First class at Topsail Senior Center.

Today was the first day for classes at the Topsail Senior Center, and I hope that there are many more to follow. The announcement will be coming out in the paper tomorrow, so I'm sure that there will be others to come join in on the fun.

This is Hope, and this was her 3rd class with me. Today we did a beautiful piece with the High Definition paints, painting roses. Isn't Hope's painting gorgeous? And she is an amazing person, she writes poems that speak to the heart, and has started writing for a local paper. And her spirit is as beautiful as she is.

Fun weekend with the boys.

We were able to leave for Charlotte around 6:30p.m., and we drove there without any mishaps. Phil was driving, I was working on the computer, and Hunter and Fish were in the back listening to their music and texting their friends. We really made good time, we even had time to stop and eat at Chick-fil-a. When we walked in with the boys the girls working there were all staring at them and talking about how cute they were. I just smiled and placed the orders. After eating we drove to my friend's house and Hunter went up and knocked on the door. Her son, Brandon, came to the door and he was so surprised to see Hunter at his door. It was really a sweet reunion.

We were able to spend about an hour with them, catching up on Brandon and how he is doing, and then Hunter was able to catch Brandon up on his life and all of their friends.

Brandon is on the left, Fish in the middle, and Hunter is on the right. Nice looking young men, and they all three have sweet hearts. (Don't tell Hunter that I said that!)

While we were at JoAnne's she told us that she hoped that we didn't need gas because there was none to be had in Charlotte. We all just looked at each other because our gas light had come on right before we got to her house. So after giving hugs to everyone we got in the car and took off to find gas. WELL, LET ME TELL YOU......THERE WAS NO GAS. All of the stations had bags over their handles at the gas pumps and they were closed. We kept driving, trying to find out where we were going and praying that we wouldn't run out of gas. The roads were dark, we had no idea of where we were going, and we were so tired. I kept praying that God would allow our car to continue to run, and it did. We made it to the hotel and got into our rooms. I got online and started looking up gas stations that were close by, hoping to find one that might have gas. We found one and Phil got in the car and went to it, riding on fumes. God is good, Phil was able to get $20.00 worth and they sent him to another gas station where he was able to get another $20.00 worth and then he was sent to another one. When he got back to the room around 2:00 a.m. he had a full tank of gas. Amazing.

The Panthers' game was great! The weather was nice, the people around us were friendly, and the game was good.

Look at these two sport fans.

After the game we got in the car and headed home. We got home around 9:30 p.m., just in time to watch "The Unit". A great day!!!

Wednesday nights first class.

Since closing the studio other opportunities have come forward and one of those ended up being a class in Burgaw, N.C. When I made the decision to close I called the auction house that I had purchased all of my antique items from and asked them to come and get my items and auction them off for me. They came and I've got to tell you they were so nice and it made it easy for me to let my things go. While they were there they checked out my paintings and asked questions and before they left we had decided to set up a class for them in Burgaw. So, this past Wednesday night was my first class with them and I wanted to share their photos with you. I've already had two classes here at the house, I just haven't taken any photos yet. Shame on me.

Here is the Wednesday night group. They are doing the new four week course that Donna Dewberry presented at the convention this past summer.

They were a fun group to work with and I look forward to spending time with them and helping them to learn this technique.

And where did this one come from?

I felt funny when I got home from class on Wednesday night, but I thought that my legs just felt funny because I had been standing on them while teaching, nothing more. Then I tried to eat my Mom's soup that she made and it tasted like fish. Still not thinking anything about it I went to bed, only to wake up during the night sick as a dog. I guess it is a 24 hour virus, wicked even in it's short time. Today is Friday and I'm still in bed, surrounded by Myles, Drake, and little Lila. I love my four legged babies. But I'm feeling better, and looking forward to having a wonderful weekend with my DH, Hunter, and his friend Fish at the Panther's football game in Charlotte, N.C. And a special surprise is to take place this weekend. One of Hunter's best buddies has been gone for almost two years and he is coming home today. While we are in Charlotte we are going to take Hunter to see him. Should be a wonderful sweet reunion. I'll take photos and share when we get back. So until then have a sweet and peaceful weekend.

It is a new day in the neighborhood.

Hello, I'm back. I finally feel like I can come back in here and start posting again and actually giving to the blogging community. Life just got so crazy there for a while, I just couldn't come in here and write. Closing my studio was hard, but it has been good for me. My classes are taking off, I actually have classes on Tuesday afternoons at the Hampstead Senior Center, Wednesday evenings in Burgaw, and classes in my home on Thursday evenings. I hope to soon have classes at the Burgaw Senior Center on Wednesday afternoons. Besides having new classes I am able to spend time with my friends, stay at home and clean and cook, and even go fishing some. Oh, that has become a new passion for me. I love to go the the pier and fish all day long. It is one of the most peaceful things I've done in a long while. And I go with my sister and we are getting to spend some quality time together. Sometimes Mom will even show up and fish a bit.

Life has become more simpler, and that is a good thing. I've learned so much this year, so very much. It is good to stop the world, go sit on the swing and listen to the wind, smell the flowers, and enjoy the sun.

Thanks for coming in and visiting me. Come again soon. I'll be posting pictures of my classes and my students, and I'll share other photos with you.
Have a blessed day.
Charlie

I'm not sure what has happened to my blog.

Hi, I got an e-mail from a friend today asking me about my blog, I came on and I was shocked to see the last blog post. I didn't write it. I'm not sure what happened here. I am sorry that someone else has been in here and wrote all of this. It has to be someone that knows me, but I have no idea of who would do this.

But on the truth of the matter, the studio is gone. Phil, Hunter, Samantha, and I finished it up about 8:00 tonight and now it is all in my home. We now have a walking path again in our home. This has been a sad time for me, but I'm looking forward to better days.

I will keep my blog, just revamp it some. It will probably be a week or so before I get back cause I've got a lot of unpacking to do and I need to get ready for classes. Hang with me, I'll be back.
Thanks.
Charlie