New Book

I truly believe in ghosts and I know that there's more to life than we can see with our eyes. I also don't think that people are really gone when they die. Where would they go? Does it erase their life - a life full of emotions, love, anger, pride, or accomplishment?

Sometimes emotional energy is so strong that I think it sticks around. It's somewhat like a memory. I can recall this time when I was a little kid, and my cousin and I built a fort in my Grandpa's yard. We used things we found in the barn. Fence pieces for walls, boards and shingles for the roof, and we borrowed corn stalks from the farmers field next door. We were glowing with happiness, and we were so proud of our accomplishment. Until Grandpa came home and yelled at us for making a mess. A mess!

That memory is still so alive that it is a part of me. We are adults now, and Grandpa is gone, but it's still with me. I believe that our emotions and lives literally brand places with our energy.

Ashes of the Living is inspired by an old cobblestone foundation we found on our property. I was fascinated as I wondered who lived there. What happened? Who were these people and what did they do here? There have been numerous signs of life on this property. They must have a story. Everyone does.

What if there were a few houses out in the woods, or a small village? And if it came back to life fueled by it's emotions and events - even for just one night, wouldn't that be great? They could tell me their story, or show me their story.

I have listened closely, and ghosts have told me their story.

Being true to yourself & letting your real story out

My imagination runs wild all the time. I'm always thinking of new characters, new stories, possible plot twists, new painting ideas.... There's always something brewing. But sometimes, I snuff out one of my own ideas before it ever comes into the real world. Why? Maybe some ideas are too far fetched. Maybe not, maybe I'm pre-criticizing myself. Yes, I said pre-criticizing.


Maybe we should just let them all out. Every thought, every story, and every idea in our brain. Just let them out to run and play. For example, The Spiderman character began in the human mind right?


Okay, imagine that conversation: "Yeah, so I have this new character, and he's a man, but he also has spider qualities. He was bit by this spider, but anyway, he can jump around on buildings like a spider and he ejects webs from his hands so he can swing around between tall buildings. He wears a tight red clingy leotard. Oh, and he helps battle crime, and catches bad guys. Mostly bad guys with super powers. And his arch nemesis is the Green Goblin. Green Goblin is a total menace to society, and he rides around on this really cool hover board thing."


Know what? It worked!

No more PRE-critizing!

Jersey Shore ratings

Why is Jersey Shore so popular? Hmm.... Even Barbara Walters can't help but express curiosity!

Reality stars give the rumor mill so much to talk about, and some are in the spotlight for several years. The most common question is "why?", and there are quite a few that we don't even know why they've become so famous.

I've heard it all, Paris Hilton has been referred to as a "fake celebrity", because after all, what is she famous for anyway? The Kardashians? Nicole Richie? Could it be amazing talent? Maybe a long and victorious battle of courage and skill that lead them to the top? Or, are they merely lucky to be connected to someone else that has been in the spotlight?

The cast of Jersey Shore is different. They aren't connected to anyone famous. As of yet, none of them has a sex tape, a famous parent, or billionaire genes. They are famous for their personalities! Yes! Just because of who they ARE. This amazes me. I think it's pretty friggin' awesome. Actors spend years and years trying to get noticed. Work their asses off for months at a time on the movie sets away from their families. And maybe in a year or two they get noticed.

I love this day and age where a group of kids from Jersey can make a name for themselves with their personalities and "interesting factor".

Vision Boards

I have been a big fan of John Assaraf for a few years now. I loved The Secret and I particularly loved the positive feeling that it left me with. I think that anything positive is good. Not only have I read the books, but I also have the audio books, and I listen to them while I illustrate. I have inked hidden pictures while filling my art with positive feelings, and it's awesome! While working on custom champagne flute sets, I listen to my amazing audio books and send happiness and longevity to the soon-to-be wedded couple as I create their new glassware.

Right from the beginning, John Assaraf's words seemed to click with me. He was the one that really stuck out to me, and I have been on a mission to absorb as much of his knowledge on the power of the mind as I can get. I have been particularly interested in his whole vision board theory, and I am ready to give it a try. Actually, I am excited about it! He has studied highly successful people, and the importance of goal-setting. You really MUST have clear and concise goals in order to achieve anything. Without specific order or direction, how on earth are you going to achieve anything? Okay, I get it.

