up in your fancy fineries to attend this type of swingin soiree. Super neat. In love with the graphics! I predict a whale of a time indeed.

Buttery and Fluffy Double Daffodils and Tulips growing in front yard

 I meant to post this in April then of course life flies by and you get side tracked. These lovely guys pop up every year in March and bloom for a whole month in my front yard. Gorgeous double daffs that were a gift from a friend. I've flagged them and as soon as the leaves die back (gotta give em their nutrients) I will dig em up and plant in selective spots throughout the yard. It seems to take at least three months for the leaves to turn brown and shrivel up. I dig up all kinds of stuff and transplant to a different location--hostas, irises, tulips, day lilies, perennial grasses. The amount of suffering and beating they endure is incredible. Still, they rise again each and every year bigger and stronger. Perennials sleep the first year. Creep the second. And then leap the third. Sleep, creep and LEAP! Digging in the dirt is a delightful feeling.

Vintage Forest Creature Collectibles Inspire Acrylic Painted Portrait of Baby Raccoon

The Raccoon that got into the trash was a naughty raccoon. At age 10, I wrote a short story about a naughty raccoon who got into the trash and caused a lot of trouble in the quiet neighborhood of Rockbrook. Oh such an original title. I was a huge collector of anything with a raccoon on it. The Westroads Shopping Mall in the 70's and 80's had a store called 'It's a Small World" where Hello Kitty and rainbow shoelaces lived. Yes please! I visited this fine shoppe as often as a free to roam child from the 80's could. This is a small assortment of my lovelies from those retro days. Inspired to paint a creature of the forest, This darling (and quite naughty) baby raccoon has come to life on a 11X17 canvas. Not only are the 80's one source of inspiration, but I've discovered this amazingly talented Chinese duo who currently illustrate adorable animals. I just LOVE them! Here is a link Xue Wawa . They bring such delight and cuteness in their paintings that I was immediately drawn to them. The raccoon painting was the ultimate inspiration! And forever will my guy live on this canvas of mine. Baby raccoon LOVE!

Vintage Norwegian Folk Art Tile of Girl and Fish Stavager Flint

Lovely Folk Art lady from Norway. The crooked smile and a slight eerie look on her face, she is preparing to slice and dice her ginormous fish from the Nordic sea. It's a simple, symmetrical design with primary colors that I am drawn to. Used as a butter dish in the olden days or kitchen decor in a traditional Norwegian home. Hand painted screen print from Stavanger Flint in Norway. This was a purchase on eBay years ago. The damage on the top and crazing only decreases the value, which does not bother me. I like her just the way she is. Sweet and maniacal girl from Norway. This week marks Norway's Day of Independence. (17th of May, 1814) Girls were not permitted to celebrate or march in the children's parade for many years-only boys were allowed. Seriously? My how times have changed. So sharing this work of art is fitting. Girls rule. Boys drool. Nordic Folk Art Love.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the World's Greatest Mom's out there!

This totally awesome 1980's retro coffee cup is my all time favorite mug. It ties with my vintage 'Happy Steak' mug. A thrift store find again for about a dollar. It's got great retro graphics. The colors are so early 80's with gorgeous tones of brown and orange. And the cartoon Mom is well, very stereotypical. I would go as far as to say MANY Mom's from the 1980's looked similar to her. She resembles a character from Garfield the cat cartoon. Oh so totally like 80's. Happy Mom Day to all the World's Greatest Mom's out there! Retro Love. 

Real Neat Vintage Snapshot Envelopes and Coupons Collectible Paper Ephemera 1960's for sale on Ebay

Do I have too many collectible pieces of paper? Yes. And I have adored these for years. Except it's time to let it go. The latest listings are mostly paper. Paper sells like crazy. Unique paper is always sought after. Gee, I do miss the good old days of waiting patiently (we were very patient unlike today) to pick up your fab prints from the local photo mat that are carefully placed in this nifty envelope. Of course this one is from the 1960's and mine would've been in a retro 80's envelope. I purchased this on eBay for nothing years ago. So now I'm reselling it back. Feels good to sell to someone who may start a new vintage collection of their own. In photography always remember: focus, aim, steady and clean! Retro Photo vibes. Neat.

Happy Cinco De Mayo Vintage Mexican Folk Art Feather Bird Wall Art 1946

This lovely pair of Mexican bird art was found at the Goodwill for $7.99 each. Way over my budget. But, I love unique vintage finds and of course birds. I find a lot of artwork in pairs. Nice to find that people don't break them up and I happen to discover them. Still in great condition with some minor wear. The backing is sweet with a message to Lois from Mom. I'll celebrate  Cinco De Mayo and promote Mexican culture with posting beautiful Vintage Bird Folk Art from Mexico. And of course eat veggie tacos. Food. Love.

