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!!!

Trust the He *ART*

Day 16
Today’s Nudge: Dig something really good out of your archived writings, or write about trust.

     I mean noone simply falls in love with a bass guitar......
do they?    My husband and I have been married for decades. Well, at least it will be our ten year wedding anniversary November 2017! That's one decade right?
    That is a lot of years, to me! In fact, it is my longest relationship. We have had our ups and downs, our bumps in the road. And our I hate you right now moments, but I still love you like the day we got married moments. Here is one thing I trust about us.
    I trust that we will, challenge each other to be better than we were yesterday! My husband is a musician. His weapon of choice, the bass. His band he was in, had gotten rather stale. And it was showing in his playing bass. He wasn't happy, and that was his first love. The one thing in his life he always trusted he would have around with when everything else seemed to fail, his bass, never left his side. I have never asked him to quit playing, just to find a new band to make him happier, to pick up his bass again. He found that yesterday! A band he thinks he will enjoy to the fullest for fun, because he missed out on so many "fun," parts with his other band. I  have a good feeling about this new band. I could see that smile on his face. It was like he was falling in love all over again with his bass. He trusted his gut, and told me, I think this is what I have been needing.
    He trusts in my relationship with art, journals, brushes, ect. He saw just how happy I was when he snuck and ordered my Simmons Titanium Brushs and a brush roll up kit for my painting the fem ecourse I am in currently.
    Then, on the kitchen table he pointed out to our new books! Books I had ordered for us as a ten year wedding anniversary gift. For our 5 year wedding anniversary gift, I got us the Love Dare. While we completed the love dare, from start to finish! Being the last dare, is to renew your vows. We even did that! It was a small family and friends gathering of those who had been with us through the last 5 years! I happened to see this book, and think well, what if. So, I got it for our anniversary, 100 days of challenges. If there is anything like a renewing vows in it, we will get married during our tenth year ! And what a treat that would be. One thing I do trust about us, is we ace challenges life throws at us. If we can complete the love dare, with a complete wedding at the River Shack, then we can complete the 100 days challenge! I think I will continue with this blogger for the 100 days challenge even after my day 30 with Effy is done! You can join me if you want!
    THE PRACTICE : 
TRUSTING YOUR SPOUSE
WHY?
Because if you can't trust them, who can you trust?
     Most days it is hard for me to trust myself. But I do trust my husband. Especially with these challenges. While I find it hard to trust myself, I know my husband will be there for those days! And he will be there on days when I don't feel I can trust him. Which is worded wrong because I do trust him, it is other women, I don't trust. There ya have it ! I know most days, my arms and his arms will fall back and catch me :)                                                    

I feel like I don't have to "know" what's happening!

Day 15 :
Today’s Nudge: What’s something you know for sure?


     I feel like I don't have to "know" what's happening!
      There is something grand in "unknowing!" And choosing to unknow! Our own lives get so busy with day to day tasks and routines, that sometimes we just don't have the time to Keep up with the Kardashians. Heck, some days I don't even have the time in my own life to keep up with myself! That is one thing I do know!
     I have these days I call media black out days.

Where I only log onto MY facebook. And post on my page. And don't visit others pages. I also might not watch and news. Or read any news. I also might not get on the internet at all and I am perfectly happy with that. It gives me time for me. I know I am NOT really missing being "informed..." because I take note and listen to those around me instead of relying on media to do that for me. But, I am not relying on false information.
     I am in a very knowing space. I know where my light switch is. I know where 3 out of 5 of my cats might be sleeping. I know where my dog is laying in the yard. I know my husband is at work. I know where my parents are for the day. And I know, I am going to be in the art room learning about my art, symbols, my paint brushes. And listening to music. That much I do know. I might also write.
    
