Has it really been 9+ months since my last blog??!! How can that be? I am not a creature that makes new habits easily, and once the *new* wore off of blogging, well, I guess I just quit! I will try to write more often. I got an iphone and I thought it would make my online availability simpler, but for writing purposes, it's worse. I am a pencil to paper fan, and typing takes second place to writing by hand. Txting is dead last. I find that using proper grammar is a challenge and that inhibits my writing and the awkwardness of the little keys is annoying. So, I have been using it to look at online pages, but not to contribute to them.
I think I'll write about what's fresh. Maybe the act of getting stuff down will prime the pump and the memories of the last school year will flow. As of late, we have been a traveling family going to Edisto Island in South Carolina last week and Nashville, Tennessee this weekend.
We thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of Edisto. There was nothing to do but walk to the beach, sit, swim, walk to the house, eat, and repeat. The ocean was inspirational as always, and I was able to do some drawing. We went to a preserve called Botany Bay which was absolutely amazing. We met a wonderful family next door with 5 kids ours' ages as well! They had so much fun going back and forth playing with each other. I love meeting people with large families and getting to see how similar their ways are!
I have started a life drawing class this summer and it has been fantastic. Once a week for three hours I sit and focus on drawing. I sit in good company. Artists from all over Atlanta attend this class. It's really good medicine to be in a room full of creative people, and a nekkid person. :) Drawing from life is the best teacher. I have done some nice drawings, which gives me confidence and hope for my future as a professional artist. It will happen! (it is happening!) I am working on setting up my studio in the basement so I will have a protected place to draw. The kitchen table just doesn't cut it anymore!
World Cup soccer has taken over my husband. He is a maniac. Now that the US is out of the tournament, he is a little depressed, and less enthusiastic...which is safer. I put a video of him reacting to the US winning goal against Algeria on YouTube and he's gotten 6,900 hits as of an hour ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyTosxo4RZY
He's crazy. So that has spurned a lot of excitement in our house.
We just got back from Nashville tonight. Muggs' cousin Rebecca (BKA Sister Gloria Christie) is a Dominican Sister at St. Cecelia's. It is a beautiful place and this weekend we had the honor of combining our Coulter family reunion with the sisters' 150th Anniversary celebration. It was quite a production. There were 240-something sisters and their families in attendance. We celebrated 6 hours of Mass this weekend! We also had the pleasure of hearing the Nashville Symphony Orchestra perform. Unfortunately my faith was weak and when a thunderstorm hit and the tent poles began to sway...I grabbed my family and bolted! We made it back to the hotel to find the power out at the Embassy Suites and all of the guests roaming the common area. Quite the scene. Leaving today was hard, I really love my inlaws. I am so glad to be a part of this tight family, and so grateful that my kids get a tangible sense of their roots! I'm tired, though, from driving and all of the smiling and hugging and goodbying, and I'm off to sleep. I hope to update more tomorrow! We have lots going on and I have much to report!
g'night,
~S
