tee hee... a moving picture of me... i absolutely love the idea of yOUtube!...this is my first attempt ever at creating a custom player, and uploading a video!!
for now - a recent picture of me...mar 2008. at my open studio in oakland... i've just purchased a new digi-camera, so i hope to be uploading many more mini- views of life. excitable!

Sketchbook Peepshow:

Happy Spring Luscious Renewal!


Digital Sketch: Happy Spring Luscious Renewal. This is an unfinished painting, that i absolutely am in Love with as it is...right now... realizing this means it must be finished, as I've stopped apologizing with my own sanctioned 'guilt' to folks who see it, by saying, "it's not finished yet"... I guess it is... (in the canvas form) Digitally, it will 'Blossom' into many other images and movements....LIKE JANET JACKSON'S REMIXES! tee hee

anywhoo....So it's officially 'spring'... Time to do 'Springy' things... Happy Spring! .... Think Luscious Renewal - Proof that there is a tomorrow - that it's worth waiting for, but not at "today's" expense...Think... YOUR Joyous Moment is NOW...

So I'm Enjoying the evolving Blossoms popping up on the 'weeds' , trees, and myself. Madame Nature got it right, you cant have apples before you have a blossom, but did you ever notice- before the blossoms , there are fuzzy little 'pre-blossoms' on the branches?

Each stage is beautiful right now... we look forward tomorrow, but our most Joyous Moment can and should only be found in the Present.

Daily I work towards re-vamping - 'renewing' my website products with a goal of a newly completed line to offer my patrons, while taking on the Greater Flowering promise to myself of making sure that I 'blossom' by trying something new each week/month... Keeps me busy, cause ya know i likes my naps too...

I'm Learning Chicago Step Dancing with JustSteppin.com- and I love it!... oh,I'm not good at it (yet?), but then again, I'm not good at singing either, but I've kept that up Joyously for my whole Life! Ha! Excitable!

I've also decided to try to make a great effort to be in the present moment, and enjoy it,live it, and appreciate it's offerings. This effort i've found creates a peace and calm that allows me to be more grateful for what 'is'. Whatever 'it' is. 'Cause- "it is what it is"...(According to M.V.W.,ever evolving free-thinker, & Eckhart Tolle, author of "A New Earth". -Oprah BookClub selection btw)

This Luscious Abandon to Joyous Moments, allows this Wallflower to Blossom.
It's not too late to notice the garden that already is, or to start your own.
Happy - Renewal - Luscious - Spring.

What a privilege! What a Choice!

Take it from an African American Female - Yesterday was such a special day... While excercising my right to vote in the u.s. primary, I not only had the option of choosing a woman, but an African American Male as my democratic candidate for the upcoming 2008 us presidential election. What a thrill... such a thrill i took a picture of my big ole wonka ballot !! Amazing what you can get away with while voting in a church!! There were cookies and tea too. Sweeeeeeet.

Jokes aside, i couldnt help but feel a sense of honor at this task of choosing. I was so aware that it wasnt 'given' as a gift, it was earned by the strife of others who came before me... To my distaste in casual conversation - Alot of folks mention they dont /wont vote because it doesnt make a difference...-to that - I say I know more than one person (still alive) who suffered the discriminations and denial of rights as a way of life. Because that battle was bought and paid for ,i sit where i want on a bus, have my silly fancy car named Cher's door opened by the valet when parking, can refuse to use a public/private restroom because it's dirty, and ultimately have the option of choosing a leader for this country that represents the possibility of changes needed. This legacy privilege was such an honor to carry out. The voting rights act was passed in 1965/... i was born in 1962... To those whom much is afforded, much is expected. Looking forward to November 2008!!

sketchbook peepshow: Oh What a Magical Night!

i'm currently participating in a tribute group exhibit titled: CULTURAL CONNECTIONS, a juried satellite show of The Art of Living Black 2008. At the Craft & Cultural Arts Arts Gallery, STate of California office building -Atrium 1515 Clay st.,Oakland 94612

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14Jan-29Feb2008 * this exhibit honors both Rae Louise Hayward & Chauncey Bailey.