The most successful people in the world have written goal statements. But taking it a step further, John explores the world of vision boards. A vision board is basically a collage of cut out objects that represent or symbolize what you would like to achieve as well as any written words that have a direct meaning. I have begun making my list of goals, and divided it up into 4 sections: Family & relationships, Career, Material posessions, and recreation. My career goals are pretty specific, as well as recreation. I would like to experience a huge list of far away places, foods, and soak in unknown cultures. Family & relationships consist of Pilates, maybe taking a Yoga class, and having fun with healthy foods while incorporating it into my family life. I would also like to learn more about meditation, as it quiets the mind. I could really use some of that - I have alot of stuff going on in there all the time! I have incorporated most of my family goals into my recreation goals, and enjoy my family time in that manner. Material posessions, not so much. That column was blank for several days, and I just added "80's toys". They make me happy, and I have collected my favorites over the years. I would like more, and not because of the dollar value, but for the childhood glimpse I get when I see them.

Vision boards not only help you to clearly define your goals and desires, but they also imprint your subconscious mind with direct orders. I can't wait to see what my subconscious mind is capable of!

New Law: Illegal to become Facebook friends with family members

I propose a new law that would make it illegal to accept a friend request from immediate family members. It's just akward. You have something to say, you think it out, get ready to type it in, when, BAM! It hits you - you can't say that. I mean, Lucy is a vegetarian, Billy Bob is a recovering alcoholic, and Jermaine is a Born again Christian. Okay, so I'm getting a little carried away, but sometimes it's hard to be yourself when Mom's watching, for instance. This new law would take the sting out of Facebook separations. So, your brother John starts up a Facebook account, and sends you a request. You click on his profile and see that he's already up to about 50 or so of his colorful friends, and you can already tell by the writing on the wall that you do NOT want this world touching yours. You decide not to approve him right away. You let him sit and wait. Play like you're not on Facebook alot, maybe he won't know. Oops, better not comment on anything or approve/send any friend requests either. Because then he will KNOW! Oh my, you'll be demoted to the Kid Table at the next Easter dinner at Granny's. Other family members will be whispering about it in the kitchen, "oh, did you hear about how Gretta wouldn't approve her own brother as a Facebook friend, what a disgrace." The Anti-Relative Facebook Friend Law is a great excuse NOT to approve unwanted family members. Just blame it on the law. Okay, picture this: "Hey Gretta, sent you a Facebook friend request. What happened?" "Oh yeah, John, about that. I would and all, but you know - that law." (said with a cringe) "I heard about that, but my buddies said it's just bullshit." "That's fine for them, but I'm not taking any chances. I value my freedom." "Okay, I didn't realize it was that serious! Geez, it seems like everything is illegal." "I know, I know, but anyway, you've got my email. Just drop me a note. We'll keep in touch that way." "Okay, great!" Now you can comfortably seat your ass at the big table with the adults!

What will you be remembered for?

We should all stop and think about who we are and what we will be remembered for every once in a while. Just to check and make sure we're on track. I guess it's not hard to get off track. Sometimes it's not just what we say, but how we act and what we do play a huge part in that. This can easily be done if you put yourself as a 3rd party observer. Pretend you are looking down on your life and watching it like a movie....... Oh boy, I know some people that could really benefit from such an exercise! As for me, I may be remembered for trying to do too many things at once. Maybe it's time to slow it down this weekend.

Are Pillow Pets really just Popple offspring?

Everywhere I go - I see Pillow Pets! Generic and smaller ones have even hit the market to cash in on the craze. They are nothing more than a pillow with some eyes and enough detail to roughly resemble an animal or bug. But I wonder, are they really the offspring of the Popples? I remember how amazing and cool the Popples were in the 80's. I personally didn't have one of these magical little fellas, but my sister did! It was a purplish bear and it tucked into itself and formed a pillow like ball. They weren't sold as a "pillow", but they were still very pillowish. They were such a big deal that they even had their own cartoon! How did the Popples get forgotten? Did one of them do something bad? Maybe a brief stint in rehab, or a violent outburst that let fans down..... If by chance, a Popple were to fall in love with an average pillow, I'd bet the offspring would look an awful lot like a Pillow Pet.