And a cuppa

Today’s Nudge: Post about something that’s sacred to you.
And Day 23! Along with Thursday's Daily post topic! My morning iced coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts is becoming a very sacred thing to me. 
     Truth. All the time my friends throughout my life have tried to give me coffee cups for gifts and such. They always have found the cutest mugs. But I don't ever drink out of them. They tell me to do something creative with them. Plant a plant in them. My husband has a cactus flower blooming in one of them. That's super creative right? And the other, that has beautiful black cats on it, is my paintbrush water! And it is all pretty with paint drippings on it.
     I used to bat my eyelashes at people who could stand to wake up and drink coffee in the morning. And hold a debate over it. A debate at 5:30 in the morning while drinking coffee? No such thing! I drink cola and pepsi to wake me up normally. It wasn't until recently Dunkin Doughnuts opened up in Grandbay, where I live, that I started even thinking about drinking coffee. I found a flavor I like. Caramel Iced Coffee, no cream, no sugar. Straight up Coffee. Chilled. I dont know about you, but my mind just doesn't wake up thinking about anything in particular. It is more like a mind map. That I have to trace my thoughts from one place to another. To see where my mind is actually going. That is why I am thankful for my morning pages. Without writing in the morning, my mind wakes up with adhd, and BAD! This image right here is so me. A blank non creative coffee cup, with too much to trace on my mind to even hold a sentence with my husband! Seriously,

    how am I supposed to hold a conversation at 530 with you guys? Here is a contest. Let's try something for next weekend's over a cuppa series. Let's  figure out what YOU like to talk about over coffee. And I will pick a topic for you to read from what you post to me? Since I am no coffee drinker, per say... this is really hard for me. I don't have coffee dates. I have why am I up so early dates. And dates with my writings. Not people. Who wants to people so early in the morning? Well, here is to trying to turn a new leaf in my life. So, that way when I go to Dunkin, I might be able to strike up a conversation with even the cashier at 5 in the morning. I really have no issues coming up with things to talk about. But, talking over coffee while we are waking up, and holding a natural debate... that just seems far fetched for me! I feel that somewhere in my life I have missed out over some great conversations in the morning because I am not a coffee drinker. So help drag me out of my caner shell. And let's converse!
     So, I will leave you with a little of what was written in my morning pages today!

There are always so many things to be thankful for! Like, when the sun crept slowly into my room this morning, I could feel the warmth of it on my skin! On an ordinary day, I would be getting up and writing my morning pages, but my husband is on night shift, and I had to sleep with him, after having the bed to myself all night. So I would not wake up. The older I get this night shift is getting harder on me, because I am thankful to watch sunrises. How do you cope with a husband that works swing shift? I find I am more thankful when he works days, because I can accomplish so much more, and even fit in a cat nap with my 5 cats. Why don't you tell me about one of your inspiring coffee dates ? I'd love to hear all about it. I am thankful for my blogger internet friends I have not met yet! I am curious as to what you have to say! Next Sat, lets really go on a BLOGGING COFFEE DATE! JOIN ME WONT YOU???

#convosoveracuppa use this hashtag! So I know you are blogging along and ways to find you! 

Falling for this playlist! Day 22!

Finally! Ive been reading the daily post off and on all day to find a blog post for today. I finally found one.
#ifwewerehavingcoffee
On the weekend that is. I found weekend coffee blogging very interesting! So I wont blog it
today. I will blog over an iced coffee from dunkin doughnuts this
weekend!

The

Artfully Wild Blog Along post yesterday was to find something  from the

Daily Post, and write about it in your blogger! I searched for most of

the day on the daily post for hashtags that meant something to me.

FINALLY, I found it! Which, gave me the day off! I still researched

ideas for my blog, in hopes to find one, that really said hey, Liv,

write about this right now! But I didn't find one until almost 11! So, I

just took the day off. It was much needed. But I did blog 20 days in a

row, that makes me uber happy. And tomorrow you will get two blogs from me! How's that! A twofer! Here's a little info on me, I am NOT a coffee person. Unless it is cold iced coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts. I do adore. the smell of coffee, but I just can't drink it! But having a

conversation, over coffee, or any drink isn't hard for me. I was really

wanting to post my blog yesterday for it, but I wanted to start a new

theme blog for my readers once the Effy Blog Along is over, so this is

one I know I can stick with! And we can all blog over a cuppa coffee

can't we? So check back every so often! The question is, will you join

me? Maybe we can start by sharing what our favorite cuppa looks like?

