One Post Away for 200...do I actually talk that much???

Well of course I do.... talk talk talk talk...truth be known I should by all rights be up to about 700 posts by now as I could surely talk enough to reach that number...but alas I try to hold back and post more selectively as I don't want to run anyone screaming for the hills...

Instead...for all of you 'Spider Haters' out there...get your running shoes ready...just thought I would post two fun pictures (in honor of Halloween in our Midst) ... Richard and his pet Black Widow Spider......

I took this shot a few years ago right after Richard made this BEAUTIFUL spider for a doll setting we did .... Richard carved this little gal all from wood ...joints and all. So one day while Richard was napping on the couch...the 'EVIL' Jodi crept into the den , carefully placing the spider on his chest ...then stepped back and gave a little scream of course waking Richard to find the spider on his chest and close to his face...the VERY BAD Jodi...popped a picture!!! OK...two things , I didn't realize it would give him such a start as he made the bloody thing and finished it just the day before...but I guess waking from a sound sleep to see something so large in your face...would frighten anyone (who knew)...and second thing...(and what is not featured here in a picture) is Richard right after this... giving me hell for taking such a chance with his spider...claiming that "You have NO IDEA how close I came to flinging it across the room in terror!!! " OMG...I didn't even think of that...

The bad Jodi slithered off to her studio , whimpering forgiveness ...yet allowing the Evil Jodi to enjoy one more slight smile from the corner of her mouth ....BAD JODI BAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!

Hugs from the GOOD Jodi

My Thought for a Monday

One of my all time favorites!!

Happy Monday All ...and a Busy 'Crazy' week

Hugs,

Jodi

Sunday Dis and Dats!

And now for my Mish Mash of Sunday Sillies... an array of odd ball photos that I recently popped!

First two are a shovel Richard just made and finished this morning for a new Halloween Elf piece we are doing...the dude is nuts...carved the shovel part from wood (and handle) then painted it to look like metal...

Next are the Elves from the piece...just hanging around on my desk top waiting for bodies...I would say they look pretty desperate for their torsos...

The Next two shots are taken in my back yard...not good shots as it was barely light and I didn't use any flash.... but I had to share... am I crazy or does anyone else see the Side View Skull in these two pics??? I sure do... I thought it was pretty cool!!! Halloween Approaches!!

Happy Sunday Everyone...Richard is taking me to breakfast and out to Michael's for Paint...

(heck with the paint...I want the pancakes!!!!)

Hugs to All

Jodi

Haint Update....

Things remain about the same in my studio...only change...Tess is getting a bit more active checking things out more in my studio...she tends to look upwards a lot more and sniff the air... she bolts out of a sound sleep only to look up and always follow something with her eyes...very interesting. I had a friend once who was very connected spiritually and conducted regression therapy sessions. He was very interesting to be around... you could walk into a home or building with him and he would be talking and all of a sudden just look up to the ceiling in the corner and give a slight smile....I KNEW he saw something...and sometimes he would say " nothing to worry about...it's just a guy, watching us, no harm"....YEAH RIGHT... so of course the rest of the evening I would stare at that spot...sometimes catching myself giving a little 'wave'...

I myself have noticed nothing new...oh, other than I have a bulb over my work table that keeps burning out ...it has burned out in the past, but I believe it is doing it more than normal...replaced two bulbs within the last 2 weeks...this is not normal for my work light.... interesting and have no idea what that might mean.

I continue to wait, watch and stay alert...

Jodi

Ghosties Tap Tap Tapping at my soul

I don't know if it is the time of year or my over active imagination at work...but I swear lately I am having little 'visitations' in my Studio. I always seem to be a tad more 'in tune' this time of the year... hearing more and seeing more than say..in the spring, but lately things are getting really interesting.

I am always alone in my studio during the day...besides the TV and Tess wandering through checking things out ..I am alone (Richard is always on the other side of the house in his studio or in the shop outside....so the little thumps and items 'moved' YES MOVED!!! has to be something else other than Tess and Richard...or the TV for that matter (you have heard of the TV People...right!!) ...anyway... I have always been a sensitive individual who seems to pick up on little subtle changes , movements and oh so quiet noises...even as a kid they thought me part 'dog' with the high pitched sounds I could hear...

This all started last week , but I actually dismissed it as lack of sleep or too much work load... but I can no longer shrug it off as internal upheaval ... rather I think something has taken up lodging in my studio... and lets hope this 'something' is just passing through. Just so you know, I DO believe in the spirit life...and have over the years had many many 'encounters' ...thus causing me not to doubt that which I cannot disprove ... but over the last few years I have searched and searched for signs that I found myself missing... but alas, Nothing!! sniff sniff....until last week.

