~What A Day~

It actually started last evening... I had to take my husband to the Emergency Room...
He was feeling awful;pain-electric shock running down his right arm, chest pains,neck pain... So off we went 2 1/2 hours later. They did an EKG on him to monitor his heart. Everything was A, OK... Then they did an MRI/Scan, clean bill of health. For some reason they think he pulled a muscle. He was feeling fine, he didn't do anything it just came on all of a sudden (STRANGE).. So we had to fill three prescriptions.

Then lots of little things today. I tried to get some copies of my art work, uhhhh... It doesn't help when there are people working in these positions that aren't trained so they aren't able to serve the customer (FRUSTRATING).......

So that was just a piece of my day... All in all life is grand, the birds are chirping, flies are buzzing, and the sun was out today. My Grandma had some melanoma cut off of her face yesterday. I went to visit her during my lunch hour and brought her lunch. She sure enjoys that, and so do I... Poor Granny, I feel so sad for her. How must it feel to know you have cancer and your life is going to end...Life is a gift.....

I need to get going as I am doing laundry and I need to run out again and see if I can get my cards printed. When ever I sell a piece of art I have it made into a card. So Patrica, please be patient as I am trying to get this card made one way or another.......... Have a great night friends~ Make sure to check out my Spring out piece "Blossom" on E-BAY... View on the right side under art work...

~Smiles Kimbella~

~BLOSSOM~

"MEET BLOSSOM" ~BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED~

I was inspired by "SPRING"... My**NEW PIECE OF ART WORK** is named "BLOSSOM". This pretty lady is wearing a "PURPLE HEART" in remembrance of Domestic Abuse Awareness. Her auction will be up for bid Tuesday evening at 8:30pm Central time and will end on Sunday evening at 8:30pm Central time.

Remember, a portion of my sale will be donated to help other women and children earn their "WINGS TO FLY"... My art work supports the local shelter in my town. If you would like to learn more about "MY STORY" please check out the story behind my cause and click here

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for viewing my art work on E-bay.com You can click on the link on the right side of my blog. You will see the area titled "MY ART WORK". I hope all of you had a great weekend!

~ANGELS~FOR~AUCTION~

Don't forget to check out my Art Work on E-bay! These angels on canvas go off auction on Sunday. The wind sure is whipping around this morning! I told you I would just a "quick sleep", thanks to my brother. He calls me at 8:00am, aren't you up yet? No, oh, I will let you go back to sleep. Now, for me once I am awake there is no getting back to sleep. So, here I am... That's OK, I wanted to wake up early. Usually I get up when hubby gets home. This morning evidently I was too tired. I remember hearing him talking with the girlz (dogs)... Our two ladies have been snippy with each other lately? Flicka, the greyhound has been yelping from her arthritis. I am not sure why yesterday compared to the whole winter? Just a reminder to us how old she is getting. She is 10 years old I believe. She loves me so much...

Oh, by the way I read in the morning paper today that Oil could hit $200.00 per barrel?????? Frankly, this is outrageous, and disgusting. They say that the middle class are driving the prices up. They want fine dining, I don't buy it for a minute.

OK, I will sign off as I need to get lots of things done today... Happy Trails...
~Smiles Kimbella~ :)))

~SNOWFLAKES~

Can you believe??? Yes, this is what you are seeing (snowflakes)in Minnesota! It is cold outside today. I can hardly believe the weather a few days ago. I am glad it is the weekend. I am up very late doing some case work. I am about ready to snuggle in for some short sleep. I started working on some art pieces. I am not sure what I will conjure up? I hope all of you enjoy your weekend!

~Smiles Kimbella~ :)))

~FEELINGS~ON~A~BLANK~SLATE~

I guess today I am feeling somewhat like this blank slate. Today I have many thoughts and emotions running through my mind. It's amazing, how as a counselor you are faced with many emotions, obstacles, and situations. My day went very fast, no time for lunch, and many tasks that didn't get completed today. Such is life.........

