Food is a pleasure.

A while ago I posted about my little family of three's decision to not eat out for the entire month of September. I haven't really talked about it much and I certainly didn't write about it? Why you might ask? Well, it was a little painful. Some of the pain was planning meal after meal but really the most pain was in the apparent notice on how much money we spend eating out. It's shameful. It's embarrassing. AND we don't even eat out at a lot of really nice places but more middle of the road places like Thai restaurants and Asian places. It all adds up really quickly though. Overall I'd have to say this was a really good experiment. We cheated once or twice as there was an "allowance" in the agreement on business related meals but overall, we became very creative with food and stuck to it. But, I have to say... I sure am glad tomorrow is the first day of October. I have several meals planned out already!

How about you? Do you eat out a lot?

Illustration Friday_Pattern

It's a pattern of mine to make digital patterns when my life is patterned with turmoil. 

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the time to get still this afternoon. Not an easy task for this one.

Do it right the first time.

Awesome Quote of the Day:

"If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" - John Wooden

My life. In a nutshell. 

How about you? Do you like this quote?

Doodle Smoodle.

Feeling in the mood for Fall, so I created this pattern. It might make a cute flannel fabric one day or maybe a nice wrapping paper.

I've got a few big projects coming down the pipe. A few are for illustrations but most are not illustration related. It is nice to have a diverse work load but sometimes, all I want to do is draw.

How about you? Are you working your life's dream or just a job?

Quote for the Day:

"The difficult way is nearly over. Hold on in My Strength. Courage and Joy will conquer all troubles."

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful my achy symptoms did not turn into a cold. Yipee!

Monday, the winning day of the week.

I won! I won over at Monday Artday, this little award for posting an illo of a bicycle. I never win anything and today I won. Whoo-hoo. I feel giddy at the moment...

Then, I received this little critter in the mail today from my friend and blogger buddy, doodlestreet. We challenged ourselves to come up with some kind of art form with some felt and a few buttons and beads. I sent mine to her and she sent hers to me. I love my little critter, he has the place of honor on my mirror in the dining room. Thanks Pam! I think today is my lucky day, for sure! AND it's a MONDAY!

How about you? Do you like Mondays?

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a brainstorming session over a delicious lunch with creative colleagues!

Back to the drawing board.

Back to work on the skincare website as our amateur landscape photographer backed out for our photo supply. This actually is a blessing as it was a struggle to make the photography work for something that was supposed to read skincare. So now, the focus is where it should be... on the fabulous product. Life just got so much easier.

Quote for the Day:

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt

That's a really good place to start.  Look ahead to where you wish you were when you need motivation, and that amount is different for everyone. Some need to do that everyday, a couple of times a day, where some may only need a weekly check in. Which ever it is for you, just remember to start with what you've got and soon enough, you'll be where you want to be. That's what I tell myself anyway...

How about you? What do you say to yourself to stay motivated?

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to sneak off to another movie! Saw "Love Happens" and thought it was cute.

Full vs. Wide.

This is a logo for our local San Diego Kitten Rescue. This little lady who started it has a BIG heart for kittens. I know, because at any given time she has about a dozen or so. Kittens with their little tiny mews and needle claws and teeth, looking ever so cute in their soft downey fur coats, tempting you to come close and adore. Now if that were dogs, I'd be so all over that.

It was another hot one today and sometimes it just feels good to not move much when it's hot outside, so we rented a few movies. Given the option on movies, I always select the full screen vs. the widescreen. Mostly because I don't have a wide screen TV but also because the wide version makes everything a little shorter and a little wider. There's not much in life that is better as the wide version, except wide stretched out arms ready for a hug. The full version of life rocks.

How about you? Do you select the widescreen or the full screen?

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the time to work on some personal work, meet with my publisher about my childrens book and eat Thai food. It's been a good day.

Families grow on trees.

Here is a little family tree I made for one of my 1000th post Give Away winners. (The names have been changed to protect the innocent!) I am thinking this would be nice in my house, I'll have to add some fictitious children to make the tree look fuller though since we's only three!

Have a great weekend!