My paintings on exhibit , "The Gift" & "Free Fishing and Gardening Lessons" are hung amongst both Karen Carraway-Senefru,Malik Senefru, Leroy Wheeler Walker, Nanette Harris, Jason Austin, & Latisha Baker.

All TAOLB artists made for a fab evening reception with music by UPsurge! jazz poetry ensemble! *Ending reception thur 21feb 5-8pm.. More Live music and conversations with the artists... :)

Hot Couture fashion show at the Crucible and wowwwwweeeeeeeeeee!! What a fashion show FULL OF FIYYYAAAAAH!!... iNSPiRiNg full of creativity in me... Loved the fashion, and the propane jets, and the Oakland Fire fighters too. All that hullaballoo got me to thinking about making something that involves HEAT, metal? or glass blowing.. hmmmm

sketchbook Peepshow:

A Seating at Loss'es Table Once More.

WE ARE AT A LOSS...
We are at a loss contrasted by the many ways that Rae Louise Hayward was such a Blessing to all of us.
Personally, I considered Rae Louise my Art Angel, mentor, patron, cheerleader, and sister in kind.
but i suspect my name could be substituted for any one that Rae's Aura encountered .

Rae Louise not only a PATRON OF THE ARTS, BUT created and moved her own colorful ART throughout the world.

SHE WAS TANGIBLE PROOF to Myself and others as MENTOR , that it was possible not only be a creative person, but part of a larger community.

RAE LOUISE WAS an ADVOCATE for other artists to generate their own presence, to find their authentic voice through creative expression, and share their art with the world.
As a VISIONARY, &CO-FOUNDER of the Art of Living Black she continued this legacy, and successfully held TAOLB together enabling it to flourish and to ultimately become one of our country's major exhibitions of African American Art. She welcomed the diversity of emerging, mid-career, and well established artists.

She had a vision of completion that often required more effort on her part than those who stood to benefit from it.
She not only made the first and second phone calls to wrangle and promote, but also the 3rd& 4th calls necessary.
(Rae Louise was the only person i knew who mastered pac bell's phone tree message center!)

By enlisting us as volunteers and participants, she not only gave us a sense of community for our common cause, but also provided us with resources, encouragement, and the positive spirit necessary to evolve into the best we can be as creative community.

Yes, we feel we are at a great loss,
But our Art Angel gave us all the tools we needed while she was physically here on earth with us to thrive.

Rae Louise,
We Love you and are forever grateful and appreciative of our Blessing in you.

Sketchbook Peepshow: Make the Best of Your Mistakes...

Choices... we all have to make em... Sometimes we're on Auto Pilot relying upon our successful histories of great choices & great results...

Sometimes we just have to live with the choices we've made if we already tossed the reciept...

I recently was on Auto Pilot (or high from the Art Store's creative fumes), and purchased the WRONG BRAND of sketchbook... UGH!!

Heavy handed with pen, i noticed the difference AFTER i'd torn off the brand label & inaugarated it's pages with it's first fantastical sketch.

So there i was, with a pretty good 1st fantastical sketch... an unexchangeable purchase...defiled with my personal Graffiti - and no reciept anyway...

Faced with making another choice based upon my recent periodical data... I decided to make the best of my 1st mistake in 2008...

so, i recorded this reminder sketch for myself to refer to prior to my 2009 sketchbook purchase..

I'm keeping this book and moving forward...papa dont preach... Ahmmm keepin my book.... keepin my book.... keepin my book....

2008 sketchbook peepshow: To Do - To Live List..

2008 here you are.. I'm in my 45th year... this year's resolution list's theme is more than just things to do... they're things to Live... Each year i start a new Blank sketchbook to record my sketches, fantastical thoughts (I've been told i live in fantasy), along with narratives from my daily life, and sometimes, preliminaries for formal paintings... My goal for my sketchbook this year is to have it crammed with so many drawings, mini paintings, & things i tend to glue onto the pages, that it needs a rubberband to hold it closed. (so it can behave on the shelf in 2009) ... Optimistic aint i? Most things listed are positive,playful,Smart Aleck'ish', optimistic if accomplished, not necessary to most folks... (Except "COLLECT MONEY FROM PEOPLE WHO OWE YOU $$ -NOT BECAUSE YOU NEED YOU NEED THE CASH, BUT BECAUSE IT'S YOURS, AND IT'S TIME...")

