Dianaswonderworks&#039;s Blog

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

Art Sale!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Africa, American Idol, Business, Fine Art, Garage sale, History of art auction sales, Housekeeping, Japan, Luck, Online Communities, Painting, Shopping, Social Networking, United States on March 25, 2011 by dianaswonderworks

Been a while since I checked in, I have been busy doing yard sales and art sales for the last couple of weeks. Things are not going as well as I had hoped. The weather has been a bit of an obstacle, major storms and high winds have made it difficult the last couple of days to be open for business. Those days have been filled with errands, house work and now working on a children’s book with my friend, Sherry. She was very inspired by the srtwork I have here and thought it would make wonderful illustrations for a child’s book. It has been uber busy the last few days for sure! I keep up my hopes that things will get better exponentially, so that my move will not be delayed or that I will have to resort to selling what little furniture I have left just to make it there. So, if you are reading please say a prayer or send me some positive thoughts to carry things through. I do appreciate it.
Online shops are just dragging along and my opinion of them is not what I perceived. It seems, lots of people look, no one is buying. It only ends up being a money maker for the online store sites, for me, it is only something that is eating up my cash (and just in case you don’t already know, I don’t have any of that to spare). It is highly likely, that I will have to let most of them go, it just isn’t worth the investment. I hear for some it works out, and I still have a few more tricks up my sleeve, once I get settled in after the move. Just thinking out loud, if you have any pointers, I would love to hear them, so do share.
Obviously, since I am still broke, the lottery jackpot is not mine yet. I await patiently for that wonderful day! Drawings are tonight, so send me some happy thoughts, I am wishing the same for you, if you play of course. If you do not indulge in the lottery, I still am wishing you good fortune and luck in whatever venue you are pursuing. In this day and age, I believe we can use all the luck and help we can get. It is about time, we quit relying on some one else to create our luck, it is ours to make. Leaving up to some one else, just guarantees, that we won’t have any. They will be looking out for their own best interests, unfortunately, that will many times rule out helping some one else. I am not condoning or promoting selfishness, not by any means. We must always look to give and help others in any way we can. What I am saying is that your destiny is only going to explode in front of you, if YOU make it a priority, we all have our own. Others should be looking to bring their destinies into focus, but always freely help others to achieve theirs as well. Remember who you are, what drives you, and the one thing that makes your life happy! Then use that to create a perfect place for you and everyone around you.
It is a chilly day, and being a Friday, with a not so pretty weather outlook for the weekend, the yard sale is busy. Not as many buyers, just yet, but lots of lookers. It is time to post my add on Craig’s list too, to help drum up some more business. Plus spending some time working on the book would help my day go quickly, and happily as well. So with lots of love, and happy thoughts for you, I must bid you adieu, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing And Other Charlatans!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Arizona, Health, Mental health, Online Communities, Shopping, Social Networking, Spiritual formation, Television on March 8, 2011 by dianaswonderworks

Well another day on the planet, and words swimming around the court case involving people who died in a sweat lodge. A friend of mine called me earlier today, to mention the court case on True TV about the manslaughter case against a self help guru in Arizona. First and foremost, my heart goes out to all the families that were affected by this senseless tragedy, I am truly sorry for the pain and loss this has caused you. One thing that struck me as I watched this programming was, asking the experts, how to tell when some one is basically full of bull. This brings to mind so many religious leaders in our history, many dictators and so many other people we give our power away to even in family or work relationships.

