life of a georgia Artist

So it is that time of year again when we reflect on our lives and the year that has past. We realize how much we have accomplished or how lack thereof we haven't. We look at the new adventures we had or the ones we let slip by. We look back,so that we can look forward. With learning about Buddhists and their living in the moment, I still see myself looking back and forward at this time of year. This year has been a hard one for me financially, but I made it to the end of the year and I am proud that I made it. I realize how far I have come in my college degree and how hard I have worked to raise my grades to a 3.5. I know I am strong. I know I am fierce. I know I can do it, but , oh that but. I think it is an evil word sometimes. I did this, But. I went here, but   I loved this, but  but But BUT Why as a human race do we see what we have done,our many accomplishments and think but I could have done more. We are human. We do our best. I for one do not need the best of ...

Tonight I went to a church type meeting about Winter Solstice and how dark, for some people, this time of year is. I have written before about my own struggles with this issue and shared, but tonight was different. Tonight we lit candles and were reminded that though we are in the darkest hours of the year we are also now on our way into the light. I had a friend who was supposed to go, but he had to work, so afterwards I brought my candle and star of hope to him. We were told to take our light and go share it with someone else who needs it. He is struggling with some personal issues and I wish him much love and light always. I knew I would give him mine immediately. Why is it though that we do not talk to each other about the darkness? We consider ourselves good people, we consider ourselves friends, but when it comes down to the darkness a lot of us rather swiftly throw it under a rug than talk to a friend about it. This friend and I are open and honest about everything, but you ...

So tis the holiday season and supposed to be peaceful. In all honesty it is anything other than peaceful. With running errands, trimming the tree, wrapping presents for everyone and cooking from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the season has become anything, but peaceful. I have been MIA from my normal routine, which is not a bad thing, but this holiday season I am not about the Norman Rockwell Christmas. I am about spending time with church family and friends. I am about Winter solstice. I am about helping,friendships, and being there for the people who mean the most to me. (yes you know who you are) Today was a tough day. A lot of serious items got discussed with a few people and while I usually blend it with humor. I have not. Last season I wrote a blog post about depression and the holidays. So many of you reached out to me. You all knew what I was going through. I think we all strive for that Rockwell Christmas and always fall short and it lets us down and we feel we let others dow...

So I am going to admit I am I was one of the worst people who jump ahead into a relationship.First day with a new friend and im like maybe we can do this or that or in a month this. Hello I don't know what will happen in a month. I only know whats happening now.  Be it a friendship, a relationship, a family issue. Whatever!! I leap, I jump, I hop skip leap AND jump. I figure out whats going to happen down the road years, months ,days, before anything happens. I wait,,literally wait for the other shoe to drop. I have been studying Buddhism and as I have said before, I am not one, but the way of living. The change of behaviors. The just being in the present is something I have worked very hard at doing. They are right when they say you cannot change the past, you do not know what the future holds, but what you do know is right now. With that said I realized with a few instances lately that I am present. I am right there right now and that is all. I realized I was missing the momen...

In our daily life we agree to meet with many different people. We agree to go to meetings, coffee, friends houses, and many other meet ups. I think we agree to all these meet ups because we like the connections. Do we need to connect? I think so. If all you wanted to do was talk to someone couldn't you just make a phone call? *which by the way, still a connection* As human beings we yearn to connect. We yearn at our basic core to feel a connection without judgement. To have people in our lives who accept us as we are. Sometimes we overload connect. We meet up with to many people. We agree to do to much. And let me say I will be the first to admit I was guilty of this too. It took me many years to say no without feeling horrible about it. Now I limit who I see, what I do, and what groups I become involved with. A recent new favorite Buddha saying has pointed out to me that we need more calming people. We need friends who connect with us on a deeper level and we need to weed...

