Kitchen painting

Some may ask and many have, upon visiting my kitchen,

why do I have this huge painting in my kitchen

and where did I get it?

It happens to be one of my very favorite pieces of art

that I own. As I always say, I try and surround

myself not with the typical home decorations seen in magazines

but those things that make me happy, make me feel warm and fuzzy

inside, put a smile on my face.

One day about four years ago, I was out on one of

my garage sale ventures when I came across this hand painted,

I am sure, one-of-a kind original painting.

The price tag on it was 10 dollars.

I went around and around yet kept coming back to the painting.

It had been professionally framed so I knew at least the

frame was worth the 10 bucks.

Every time I came around to look at it, It made me smile.

The little old hunched back lady reminded me of my

Aunt Fredia.

Aunt Fredia was not black.

She was the mother of Randolph's restaurant in

Golden Meadow. Mumsie worked there many years

so every day after school I stopped in to the kitchen

of Randolph's to kiss my Mumsie and grab a

handful of olives only to hear one of the cooks

fussing at me.

Aunt Fredia, on those afternoons was always propped

on a stool very similar to this one, looking out the

side window cutting vegetables for whatever was

going to be on the menu at the restaurant the next day.

I loved seeing her there, it meant all was well that day.

So, I originally bought the painting because of

these memories it brought back.

However, when I put it up in the place that

it now hangs in my kitchen I realized much more

about my find.

The floors of this painting are the exact floors

in my own kitchen.

The wall color, exactly the same.

The other thing that excited me is that every time

I viewed the painting something new came

into my view. The clock, what is co0king on the stove?

What is she preparing that we cannot see behind her back.

It is a conversation piece and if you have ever been to my

home and asked of it, I am sure you have heard

this story already.

The babies tease me about my find.

I sometimes think they wonder which of them

will inherit this when my time here on earth is up.

Hoping it is not them.

Neither is worthy..... el oh el...

SA 1/14

THE GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Okay, so far this month we have been

reading of all we have to be grateful for,

things that cost nothing that we may have

forgotten are so important to our well-being.

Now it is time to put those things on paper.

I journal a lot. I journal when I am happy,

I journal when I am sad, I journal when

I am confused and lets not forget, when I am angry.

However the gratitude journal is different

from putting your feelings and thoughts

on paper.

Like the author says, it makes a difference in

the journey if you do this part of the plan or not.

For some reason, the first time I did this SA

I did the gratitude journal and after the year was

up I told myself I would just continue it

in my journal. It doesn't work the same.

I eventually just stopped doing it.

5 simple things you are grateful for

written in one book each night.

I have my journal.

I will begin tonight.

I ask you- don't skip this part.

For whatever reason, it makes a difference, it does.

Journey on for the Simple life...

SA 1/13

GRATITUDE: AWAKENING OF THE HEART

The first paragraph talks of something we can

all relate to. Something you read or a lyric in

a song that can just change your whole mind set in

an instant. There are so many things in my life

much more important than finances or things that

I wish I had. Just yesterday, after a very slow

morning the afternoon seemed so much brighter

after visits from Patricia and the girls,

Cindy and Malaina.

I made cupcakes because I knew I would have

company and just that small gesture made

me feel important.

The author reminds us this day.

"... what you give to the world will be returned to you-

maybe not all at once or in the way you expect it-

but if you give your very best, the very best will

come back to you."

So as I journey on this road to recovery,

both mentally and physically, my eyes

are once more opened to the fact that my

mission statement is what I, auntie Lil

must live for."

The confusing part becomes when sometimes I

loose sight on how will I do it in my future.

However today, once again, I am reminded

that right now I don't have or need the answers.

I just need to carry on and be the best

I can be in all aspects of my life.

OBAMA SPEECH

If you read my blog you know I not

only voted for our President Obama

but have been a supporter of his.

Do I like everything he says, does, or stands for?

Nope, does he irritate me sometimes and I

think, "Why did you say that, dummy?" yes.

However, as a young girl I was taught by my parents

and the teachers who blessed me with their knowledge

we have freedom of speech here in America

but respect of a President and the officials

who win the election is the only way we will move

forward in our rolls for a better life for ourselves

and the future of our children, our country.

Therefore I listened intently as he made his

speech to the thousands gathered at the

Arizona memorial and I am proud this morning

to say he is our President.

He did not call the gunman a mentally unstable kid

he called him a "violent man"

One point for Obama.

"... The moment should prompt Americans

to step back and reflect on how they lead their

own lives and how they deal with one another."

Two points for Obama.

Then he spoke much of those who had died,

gave background on each of their lives.

Did not trivialize anything of what their purpose

was in the world.

He ended his speech with thoughts of Christina Green.

"... She saw all through the eyes of a child, undimmed

by cynicism, or that which we adults sometimes take

for granted. I want us to live up to her expectations,

I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it."

I don't know a lot about politics, I don't care to.

But I do know this.

I want to believe in the American way and the

fact that because of my freedoms I can post

this blog, I can say how I feel.

I stand behind whatever man or woman we call

President whether they were my vote or not.

For Christina Green,

I will be a better citizen, I will be kinder to my fellow man,

I will try and treat all with the respect each and everyone

of us deserve just because we were born in this wonderful country.

It is the only way our country will move forward.

Peace is my prayer.

new background!!!

Felt it was time for a new background.

Of, course!

It's a new year, it's a new life,

time for a new background.