I just want to say, that it saddens me to think, that so many people willingly give away their power, their belief in themselves and their own gut instincts, and some how believe some one elses point of view is better or more accurate than their own. Personally, we all give away power at some point in our lives, so in this case it becomes a matter of duration and degree. For most of us, we relinquish it on occasion and soon realize that this person is trying to take over our free will to think rationally or to function in a way that pleases us. For the record, it is never okay for you to feel like who you are is not good enough to judge for yourself. Everyone goes through periods in life where they are seeking knowledge, growth, love and a sense of belonging, this is a normal part of being human. What is not okay, is for some one else in helping you and guiding you to tell you that when something feels wrong to you, that you are wrong or some kind of a failure. What is good for you, may not be good for them and visa-verse. It breaks my heart that anyone person can feel so lost in themselves to basically be pulled on a leash by some one else, who really has no concept of who that person is. No one can know you better than yourself, growing and healing is personal only to you, and only you can know what kinds of things are good for you and work for you. There is no one size fits all spiritual experience, and even with so many religious and spiritual options available, you have to decide if any of them fit, or none of them fit, or if pieces and parts of many different things fits you. Honestly, spiritual growth does not require a check book, credit card or a purchase. If any one really wants to know what to look out for, leave your check book at home. Going to a retreat is fine and dandy, but even if you are in the middle of no where, you have the power to say, I am done! I paid for the privilege to see what you are about and what this is about and I am not buying it. I am not okay with it, you can walk out of the sweat lodge, encampment or the state for that matter, that is what free will is about!

Anyway, if you have any thoughts about this or anything else I post, please let me hear from you. Honestly I could go on and on. In closing remember when you were two, and some one took a toy from you, or even a cookie, you stomped your feet and demanded it back. We train our children not to be selfish, but that does not mean we should be selfless. If you don’t like something, just say no, no tantrum required, in civil way possible, be you and stick to your guns. Hoping your week is starting off wonderfully, sending my love as always, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

Adventures In The Smokies!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Online Communities, Paint, Retailing, Sea turtle, Shopping, Social Networking, Tarot, United States on December 18, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

Off we go on another adventure in The Smokies. Going back just about a week, the adventure begins on Saturday. I was leaving the Gallery and when I went to warm up my car, it would not start. It would click, not a series of clicks, just one click and then nothing. Over and over I tried to get her to start, but she was not having it. Two different people tried to jump start her for me, but no go. I called a friend of mine, and she was amazingly on her way that direction anyway, which was not ordinary at all. I called my boyfriend and after no answer for several tries, I finally got a call back from him. He was unable to answer, because his boss called to let him know, his shift at work had been canceled ( good thing too, because calling in to work is next to criminal, could lead to firing, very severe policies)! I texted another girlfriend as well to let her know my dilemma.

So the first girl friend shows up like two hours later, and it is cold temperatures are dropping and the snow is beginning to fall. We try to jump start her again, no avail. SO, off to my home to pick up my boyfriend, and off to the auto parts store for help. The man in the store seems to think it is a short, and my boss thought it was the solenoid. Back to work we go to find the short, one bare wire was found near the starter, we taped it up and still she would not start. The time is after nine pm, and we are all cold and tired and hungry, so we decide to call it a night. So, we go and spend the night at a hotel, my girlfriend works there and was forced to stay the night due to severe weather approaching, and her boss not wanting anyone to call in the next morning.

The nest morning we got up and went back to the auto parts store and purchased the solenoid for the car. We drove back to my stranded baby, and jumped the solenoid, and low and behold she started right up. After dropping off my friends car we returned home and he replaced the solenoid. She ran great!

Jump forward to this weekend, last night she started giving me grief, I went to start her up, and at first crank, just a click again. My heart dropped, I cranked her again, and she started right up. Well, that got me going, so I wondered, if the starter was also bad. Back to the auto parts store we go. The guy at the counter affirms my fears and says, normally they recommend you change both, well better late than never, right? So, I buy the starter and off we go. She is starting fine, and we decide it can wait till my day off, which is Sunday! She ran great last night and even this morning. At lunch my other friend, whom I had texted the week before, shows up at work and says she got my text that the car was not starting, too funny, I explained that was last Saturday, not today! So, she stayed and hung out for the afternoon, and when I am getting ready to go, I went out to start my car, take a guess what. you got it, she would not start, over and over I tried and she was not cranking. So, this girl friend offers to take me to the house to retrieve my boyfriend so he can fix the starter. On the way back to my car, my boss calls and he has found some one to fix the starter. We get back to the shop, and like 20 minutes later, she starts up like a charm! It was an adventurous day, and I laughed through it all, I had more fun today, than I have had in ages. Good news, my boss paid for the labor and I got to hang out with my girl. Plus I met two really nice people! The man who fixed the car came with his wife, and it turns out she is a landscape painter. I told her to bring some of her stuff to the gallery, if it is good, we could finally have another new artist to showcase. All and all, a great day, anyway, no news on the lottery just yet. Hoping you are having a wonderful weekend, where ever you are. Sending out my love as always, hoping your holidays are safe and beyond your wildest dreams, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