My studio is 20' by 20' , fairly bright with not much in the way of items that would cast shadows or forms on my walls... but non the less I have been catching movement and forms as I sit and sculpt. When I see something, I sit very still and wait for movement again...and sure enough, it is there. Even Tess will bolt from a sound sleep and look in the very direction of the movement...spooky, right! Then there are the muffled sounds (always heard when TV is OFF)...I can imagine what might be happening while the is TV on! Not a voice, not a moan...just a sound as if to let me know it is there. Then there is the 'feel' ...walking back into the room from visiting the kitchen or computer room... the feel that someone was just there, have you ever had that feeling? Like their presence is still hang heavy on the air , yet they are already gone...wow, that is an intense one! Lastly...items moved...but only certain items, ones that I use seldom or have any reason to move yet they are moved to odd spots, I always find this very amusing, like, if I were a spirit what would I move to get attention and or send a message...so of course I am reading much into the items chosen to be moved about.

I am not yet calling it what I suspect it may be...I will wait and watch for other signs ... and then deal with it. I must admit I am rather excited as I have missed any contact or connection to the 'other side' over these years...admitting too, I was profoundly disappointed when we moved into this house 8 years ago ..only to feel 'nothing'... drat!!!

Like I said, not sure what it is, or really even if 'it' is something ... but if it is not anything, than it is doing a pretty darn good job of pretending to be something... OK...that DID sound like the ravings of a Loony Woman...sorry!!

I will keep you up on any new happenings and why I think it may be here....visiting!

Jodi

Gringott's Goblin Finished

At Last...the tiny little Goblin Dude is finished and off to his New Owner. Sorry to post this so late and not have more of the 'WIP' shots... time just slips away so easily these days and I find myself off in another direction before popping pics.... I need to attach bright and colorful 'Post Its' all over me to remind me to 'snap a shot...NOW'!!!

We are happy with the way he turned out...

He is pretty tiny ...and I actually find myself (and my brain) geared more into the miniatures these days...we are working on larger elves right now and I actually had a difficult time yesterday 're-tooling' the old brain to ***THINK BIGGER*** ....lol! It was an odd experience.

But things are looking bigger now and I think I am on the right track at last...

Thanks again for all the very kind comments in the early stages of this little Goblin...

Hugs to all on this Much Cooler Tuesday Morning ...

Jodi

P.S. Happy Autumnal Equinox

My Cuzin Mike

I love my Cuz Mike! He is the son of my Mom's Eldest Sister (and my Favorite Aunt) ...though Dear Aunt Shirley is gone ...every time I look into Mike's face I see her smiling back... but that's not the only reason I love my Cuz Mike...

Mike makes me Laugh till I am literally bent over...and to me...the ability to make people laugh uncontrollably to the point of pain from splitting sides...(hurts so bad it feels so good kinda thing) is WAAAAY up there on my 'Like-O-Meter'!!! Mike has a wicked sense of humor (like his Dad) and you have to get up pretty early in the morning to try and fend off any of the dry humor wit or mischievous set ups he might have in store for you...I adore that!! Humor is everything to me...and Mike has enough for any 12 people... with some to spare!

Mike and his Lovely and Dear better half Susan (who is another of my mostly favorite people in the whole wide world) have been married approx. 47 years ...with 3 magnificent daughters.... A Teacher, A Nurse and Professional Business Woman... and the most lovely and talented bunch of Grandchildren you could ever hope to see (two of which graduated with honors from College)...

When Richard and I first got married we lived in a small house on Mike and Sue's Property up in Northern, Calif ...and what a wonderful fun time we had...great memories! I have a love and respect for my cuz'ns that will last 2 life times...

Anyway...this post is not about the Old Days...but rather the New days and I just had to share...

My Cuz just sold his '55 Chevy and bought himself something he has wanted since...well...since 'forever' a once in a life time dream come true .....a 2010 Triumph Bonneville Motor Cycle... and he is around the Moon with joy... as he describes himself... "I am The Fonz, plus 45 years,45 lbs, bad shoulders, cancer survivor, 6 way by-pass fun lovin son of a bitch...eat your heart out Steve McQueen"!!... See why I adore him so much!!

I ,like my cuz, believe that we should never stand with feet firmly planted always wondering what something might have been like..rather we should walk over and try it on for size...and leave the wondering behind! Richard and I are super proud of him for this decision....

I have included a few shots of the 'Big Day' ...plus one I had fun altering of how Cuz Mike might view himself (albeit for just a few minutes) cruising around on his bad assed bike....

BUT...one more side of cuz I had to share... Not only is he a rootin tootin demon of the highway...he is also an Big Time Award Winning Pomegranate Jelly Maker..yes yes...it's true, Mike won Top Honors of not only first place but Best in the whole Division in a Big California Fair...

I mean think about it...this is a man who can ride tough with the best of em... and also make award winning jelly in his spare time... come on girls admit it....this is the perfect guy!!! lol...

Cuz...Richard and I tip our Hats to you... you WOWED us once again with your enjoyment of life and your uncanny knack of always bringing a smile ...

Get your motor runnin'

Head out on the highway

Lookin' for adventure

And whatever comes your way

Hugs,

Jodi and Richard