Already 2011 & I am SO behind...

It seems quite unreal that the last post I made was back in November 2010, but nonetheless 'tis true. Life has been hectic, to say the least, and I have been remiss in keeping up with news from "this sister" of Coastal Sisters. While I have been absent I have had my plate full...explanation:


My husband and I decided to downsize, and being there is only 2 of us, we decided to sell our home. To make a long story short, we built the house back in 2007 and moved in in 2008. My Mom had been living with us since 2006 when she had a stroke (that is the reason we built the house, so we'd have 2 master bedrooms on the first floor) but Mom's health declined after we moved into our new home and she had to go to a facility where they could care for her, as I was not able to be with her 24/7 anymore due to having to run our company, trying to handle the routine of daily life, and not having any help from other sources with Moms care. Mom started wanting to wander away from the house and it became more difficult to handle her. With us being in Real Estate we knew what we must build that would appeal to buyers, and quite frankly it was WAY more house than the 2 of us needed, coming in at over 4000 square feet. With life happening the way it did, and Mom's decline in health happening much sooner than expected, we stayed in the house for the obligatory 2 years, put it on the market, and it sold in a few days! This home was "our baby", completely custom built by us from top to bottom, with everything picked by myself and Bobby. I shopped online for light fixtures, the front door, and many other items as well. I designed my window grids, drew out on paper what I wanted in the design of the wainscoting, worked with the architect to make the house to suit us, so it was truly a labor of love that we poured our hearts and souls into. We sold that house last Fall and bought in the same neighborhood, which I have lived in my entire life. What can I say....I adore my neighborhood and have lived within a mile of where I was born and raised my entire life. For those of you familiar with Raleigh, we live in the Five Points area, one of the older areas of Raleigh where charm and great living go hand in hand (of course I am biased!!) We bought a 1920's house, a real charmer, and have been remodeling it since October. It has been a labor of love and is turning out to be completely awesome! Legacy Custom Homes is our builder and they totally ROCK!! We are now getting down to the wire, with last minute items being completed this week, so we will be moving very soon. We got SO fortunate and found a house to rent on the SAME street as the home we bought, so it has been great to go by the remodel daily to watch the progress! Everything fell right into place and we are blessed it has gone as well as it has. SO, this is why I have been MIA for some time now, but I do have high hopes to make it to my blog more often this year. As I have mentioned before, we own and run our own Real Estate firm, I take care of my Mom's needs and visit her often, plus the everyday things life throws at us often keeps me extremely busy. I do have the very best intentions to post on my blog, but somehow I find my "must do" list takes precedence over my "want to do" list. Such is life!! Love and peace to all and I shall be in touch again....pinkie swear :o) !!

We Made It .... HEAVEN & Catching Up

We made it to the beach and I am working hard to catch up on my classes. I actually finished everything for week 2...YAY me!! I say that because I feel I am super behind. Wyanne has got to be the most understanding person, she knows how "life" gets in the way and is always willing to work with us...love you Wyanne!

I talked to Lu a few minutes ago...I am REALLY missing out on being there with her and Shell http://shellinsnohomish.blogspot.com/ ...they are crazy and having so much fun. It was so good to hear the laughter and antics going on between them... SHUT UP!!! PS...that's for you Shell, I am going to be saying it all day now, in "your way" of saying it that is, which is hysterical ya'll...I mean side splitting laughter to hear her say it :o) ...and I mean that in the BEST way!! Love you girls and have fun today xoxo!

I am off now to work on some assignments now. Oh yeah, the HEAVEN part of my title was getting here to the beach...geeeesh, how could I forget that part! I have GOT to get Lu to help me learn how to add pictures so I can share here...or I need to get off my duff and learn on my own! Loves and peace to all....ME!!

I Need To Do My Homework

OK, so here I go again talking about Wyanne's class (for a GREAT reason) http://www.wyartjewels.blogspot.com/ which brings me to the homework part of my title...I have homework to do and I am seriously dying to get to it!! Well, I take that back, because I am not sure "homework" is a good word...it's really assignments, and they are in no way mandatory, but SO great to do. I didn't feel this way in school??!! I can hardly wait to get to the beach and dive into my art supplies and get creative! YAY...thanks again and again Wyanne! You are one awesome, and I know THE coolest, teacher I've ever had!

So, to change the subject, I heard from Lu today, and she's having a grand ol' time at Silver Bella...I only wish I was there to share in the fun. Well, maybe one day...a girl can dream.... Talking to her made me miss her so bad, but I know they'll be moving here sooner or later, and that gives me SOME comfort. I just wish it were tomorrow ...for their move that is! I know I can't rush time. Lu and I have far too much to do once she gets back in the South, where she belongs...nothing wrong with living up North, or out West, it's just that I happen to be in the Southeast, so that is where she needs to be, or I need her to be...well, you get my drift. Plus, we're waiting on her sweet hubbie too...Bobby and Norwood will have another giggin' buddy! ...not frogs, flounder...for those of you who wonder, not that you will, but explanation done just in case :o)

That's it for me right now. I have to get back out for some more work, "real work" that is...not "homework", not yet at least. OH....how I miss my art supplies and I reeeeeeeally miss the beach! Loves & peace xo! Lisa

A Theme of Wings...