I hope all of you have a wonderful night~

~Smiles Kimbella~:)))))))

~THUMBS~UP~ "I'M A KEEPER"

So I had my review today........... I was given a raving review and the stats were way above the standards. My boss has a report from where my case load was when I began and how it has evolved. I got 2 thumbs up! I am going to be taking on my work, more territory, and probably a new intern. Yes, this could be interesting!

What an absolutely fabulous day out today! I sat in a meeting for most of the day. We did eat lunch out, we dined out at Bostons, it was OK. I am happy to see I have a bid on my Art Work! It's exciting after you have put so much time and detail in to your work. I will sign off for now as I am tired, too much thinking! Have a great day tomorrow, I hear we are getting RAIN.. Sweet Dreams...

~Smiles, Kimbella~

~ANOTHER DAY GONE BY~

Ahhh, where oh where does the day go??? That must mean I am getting older... I remember when I was a little girl and I would sit and visit with granny. I would always talk about getting older... How I wish I had that age back... OK, not that young but you get my point! That sunshine sure did feel good today! At least tomorrow I won't be sitting in my office all day. I have no windows to see the beautiful sunshine. At times I guess that is good other wise I would probably sit and day dream all day! Tomorrow I will be going to a different town where I will be attending a team meeting. I will then sit there all day! I have my 3 month review as I am on a 6 month probation even though I am still employed with the State of Minnesota. I will let all of you know if I still have a job tomorrow! :)))) I hope all of you have a Happy~Hump~Day tomorrow~ Happy Wednesday~

~Smiles Kimbella~:))))

~ANGELS AMONG US~

This is a **NEW~PICTURE** that will be up for Auction beginning tonight at 8:30 pm Central time. "ANGELS~AMONG~US" I will be posting a new card, probably Monday night if time allows. I will be selling a collection of three greeting/gift cards. These cards are prints of my original art work. You can access my art on the right, top side of my blog. I hope you enjoy looking at my art work as much as I enjoy painting it!

As far as my weekend it has once again come and gone! Believe it or not here in Minnesota the sun has finally snuck out! I am going to grill some burgers on the grill for dinner the evening. Friday night I helped a friend by editing her paper for school. I guess that doesn't sound like to much fun.. Saturday we met some friends for dinner that were here from out of town. I did make it to the craft store and to the grocery store. I have a few new ideas and I will try to work on at least one project this week to make it come to life.. I hope all of you enjoy your evening. I am going to try and do some case noting for work. I will see how ambitious I am...

~Where Does Time Go?~

Please don't forget to check out my **"NEW GREETING CARDS"**! They look so much nicer in person. These pictures don't do them justice. I promise you won't be disappointed! Click on my art on the left side of my blog on top~

I was so busy at work today. I have a 60 day deadline that I need to determine eligibility for my consumers. It can be a lengthy process at times. With appointments, phone calls, drop ins, meetings, etc... there always seems to be a lack of time. Today I was finally able to get some work done as I had all my calls transferred. It was greattttt... I accomplished what I needed to get done and I will have to do that more often!

I didn't get any painting done tonight:( I helped my husband with a class assignment! So I hope to spend my weekend do lots of fun art work! I have already started my next piece of art! Let's just say "FRIENDS"

"Happy Friday" to all of you.... I hope all of you do lots of fun things to do this weekend~

~Smiles Kimbella~

~RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS~

I first wanted to say how when when someone does a nice deed for you, we feel "Warm Fuzzies"...And how the kindness from a stranger spreads like "Wild Wind" I remember one day when I was in the Starbucks drive thru and a stranger in front of me paid for my coffee! Now that left an impression on me! "RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS" I encourage all of you tomorrow to do one nice thing for a stranger~

Even though my sister isn't a stranger I wanted to say "Thank you" to her for always being such a big help to me! I know she has a laundry list a mile long~ I will still do something nice for a stranger tomorrow!

I took an hour nap *earlier, so unlike me. It felt good and now I have some energy to paint! The winds here are so terrible today! I drive to work an hour each way with the wind blowing so hard my hands hurt from holding the wheel. They were blowing at about 35 miles per hour! I hope all of you like my cards, and Tonya, my sister has posted her new cards on e-bay tonight as well! I hope all of you have a Happy Hump Day tomorrow!

