Fashion Do or Don't

11-18-11 busy brain
I wasn't going to post today, instead I was busy last night creating my parents Christmas photo letter.... Greg agreed to work on ours- so that was one less thing on my "to do list". It's been a busy week at work, but Tuesday night I agreed to get out of the house.

I attended a benefit for an organization (GEEZ LOUISE) which helps girls and women deal with life, supports the idea of sisterhood. Women should be lifting up each other rather than acting like most of the roles you see on TV these day. I know I am sure blessed by a group of women who do our best to support each other. My life wouldn't be to same without them.

My "sisters" will even accept me when I am in my "artzy fartzy" mood. Tuesday evening as I was dressing I was reaching for a familial scarf to wear, but instead I went into Greg's old tie area and came out wearing this. My sisterhood group won't be afraid to tell me the truth. Was this look a fashion "DO" or "DON'T"... for the crowd I was hanging with that night, it felt OK to me.

Unexpected Art Exhibit

11-17-11 surprised brain 

I have a story to tell about how my Peace Art was started back 11 months ago, but I don't have the time or energy to write it down at this point, But I'll work on that. For today, here are pictures of my Peace Art hanging in the local coffee shop (Grounds of Celebration) in my neighborhood of Beaverdale. Thanks Ann for helping me. It really isn't about selling the art..... for me it is just joyful to know that my Peace Art is being shared out into the world!

 PS: I am struggling to get use to the new blogger update. I was resisting and Renee told me to use it.
I suppose I'll love it after a bit, but right now I can't figure out how to do the things which were just a habit for me. So bare with me...... later.

Wednesday GUEST Blog

11-16-11 vacant brain
It is fun to get Ann's tales of all the action on the GOP side of things. So glad she dressed properly for this venue. No cleavage shown here, thank goodness! A quick reminder to Kelley and Molly that they are working on upcoming GUEST Blogs too!  (?) ~Judy

Heatin’ Up – Road to the White House 2012
Iowans get ready for two months of heavy politicking as the Iowa Caucus is less than 60 days away, January 3rd. Democrats can relax and watch the propaganda geared towards independents and Republicans. The TV ad’s are up and running and my mailbox will soon be flooded with fliers. While I do watch the TV ad’s (remember this is revenue) do people read the mailers? Frankly, I pitch them without reading them. Which begs the question, what motivates a person to vote for one candidate versus another – print ad, TV ad, debates, TV/radio sound bites, in-person forums or friendly debating with your friends?

Judy and I do our share of debating. Here’s a pic of us holding our respective party's mug, a gift given (to us Friday evening) by Molly. Will the day every come that we exchange mugs?

I prefer to get my opinions right from the candidates and boy, I got a great opportunity last month at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Collation Dinner in Des Moines (October 22). Yes yes, a conservative and evangelical organization, right wing bible thumping group. And no, no bibles needed for this dinner.

My connection was a friend of the Perry campaign and I was very honored to be the guest of Gabe and Carolyn Haugland. Longstory short, not only does Gabe work for Perry for President, he’s a Drake Law graduate, US Army Guard, infantry and now a JAG Officer. His wife is not only a Drake graduate, she is Miss Iowa 2004 and her sister Emily is Miss Iowa 2006, hailing from Clear Lake. I felt special sitting at a VIP table. The Nicholas sisters were singing the national anthem. They were very good and as they told me, they perform as a duo all over Iowa.

The dinner was very good (fried chicken, potatoes, beans) then the candidates spoke for 10 minutes then answered four questions from a two-person panel, total of 20-25 minutes. It was great to hear the candidates “unfiltered”. Herman Cain went first, Gov. Perry in the middle and Rick Santorum was last (felt bad for him).

Here’s my take of the evening:
Cain- gave a good speech and all I can say, he can hold a room (pre-scandal speech).

Paul- just when he sounds sensible, he says something really odd. However, all can agree “time to get the troops home.”

Bachman- her story is old, born in Iowa, foster parent, tax lawyer. I’ll give her credit for winning the Iowa Straw Poll but that’s all.

Gingrich- smart man, maybe too smart to be President. His baggage will hold him back.

Rick Santorum- very informed but not enough traction in Iowa. Credit him for his personal pro-life position.

