Memories of a Lifetime

I've been saying it for awhile now, this assignment in Kuwait has been life changing.  Now the time has come to say goodbye.  I am writing this ahead of time, before we depart.  We're spending our last night in country at the embassy for one last hurrah.  It's crazy to think I will have been in 3 countries this month - what an amazing life we lead!  See You on the other side!

My Love Letter to America

Dear America:

gaithersburg, md

I've called you home my whole life, but it took living abroad to find such deep appreciation & love for you.  The past 3 years I've left time & time again for exotic locations & every time I return you welcome me back with open arms.

clarksburg, md

lighthouse point, fl

hagerstown, md

hillsboro beach, fl

It's the small things that make me happy when I visit.  I am free to make the choice to drive as a Sunday driver or like a bat out of hell.  Both have consequences, both I am free to choose.  I can chose which craft store to go to, which Target location, even which state I shop in but I am free to choose.   I can choose to have baked cheetos or good old fashioned calorie loaded cheetos.  These are not life altering choices but I have them every time I come home to you.

deerfield beach, fl

So as I leave you again for my next adventure, I smile knowing you will be here when I return.  Life isn't perfect here, but it's pretty darn close.

gaithersburg, fl

beallsville, md

Farm Life

taking a break on the job

the girls & babies pen

brandon & grandma driving the poop vacuum - yes, there is
such a thing

left behind - josh not quite old enough to drive the tractor with grandma

indie

gustave "gus"

josh doing some hard work

What an amazing experience it has been for my mini-men this summer.  The kids are learning to live with me instead of a maid (haha) & doing chores.  They do everyday things like laundry, making their bed & helping with dishes.  Here in MD they also help with the dogs & alpacas. This city girl takes photos & observes. I have to say, I've come a long way since visiting the first time as Rick's girlfriend.  I used to say they lived out in "the sticks".  Rick chased me at the farm store with dried chicken feet - I went to a farm store for the first time in my life!  Ha ha!

Love this life we live! 

44 (long, hot) Hours

i couldn't get a good shot of this but a huge part
of a tree landed on  some power lines

we cheered everytime we passed a work crew

I consider us one of the lucky ones.  The MD/DC/VA area had a nasty storm that swept through on Friday evening June 29th.  Saturday morning many woke up to no power, downed trees & power lines & destruction.  We went through 2 nights & most of 2 days without power.  My family has a generator that kept the refrigerators & freezers going & running water. 

lots of downed limbs

this is a tree in my family's yard. there was a huge split in the middle of the trunk.

We got away from the heat by visiting nearby Frederick & Hagerstown.  I couldn't help snapping some photos as we were out.  I took these at Hagerstown.  

Happy Fourth of July

land of the free 4x6 canvas panel
mixed media: acrylics, inks, decorative papers, German dresden

Thank you to all that serve.  I celebrate today with potato salad & grilling because of your sacrifices.  I am thinking of all my friends in Kuwait supporting the mission.  

A Little Road Trip

road trip!

A few months ago, I found out one of my favorite teachers Traci Bautista would be attending the Great American Scrapbooking Convention as an instructor.  I could not believe it would be happening while I was in the states & in my backyard.  I asked Grandma & Grandpa if they'd watch the kids while I took a little road trip.

me & Traci

It's always something for me to meet someone I've taken classes with online or "met" creatively via swaps or blogging.  Traci did not disappoint!  Her class was fun & she shared lots of ideas, techniques, favorite things to do & supplies.  It was so sweet that she remembered me from the online classes I've taken.  She sent me home with some mixed media supplies knowing I don't have access to much in Kuwait.

look, i got my book signed!

My canvas while a WIP

I took the Stylistic Scrawls Canvas Art Journal class.

Many of the found papers I was working on for my book.
The manila folder in the foreground is the cover for my journal.

Traci doing a demo for us

Traci's sample

So I still have to finish my journal.  I have all the pages done.  I'd like to add more to the cover & I have to stitch it together.  I'd really like to complete it since I'd like to use it as my summer journal.  I'm thinking of titling it "3 Months, 3 Countries".  Yep, that's the summer for me & the mini-men!

more demos - assembling the journal

If you have the chance I highly recommend taking a class with Traci.  The class time flew by, but I learned so much & had a chance to experiment with some new techniques & supplies.  She is a creative soul with a very kind heart!  I am so happy the timing was perfect for me to take a class with her.

The following are pieces I worked on during the scrap night.  This was what I posted on my FB page:
So I don't scrapbook & didn't even go to the convention. I just wanted to take a few classes. I even
went to an evening scrap session, but I made canvases. I always just do my own thing...

I just want to be around other creative people, that's all!

authentic 5x7 canvas panel WIP 

cupcake doodles 5x7 canvas panel WIP

home is where the heart is 6x12 canvas panel WIP

dancer 5x7 canvas panel WIP

to travel is to evolve 4x6 canvas panel WIP

Summer by the Numbers

beautiful butterfly hanging by the garage
photo taken with iPhone - summer digital rubon

Time home: 2 weeks

Number of packages waiting for me when I got home: 5

Trips to Target: 4

Trips to Michaels: 4 Trips to Super Jo-Ann's: 2

Trips to the grocery store: every other day

waiting for white's ferry
photo taken with Nikon D90

Ferry rides: 5

Times I've stopped the car to take photos: 3

Number of movies: 2 and in 3D!

I can't stop looking up at the blue sky, fluffy clouds & green trees
photo taken with iPhone

Days I drive like a Sunday driver: everyday

Times I've honked the horn & cursed while driving: 0

Number of different traffic cameras I've passed: 7

Number of possible speeding tickets: 1

Times I've counted my blessings: Daily

Join Me for a Final Cup of Coffee

Please Join Us

After 3 years in Kuwait, the time for me to leave is coming soon.  I am doing one more showing of my artwork before I leave for the summer.  Please join me & my friend Sylvette Moujaes, Product Development Manager of Press Designs, for a coffee & showing of our work on June 5 9am - 12pm in Salmyia.  Sylvette will have new stationary items in her Press Designs line.  I love her products - they make perfect gifts from Kuwait.  There are designs inspired by Kuwait & everything is made here in Kuwait by recycled/repurposed materials from their sister company.  

Press Designs

I'll have my vintage inspired jewelry, new mixed media canvases & limited edition photographs I have taken during my time here in Kuwait.  It's the first time I'll be selling my photographs in a public forum.  I'm wondering why it took me so long to have them printed in larger scale & matted.  I'm quite happy with the final product.

Nerissa Alford Designs

I hope you will join us on Tuesday for some coffee, finger foods & good company.