Dental Blues!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Dental, Dentistry, Health, Online Communities, Root canal, Shopping, Social Networking, Tooth on October 14, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

Well, today I went to the dentist as planned. It being a clinic it was very time consuming, especially since I had an x-ray done and only a short consultation. I went to my appointment at the time given 9:00 am, unfortunately when they gave me the appointment they did not mention that they book everyone at 9 am. I arrived at ten minuted till nine and found I was the last of the morning appointments to arrive. The dentist does not show up until nine thirty am, and they don’t even start taking people back there until ten fifteen. That is one thing I will never understand about clinics, why have people come in at a certain time, and the doctors don’t sow up until later. I mean really, I may not have a doctorate degree, but does that mean my time is less valuable than a person who does?

Anyway, not only is he late, but we further have to wait when he does get there, which is even more ridicules! Anyway, at eleven fifteen am I finally get to go back there to see the dentist. At ten forty-five I had to get my x-ray of my tooth in question. I am explaining it this way because I do have a point. When I get back there, last as I explained, he tells me he does not feel comfortable taking the tooth. Now, to me, if he was that uncomfortable with it, couldn’t he have taken me back earlier, to let me know. The deal is, my tooth had a root canal years ago, and luckily for me this dentist said, my old dentist did an exceptional job on it. What I did not know is that when the root is taken the tooth dies. Now, a dead tooth becomes extremely brittle and like a twig can and will snap when you put pressure on it, ex: putting pliers on it to pull it. What will happen is when you try to pull the tooth, generally the piece they are holding onto, to pull it out, well it will break off. So, in other words he said he would do it if I wanted too, be it would be painful, and tie intensive, and at some point would require him to be digging the tooth out of my gums! Now, raise your hand if this sounds like a good plan! I am assuming you did not raise your hand, unless you are very much into masochism.

Okay, so the good news is that the tooth is not infected, because the previous dentist did sure a stand up job. Also, good news, this dentist said that my gums were very healthy and I did not need to take it out, immediately. He recommended, I go to an oral surgeon to have the work done, when I was indeed ready to have it done. I am so very pleased that my day did not end with me babying a hole in my gum. Just a little miffed that my time was so stupidly wasted. I think it would have been appropriate, to pull me back for this five minute consultation, and let me on my merry way. It does not seem to me, that this would have insulted the other patients in any way, and it would have allowed me to go on with my day, doing something productive. By, the look of stress on his face, it could have gotten him off the hook sooner as well.

Enough of the fun for today, hope your day is going great. Sending out my love to you and yours, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

Glorious Sunflowers!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Ai Weiwei, Business, Chair, Home and Garden, Painting, Shopping, Sunflower, Tate Modern on October 12, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

Well, I can officially say that I have finally finished my Sunflower painting. I think I am going to name it Glorious Sunflowers. It turned out beautifully, I hope you like it. The pictures on this blog were taken not too long ago, and I am so very happy with the outcome. The sad part will be letting it go, got to sell it, need the money. It has been a long journey with this canvas. I started it about 4 years ago, and ran out of the colors, mostly the yellow. This canvas has moved with me over and over again, waited for me while I worked two jobs at a time, just to be able to afford the paints, and finally for me to dig it out of the closet, and complete the process.

