I So Have To Blog

Wow. It's been a while. It's already December 2009. We're about to close out another year. I'm just now getting back to this.

2009-12-06T02:09:29Z

I had to remember how to do this. I'm using Windows Live Writer. I just click on the desktop icon and start typing. That's the experience so far.

I guess this note to myself and everybody else is not as scary at the moment. I've just run into so many that are just making it a day at a time. Literally. Scary, huh? What do I do when it seems like that's what I'm doing as well. From a certain perspective.

So many are praying right now. So many that I didn't know prayed, not that I was concerned with it then, thou I have been before. Maybe I'm just noticing because that's where my mind is right now.

I'd imagine that many of us have gone back and forth in our prayer routine. We pray when we're told to pray. We pray because we've been praying. At some point, we pause with embarrassment; there's something we don't know the answer to. Getting embarrassed is what young people do. Young in mind, heart, age? Or maybe young in knowledge, experience, wisdom? It doesn't matter. It's all just a certain perspective.

It's the commonality that binds us. We're all experiencing change. A year ago at this time, I was worried about things. I was worried about the realization of the recession. I was worried that I was losing students. I was worried that I wasn't going to get my tax returns done. I had been creating art at least. People I knew were worried too.

Today, there are so many people I see that are scared. People who are having to change there lifestyles. People who are wanting to change their lifestyles because they are realizing the impact of it. And, part of that lifestyle change includes prayer. As scary as things are individually, there are always numerous blessings.

Hey. It snowed in Houston Texas yesterday. We broke a record.

del.icio.us Tags: prayer

Poll has Ended.

2008-08-04T03:09:43Z

I've been trying to change bits of the layout of this blog page. But, I have not been successful obviously. I used the services template to set up this page. But, they have a place where you can change the html, only, what I'm trying to do has not worked. I'll have to find some time to visit with tech support. I found that some things I've done require a bit of a work-around that is not obvious. We will see.

I've ended the poll on the new business name. But, I'm going to publish another poll. I received so many good suggestions that I still can't decide. But, at least it's being narrowed down. By the way, thanks to all who suggested a new name. Some of the names won't work just because of the logistics. But, quite a few will work and I really like. Thanks again. Check back here or my artist site at http://www.kathrynlove.com for poll updates. I have out-of-town company, so give me a couple of days to update.

New images and artwork on my flickr photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/katluv4u/ . It's easier posting it there than updating the website. But, I'll try to do better.

Later...

Kathryn Love, Artist

What's My Name / New Business Name update

2008-07-21T18:39:55Z

Here's an update of the poll suggestions received regarding my new business name. Thanks to all for your suggestions. Please suggest as many names as you want. Remember that this is going to be my actual business name. So, keep it as short as possible. I'll need to be able to create a logo and letter head, put it in the phone book and stuff like that. So, the shorter the better. Also, you may have noticed that I keep changing the fonts in each post. I'm trying to figure out which ones I like the best. If you have any suggestions, please post a comment or send me an email. Thanks again.

Love For Art

Drawing With Love

DRAWINGwithLOVE.com

K Love's Art Classes 4 U

KathrynLoveDraw.com

Life Drawing Classes

K. Love Figure Illustration Study

Kathy Love Art

ArtClassesWithLove

Love4Art.buz

Love Art

Love Drawing

ucandrawwhatyousee

seeingtodraw

see&draw

learntodraw

love.com

Love2Draw.com

K.Love Drawing4U

Kathryn Love Drawing Classes

Draw with Kathryn Love

Visit my artist site at www.KathrynLove.com to see the changes.

del.icio.us Tags: new business name,art,kathryn Love

When I'm Gone

2008-07-19T19:58:41Z

I love this song performed by 3 Doors Down. It makes me think of my kids, especially now. They're away visiting there dad, a little over a month now, and I miss them. I call them a lot, and visa versa. We instant messenger (IM) and webcam. We text message probably more than we should. But, it's all good. I like the fact that my kids want to communicate with me.

Now, there are those times when it's hard to communicate. Maybe they're blue, or scared, angry, or just down right don't have much on their minds that they want to think about. And visa versa. Whatever it is, whatever it's called, it happens. And when someone wants to talk about it, we do. I think that's good too.

Bottom line, I really like my kids. They're really cool people. They're funny and fun to be around. I hope I'm giving them enough guidance to do the right things and enough space to find their own ways. So, even when we're apart we will always love each other.

So, here you go. Great video: When I'm Gone, by 3 Doors Down.

del.icio.us Tags: 3 doors down,when i'm gone,video,kids

Flickr4Writer

2008-07-19T02:05:29Z

So there is a plug-in that let's you insert a picture from Flickr into Windows Live Writer. If you do a search you may or may not find the download. I got the plug-in download at: http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=9cc421ec-b22e-45b6-98c4-3fae3846705e&bt=9&pl=8 .

