Pictures, as promised. Enjoy.

This is the new home for the McGee family. It just was put there, still lots of work to be done.

A picture of Hunter in his tux for the prom.

On the workday at the studio I was blessed with 10 friends and family there helping. Here are a few of them. This first photo is of my Aunt Susie and friend George.
My Uncle Benny proves he knows how to run a vacumn cleaner.

Here is my mom, aunt, uncle, cousin Jamie, and friend Cathy.




On the next day we decided to take a break and have lunch, but look in the background and see what my studio looks like now. It is beautiful.

Life has been so busy. Really.

Hi, Thanks for all of the comments and e-mails letting me know that you haven't forgotten me and are praying. Let me get you caught up real quick. It is already after midnight, and I have been up since 6 a.m. this morning.

Last week I spent the week getting my studio put back together, and I've got to tell you that it looks great. My friends and neighbors kicked in and helped me get it all put back, and even decorated it differently and I love it. I've taken pictures, and I'll post them later. But after a full week of working I got it done. Praise God.

Last Friday I had to go have a MRI on my hip. All of this moving and stuff has really mess it up, but it isn't anything bad. I'll just put my big girl pants up and keep going. But I took two happy pills and fell asleep during the MRI, no stress there. LOL.

On Saturday my best friend from 7th grade flew in and I picked her up at the studio and we left the airport and went straight to the mall, which I hate going to, and shopped all day for a dress to wear to the wedding this weekend. I've gained so much weight that I am not even going to tell you what size I had to end up getting. I had set a limit on what I would spend, and I am so happy to say that I was able to stay within 12 dollars of my budget. I bought a dress from J.C. Penny's for about 39 dollars. It is called being on sale. Then I bought a new bra, a pair of panties briefs, the things that have legs in them so that my legs won't sweat, and a beautiful pair of shoes. The total cost my shoes were about 35 dollars, and my bra was 11.00, and the panties took up the rest of the money. Everything was on sale and we also got additional percentages off and it was just amazing. I was so thrilled at the money that I saved, I feel like such a big girl.

Monday found me at my daughter's house, and why you might ask me? Well, her dog was having puppies and for some reason I've become the mid-wife for these things. I am happy to share with you that after a long day of labor, Little Lu gave birth to four puppies, two boys and two girls. She did a great job, and she produced a lot of love for some lucky people.

My brother-in-law got here on Tuesday, and he started cooking today for the rehearsal dinner. My mom's house is so crowded, but we are making it. And believe it or not, but we are having a ton of fun. I wish you could see all of us in the kitchen, we all have to move around one another. You need to come join us. Lots of laughter and loving going on here.

And finally, my house is up and almost done. Can you believe it? I have pictures, and I promise to send photos as soon as I can. With the wedding of my oldest son this weekend, I am so pushed for time. I hope that all of you are staying well and healthy. My best wishes to all of you.
thanks,

A view of my new home.

Hi, yesterday I went over to the new lot to put some of my plants and trees in the ground. While I was there working and SWEATING, I looked up and right in front of me were a bunch of day lilies. I was so excited. I had to stop and call my mom and tell her. I know that this doesn't really sound like much, but I really couldn't bring a lot of my plants and trees with me, so when I saw these growing already, well it just thrilled my heart. Yes, it is the simplest things now that I look for and that bring me joy. Anyway, wanted to share some photos with you of my new place. I'm just so excited.

The first photo is of the whole lot. If you look closely you will see the dirt where the foundation has been dug and the house will be going. The second photo is the right side of the lot, and on the right side of the lot is where I was putting my plants and trees. The third photo is jut a close up of my swing, my iron children, my painted rocks, and some other yard things that I took with me. I'll send more later.

Yes, I'm alive.

