Just a Normal 2nd Thursday -- Until it Wasn't!

Greetings, Blog-Land!  I hope that all and sundry are well and happy, and joyfully ensconced in the merriments of the Season.  I return to you with MUCH more to share than the time to lay it all out, but this is most awesome news and needs be shared post-haste!  

Last week, I went about my business with work, and various projects, and my ongoing quest to be Christmas-ready, and preparations for the big, year-end wrap-up for the CMMAG.  As one does.  Our December meeting is always a large, fun gathering -- a mix of business and pleasure, with great food and incredible company.  As I have for the past few years, I was also readying for an afternoon with the younger set; I had planned the activity for the after school program at the Chavis Community Center prior to the meeting.  The Christmas party that we host for the after school bunch is as much fun as our own!
 

Happy, wee artists
...enjoying pizza apres creative adventures in card making

The afternoon went swimmingly!  The pizza was ready when I stopped at Sam's to pick it up.  MDP  and I pulled into the parking lot at the SAME time *cool and yet a wee bit spooky.*  We had a great group of kids and helpful hands from the Staff.  Everyone got to finish at least one (most made two) of the days project:  hand made Christmas cards featuring fingerprint wreaths.  There was plenty of food, drinks, and treats for all who attended.  Clean up went quickly and smoothly.  Happy faces all around!  

The progression to the Guild meeting was much the same.  Although, we did have a change of venue (a different meeting room) due to the freakish heat situation in the room that normally houses us.  Plenty of helpful hands for the set up and preparation for our meeting/party.  Folks filing in laden with gifts, food, arty bits to share, door prizes -- truly, just your normal *albeit, holiday time* gathering of the CMMAG.  Things got underway, recognitions given, Secret Santa gifts exchanged, door prizes enough for EVERYONE, and great food all highlighted our final meeting of the year.

A late item on the Agenda looked interesting:  Surprise  -- I had absolutely no idea what was coming.  *DUH -- that's why it was a "Surprise" -- at least part of why, anyway...*  Seriously,  in spite of being on the Board, I had no clue what this referenced.  Which is why, when our beloved Founder (Jeanne Rhea) stood to take the lectern, I sort of freaked out -- I had a moment of panic, thinking that she and her husband had sold their house and were leaving NC (this is not beyond the pale, as the plan had in fact previously existed but *mercifully and unexpectedly* changed).  *WHEW!*  That's not at ALL what happened...

She spoke with fondness to the efforts of everyone throughout the year, and her extreme pleasure in the spirit of our organization.  The thanked the Board for its ongoing efforts to improve and expand the reach of the Guild.  She then referenced an idea that had been mentioned a few times over the past couple of years:  the establishment of an award for exemplary service to the Guild.  I smiled and nodded, having proposed this notion during my service as President.  I assumed, with all of my travel this year, I had missed the discussion that brought this to being.  She spoke of dedication and generosity, willing spirit and such.  I was more excited by the moment, anticipating who would receive this newly fledged honor.  I was thinking of all of the new people who have joined, and longer standing members who have 'upped their game' in the past year, stepping into new roles and sharing more of their talents.  I was thinking about how much this group has changed, and yet is still so much the same as when I joined *has it really been 8 years ago!?*  As Michelle handed her this gorgeous piece of art glass (there really is no other way to describe it), I was giddily immersed in what a beautiful thing was happening.  ...so much so that when she turned to me, and said that that is why the Guild was presenting me with the 1st Founder's Award I was STUNNED!

I now offer my profound apologies to all who were actually there.  The most I can remember about what I said was that (a) "Oh. My. GOD." was a prominent refrain, and (b) I seemed unable to say "...but not for me" over and over.  I did manage to finally produce a sodden 'thank you', but cannot imagine  that it made much sense...  As noted (with a bit of consternation by friends), my FB status was no more illuminating  than "Mind BLOWN!" for a few days...

I am humbled by this honor.  I am deeply appreciative of the words inscribed upon this award:  "In appreciation of her dedication, hard work, innovations, and continuous service to the Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild..."  My thanks to members past, present, and future for their being a part of this amazing organization.  I have said on more than one occasion that my membership in this guild is unlike anything I have ever experienced.  Its value to me is beyond measure.  I have made some of the most incredible friendships of my life in the past eight years.  I have learned new things, experienced amazing oppurtunities, and grown as both an artist and a person as result of my time in this Tribe.   Thank you to the members and the Board (with whom it is my immense pleasure to work).  Thank you to my husband (a veritable fount of patience in all things Guild-y).  Thank you.  