With the holidays fast approaching this year I find new hope and love in new traditions and people. We USED to all gather and watch the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting on TV and eat popcorn and have cocoa. This year I watched it alone, but I still had my cocoa. We used to string popcorn and fruits to hang outside for the birds. We don't do that anymore. We used to roll pine cones in peanut butter and then nuts for the birds,,no more.  We used to,we used to, we used to ..... I am not sad about us not doing these traditions anymore. I am learning to adapt to new ones. The list can go on and on, but I know the kids treasured those moments growing up. I have high hopes when and if they have their own children they will carry on some of the old traditions. This year I hope to have some new holiday craft to do with my kids. Last year we made felt ornaments that now fill my tree. My son is 24 and my daughter is 20, but I treasure the times we spend doing activities like this. ...

Wow! Week #47! Brittany and I send a HUGE thank you to all of our blogger friends who have been with us each week! The growth the Happiness Is Homemade Link Party has had each week is awesome! Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #47 Where there is terrific food! Great ideas! Family fun things to do! AND you don't have to leave the couch! Carrot Cake by Ducks 'n a Row Pumpkin Creme Pie Trifle by The Rebel Chick Woven Ribbon Stocking by 30 Minute Crafts Mini Key Lime Pies by Lou Lou Girls

Wow! Week #46! Brittany and I send a HUGE thank you to all of our blogger friends who have been with us each week! The growth the Happiness Is Homemade Link Party has had each week is awesome! Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #46 Where there is terrific food! Great ideas! Family fun things to do! AND you don't have to leave the couch! Candy Corn Dipped Oreo Cookie Balls by Belle of the Kitchen Slow Cooker Taco Soup byVivo Veltoro Pumpkin Spice Smoothie by Not Quite Susie Homemaker Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge by Something Sweet Winnie's Blog

Wow! Week #45! Brittany and I send a HUGE thank you to all of our blogger friends who have been with us each week! The growth the Happiness Is Homemade Link Party has had each week is awesome! Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #45 Where there is terrific food! Great ideas! Family fun things to do! AND you don't have to leave the couch! Milky Way Cheesecake Bars by The Rebel Chick How to Upload Bulk Files in Hootsuite by Coconut Head's Survival Guide S'mores Overload Cupcakes by Simply Stacie Fireplace Makeover by Our Peaceful Planet

So I bring you some beauties from past Autumn's Enjoy the color and you can find me on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/debbsga/ http://society6.com/lovelylivelylifely http://www.roomtheagency.com/c/profile/3516/ Happy Autumn everyone!! Its my favorite season of the year. xo Debbie

Welcome to Happiness is Homemade Link Party!! Since it is a new month make sure you take the time to meet our new fabulous co-host's this month!! Also check out how you can become a co-host with us for December! MOST VIEWED LINKS Vintage Rival Crockpot vs new by Nicer than New | Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Cookies by Lemons and Laughs Simple Bracelet Tutorial by Craving Some Creativity | Homemade Apple Dumplings by Three Dawg Lady Designs

Last night I had the honor of photographing a mystery dinner. I am part of the English Society Organization at school and offered my photography skills. Everyone had worked so hard it was the least I could do. My friend Danielle wrote and directed it. It was a year ago she thought of the idea and this year made it happen. We had all English majors in the production and it turned out amazing, so without another moment of my ramblings I wanted to share with you some , ( if I do say so myself) gorgeous photos of the night. Everyone did an amazing job and I am so proud to call them my friends. :D xo Debbie

And now the final part of our witch story. When I woke up I was back in my apartment. I was in one piece and not even a scratch on me. I wasn't sure what happened and thought maybe it was all a dream. I looked at my arm. The arrow was gone. All of Emma's belongings were gone. I heard a knock on the door. I hoped it was Emma. It was my neighbor. She said she hadn't seen me go out in a few days and wanted to make sure I was ok. I asked her if she had seen Emma. She responded with saying she knew no one by that name. I said the lady who moved in with me a little while ago. She said no one had moved in and wanted to know if I was ok. I said I was and closed the door. She left and I sunk into the couch. I thought for sure I was hurt. I remember the screaming I did and the pain I felt, but my body had no mark on it. Not even that arrow. I decided in the morning to go out to Emma's house and ask her directly what was going on. I headed to bed and tripped over a book. I ...

This festival is a little different. It is dolls made of corn husks and hand blown glass and all sorts of old fun time fun and crafts. They have clogging and bull whipping and dulcimers and is fun to walk around. Thought Id share a few with you here :D