I know, it has been over a week since I last came in and wrote, but I'm sure that all of you know that I've been busy. Way too busy. But I'm at my "Mommy's" house, and she is taking great care of me and my clan. Phil, Hunter, the dogs, and myself spent our first night here on Saturday, and it was wonderful. Mom had dinner fixed, we came in and ate and then I took my shower and went to bed. I slept the whole night and most of Mother's Day. Then Monday found me back at the house still carrying things out. Finally Monday evening I looked at Phil and told him that it was time to call the troops. Meaning our friends. I called some of the guys and here they came and helped us get all of the big stuff out of the house. What a relief it was to have our friends come in and take over for a bit. Thank God for all of the blessings in my life, and that includes my friends.

Then on Tuesday my Aunt and Uncle came over and helped Kathy and I with finishing the loading of the trailer and taking it to storage and unloading it. Then we went back to house and cleaned it up, and we even got some of the old windows that I've been collecting and put them on the open trailer. We loaded the other trailer up again, and then finally I looked at Kathy and told her that I needed to leave. I was so tired. I came home to my mother's and got in bed and took a nap. That was some good sleep.

Wednesday morning I got up and went back to the house, worked on digging up some of my plants and putting them in pots. I even tried to dig up some of the bigger ones, but decided that someone else would have to get them for me. Later in the day my husband and younger son came to the house, loaded up some more items and we made our last trip to storage, then returned the trailer that we were borrowing back to Britt's Motor Sports here in Wilmington. What a feeling to leave the house and know that I don't really ever have to go back. I left some of my plants, rocks, and some other out door items there, but my older son told me that he would go on Saturday and get everything else for me. And guess what? He actually did it. He and my future daughter-in-law went and finished getting everything else that I wanted to get and took them to the new lot. They blessed me on Saturday and I really do appreciate them helping.

Speaking about the new lot, they have the foundation dug and poured. Now the modular is supposed to be going on the lot this week. I am excited about this event happening, but I've got to tell you that it has been wonderful living here at Mom's. I am enjoying the time that we are getting to spend together, she is cooking and I get to help some. (I am not much of a chef, so it is nice to be able to help her and learn in the process.) We have got and visited some of the art centers here and have gotten some ideas and have talked about things to paint and make in the near future.

Okay, I'm ready for sleep now, so each of you take good care of yourself and my God give you all special blessings, because you are all special blessings to me.

thanks,

Charlie

Still here, in my house and in my bed.

I really thought that today would be the day, but it isn't. As hard as my friend Kathy and I worked we still didn't get it all done. And Hunter, my 17 year old son, and his friends have been carrying things down from upstairs for days. Does that tell you anything about all the "stuff" we had? I say "had" because a lot of it has been taken away and never to be seen again. I am so embarrassed at all that we have, what were we thinking. I'm telling you the truth, I have a whole new look out on life and the things that we think we need. When it all comes down to it we just need God, our family, and our friends. Of course a dog or two is nice too. Poor Myles, he hasn't been with me all week cause of all the stuff going on here at the house. Kathy has been taking him home, and yes she is spoiling him rotten, but I'll get him back when I get to Mom's.

I need to talk about this, so bear with me. I have three children, Philip is 24 and getting married this month, Samantha is 21, and then Hunter. We have given and given to our children all their lives. If they called and needed something we gave it to them. If they needed help we were right there. Well, we have been calling them for weeks to come get their things from the house, and then this week we have been calling asking for help. Philip came for a bit, but Samantha hasn't been here at all. When we call Philip he tells us that he is busy and can't really come. Poor Hunter has been doing it all, and that just isn't fair. I am so disappointed in my older children, that right now I don't really want to talk with them because I don't want to say anything that I can't take back. I know, I'm tired and I need to just calm down. I really do have good children, but they let me down big time for the past two weeks. Oh well, what can a Mom do?

Okay, thanks again buddies. You will never know what it means to me to have all of you here for me.

Still believing,

Charlie

two posts in one, but i should really be asleep.

i wanted to come in here and say some things, buy my pills have kicked in and i could be sound asleep instead of writing to you. but here i set, in my bed for the last time in my home for the last night.
Am I worried about what is happening this week" Nope, not at all. I'll looking forward to leaving, getting in my mom's bed with my sweet Myles and sleeping for hours.
Saturday will find me at the Celebration for Hampstead, and I'm going to set up a booth to see items and also to introduce myself and some of the other artist in my shop to the surrounding areas. It is a great way to get word about about the studio, and these other artist.


