It has occurred to me recently that I am about to turn FIFTY ONE. Really?? how did that happen???? Now, 50 is cool! Its fun, its a big deal, it is half of a century and deserves months of parties.
51?
Its aging.
Not too far in the past, I used to be a mural painter. Up and down ladders and scaffolding all day, with no problems. Now, after painting this 5' x 15' sign for Miss Frenchie's yesterday and two more canvas murals for my booth today, I want to sleep for a week. I'm too tired to climb into the shower.
Some how, I need to drag myself into the house and climb into that shower. It was 80 degrees today and I might smell about as bad as I feel.
Hmm, I wonder if I can just roll this computer chair into the house and not have to use my legs? See, 51 feels OLD!
50 is kinda wonderful. My friends & I have been talking about age and what is old. We have decided that in the future when we hit 60, we're just gonna drop 10 years and go through our 50's all over again!
Great banners!
~Marilee
Posted by: Rose Brier Studio | March 17, 2009 at 09:01 PM
I know what you mean. This is my year to turn 61 (July). Sixty felt like a milestone, especially when I remember that as a teenager, I didn't think I'd live past 35. It's the odd-year birthdays that get to me. You know - 37 was tough, 43 was difficult and soon, 61...but I do hope I have the opportunity to tell you how it feels to be 72, and 85 and...
Posted by: Sher Miller | March 17, 2009 at 09:01 PM
your scaring me! Gorgeous work, worth all the aches and pains I am sure . . . Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | March 17, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Are you crazy! You have so much energy! You make 20 year olds look like they are OLD!
Besides, 51 is still young. You are not even a senior yet! I know...I'm going to be 51 in May!
Hugs,
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Kennedy | March 17, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Karla, you are one of the most energetic 50 year olds I know so I'm sure after a shower and a good nights sleep you'll be feeling 35 again.
Love the murals!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | March 17, 2009 at 09:45 PM
I wish I was about to turn 51! I miss being that young!
Your murals are GORGEOUS!! I'd like to have those 'booth' ones hanging on the walls in my house. You are SOOOOOOO amazingly talented!
Enjoy your shower, and rest!
Debi
Posted by: debi @ life in my studio | March 17, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Hi Karla,
Looking forward to meeting you this May in GA. Your paintings are beautiful and of course your other work is too. You'll be an inspiration to be around.
See you soon and ciao,
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | March 17, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Gosh! All you youngsters! I turn 65 in May!
I can understand how you feel but we can still get a lot done if we set our mind to it. Your mural is fabulous! I'm wishing it at my house, too.
Sandyt
Posted by: sandyt | March 17, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Your murals are beautiful!!! I'm sure it was worth the aches for a couple of days!!!
Posted by: chrisitne | March 17, 2009 at 10:26 PM
51 is a breeze. I'm 52. Look at some old pictures of your family when THEY were in their 50's. Don't they look so, so old??? Naw 50's are okay.
Adore the mural! You are dynamite, girl. Keep it up.
Kathy in Chicago
Posted by: Kathy in Chicago | March 17, 2009 at 10:56 PM
you are AMAZING! I can't even get motivated to paint a room in my house, and look at YOU!
I hope your great weather will finally "blow my way" because it's been foggy, rain and depressing here!
Posted by: Robin | March 17, 2009 at 11:09 PM
I dont know.. it seems to me that you have a good deal of ambition and energy.. I think 51 is not going to be so bad for you!
hugs!
vivian
Posted by: vivian | March 17, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I wonder if this is some sort of record for you as the shortest post ever??? hahah!!! you really MUST be tired!!!
Karla... you are SO talented... it is gorgeous!!
xoxo
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | March 17, 2009 at 11:28 PM
I'm working on 53....oh, my. Most of the time I have to stop & think "how old am I??" because I don't think of myself as that age. But once in a while, tho---probably when I'm really worn out---I think "how did I ever get to be this old???"
However, in the past year or so, I have been asked (by really young cashiers, I might add....) if I qualify for the senior citizen discount, so maybe (just maybe) things are catching up to me......
Love the murals! Sure wish I could see them in person.........
Posted by: pamq | March 18, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Those paintings are really gorgeous! It would have taken me at least 2 weeks to do that and I'm not even 50! But it's kind of odd how you forget to calculate every year from let's say 22. Somehow people (=I) get stuck somewhere in their 30ties. Which reminds me: when I was about 16 Blondie (Debbie Harry) had a big European hit with 'Denis'. We thought she was amazing. Old as a dinosaur but still looking ok. She was 34 back then! Age is in the eye of its beholder!
Posted by: LiLi M. | March 18, 2009 at 03:23 AM
Karla, your mural is amazing!!!