I do believe that this month has grown some wings and is flying right on past me without regard to the time I need to accomplish all I would really like to get done. As I mentioned in a couple of previous posts, I am taking an online class with Wyanne Thompson ...see http://www.wyartjewels.blogspot.com/ for details ... in fact, I am taking two of her classes at the same time (WHAT was I thinking?!!) and I am having a grand time! I am taking her Mixed Media Resin class and the Paint Free class as well. Now, let me just tell you, if you ever have those nasty little voices in your head yelling at you, you know, that little gremlin art critic poking at you....GO TAKE WYANNE'S CLASS!! I can't begin to tell you now WONDERFUL her Paint Free class is!! If anyone asks what you want for a gift, let them give you the gift of this class. There are wonderful things to learn and Wyanne is incredible. If I could put into to words how awesome she is, I would!! I can't comment on what we're learning because it is not fair to Wyanne, and she has my utmost respect for what she's doing for us all, the ones that take her class. This Paint Free class is her baby and she's worked for 2 years to accomplish putting together this most wonderful class. I am having so much fun and learning so many things about myself as an artist. Wyanne is giving us all WINGS....she's a great teacher, so kind & caring, so full of inspiration that helps us all find our wings! I've run into a lot of artist's that do not want to share their "knowledge" or "secrets", they act as if they're better than everyone else...I can't stand an art bully or an art snob! Who's to say what is or is not good. I believe beauty is all around us, in different forms, and how boring would this world be if we all created the same thing? Wyanne shares her knowledge, what she's learned throughout her career and life, she's the real deal, an inspiration to many! I am off to work on the class for a bit right now, between some "real world" work (yuck, but a necessity) and some art fun, YAY!! Love & peace to all!! Lisa

Lots Of Goings On...

Hey, this will be the third post for me within the same month! I'm proud of myself....YAY ME!!

I am posting to say a quick hello and blog about Wyanne and her classes...which I am loving. I am taking the Mixed Media Resin Class right now. I know I've blogged about her classes already, but I can't say enough about how wonderful she is and how awesome her classes are. You really should treat yourself and sign up :o)

I'm off for now, but please check Wyanne out at www.wyartjewels.blogspot.com and see what she has to offer. You will love how she inspires!!

Love & peace....Lisa

Excited about RESIN CLASS...

I must pass along a jewel of a goody today...an artist by the name of Wyanne is offering online classes that are just too fabs!! Wyanne is an exceptional artist and person! You really need to treat yourself and visit her blog to read more about the online classes she offers. You can read all about her by going to http://www.wyartjewels.blogspot.com/ She is truly amazing and so much fun. I think she really summarizes what a lot of us as artists feels from time to time...when those little voices start saying "you can't do this, you can't do that, is my art good enough, etc..." Check out her blog to see the different classes she offers and sign up!! You will LOVE her, trust me, she is awesome...she's all about good karma...simply put, she's fabulous!! I'm off to check in with what we've got going on in class. Check it out everyone, sign up and take a class, you will not regret it!! You will LOVE her!! Love and peace all :o) xoxo!! Lisa

Trying a bit harder...no matter what!

I am going to try a bit harder to do more posts, even if they have to be short and sweet. Lu does such a great job with her blog, so I feel like the black sheep of Coastal Sisters, as I hide my head in shame :oP ...and hope to live up to LuLu's example (NOT gonna happen, she's TOO fabs) !! I have been very busy with Lu's recent visit, working my "real" job...as always... and now am preparing to move... NOT something I planned or expected at this time in my life, but it IS time to move on from a house that is WAY too big for just me, Bobby, and our 2 sweet boys, Angus & Oscar...our labs of course :o) !!


I have been trying to work on some art but have not done a whole lot. I have a mixed media Halloween mermaid ready to ship to Lu for display on her table for her big soiree with Spooky Time Jingles. I am SO proud of her!! She is working really hard to be ready for the show next weekend, Saturday October 16th. She's all nerves and wicked excitement, all rolled into one sweet, talented, wonderful sister....my LuLu!! If you are in the area please go by and visit all the artists. I know you'll LOVE everything those wonderful artisans have to offer up :o) Go to their site for info at http://www.stjsoiree.blogspot.com/ to get all the details!! It will REALLY be worth the trip!



So, with a quick post done, I am off to work some more, and maybe even try to relax just a bit! I might even try to paint a little (fingers crossed, hoping & wishing hard) and I leave sending you all hopes for a wonderful weekend filled with joy and happiness!