Smiles and Joy

3/13/2025 - I miss my website. I've been absent and haven't updated in entirely too long. Not sure if my long time followers will get a new update or not, hey not even sure if I'm blogging in the right place, but for now, just trying to get back my smile that fueled my dream for Smiles and Joy!  

Why so down? I'm actually in pretty good spirits, but my "joy" so to speak has been dim in the last couple years, hence why I had to step away for awhile. For my heart, I need to renew some focus here as it really is good for my soul. From there, I hope it will inspire or touch others as well. I am just 8 days after having hip replacement surgery. I've endured 8 surgeries in the last 8 years to try and be able to walk without horrible pain. I'm hoping this will be "the one". Of course that was also the hope after many of the others.  

Now I have metal in so many places in my body that I would not recommend being behind me in line for a metal detector. Both hips, both knees and some metal in my right foot - doctors love me, insurance companies fear me.  

I dove back into my finance and accounting career which gives my heart so many aches and pains for different reasons. I'm good at what I do, but I prefer a full entrepreneurialship role combined with true artistic creativity. My creative juices feel snuffed in spreadsheets, formulas and GAAP requirements. SNORE!! 😉

I have started so many paintings that I need to finish that are part of my MMMS *Music Makes Me Smile* collection. Some of the most readied pieces are Elton John and Lady Gaga inspired. My Elton John I want to offer to him for either himself, or to be an auction item for his AIDS foundation. If not known to the current reader, my dad died of AIDS back in August 1992. I was also very enthralled in 1987 with the story of Ryan White. Ryan and I were very close in age and my heart hurt for this kid that deserved love and acceptance. I was enamored with Elton John for taking Ryan and his mom and sister under his wing and prommoting his story to open people's eyes with education about the truths and sort out the fallacies about HIV and AIDS. My painting isn't skilled, but when you put your heart and purpose into a piece, it makes it feel right. There is an extra special nod to my dad, Ben, as the Yellow Brick Road Album is featured in the painting and the side with "Bennie and the Jets" is on display.  

I'm looking forward to sharing a picture here shortly and then attempting to reach someone with access to Sir Elton John's staff, friends, or the artist himself (ahhh, dreams are always good to have - you never know when one will come true!) with hopes that it would be a welcome gift.
Side Note: Brandi Carlile lives super close to me too!! Absolutely LOVE the new song and video "Swing for the Fences" that Elton and Brandi recently released. The dancing is what I wish this poor broken body could emulate like I did a couple decades ago. Speaking of broken body, it's time for another round of exercises, ice and elevation for this girl.  

Until next time - dream big and "Swing for the Fences"! 💜💙💚💛🧡💗

#smilesandjoy #sirelton #eltonjohn #brandicarlile #goodbyeyellowbrickroad #bennieandthejets #swingforthefences #musicmakesmesmile #I'mnotgoodathashtagssuperweirdconcepthopethisisworking😂