Empowerment in little words.

Here are some great quotes to ponder on for the weekend. These can inspire, motivate or just plain empower. The first one is a little painful but there is always room to adopt new behaviors. I like 'em. I think I'll work on the second one especially hard tonight. Have a great weekend!

We are what we repeatedly do. - Aristotele

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children:
One is roots. The other is wings. - Hodding Carter, Jr.

People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Shoot for the moon.
Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. - Les Brown

Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings. - C. Archie Danielson

The secret.

The secret to life is to live it. Oh, and smile. A lot. Um, and be nice, as much as you can.

It's looking a little like Fall.

There is a new little Halloween challenge going on between myself and with another blogger, the infamous doodlestreet. I was sent this plethora of felt and other various tidbits and our challenge is to create something, use this word loosely, in the spirit of Halloween. We have one week. All I can say is F. U. N.

While in La Jolla this morning, I was driving by my favorite book/gift store, Warwicks, and in my head I thought, if a parking spot opens up in front, well that means I am supposed to go in. So, guess what, a spot opens up right in front of the store, leaving me no other option to swoop right in, park my car and enter ever so happily. This is what I found for my nice clean, organized desk...

Then stopping by the local flower stand to pick up flowers for a friend who just had surgery, these sunflowers beckoned to come home with me and stay. How could I refuse?

How about you? Do you pick up little items once in a while just because they make you smile?

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a night of season premiers on TV, only to realize that they just don't hold my attention anymore. That's a really good thing. It feels good to turn off the TV.

Truth be told.

Quote of the Day:

"Truth is many-sided. Have love and patience for all who do not see as you do."

I needed to read this today. I was feeling a little frustrated with a certain individual who is living in a world that does not parallel mine. That's OK. A lot of people do, in fact, most people live in a world that is very different from mine. I am human and I forget that, so gentle reminders are always a good thing.

How about you? Do you see everyone with a kind and patient eye?

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a seemingly productive day.

The most important meal of the day.

Alright already, I was really over zealous in my excitement about Fall arriving and I made a big deal about it on the last day of Summer. So sorry Summer, I didn't mean to over shadow your exit. But, I am glad you are gone because the Fall is the best time of year!

Today I worked up a PDF for this really awesome kid (he's 21) who is running across the country. Let me repeat myself because he is running from the Pacific to the Atlantic. In four months. Did I mention he is running for kids with juvenile diabetes? Well, he is. Why? Because he likes to run and it's a good cause to run for. So, that being said, I am happy to create this for you Patrick! You rock.

Click on photo for more information...

Breakfast is the new dinner.



How about you? Do you like to eat breakfast at odd times?

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for very funny friends.

Happy Fall!

Hello Fall, so glad you are here!

These website designs below are for a skincare line I am working on. I posted it a few days ago and made revisions as the first one didn't read skincare to me. I think I'm getting closer now. Which of these do you like?

We are in for another heat wave and hopefully this will be the very last one for the year. I am so looking forward to fall and pumpkins. 

How about you? Do you like the fall season?

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for great news from my publisher.

One Way or Another.

These are the Gala Girlz (a few are MIA), a group of fantastic women I meet up with a few times a month. They all are so diverse, unique, inspiring and gorgeous. Fun night last night girlz, as usual!

While driving home this afternoon, I stopped to take a photo of this sign. I was thinking about how we all get messages in our minds and hearts that weigh heavily until we give it our attention and interest. Whenever I am asked to do something or get a big idea in my head or take one more thing on, I am getting the clear and precise message to "Be Still." Just get quiet and be still. I don't even know what that means and how to do just that but I find it so interesting that this message is speaking so clearly at me. So, when I commit to something or feel I am not doing enough and take on more than I can chew, I am having to go back and un-commit and leave some of the tasks for others to take on.

I am not comfortable with this. It is my nature for some reason to do more and then do a little more on top of that. I quite often feel I am not doing enough, in most areas of my life. So, I do more. It has been a challenge to stop doing that and force myself to feel that what I have done or not done at the present moment is good enough. I may not even feel it but that thought is there, ready for the feelings to catch up.

