“No.”

“Do you have any dependents?”

“No.”

“Do you have money in foreign accounts?”

“Ha!! Yeah, right. No.”

Tax season is my yearly reminder that I’m not married, I don’t have kids, or assets.

Oh, and that I’m a horrible person because I’ve donated NOTHING to charitable organizations.

Can’t I get credit for being me?

Yesterday I went to my brother and sister-in-law’s house. Never a dull moment there. Well, when you have three sons under the age of five, there’s guaranteed entertainment. Comedy or drama, depending on the night.

My mission: To research their photo archives from the last three years. I bought a 12×12 frame TWO years (yes, two) ago to create a framed scrapbook page of Cameron and Andrew. It was suppose to be a Mother’s Day gift for their mom. Well, you know, it gets sticky. Between job hunting and trying to keep my head above water, I just couldn’t pull it together. I kept setting it aside. So Christmas and another mother’s day came along. Oh, and so did the third nephew, Matthew

The challenge this month is complete this project and make sure it’s ready for Mother Day’s 2011, NOT 2012

As I was combing thru the photos, I couldn’t help but think how time flies. I fondly remember pulling up to their house three years ago to pick Andrew up for a day out and him dashing out the front before I could even get my body out of the car. “Aunt Kathy!!! Let’s go,” he shouted. He was a newly-minted big brother and probably needed a break. He’s turning six in a few weeks. And he now has two little brothers. Looking at the photos reminded me how short life is and how important it is to preserve memories. It’s nice look to back. I think Dale and Mel took my mom’s advice to heart: Take lots of pictures.

Christmas, Circa 2008

Fall 2010

The little guy in the behind me is my bodyguard, my brother. We were climbing trees and shooting the breeze at the park. This was taken circa, um, yeah, I have no idea.

Receptivity ~ Open to receive blessings

Attentiveness ~ Wide-eyed for direction.

Gratitude ~ It adds to my happiness.

Loving more ~ Being a good lover of life.

Listening ~ Because it’s effective.

Smiling ~ Sadness be damned!

Cheers to an exciting new year!

Self-portrait by Jenn Burton {2 0 1 1}

When I arrived home late Wednesday night, I found a package from my friend Jenn. The note read:

Kathy,

I know you wouldn’t consider yourself  an “artist” but I think you are, and this is a snail mail project. So, of course you have to be included! I am sending you a self-portrait print, and an open-face portrait for you to put in anything you want — collage, pattern, drawing, words…anything. Finally a blank page for you to do a self-portrait of yourself. Again, anything you want. Have fun with it Kathy! You can use the same envelope and I am including a label. Just take it to post office.

Love,

Jenn

What can I say? I have some incredibly talented and creative friends. She made my day. Let’s see what I come up with.

P.S. I swear I won’t take three months to post results

You are love.

You are sunshine.

You are laughter.

You are beauty.

Sincerely,

Me

New Year card by jay ho designs

I’m going to pretend I’ve been posting for the last 60 days and somehow the posts were deleted. Then I had a nervous breakdown and entered rehab for 24 hours.

That’s exactly what happened and that’s why you haven’t seen me. Yep.

Wait. My twitter feed tells another story.

Busted, huh?

Well, you can blame tumblr, twitter, and pinterest for my wordpress slack.

But I’m back. Again. Time waits for no one. I’m constantly reminded of that.

Hope my four readers are still out there Hello?

Hello?

Sincerely,

Me!

As I was driving home the autumn air, that has yet to officially arrive, hit me in my face through window. I was thinking how refreshing it tasted.

And I was thinking, what a romantic night it was outside.

And I was thinking, what beautiful night to sit outside and listen to one’s voice so close.

And I was thinking, what a perfect night to enjoy the company of someone you love.

And then I thought, I have to go work. Must go to bed.

#mylife

Yaaaaaas!!!

I know. No more whirling around the store picking up journals, candles, and books and wishing I could squeeze into the expensive clothes I love so much.

The dress said helloooo to this pretty lady’s waistline

I’d like to credit lycra for the win.

And soon I’ll credit a job for the purchase.