Maybe we can start by sharing what our favorite flavor of coffee is? And

oh since it is fall, maybe we can all drink it over a cup of Pumpkin

Spice Coffee? So, get your favorite cuppa and cups ready. Snap some fall

images of them, and lets chat! Talk shop. Share our dreams when while

we wake up! Sounds like fun doesn't it? I will give fair warning, it is a

good thing, that I will be typing, because then you wont hear my grumpy

morning voice! And my whining that I am up so early! Since, we really

dont have a fall here, about the only way to feel fall, is to drink all

the new flavors of coffee! Join me tomorrow morning ! For yesterdays

post! About #ifwewerehavingcoffee

    But since it is

fall everywhere else in the world, 

what do you do for fall rituals? 

I usually like to start by changing up our dinner menu. To fall comfort

foods. Even though it really doesn't get too cold to enjoy a bowl of hot

soup, I do make it! I do take photos of just about every little glimpse

of fall I can get. Our leaves dont even change color here, you have to

go up about 2 hours on a drive to Birmingham, to see anything fantastic

like that! I love to find a new favorite tea in the fall. One I can sip

on when, King Bee, my husband is on night shift, to help me sleep and

relax a little. I like to start planning my Halloween outfit, no, it's

not too early! I'd rather be the planner, who plans it out, and not

running around catching sales clothes at the last minute and the last

few masks and such are all out! I love making fall mixtapes for my art

room when I art. I love these, mixes on youtube, that I have posted above! I love to dress up for dates in the fall! I wait until the fall to get dressy!

 I picked up these fallish outfits the other day! At Kohls! They were on sale! I love simply vera at this time of the year, and Lauren Conrad. Oh and My Nori Hendrix purse is done! I am so ready for the wedding for my brother! They are getting married during my favorite time of the year! Oh yeah, and something else I do during the fall, since we can't really experience it in the south, I switch out my makeup kits! I go from my blue eyes to green eyes kits and shades. Changing up my lipsticks and all too! And, I am starting to continue this blogger! I can put cute fall images up all over it and play lists and it almost says hey fall! Right? Happy Fall Yall!

My Daily post, I am itching to write it NOW!

Day 22 !
Today’s Nudge: Post something seasonal.
So, why didn't I write yesterday?

Finally! Ive been reading the daily post off and on all day to find a blog post for today. I finally found one.
#ifwewerehavingcoffee
On the weekend that is. I found weekend coffee blogging very interesting! So I wont blog it today. I will blog over an iced coffee from dunkin doughnuts this weekend!

The Artfully Wild Blog Along post yesterday was to find something  from the Daily Post, and write about it in your blogger! I searched for most of the day on the daily post for hashtags that meant something to me. FINALLY, I found it! Which, gave me the day off! I still researched ideas for my blog, in hopes to find one, that really said hey, Liv, write about this right now! But I didn't find one until almost 11! So, I just took the day off. It was much needed. But I did blog 20 days in a row, that makes me uber happy. And tomorrow you will get two blogs from me! How's that! A twofer! Here's a little info on me, I am NOT a coffee person. Unless it is cold iced coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts. I do adore the smell of coffee, but I just can't drink it! But having a conversation, over coffee, or any drink isn't hard for me. I was really wanting to post my blog yesterday for it, but I wanted to start a new theme blog for my readers once the Effy Blog Along is over, so this is one I know I can stick with! And we can all blog over a cuppa coffee can't we? So check back every so often! The question is, will you join me? Maybe we can start by sharing what our favorite cuppa looks like? Maybe we can start by sharing what our favorite flavor of coffee is? And oh since it is fall, maybe we can all drink it over a cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee? So, get your favorite cuppa and cups ready. Snap some fall images of them, and lets chat! Talk shop. Share our dreams when while we wake up! Sounds like fun doesn't it? I will give fair warning, it is a good thing, that I will be typing, because then you wont hear my grumpy morning voice! And my whining that I am up so early! Since, we really dont have a fall here, about the only way to feel fall, is to drink all the new flavors of coffee! Join me tomorrow morning ! For yesterdays post! About #ifwewerehavingcoffee

So tell me what ya want what ya really really want !

Today’s Nudge: Day 20 ! create a contest or challenge for your readership

     I was kinda curious yesterday. I combined two artists I love in my painting for the fem class 2.2! I have been an avid Tiare Smith Woods follower for years. I have learned so much from her. Also, the last year I have been on the Effy Wild train. As an artist I like to try my own steps, my own techniques, while also learning from them. My contest is this. Here are images from yesterday's paintings. I want to know, if you think it looks more like Tiare, or more like Effy or if you can really see MY OWN VOICE in it. You might look at it and say, well, yeah I see Effy in there, and I see a bit of Tiare in there. 

