Straight From The Heart - No Monkey Business!

Every year my sister trys her best to get new art & designs done for each holiday. Of course, like it or not, before we know it Valentine's day will be here and although her heart is in it - she says her mind often wonders. To quote her read the following: It feels like I'm ahead of the game - until I figure out it's just an illusion - and I need to get it into gear! I've been working diligently at putting up Valentine's day images, designs and artwork that I find fun, humorous or just plain cute. There are one or two new designs that I have yet to finish but first things first...

Please know I am honestly doing my best to get it all done for February gift giving.
Instead of sleeping - and am considering giving up eating too (...still on the fence with that one!) - I am currently working on ... (say the following words as fast as you can - it's just more fun that way!) filling orders, tweeting, retweeting, following, facebooking, drawing, learning new programs, tech tools and the howtos of networking devices, updating websites, html codes, light java code and ordering a new computer, software etc - with all the details, file prep and device sharing required - along with actually having a life and the responsibilities and obligations therein while keeping a positive attitude with a sense of humor. ... and breathe

So if you read this blog or look through our popular Holiday designs on any of our sites, you'll be sure to see the latest ideas once they're up. Please keep checking back My Goodness Duds, Bella Baby Art, DanceTheNightAway, Lyndas Lines, Bella Baby Art Fan page or follow us Twitter. I'm cutting down on writing and using pictures, since they're worth a thousand words - consider me a jabber jaws and just look at the images, they should speak for themselves!

I once was a Steinert Spartan...

It's been a while since I last posted, so my apologies to anyone that has actually visited my blog. I've been busy on Face Book. A turn of events put me back in touch with classmates from elementary through high school years. Names and faces were truly foggy at first but as more people reached out with the familiar FaceBook "request a friend", I found the years flying back to me with memories of kids and smiles, from forgotten days, standing right in front of me - and it was yesterday once more.

It's been alot of fun recalling old times, friends and places till the wee hours of the morning and all from home through a free social network! It's a really comfortable platform to re-introduce yourself to classmates from long ago, without the odd conventions and competitions that begin with any reunion. There is a kinder, more even playing field that comes with a written social gathering, especially as adults now. People say what they think with a certain amount of tact and humor. If someone has an opinion that differs, others often post comments, as if to defend that person from being judged too harshly, it's like team effort. There are photos shared to show our accomplishments over the years - usually of each others kids and all the stories to go along with family life. Of course there are all the "old" pictures scanned from school yearbooks and treasured photos that we all can look at now and make fun of. We can look back on the imperfections and insecurities of the past and gain support, compliments and admiration through a little older and wiser reflection now. In some instances, apologies are even passed along, amending past indiscretions and making today better somehow.

I had forgotten so much about the times I once loved and even those I couldn't wait to forget but now it's a different feeling altogether. These old and new acquaintances that have come together, are like an addiction each day. There is now common ground for those who wish to participate. It's not just the same schools we attended, there are no more unapproachable boys or girls, no more awkward times, rivals or clicks that we once struggled with. There is no longer the need to judge by looks, money, popularity or lack thereof. We've grown up in some respects it seems and have come to learn about human frailty and faced some of life's uphill climbs. Maybe we've discovered we're no longer the most popular kid, teacher's pet, star athlete or coolest, hotshot, geek, freak, stud, beauty queen, on the blocks.

I kept thinking what could I draw in honor of my old classmates. Only one thing repeats in my head and even if no one buys it, it will have been created out of pride and affection. I was once a Steinert Spartan, and so a new logo came into my head. All Hail Spartans! - the above design is for all of you and in place of the the word "Alumni" - also available is: "Cheerleading", "Sports", "Marching Band", "rock" and a few other designs that can also be personalized with softball, swimming, track, student, future student, you get the idea. I'd sure love to know what you think - good or bad. Don't worry, if it's bad I'll delete your post! ;) The design will be available in "Lyndas Line Art" Zazzle store under Fun Gifts: School spirit.

Turns out, we're just boys and girls that needed to learn what is important in life. There will always be those personalities that still think social standing, looks, power or pretentious manners matter - but in truth, it seems that friendship, family, laughter and compassion are at the top of the list. The rest we'll figure out as we go and now, no matter where in the world we are, we have some familiar faces, new names and shoulders to lean on - for a time to laugh, a time to cry and a time to say goodbye.

We're missing an Angel & Our King of Pop =(

King of Pop & Angel - Gone

There is no way I can't NOT post something about two legends passing, it's major news and certainly worthy of a few words of tribute for these respected entertainers. When I first heard the news that MJ was rushed to the hospital my daughter asked Mommy is he going to die? I was thinking no way and told her oh no honey I sure hope not, then the shocking, sad news flashed "The "King of Pop"- icon legend, 50 yr old Michael Jackson was dead of cardiac arrest". After all on this same day, we just learned that Farrah Fawcett the 1970's icon, lost her courageous battle with cancer - she was my favorite Angel and had the best hair ever, she was beautiful!

After watching a story about Farrah Fawcett on abc's 20/20, it was very sad to watch and hear about her struggle with cancer since 2006, from her longtime romantic partner Ryan O'Neal and Jaclyn Smith, Fellow 'Charlie's Angel. In fact, I learned much more about her then I ever knew, she was very bright and an extremely talented actress and sculptor. There was a documentary that chronicles Fawcett’s fight against cancer called Farrah's Story, which was an uplifting, painful and inspiring - even though I am only half way thru it. May she rest in peace and Ryan find his way without his angel as well as her son.

When a celebrity as big as Michael Jackson dies, the world stands still for a moment. Afterall, this man changed the music world, just as the legendary, Elvis before him had done. He had eccentricities that seemed outside the box from where the world watched, like many that have passed though time and left their incredible marks in history. His "Thriller" album, "Billy Jean" and Bad, they were works of genius in dance and music. His signature style of "moonwalking" the sequined white glove, black loafers, white ankle socks and finally the black fedora made the pop singer an '80s fashion icon. May his soul and spirit rest in peace - we will never forget what he did for music and dance!! I being a huge lover of dance and music, will certainly miss what he would've brought to us if he were able to remain on this earth longer - I had always wished I had a chance to witness his greatness in concert - Janet was the closest I got.

So a few days after our iconic losses, I think back to my own personal losses of those I loved and the battles still to be fought and I've walked away with a new idea and that is to "change" and "get brave"!