This double first page is actually the illustrated image of the same XXXL black & white list i carry around with me. (at 45yrs.- i still prefer books with pictures... so there ya go) CLICK on the pic to enlarge...-karin

DECEMBER CHRISTMAS 2007-

Pre-Christmas Party at Taro's

Taro's Yummy Fried fish, luscious raspberry vinaigrette salad, chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread cocktails, & the retro 70's dvd - 5 on the blackhand side!

This foto was taken by Ms. Talia Taro's daughter (the cookie baker!)

Gift exchange: HA! Re-gifts and Jokes perfect!
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I am so grateful for my extended families, I also got to enjoy Dr.Shawn & her mom, - & more gingerbread cookie cocktails... (okay, so i forgot some of the ingredients... but it was still all good! )
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Christmas day was sweet and large, spent at extended family Joe&Doris Brown's lovely Oakland cottage... I sat at the dessert table :)... yummmmmm.... and got to model my new custom made bathrobe by Doris too!
Nichelle & I enjoyed everyone at Janet&Derek Norris' Pretty da--ned fun Pre-New Year's Eve Party at their Lovingly welcoming home.... I must say...Everything from the shrimp&grits to Son Sean's exquisite Saxophone playing, to the genius that figured out what to do with that bottle of Alizee' i brought was FABULOUS...
Taking the 'commercial' part of the Holiday Season off bode well for me... I'm grateful for having the option, and even more thankful that i was able to enjoy it with my lovely lovely extended familia. grazie...

NOVEMBER - BIRTHDAY!!!
My 45th birthday month was filled with love, celebratory activities, and friends who are family!

sketchbook peepshow: Night and Day
We need some motivational posters that dont have kite flying, or rock climbing as the subject matter...
Lately - Everyone one I know is overloaded, & whelmed with not only the tasks of daily life, but well aware of the 'Oprah-ized' issues of "living your best life"... whew... with all of that blah blah, i say, if we are actually accomplishing most of whatever is on our list... - Isnt that ALOT to take credit for? 3 Cheers for all of us! - karin

PeepShow Sketchbook: Sometimes, dont cha just want what you want, when you want it..Exactly the way you want it?

i don't really like cake (without frosting) - unless it tastes like Something Else... Like Brownies, or Banana Nut Bread, ... or Key Lime Pie. Thanks Faerie - I'm sewing pockets in all of my clothing to keep you handy... *Poof!*

Geez, about time a sketch from the sketchbook huh?.... Scanner Schmanner...More to come...i've been strongly 'inspired' by Illustration Friday! There's something to all of that Legitimate Doodling, .... Exactly what i want... when i want it...

Go Ahead...Click directly on the image to view it larger & see the missing frosting .tee hee .... karin

KarinsArt.com booth at Art and Soul Festival. Labor Day Weekend 2007. Downtown Oakland CA

More Luscious Art Enthusiasts!

Gallerists Tim & Sandra Hamp of Gotta Have It Artworks! Stopped by for smiles, laughs , and more ideas on how to move my art throughout the world! http://gottahavitart.com/ karin & Traci,ie,ey,y ! Can you believe she has a son old enough to take a photo this well?!! Congrats on the recent arrival of her daughter! We're standing in front of my latest original painting "the gift"... What a delight to know we have another daughter in our world!

Thank You Thank You Thank You to Everyone who popped by my booth to see my latest creations at this year's Oakland's Art and Soul Festival 2007. Also a ton of thanks to the special folks who offered support behind the scenes as well!! I could'nt have done it with out you!

Two years later after the Katrina tragedy.... Why dont we have 'monument's that are 'calls for action'? (that dont look like tombstones btw) ...

What has happened in your life that challenges you to make a decision to stay or go? Rebuild & hold on, or cut your losses and start all over? Wish for the good ole days - or face a new day with new - but remarkedly different dreams & aspirations.

That's life isnt it? Our best bang for the buck is to effect change for the positive, and 'weather' the affects of changes closest to our heart. karin

Dont Live Your Life On Mute...

