Taking Care of Business!

In sharing with you our vacation fun, The Marmelade Gypsy has left some thanks and “unfinished business” dangling in cyberspace!

First, many thanks to all of you who knew about my birthday and sent along greetings – either online or in the mail! It was a great day! (Actually, it just keeps coming!)

(And the best part is that Rick gave me a laptop, so you won’t have to hear me carp about the borrowed home computer when the screen goes black and I can’t even log off! I will, however, continue to periodically complain about dial-up!)

He also made a great dinner with carrot cake.

Second, thanks for some blog awards! Janet at Lavender Loft recognized me with the Wylde Woman blogger award! Janet's magical drawings (she calls them doodles, and maybe they are, but I think of them as drawings) enchant me!

Just yesterday I learned from one of my favorite artists, Sandra Everston (who is featured in the newest issue of Artful Blogging), that I had won a doll head in her drawing!

I visited her site today and you must too! Her current post is a sweet treat of art, candy, gumballs, but most of all, her creative words – and it’s a feast for the eyes and a smile for the heart.

I’ve not posted any art lately, but recently completed my first row-house trade with Dawn of My Thoughts by Dawn. These are the ones she received from me!

These went to my new art friend Charline!

The two I did for myself capture my mom and her sisters and my grandmother. I don't have the one of mom and the sisses photographed, but here's Grandma (aka Minniewood).

A few days ago, my pal Judy – who is the advocate extraordinare for special needs – asked if I could mention a new campaign launched by the Special Olympics to raise consciousness about the derogatory use of the word “retard” and how it is often used to insult and demean people with intellectual disabilities. For more about this, please visit Winter Ramblings.

Finally, I will announce the winner of my vacation souvenir package on Monday, August 18, so remember – any comment on any of the posts that begin with the letter “V” for “Vacation (“V1,” “V2,” etc.) are entered!

Next week: Some “craft camp” creations (I hope!)