Gov. Perry- yes he’s my candidate, yes he does not come across “bright/smart” on TV but in person, he comes across very clear.

I was able to see all the candidates, shook Gingrich’s hand and got my picture taken with Governor Perry, sweet for me!

Now move to the debates, two in the last two weeks and one scheduled in Iowa next week. Yes Yes, even Perry admits he’s no debater and about the “oops” moment, I really felt badly for him. Yes it can happen to anyone, but not when you’re trying to dig yourself out of a ditch when on “live TV.” Well after a day of “mea culpas”, he was back on track at the GOP debate in South Carolina.


So get ready Iowans, for two months of political theater. The world will be “watching”.


Chat Later
That Girl, Ann Marie

Freak out into outer space and back

11-15-11 freaked out brain
So Saturday evening Molly and I met up with Kelley down town at a great french restaurant, Django, which is located in the Fort Des Moines Hotel. Yes, it was a little more upscale than my usual favorite restaurants in Beaverdale, but we were celebrating after all.... a successful day of Peace Art.

When Molly and I got back to the house, we decided to try to stay up and watch part of Saturday Night Live, although Molly was falling asleep on the couch. I was tired too, so I was hoping for a wonderful night sleep and planned to sleep in. Well...... instead- my brain started to freak out..... thinking about all the tasks I have to get done between now and Christmas. It was all swirling in my head and I felt like I was floating helpless into outerspace.....and I started praying hard for some peace.

Finally, I fell asleep about 1:30 AM or so...... in the morning I got up and starting making lists and writing down a schedule of when certain things needed to get done. I felt better since my mind now didn't have to keep juggling the information in my head- and worrying that I would forget something. After a good breakfast over at Chefs restaurant (we skipped church).... Molly helped me get more organized with my art and she did some Christmas shopping at my "peace art store". I got in the mood to get some things checked off my November list. Molly helped me get a few outside lights put on the house, and after she left I decided to decorate the living room mantle. WOW- now I starting feeling "a head of schedule" for once! That does not happen very often.

Molly had given me this Peace wall decal for my birthday! I've added a few more starts since this picture was taken. It's from a line called "Wall La La"

I think you can find some here:  http://www.wallstickershop.com/oh-la-la-wall-stickers.html

Then Sunday mid-day, I went to visit a lady I use to work with at the VA Hospital Cancer Registry. Rita was one of the gals who helped set up an introduction between Greg and I. It was so wonderful to see Rita again. We had lost tract of each other last year since her health took a bad turn and she was forced to move from her great retirement apartment. Now it was so good to learn that she has improved so much she has found a new assistant living home in the Drake neighborhood.... so not too far from me..... and I can visit more now!

PS: Even Rita is buying some of my Peace Art for her door. She will be the most hip 75 year old in the place! Rita still has and is using a computer, which I always admired her fearless transition into computers back in the 90's. I might have to introduce Ann to Rita, since Rita is also a political news junkie.... and leans towards my beliefs.... I'll have some back-up in my political discussions with Ann and maybe even Teresa. 

Peace and Mixed Emotions

11-14-11 confused and tired brain
WOW.... a fun and busy weekend. Greg was out in Ohio for a football game- the timing was perfect on this.... since I was busy with a Church Holiday Bazaar of sorts.... OK- a craft sale. This was the first time I have attempted to actively sell my Peace Art.

I'm happy so many of my girls friends turned out to support and help me.... which of course meant we also had fun eating out, drinking a little, shopping....etc.... everything girlfriends do together.

Long Story Short......
I actually sold quite a bit.... not necessary at the show itself, but friends and friends of friends heard about it on Facebook and I had a lot of pre- and post- orders. Two Peaces are going to California and one of those is a gift for someone in Australia (Molly says that makes me an International Artist now!)

Of course I had some separation anxiety with my favorite Peace Art.... but it is nice for me to think much of my art is now at home with many of my friends at this point. I had mixed emotions about selling.... it was work preparing..... it went OK, but I'd much rather spend my time just creating art than selling. This experience does have me thinking about another venue I may try next year. I think I am now ready for a real Art Show.... rather than a craft show with mostly old ladies... whom my Pastel Flower Notecards where the biggest hit with this crowd.

Here are the pictures:

Molly, Carolyn and Ann helped with set up and take down.