This painting started out as a journaling 'sketch' I did while painting a covered teacup during this past Holiday Season. At the bottom of the painting is pieced collaged reminder letter written to myself that makes promises of living authentically and lusciously.

What a waste to allow ourselves to hold our tongues to such an extreme, that we lose our voice, and become uncomfortable with our own greatness.

I had laryngitis I believe from holding my tongue too much, and trying to be less than who I was , so another would'nt feel 'eclipsed' ... Hmmm I even tried to have alot 'less -going on'...but it didnt work....

(The teacup background was painted a 'low volume' light blue - and the final painting is a deafening scarlet red!)

On Exhibit at Foothill College 01-28feb2007.

hmmmm

There she goes again.... all Happy and Colorful and Luscious!

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Will have new ceramics for my open studio , The Art of Living Black Open studio...

Life is Luscious!

hOLidaY sEaSon photos.... Alot of Love came through for me this Holiday Season... Everyone who came through my door this hoLidAy SeaSon blessed me with their love and support in their own special way.. Thank You to all of my Art Angels! Adding more photos later...k

Hey's Been A While... But Who CARES? Cause da Birthday Month is here!!
44years of Luscious Endurance and Triumph entitles ME to a WHOLE Month of da Celebratin'!

My month long celebration isnt just about the usual self indulgent random partying, cash spending nap taking acts that folks generally cram into 1 day...
*Heck no! There's Nothing Random here...I MEANT TO DO IT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.....
-OAKY DOAKY, I do randomly choose to play the birthday 'card'...
I mean i think it's just Great being to answer conventional questions with the
best Selfish Answer EVER : "Because it's my Birthday!"
(Not that I would know,) but to me it ranks right up there with the "I'm engaged , expecting, just graduated, just bought my first home so I really need a price break , or just got that promotion" card that i'm always forking over my own well wishes and gifts for! Yeah... and it's an annual event too! Sweet.... Say dat again... Sweet...Oh Hell - I'll say it next year!

So far I've said it 'quietly' as if it's the most sane answer possible. While I'm grinning - well aware that it will entitle me to the 'exception' of what ever 'rule - gauntlet' has just been thrown down.. even Randomly, but not too loudly so as not to muffle the returning Random well wishes echos too...

Yeah November is a gooood month...
Each year, with little effort on my own, i find myself aware of how fortunate I am to have the life i live just by plain ole paying extra attention to the 'good' "LITTLE" things in life we often dismiss as unremarkable because they dont cost money,bring us money, or require manipulation to be 'good'....
Sounds silly, but just remembering that the sun shining - in November is a gift...Ask the New Yorkers! I got to sit in my lawn chair sunbathing while AAA repaired my flat tire in my driveway last week... Something little - but what a gift to get a flat at home, and kick it in the sun! (I didnt even have to use up my talk time on my cell phone to call for help!)

Decided that November can be the dog's birthday too...So Pharoah - the wonderful everlasting AlphaBetaDisco Doggie is now celebrating like a glutton with extra doggie snacks for any or no trick performed, and being let off easy when he gets into the kitchen garbage..
Oh yeah.... he actually got a real bone to chomp on...from my Morton's Steakhouse doggie bag! Dat dinner was pretty good too!
What can I say, - we both dont get food like that at home! What a treat...

I've also been blessed with extra time to come out to support and see artist James GAYLES fabulous watercolor paintings while on exhibit at the Oh so charming Cock-A-Doodle Cafe, downtown Oakland. (Brunch there is definitely on the Happy Birthday schedule) * this place's cheeri-ness is only matched by it's proprietor's happy smile!
Birthday wishes...
Many Loved ones rang me on the phone to extend their greetings, or popped personally to give a hug and a kiss. It was so nice to hear each and everyone of their voices. "being worthy of anytime minutes is really something" - Just ask me - I'll tell ya!

