Looking Forward To 2017

Well I did it.! Gave my notice to the park and handed over the keys. Work camping really helped us out but the one thing that was missing was my happiness. I have to paint. I kept seeing 11:11 on the clock, on tv, everywhere and my muscles were just aching non stop and I took it as a definite indication that I needed a change before it became more serious. I am now officially painting full time!

Tired but happy me!

Right now for the month of January I am offering 12" x 12" or 11" x 14" stretched canvas oils of your pets for $250.00. Half of what I normally charge so it's a great deal. Good for you and good for me. My goal for 2017 is to paint wonderful, fun pieces that you can't resist smiling at and loving. Also to keep the flow of funds coming in so we can stay here, get repairs caught up then travel come Spring. I can do this!!! 

The images below are the pieces I did for people as their gifts to friends. 

Watercolor of donkeys that were then made into cards.

Oil painting of my daughters two babies that were commissioned for her by my granddaughter. 

Finished watercolor that I did for friends in Scotland.

Watercolor that was finished and turned into note cards

12' x 12" oil on Copper. Heading out to California!

On nice days I set up my new easel and paint outside under the awning. So peaceful. 

Then at the end of the week I get to kick back with Sammy and watch PBS painting shows. That was yesterday and today is back to painting and preparing for the New Year! Tonight we will gather with friends at the rec hall and see the old year out and the new year in. We ( I ) will give thanks that I only have minor aches and pains, that Roger is healthy, the dogs are good and our children and grandchildren are happy and healthy.  I'm grateful! We have great friends, old and new and for that I am also grateful. 

Watching the news lately and seeing the celebrities that have passed this year, around our ages, it reminds me that nothing is promised and each day is our gift. With that in mind my New Years goal is to live and work each day with gratitude and joy and hopefully that energy will extend out to each and everyone of you!

So Happy New Year, thank you for following along on our journey and I wish you Health, Abundance and Happiness for 2017!!

Warmly,

Sheila, Roger, Sammy, Ozzie and Lola

My Gifts For Christmas

I have to say we have everything we need and if we don't, oh well, and where would we put it now in the RV. There is one thing though that I really wanted, well two things, and I got it.

The stress from dealing with the RV park and cleaning the bathrooms took it's toll. I had great help but I realized it's not what I should be doing for my happiness and making a living while on the road.

I bought my plein air easel and gave my notice at the park that I'm not going to be doing the cleaning any more. Shooting myself in the foot Sheila? It has covered our rent. I'm thankful, but now it's time to get back to my passion and hopefully my clients old and new will love what I create and keep us going. I'm finding my happiness again and I'm loving it.

A new venue for our lights. Friday night street fairs and sales. It was a late night getting home, we forgot how much work it is lugging our stuff to our car after breaking down, but sales!! We plan on doing it again monthly until we head out on the road.

I paint on copper but sometimes Roger may need a square for a sail for the wind chimes. Great sound and people loved them. Hmm, maybe you will see paintings on the sails! Note to self...good idea!!

Our friend Dan was kind enough to get on our roof and give it a good scrubbing. I think he took 2 hours to do the whole area and it looks fantastic. We will need to reseal around the vents up there eventually but for now he said it looks great. Now my job is to do the sides. I have a wet and dry unit that washes with one side then flip it over and dry with the other. Love it. No water needed, just the spray cleaner. I'll do a show and tell the day I use it. You can see the shine on the slide out in the photo above. It cleans and polishes!!

Our next repair is the battery cage. Our friend Bob is going to help us fix that. So thankful for good friends!

Our Ozzie chillin'. That's what I plan on doing now. Christmas is a few days away and I was able to order something fun for Roger and I today and get it shipped in time for the day. I'll do the show and tell on that one too when it comes in.

What am I working on? Commissions...another show and tell after they go to their respective homes. Really late this year due to working here but it's all good. Lesson learned...do what you love. I was finally able to go to the chiropractor again today and get adjusted. The stress settled into my shoulders, and no manipulation helped, so my Doctor recommended trigger point shots. One in each muscle of my shoulders and one each side a little lower on my back.  All natural to help the muscle to relax.  Tuesday I have an appointment for another adjustment and a deep tissue massage. Another Merry Christmas to me!!!

There you have it...my life is finally getting back to normal, laundry, dogs, Roger, friends. Oh, and my blog!!

Have a great night!!! See you tomorrow!

Warmly,

Sheila

The Sams Come Rolling In

Roger gets up before me and someone sneaks up and lays next to me. She's so quiet. I open one eye and I swear she hears it and then she leans over and licks my closed eye socket. I am always wiping her eyes so she must think it's the thing to do as a love gesture but I am always thinking my eyes lids are going to glue themselves together with Newfie spit. How do you not love her though.

We get up, get dressed, put on her pink collar and out we go to the dog park. Today I knew would be busy.
With a cup of coffee in hand, off I went to the office.  December 1st is rent day so people started to come. One, two sips of coffee, more people, three..oh wait..it's getting cold..one big gulp, more people. Then the group called Rolling Sam's started to come in. Greetings and placements, more people, checking bathrooms and the guys painting. One man's unit was too large for the site we chose so back to the office to find him a larger site. 1 P.M..  Wow the coffee was now really cold and no breakfast and past lunch.  I get to use the golf cart at the park so I drove up to the small store and got a sandwich, eating as I drove.  Waving here and stopping there because someone has a question, then hoping I make it to my rig to hook the cart up because I will be pushing it soon unless it gets recharged.  2:15 P.M.  Time to hide in my coach for an hour.  Nope. Back to the office for someone else.

The tables were decorated for the group but a few of my crew. Love them!!

Decorations for Christmas by the office. Shirley did a fantastic job.

The day came to a close with friends around the campfire and a glass of wine. Thank you's to the friends that were sitting with me and text the guys that spent the day covered in paint chips and paint. Another thing I've learned. Don't take the people that help you out for granted. 

Now I'm home with my furkids that haven't seen me all day, along with Roger who got quick glimpses as I drove by waving. I noticed last night that the movie The Jungle Book just came out on Netflix. That's my plan for tonight if my can keep my eyes open and hoping tomorrow will be calmer. Ha!

Have a great night and thank you for being with me!!

Warmly,

Sheila