After installing the plug-in, I went ahead and restarted my computer. It didn't ask me to restart, I just always do when I install something. I then opened Live Writer and saw that there is a nice little link in the right sidebar with a little Flickr Favicon and text, "Insert Flickr Image" next to it.

When I click on the link, I have to give the user ID of the photostream I want to browse, or select "Anyone", type in a "tag", then click on the Search button. If you type in a tag to search, you have to click the actual Search button versus just hitting enter. Hitting enter returns an error and you may not know you're messing up.

You can insert a thumbnail.

This is the Small pic linked to the Flickr photo.

This is the Medium pic with a 2 pt border. There is a large size as well and additional options that I honestly have not yet figured out. There is a CSS field I'm sure referring to a style sheet. If anyone knows how to use that field, let me know.

Flickr Tags: Flickr4Writer,Windows Live Writer,blogging,blog design,microsoft,tools,writing,Flickr,photostream,photos

Windows Live Writer

2008-07-18T19:08:11Z

This is a test of a new software. I just installed Windows Live Writer which is suppose to make it easier for me to submit blog entries. Currently I'm using GoDaddy's interface which requires that I log into my account, click a button to go to my accounts, click another button to get to my Quick Blogcast, which then opens a new window to the blog interface. Then, I must remember which drop-down tab to select to submit and entry, click on that, select the correct option, then wait for the window to open to start typing the blog entry. That's just way too many steps. I've forgotten what I wanted to say by the time I get to the screen to start typing. Don't get me wrong, I love GoDaddy and they will be the first to know when I stop loving them. I just want to keep it simple.

Okay. So, I'm gonna play around a bit with this Live Writer and I'll let you know how I like it.

So far it's looking pretty neat.

I definitely need more toolbars. Yes, I'm spoiled. I like being able to just click a button to left align my text. I don't want to have to hunt for that function. As far as shortcuts, there are basics with Writer...

So see that? Above, is the screen print. Not much in the way of a shortcut menu, but I can't complain. It's better than nothing. I like that I was able to just copy and paste versus having to import a file from my hard drive.

Here's a block quote for you, formatted with "Heading 3".

Bullets are an option

As is changing fonts and font color.

i had to go to table properties to do this. i really want a button for this.

Thought I'd show the border of the table. But, you don't have to.

A few image effects offered. That's good.

www.KathrynLove.com

Hurray! I saved the post as a draft, closed it all up, found how to open it (it opened with a new post). I opened the draft and am now going to publish. This has been easy. Far fewer steps than I was having to take before. Thanks Windows.

Technorati Tags: Windows Live Writer,Quick blogcast,Kathryn Love,blogging,formatting blog

What's My Name / New Business Name... You Vote

2008-07-18T14:20:00Z

Here's an update of some of the suggestions that I've received for my new business name. I will run this poll for one more week, so get your votes in. Post a comment on these other suggestions have been made and add to the list. Thanks to all for your suggestions. Keep them coming. Here's the current list as of 9:56 cst:

Love 4 Art (But not available as a domain so would go with ...) Love For Art

Drawing With Love

DRAWINGwithLOVE.com

K. Love's Art Classes 4 U

KathrynLoveDraw.com

Life Drawing Classes

K.Love figure Illustration Study

Life Drawing Classes

Kathy Love Art

Art Classes With Love

LoveForArt.buz

Love Art

What's My Name?

2008-07-17T13:38:00Z

...you vote

I've changed the name of my art business a few times. You know. You've gotten the emails. It wasn't to confuse you. It is my own indecisiveness. So, a friend of mine suggested that I leave it to you to decide. What an idea. Put the responsibility of my business in the hands of others. Let's give it a try, shall we...

Here's the poll running on my website at www.KathrynLove.com . Post comments here for suggestions of a new name. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

editing

2008-07-16T23:32:55Z

editing
Originally uploaded by Pedro Lucena

A fantastic artist, Pedro Lucena, I stumbled upon on the flickr site. Very imaginative pen and ink work.

Flickr

2008-07-16T23:10:48Z

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

A Little News Is All

2008-07-05T20:19:00Z

CNN had a special on Barack Obama last night. They showed pictures of him from childhood on. Talked about growing up in Hawaii. How he met his wife. It was nice getting to know a bit more about the man.

Thus far, I'm impressed with him. He doesn't come across as a professional manipulator like some politicians do. One of the reasons I feel this way is in listening to him talk. The subjects he speaks about are things that the American people want to hear about, want to know more about. And there is not the beating-around-the-bush that is often expected in public speaking. He gets to the point, then elaborates his point. His speeches are knowledgable and inspirational. He has something to say, and he says it well. But most important to me, he has something to say, and I really do want to hear it.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900881681/bclid900480414/bctid1646739168

Up and Running

2008-07-05T04:34:00Z

Well. I think I may have this going. Setting up a blog has been all consuming over a couple of months now. Truely, it's been a year since I tried my first blog. So, in trial and error I've found that Yahoo 360 doesn't work, hasn't worked in a long time, and may never work. I think a lot of people have given up and figured out something elsewhere like I have. Same goes for Google's Blogger (whatever.blogspot.com). I had a discontinued email service provider and evidently did the wrong thing when I was trying to update my email address. Lost the blog for what appears to be ...ever. Actually, both blogs are still there. You can pull them up, but you can't make new entries. Can't delete them either. Feels uncomfortable, like wasted space or unfinished business.