Along with eating cake- i've been treated to some fabulous "my mom cooked it" food from Ms. Gwen & Ms. Tessie at da day job! -- yummmmm... between the greens and Philipina food - i havent had to scrap for lunch yet! - I really thank them, and it's nice to send a hug via another daughter to a 'MoM in lieu'.
I thank them, and give them the same hug i would have given my own mom.
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Do something for 30 days it becomes a habit right?
Happy Birthday to Me,Pharoah, and to YOU....
My purposeful 'well wish' for you...
"I just Hope you dont wait til you're 40yrs to start a new habit."
My party continues until the end of November2006.

i drove over 100 miles today. i was lost for about 55 of em. hoped i'd see where they grow salt here in the bay... no luck, but wonder of all wonders, i still arrived ontime - to start living my dream come true. -it was all that. alive.hopeful.inspiring.real.mine.
ask yourself - "why live a nightmare, when you can live a dream come true?"
karin

1000 words

So many lists in my life. LOST AND FOUND.
? i wonder - What could you stand to lose or find?
karin

LOST.
1 platinum 1.25 'g' diamond legitimately earned 'engagement' ring - fate helped me to lose the 'trouble' that went along with it too.
1 stars and stripes universal remote control - loved the red,white&blue flag cause i'm a miss firecracker- but maintained a love/hate dom/sub existence with this piece of plastic too long.
1 business checkbook with the cute custom pic - i got a whole box of em, so i just moved on to the next packet. maybe it's next to the remote...
1 'other' miniature piece of textured sterling silver and pearl art earring - not so cool. Ms Heather's having babies now so she might not be able to keep re-creating them for me.
1 favorite purple doggie collar with the legal license stuff attached - 'bad doggie mommy' we'll keep looking
- the last iota of tolerance of 'the talking stick' - ? what tha? what tha?? "Feverish; Mrs. Turner's daughter politely smiled thinking, "All I can think of now is - how I'm gonna forget what I have to say by the time it's MY turn to 'hold' the 'talking stick'..." ?what tha??
- the need to try to answer my cell just to talk about NOTHING after returning from Montana - so leave a message. I promise - i'll listen to your sweet 'nothings' during 'UKNWKDS'. (see cingular.com for the code)
- the desire to go backwards for old times sake. whatevah there must have been a reason i stumbled forward.
- the need to create for someone else's approval. That's a painting, dinner from my kitchen on the 'drop by', copasetic (?) christmas holidays because i'm a middle child, slim hips, and slick hair.


FOUND.
1* whole hearted vote for being single at the right time for the right reasons
1 'other' miniature piece of textured sterling silver and pearl art earring - geez it still didnt make it a matched set though. i look cute in em though
- a wonderful Lust for Montana and it's resident special artist. 'dear'
- anticipation with excitement of the 2nd largest Bloomingdale's opening, here in the bay area! I will buy shoes and eat lunch as an offering to my Retail Goddess Ancestry this dia des los Muertos.
1 new found friend that actually touches the art in the de young museum et al for $$ that we cant. i will touch him in lieu of the art.
1 more minute of patience while waiting for the keys to my new safety deposit box -
1 more 'necessary' quote for a post-it. "MAKE YOURSELF NECESSARY TO SOMEBODY" r.w.emerson
- another list for my birthday/creation month in november
-a fondness and appreciation for hand written cards & thank you notes. LindaLeedesigns.com sent me the prettiest pink card. Lovely jewelry.
- a REAL email from a REAL person i actually know in my JUNK email folder. wow. technology. kismet?
- the ability to let go. Ohhhhh and - alot is slippin', (Afro nod) * just like the houses on the cliffs in s.f. every rainy season. countdown...

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My favorite shoes... Click to Enlarge

PEEP SHOW SKETCHBOOK: Every Day is a Good Hair Day.

Funny thing hair. Cutting it off or letting it 'out' can both be emancipating and liberating in many ways.

I actually miss my 'fro' when it's been contained for long periods of time .
I love the tiny waves that give it enough volume to stand on end and curl up in puffs. It's good.

I'm always intrigued by the 'experience' of experiencing a fellow Black person that wants to touch my hair! Feeling like that native american who lived as an exhibit in the smithsonian, i'm always more amazed than they are... It's kinda sad that Black Folks are'nt familiar with what natural hair feels like. Whacky Natural hair is a novelty.

My friend Janet recently surprised me by sending me the cutest foto of herself with a new 'do'- a completely shortened hairstyle. She's liberated herself from weekly hair appointments, and has a new 'attitude'!

