It’s February, blog! Long time, no see-um. Here’s me back on my 39th birthday in December. It looks like I’m flipping off my cute little husband but I’m really showing off the giant cocktail ring he bought me. Do you know how inconvenient it is that I’ve decided I only want to wear gold jewelry? I basically have to buy ALL NEW jewelry. I still like my engagement ring though.

Here’s a family Christmas portrait, of sorts, that my mother took the day we decorated the Christmas tree. Christmas is always a lovely time of year.

For our Christmas card this year, I decided to use our family Halloween portrait again. The pic of the little redhead dressed like Batman was too cute not to use!

“Love is Love”, the last painting I completed in 2022. I don’t think I’ve even listed it on Etsy! Lazy.

On December 17th we moved Mumsie into her new place! Yayyyyy. The heat wasn’t working properly so it was freezing in there for a while. unfortunately. It’s a cute little two bedroom, one for her, one for any visiting grandchildren. Goo has already spent the night once.

Oh Christmas tree! I still have to have a real tree every year. The guilt hasn’t gotten to me…YET! We also have three tiny fake trees.

My Dad visited us for Christmas this year and brought Lucy, his slightly more mellow 7 year old Lab. My Dad basically chilled on the couch for a week straight, munching on dark chocolate Kisses and throwing a ball to Lucy. Living the life! He just had a hip replacement surgery after falling and breaking his hip recently and will likely be back soon to spend time with us again.

Watching my all-time favorite Christmas movie with my very own Ralphie! He got bored, naturally.

A slightly fancier Christmas portrait taken by my father, but look how gloomy the children look! Friggin’ kids.

Mumsie and me at her new place with a little redhead scene stealer. I couldn’t be happier that his two obsessions are stuffed bears and rainbows. He even requested pink pajamas recently and I was happy to oblige. Yay for color, son!

Speaking of scene stealers, Josh’s cousin’s new baby Hunter had 100% of my attention at GG’s on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t take my eyes/hands off of him! It’s so interesting–I never cared about babies until I had my own children. Now I’ll sniff a baby head for as long as I’m allowed…it’s the best.

A compilation of some–not all! of the art I did in 2022. It was a good year! And I sold 10 original pieces at a show this year, which was a new record for me. I love that.

Dressed up to party on NYE with my little redhead! We had a 2 hour glowstick dance party in the TV room to DJ DeLayna, complete with a black light and several costume changes. I stayed up until midnight by myself, watching “Party Girl”.

I had wanted a headboard for years and Josh bought me beautiful, emerald-green Art Deco headboard for Christmas. And the wall of twinkle lights! So romantic.

Sometimes if we don’t wait until the kids go to bed to do our yoga, the little redhead will join us.

Yes ma’am!

Dressed up for Goo’s 6th birthday party! I was a little sleep deprived that morning but made up for it with black tea.

Goo wanted a bug-themed party, but we had Pokémon decorations, so in compromise I made him this bug-covered tie.

Lew and Shirley are 92, and have been together since they were teenagers. True love!

My sweet little red-haired big boy (training myself not to say “baby” any more and it’s haaaard).

Looky looky we got a pet! Josh won’t let me get a dog until after we come back from Hawaii in April so to tide myself over I rescued this Betta from Petsmart. His name is Mr. Fancy.

Ahhhh my sweet boys. I started the little redhead in daycare for 3 days a week this week. Socialization for him, more free time for mama! It’s a win-win.

On January 23rd I celebrated 15 years sober from alcohol! Yayyyyy! Hard to believe it’s been so long. When I think back, my full-time drinking years really only lasted from age 22 to 28, but that was enough! Everything is better now. I don’t miss it for one second. I just wish I had never drank at all.

This fuzzy bear hoodie was a 30$ impulse buy on Amazon and you know what? It’s GREAT! So warm and soft. Perfect for when I’m downstairs in our freezing cold basement trying to Art it up.

I’m having a uh…tiny detour with a few puzzles I got for free, at work. I’m still gonna paint! No really.

This past Monday, my very first free day away from both boys, I went to the gym, got my nails done, and went and got my lashes done too. Glamour day! The lashes are, admittedly, a bit much. Maybe I need a more “natural” look next time, bwa ha haaaa. Later blog!