Tuesday, July 31, 2012
new artwork, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
It's all part of the plan
It's been nearly a year since the last blog post?! So much I could tell you about, but I choose my most favorite: growth in my small business, and in my faith.
In 2007, we left Mississippi and moved to Mobile's Eastern Shore--an art mecca, which I'd never realized before. When we bought our house, it was from a sweet elderly lady, whom we immediately bonded with. She was in her seventies or eighties, but was as sharp as someone decades her junior. She was selling her home and making plans to move to Tennessee with her son and his family. Telling me she wouldn't need it, she offered to leave the dining room table and chairs, and its matching china hutch. It was one of those tables with a finish you couldn't hurt if you tried! It was not my taste in the least, but it was being gifted, and it filled up a room that would otherwise be empty. So, I graciously accepted, but really just to be polite. For three years, that table sat there, mostly unused.
Fast forward to tonight, five years later. I've turned that rarely-occupied dining room into an art studio. Late 2010, I began painting again and in 2011 made everything official, opening my own business selling my artwork. I am amazed at how it's taken off, but even more so at how little things lined up in my favor. That table you couldn't hurt? It's my paint-smattered work station. That hutch? It's full of small paintings which I've arranged to look like a little gift shop. The walls hold a dozen or more large paintings. The lady also left a four-drawer file cabinet (another thing I was so sure I wouldn't use) which holds all my files and shipping supplies.
All those things I was so quick to dismiss quietly became invaluable pieces to my puzzle. It took me forty one years, but here I sit, exactly where I'm meant to be. I'm finally doing what I was created to do. All these things were lined up for me even before I knew I'd need them. God's plan in action. He provides everything in its perfect time.
So, it's with a heart of gratitude that I share this story with you. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." Thank you, Jesus. Just thank you for all of it.
What's tugging at your heart to do, to become?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Manci's
Well, friends....my daughters and I finally went to Manci's in Daphne for lunch. I've always heard their food was good, so today was the day to find out for myself.
We had the sweetest waitress who was on top of her game. She was very kind to the girls and even complimented them on their manners. She told me she would take them anytime over some of the children she'd waited on before.
After our meal, Liv took Marilyn to the ladies room. When she came back, Liv smiled and whispered, "There was a statue of a naked man in there. All he had was a fig leaf. Marilyn kept asking me what it was." I smiled and told her the joke about the nun in the ladies room that lifted the fig leaf to take a quick peek...and when she came out of the bathroom, the whole place cheered. (When she looked under the fig leaf, the lights blinked, letting the whole place know what she'd done.)
Next, Ava and I went in and luckily Ava wasn't as interested as Marilyn. I was so temped to look, but too chicken about what the consequences might be. On my way out, I admitted to our waitress I was so tempted to lift the fig, but chickened out. She giggled, and send me right back in there: "Oh, honey, you can't come to Manci's and not take a peek...go ahead!" With Ava hot on my heels back in the bathroom, I bit my lip and slowly started to lift the fig leaf. I bet I didn't get it lifted a centimeter when the LOUDEST ALARM(slash)SHIP WHISTLE(slash)FIRE STATION BELL screamed out filling the bathroom AND entire restaurant!!! I hollered and laughed...then had to face all the people still left in the restaurant. Of course, they were all staring and smiling -- obviously they'd peeked at least once, too. Our waitress said smiling, "It rings outside the building, too." It scared Liv, Marilyn and Ava...then I had some explaining to do once we made it back to the car.
So, if y'all ever go to Manci's, and you've got the guts, LIFT THE LEAF!
--dpg
We had the sweetest waitress who was on top of her game. She was very kind to the girls and even complimented them on their manners. She told me she would take them anytime over some of the children she'd waited on before.
After our meal, Liv took Marilyn to the ladies room. When she came back, Liv smiled and whispered, "There was a statue of a naked man in there. All he had was a fig leaf. Marilyn kept asking me what it was." I smiled and told her the joke about the nun in the ladies room that lifted the fig leaf to take a quick peek...and when she came out of the bathroom, the whole place cheered. (When she looked under the fig leaf, the lights blinked, letting the whole place know what she'd done.)