Oh, I came in here to post something, but I'm I'm falling asleep and I need to go for now. Take care and lovely greatly.

My first award.

Okay, I have finally received my first award, and sweet Diana Lyn, at Heaven Scent~Candles From the Heart, is the person who presented me with this award. And of course me being still new to some things I had to ask her to help me with posting this award on my blog and she was very willing to help me. I also want to share with you the fact that when she found out that I do a fund raiser for Breast Cancer she immediately sent me a candle for it. That really touched my heart cause we had just met here in blog land and boom, here came the candle. She is a 7 year survivor, Praise God. Please go visit her blog, she is extremely uplifting and shares her life and belief in God with every post.



Now on to the award, I get to nominate 5 more Talented Artists for this award, which is called the "Arte Y Pico Award".

The rules are as follows~~
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for creativity, design, materials used, and their contribution to the community no matter what the language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and the name and link to the blog that awarded it.
4. The award winner and the one who has given the award have to show the link to "Arte Y Pico"
5. Show these rules.
And now for my 5 selections!

1. Sandy at Dream, Create, and Inspire is a wonderful artist, teacher, and friend. She is the one that got me started blogging and I love to go visit her blog and see what she is creating each day. She has also started a new blog where she is selling her artwork, so go check her out and make sure to visit both blogs. Sandy and I go to certifications together, and we are going to a convention this summer. We are sharing ideas with each other, but more than that she is one of my best cheerleaders. She always has a great comment and is so positive.

2. I love visiting Ragamuffin Gal, and I want you to go visit her too. She does a lot of altered art, and even sent me a piece of art with my name on it to hang up at the studio. She shows so many different pieces of art, not only her own but she shares others work for us to see. And her spirit is so loving and giving, so go be lifted up by reading her blog. If you go read her blog now she has a scripture written on the right side of her blog, and it spoke to my heart tonight. I just love my blogging friends.

3. JoAnne at Paper Cats is doing a project that is all PINK. She is having all artist send in works of art that is all pink or has something to do with pink and is making a collection of them. I am so excited to be a part of this project and she is so generous to all of us to all us to be a part of it. And she is so encouraging, always has uplifting things to say and ready to help in anyway that she can. Do yourself a favor and go visit her blog.

4. Karen at A Scrapbook of Inspiration is an inspiration of art. I love reading her blog, looking at her work and enjoying her sense of humor. If you go now and read it you will see her post about spring cleaning. After you read it let me know how many smiles it brought to your face.

5. Okay for my last award, I want to give it to Cookie Sunshine. I love this blog,and her art is so neat. She sent me some prints back in February because I mentioned that they reminded me of myself and my two friends that are my sisters of the heart. Go visit and enjoy. Get yourself a cup of coffee and sit and read some, you will feel much better.

okay, I am finished for tonight. It is almost 11:3o and I need to go to bed. I've been packing all day long, and I'm tired. Tomorrow is the big moving day, but I'm sure that it will take longer than just tomorrow since there is only the three of us trying to move, I don't have the money to hire movers and our older children are too busy to come help. Hunter's friends said that they will try to help. Hunter's friend, Fish, has been here for days helping Hunter with the upstairs. They are so funny together. They work hard, and then they will take a break and play for a while. I love it. I love my children and their friends.

Take care.

Charlie

Oh, I forgot I had that!!!!

How many times have you bought something and put it up only to forget that you had it? Or is it just me and my old age?

I've been working hard these past few days, I even think I'm losing some weight. Alright, that's a positive for all of this mess. But I've been going thru everything, and I do mean everything, and I've found a lot of things that I've forgotten that I had. I found a bracelet that I purchased on a trip to W.V. last year for the Angie's Amazing Race 2, which was this pass October. I took it tonight to the meeting, so it will be there for this year's event. But I've also seen a lot of things that I knew I had, just haven't seen in a while. Things that the kids have done over the years, cards from my DH, best friends, and just a lot of different things. I haven't found a thing that I'm sorry that I kept, but I am getting rid of things that I know I don't need or will ever use again.