The original plan, at the place I lived at when I started it, was for it to go on the wall in my dining room. I had some Shaker ladder back chairs. I had planned on re-seating the chairs, with red, yellow and green fabric. The Flowers were to look over my table and guests, that was the dream. My room mate at the time, stole my chairs and many other things from me. For the above mentioned reason, I no longer live at that address. Where I am now, there is no dining room, and definitely no chairs and table to make it happen. So many people who have seen me working on this painting over the last few weeks, have loved this canvas. Everyone says they want to buy it, or knows some one who will. One of my friends, is going to give me an opportunity to put this canvas in a gallery, through a friend of hers. So, keep your fingers crossed, I would love to sell it and have money to buy more supplies to make more, and then sell more. The ultimate catch twenty-two for me!

Now, on the job front, I received a call today. I have a job interview tomorrow, it is a good job for me. At least that is what I think, the universe may have other plans. At two-thirty tomorrow, I will be going through the interview process. I can only hope all goes well. Considering the luck I have been having, I am not going to let myself get too excited. But, it is good and hopeful news for sure. Tonight is also, lottery night, you never know, maybe tonight will be my night! Keep your fingers crossed!

Now, I am going to get to work on some drawings, I think and tomorrow I need to get the jewelry out of the car and begin that process of pricing and designing stands or racks for displaying the jewelry. With any luck at all, these can be in the shop, by the beginning of next week. So much work, so little time. The drawings, I am hoping to do are for some holiday (Halloween for now) cards to be put on my Zazzle account. In my dream world, hopefully I can knock a couple of them out tonight and in the morning. It all just depends on how creative my brain is going to be. After spending weeks on the painting, it may take a while to get back into the swing of things. Sending you my love, where ever you may be, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

2 Comments »

Job Ettiquette, Is It Dead?

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Banquet, Conversation, Health, Online Communities, Restaurant, Shopping, Social Networking, Support Groups on October 11, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

Well, it really has been a minute. I did work on Friday and Saturday, and yesterday, it was all about recuperating. I could barely walk, blisters on the bottoms of my feet and hands swollen, it was a pampering day for me. Not a complaint, just an explanation for my absence. Hoping you had a great weekend! Anyway back to the title of this page. Just another little anecdote from my life. I was working at a banquet on Friday and Saturday, busy days for sure. If you have ever done banquets it is a busy job. All your costumers get seated at the same time, pretty much. And it is none stop running to take care of everyone! It is fun, time flies and for me it is work! In between meals, we were responsible for things like rolling silverware for the guests and cleaning tables and making iced tea, or coffee, or what ever the suitable beverage for the meal was. My story taks place while we were rolling silverware on Friday.

Several of us are sitting at these tables, and this young man starts to talk about tripping on acid, smoking weed, popping pills and getting drunk ( you know what I mean a very young man, early twenties). So, he gathers a few followers to the conversation, and they are all basically comparing notes and laughing it up about the drugs they take and things they have done when they are high. Finally, he tries to get me involved in the conversation, with a “What about you? What do you do for fun?” I replied that I have an occasional drink and I smoke cigarettes, which I need to quit smoking for sure. He cracks up, and says, “I bet you do more than that!” I smiled back at him and said “I have had my moments, but they are not to be shared here, there is a place and a time.” He says back to me that he has had this conversation with the server in charge . I explained to him, that I was brought up differently, I liked this job and was not going to risk not getting to come back over a silly conversation, a conversation that was inappropriate for being at work, especially at a temporary job. This is an opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light, a chance to show this particular employer and the temporary service, what kind of an employee you really are. He looked at me like I just spanked him, and gave me some kind of snotty answer back. I said, look, do what you want, I just don’t want in it. The head server pops up at this point and takes this young man and a few others at the table to do something else. As soon as he walks away, the young girl sitting next to me, lets out a big sigh and says to me ” I am so glad you said something, thanks.” I aid sure, I wasn’t trying to be rude to him, but I wanted to be clear, that I was not going to be party in this conversation and why. She replied, “This is awkward for me, I work at the temporary service, I just came out to make some extra hours on my check. Now, I have to figure out if I should say something at the office or just let it go, like I am not the one that recruits. I just wanted to tell you appreciated you saying something to stop it!” To which I laughed, ironic,huh? I never said anything more to him, not my place and she wanted to be annonymo9us anyway. But, it just goes to show you, watch what you say and do, you never know who is watching or listening!