So many times, I have looked back at certain times of my life when I didn't feel as though I did enough at that moment but reflecting, I find that, YES, I really did do enough. More than enough. It's time to be still and let that be enough. There is no ONE WAY to do that except just stop and be still. I don't know how else to be that still person. I am trying though.

How about you? Do you try to be still and find it enough?

Quote of the Day:

"Let My purposes guide you rather than your own fears or others opinions."

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the chance to see Julie and Julia today. I think I have a new favorite!

And the winner(s) are...

We have three winners. Perla from Utah, Cindy E. from Point Loma and Erin from Colorado Springs. Please send me your addresses and the art of your choice to my email: damori@cox.net. Hooray!

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to be going to a wine and appetizer gathering with my Gala Girls. We always have a blast!

Kindness is contagious.

Love this quote. I posted it mostly for me as a reminder that we are all in this together. No one has it easy, everyone's got something going on in their life that seems larger than life.

Friday came and went and I meant to post the 1,000th Give Away winner but my son had an impromtu sleepover and it didn't feel right to drag him away from his friend just for my needs. So, we drew out the names today and I'll be posting the winners. Yes, that is right. I had such a great response and outpouring of love from all of you that we selected the top three!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice, quiet, light dinner over my favorite glass of wine with the father of my child, the man who lives in my house, and the guy who religiously picks up the dog poop.

Monday Artday_Bicycle

The bicycle riding polar bear was the highlight at the circus!

Give Away ending tomorrow!

Don't forget to leave a comment, any comment, please be nice. Your name will be entered into the drawing for a print, your choice of any of my art posts. I'll even do something custom (within reason!) Comment... now.

Pleased as punch.

My really good friend Chris Bolton makes these amazing necklaces (she's a favorite of Gweneth Paltrow and Madge!) and I am updating her logo and website. These are two comps I made of a website and I can't decide which I like better. Can you help me decide? Which do you like and why? I would be ever so grateful for your input.

Completely sidetracking ... over the past two years, I have altered my way of thinking. I really push myself to live in the present, give my complete attention to the matter in front of me at the moment and look at every situation with an open mind. With my sister dying this year, my world has been rocked and I realized that I had stepped away from my purposeful living for a short while and the treck back has been a steep climb. It's so easy to slide away from positive habits, a tiny slip at a time and before you know it, you've found yourself at the bottom of the hill. Gulp. How did that happen? This tumultuous thing we call life is all about the journey and not just arriving but the treck to arriving. It's not an easy thing to have tasted the prize of the summit, closing your eyes for a moment to revel in the joy and when you open them, finding yourself halfway down the mountain. Since it's all a journey, I am climbing again. And yes, I am keeping my eyes open this time!

I stumbled upon this website and I can't stay away. It's mesmerizing. I come back time and time again to read about authenticity and courageous living on her website. It is intriguing and touches my heart with a hint of recognition. Maybe you might like to stumble upon it too. Maybe you are earning to be more present and live more authentically. If so, take a peek. I'd love to hear what you think!

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a really fantastic teacher for my boy. I couldn't be more pleased. 

Pink, pink, you stink.

Today I finished a child's mural that I started yesterday. I am posting the drawing first and then a few final photos. Of course there are differences from the original idea, once you get actual wall color and furniture placement, but you can see what the original intent was compared to the final product.

Then, after painting, I swung by the local Borders to cash in my Border's Bucks (incentive for having a membership card) and I picked up the latest Halloween publications. I love Halloween graphics and thats a good thing considering I have been doing graphics for that industry for twelve years! Anyway, I have some fun reading in store for me tonight!

How about you? Do you like Halloween?

On another random note, I watched the series "Hoarders" on A&E Monday evening. I was really looking forward to it as it was a recommendation by a blogger friend. About 3 minutes into the program, I could not have been anymore horrified. It is amazing how much stuff people hang onto and cannot let any of it go. One couple had to purchase another home to make room for all their stuff! Seriously. If I ever had any thoughts as to my piling of papers being a problem, I just found the fix for that dilemma ... a good hour of "Hoarders" on Monday night. So, even though I have 3 piles of papers sitting on the floor right next to my office chair, I don't feel nearly as bad about it as I did before Monday. In fact, I think I'll let them stay a few nights longer just for the extra company!

