Paper Follies ~ A Bit of Whimsy

Get Happy!

As you may, or may not, know, I have been training since May to do a Century Cycle. This is a 100 mile cycling ride. There are a few things you should know about this, however.

1. I AM NOT AN ATHLETE!

2. Some might say I am a little on the chubby side.

3. I just turned 40 and have never done anything like this.

4. I am doing this as a way to take a stand against cancer, because CANCER SUCKS!

5. To date, I have raised $3,641.oo towards cancer research. $741.00 over my committment to raise $2900.00!

Tomorrow morning we are loading up the car and driving to Tucson and Saturday I ride!

Kicking cancer's a** one pedal stroke at a time!

So, sometime Saturday send some good thoughts my way...anytime of day really , because I am not fast, but I will be pedaling along from 7:00 a.m. until whenever I finish (and, frankly, that may be as the sun's sinking!).

This is one awesome way to end happy week! I am so happy that I can physically do this. I am so happy that so many people donated and encouraged me. I am so happy that I have made a difference.

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In other happy news, welcome back my complete Whimsical Inspirations bloglist on the sidebar. I don't know what happened, but some folks that I love visiting "disappeared" mysteriously from my sidebar, but now they're back, so go pay them a visit!

And while you're visiting other blogs, go see these Happy Week posters (not posers):

Curious Girl, Happy Week Instigator, who is currently sharing some toy store happiness from Richmond, VA.

The Dance of a Painted Lady, sharing the happiness of welcoming winter (and be sure to scroll down for a give-away post and some phenomenal photos of her childhood home.)

Munted Kowhai, of the unhealthy(?) button addiction.

All I Ever Wanted, who has the rockingest banner (hopefully, you'll see why) and a wonderfully curious post of photos!

HaPpY, HaPpY WeEk! I am outta here and will see you full of stories of the ride, a few aches and pains and a lot of happiness on Monday!    

 

 

A Dance-Along for Happy Week

 

This song just always makes me feel happy and the video is such a great mix of cheese, B-grade movie and public access t.v. that you can't help but giggle. AND, bonus, it makes me feel pretty good about my mad dance moves! Happy Wednesday!

The Warmth of Happiness

 

Warmth and wisdom, all in one cup...can't beat that for creating happiness.

Happy Tuesday!

The Happy Place

 

Come visit! I'll take you to my happy place...Doodlet's, in Santa Fe. The owner collects hearts ~ and has for years and years ~ what's not to love about a lady like that.

Then we'll head across the street for lunch at Pasqual's. We might have to wait a while for a table (one of about ten or so) , but we can sit in the sun and catch up while we wait.

And we will be so happy ~ corazones full of friendship and joy y panzas full of some of the best food in town!

 

{Curious Girl, one of my favorite blogs to visit, has inspired this post by dubbing this week 'happy week'. Each day this week we will be posting about happiness, so come on by for a daily dose!}

 

 

Blossom !

   

Another little fairy made her debut in the studio..."Fairy of Blossoming".

She wishes you all the best in following your heart's journey,

listening to the rhythm filling your soul,

 and venturing forth to the new and unknown!

"Blossom, blossom, don't be afraid!", she giggles, sprinkling the sparkle of

fairy dream  dust along your path.

Getting To Know Me, Getting to Know You

 

Some important facts:

A. I am not as depressed as I may seem sometimes.

B. I had fun doing this one word meme that I caught on Rachel's blog, here :

1. Where is your cell phone? floating
2. Where is your significant other? heart
3. Your hair color? enhanced
4. Your mother? Goodwill-ing
5. Your father? web-surfing
6. Your favorite thing? hope
7. Your dream last night? sleep
8. Your dream/goal? surrender
9. The room you're in? pseudo-studio
10. Your hobby? life
11. Your fear? taxes
12. Where do you want to be in six years? journeying
13. Where were you last night? couch
14. What you're not? extroverted
15. One of your wish list items? joy
16. Where you grew up? here
17. The last thing you did? pondered
18. What are you wearing? pink
19. Your T.V.? hidden
20. Your pets? psycho
21. Your computer? invaluable
22. Your mood? nostalgic
23. Missing someone? me
24. Your car? embarrassing
25. Something you're not wearing? thong
26. Favorite store? anthropologie
27. Your Summer? sunny
28. Love someone? obama
29. Your favorite color? robin’s egg
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? election

 

If you decide to play along on your blog, leave me a comment...I'd like to get to know you too! Shoot, I might even 'buy you a drink!" *smile, wink* Cheers and Happy Friday!

Nobody Knows Me at All

 

This was the girl I was.

Nickname: Sarah Bernhardt.

Something happened between then and now.

The music that filled me up, made me happy, brought me joy, at some point became a bittersweet memory.

This week I spent time creating a book for a round robin group out of a vintage album meant to hold 78 records. The theme: Your heartbeat is the rhythm of your soul.

 For each artist, I included a musical collection of songs that influenced me as a child ~ the songs that are so a part of my heart that it seems there could never have been a time when they didn't exist ~ in addition to songs that play in my heart now. In this process came floods of memories, memories of where I began and what was lost along the way.

Hard on the heart, thinking about the past ~ it creates such a tidal wave that engulfs me, sends me away into my mind, my heart, my soul.

Here's the first song, "Nobody Knows Me at All", by The Weepies:

(I'll post a link to an iMix of these songs when it becomes available.)

 

Here's the whole compilation:

 

 

Let's Get It Right ~ All of It

 

When I started this blog, my intent was to document my pursuits in the process of 'becoming' an artist

Along this journey, I realized that being an artist means honoring all of who I am: what I dream, what I see, what I think, what brings me joy, what breaks my heart.

I also realized that this is a place for the world to know my heart ~ a place for me to wear it on my sleeve, proudly.

Here's what I'm thinking about today: I love my friends: black, white, red, blue,Christian, atheist, straight, gay ~ all just labels for HUMAN BEING. Living, breathing, loving, celebrating, grieving, figuring-this-thing-called-life-out HUMAN BEINGS. And I think this country of ours is a place where we should all be honored for who we are  ~ "Yes, we can. Yes, we can. "

 

Because I Love You, and You, and You

A Brighter Day

I have tried.

I have tried to keep from saying it.

But there is one last thing I have to say before November 5th becomes my favorite day.

 

Guerilla Art weekend.

Swaying the vote, one rock at a time. Yep, that's me, rocking the vote.

That's all I'm gonna say about the matter.

Rock the vote, people, rock the vote.

Peace out.