Pieces of My Life

I'm Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:40:00 +0000

Hello Everyone!

After a very long hiatus from writing on my blog...been a couple of years of difficult times...I'm back to blogging! I have started fresh...just like I've started my life after my divorce and you can find me here www.thesmashgirl.wordpress.com

I hope to see you over there, so many new things happening in my life and it's all good!!!

Art in the Park in Dana Point

noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:15:00 +0000

Art in the Park 2011 a photo by smashgirl on Flickr.

I had an incredible weekend down in the harbor at the Festival of the Whales "Art in the Park"! I met fellow artists and chatted with people from all over the world. I sold some of my mosaics which was great but my greatest joy came from the opportunity to share my 'Save Our Oceans" mosaic. When the idea first came to me back in January of 2010 with the yellow sunglasses, my hope was to educate with this project. Many people stopped to take a look at my art and the kids were drawn to it like bees to honey. They all wanted to touch it...it's full of colorful toys embedded in grout. The biggest shock to people was the fact that all of this plastic trash was collected in a single thirty minute period on Doheny Beach one day. I overheard parents telling their children to pick up trash and don't let it go into our oceans. My heart was happy that day, my project was educating and entertaining kids and adults. My hope is for this art to be installed in a public place to continue it's job on saving our oceans. Stay tuned!

Save Our Oceans was entered into the Chaco Waves for Change Art Contest and won honorable mention!

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:06:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

January 2010 the yellow sunglasses gave me the idea for making a mosaic using trash I found on the beaches of California. Today, it is complete...my largest and most important piece of art that I've created. I'm extremely happy that these pieces of trash will never make it to the ocean. I hope this art will educate, and encourage everyone to help keep our oceans clean.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:09:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

It's the "Day of Love"...so I spent my Valentine's Day doing things that I love to do. I started my morning with a gorgeous beach run, and have been rockin' out in my studio putting the final pieces into my mosaic. I'm so excited to finish this piece and it will be ready to grout later this week! Yay! Tonight I'll be having dinner with two handsome smashing young men (my sons)...this just might be the best Valentine's Day I've ever had :)

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:20:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Everyone needs a thinking spot...this is mine.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:56:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

When I was a little girl I used to hang off my bed and pretend my house had been turned upside-down and I could walk on the ceilings. Lately I feel like my whole life has been turned upside-down...can't wait for things to straighten up again.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:03:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

There is something about succulents that I just love. This one captured my attention while walking back to my car. I like how it's bursting through the fence, saying notice me. I am not a flower, but I am just as beautiful.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:36:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Organic Flax Seed bread, turkey, pepper jack cheese, avocado, tomato, organic spring mix lettuce and mayo. Yum!

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:46:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

A few sprinkles on our walk today turned into a downpour but Lucy didn't mind a bit.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:36:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

One of my favorite things about living in California is the palm trees. There is something about a palm that makes you think vacation, warm days and relaxation.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 15:53:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Weeks of rain in December created mammoth weeds in my yard, but sliced my water bill in half for the month.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:15:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I am addicted to running. I see people running along the road as I'm driving by and get jealous...wishing I could pull over and join them. Running with friends is my therapy...running alone clears my mind. My favorite race last year was a trail run. Part of the course was a single track through the trees and at one point I was alone...it was such a zen experience. Next up....my 5th mud run in April!

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:37:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Long live the 80's! Little treasures I've held onto all these years.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:17:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I love you Trader Joes. You welcome me when I bring my own bags, and even throw my name in a raffle when I do. I'm never given annoyed looks from your cashiers...unlike the other stores. You were the pioneer on banning plastic bags from your store...I hope the others will follow you soon.

Feeling delicate today

noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:52:00 +0000

Feeling delicate today
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Sunday night doing laundry...again. Neverending with two teenage boys in the house. I feel like I've been through the washing machine this past year...not knowing which way is up, spinning round and round. I'm ready for things to get back to Normal, or Easy Care.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 06:47:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I started this project last year but my personal life has forced me to set aside this mosaic. It is one of the most important pieces of art that I've created and it must get finished. It has a message that must be heard.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:24:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Some people collect seashells on the beach, I collect plastic trash. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount. On any given day I can go out and find a full trash bag full without even covering a large area. Why do I pick it up? Because I care.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:08:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Things a 16 year-old must have...a headlamp. My son brought this home today..."It was only $4.00 Mom, and I thought there might be a time when I will need one." Hmmmm....so I said, "Well, you could really use it if you go on the Amazing Race." He said, "Yeah, or if I go spelunking." I wonder which will come first? What is spelunking??? Boys.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:07:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I feel like this little snail making his way up this tree full of obstacles. I try to avoid the sharp painful thorns in my way but I don't give up...slowly, like the snail I will find my way to the top of the tree and be rewarded with the beautiful view from above and it will be worth the journey.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:40:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I won't lie...it's been a rough week, so when I came upon this stop sign I couldn't help but smile. It really made my day and made me remember to think of all the happiness in my life and keep on smiling :)

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 05:26:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

By the time I get around to reading the paper these days it's yesterday's news.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 04:25:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Most people wear gloves to protect their nails...I wear them because I'm scared of spiders.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:23:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Stop wasting time.
Stop waiting for tomorrow
Stop and smell the roses.
Stop being negative.
Stop complaining.
Stop fighting.
Stop whining.

Start now.

Tweet # 10,000

noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:21:00 +0000

I can't believe I've tweeted 10,000 times...Wow. I guess I've had a lot to tweet about. I can't remember what my first tweet was but I'm sure it wasn't memorable. I started twitter to promote my art but little did I know what an impact it would have on my life. I've met in person many new friends, tweeted with celebs, directors of movies, rock stars, inspirational people, other artists, and interesting people from all over the world. A simple little 140 characters or less can be pretty powerful. So as I was approaching my monumental 10,000th tweet, I wanted to make sure it was an important one. It had to have some meaning...after all, it was under a bit of pressure. It was carrying a title and had to live up to it.

I thought about the power of Twitter and what could I tweet about that could make a difference. I am very passionate about Plastic Pollution in the oceans. I see the devastation it is causing and how it affects all of us...not just the people who live by the beaches like me. Every piece of trash that sits in a gutter eventually makes it's way to water. A lake, a stream, an ocean. It kills our wildlife. Maybe you don't care about animals and sea life. What does it have to do with me, you may ask? Do you eat fish? What do you think they are eating? Tiny bits of plastic...so, now you and I and our children are eating toxins.

As I walk each day, stroll the beaches, get out of my car in a parking lot...I notice trash. It's everywhere. I pick it up, some of it is disgusting, but I still pick it up.
So I started thinking...my 10,000th tweet had to be about this.
Here is what I tweeted:

Pick up 1 piece of trash, could you imagine if everyone did this? Please RT and tweet when you have #onepieceoftrash

So I hope the power of Twitter will take hold and spread across the world tweet by tweet and each person will stop and pick up one, or two or three pieces of trash they see each day...then maybe the Great Pacific Garbage Patch will shrink...then disappear. This is my hope.

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noreply@blogger.com (Smashgirl) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:29:00 +0000

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Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I love this guy, he's been working this street by my house for a few months. He's out there working the SLOW/STOP sign directing the traffic always with a big smile. I had also heard that he could moonwalk. So today I couldn't pass up the chance to stop and take his picture. He was hammin' it up and did his famous moonwalk for me. To see him each day out there enjoying life really makes me think even more that attitude is everything, and happiness comes from within. The legend of Michael Jackson lives on in Capo Beach!