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for scented candles and a cup of tea.

IF_Welcome

With school back in session and all the summer's crowds no longer invading the shore, Bernard saw a welcome reprieve in the shade of a palm tree.

Life's essentials.

"Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you're going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus." - Oprah 

I don't normally listen very closely to Oprah's quotes but this one seemed to make a lot of sense. I have discovered that maintaining focus to your goals is one of the most important steps to attaining them, right after figuring out what they are in the first place that is! Figure out what your goals are, write them down, keep them in the forefront. Riiiigghhht.

How about you? Do you have certain goals you are aspiring towards or do you mostly wing it?

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to paint a mural in a little girl's room today. Tomorrow, I finish it up with tiny details. Me so lucky.

The bees knees.

This is a little t-shirt illustration I did for my client to show the logo on a t-shirt. I used to do a lot of t-shirt design for a silkscreener, that was my first graphics job. You sure learn quite a bit about the printing process through silkscreen because all the colors need to be on separate plates. If you mess up and forget part of the art on a plate, it's a big process to fix it. So, you get pretty good very fast. In today's digital world, some may never see the inside of a printer's shop, therefore not quite grasping the concept of color separation. Seems like all you have to do is push a button on the computer and the work is done, right? IF only things in life were that easy!

How about you? What did you learn at your first job?

Don't forget to leave a comment and your name will be put into the drawing for a FREE print of your choice of any of my artwork. We'll draw the name on Friday!

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice long phone conversation with an interesting person.

1,000th post Give Away!

This is the beginnings of an illustration for a family tree. I haven't really found any that are very attractive so I thought I would make my own. I'm just playing with patterns and textures at the moment but it holds promise. However, the way my family is dwindling, I suppose I could actually have a stick of a tree with just a few leaves on it. This thought brought me to the idea of having friends on my family tree because I have a family of friends that has held strong through the storms and droughts and earthquakes of life. Some of them even sticking around when other family members could not. There is something to that, I just don't know how to illustrate it at the moment. Oooo, a challenge is coming on, I can feel it.

How about you? Do you have friends that are stronger than family?

Today is my 1,000th post on this blog. That's not really something to talk about for most people but for me, well, I'm a little dumbfounded the blog is still here and people keep coming back to visit. So, in my gratitude for all you lovely readers, I am having a little give away for my 1,000th post. I will send you any print of any artwork I have posted on my blog if you leave a comment and tell me what artwork you'd like. I'll even see if I can do something custom if you so desire. Anyway, leave a little love in the comment area and at the end of the week, I'll have the boy randomly pick out the winner's name and we'll send you a little art love of your choice.



Pam's art is leaving footprints around San Diego again! Now it's even closer to my hood!

Facing the giants.

"It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly." - Isaac Asimov

Boldy my friend, bold yet steady.

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a sparkling laundry room.

Drowning in piles.

This is a pattern I started with a hand drawn look I am trying to achieve. I thought this might be a cute set of pj's for a little girl, if it were a fabric that is.

I am in the midst of reorganizing my office/studio. I'd say it's about half way done so there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, I've gotten to the part where I am the weakest, and that is, I have piles everywhere. The furniture is in place, the surfaces are clean and visible but the floor has stacks of books and "important" papers. Most of which I don't know what those papers are so I really could just throw them all away without a second glance but knowing me, I'll look at each one and keep on making smaller piles. I really need a better system. (Better than leaving it all behind while I run off to LA, which I am about to do in fifteen minutes!)

How about you? Do you have an easy time letting go of paper piles?

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the start of a clean, organized work space. I'd really be grateful for the motivation to finish it!

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a chance to go to LA and see my bestest friend.

No words to say.

The sky was in flames last night when I just happened to look out the front door. Hoping it is this way again tonight!

Stickers around town.

Doodlestreet has been here and leaving her mark with a little help from friends.

