Ahh! The Joys of Painting!

I love designing jewelry,

but painting..

Sigh..

How I missed it!
I went into my studio and pulled out some paint and brushes.

Then I unrolled a large sheet of butcher paper, taped it to my worktable, and went at it.

I randomly brushed on some color, then outlined in black paint whatever design came into my head, which usually ends up being flowers, leaves, and hearts, which I really love.

I slashed on more color, just listening to the music playing on my CD player, as well as in my heart,

just having fun.

Later I scribbled in some Caran d'Ache water-soluble pastels, which are sooo nice to work with.

For now, I'm finished, but I just might decide to add some other touches later.

There is a precious thing about art, in whichever form you choose; and that is that after you have finished running around, stressed out from life, the joy of Creativity is always there, waiting for you.

'Til later,

Carol B.

Congratulations Graduates!

Isn't this the most amazing graduation picture you've ever seen?

It shows the ultimate joy and exhilaration of a long and difficult job well done.

I know that is the way I felt after I graduated from Cal State Long Beach 11 years ago.

This is a picture of Angela, my daughter's friend, who just graduated last Thursday. She also graduated from Cal State Long Beach, as did my daughter two years earlier.

The funny thing is that I graduated on Thursday, May 27 (11 years ago) and Angela graduated on Thursday, May 27. My daughter told Angela that she and I now share a special bond for sharing this special day.

When I graduated, it was a day long overdue. It was a difficult journey, what with being a single mom, having been divorced just a few years earlier. There were many lonely times when I was studying, hour after hour, wishing I could forget the whole thing. But when I marched down the aisle and up to that podium, Pomp and Circumstance marking my every step, it was the proudest moment of my life, one I will never forget.

So to all the Graduates of 2010, I say CONGRATULATIONS!! Blessings to you all for a job well done!

And in case you're wondering, the picture I posted was taken in the fountain of Cal State Long Beach. The young woman in the graduation gown in the front is Angela, and the lovely young woman on the left, with the long dark hair and purple print dress is my daughter, Dionna.

Of course, no one is really supposed to be in that fountain.

So if any officials are looking at this pic, then never mind. I don't really know the names of those people in that fountain.

'Til later,

Carol B.

In Remembrance

Despite what goes on in the news, back and forth, this person's opinion and that person's opinion, I would like to say to those in the military, as well as their families, past and present, that there are those of us that remember and care.

We care about the fact that you have sacrificed so much to defend us so that we could be free.

Despite whatever garbage goes on in politics, whether or not there are really ulterior motives for this war or that, whether or not we should be fighting or should not, the fact is that these men and women in the military, along with their families, are sacrificing everything for us while those of us back here choose to intellectualize the debate or kick back and watch TV.

The simple fact is that they are out there,

we are not.

The families are waiting anxiously, or mourning in the deepest sorrow that we cannot know unless we have also had the misfortune of that experience.

My heart goes out to the parents who have lost their children,

the men and women who have lost their spouses,

the children who have lost their parents,

the siblings who have lost their brother or sister,

all those who have lost that person they so love.

Blessings to you.

I know it is not enough to say thank you, but thank you.

Thank you all for your sacrifice.

To those men and women that are back home, may your future be bright.

To those still out there, may you safely come back home.

God Bless you always.

Happy Birthday to My Baby Boy!

Today my baby turns 25! Dude! You are a quarter of a century old! Ha Ha!

I am writing this at almost 6:30 in the morning, the time he was born 25 years ago.

Whew!

To all moms out there, you know it is hard to believe.

All the cliches are true when you say it seems like yesterday.

He was supposed to be born on the 4th of July, and instead, here he comes, five weeks early!

He was only 4 lbs, 15 oz!

And 37 hours of labor, which I will not let him forget, and here it is in print, for all to see!

But he was worth it.

As you can see, he has become a handsome young man, who is maturing into an honorable, respectful young man, more so everyday.

When he was in high school, we hit a lot of rough spots, but he is back to the wonderful person he started out to be.

I am so proud of him.

He is working hard, has a wonderful girlfriend, the hurry-up-and-be-my-daughter-in-law Janine, and I know he has a wonderful future ahead of him.

My Blessings to my Baby Boy.

I love you, Eric.

Love,

Mom

May 21, 1977

I can write this because my husband never reads this blog, which is good, because I would like to write this, not only for myself, but for my kids.

Today, thirty three years ago, I got married.

Mind you, this was to my ex-husband.

But this is not about him. It is about a young, twenty one year old woman (was I ever twenty one??), having planned her wedding, and getting ready to embark on that journey that a young woman dreams about.

By this time, at 7:00 am, I was somewhere in the process of getting ready.

The time I do remember is about 9:30 am when I looked at the clock as I sat down to eat breakfast.

I remember sitting in front of the mirror above my dresser, as I looked at the finishing touches on my makeup.

I remember when my mom told my dad to come look at me, all dressed up in my wedding gown and veil. He came out of his bedroom and looked at me standing at my bedroom door.

"Oh, mija, you look so nice," he said, and hugged me.

And then he broke down in tears and ran back into his room.

I remember sitting in the car, riding to the church.

I remember standing on the brick steps in front of the church, while my cousin, my maiden of honor, straightened my veil.

I remember standing in the church foyer, in front of the doors to the sanctuary, the music playing, announcing that I was about to walk in.

And from that time on, I began a new life.

Time goes on and some things are good and some not so good.

There can be lots of anger, bitterness, and regret.

But despite it all, there are these pivotal moments in a young person's life when you begin a new journey, full of hopes and dreams.

Those dreams might be shattered, and you can go down an ugly road.

But even that time passes, and another pivotal moment comes when you choose to lay aside the past and begin life anew, remembering where you came from, remembering good intentions, choosing the best, and moving on.

And so, for my children, as well as myself, I choose to lay aside the past, so that I can fully enjoy that which was, and has always been, the best,

and that is you two, my beautiful children,

the Joy of my heart,

who I will love for always.

Love,

Mama

Pretty!

Here's another necklace, with matching earrings:

I have it rolled up here, but it's about 18 inches long.

Spring Necklace

Here is another necklace I made:

I just love the colors! The beads remind me of a beautiful spring day.

I am not showing it full length because when I take pictures like that it doesn't come out as clear, but it measures about 19 1/2 inches, including clasp.

What I now need is a model that can wear my jewelry while I photograph. But my son's girlfriend Janine is not here all the time, and my daughter is here even less, and I think my son and my husband would make horrible models, so forget that!

I'll figure something out.

Meanwhile, til I open my Etsy shop again, if you are interested in something give me a holla! You can write me at CarolBDesigns@gmail.com. I intend for my prices to be very reasonable.

'Til later,

Have a beautiful Spring Day!

Carol B.