     But it is not important for me to be always in the "know...." Ain't no body got time for that! Somedays it is best to stick with what you do know. See what I did there? I like to honor where I am, with my creativity, like it is a sacred thing. My book of days, where I learn just about my trade. As if I was really in a school. But with all the comforts of home!  
     It is just called, I know how to resist. I know how to chill. Not just with netflix. And that much I do know :) I know a lot more, but I am in my chill zone today! But I blogged and it's day 15! I did it!

Oddly ennough, the power of 3!

Today’s Nudge: Day 14

Share something that isn't

widely known about YOU!

     I  normally don't tell people about my obsession with numbers. Oddly enough, the numbers of 3! 

I have never really been totally spiritual. I read my bible. I am a Christmas and Easter church goer. I read my Joyce Meyers devotions. My husband and I try new devotional books and read them together. I actually just bought us one, called the 100 day spouse challenge. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. But I am spiritual in other ways :)

     When you think of 3's, you usually think of the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit. I see 3:33. A number that I have always felt connected to. I use it in my art, I will put three huge circles on my page. And I don't really know why? Other than the three sticks with me. Intuitive painting, what have you? I also see it at night. Most of the time that is really when I see 333 am. That is the hour of us writers, poets, over thinkers, art gals. 

     I have read where it means you are protected, and it is a divine message. If that is totally true, and I believe it to be so, I was at my Island moms house yesterday, dropping of Xtini's journal. And my island dad his fathers day gifts. A little late because life. But I had this big something to be at yesterday afternoon at 4 p.m. My Island mom and I have this connection that is really hard to explain. Unless I had a bottle of wine to share with you, and if you were ready to cry some tears. But Remember, I had to be there at 4 pm. After our visit, Island mom gave me a hug. And we said goodbye. I asked my Dad what time it was when we finally drove off and got going to my location. It was 3:33. When I got done with my big event, Island mom was the first person I called and told the good news to. This was her message,
"I could feel that u were going to be ok and it would go good when I hugged u." I didn't tell her about the 333 time when we left. Because I had other phone calls to make. 

     There is more. Last year on my birthday, island mom and I were swapping how old we were and our age stories. I told her (last year July 9th, 2016) I was going to be 33, and had just bought a Matt Harvey New York Mets Jersey, 33! And we really struck our bond when she said, 333! This is you! You are my 333 baby. I knew it and I could feel it! And I have been since! I am always seeing 333! Even at this game of darts. My favorite pitcher. And yesterday was really my lucky day considering the outcome of my event I was headed to, had really good news. And what was yesterdays date? Lucky 13! The last thing I wrote to my island mom last night later on was, Lucky 13, that power of 3! 

     And I fully believe I do have higher ones out there fully protecting me every step of the way. It could also be the time I take medicine. When my husband is on Day shift his alarm goes off at 330. And it takes me 3 minutes to get up and go grab my pepsi or coke, and my thyroid pill. This day and age, everyone keeps a phone for time right? IT could also be the one time I actually look down at my kitchen clock, because I start dinner for my husband when he is on day shift. I just can't explain this power of 3! Nor 33, nor 333!!!!! But this is what isn't widely known about me. Mainly because I am not sure how to share this bond? Or how to share my connection to the number! 

     As my reader, maybe you have some 333 advice for me! I am willing to listen!!! :)

 

My Handle has always been a smile!

Day 13! Blog along with Effy!
          Today’s Nudge: Reminisce.

  I thought a lot about Hurricane season 2005, during Irma this last weekend. In 2005, I helped a friend out when they were in need. I took on some of his slack, and moved to Florida with him, to help be a part of his insurance team. I met him through a job I had a Bebo's car wash. He came in with army vehicles headed to Florida to help after the Hurricane. I mean, he was there at BeBo's car wash all day! I was the cashier, so we struck up several conversations with each car he brought in. Finally he asked me for my number. I wasn't so young and nieve. I gave him  my handle. My email address, at the time. I always have had the word smile in there somewhere! 

