Highlights for 2019 of trips, redos, art events, and more

While 2019 had some very rough moments, there were some major highlights for me too.  Sugarwings and I have spent maybe about 10,000 gajillion hours together in the studio, and this year, she seemed to come into her own with coming up with well executed, interesting projects.

There were many times that she would show me something and I'd be surprised a kid had done it. Like these hot glue roses.  Really nice!

I also got to host a few gatherings, like "Love Bird Song" for Valentine's Day, where I became addicted to cutting carrots into heart shapes and made up excuses to have visitors just to serve more heart shaped carrots.

Sadly, though, the day after the class, I slipped in the studio and conked my head. If you are going to be keeping track, this is Concussion #1.

And Art Event #1

My buddy, Karen came to the cottage to teach in August, and we had a great weekend with friends.

Art Event #2 (these aren't in order, I am just counting them)

Then, one big ole, wonderful, weekend happened in November with A Snowbird's Song, and I am still feeling happy thoughts thinking about that get together!

(And yes, I am planning on doing one again in November 2020, please come and join the fun!)

Art Event #3

In February, I taught at the Cozy Castle, with two Valenting projects.  

And guess what? I will be doing that again this February!!  It will be a bittersweet experience, her gorgeous home has sold, and this will be my last visit to see her while I happen to be in Florida vacationing. I am quite glad to get one more night in that lovely place.

Art Event #4

In April, Jenn Hayslip invited me to teach at Jekyll Island where I roomed with my Honey Bunny, Guncle Randy.

Art Event #5

We laughed our fluffy little bunny tails off, and had a great time with great people.

After I taught at the Cozy Castle, my husband and Sugarwings met me in Orlando, and we drove down to Ft Lauderdale for some winter getaway beach time.

Then, he played golf with friends while she and I hung with Mickey.

And if you are going to be keeping track, this is Disney #1.

After Jenn's event in Georgia, I was flying home from Jacksonville, and of course, had to spend time at Guncleland while there. And when in Florida, I thought it would be smart to meet up with Terry and Dale to make a lil visit to Disney again.. 

Disney #2

We spent a day at Universal too. 

And oops! See the forehead starting to turn color?

Yep.

Concussion #2, I got dizzy on a ride and fell face first into a wall of lockers.

June held a trip to Park City to Terry's grand masquerade/family reunion.

Where we had some exciting dress up time, and bonding with loved ones.

All of the other trips were flying (mostly on free flights from Southwest points) but I took a cross country trip to pick up Dewdrop by car and stopped in Indy to see my family there.

And I got to spend a night at my fab friend, Lori's beautiful home in Louisville too.

During a roadside antique mall stop, I found these curtains that inspired a bathroom redo when I got home.

Redo count? #1

A huge moment in last spring was redoing my studio.  I straightened, sorted, painted, and rearranged to make a much more useful space.  It was a week of nonstop hard work, but I still am uplifted by the redo everytime I walk in there.

Redo count #2

Redo count #3   A not so interesting redo, but one I was proud of myself for tackling was power washing and repainting this garage all by myself.  Although, if I knew what was ahead of me, I probably would have just taken the time to rest up instead…

Because that is when my son's family broke up and we had to do a major redo on this house to get it on the market before the brief, fall selling season was over.  We tore down out buildings, repainted the shed, cleaned out the garage, repainted ceilings, bathroom cabinets, stairs,  and all but two rooms. Then hauled gravel and shovelled it into the driveway, redid flower beds, mowed and mowed and trimmed and trimmed, and hauled off all of the household of filth and junk and everything else the temporary renters had left including maggots in the kitchen and well, I won't get into that, I am letting it all go….

The house looked homey and welcoming  after our nonstop month of work and it sold with multiple offers in less than a week, so, as I said, I am letting the rage and exhaustion go.

Or at least trying.

Redo count?  #4- to #4,000?

It felt like more.

Having a houseful of doodle babies to come home to every day, sure made me feel better. I loved every second of time I had with these wonderful pups, they were my smartest, sweetest litter, ever. 

After we finished the house, we flew the kids to Clearwater Beach and to Disney. We wanted them to know that even though our son wasn't with their mom, we loved them and they were family. Also, we wanted to celebrate my husband's retirement.

He left his job just as we started working to get that house sold.

Disney count #3

Clearwater is where this happened.

Concussion count #3

My Dr. says that if I were an athlete, I would be benched.

After  A Snow Bird's Song, I had one more trip, another reunion.  This time, for our annual Sister Trip to Florida, we were joined by my sister's kids. It was such a joy to spend time with them, even though the weather at home in KS was warmer than it was in Sarasota most of the week. We just wrapped up in lots of blankets and layers and enjoyed the patio anyway. Luckily, before the time we had to go home there was sunshine and a couple of perfect days.

But for the Disney count? Nope, I didn't sneak out for a day at the park, the count ended at 3.  Each was loved and appreciated, but I think that might be the end of my Disney days for a while, our trips will be different now with my handsome husband happily retired.

The year ended with a room full of love.  I had cried my heart out while getting that house ready to sell, not thinking we would ever have another big family dinner together.

But, I am lucky to have these people in my life. And even with the changes, disruptions, unheavels, and moves, they came together for the holiday and that meant the world to me. This year had its rough times. 

But it sure had its good ones too. 

Thank you, 2019 for the lessons and for the love.