Next, Ava and I went in and luckily Ava wasn't as interested as Marilyn. I was so temped to look, but too chicken about what the consequences might be. On my way out, I admitted to our waitress I was so tempted to lift the fig, but chickened out. She giggled, and send me right back in there: "Oh, honey, you can't come to Manci's and not take a peek...go ahead!" With Ava hot on my heels back in the bathroom, I bit my lip and slowly started to lift the fig leaf. I bet I didn't get it lifted a centimeter when the LOUDEST ALARM(slash)SHIP WHISTLE(slash)FIRE STATION BELL screamed out filling the bathroom AND entire restaurant!!! I hollered and laughed...then had to face all the people still left in the restaurant. Of course, they were all staring and smiling -- obviously they'd peeked at least once, too. Our waitress said smiling, "It rings outside the building, too." It scared Liv, Marilyn and Ava...then I had some explaining to do once we made it back to the car.
So, if y'all ever go to Manci's, and you've got the guts, LIFT THE LEAF!
--dpg
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Got Kids?
My inspiration comes from my sweet, carefree, friend, Joy H. I love to read her Facebook posts and her blog, "Confessions of a Southern Socialite". She tells of the parties she attends, and of the places she travels. Her hair always looks great in the photo evidence of said events and she's always smiling. I can't say for sure what kind of vehicle Joy drives, but I have a hunch it's not a mini van. How does she do it all, while remaining perfectly coiffed and accessorized, you ask? Joy does not live with children.
I will wager whatever coins are in the console of the van that her week didn't include the following:
* A stuffed cat, hog-tied with the extra seat belt that hangs from the van ceiling, dangling up high over the back seats and in plain view of all surrounding vehicles.
* A rotten, half-eaten apple tossed into a TJMaxx bag that hung on a bedroom door knob for a couple of weeks...on top of two items that WERE to be returned to the store, but instead went straight into the trash.
* A Mario Brothers doll in the freezer.
* Grease on her leather couch.
So, my sweet social butterfly...you enjoy those homemade tacos, rice, popcorn and movie without interruptions. You enjoy not vacuuming up tacos, rice, and popcorn. We'll be here in the trenches...secretly waiting for your call & offer to babysit. Or raise them. We're not choosey. ; )
~dpg
I will wager whatever coins are in the console of the van that her week didn't include the following:
* A stuffed cat, hog-tied with the extra seat belt that hangs from the van ceiling, dangling up high over the back seats and in plain view of all surrounding vehicles.
* A rotten, half-eaten apple tossed into a TJMaxx bag that hung on a bedroom door knob for a couple of weeks...on top of two items that WERE to be returned to the store, but instead went straight into the trash.
* A Mario Brothers doll in the freezer.
* Grease on her leather couch.
So, my sweet social butterfly...you enjoy those homemade tacos, rice, popcorn and movie without interruptions. You enjoy not vacuuming up tacos, rice, and popcorn. We'll be here in the trenches...secretly waiting for your call & offer to babysit. Or raise them. We're not choosey. ; )
~dpg
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Walk of Shame...
While she was away on vacay, my oldest offspring calls me from another phone to let me know her cell phone is not working. Days pass and she is without her life line! She starts to get a little antsy about how much longer it will be until we can have it checked out.
She said, "I've tried turning it off and on again, but after a few minutes, it freezes up then the screen goes black." She assures me that it's fully charged, too.
So, finally I went to the phone store. Wheeled right up to the front door. What luck! We're the only customers and we are helped right away! Phone Guy takes a look at it. He pops out the battery, the SIM card, all that jazz. Phone Guy hands it to Offspring so she can type in her passcode and unlock the phone. After typing in 20-30 digits, Offspring hands it back to Phone Guy. "It's a cell phone, not Fort Knox," I whisper to Offspring. Aha! Phone Guy has found the problem! Already?? Wow.
"Ma'am," he says with a straight face. "It's not charged."
The look I bored into Offspring said it all.
I thanked Phone Guy sheepishly, gathered the rest of my chicks and took that long walk of shame from the counter to the door. The salt in the wound? That I was piling back into my soccer-mom minivan. The only thing that could have shamed me more was wearing one of those plastic cones a dog gets from the vet.
--dpg
She said, "I've tried turning it off and on again, but after a few minutes, it freezes up then the screen goes black." She assures me that it's fully charged, too.
So, finally I went to the phone store. Wheeled right up to the front door. What luck! We're the only customers and we are helped right away! Phone Guy takes a look at it. He pops out the battery, the SIM card, all that jazz. Phone Guy hands it to Offspring so she can type in her passcode and unlock the phone. After typing in 20-30 digits, Offspring hands it back to Phone Guy. "It's a cell phone, not Fort Knox," I whisper to Offspring. Aha! Phone Guy has found the problem! Already?? Wow.
"Ma'am," he says with a straight face. "It's not charged."