I'm so grateful for all that support!

Friend Kelley came to pick up her pre-order of Peace Art and she brought along my God-Son....... wow Ben is getting so tall and is only in 8th grade! OK he might be going through that awkward puberty phase- but still SO CUTE to me! I love those curls which came out of no where!

It happened to me too at age 13, but I recovered by aged 16.

I was also so happy my co-worker friends Renee and Lori drove into town and came to support me!

Wow- I am truly blessed. Thanks everyone!

PS: It looks like PEACE will be spreading across Des Moines in December. I will be having a small show in the Westminster gallery area (Greg you have to help me hang this Sunday afternoon Nov 27th).

Also the owner of the local Beaverdale coffee shop has interest to hang some Peace Art there. I'll be showing her some of my stuff this week.... and my art is still hanging at the Iowa Acupuncture Clinic and I am selling a few there from time to time.

PEACE OUT!

Service and Honor

11-11-11 gratitude brain
It's Veteran's Day, and it is nice to see all the comments posted on Facebook thanking veterans for their service. Seems like there is more awareness of Veteran's Day now, or is it just that my friends and I are at an age we can really appreciate what service and sacrifice is all about?

I sure became more aware back in the mid-80's when my job took me to regular visits at the VA Hospital here in Des Moines. And as it turned out- that is the place where I met Greg. (He was a building manager there)

Of course today, the ONE Vet that means the most to me is my Dad....."the Marine Dude", as Ann likes to call him. Dad experienced unimaginable challenges when he was in WWII, from age 17 to 20(?). He was over in the Pacific swimming to islands to do recon-missions which help plan attacks. Once he was the only man to survive an attack while in a rubber boat. He rolled off the side and swam in the ocean until he was picked up next the day by a submarine.

Growing up, we didn't know any of Dad's stories, it wasn't until 1995, the 50th Anniversary or so that Dad began to talk at the urging and curiosity of my high school classmate friend- Steve. And of course I can't remember all the details like I should... but I got the feeling of the great endurance he and the other men when through. Thus I am in AWE of not only what Dad did in WWII, but what he has done as a Husband, Father, Teacher, Coach, Civic Leader.... those challenges of daily living also show me that he is a true HERO.

Sometimes I wonder what made the "Greatest Generation" great? I believe it was their challenges which strengthen them and made them tougher. They learned about how to sacrifice and give service to others both on the battle field and at home.  I think us Baby-boomers just had it pretty darn easy growing up..... our time of challenges and sacrifice - - now - might be upon us. Hope we can rise to the challenge and change our paradigm.... cause our country can't continue the status-quo.

Here is Dad with some of his fellow serviceman at a Marine Reunion a few years back.

More Peace

11-10-11 busy brain
The last few weeks, after work in the evenings, I have felt like I've got myself a second part-time job. I've been working hard on getting ready for this Holiday Craft Bizzare over at Church on Saturday. There has been framing, creating notecards, organizing, getting the display layout set up, deciding on pricing.... and other odds and ends.

Here is one of my newer favorite PEACE created this week, not yet framed

Saturday should be a fun day, despite the work, since Molly is coming to town to help me at my booth, and Ann has volunterred to help and I am looking forward to other friends who said they are coming to shop. However, I'll admit, I'm looking forward to next week, after this show- to be able to kick back a little more in the evenings. (except to work on my large pixel artwork for January deadline)

All this busyness had me thinking about a poem I wrote back in 2002 and the feelings of peace I am now  longing for- especially this time of year as the days get shorter.... I need more sleep and I'd rather be curled up in front of the fireplace reading a good book.

Time to Be Happy



To be happy-
I need time on my hands,
Thick, sticky time that doesn’t slip through my fingers,
Solid time that won’t evaporate into haste.


Time to look beyond the busyness-
Time to study the birds gathering at the feeder,
Time to gaze at the lingering sunset,
Time to lie back in the grass staring up at the stars,


Not time to think, or even the time to dream-
But time just to let my mind wander closer to heaven.
Time like now, listening to these quiet words in my head,
And the silent peacefulness in my heart.


God is here-
Trying to come though,
If only I take the time-
Time to be happy


Judy Sebern Beachy
Thanksgiving 2002