Awarded with friendship.

My friend Edrian, awarded me with this prestigious honor a while ago and I am finally getting around to posting about it. Thank you Edrian and I apologize for not being more prompt. There are a few small rules for accepting this award and here they are:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must, in turn, pass the Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy buds.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains The Award.

4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List (!?) at the Scholastic-Scribe’s blog. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this prestigious honor!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

These lovely people are most admirable in many ways and I list them here for their talents:

Mike R. Baker

Pam

Roberta

Eric

Valerie

Late night talks.

Baby owl had so many tales to tell about his first day back to school. Intriguing, thought Papi owl while trying to stay awake.

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a good read every now and then.

Just another Wednesday.

This is a business card I created recently.  Nice client and fun work make it all worthwhile.

How about you? Do you enjoy your work?

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a day full of work related meetings that all included friends!

Time Out for Quiet!

Today I went to the Zoo all by myself. It was divine. Although we went last night for the last summer night at the San Diego Zoo, I can never get enough of that place. So after I dropped off the kid for his first day of third grade, I went to the Zoo to walk and walk and get still. In my stillness, I drew this turtle looking up into the sun. He was enjoying some stillness too and after I completed my illo, he took a few steps and slipped right into the water. If I didn't get quiet and in the moment, I would have never experienced this.

How about you? Do you like to go to public places to be alone?

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for my solitude.

Broken Mondays.

It has been an interesting past few weeks around here. I keep getting the message, in various ways, to slow down and get still. Stop what I am doing and just be in the moment. However, when I do just that, I am overwhelmed with a brokenness that fills me up to the point of shattering. Every single time my cell phone rings, I think for a moment it's my sister on the line. I see something in a store and think, "Oh, Cindy will like this." I wanted to go to an evening church service yesterday and the first person I thought of to go with me was the one person who never will be able to again.

My twin and I were very much alike but at the same time two very different people. The thing that gets me about her absence is, our history, our past. I never ever had to explain something from our past to her because she lived it right along side of me. Sometimes all I would have to do is look at her and she would know exactly, exactly what I was thinking. So when I get still, very still, there is a loneliness I have never known before. I know, I know, I know it will pass. Or at least lessen a whole lot. But for now, when I slow down and just try to be in the moment, my mind races with what to do with all this quiet time so I won't have to sit here alone.

I'll keep being still though. Because one day, the sun is going to shine so bright and it's going to be just fine.

How about you? Do you ever get so still you can't stand it?

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a bunch of spontaneous love from the kid.

Brand new beach house.

I don't think I've told anyone this, but... we are moving. We've debated for a while over this and it feels like a good time to wipe the slate clean and start fresh and new. So, we have been in construction on a beach house and it was completed today. That is only if we can figure out how to make ourselves three inches tall! This was my birthday present from the kid. How thoughtful, huh? Love him AND my beach house.

I just love legos. How about you?

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice slow start this morning.

Growth.

Quote for the day:

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." - Ronald E. Osborn 

What to do. What to do...

My friend and I had a very long and interesting conversation about simplifying life. Learning to say no and not feel guilty, getting quiet enough so you will know exactly what your mind is telling you to say no to. Even quitting, gulp, Facebook may be a solution to getting down and dirty simple. Can I do this? Probably. Will I like it? Probably.

How about you? Can you get so quiet you hear your own voice?

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice long walk this morning through the golf course in Balboa Park. I was called to go there and I listened.

Back into the groove.

This morning was "Back to School" morning where you go meet your child's teacher, say hello to friends and reaquaint yourself with the building you ran from a mere 10 weeks ago. It was nice to go back and bitter sweet at the same time. My sister's daughters go to that school so this year is going to produce something very different from the past few years. All good I hope.

Then the kid and I played a round of "The Game of Life" the Spongebob version after running gobs of errands. I am SO ready for a "momacation" and next Tuesday, I'll be getting one. Whew, just in time!

How about you? Do you look forward to getting back into your groove when you've been out of it for a while?

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful the heat is starting to subside a bit. This makes me a much nicer person to be around. : )