     I had to really convince my parents to let me go to Florida to help these people, as well as help this guy. I had to get out of a car wash! And into an office! More like into a hotel, with all the fixings. But still, it was out of MOBILE. My first real time away from home. I was gone for 6 months. But in that time, I met a bunch of people, and heard a bunch of horror stories, of which I will never forget. I had this insured that would call me at 3 am crying in panic. She was living in Mobile while, we were working on her house and getting paper work she needed to come home. Her husband would also call me all hours of the night. Before Jake from State Farm existed in Khaki pants, I was Jake. I was also HLE SMILES. (to them.) 

     One night he called about 1:25 am. I remember looking at the time. And we were down in Fort Myers. Less than a block from his house. But I would always answer. And I would always have to get up and enter his log that he called in my diary. I was not awake. And I said remember, my email address is HLE SMILES at yoo hoo drink.com like the chocolate drink! He said my name, seriously? I thought it was yahoo. This was well before yahoo was the it thing, mind you! And this became our running joke. He would call me and say hey yoohoo!

      Finally my time ended in Florida, claims were filled, including there's, and this insured, secured me a job working temporary work at the insurance agency. When I clocked in on my frist day, he and his wife paid me a visit. They wanted to thank me for always answering their calls, and listening to them ramble at all hours of the morning. My heart really went out to them. I was one person, but to them I was their world. They proved that to me when they came in the office, which was no longer bebo's but an actual office job! And each brought me a six pack of YOOHOOS! Instead of a dozen roses. I cried with them, for them. I really had touched their lives. 

     Hurricanes are a big deal down here in the south. And it is nice to be a helping hand. I got more out of helping than anything with my time spent in Florida. And Thank you Irma, for bringing back good memories as well as those horror stories, because I know my smile somewhere made a difference!

    

    

*Art from the Heart*

Today’s Nudge: Write about someone who has had a positive influence on you. Link to them, if they have an on line presence. Boost their signal.
Gonna be tough because there are so many of you!
On day 12! Blogging along with Effy!


     Do I have to pick just one?
     I really need to thank Tiare Smith Woods! Sweet Tea and Tiare!  
 My husband works shift work, which allows me to stay up late, and you tube binge. On one of those binges, I happened to manage to be lucky enough to find Tiare Smith Woods! I am a self taught artist. I did not go to school, to art! I taught myself by youtube videos, tons and tons of online classes. And she was one of the first I found and took and gravitated to!
     Through Tiare, I have branched out. And my inner artist has come to life. Her smile and her laugh and all of her art from the heart is infectious! Always leaving you wanting more! She dives right in, the stuff without all the fluff is her motto!
     She is one of my SOUL sisters! 
     I used to scrapbook. Back in the day. Which is how I Found her! Then I realized I can do more than scrapbook, and YOU CAN TOO! Trust me, when I say, I could NOT draw a face, I could not DRAW a flower! I just couldn't. Until one night, I had plenty of time on my hands, saw her tutorials, and I became a self taught artist, and have never looked back! I have embraced the inner artist in me.
     Today I am enrolled in her new class Splatter Splotch and Paint 111 (3!) yes 3!
     It is a way to really free yourself and let go of the inner critic. Just by splattering paint down! This one class alone has taught me to let go of that inner critic and become that rebellious teenager. My inner critic now is about 17 and she wants to go to school to be an artist. She wants to really learn about art theory. Color theory and maybe fashion art. And I have to really give it all to Tiare Smith Woods! I have come along way with Tiare. So many of her students in her tribe have suggested other artists for me to seek out to. And I have, and I am forever grateful for her tribe! There's so many of you out there in her tribe.
     I have met so many wonderful artists out there through Tiare.
    Which maybe online only, but I am thankful for these friendships! But when it all boils down to it, Tiare Smith Woods, embraced my SOUL! And helped that teenager that wants to go to fashion art school, come out ! I am forever thankful to be on an art journey with Tiare ! I wouldn't have found Jane Davenport, Effy Wild and Christy Tolmnison without Tiare! I have so many of you guys that rock my poptarts and have saved my art soul. And I am forever thankful! Somewhere in the mix of all of you guys, I have found my flavor. And Tiare always tells me, she can see me on the page! Which makes me feel good! Kudos girl! 