The look I bored into Offspring said it all.
I thanked Phone Guy sheepishly, gathered the rest of my chicks and took that long walk of shame from the counter to the door. The salt in the wound? That I was piling back into my soccer-mom minivan. The only thing that could have shamed me more was wearing one of those plastic cones a dog gets from the vet.
--dpg
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
You Found What Where?!
I hope I'm not alone in this ritual of escapism I've developed. The one where I sit here zoned out in front of this computer when I should be cleaning, organizing, and just being a productive member of society. Gah, it makes me tired just typing all those verbs.
I used to be so energetic! My house was relatively cleaned on a routine basis, I used to cook big country suppers every night, laundry never got taller than my knees, and I even exercised. What happened??! That once-perfect apartment I kept so chic and smelling good with candles burning? History. I know now that having a small space can be a blessing! This house is three times bigger than that apartment and I've acquired three times the headache keeping it ....no, I'm not even going to type "clean" because that's just not how it is. I remember being soooo excited when I finally got that extra-deep stainless steel kitchen sink! Reality check: that just means you can pile even more dirty dishes up before you're guilted into loading them into the AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER! File that little tip away under 'LAZY'.
Let's talk about my other nemesis: laundry. Where the hell to I even start with this one? God love my best friend, because she is the only one outside this house that knows first-hand that my hallway IS my laundry basket. She never judges. Still, it's easier to keep up with the Kardashians than to keep up with our laundry, and here's why. It's July...summer vacation and hot as hades, yet in the hamper I find a winter coat and long school uniform pants. I'm not done. I also find a pair of scissors, two stuffed animals, a doll head, a kitchen fork, a Pull-Up, and the lid to a cardboard box. If I'm lying, I'm dying. The two youngest "cleaned" their room, and now I see how they made so much progress. I could go on about this subject but you don't have the time and I don't have the energy.
Alright, so if eeeeeverything worth having is piled up in the hallway dirty, what in the world did the girls wear to town today? Let me simply say nothing matched and I didn't care. It was clean and covering all necessary parts. I used to see Those Moms before and think, "Ugh...I'm gonna dress my kids sooo cute all the time."
Pffft. You'll wear whatever you have that's this side of being arrested and doesn't need ironing. Frosty spilled down the front of your white shirt? Aw, nobody will even notice. You say your wearing two different flip flops? That's great! We only have to go to the bank, grocery, and Lowe's. **insert sarcastic face here**
I do love being a parent, but there are days when I just have to put the brakes on.
I just wish there could be a better balance the majority of the time. Putting things back where they found them might help offset those times when I find they've honest-to-goodness wrapped the dog in an entire spool of tulle in the backyard, and one end is tethered to the swing. If you think I'm making up any bit of this, I invite you to come spend the day with us. I dare you.
~DPG
I used to be so energetic! My house was relatively cleaned on a routine basis, I used to cook big country suppers every night, laundry never got taller than my knees, and I even exercised. What happened??! That once-perfect apartment I kept so chic and smelling good with candles burning? History. I know now that having a small space can be a blessing! This house is three times bigger than that apartment and I've acquired three times the headache keeping it ....no, I'm not even going to type "clean" because that's just not how it is. I remember being soooo excited when I finally got that extra-deep stainless steel kitchen sink! Reality check: that just means you can pile even more dirty dishes up before you're guilted into loading them into the AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER! File that little tip away under 'LAZY'.
Let's talk about my other nemesis: laundry. Where the hell to I even start with this one? God love my best friend, because she is the only one outside this house that knows first-hand that my hallway IS my laundry basket. She never judges. Still, it's easier to keep up with the Kardashians than to keep up with our laundry, and here's why. It's July...summer vacation and hot as hades, yet in the hamper I find a winter coat and long school uniform pants. I'm not done. I also find a pair of scissors, two stuffed animals, a doll head, a kitchen fork, a Pull-Up, and the lid to a cardboard box. If I'm lying, I'm dying. The two youngest "cleaned" their room, and now I see how they made so much progress. I could go on about this subject but you don't have the time and I don't have the energy.
Alright, so if eeeeeverything worth having is piled up in the hallway dirty, what in the world did the girls wear to town today? Let me simply say nothing matched and I didn't care. It was clean and covering all necessary parts. I used to see Those Moms before and think, "Ugh...I'm gonna dress my kids sooo cute all the time."