Okay. So, I've gone a different route with my own domain. I'm using GoDaddy's Quickblog interface. It's been a little tricky getting things going. But, what I love is that they actually post a PHONE NUMBER for technical support. You actually get to talk to someone. They spend all of the time you need to resolve your problem! Love it. Love it. That feature alone (live tech support) is the reason I've been with GoDaddy for years and will probably never leave. They would have to mess-up big time.

I watched the fireworks display from the backyard with the doggies. I didn't stay out long. It rained and the mosquitos were having me and the dogs for dinner. But, it's cool that I can actually see fireworks from my backyard. I was in New York at this time last year with a high school friend. We would have been sifting our way through the crowds heading back to their Manhattan hotels to rest very weary bodies. I know mine was. But, big disappointment, after hours of getting there, standing in lines, standing and waiting, drizzle, rain, and heat, we could not actually see the fireworks because of the humidity in the air and smoke from the fireworks. But, if I could be back there tonight, I would be. It was a blast.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July. Talk to you later.

authentication

Saturday Night

2007-04-29T05:47:00Z

Well it's Saturday night. I'm thinking about my day. My kids are over friends houses. I want to paint but don't want to prepare.

I taped American Idol Wednesday and am just getting around to watching it. Wednesday's show was moving. I actually watched it twice. It was about GIVING BACK.

Giving back to whom. People in need. Everyday People. People in Africa and YES... the United States of America.

The recording started with Earth Wind and Fire singing Boogie Wonderland. It was upbeat. It took me back to the day. Shining Star followed. I got up from the couch and danced and sang to that one. "Shining star for you to see, what your life can truely be". I was in the mood to be entertained. I was, but not in the way that I thought I would be.

There were actors and activists, musicians and singers, speakers, people speaking, about realities of everyday life for some very real life people. of illness and starvation, orphaned children and the impoverished.

I was happy seeing Ben Stiller and Jack Black perform comedy. I really enjoyed Jack Black's performance of "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal. He is a comedic genius.

Let me pause a minute and say this. Please keep reading because I think it's important.

I am a forty-two year old single parent from Texas. Who cares, YOU MAY THINK. But, I've come to realize that a lot of people do care. They care that I am a real person with real happiness and sadness on this earth. Isn't that what those performers are? Isn't that what all of us really are? Real flesh and bone people?

Now, I am a firm believer that the words happy and sad are very general; very vague. You can look them up in a dictionary, but will that dictionary give you a definition of what you, a flesh and bone person really feel? What the words "happy" and "sad" do is define the closest thing to a societal abbreviation of an emotion that we can get in order to complete some explanation, thus in an often black and white existence. There is no measure of the terms. The singular version of the words require further explanation in order to appeal to all of the gray divisions of a personal experience. I am happy. How happy are you, one could ask.

So, as the performances on American Idol continued and I continued to be entertained, the message began to penetrate my conscience self. As the many faces of sick and impoverished children flashed upon my big-screen TV, I thought about my own children out playing with their friends while I was ordering my dinner to be delivered. I thought about all of the energy I have spent thinking about my problems and giving thanks for my blessings. I thought about the experiences in life that I have learned from and the fact that so much of what I have learned had to come from an actual experience, both good and bad. You see, some of us can be told what to do and not to do and we will act upon this advice. Then, there are those of us that can be told what to do and not to do and we will have to experience the advice before we truely understand the impact of it.

Well, the advice I got tonight, to give, is not an advice that I wish to experience in order to hear and understand. And quite honestly, whether I actually understand it, experience it, feel it, or not, I gave. I did not think about all of the overheard and particiipated in conversations of how the money that is given to charity is squandered. That is too negative an energy for me right now.

Ellen Degeneres then said that she was personally donating $100, 000.00 (one-hundred thousand dollars). I donated $20.00 (twenty dollars). This is what I can afford. I have no misgivings about donating. I am happy that I did. That's it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not asking for anything. I'm just having a conversation with you. I'm just sharing my feelings of this evening with you. I think a lot more sharing of feelings would be a good thing. We may find out that all of those imaginary "Idols" out there have some of the same feelings that we, flesh and bone people have. And, it's a good thing.

Until next time. Take it easy. Smell some roses if you haven't in a while. And, oh by the way, I'm not painting tonight. I'm going to bed now. Good night.