For the something days!

Day 11 !

Today’s Nudge: Give something away. A printable, a mini class, a tutorial you did on YouTube, or sound advice about something your readership might benefit from.

       I try to obey every nudge I get. 
     You know those nudges and tugs at your heart. Those, while I might not be giving something away like art sound advise, I'm giving my beloved art teacher a birthday gift! I was going to leave a quite tip in her tip jar, as those of us Blogging with Effy saw me asking about. However, I did a thing. And got her this really cute something! It is her birthday month, and I am feeling very lucky!

This is Effy ! Click here!


     See, I went to the hard rock in Biloxi Mississippi. And when I do, I always raid the hard rock gift shop! Literally, most of my shirts are music shirts and they are so comfy too! But, I happened to see this gold thing! This something literally said, EFFY NEEDS ME!!! So, with what I won I got it! I was feeling proud of myself thinking of someone other than myself  when I shop. I am a major shopper. I buy for friends and family when I shop. And this year I have got to give a bunch of thanks to Effy for allowing me to be part of her tribe! For once I feel very connected, even though we have never met! I am very thankful for what I won at the Hard Rock too! See, I got so lucky, I was able to get this jacket for myself! But I had a few trips back to the casino floor before I could get it ! But I got hers first!

     Remember, dear hearts, that, when you feel that something nudge, it is felt in the heart. And obey! Obey on it because these are the little somethings that can be a big something in your life! Not that buying anything is all of this. But I have before had these nudges. I feel good about them after when I obey them. It can be as simple as a phone call nudge to call someone you haven't spoken to in years! But do it! I always find a little joy in these nudges! I wish I cold get our entire book of days tribe these jackets!
     To the somethings out there, be wild!

Sweet Dreams are made of these.....

Ten days down twenty more to go! 

Today’s Nudge: Write about a dream you once had that you let go of, and where that led you.

FACT : I AM A BIG TIME DAY DREAMER. I'm always on CLOUD 9! 

     If you ever look at me, and notice, I am here, but don't seem to be all that here, chances are, I am most likely dreaming up something. In the *now* I dream of lots and lots of things for me and my husband. And I dream of things for myself as well. See, we bought an rv to go see the world (as far as it get's us... ) so I am always currently dreaming of places I would like to go see and visit. I actually do have one list ( I am not that bad at making lists.... like in my previous blog.) Of those places, where I would love to go with my husband.
     

     I had always dreamed of going to other countries first.

     Until my husband suggested seeing our own back door first. Traveling here within our own country. There has been talk of him retiring and us going on the road and getting our cdl drivers license. There was talk for several years, about us getting an rv! And that dream finally came true. But we have just taken it to several local places. To break in the new. One of my friends said, how are you going to take a 69 Chevelle super sport and break it in, in your backyard ? I couldn't help but laugh. But all the things in this conversation made total since!
   

ALL DREAMS ARE REAL! 

     While, I never, ever saw myself as a traveling gypsy....

I have gotten hung up on the fact I used to dream of a career. Now, I am happily married, and working is only if I want to, or have to. Trust me, if need be, I would be just as happy working back at Captain D's again. I never saw, artist or mixed media artist selling canvases as my "career" so far it seems to be working! Everyone else's path is NOT my path. Which makes it hard for others to understand where I come from. As stated in previous blogs, my chosen path was a rock journalist for Rolling Stone magazine. I love to write, I love photography, and mix them both, to how much I truly love music! It's a dream job, pipe dream, but hey, I can still dream about it! I could never see leaving my family now to go write at the magazine. And being gone all the time. That is really why I am challenging myself to stay on top of this blogging challenge. And taking a risk and stepping out there, to see what followers, I can find that maybe I could connect with, to help me peruse my dream, if I can do it even from the comforts of my hometown. 

