We woke up very early. Rick met with the neighbors, two Peters and Bob, we are not sure of his last name. They discussed the dam problem and sent a letter to the state. The State of Virginia is trying to get our neighborhood ot buid, reinforce our dam. IT is an impossible situation since it would cost the neighborhood a million dollars. It has caused lots of friction. While he was at the meeting I took Rudy for a walk around the lake and then down into Chile's yard. When I got home Rick was leaving for the office. I cleaned up the kitchen, knitted and watched a Robert Warren teaching tape. "Painting Bear lake." I am trying to pay attention to the colors that Robert uses when he paints. He seems to have a set group of colors for each type of painting, land scape, flowers , still life.
Now I am sorting pictures. I have decided that I am going to write my goal: My goal is to complete one album in two months. I keep putting this project off . I have almost completed one for Rick and one for me. I am going to keep them in this room so I don't have to go upstairs and then down stair. I read a book entitled. Write it down, Make it happen. the authors thesis was that if you write down your goals. You will complete them. My goal for next week is to organize the room. I wanted to make this room cheerier but getting a new chair cover is very expensive.

This morning I went to Merle Robertson's house and knitted with two other ladies. No one seemed to be doing much knitting just gabbing. I had to start twice because the first time I put sixty stitches on the needles instead of fifty. We talked a lot about food and current events and travel and church. You could call it a gab fest. We did pray at the end over a pink baby blanket that Merle had made. On the way home I stopped by the School House thrift shop and to my utter disbelief saw a baby carrier sitting on the front porch. It is in very good condition. Bradley ask me yesterday to give one to David Quin for a birthday gift. Meg Gibson runs the shop and told me it just arrived three days ago. She is a blast from the past. She used to run Christ Episcopal church. Well she ran it in the background but I won't get into that. I went to Toys are us next and spend Marty's twenty five dollar gift card.I spent a log time looking because I could not decide the best way to spend the money. I stopped at Kroger and bought groceries. I only spent eleven dollars but got the two things I wanted most. milk and yogurt. this afternoon I worked on bills. Early this morning I walked with Rudy around the lake. I might add picture here.

My companion today is Rudy.
We went for a walk about an hour ago and now he is lying in his favorite place, the sofa. I found him here after art class. I came home immediatly because I thought they would call from American Express but they never did. I am trying to knit a sweater for David Quinn. Tomarrow I am going to my knitting circle. I am going to wrok on this project. They news is all about the "Stimulous package." Tonight President Obama will talk to the congress about the state of our economy which is falling apart. The government is going to invest in Citi Group and probably several other failing banks. That is what the talk is going to be about. Today I worked more on the picture of the lady isn the blue dress with the Big Handds. Akemi told me it was by Cezanne. she also told me whenever sh goes into museums shebuys post card and that is awhat we copy.

Today, I put the pictures from Mike Burns thumb gadget to my computer and then to Ofoto. Now I have lot ofpicture of the party. I had to make several calls to the Burns but I really figured it out myself. Maybe I can even add some of the pictures but I think I will do that next time. I played tennis at noon. My partner was Mary Anne Jordan. We played against Polly Hirsch and Peggy Caplw. We beat them 7-5 but they were beating us when we had to quit because of time. Polly Hirsch is in her seventy but very competitive. Right now it is dark.

Wildlife tht I noticed today: Today I watched the crows at the Boars head after tennis I went up to the gym to lift weights. I looked out the window and saw lots of crows circling the tennis quarts. I also watched the geese swim down the lake which was lovely because the light was on the lake. Mike Burns gadget had lots of pictures of shoes on it and also Merril clothing. I am not sure he is working for them but it was interesting looking at the photos because they were gorgeous scenes, SOME BY THE Ocean, some by lakes , some in National parks and some city scenes.

Rick is watching the Red Carpet, the preview to the Academy awards. I think the show goes overboard on the women's dresses. It is more a fashion show than anything. We went to church this morning. We are very loyal. I took notes on the sermon. Yesterday I spent the day at church at a Women's retreat. The morning was about Loving Jesus the afternoon was about emotions and relationships, presented by Christie Walker. We had to fill in a puzzle with all the names of the books of the Bible. We shared our answers which I think most tables did. We got 27 and there were suppose to be thirty. A woman clergy person sat right beside me. Also Consie Palmer, Boowie Carpenter and Georgia Davidson were at our table. We had good intense discussions.
I bought the center piece and took we took it to the office and gave tit to Walker as a gift. The Burns sent pictures from the party and I am going to send them to Ofoto and have some developed tomorrow. That is my number one project after I send the addresses. Bradley called and I talked to her awhile. She got the album I sent. Rick went for a long bike ride and I finished there Eyes are Watching God. We he got back we took a walk around the lake.