Here is a link to Effy's Blog Effy!

Here is a link to Tiare's Blog Tiare!

But you must go visit their websties. Really look around at their work. And see if you can see what I have learned. If you can see I have really made it my own, come back comment, whatever your heart is telling you! There is no wrong answer. The winner will be picked Friday Sept 27th at 7 pm! The winner will get a hand painted canvas from me! Something that says, thank you for playing along! 

I am 34 and it looks like I finally QUIT biting my nails!

Today’s Nudge: Feature one or two people who do what you do but in a different way in your blog today.

Day 19,
ignoring today's nudge. Because, well if you are a friend on my facebook, I covered the answer this morning! 

     There are so many things we do on a daily basis, that we dont realize we are doing. I am a fidget person. I should probably own a fidget spinner. I bet if I did, I would have grown my nails out long before now ~but, at last, I finally did it! I have zero interest in trying to fidget and bite my nails! Sometimes though, we don't realize why we fidget. I never thought of the why's?
     From talking to you guys, I know it's not just me who arts.
     The last month I have been so busy with new art classes, and really watching videos and taking notes and DOING, not just biting my nails as I watch for fear of my blank page! Maybe I have lost my fear of the blank page. Today I created an entire morning spread, as well as did an hour long zoom class tonight and created in it!
     My mind has 1,000 other things on it as well! My brothers wedding is narrowing in, my getting my front tooth crowned, my Giants playing embarrsingly bad! Ect. But, I hope that no matter where you are you take a minute, look down at your nails, and quit biting them! It is easier said than done, I know, it took me 34 years to quit! Maybe now I can get my ears pierced! However, the things that are on my mind, normally would have caused me to bite my nails all the way down! And they aren't!
     Maybe you have met these women too, the chronic nail biters! I know I am not alone! But I dont even want to look back! My nails look so dang pretty. Except right now they are very painterly! So you will just have to trust me when I say I am so proud of myself! I am so excited! I am filled with sunshine and rainbows and could piss glitter! Seriously! This is a BIG step for me!
     This is me patting myself on the back!

Life hack, I don't hold onto grudges....

Day 18
Today’s Nudge: Share a life hack.

     I never used to be good at anything, that required making a list, organizing, ect. Until, they came out with cute ways to plan. I am a sticker person. Gold stars just don't cut it for me. What really gets me going is cute sticky notes, matching pens, and decorative washie tape and she art girls made from Christy Tomlinson, plus knowing that it was always handmade and one of a kind! 
     I then found, Erin Conderin, swoonage! And I was hooked. I went from scrap booking queen, from mixed media artist, to planner fanatic! I loved every minute of it. I would plan my time wisely and then go do! My life hack started with a check list from Erin C. that allowed me to have all my house wifey chores done by the weekend. I would dust in each room Monday, that included the ledges on my windows. I would also do all the windows in each room on Monday. Tuesday I would start small and declutter EACH room of the house. Throw away all garbage. Wednesday I would do laundry from each room. Bathrooms including rugs ect. Ending with bed sheets and cat towels on the couch. Thursday I would clean and focus on bathrooms. Friday I would vacuum and finish everything else I didn't have listed. It worked for me. Then come weekend, especially football weekend, I WOULD BE FREE! FREE TO BE A HAPPY COUCH POTATO! And Scream YAY FOOTBALL! I MISS THAT GIRL! That girl left when we went and spent the last summer on Dauphin Island. Today I am getting up and I am demanding full control of myself and I am going to hour by hour manage my time. Just like I used to! So, this football weekend, I will be ME! And be free from the desperate housewife!
     Also, another hack, for those of you with a multi cat house hold. I have 5 cats. All of my friends brag and say they can never smell that we have cats here. Secret hack number 1, hide litter boxes from friends. Out of sight out of mind. Less to smell. We have two and they are hidden in the cats nook that can not be seen when you walk in any door to our house. Hack number 2, instead of going and buying new litter boxes each go around, because that can get overly expensive, just bleach out the cat urine. I mean really bleach it out. I take mine out, wash it with dish soap, and bleach together. Let it sit out and soak and dry in the sun! I also always try to keep my house set at a cooler temp like 73. Any higher than that and you will be able to smell it more. Also, try to get all females. Makes want to mark their territory everywhere! I also think it helps to have wood floors and not carpet. Carpet holds smells in. Try to buy a rug that is inexpensive for your living room. My cats are only inside cats. They dont ever spray anywhere. And I also try to clean litter boxes before guest get here. As well as light some candles that smell like you are cooking!