~NEW CARD LISTING~

Here are my *NEW CARDS* I will list them for sale Tuesday night at 8:30pm central time. I can't believe I have finally mustered up the knowledge, time and Courage to explore this area! It has always been a dream of mine to make cards. It's even more exciting because the picture is something I created!

All of my cards are Hand Stamped "Wings To Fly" on the back-side. The inside is blank for special messages. All cards come in a plastic sleeve~ The print is a digital image of my original painting~ They also look great in a 5X7 picture frame~ I appreciate the interest in my art work~ My art work is a way for me to ~Give Back~ to the Womens'shelter, (CADA)in my local area.

For all of the women that face the next step of their new beginning, they have inspired me! I now know how it feels to have ~"Wings To Fly"~ I hope my story can help others to be inspired and to take the next step of their new journey~

Thank you to the two kind people that took a "special interest" in my art work! I appreciate the kindness~ Remember a portion from my prints will be donated to help other women and children earn their "Wings To Fly".

~THREE LADIES~

I have a **NEW** painting listed on eBay, here is the link

If you are new to my blog, you can read a prior posting that entails the story behind my art work click here

Remember, I am going to donate a percentage of the profits to CADA (Committee Against Domestic Abuse) so other women & children can earn their "WINGS TO FLY"~

I hope all of you have a great week with lots of sunshine! I hope to have my cards listed tonight or with in the next few days. Time is always against me~ Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and if any of you would like to share your blog with me please give me your link.

~SMILES~ Kimbella~

~EXTRA SPECIAL~

My sister Tonya is extra special nice to me... I have not had my blog for very long and she gave me cuddos! I feel so humbled to have such nice folks take an interest in my site! I appreciate having such a talented sister that is there to help me when I am in need.

Now that I have time since I have finished college it's nice to actually let my mind be creative. There are so many neat blogs out there! Thank you to everyone for taking the time to look at my blog! I am so new at this I will have to add some new blog sites to mine. I have a new picture I will be adding tonight and I will be posting my new line of cards that are prints of my art! Keep checking back for the posting!

~Ahhh~So~Sweet~

Today my sister was so sweet and she designed my e-bay page~ How sweet was that.. I think the neatest thing is when someone surprises you! When you least expect something is when it means the most. She took time out of her busy day, as if she didn't have a million other things to do. Thank you Tonya as I was surely surprised today!

I am so happy the weekend is here! My friend Jamie & Kris are being pushed to the limit right now! Yes, it's final time.. For both of them they will be earning a Masters Degree. I hope they are both studying hard this weekend! Get them papers & Portfolios done girlz!! Ahhh, it feels good to be done~ Tomorrow I am getting my hair done I hope my husband will like it! My niece and nephew are spending the night tonight. I like Saturdays as I usually do my running around from store to store~Happy Trails~ On Saturday we are going to drive to the Twin Cities. We so enjoy going to the International Market! Always so much to do on the weekend and so little time ~Tic~tock~Tic~tock.

~Smiles to all of you~ Kimbella

~RAIN~RAIN~GO~AWAY~

Honesty, I don't know where Spring has gone? No yellow sunshine... I am beginning to wonder where it is I live? I know rain brings new life and washes the dirt away.

I have been working on a ~new painting~ So far I really like this one! I hope to begin selling my cards next week! I have contacted the organization that I am going to donate so it can be directly linked to my e-bay account. They said it would be next week some time?

I got some sad news on Monday. My Grandmother has been diagnosed with cancer. My heart is sad for her. She is my last grandparent. It's very sad as I thought my grandmother would live for many years to come. I can't imagine being told something like that. I feel very sad for her. Prayers that Grandma doesn't suffer at all during this time Even I as much as I think I enjoy life I take life for granted. Please enjoy each day to the fullest. Do the things that make you happy, follow your dreams. If you want that candy bar eat it! If you want to go on that trip, go... Life doesn't wait for you~

~Love, Laugh, and Smile Often~ Enjoy each day for all that it is...
~Smiles Kimbella~

LIFE: THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS
From the Book - Poems of Life

The acts of men sometimes come so kind
And with such love do well express, yet
The deeds of men sometimes come so mean
And with great disgust is well despised.
These conflicts unresolved for times,
Someday, somewhere resolves to meet.