I created a Post late last night but then lost it because I used one of the buttons up top. The is my next question to figure out how to use the. Yesterday I went to Ruffin for drawing. We are doing a whimsical figure. We created a mini sculpture out of our eraser and then had to draw it on a 22/30 paper using oil sticks. My mental process were interesting. I wanted to destroy what I started because I thought I was doing the wrong thing. There is no wrong thing especially since no one will look at this project not even Akemi because I am not getting a grade. I am 67 and am doing this class for personal enrichment and feel lucky I have the chance to be there especially since it is free. After class I was going to go to MahJongg but the BHSC was preparing for a party and the ladies were going to play at Olive's house but I wanted to finish the Big Read book before Tuesday when I have to turn it in at the Gordan Ave. Library. I came home and read. Ten people are waiting in line to read this book. Also the plumber came and fixed the toilet in the downstairs bathroom. This semester we are learning about texture. I am trying to pay attention to all the texture in the world and then recreate it on paper.
I worked some on Bradly's finances. WE have gotten most of the debt paid off. She said it is cold in Trinidad. I called Murphy's store. I got a man named Warren Shoel on the phone. I thought he was Peter Horner's partner. I sent him a check but when I called the second time I learned that Peter horner had never heard of him. I hope she is okey. She is my constant worry. At night I worry that she and David quinn cannot go to sleep because of the cold.

The Valentine Party is over. It was a tremendous amount of work but I think pretty successful. I think we all enjoyed meeting the people and talking to all about life. the videos went over pretty well even though there were a few glitches. Today Liz and I went looking for a dress for her wedding. It was very nice of her to ask me to do this. We went to Chico's, Belk and then the West End wedding store where I finally tried some dresses on. I am not sure how formal to be. I will look a bit more before I decide on one. The owner gave us Web site to look at some.

I feel a bit drained right now. I came home and tried to figure out Bradley's money situation. She bounced a check which went back to Bank of America. Since it is President's day there is not much we can do anyway. We had lunch at Timberlakes. Rick and I split a turkey sandwich. When I came home I ate some cracker's with crab dip on crackers.
The food at the party was not exactly what I expected. The steamed vegetables were way too big to really eat with your fingers. And the crab dip was not what I expected either. I thought it was going to be a hot dip but wt was cold. We should have had more chairs for the old people.

It was a very hard thing to do because both boys and Rick kept complaining about spending money so it took some of the fun out of it. I tried not to obsess too much.
Chilie just called and told me someone form the state is coming to shot the crow that keep flying over the houses and the lake. I am going to go for a walk.

I just lost a long blog because I was tyring to add a yahoo insert about Impressionist. This taught be a lesson. I should have saved it first and then tried to add the insert. I went to Ruffin this morning for my drawing class with Akemi Ohara. The kids were already busy drawing. We are learning about shading. I am copying one of the Impressionist pictures but I am not sure whose picture it is. It is a middle aged woman in a long blue dress with very large hands. I have finished a good part of it but have not yet tackled the hands. I folded up the picture she gave us and then divided the paper I drew on in sections and tried to use the sections as a guide. I have never done this before but watched one of the other students do this and just tried it.
I like going into Ruffin because I get to see all the different art forms. Right now on the first floor there is and exhibit of clothes. There are many mannequins wearing the outfits but also there are pictures of the clothes. ( schematics). There is a gallery on the third floor and I often peek in that room to see if it has changed. I learn just looking at the art work on the walls. I decided I am right brained and that is why I like all of this so much.
I made chocolate strawberries for our party. I am going to check on them after I finish this. I also went up and took last week's issue of the hook to Chilie. He gave me a thermos for Rick to take when he bikes. Last week he had to go out an pick Rick up because he had tire trouble.

Today I went shopping and bought some cheese for our Valentine Party. We are having a party to celebrate the engagement of our two sons Walker and Tucker. Walker will marry Hallie on May 12Th in Charlottesville and Tucker will marry Liz on July 4Th in Golden, Colorado. The party is at the McGuffey Art Center on Second Street. Different types of artist rent space so they have a studio to make their art and display it. I have been very nervous about this party because I want it to be nice but not want to ruffle any feathers about how much food to serve. We have about one hundred people coming to the event. I am going to post a picture of the couples if I can right now.

