Just Breathe...

...except I couldn't.

I wasn't sure why at first. I knew I'd been working out for a while and perhaps I was pushing too hard.  But it didn't feel internal. Nope, this was an issue coming from outside of myself. 

So as I was trying my best to keep my feet in the air as my little guy pushed my legs over in today's ab torture strength session, I opened my eyes just enough to realize that his shoes were directly adjacent to my head. 

His shoes...his stinky, stanky, funky shoes. His shoes that could peel paint. His shoes that could easily fumigate a small room.

Me:  "Oh, my gosh, your shoes!!!" 

Little guy: "What?"

Me: "I can't breathe...your shoes reek."

Little guy: "Oh, sorry, Mom."

He moved a bit away and as soon as I closed my eyes he moved right back. That stinky little turkey. 

Payback. Yup, that's what's on my mind.

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Three Years of Creating

It was three years ago today that I began this adventure in creating.  I'd come off of a particularly challenging school year...and by challenging, I don't mean bad.  By challenging I mean filled with many, many opportunities for learning and growth.  I had been so focused on my role as teacher that as summer started and I should have felt relief, instead I only felt lost, unable to find myself again.

So one day I just started creating.  And I haven't stopped.  And I'm forever grateful for that challenging year.  What a gift it was!

Thanks for going along with me on this wonderful journey of mine.


P.S. When I created this door painting I was thinking of how when one door closes and another opens, which door we choose when we have an opportunity, and whatnot.  But then I realized that I'm not all that deep, after all.  I just happened to be listening when the creative bubble rose up in me. 

Click here to purchase this piece.

I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

Happy Father's Day!

About a month ago I received an email from my agent.  It was for a possible spot in a Father's Day tribute.  All I had to do was send in a digital copy of my headshot...and write a short essay about my dad and what the word "father" meant to me.  Hey, I had a headshot, and hey, I love to write, so send it in I did.  And I was selected!

So early one morning I went to the filming studio, had my hair, make-up, and my wardrobe all done.  Then I went on the set which was basically just a white floor and background, and a stool.  There I sat talking with the director, telling him all sorts of stories about my dad.  I laughed.  I cried.  I loved it.

Here's a link to it on YouTube.  Kali in a Father's Day Video  I'm at 1:10 and 2:02.

Happy Father's Day!

Click here to purchase this piece.

I'd love for you to share my art and blog with the links below.  Thanks!

Channeling George Jetson

I'm super uptight about looking at my phone while I'm supposed to be doing something else.  I'd never look at it while driving.  Never!  I can just barely look at it while I'm walking.  And "barely" is an exaggeration.  But for some reason today at the gym I absentmindedly stepped onto a treadmill while looking at my phone.  I started the treadmill moving while looking at my phone.  I set the speed to the level that I usually set the incline.  While looking at my phone.

And I almost wiped out like George Jetson...while looking at my phone.

Check!  Lesson learned.

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Feelin' the Love

I get hugged by my kids.  A lot.  And I mean A LOT!


Sometimes it's clearly to avoid doing something. 

Me:  "Do your homework!"

Kid:  "Come on mom...hug!"


Sometimes it's because they want something.

Me:  "This doesn't feel like a 'love' hug."

Kid:  "Sammich?"


And sometimes it really is pure love.

Me:  "Gosh, you've been hugging on me for about fifteen minutes.  I never hugged on my parents when I was a teenager."

Kid:  "Yeah, but I have a great relationship with my parents."


Oh, my gosh...come here kid, mama's got a big hug for you!

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Forgetful? Crazy? Nope.

I have the feeling my family thinks I've entered "crazy old lady" status.  At least "forgetful old lady".  The thing is I seem to have a habit of asking for the same info over and over.  Things like, "Do you have wrestling practice tomorrow?" "Is karate happening tonight?" "Who did you say is coming over?"  And it's actually not that I don't remember, really it's not.  And I seriously doubt I'm crazy.  I'm simply distracted by all the stuff I'm up to...drawing, painting, and writing...oh, my!

In the car today I was told, "You need to not ask something unless you're absolutely, positively sure that you've never asked it before."  Um, if I had any inkling that I'd asked it before I wouldn't have asked it again.

So I'm self diagnosing myself as having "distracted old lady" status.  My family will be so relieved that I'm not crazy or forgetful.

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