Thursday, February 23, 2017

Just Stuff

 The day we were going to finish off the bathroom, it poured. There is outside work that needs to be done and it needs to be dry. Bob wants to push out the screws that attach the awning arm, silicone the heck out of them since they are also the offending parts allowing rain to enter, and attach them to a two by four inside. Hopefully next week everything will be dry enough to do it.


 Who knew we lived near a Buddhist Sanctuary. White Sands Buddhist Center  Six of us decided one day to take a lunch and go to visit. I have to say I felt like I was in another world, a peaceful one. Around the center pond there were stone benches and each one had a word etched on it. Wisdom, Forgiveness were two that I sat on. Since then I have been actively conscious of what I say and think and have been working on my forgiveness of past "stuff" and it feels great. It is so easy to be pulled under into negatives, people talking, politics, etc.  Our goal is to travel, artists living the dream and painting and photographing America in our CiCiBlue and three fur kids and we are working towards that goal, bringing in positive energy.  Who knew that a couple of hours sitting in peace and serenity could have this effect. (Probably quite a few people actually and that's why they meditate). Ok, joining in!!


Finished but needs to be signed. I am pleased!


This is my son Jamie and this is our annual birthday selfie. His birthday! I'm so proud of the man he has become and I'm always amazed how tall he is. Wasn't it yesterday that I brought him home from the hospital?


His big sister, Erin, and Jamie at 4 weeks old. Yes, time does fly by.


Finally, one more commission that I finished and pleased with. 20" x 20" oil on canvas. "Sweetie"

If you would like a beautiful portrait of your best friend please let me know. EMAIL ME

That's it for tonight. I'll keep you posted on our preparations for traveling. I'm getting so fidgety!! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night.

Warmly,
Sheila

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Oh CiCiBlue

Ok,what's happening now. Well she is about 13 years old but with a good wash she looks sparkly and beautiful. The only way to tell her age is out split front windows. 2005 I believe started the whole picture window on coaches.


The previous owners scraped something along the plumbing bay door and it unsettled the top of the door where it attaches. Two years ago we resealed it but age, heat and a hurricane got the gap to widen.


Unfortunately we do have to open that bay door every so often to empty our tanks so that has made it worse. Tanks emptied so we are set for a bit. The plan? Bob and Roger plan on taking that piece off, and replacing same onto the coach. It looks like the screws holding in onto the coach rusted and broke as it pulled away. I'll record the process and post it as it happens.  (Munch The Scream face here).


Yesterday I was trying to take a quick nap after our SuperBowl party on Sunday. Yes, still recovering.  Sammy jumped up and laid down beside me then ,whap, his paw was on my head. A blessing? More of a "could you move a little bit more Mum".  He kept it there for about 15 minutes and I do feel blessed by it.


In progress...and today started yet another 20" x 20". This particular one will be fun. He's sitting in a field of wonderful flowers. Years ago I did a large painting of our Chocolate Boy, Fergus, sitting by vases of flowers. SEE IT HERE.

Well, that's it for today. Storms came through last night but thankfully we are all safe. So, see you tomorrow with updates. Roger is picking up Styrofoam for our bathroom wall and Bob is cutting out a board to cover that. Then I get to order sticky tiles to do a fun mod.

Have a great night.
Warmly,
Sheila

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Decisions Made

Well we did it. Made an actual decision to be travelling and be somewhere else next season. (Picture fireworks and confetti flying here please.) We even put down a deposit! Black Meadow Landing, Parker Dam, Ca. And it's in the middle of no where on the Colorado River surrounded by mountains and hills and wild burros in the park.  Oh Lord...Lola will be going insane. (We are in serious training mode now though)

I spent part of the morning looking at internet reception and phone reception out there. 😮 More research. We have AT&T right now so heading to The Gurus to find out how to upgrade so I can connect with the outside world when I blog or connect with our kids. (The two legged kind)

So this past week Roger went with our friend Bob to Pa. on business. I was on the home front with 3 fur kids. You can see from the photo that everyone was running amok. That ball of yarn eventually landed outside in the dirt, but was a great play toy for the boys while indoors. I gave up trying to hide it after about 4 times taking it. Labs are great search and rescue dogs and great at finding lost items. I gave up.

My announcement was usually started with a big sigh, then, "OK, I'm going to hide". Lola would come in, climb up on the bed and then rest her huge head on me and stay for awhile. It's tough to be crazed with a big furry girl trying to comfort you.


We had a day and night of threatening storms roll through bringing in colder weather. Strong winds, heavy rain and tornado warnings. New people not accustomed to our Florida storms spent the night in the park bathrooms but we stayed in the coach but still prepared.


The boys with their slip leads on. Ready to run, just in case, and as usual, the storms went just below us and above us. Thankfully.

Oh no Sheila..what happened.? Well, there had at one time been a leak because we found that the bolts holding the awning arm were never sealed with caulking so there was water damage to the wall inside. Our hurricane and all it's rain did the tell tale showing of water somewhere but I never guessed it was because of something I did. I read on an rv blog that someone covered his weep holes with electric tape. I didn't have a cover then so out I went with our electric tape and covered our bathroom weep hole. Those are the holes on your window that drain rain water, and covered, well, it comes inside. We have thick insulation though don't we? sigh.

So, Bob and Roger will get new insulation and board to repair my mistake. The positive side? It could have been worse and now we are going to get fun sticky tile and do the side wall rather than beige wall paper.  It dose offset our dark wood but, oh lord, it puts me to sleep.


So now that I'm not work camping here I have my nose to the grindstone working to cover expenses. (Which will be more as soon as we start to move) Positive thinking here. Thank you to everyone who have been asking for commissions. I have been offering crazy low prices so I have been busy.


My "studio" is a wee bit cramped but it's all good. My new easel is fantastic so I'm happy. This next painting is in progress and I'm in love. As soon as I put his eyes on the canvas he came alive and I could feel his energy. A lot of times when I'm working on a pet that's at the Bridge, I'm in tears. Not sad tears but loving tears. Their energy comes through very strongly and I have to say that those paintings always turn out to show that energy the best.


I purchased a great head light for walking Lola at night. I look like I'm heading into the mines but wow, I can see all the way down the road. At night a snake may come out to warm himself on the road. I'd like to see him before he is right in front of us. Into the mines I go! Inexpensive and incredibly bright.

Well that's it for today..another cup of coffee, laundry and working on my paintings. Have a great day and see you soon.

Warmly,
Sheila

P.S. GO PATRIOTS!!!!!