Thursday, December 18, 2014

Time flies When You're....

   BUSY!!!

 Hard to believe I haven't posted nor checked in much since my last post on Dec. 4th. That was when I mentioned caring for two elderly relatives lately. In addition to that and since then, our son lost his job and hubby was given a week's notice that he had to go on another shift and that our healthcare was changing and needed my immediate attention.. Needless to say I have been inundated with appointments, errands and paperwork since. Our son has rent obligations along with car payments and student loans so we have been helping him with all the unemployment papers and helping him stay organized and upbeat. We have reached out to friends and acquaintances for any possible job leads and they have been an amazing support. I work every day at keeping the faith and believing all will be well. I know I have to have some balance so hubby and I did manage  some fun things in between. 

   Last month we had bought tickets to see the Tenors (formerly called the Canadian Tenors). We have been wanting to see them live for a long time. We also took my Mom as a Christmas gift. And so we drove just over an hour away into Reading, PA to the theater to see them. Oh, Reading has also gotten world-wide publicity lately because of "the ugly Christmas tree" dispute. We weren't able to stop and get a picture but we did see it-yup, just like the tree in Charlie Brown's Christmas .


 This theater was built in the 1870's and the opulence and craftmanship inside is stunning! The Tenors did not disappoint either-they were AMAZING!!

 Besides their incredible voices, they were so personable, talking and interacting with the audience (including me-teehee) throughout the show. We had 2nd row seats!!!

  Although very little got accomplished for the upcoming holidays I did manage to get a bit of decorating, cards, and shopping done.

  At Freshly Made Sketches the challenge sketch is this:

  I managed to get a quick and easy card done before cleaning up my desk:

    A round gift tag and coordinating papers were used on a kraft note card. I am also linking this to the Simon Monday Challenge (anything goes); and the Simon Wednesday Challenge (winter inspiration)).

  In cleaning up my desk I added a new mug my Mom just bought me(the one on the left) and found it to be perfect to keep  my favorite colors of markers together:

                                         We have this thing for all things Paris and French:)
                        Linking this to my friends at T Stands For Tuesday - I have missed you! And although I don't have a pic- since our son was pretty young our tradition was to leave Santa a glass of egg nog(the kind with the alcohol) and cookies. He likes coming here:):)

 And lastly, (linking this to Art Journal Every Day and Paint Party Friday) I am wishing all of you a most beautiful holiday season, however you celebrate!!


  I wasn't able to manage individual hand made cards this year so I created this "glam girl" journal page a la Traci Bautista, added the greeting digitally and had postcards made to send out. I will visit as many of you as I can but know you are in my thoughts and wishes.

 Today I will leave you with a quote I have been reading every day since all life's unexpected changes lately (it came in an email the day our son lost his job) and have given a copy to Todd to keep in his wallet as a reminder also:

   "For everything that falls through, something equal or better comes through."   Alan Cohen













54 comments:

  1. Amazing artwork dear Linda. Sorry to hear about this with the job of your son. But we have also such a sentiment in german ..likke- it often brings better things- even when it looks like it is bad !
    Wish you a Very Merry Christmas and hope everything will go well to you and your relatives and family!
    Love your Traci Bautista styled Christmas girl! She is so lovely!
    Thank you for sharing with us at Art Journal Journey!
    Happy belated T-Day!
    Happy PPF!
    xoxoxo
    Susi

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  2. and the tenors must have been great !
    Would enjoy this as well!

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  3. Wonderful post, Linda ~ bet you had a great time and lovely Holiday creations!

    Happy Holidays to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  4. Here's hoping that Todd will find another position very soon, Linda! I love your card and the artwork you had reproduced into postcards is fabulous! Taking time away to see the Tenors was a very good thing to do; I know your Mom must have loved it, also.

    Merry Christmas to you!

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  5. Sorry you are having such a lot of problems just now! Lovely art, as always! Wish you and your family happy holidays. Valerie

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  6. beautiful card!!! and I LOVE your art journal page!!! happy you were able to take some time to enjoy the holidays- sounds like you deserve it :) thank you for playing a long with us at simon says stamp!