Pffft. You'll wear whatever you have that's this side of being arrested and doesn't need ironing. Frosty spilled down the front of your white shirt? Aw, nobody will even notice. You say your wearing two different flip flops? That's great! We only have to go to the bank, grocery, and Lowe's. **insert sarcastic face here**
I do love being a parent, but there are days when I just have to put the brakes on.
I just wish there could be a better balance the majority of the time. Putting things back where they found them might help offset those times when I find they've honest-to-goodness wrapped the dog in an entire spool of tulle in the backyard, and one end is tethered to the swing. If you think I'm making up any bit of this, I invite you to come spend the day with us. I dare you.
~DPG
Friday, April 29, 2011
Pointers from a fed-up Mom...
So that I don't loose what's left of my mind, I'm about to brainstorm here on my "blawg". Here, I'll make a few suggestions - off the top of my head, of course. Nothing pre-meditated here.
10) From now on, glasses will not be used at the dinner table. The kids can either sip the milk straight from the table surface or suck it straight out of paper towels.
9) Two cups of acorns, a palmful of pepples or 15 cents in pennies shall be added to all loads of laundry, thus making a wet, exploded Pull-Up inside the washing machine seem like a walk in the park.
8) A 50-ft water hose will be run straight from the back patio through the den, kitchen and hallway straight into the guest lavatory for all baths and/or showers. This way, gallons of water in the floor won't be a surprise.
7) 25 will be the new default volume on all televisions and radios. This will serve as Deafening Noise Bootcamp. Afterward, Parents can boastfully attest that the screams, yelps, and blood-curdling tattling will not even register.
6) All meals will sauce, melted cheese, and/or sticky glazes shall be consumed in the family minivan. Wet Wipes available on request.
5) Should said minivan be at the detail shop for 10 consecutive days for cleaning overhaul,
slippery meals such as noodles, rice, etc. will be served on slippery melamine plates. Children will be encouraged to fix their own plate. Bonus points for tipping the plate as they walk to the table.
4) Sanford & Son reruns shall play on a continual loop, therefore mapping out a specific plan for how much more crap will be required for littering the front lawn. Bonus points for out of season clothig items. (i.e. wool winter coats in the summer; half of a bikini in the winter.)
3) Large, classy objects d'arte shall be replaced throughout family home with small, sharp knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. Think "Jacks" and "safety pins". Extra point if found in hallway carpet...in the dark.
2) Dry, in-tact rolls of toilet paper shall be off limits. All toilet paper must meet these requirements: *on the floor; *shredded; *damp, preferably from bath water, and so on.
1) Forego any stops at the 181 Shell station's "Beer Cave". Buy in bulk from Sam's.
DPG
10) From now on, glasses will not be used at the dinner table. The kids can either sip the milk straight from the table surface or suck it straight out of paper towels.
9) Two cups of acorns, a palmful of pepples or 15 cents in pennies shall be added to all loads of laundry, thus making a wet, exploded Pull-Up inside the washing machine seem like a walk in the park.
8) A 50-ft water hose will be run straight from the back patio through the den, kitchen and hallway straight into the guest lavatory for all baths and/or showers. This way, gallons of water in the floor won't be a surprise.
7) 25 will be the new default volume on all televisions and radios. This will serve as Deafening Noise Bootcamp. Afterward, Parents can boastfully attest that the screams, yelps, and blood-curdling tattling will not even register.
6) All meals will sauce, melted cheese, and/or sticky glazes shall be consumed in the family minivan. Wet Wipes available on request.
5) Should said minivan be at the detail shop for 10 consecutive days for cleaning overhaul,
slippery meals such as noodles, rice, etc. will be served on slippery melamine plates. Children will be encouraged to fix their own plate. Bonus points for tipping the plate as they walk to the table.
4) Sanford & Son reruns shall play on a continual loop, therefore mapping out a specific plan for how much more crap will be required for littering the front lawn. Bonus points for out of season clothig items. (i.e. wool winter coats in the summer; half of a bikini in the winter.)
3) Large, classy objects d'arte shall be replaced throughout family home with small, sharp knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. Think "Jacks" and "safety pins". Extra point if found in hallway carpet...in the dark.
2) Dry, in-tact rolls of toilet paper shall be off limits. All toilet paper must meet these requirements: *on the floor; *shredded; *damp, preferably from bath water, and so on.
1) Forego any stops at the 181 Shell station's "Beer Cave". Buy in bulk from Sam's.
DPG
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About Me
- Gault Girls of LA (that's lower Alabama, y'all)
- I'm very happily married and have three daughters. Since moving to Mobile's Eastern Shore, I've also become a full-time artist and I am in heaven when I paint.