Posted by: Lori | March 18, 2009 at 05:59 AM
Poor Sweet Karla! You just did a double shift with the second half on the med cart! I know this, because I'm 53, and that's what I did and how I felt last Sunday. Don't worry, the back spasms were gone by yesterday, and I'm good as new, you'll be your OLD self again today or tomorrow! Age is irrelevant, just ask ANYONE who works in a rehab center/nursing home! Just please, for the love of God, don't get a short curly perm until next year. The orthopedic shoes are optional, at your discretion....Your OLD friend, Bobbi
Posted by: Bobbi | March 18, 2009 at 06:14 AM
Well Heather said it. You really must be tired, only one photo and a few words? Karla, what has gotten into you?!!! Must be that old age.... LOL!
You put 33 year olds like me to shame with your boundless energy. Anyone, any age, would feel tired doing that incredibly amazing mural! I don't know how you do it, you really are incredible xo
Posted by: Natasha Burns | March 18, 2009 at 06:45 AM
Karla!!!!!!! Your canvas's are GREAT!! I'd hang them at my house. You do such great work! Well missy when you get 60 those 50's were a breeze for aches! But I can't believe how I got to 60....I still act 40..........
Posted by: Diane | March 18, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Your mural is absolutely amazing! I can't wait to see it in a few weeks at Miss Frenchies!
It is hard getting older. Things that you never knew that could hurt, hurt when they haven't been used in a while.
Posted by: Sheila R | March 18, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Love the canvas mural! Haven't you heard? 50 is the new 30! So really you are only going to be 31!
Posted by: Jen R Sanctuary arts at home | March 18, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Oh my goodness... you are a funny cracker!!! You are also very talented (no matter what your age)lovely blog you have created as well!!! All the best....Chrissy
Posted by: Chrissy | March 18, 2009 at 09:02 AM
Your mural is fabulous and if your too tired to put it up, send it my way (ha!). Get some rest before the big day. I do know what you mean. I just can't do what I used to.
Posted by: Ele at abitopinkheaven | March 18, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Love You murals -- Being a painter myself I understand the aches and pains -- Painted the last one about 10 years ago (61 )now -- at our church --yikes -- took me a long time -- and everyjoint ached -- so not many climbing ladders for me now -- kathy - ga
Posted by: kathy lowry | March 18, 2009 at 09:44 AM
You are FABULOUS and 51!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | March 18, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Karla:
You are so talented and I love what you did with the paintings. My moto is I get better with age Happy Spring 80 degrees wow! Coddy
Posted by: Coddy Eyre | March 18, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Karla, I love the mural. What a fantastic job you have done. Your artwork is lovely.
It's too bad I live so far away but I'm enjoying all the pre work you are doing for the sale and look forward to more pictures from the day of the sale.
Hugs Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | March 18, 2009 at 11:29 AM
What a beautiful mural, such talent you have. Hey, I'm going to be 67 this year! Age is just a number, it's how you feel that counts. Love thoughts.
Posted by: Nancy Stone | March 18, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I totally understand where you're coming from - 50 is okay, 51 is so so, but get to 52 (where I'm at) and all of a sudden...I'm starting to think I'm in my late 50's! How can that be?
And your mural is beautiful, just beautiful. How I wish I could come to this wonderful event.
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | March 18, 2009 at 12:14 PM
The mural is WONDERFUL! And 51 isn't that bad... gosh, I'm about to turn 52!
Posted by: gail | March 18, 2009 at 12:25 PM
That is so pretty Karla! Wow! I can't wait to see it at frenchies. I'm writing it down on my calendar now!
Posted by: Shawn | March 18, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Oh My Gosh Karla, the mural is gorgeous!
I have heard that "50" is the NEW "30",
sooooooo....that must mean that "51" is
the NEW...."31"!!!!! You are Young and
beautiful!
Janis : )
Posted by: Janis | March 18, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Karla, You just keep on amazing me with your great artistic ability. Who cares how old you are in years . You are fabulous and The mural is beautiful. I wish I were 51 again and could do what you do. Just keep on keeping on.
Jean in Virginia
Posted by: Jean Eakin | March 18, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Gosh...I must be 51...
That mural is just wonderful Karla!!!
And Happy Birthday :)
Posted by: phyllis | March 18, 2009 at 04:15 PM
I say just roll yourself into the shower and you'll be fine. Getting older is a pain but it's just a number. Keep doing what you love.
Peggy
Posted by: Peggy | March 18, 2009 at 06:30 PM
WoW your murals are fab. I wish I lived in your neighborhood, I'd hire you to paint a version of those ball topiaries on my armoire doors. Shucks!
If I'm to do it, I need to find a biiiig rub on transfer... lol
I agree with others - age is just a number - the pics I've seen of you when you've posted them, you look like a pixie, a young, bubbly pixie!
Linda
Posted by: LindaSonia | March 18, 2009 at 07:38 PM
You Rock Karla even at 51!! The murals are so beautiful. One day I'm going to have my cottage built in the back yard and I will have to fly you down to paint the murals :)
Posted by: Pearl | March 25, 2009 at 10:18 PM