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  7. Your card is cheerful and happy, love it ♥
    Well, I hope that things turn out better for your son fast, my best wishes!
    I had not heard of the tree, but I think if it looks like the Charlie Brown, it has charm :o)

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  8. Nice to catch up with you today Linda. Thanks for the quote, we all need that. And beautiful card and page. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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  9. Nice artwork, you are invited to share this with Feline Art Friday:
    http://kittypartay.blogspot.com/2014/12/feline-art-friday_18.html

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  10. Merry Christmas to you and your family. It's a special time of year to focus and reflect on your blessings. M.x

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  11. Popped in Linda to wish you a Happy Christmas and may 2015 be a much better one. Thank you for sharing your theatre experience and love the postcard you made, perfect. Hugs Annette xx

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  12. That quote gave me goosebumps as it's so true! Keep the faith I know there are good things ahead for your boy! Wishing your family some joyful moments for the holidays and a New and Happy year ahead filled with abundance!
    Lovely art work, the snowman is too adorable...Glad you got to see the tenors I love them...I can only imagine how wonderful that was...such a nice family gift! Wishing your son happiness and abundance....keep asking around, someone will have a job in mind!

    Big hugs Giggles

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  13. Wow, beautiful art and wonderful post Linda. I got laid off from my job of 8 years too, but it turned out to be a good thing because it gave us the chance to finally move to our red rocks and hiking new home in Utah where we've dreamed of living for a long long time. So your quote is very true, "something better comes through"! Happy Holidays and hugs, Deb

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  14. So sorry to hear about all the troubles, and still you are managing to produce such upbeat and happy art. Hope things will settle down and you'll have a very peaceful christmas.

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  15. I hope the new year brings better fortune for you Linda. Happy holidays.

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  16. love that blue hair

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  17. You certainly have been going through the crazies ! Hang tight ! I love the quote you shared ♥ Merry Christmas and wishing for better things for your New Year!!!

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  18. Your Christmas tag turned out nice! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  19. Glam girl looks so happy! It make me smile :) happy holidays!

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  20. Hope everything works out well Linda and that you all have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy 2015. Love the snowman card :)

    Karen x

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  21. My thoughts are with you and your family. What a way to end the year. But looks like you managed to squeeze in a little time for some arty fun. Love your lady. She is full of holiday cheer. Happy Holidays to you.

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  22. Very nice composition, excellent night with the tenors!

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  23. Beautiful holiday art! Wishing you happy holidays!

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  24. Oh man, I wish I could have heard the Tenors! So glad you got to go. LOVE that Christmas card - can't go wrong with plka dots - ever!:-)

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  25. Love your cute holiday card and beautiful journal page. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

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  26. December is a busy month, but oh so fun with events and art!!! Happy Holidays, Linda.

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  27. Merry Christmas...Hope the new year brings good health, happiness and all you wish for...

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  28. Sorry to hear about all your problems at the start and hope everything gets resolved for the best.
    There is so much positivity in this blogpost, I loved to read it, even went over to play the video about the poor Tree.
    I like your snowman card, a very nice and colourful layout and your printed Christmas card is terrific with these gorgeous happy colours and the glamorous lady, I would call that a handmade (printed) card.

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  29. Beautiful and very true quote, Linda! Fantastic 'glam girl' who reminds me about you! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and things get better in your family. Big hugs to you!!!

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  30. I love your blue haired gal! Suck bright and fun colours! Have a wonderful Christmas :)

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  31. Beautiful artwork Linda. Sorry to hear about your son losing his job but I'm sure things will look up in the new year. Happy PPF

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  32. You've been very busy but sound like you are balancing things out well, have a peaceful Christmas and some time for you! Lovely art as always,
    hugs
    Kat

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  33. What beautiful hair she has! Time certainly can fly...

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  34. Love your card! Sounds like you are having some difficult times, but it's good you can also make time for the nice things in life. Hope the new year brings a good job your son's way! Love that quote!! Enjoy your holidays and have a safe and enjoyable trip into the new year ♥

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  35. My daughters job got de-funded( read lost her job) and hopefully will get some unemployment.
    Yes something better is coming! Love your paris mug!