I am finally in my bedroom working, and it is after 10 and I just got my bed cleared off. I've gone thru all my drawers, closet, and all I have left is my bathroom and to pack my clothes. I was hoping to be at Mom's tomorrow night but I think that it will be Thursday before I get out of here.

I look for humor every place I can find it, and sometimes it finds me. I love to laugh, it is so good for the soul. And I love friends that let me laugh and cry with them. God has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life, too many to mention. But I just want to throw some names out there. Becky, Cathy, Kathy, Terry, JoAnne, Joanie, Maria, Johnny, Mom, Debbie, Nancy, Donna Lynn, Diana Lynn, Sandy, and all of my other blogging buddies. Also, my students are wonderful!!! See, God has blessed me in so many ways. When I'm overwhelmed I can pick up the phone and call or come in here and reading a blessing from one of you. Today I had a dark moment and I called my sister, Sheri, and she had me laughing in minutes. And the prayers!!! I am covered in the Blood of the Lamb. I am the Daughter of the King. How blessed am I!!!

Have a wonderful Wednesday and I'll be back in a few days.
Still believing,
Charlie

Saturday night, and I'm tired.

Okay, it is the end of another week, and I'm so glad. I am tired, pure and simple. I took the week off from the studio so that I could focus on the house and work towards moving out. Well, let's just say that I'm still in my house, and will probably be for a few more nights. I can't believe how long is taking me to get out of this house, but it is. The good news is that we finally have some of the furniture out of the house, and a lot of the boxes. Our bed is still here, and Hunter's is still here, but most of the other furniture is in the pod, or parts of it. fun. fun.

Monday my brother-in-law came down from Greensboro to have lunch and to go check the kitchen out where we are going to have the rehearsal dinner for the wedding. My whole day was spent with him, so I didn't get any packing done that day at all. Then on Tuesday I went to the studio for class, then I went and got my hair cut. It isn't real short, but it is shorter than what it was. Now I just need to get it highlighted and I'll look more like the old me instead of this tired me. Sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder who the heck I am. Ugh....... Oh well, it's me.

Anyway, Wednesday found me having lunch with my neighbor, Joanie, and with Kathie. That was fun. Then I packed some and had to leave the house and go get more boxes and paper. My brain is so dead, I drove right past the place to get the boxes and went to the studio, then realized what I had done and turned around and headed back home looking for the business. I finally found it, but I felt like such a dummy. Thursday found me working with Phil and Philip on a house that we built last year, but it needed a work day. I sanded the steps going up to the bonus room and put a few layers of sealer on them. I had saw dust in places that I didn't think I could have it. It was everywhere. Needless to say I got no packing done on that day. Then on Friday morning I got up and had to run some errands and finally got home mid-morning and started packing again. Kathy came over to help, and Philip came over to help some too.

Today I went to the studio for a watercolor batik class, was there all day. But we have such a good time there that it doesn't really matter how long we were there. I am enclosing some pictures of the final results.

Good news on the lot and modular. The lot has been surveyed and the post have been put up where the modular is going to go. When we had lunch the other day we drove by and we got out of the car and I was showing the girls where the front door would be, where my bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and everything else would be. That was really fun for me, I can see it all in my head.

Well, the race is on and I want to watch it just a bit before I pass out. Enjoy the photos from today. Once again, thanks for all the prayers and wonderful comments.

love to all,

Charlie

Precious Myles in his pen at the studio while we were painting.

Theresa is loving the batik.

Jean and Kathy are concentrating hard, we decided to paint by looking at a picture instead of following the pattern.

Jean and Theresa are waxing their pieces.

Here is my piece......

And my finished piece.

Kathy's finished piece.

I'm telling you, Theresa loves doing batiks, and if you look closely you will see that she has fours flowers compared to our three.

Jean's DH came in the studio to check on her and the painting. He seemed to like it, and he really loves his wife.

While we were cleaning I noticed that Myles had disappeared. I'm not going to mention any names, but K.S. had put him in the trash bag. Bless his little heart.