    

ALSO.... I get asked. HOW AM I SO HAPPY? I try to remain happy. I learned at a young age, I don't want to people please. I don't want to just blend in. I just dont want to be one with the crowd. I like to stand out, and I don't give a rats ass if you are talking about me. Really I dont. If you watch me, I will genuinely do something to piss you off just to run your mouth about me. But it wont be any harm. No harm no foul. But you get the jist. The less and less that someone knows that they don't get under your skin, the happier you can be. It worked for me! I also let myself lose track of time. I don't always watch check. Because who wants that? That's like wishing your life away always wondering what time it is! And that makes me ridiculously happy. I mean if you are my friend reading this have you ever heard me ask what time it is? My Motto is, it's always 5 oclock somewhere!!!!I mean I am so okay with getting in my art room by ten am and noticing it is 4 oclock and wondering where my day went! Of course I know exactly what I did with my day, but not time keeping means the world to my hack of being happy! As the title stated, I don't hold onto grudges. I don't! Because I am happy. I have learned those people only see the glass half full. And who wants it to be 5 oclock with an almost empty glass?

Someone asked to see my planner and wondered how I did it all planned and stj'ed and art classes!!  Oh and I painted on 3 canvases this weekend. These are for painting the fem fall e course 2017

 How I planned in my *E.C* before Effy.

My current sweet trash journal/diary/morning pages/blogger/class note log/ to do lists ect

Yes, even worked a formula to where I try on what I buy when I bring it home, and put down what event I will wear it to! That way it will get worn! I was having some issues with keeping tags on things. This way I know what I have to wear for the specific event!

this was in my EC. I had done everything I needed that week and wanted to cover it up with great art! To inspire me to go to my art room and paint! Since I had done it all!

Proof I do what I say, and mean what I do, and do when I write it out! Ish gets done! 

Behind the scenes cutting up

Day 17 blog along with Effy
Today’s Nudge: Show off without apologizing.
Optional nudge: Start a blog series that you can commit to updating regularly that will help you build your community.

Bragging rights.....

 

See there, tickle monster! 

 

Stole his hat, told him it's not nice to tickle LOL ! 

       So what happens when you run into a friend of the family? One that you haven't seen in 20 plus years, but you guys pick right back up? The tickle monster comes back to life. True Story Richard Tyson used to tickle us! LOL He was the tickle monster. And I got to spend a summer in the now with him on Dauphin Island. Mobile Alabama and Dauphin Island is becoming the new Hollywood.

He was filming a movie with Jean Claude Van Damme and he loved to see my buddy Art, play with Johnny Barbados. The picture of me on the right was, the night we taught Richard how to play darts. He was rather amused.
The night on the left was a night where we almost danced, but he couldn't do it, because he knew I was married. He is a true southern gentleman! Remember the movies he was in? Kindergarten cop, 3 oclock high, Something about Mary. ect. The picture on the right was one he took of me and a friends guitar. We invited him out with us for the evening and he wanted my husband to help him write a chase scene song for a movie he is filming now. He isn't a bad photographer is he?

The circle of us discussing the said theme for the chase scene. Trying to write the song. Oh we also talked him into getting a new phone. I showed him how to upload photos to facebook and internet. He was amazed at how fast they worked. And wanted to know what of my single friends was commenting on my pictures of him. Later that month, he got all of his false facebook pages taken down, and started a new one, got a new phone like ours and retired his flip phone! TRUE STORY! He is now in the 20th century LOL. What a night that was. Like explaining to your Uncle how to use a cell phone. I was speaking french and he was speaking Shakespeare!

Richard Tyson isn't the only actor I had the pleasure of meeting the last year.  It's been nice taking a break for the music world in my photography and taking photos of actors when they come to town. And especially those that don't mind and do want the media attention and are very nice about entertaining the people they meet! My island mom and I got to meet the guy in Logan. He was filming a movie with J.C.V.D. He signed my poster always keep on smiling :) After I told him I was a photographer. He then said I should get involved in the Mobile Alabama film Guild. I know I know what am I waiting for right?

 My island dad trying to sell his motorcycle to J.C.V.D's producer.

 and SWOONAGE! 

Nicholas Cage is back in town filming another movie! He also did a very nice thing! He stopped by the Womens and Childrens hospital to meet some of the sick kids. He is very down to earth. The first movie he filmed here was Tokarev. I took these with my cell phone off of my computer so noone can try to save them for their own and sell them. If you try they will be very pixelated! Mine won't be however. During this movie they filmed a scene outside of Veets. And my dad was an extra in it! They asked him to sign a release! Which he was fine with because he works right down the road! I also was able to meet Nick Cage. I really had to remind myself I was married, and so was he! He sure has come along way since Valley Girl!!!