All my love to you all, have a great day, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

Candles And Clouds!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Accessories, Candle, Handcrafted, Home and Garden, Odor, Scented, Shopping, Steven King on October 3, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

What a peaceful day! Today it is cloudy out, one of those notorious fall days, that threatens, rain or snow, but really doesn’t do much. The wind is cool and strong, and the windows are now three quarters of the way closed. In an effort to help keep the house at a nice cool temperature, I ran to all the rooms and lit a candle. The ceiling fans are off, nice fresh air gently flowing through the curtains and the romantic glow of candles all around! It is so wonderful. After this blog session, it is off to The Dome, by Steven King, and a wonderfully hot bubble bath to complete this tranquility I feel all around me. Then it will be off to painting more on the sunflower canvas and possibly some baking. Some wonderful fall baking to fill the house with warmth and wonderful aromatic scents! I could not ask for a more perfect day!

In the news, little joke, I did not win the lottery this weekend. I do have an appointment tomorrow with the clinic to get my tooth looked at. Hopefully that will go well, and I will be on the way to recovery. Time will tell. Mental note to myself, I need to get some more candles this week, fall is really here, and I love candles in the fall and winter, helps to heat the house and makes every room smell so great!

In other news, seems all the peeps (people in my life) are having a quiet weekend as well. My phone has been quiet all day, and I am looking forward to it staying that way for the rest of the night. Rest is in order and on the schedule! I do have a few ideas for some blogs, not sure when I will squeeze them in, but seeing as I have missed some days in the past, I guess this will make up for some of them. I do hope you are enjoying the weather where you are as much as I am. If not, take faith, tomorrow is another day, and another opportunity to make it special for you!

Tomorrow, I really have to go through my prints, hopefully there will be some sunshine, and get a few together, so I can send one into the art contest I told you about earlier this week. The deadline is tomorrow. So, I really do have to get busy. So much to do, I really need to get myself better organized, so I can make my goals happen. My new challenge for the week. I have been spreading myself way too thin. Time to accept that work may not happen as soon as I would like it to, and get busy working on the one thing that brings me joy! Working on my art and making money at it. Stick to one goal and make it happen. There are no maybes for me now,I have no choice. I have tried the conventional ways of doing work. But, because of my age and the economy, what worked before is not working now. New plans for a new day! I need to make time work for me, instead of me working to make time! I should know better, but when stress happens, logic seems to be the first thing to go. Panic sets in and rational thinking flies out the window! It is time to remake my life, the old ways are not relevant, new ways are the wave of the future. The sooner I get that stuck in my mind the better off I will be. The universe has finally beat it home, and my brain finally clicked. I get it.

Sending you my love, as always, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

1 Comment »

Art Is Food For The Soul!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Books, Brain, Choice, Health, Lateralization of brain function, Online Communities, Philosophy, Psychology, Shopping, Social Networking, Social Sciences, Soul music, Twitter on September 25, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

I am still working on the sunflower painting, hopefully I will be done today or tomorrow. It should be obvious that I did not make it to the art show today. My tooth is killing me again, so I am trying to heal up, in the hopes that I can avoid another bill, and save the tooth. We shall see. So many things on my mind right now, so many choices before me, and not clear answers on which way to turn. Time is running out and choices will have to be made. The crazier it gets the more I immerse myself in my art. Both to keep myself calm and feel the happiness art brings me and to trigger those problem solving skills that are definitely right brain activities. Like art which is right brain, problem solving skills are also right brain. I can honestly say that my biggest obstacle is fear. I do not trust myself to make the right decision, it seems so many of my choices have led to more problems. I am tired now and am seeking relief. Unfortunately, that does not mean my struggles are over, wanting something and getting it are generally two different beasts!