Star Wars Happy May the Fourth be with You Day Hoth Poster and Vintage Dewback Kenner Toy 1979

Posting some favorite Star Wars memorabilia that are my collectible keepers. Of course on a day like May the 4th, this is suitable. The poster of planet Hoth and the making of ESB is in rough condition so it's totally not sell able. I like it because one, it's my fave sci fi movie and B, it's partly shot in Norway. Cold and beautiful. Plus the graphics are pretty awesome. The ride along lizard dewback critter from Kenner Toys 1979, is a vintage toy I've had for years and because my daughter Leia, yes, you heard right, she WAS absolutely named after Leia Organa, colored on him as a kid it's kinda sentimental. Plus his head moves back and forth when you wiggle his tail. I just need to install an action figure on him. Then he shall be complete. Ahhh the love I have for some vintage toys. Happy May the 4th!

Darling Maltese Shih Tzu Puppy Dog Lulu Painted Pet Portrait Acrylic on Canvas Board

From photography pet portrait session to painted pet portrait project. This darling little Lulu girl was shy and timid and a challenge to photograph. A long lens was needed for this precious girl. The best picture of her was transformed into a painted portrait. I love the symmetry and colors of the photo. The innocence and quite possibly a 'piss off and keep away' in her look is priceless. She is shy, but curious and kept her distance from me. The love and joy she brought to my dear friend Evelyn will be treasured forever.

Vintage Brown Leather Shoulder Bag Harold's Made in Italy Fully Restored

Most things on my to do list I do myself such as install light fixtures and mowing my own grass. No probs. On one occasion I pulled a wee bit too hard on my beautiful vintage handbag and tore the square sides that secure the straps. Oops. So I thought that maybe with a little super glue, I could repair this guy. Not so fast. Requires commercial machines and SUPER thread from the talented people at Caniglia's shoe Repair. The close up shot of the leather 'square' on both sides of the strap has been repaired. I'm very happy that I'm able to use my handsome bag once again. A thrift store find for $14.99 plus $25 for the repair is a small price to pay for a gorgeous everyday bag I'm in love with. I'm not interested in designer bags. I love charm and character that comes from a vintage bag that has been used and abused from another time and place. Harold's in Italy does a fine job in my book. Vintage love.

Modern Blonde Pom Dog in a Wheelbarrow Portrait Throwback Thursday

Showing off my handsome blonde Pom. Photographed with my Olympus and a long lens. 40-150mm. I've always shot with Olympus and Canon and found both to be useful for different reasons. I love them both. The Oly is way more user friendly. Super easy to shoot on the fly. But not as many lenses available. Not good. And not as fast as the Canon. Canon is fast and I have way more lenses to work with. My fave is the 50mm 1.4. Dream lens is 85mm portrait lens. It'll be a loaner one day for play. But, why dream when I can just do it? Hmmm. Portraits of a Pomeranian. Love.

National Wildlife Federation Retro Vintage Fox Poster Mark Trail Comic Graphic Ebay Auction for Earth Day

Selling this fine piece of paper from 1980. It's beautifully laminated. Bright and clean. And oh so retro! I can see this poster pinned up on the wall of my grade school from 1980 and thinking about how cute and adorable it would look in my 1980's bedroom. Cute animal posters were part of my retro decor back then. This guy was found at a garage sale with other laminated school displays in a box a few years back for about a buck. Teacher storage stuff. I'm all about recycling, re purposing, restoring and of course, reselling all my collectables on eBay. It's earth day and this handsome piece of paper is for sale for $24.99 with all of the profits going to Nebraska Wildlife Rehab. I searched for NWF but they are not listed on eBay so, I chose the next best organization that is local to me. Win a super cool vintage poster and your donation goes to help wildlife in Nebraska! Earth Day is April 22. But I celebrate it every day. Nature. Animals. Love.

Darling Lil Bub the Cat Painted Pet Portrait 11X17" Acrylic

Lil Bub has been one of my favorite cat animals to follow on  instagram. Her precious purrsonality has captured all of our hearts. She's Royal (still working on the crown part) and deserves to be treated as such. Of course she's got loads of precious purrrsonality. The fantastic photos of her prove that. And cat whimsy. I don't know her purrsonaly (haha) but I'm willing to bet she's a whimsical cat. Which I tried to capture with the fun 'spatter dash' elements (fave word to describe some of my paintings) and lost and found pops of color. This is my version of her. Lil Bub Love.