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  36. Hello and Happy T Day Linda! I'm so sorry to hear about your son and husband. What a bad time to be going through all that. Will keep you all in my prayers. Hope your son can find a job soon. Glad you got to get out and have some fun, that always helps.
    I LOVE your glamour girl!! I too am slow on getting holiday cards out this year.
    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hope things get settled down for you. No worries if you can't visit. You will be in my thoughts too. HUGS!

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  37. Oh Dear Linda
    I was so sorry to hear that your life has brought some bad luck lately but out of all this yes something good will come - believe and trust! You are doing this and have such a great attitude.
    Taking care of your family is top priority and blogging can come whenever. Lovely Christmas card! Try to take some time during the week to create a little to keep your hand in and your spirits up.
    Wishing you the best possible Christmas you can have.
    Blessings and big hugs,
    Suzy

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  38. So sorry to hear of your troubles; I send positive vibes that all things will return to an even keel without delay.
    Your Bautista gal is wonderful; what a great idea to send copies out with festive wishes.
    Happy T Day & Happy Christmas :o))

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  39. I'm sorry you've had so much stress recently, and hope all gets settled to your family's liking soon. I hope the coming year is a better one for you all.

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  40. Thinking positive thoughts for your son. I remember the year both Dagan and Leah lost their jobs before Christmas--whew! They both ended up in better positions so I wish the same for your son.
    Love the card with the cute snowman gift tag included. Great idea. Sounds like a wonderful outing with beautiful music. Happy T-Day and Merry Christmas! :)

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  41. Love your girl :)
    Merry christmas :)

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  42. Hello my dear Linda (I thought surely I had commented but I am afraid alot is stuck in my head these days)
    I am sending every good and special wish your way for all good things for you and your family!
    Your card this year is another treasure...
    as are you sweet friend.
    Thank you ♥
    Take care of yourself and Have a Happy Christmas!
    oxo

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  43. Sorry to hear about all the hassles you've been going through, and VERY sorry to hear about your son losing his job. It sounds like you and your family are keeping up a positive attitude, though, so that's good.

    You had a great idea to turn your art into a holiday postcard. Very fun and original.

    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  44. lovely post..I am off to see Pameza a South African soprano tonight at a Christmas concert in the city. Happy Christmas

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  45. I hope your son finds something in the job line soon, always such a worry but you have to stay positive for them. My son has an interview in January and I am holding thumbs, crossing fingers and doing everything else.... he just needs a chance.
    Your trip to the theatre looks wonderful, so glad you had a lovely time. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Annette

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  46. Golly Linda, when life gives you lemons, it gives you LOTS of lemons. I hope all gets straightened out soon, because this is not the time of year to have such stress,

    Loved both Paris mugs. That new one is stunning. And I am glad you had a chance to get away for a bit of fun in which you could put the stress aside, if only for a night. I hope your Christmas turns magical and uplifting.

    Thanks for catching us up on your comings and goings for T this Tuesday, And Merry Christmas, too.

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  47. Beautiful card, my friend!Merry Christmas!May love brighten you day in 2015!

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  48. Hang in there and count your blessings...love your holiday postcard and the adorable snowman card!

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  49. Merry Christmas my dear. Great quote to stand by.

    Beautiful Paris mugs, even if they are just going to hole pens and pencils.

    I think your glam girl painting is fab.....................and made me smile.

    Thanks for visiting my blog for T-days

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  50. I just LOVE your card! I wanted to let you know that I’ve chosen your creation as one of my Favorite Picks and linked back to your blog! Thanks so much for sharing your talent. Kathy at stampsatplay.blogspot.com

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  51. I can sense your courage in all your trials and tribulations.
    Especially at this time of year.
    Tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 29th, hubby has another CT Scan to see how far his cancer has spread. You just never know what people are going through. I wish you all the best next year.
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  52. Happy New Year, Linda! I hope things have settled down to a manageable schedule. Your Traci B girl is darling!

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  53. Your girl page truly beams joy Linda! Loving the blue hair. I'm sorry life got rough though. Take care!
    Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog! It made my day :) I already reached my maximum in following other blogs through google friend connect (because of my other crafty blog - can you believe they set a limit to this?), so I'm following you now through google+

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  54. This is such a sweet design! I love the snowman on the kraft paper, and the DSP prints you chose are perfect for this card. Thanks for sharing with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!