Between the times of history gone,
And the evolutions of future come
The present presents a balance point
In a mixing grill of settlement, where
Deeds and events do take their toll
In resolutions of investments made.

Mishap could be just a fair reward,
As life fortune is investment gained.
Opportunity could be just a means,
As occurrences are results obtained.
The pendulum swings to and fro,
Just as the clock ticks, tock and tick.

What goes on around and again,
Does come back again and around
Good or bad, it's all our choice,
For all our thoughts and acts today,
Are investments in the big game plan
Of this unfinished business of life.
POEMS BY OLIVER MBAMARA

~Starbucks or Carabou Coffee~

I am so excited to try Starbucks new Coffee~ Usually I have to go to Carabou because Starbucks coffee is usually so stiff.. It will be interesting to see if it stands up to Carabou's every day Joe..

I can't wait to show all of you my cards that I am going to be selling!!! They are coming together beautifully... I am just waiting for one more piece to make them complete! I hope all of you had a great day today:) I had a busy day at work. I don't believe Spring is ever going to get here. Today there was no sunshine and it was a little chilly out. OK, it's hump day tomorrow! Half way to the weekend my favorite time of the week! I hope all of you check out my pictures for sale on E-bay. Don't forget I am going to donate a portion of each piece of art to CADA (Committee Against Domestic Abuse).

As always ~Smiles Kimbella~

~PAINTBRUSH ON CANVAS~

Sorry it took me so long to get my blogged up dated! I thought I would have had all of this posted sooner this weekend. Time is often my enemy! How do I begin this story?

First let me say that I am so thrilled that I have made the first step to my next journey! It has always been a dream/passion of mine to want to make cards! I have always putzed around with art. I am not exclaiming to be a brilliant artist but I am authentic and original! All of the art work is done by me!

**TONIGHT** my painting is scheduled for auction at 8:30 pm central time on E-bay. Here is the link

The title of my story "SYMBOLS OF THE SOUL"
First let me start by saying that I have "My Wings to Fly"....
In the previous blog I told you that the "PURPLE HEART" was the theme of my art work. To take the mystery out of the puzzle for you the PURPLE HEART is a representation of "DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS". This is one of them feel good stories! Many years ago I married a man named Cory. I married him when I was 20 years old. I knew it wasn't a good relationship but chalk it up to being young, naive, and co-dependent.

I was always searching for a man to love me. My father died when I was very young, I was 6 years old. My life was never the same after that dreadful day on August 28th of 1978. During my developmental stages someone did inappropriate things to me and violated me. Even though I reported what had happened to me, years later to the proper authorities it was just to difficult for them to charge him. I guess I was suppose to feel better by leaving a paper trail in case others stepped forward.

Eventually I did become courageous enough to confront the person that abused me. It was a changing moment of my life! I took back the power so at least I thought!

I spent many years of my life looking for love in all of the wrong places! At the age of 17 I became involved with Cory my now ex husband, father of my one son Cody. Life for him was a struggle, I spent many years trying to change the person he was. I didn't understand that "you can't change someone". He became abusive to me before I ever made the decision to marry him. You ask why? How could I do such a silly thing? I guess when they say don't judge someone until you have walked in their footsteps is my response. I thought he loved me! I was so desperate and looking for approval in all the wrong places. I guess when you don't love yourself how can you expect someone else to show you love.

It took me many years to put the pieces of my life together. I was in what I call a deep dark part of my life. This abusive relationship evolved over 12 years. As my son started getting older and he began to witness these acts of violence it made me stop and think. I know that I didn't want him to do these things to women. I knew I had to break the cycle of abuse. I can't express the number of times I tried to walk away from the relationship. I was a victim of a lot of things. I was a prisoner in my own soul. Mostly, I was running from myself, fear was the greatest factor.