Funny thing hair. It's so much more than hair. At times defeated, we've even taken to placing the blame for a rough spot by 'calling' it a bad hair day!
I say Everyday is a Good Hair Day! - if my shoes still fit.... -karin

Peep Show Sketchbook:
Are You in Good Hands?

Peep Show Sketchbook :Everyone Falls off Life.... The Trick is Getting Back On..

You're never too old to learn a new trick...

Many of the special folks in my life are going through major transitions/challenges in their lives right now... unemployment, life fulfillment, romantic disillusionment, self discovery, clutter control & efficiency (did i say that?) etc.

I'm thinking we all need to learn a 'new trick'. One cannot change and remain the same.

Seems my new trick (i keep forgetting) is to "JUST KEEP ON GOING - MOVING FORWARD" ... Ms. Oprah - who knows everything by the way, says the Universe teaches us by repeating our challenges until we learn our 'lesson' (the new trick)... Most of the time when we're in the 'thick of it' - we dont realize it's the same situation we've faced before... Last month, I finally learned a new trick about communication, and overextending oneself, and can now hopefully move forward to learning all of the other 'new tricks' that i'm faced with.

I mean, I'm so busy - and whelmed with new paintings,new images, new projects,new friends,new thoughts, new bad habits, new songs to learn to sing along to , new tricks to teach my dog,and new same ole -just more of it clutter - I just can't get a thing done ! - (But you've heard that from me before right?) - karin

Peep Show - sketchbook
- Allergic to Rejection sketch, scanned into my cult'ish mac powerbook... Lovingly mingled with my mom's foto when she was about 7-8yrs old...
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I'm doing a series of sketches based on the premise, what if we could really wear what we are thinking on a teeshirt - So folks could just know what's going on without asking...
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The original sketches all have a letter on my h2omelon girl's forehead ... - "A" is for Allergic... - to rejection that is... But in her hair it says "Perserverance". Quite often, these words/images are kind of post it note to myself on how to "be."
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Been feeling rather 'factory worker lately about the art creation,,, so I have plans to 'crafty craft' this up... will print it out and embellish it some more...rescanning again all of the new layers of collage. Want to use some sparkles, and stuff... Nothing like art just for arts' sake! (ooh art tech talk)
Speaking of Artsy Fartsy Tech Talk... and NOT BEING REJECTED - i was Blessed to be in the company of about 7 other artists (artist- not a mathematician) . Berkeley artist Paula de Joie hosted her monthly 'artist salon' in her warm victorian home that was filled with her 2 beautiful children - and their friends wandering in/out (now teenagers), archival family fotos, and original art- both paintings of her own, as well as Latisha Baker's of Ishama.com.
Her kitchen is a sunny inviting yellow, as was her invitation when she opened her home to her artist friends.
Anywhoo - What a breath of fresh air to eat at a table with like minds/hearts. - and then it was show and tell!
Cancer conqueror Ms.Wanda Scott- Broussard shared her very triumphant painting that showed insight to what folks are REALLY thinking when they've been 'thru it'!, She's living proof... Ya just move on from there, cause there is where ya is. Her Linocuts were very thoughtful and moving as well!
Painter Rawn Mccloud shared his images via da web...(there were 3 computers !)
His Very serene images make you look twice cause there's always something else going on under the top layers of paint! Catch his paintings at ?Cafe Roma (oh, you know the big wi-fi coffee shop on the corner of Ashby&College in Berkeley/Oakland border) up until the end of August2006!
A photographer named RON M. SAUNDERS ( - gave a mini exhibit of his process, and finished works of exquisitely unique images that were created through a series of multilple exposure direct to paper. FABULOUS! CANT WAIT TO SEE HIM AT MOAD!
- Modern world - I pulled out the old PB to show slides of my booth at the Essence Fest in Houston, the newest paintings from the show, as well as some peeks into my sketch book. (no rejection - what a relief)
I'm so looking forward to next month's Salon...What a Luscious Afternoon - karin

Okay, whacky..if her brown eyes are blue....somethings gone wrong with the machine honey!
geez, the only 2 machines that work right in my life right now are the microwave and...well, nevermind. karin