Within Us

Why does the pursuit of happiness devalue our surrounding environment?

I spent the weekend doing some significant self care. I spent the morning decluttering my closet, rearranging furniture in my studio, and spent the afternoon in the salon chatting with my hairdresser.

I came home, made dinner, went for a walk with my husband, watched a French film.

I felt the need to paint something pink, something pretty.

What I really wanted to do was buy some pretties. Pretty lingerie, in particular but I didn’t because I would have defeated the purpose of decluttering my closet.

Yet after all of this, I find myself crying this morning while drinking a cup of coffee. Crying over mixed feelings about the impact of a significant event that happened personally back in September.

I just…can’t…let…it…go.

What does this even mean? I pray and I seek positivity by helping others, by showing random acts of kindness, yet when I’m home I’m unsettled.

I pace. I pace like an animal right before an earthquake happens. It’s my gut instinct…something is still “off” and I don’t like this feeling. I am waiting for the carpet to be ripped out from underneath my feet.

So I paint, I work long hours and I pray. Keeping myself busy so I won’t have time to think.

And here I am.

Snug as a Pug

There is nothing like the feeling of a warm bubble bath on a cold day. That’s how Pepper was feeling this afternoon!

I wish I could only be so lucky to have someone care for me as gentle as I do with this sweet pug.

Happy bubbly Sunday!

Centering Ourselves

Good morning on this beautiful Sunday! There is so much I am thankful for today and thought I would share.

Yesterday afternoon we drove to the city and and enjoyed a hamburger and fries. Well, mine was a lettuce wrapped burger, but it was still enjoyable. It is one of the places I can still eat despite all of of my food allergies.

I am thankful to be able to enjoy a hot meal with family.

An employee yesterday afternoon texted me a bio and image for website placement. It is a fantastic image with a great smile!

I am thankful to have a job and a great team to work with.

The small town I live in does not have a Target. After our dinner we stopped off at Target and browsed around. My how Target has changed! We picked up some espresso that we have been wanting to try.

This morning I am thankful for a hot cup of strong coffee to kick off my day.

My daughter came up this weekend to visit and after the drive home from the city, I was greeted by all three dogs, two of mine, who are very old. One a lab/boxer mix and the other a pug who both slowly waddle to me for loving and gentle kisses. The third dog is my daughter’s….a very young, very spry, very hyper toddler-age Catahoula brindle dog, who thinks he can herd me to the sofa by grasping my wrist only to cover me in sloppy kisses.

I am thankful to arrive in a warm home and be greeted with slobbery love.

I am thankful to God for keeping my family and I healthy throughout this pandemic and safe from the rioting throughout the Nation.

I will continue to speak kind words and smile to those who surround me and to those I meet everyday.

Take some time to center yourself and remember what we are thankful for in a world of uncertainty and chaos. Take time to center yourself and heal from the day and allow self care, even if it is slobbery kisses. Be thankful.

I am thankful.

Love Me, Love You

For the past few years, I’ve made it a tradition to paint watercolor Christmas cards for my family. This past Christmas, I was told by many of my family members, mostly from my husband’s side, how they enjoy the uniquely painted cards.

Each card is different and when I started my new job, I decided to paint everyone of my staff a card. It was difficult but honestly after seeing the look of amazement on their faces was worth it.

I dabble in watercolor, it is not my best media, but I enjoy working with it for small things such as cards.

I’m always disappointed after Christmas as it feels as though the color has faded back to another long year of grey matter. I feel this the most when all of the Christmas lights come down. I decided since 2020 has already been a difficult year, I would take my mini paintings to another level and paint cards not only throughout the year for other holidays, but experiment with painting on glass ornaments.

I need some practice, however the methodical movement of carefully holding the ornament and placing each one of those dots was interestingly a stress reliever.

What I realized is the more I love me and practice self care, the more I love you and your happiness means the world to me.

Love, Robin

New Year, Brighter Sparkles

It has been many months since I’ve posted and I plan to change my URL eventually.

Where has this year gone? I feel a sense of disbelief, a sense of longing and sense of accomplishment. After quitting my job as an Administrator, because I DESPISED working from home and my love for managing staff was ripped from my soul as layoffs swallowed my all too little staff.

I think fate arrived at my doorstep knowing the pain and loss I was experiencing and offered me a lead position with a need for direction. I have never been so humbled.

Four weeks in and I’m finally feeling at home. With the vacant holidays, my mind has been wandering to increase the joy in others through my talents and quirky ways of art.

I’m not a believer of New Year’s resolutions, but I will say 2021 I have a list longer than the days. It is my goal to brighten this dim world, one person at a time.

Dingo in Disguise

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

Song of Songs 4:7

In November of last year, my daughter moved out. She is my baby and it was the hardest moment a mother could ever endure. Although I have worried and protected her, her whole life, the time came when worry was the only thing left for me to do.

Trying not to be overly motherly, my only request was that she texted me at least once a week so I knew she was alive. She was moving to the big city and I cringed at the thought of, well….EVERYTHING!

I am proud of her. She was offered a good job, one that would potentially grow and her talents will flourish.

Then one night she texted me. She was upset because things weren’t working out with her roommates. I had never lived with roommates, therefore I didn’t know what she was going through.

Rather than vomit all of the thoughts and fears I initially had of this big move, I just encouraged her to be strong, not to make any harsh decisions and told her how proud I was of her.

Although she is still living with her roommates and it is not the best situation for her, she continues to persevere.

Then she brought a puppy home.

I told my husband that was the last thing she needed. Something that will cost her money, that will be a lot of work, and I hope she is prepared for this.

Then she sent me a picture. Oh my goodness! That poor little pup was not the prettiest….putting it lightly. Poor thing has oversized ears and brindle in color with stripes and patches going every which way. His name is Bear but honestly looks more like a dingo than a bear. A face only a mother could love.

Bear is actually a blessing in disguise. He has brought my daughter more comfort in these unpredictable times and they are inseparable.

I felt ashamed for thinking this pup wouldn’t bring joy to her life. She sends pictures of him to me and the radar sized ears are kind of growing on me. I just had to draw him which I’m afraid made him uglier than ever. But Bear makes her happy and this is all I could ask for.

Sometimes we are quick to judge the choices others make in their lives. I know I am guilty of this. However sometimes those decisions create a path that open other opportunities. It is those opportunities that bring us the most joy.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 2:1

It’s Okay to Love Yourself

Do everything in love

1 Corinthians 16:14

I had forgotten how much joy fresh flowers bring to me! I bought a bouquet the other day because I was feeling down and needed a pick-me-up.

Show yourself love, as you would love others. Don’t forget about you in the hustle of the daily grind.

Rest Assured

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

I am thankful for a creative mind. Lately my mind is overwhelmed and burdened by many things, especially work.

In fact, I pray so much about it, I’m sure God wonders why this is a repetitive issue with me. Not only do I turn to Him, I turn to my art because I figure with both, I can conquer my messy mind and I won’t have the need to think of anything burdensome, therefore I can rest.

The world sits heavy on my shoulders, as does my commute, daily challenges, and so much more. I’ve been in this situation before and I wonder why I’m never satisfied. I pray about this too!

I don’t believe I have received an answer as of yet, but that doesn’t stop me from asking or listening! I am sure it will become clear from Him. When in doubt never give up praying and listening! He will answer you in His time.

In the meantime, I keep myself busy with creative eyes with new projects, ideas, and ways to settle my uneasiness I have been feeling as of late.

With love,

Robin