I humbled myself and I sought out services for myself and my son through a local womens' shelter. I spent two months in a shelter for women and children that are victims of domestic violence. I can still remember how safe I felt when we stayed there. There was alarms, cameras, and locks on the doors and windows. But at the same time there was the smell of coffee brewing, the togetherness, and comfort offered by strangers. Nature was out the back door, a State park. I remember waking up at watching the deer out my window. Such a serene feeling of comfort.

I could go on for years and explain all of the icky details but I don't think that it's necessary to get my point across. At that time of my life for the first time I was living in my own apartment with my son by myself "ALONE"... I tried to forgive myself for all of the bad things I had done. I learned to love myself and most of all "RESPECT MYSELF"!!! I learned that how I allow others to treat me is exactly what I will get. I learned to stop running from myself! I learned to love myself!

I wish I could say there was a better ending for Cory, rest his soul. Life was always difficult for him. He struggled with mental health issues, and alcohol dependency. He took his life 5 years ago and left behind Cody. At first I was angry, bitter, and at the same time relieved. Some questions will never be answered. Life is a mystery...

When I was finishing my undergraduate degree I became a volunteer, advocate at CADA (Committee Against Domestic Abuse) where I once had lived. I became an advocate to help other women realize that they don't have to take the abuse. I was so thankful that I had a safe place to begin my life over! I am no longer a victim, I am a survivor of domestic abuse.

I earned my "Wings to Fly".... as you will see stamped on the back of my cards. I will be posting them next week for sale on e-bay. Tonight, Monday at 8:30 pm my art work will be up for sale. My user name on e-bay is symbolsofthesoul. I will be donating a portion from all of my art work to CADA. Once the original art piece is auctioned off I will begin to sell printed cards of the original print. Just remember a portion of the money will be given to help other women and children earn their "Wings to Fly".

Thank you for letting me share my story and thank you for supporting my cause!

As always ~Smiles~ Kimbella

~FIRST SIGHT OF SPRING~

My eyes have seen the first sign of Spring today! It was so refreshing to watch the birds take a bath this evening! I think they as well were happy that Spring has sprung! I could just see the joy as they were wiggling their feathers in the water. For the most part of the day the sun was bright. Around 7:00pm as I was standing in the kitchen, making home made pizza. I thought we were going to have a tornado. The winds picked up and the sky was very dark. We only ended up with a heavy rain and then the sun came out once again.

I am very close to finishing my first "work of art"... The purple heart image I have added to my blog tonight is a little clue to what my art work is about. This weekend I hope to have it listed on my blog and linked to e-bay! Yes, I will give you the story behind my art work. Keep watching for future up dates soon! I am so thrilled with my first piece of art work I am "tickled purple". I hope all of you have a fabulous Saturday. If you are out and about I hope you find lots of great symbols of the soul~

~Smiles Kimbella~

~SMILES~

For some reason I just feel like a have a big smile inside of me!!!! I think it's because I know the weather is getting nice outside! And tomorrow it's FRIDAY! Oh and might I mention it's going to be about 60 degrees this weekend! Now that's something to get excited about!!! I am also looking forward to working on some art work this weekend~

MAY ALL OF YOUR HEARTS BE FILLED WITH A SMILE~
AS ALWAYS ~SMILES KIMBELLA~

~APRIL FOOLS DAY~

I hope all of you played a joke on your loved ones! Since we had bad weather and school was let out early yesterday I played a dirty trick! When we woke up today I told my son his school was late. "NOT"..... I'm so mean lol....

I'm so sleepy... but I thought it was important to say hello to all of my friends out there! Today was a busy day, and me just being plain sleepy~ I put this bird on my blog because of his sleepy eyes. I think the projected weather forecast is in the 50's!!! I suppose if I am tired I should already be in bed... Silly me always too much to do and such little time to rest my weary head. I am eager for the weekend to come. I have slowly but surely been putting my brush to the canvas!

OK, time for me to get to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Sweet Dreams, Kimbella