Yesterday I drove home from Mary Ellen Klin's house. She hosted a shower for her sister Patricia who is expecting a baby in April, right before Walker's wedding. I stayed over night because I did not want to drive around Washington late at night. IT was still a bit harrowing to drive 495 with trucks and cars speeding by you on every side. I kept talking to myself so that I would not make any mistakes. I did make one when I was suppose to get off Route 66. I got over a bit too far and headed toward Mananas Memorial Park. It was a beautiful ride and I am glad for the mistakes. I took Patricia the afghan I made in the Shaw ministry group. I also took her a small baby blanket and a baby book and picture album. Three of my sister's were there Agnes was there with Jim, her husband. They are the parents and were quietly happy with all the excitement. Emily came with her husband Harry. He drove Jen and Emily and they brought Lucy her new baby who was just beautiful. Mary Anne my oldest sister came with her daughter Anne Marie who finally looks a bit older. I took lots of pictures but have not yet put them on the web so I cannot add them here. Maybe I will add something else.
I ordered the food for the Valentine party. Now I want to order corsages for the girls so everyone will recognize who they are. I have not yet watched any television today. Chili invited us out to dinner today. Rick told me to go with Chile and the Van Hook's. I am planning on going. Rick is going to stay late at bike class.

I had my first visit to my blog, my son, Walker. He said he enjoyed reading it. Yesterday I went to Ruffin Hall for my drawing class. The students are working on a difficult project which I don't think I can finish. First, we collected texture samples from the world. I went around and found my samples mostly from baskets I had around the house. We had to make copies by using paper and charcoal. Next, we had to recreate these etchings on 4 by 4 papers and paste them on a larger sheet. WE created a value scale. The second part was to do a drawing of the small objects she handed out. We had to shade this and Akemi copied this on another piece of paper which she had gridded. The next part becomes very difficult . We had to use the value scale we created and replace it on our own grid. I get the idea but it would take a long time to finish. I had to miss one class because of the snow and was very late for the next two.

Right now I am trying to get a handle on my bank account and see if all the checks I wrote have gone through. They have not. What I am learning is I have to pay much more attention to what I do. I have to be aware. This morning when I woke up at ^:05, an ungodly hour I read letters that Van Gogh had written about his paintings. He wrote them to another young artist, I think his name was Canard. He talked about colors. I took Rudy for a walk so he would do a BM , which he did . I am waiting for a repair man to come from Sears to work on our trash compactor. I have lots to write about but at this point will try to add a picture or maybe even a link which Walker showed me how to do when we had lunch together at his house. WE bought lunch at FEAST but then took it to his house to eat.

My big event today was going to see Dr. Keith Frick, my rheumatoid arthritis doctor. I am now taking four mithotrexate before I was taking six. I also take fozomax to rebuild my bones. Like many older women I am loosing bone and the fozomax replaces it. I am doing fine. I was a mess about two years ago when I would wake up and not be able to move, the medicine has worked miracles for me. I am very happy the doctor's figured out what was wrong with me. Dr. Morris sent me to Dr. Frick who did all kids of test before putting me on the medicine. he monitors the medicine and how my joints are doing. I also try to eat the foods they suggest on the web site and lift weights.I went shopping after the doctor's visit, well I went window shopping because I really am not yet ready to buy any new dresses for the weddings that are coming up in May and July. Marty, Rick's sister had a shoulder replacement yesterday and Berkeley has kept us posted on how she is doing. About an hour ago Dick called and told us more about her operation and recovery. Winter is still with us. When I went out today it was freezing cold. I have a visitor, Rudy, Walker's dog. I took her around the lake twice so we both got some exercise and were outside. The road opposite our house is still very icy and dangerous.

I read at church today. Deuteronomy. Moses is the main speaker in the lesson. He tells us not to listen to false prophets. When I cam downstairs this morning Rick had already turned on the Australian open between Federa and Nadal. I watched it as I cleaned up the kitchen and put away the dishes. Excellent tennis, fun to watch and keep track of the points. I was happy the Nadel won' 3to 2. We ate breakfast and then rushed off to church.
At church we prayed in the dressing room then I went to the back of the church and sat in a seat and Wayne Duncan came and we had a long talk about the upcoming sermon and Jesus. HE explained why we should talk to everyone about Jesus. After church I went to Sunday School class and learned about Holy Communion or the Eucharist. I want to read all the handouts that David gave us about Thomas Crammer writing the book of common Prayer. Rick and I bought some chilly forthe Superbowl and we bought extra and took it over to Walker's house for him and Hallie to eat for breakfast. We also bought chicken wings for supper. I feel very tired.

Yesterday I drove to Scottsville and painted with Dixie. I will take a picture of the picture and maybe put it on the web. That is a lot of steps and will take time. I was very frustrated with the situation yesterday. We painted on Dixie's new porch. The sun was beaming in and it was difficult to see. Also Dixie ahad her back to me. The picture was a bridge over a river. It reminded me of the largest Stone arch bridgein the world close to Harrisburg. I feel very tired and will write later.