     If you are thinking, I sound stuck. It is really the exact opposite. However, just stuck with my chosen degree in communications on the level I studied in! I am a content and sometimes desperate to get out housewife, mixed media artist, with 6 fur kids! They keep me pretty dang busy! And at 34, I have 6 step kids and 10 grandkids to keep me entertained as well. Not to mention the other adopted nieces and nephews. I am quite busy to really partake in anything right now other than doing exactly what I am doing :) 

Kisses

Liv Stone


PS I once had a conversation with a band mother of mine. She was and still is everyone's band momma.

The conversation went like, well, what is your dream?

I said to grow up and be a rolling stone magazine journalist!

She said, well you can't do both, you can either grow up, or you can be a rolling stone journalist.

So.... I think right now I am just still "GROWING UP!"

Picture of me, organizing the family photos, but never being in them LOL That's okay, my back side is my best side :)

My husbands family on his mothers 90th birthday! Thats most of all of us!

one of my most recent favorite pictures! 

If there was ever a real life grumpy cat, it would be ME!

Today’s Nudge: Share something you’ve created that feels like it’s a part of your autobiography.

     If there was ever a real life grumpy cat, it would be ME! Taken from the pages, that I write in the morning about today's nudge. My last years autobiography has been, getting up in the morning and letting the grumpy cat out in my Sweet Trash Journal. A routine introduced by Effy Wild! I am in her Book of Days, and I really have to give her all the credit in the world.

These morning pages have made my morning routine worth waking up for. I get to let all that junk out of my brain. That brain fog we wake up with, before I sit down and do anything.
     This is my sneak peak into my autobiography since Aug 28th! 

     The real, the raw, the unedited, the not so nice me. I'm not a happy morning person. Anyone that has ever woken up next to me can contest to that, even these morning pages! Because they wake up beside me! Although since I started blogging a long, I have changed my frame. I have been putting my blog posts in there, while they might seem happy and upbeat, I have written musings under them that prompted the nice me. The AWAKE me! And you are welcome for me reediting for your viewing pleasure!

     These are the me, that says, hey you are damn unpretty too! I know I am unpretty. I have a messy life, these journals have somewhat organized my mornings.

     THE BITCHY SIDE OF ME.... yeah I have one. I can go to bitch in .5 seconds! 

    

While, this might not be pretty, and eye pleasing. I create in this daily. My mind write anything and everything down in these babies it wants! I post pictures of my outfit I wore. I write compliments down that I got from it, or how it made me feel. I post art. Ugly art... the mind when it wakes up needs a place do purse dump. And just a 15 minute flinging of art on my page can help wake up up the soul! If there was one thing I could tell anyone, don't try to keep up with me honey. Trust me, you wouldn't want to nor would you graduate! Just look at this mess of unpretty I am!

This is a message from Effy today!

I'd like to ask us all to have a boundary around apologizing for not blogging/dropping off. If you're dropping out, I trust that you have your good reasons. <3 You can drop back, cheerlead the other bloggers, or tip toe out quietly. Drop outs can be contagious. I'd prefer it if we focus on the continued momentum in this group. Thank you for understanding.


I am way too in to even consider dropping out. However, I was thankful today's post was rather simple for me, but I feel iffy for sharing my journals. They are private. And blogging is a deep void out there....  however, I did *think* on it.... in my morning 3 pages of musings I have written,
Im still here. Just this weekend i need to find my writing in my journal energy again! Because Irma. Because a tough Auburn game. A sad start to nfl football when they, the Giants play the cowboys! Love you! Remember, you are a hoot. You've got this! Hoot on baby!


Kisses,
Liv Stone!