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"One must from time to time
attempt things that are beyond one's capacity."

                                    - Auguste Renoir

Photo Notes:

   Happy & wee  - taken with Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS1
   Award  - taken with Samsung Galaxy S4, standard camera app

   all photos color adjusted and cropped in IrfanView

Realizations, Revelations, and being Resolved - Part 1 of 3

So, it has been a while...  My awareness of this seems decidedly real and not-real, tho'  -- that time between that 'then' and this 'now' is full to overflowing; yet at the same time, gone - all gone.  There is no way I could 'catch you up,' and there seems no point in 'starting over.'  Let's just make like old friends, and pick up where we left off.  What bears telling will out.  The title of this series wields the bulk of my meaning, right here - in this 'now.'

I hope that each of you enjoyed a wonderful, memorable, and restorative Holiday Season!  Here in my somewhat fragmented little corner of the world, I still have 2 Christmases to go!   The Man & I celebrated The Brother's birthday/Christmas with he and his beautiful family, this past Saturday *w00t!*  We had the added bonus of seeing two of The Nephews play in their first basketball game (cheers to the boys, their team, and the way-cool Coach - yep, The Brother); and enjoyed a lovely evening with some of his old/our new friends.  A priceless day, lucky are we! *...but, oh, how I do wish all the wee ones didn't grow up SO fast!*

Realizations

In thinking about how long it had been since this blogging endeavor had been attended to, I had a rather sizable realization about where all my efforts at 'sharing' had been directed of late.  I have regularly dispensed various and sundry nuggets of the view from my part of this Journey's trail - though not here, in the right and proper place, however...  I have fallen prey to the easy - the immediate *'gratification' neither intended nor implied* - the quick & at hand:  Facebook!  *hey, like I said:  it was easy!*  It would seem, because it is so gentle reader, that I was going about this all wrong (or, for the sake of reduced negativity, from the less than ideal approach)!  To develop the discipline to incorporate these things which are of declared import to me, I must assert my efforts to the doing -- the bounteous yield of which will make for plenty of legitimate 'share-worthy' bits!

I further realize that the time has come to do more 'inward' work; without which the outward will remain stifled and less fulfilling.  I suppose this translates to:  no more new stuff (plans, projects, major commitments, etc), until I deal with the unwieldy accumulation of a mind-boggling 15-years-in-one-location's-worth of stuff!?  Making room in this, my designated 'space,' - tangibly:  my home/work space - metaphorically:  my Life - will *I feel certain* also create room for the rest of my existence.  For my overall sanity, mental stability, and future productivity, this must be the ultimate goal of my efforts in the dawning of this New Year.  This past year has illuminated new personal strengths and creative opportunities that yearn for further exploration, to do so will require creating the space for bigger and better things to happen!  I will admit that this seems a somewhat daunting task, but I can almost taste the joy that will come with it's accomplishment.

My final realization, with specific regard to the care and feeding of this Blog, was that I am beyond anal when it comes to the layout and appearance of the final product.  In other words:  I am making this harder than it needs to be/take more time than it really requires!? *shocker, that, eh?  ...can't recall that ever being the case for this gal, before!? {insert maniacal laughter, here!}*  It has become a self-defeating ideal, and one that I must step away from if I am to have any hope of proceeding with this project *...and for reasons that I cannot wholly explain, I really want to do just that! Proceed!*  In this instance, it actually is"all about me" -- letting go of the need for perfection in 'macro' will make easier the way to the end goal.  Much like a Sherpa, by changing the approach, I can achieve the ascent more efficiently.  *yes, hind-sight is 20/20, and it does seem very much like common sense -- but I would posit that it is justifiably a 'forest for the trees' scenario in equal measure!  #imjustsayin*

Onward & Upward!
 - pla

Words of wisdom for today:

"Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention.
Be astonished.

Tell about it."

                                      - Mary Oliver

Image Notes:

   "Hourglass" altered image from Microsoft Office Images, style # 1147.  Image manipulation by yours truly via Paint Shop Pro X2 (filters & effects).
   "Time Flies" altered image composite, original images from The Graphics Fairy.  Image manipulation by yours truly via Paint Shop Pro X2 (filters & effects).