Changes, Challenges, Beginnings and a List

Well, it is officially Spring, and as the buds start popping (and the pollen starts blowing) things are starting to go crazy here at the studio and changes are in the wind. It is inevitable (change, that is) and yet when it happens all at once it can be over-whelming, even when you know it is coming. The first big change you will be noticing, is of course the outline of the blog itself. I have found that there is so much going on, in order for me to make any kind of attempt to keep up and keep organised, I needed to do a complete format change- so over the next several weeks, I will be tweaking and adding tons of new stuff- so keep checking back! I have heard tons of feed back from people about elements that I have to keep because they are so loved - and rest assured - they will stay as they are - just adding a bit more of the fun and informative. And since the business end of things are taking off- I will be listing the business end of things here as well - as my web sight is under construction - and this will the main connection site - for now. As for the other changes, I have decided in order to make it quick and painless, I will keep up with bloglandia's obsession with lists. Numbers, subjects only, no vapid gushing or superfluous detail-straight to the point. I like it.

So here goes:

New assignments, challenges, accomplishments, changes and other various things that have otherwise kept me on the verge and out of sight:

1. Studio overhaul (winter to spring)
2. Teenager with a driving permit
3. Grand package from a long "lost" perfect friend (photo-ey goodness supplied later)
4. Paintings to be published in a book (there are loud screams of delight w/ this one) -update in August
5. Same paintings to go on a continental tour (more screams of delight)
6. Paintings aforementioned- yeah - still have to finish some of them- (I think it's the whole publication pressure)
7. Loss of a family member (a blessing that has ended long suffering)
8. Teenager with a driving permit, hormones and a girlfriend (this one deserves mentioning twice)
9. Starting to teach classes- update June
10. Artfire shop- stocked April
11. Etsy shop overhaul- this week
12. No more frozen pipes (yeah!!)
13. Planting garden this week (double yeah!)
14. Show schedule being finalised (anyone who does this knows this deserves a triple yeah!)
15. 2 months 2 weeks till school lets out -Woo Hoo! (vacation starts)
16. Purchased a dive boat
17. Purchased new dive equipment (it is gonna be a great summer!)
18. Almost done working my butt off at a job that is sucking the life out of me
19. Purchased a bunch of fabulous artwork from three amazing artists- update when received
20. Article written for a grand magazine
21. New laptop - just to make sure I have no down time. LOL
22. New 21 inch flat screen- just cause I'm getting old....NOT :0)
23. Planning a 3 week inter coastal waterway sail, from FL to??? (leaving room for Heather to stow-away)
24. Working on two challenge pieces for two fabulous groups (MMMM and Wendy Froud Sculptors)
25. The Nine Modern Day Muses and a Bodyguard
26. Creative Awakenings
27. Kaleidoscope
28. Art Guilds
29. A wedding
30. A divorce
31. A commission for a cake topper (that should be interesting, I mean, fun- definately a new one!)
32. Altered Bits

Ok - I think that will do for now. I thank all of those wonderful friends and bogging buddies that have phoned and emailed -wondering if I were bound and gagged in a closet somewhere. I appreciate the good thoughts and concern - as you can see I am merely going out of my mind- blazing bravely into my new world- armed with nothing but a stock of clay, a paintbrush and a smile. Hang on- it's going to be a wild ride!

We took a look.

We saw a Nook.

On his head he had a hook.

On his hook he had a book.

On his book was "How to Cook."
We saw him sit and try to cook.

He took a look at the book on the hook.
But a Nook can't read, so a Nook can't cook.

SO...

what good to a Nook is hook cook book?

And now good night.

It is time to sleep.

So we will sleep with our pet Zeep.
Today is gone. Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one.

Every day, from here to there,

funny things are everywhere.

-Dr. Seuss