October? OMG

Yeah, it's crazy...leaves are falling. I'm sleepy from the darkness. I'm sneezing from the hay fever. I'm busier than ever, working on some new pieces, watching Madeline play tennis, enjoying friends. Madeline and I leave for the Boston area and Penn soon to visit universities. David is meeting us in Boston. We are excited about that! It wouldn't surprise me if he sleeps the whole trip--his program is intense! Hopefully a comfy bed with breakfast in bed will be a treat! I have a feeling both my kids will be on the East coast! Who da thunk?

Enjoy the colors, crunch those leaves, smell the wood burning.

Paintings of Children

Hi Will, scroll down below...I added more paintings.............

Is David ready for NYU?

Or should I say, Is NYU ready for David Bodell? Madeline and I returned from NYC last night, sans David. He checked into his dorm yesterday morning. He actually starts next week. NYU has a "Get to know NY Week." He's located in Hayden Hall--classic red brick built in 1955, which is in Washington Square. Greenwich Village is just hip. I think David is really going to love it once he gets the lay of the land. As far as the move, I have to admit I was ambivalent about carting everything he owns in 8 suitcases across the country, then having him add 4 giant Bed, Bath and Beyond bags. But every move we made was smooth--timing, cabs, porters, bellmen, weather. We were very, very blessed. It's those great guardian angels!! His roommate is Kyle from South Africa. He's very nice and polite.

While we were in NY, Madeline and I had an appt. at Columbia University for a lecture and tour. She absolutely loved it. She really likes the thought of having a contained university near a city versus a campus in the middle of a corn field. She loves what the cities offer. And the way she follows a subway map--I have no worries she'll be fine. Currently she is practicing for JV tennis at LTHS. Games start next week.

On the artistic front, I hopefully will have a show later this fall in Hinsdale--details to follow. And, I have an appt. for a commission job next week. Can't believe Labor Day is around the corner!

xoxo to all.

Bon Jour! Home Sweet Home

We returned last night from France--quite a wonderful 10-day vacation! We started out in Paris; train to Aix en Provence; train to Nice. David (and Madeline) was our interpreter (fluent French comes in handy when mom only knows about 25 words), Madeline was our navigator (she's quite amazing with a metro map) and my specialty was whipping out the American Express card--I think I reached the "Black Card" status! Thanks to my brother for staying with Lucy.

I'm spending my birthday at the Kings of Leon concert. CAN'T WAIT--GREAT SEATS!!!!! Attending Lollapalooza on Saturday--Gogol Bordello is playing. Then David leaves at the end of August for NYU! Time is flying by.

As far as my artwork, I'm still working on a commission job, hoping to finish ASAP--due to the fact I have some fabulous photos from France. I need to step away from flowers and venture to new territory. I just got a call today to show my work in the South Suburbs.

Au Revoir. Enjoy the rest of the summer!!! Hoping all are well and inspired.

Yes, I'm in a Flower Funk

Say that fast 10 times...please check out the new pieces--I had a lot on and in my mind this week. Enjoy.

Busy, Busy Days are slowing down

Today is June 7th. The past two weeks of LTHS activities have been exciting yet overwhelming. I am thankful that my kids are involved, however a few more grey hairs on my head are evident due to the fact that I wasn't sure if I was coming or going!!!

Madeline had her Badminton Banquet and finished up her finals with flying colors. She's volunteering at the La Grange Library every week, babysitting and participating in a tennis camp.

David won best actor at the LTHS theatre awards. He also won 5 scholarships during senior awards. He had prom last Thursday followed by post prom with the class on on a boat, ending with an overnight for 9 of his friends, chaperoned by moi and Carol A. at Carla's condo. What a blast. They are great kids, and Carol and I had fun too! Sunday was graduation brunch with the relatives at Chez Bodells then graduation at 2:00! It's over and I'm back to work! Hopefully, he will get one of the three jobs he interviewed for. If not, Mr. Mom Job is going to kick in asap!

On the artistic front, I finished a Series of Three, inspired by another artistic friend. Thank you ILY friend. You best be painting too!!! Ideas are running through my head--just not enough hours in the day! I am meeting with a new "client" (my friend and Pilates instructor) soon to create a couple pieces for her living room in exchange for Pilates sessions!

June 10th will be the one year anniversary of Kurt's death. It's still so strange and very hard to explain the feeling when someone isn't coming back through that door. Last year at this time it was a nightmare watching him suffer. And I'm thankful that he never will have to suffer like that again. I know he is at peace. Ya know, he's probably behind the Blackhawk's making it to the Stanley Cup!

Have a great summer! Since neither kids are going to camp, I booked a trip to France! Life's too short!! Bon Soir!

April Showers? Bring May Showers, I Mean Flowers?

I can't believe it's the middle of May. Madeline got her license and is having a blast with my car and the freedom. David heads to Minnesota this weekend for a friend's prom, followed by LTHS prom/activities/graduation the first week of June.

I just finished the last set of commissioned pieces for Dixon Law Offices, La Grange, Illinois. Thanks again to Susan and Grant Dixon for their support. Tomorrow I plan to break out some new canvases and go crazy. Doing what? I don't know...just a day of random painting. I have three more clients in the line up...then I'll get serious again.

Sunshine

We just returned from St. John in the US Virgin Islands, and I have to say I prefer that fantasyland versus La Grange, Illinois. I need a home on the beach, ocean, sunset, pool boy, wait staff, chef...LOL anyways...the kids and I had a terrific time and are planning our next excursion before David takes off to NYU. I truly enjoyed laughing and talking with my kids on the sunset cruise. Floating over the ocean in a parasail was amazing. It was if I was over a giant vat of bluish green oil paint. I could have stayed up there for hours. Next time I will have to pay double.

On the artistic front, I finished two of the four paintings for Dixon Law Offices in La Grange, 15+ pieces of jewelry for Amy, and continue to enjoy painting random small pieces while the others are drying! Some of my art will be on display this May in Flossmoor for the Cancer Support Center.

Enjoy the spring green and sun. I am!

The New Year

So far so good, knock on wood. Strange how a year ago, Kurt was coming home from the hospital from a successful stem cell transplant. It still seems surreal.

Thanks to Facebook and this blog, my career as an artist is in full swing. Thank you Susan and Grant at Dixon Law Offices for hiring me to cover your beautiful firm with my paintings. And, Amy for purchasing seven paintings to fill your office! Thus said, I booked a trip for the kids and I to go to St. John.

We plan of having lots of fun this year--to make up for last year. In January I took the kids to see Lady Gaga--she's amazing. Besides USVI we might go to New York for a quick visit--Matthew Settle is in the musical, "Chicago." I can't miss that. Italy or the South of France are on my radar too! Oh, and I can't forget about the Mile High Music Festival in July.

Kids are terrific and working hard with their tough schedules. I'm so proud of them. Madeline starts Badminton soon; David is in Ragtime--the last musical in Chicago for a while! NYU here he comes!

Happy New Year

We survived the holidays. It was good to be with family and friends--parties, a few days in the city with mom, saw a couple musicals, attended an Inroads show this weekend...

I'm back to work at SPM after the whole brain surgery vacation!

Looking forward to a terrific year!