At this point in my life caution is definitely the rule of the day. Impulsiveness, which has always been my way, is now retired, and that worries me as well. Because, the truth of it is that sometimes being impulsive can lead to good things. I feel like I am taking a huge exam, and this one could change my life forever, for good or ill. It is a timed test and time is running out, so a choice has to be made, and I do not know the right answer. Today I will paint, and hope, and pray that somehow in all of this I can find my answer, and that the answer I choose is the right one! Searching my soul, my heart and my mind, while I work to complete my newest artwork. I will work also to find the answer to the next path I choose in life. Wish me luck ( the good kind), I need it!

Time is ticking away at me, and I have lots to do before the sun sets for the day. The lottery jack pot is not mine as of yet, and I have been working on a thought to do some good in this world, while I can. I truly want to give back in some way, since money has ever been a hardship for me, I must find another way. A plan has been formulating in my mind for quite sometime, and I must fix on it and make it happen. As I work out the smaller details and move forward I will be sharing with you, it does have to do with charity, and there are several that are dear to my heart. I believe my choices are at hand, and my wishes for my destiny in art are not about me, but to help others with the gift I have been given. Send me your good will, and I will work hard on making you proud to know me. That I can promise! Sending you all my love, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000810145663

1 Comment »

Working For WonderWorks!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Classifieds, Custom and Specialty Knives, Knives, Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Rail transport, Recreation, Shopping on September 19, 2010 by dianaswonderworks

Wow, what a long week and weekend it has been! I have been at the Art Show in Pigeon Forge this weekend, it was really hot and humid outside! Cars, cars, cars, everywhere, old ones, new ones, beat up ones, polished ones, vintage cars, souped up cars, chopped cars, just so many cars it is not even easy to explain. This weekend was the Rod Run weekend, if you had not already guessed. If you have been here during Rod Run, you will know what I am talking about. If you haven’t there really is nothing to compare it to, that I can explain, it is car craziness gone wild! Anyway, even with all the people out in force, I made no sales, so sad. After the last few days, I am beat!

Still trying to get rid of the abscessed tooth, still sore from working the banquets, and the girly thing has arrived as well. So, I am a sleepy girl for sure! Anyway, I did (as usual) meet some really fun people! There was one booth out there this weekend, father and son team, that made knives. The knives were so unique and really cool. He had knives made out of tire irons, crescent wrenches, railroad spikes, all kinds of remade items turned into knives, it was really cool. I love it when people take something with one use and turn it around into something completely different. They were a wonder to look at. I am ready for a day of relaxation, but I have tons of computer work to catch up on. I am going to do my best to pace myself, so that I can rest too. I know a lot of people have been calling the last few days, so I am sure my phone will be busy. It will have to be short and sweet however, too many of them and not enough time for all of them today, I am sorry to say. I have been so very busy lately, it is funny, I mean where does the time go?

I need to do some artwork today too, I am missing it. Been so very busy working on all kinds of other stuff, I have not had time to do my art. So some how, some way starting today and this week for sure, I am working on some art projects. I do feel the need to paint something, maybe a drawing too, not really sure yet. I guess it all depends on how well, the creative juices flow, and how well I can interpret them! No big lottery news, I am still the broke girl you all love and remember, but I have not given up my dream to win this year! Keep you posted as always. Now, off to some more rest, housework, artwork and whatever else I can do, and still have some relaxation in my day! All my love to you and yours today, have fun, rest, and above all stay safe, diana

dianaswonderworks.wordpress.com

dianaswonderworks.blogspot.com