Last night, my husband and I had a much-needed “Veg Fest.” If you know us well, you know we work hard and play hard, but rarely just veg! So we caught some of a new TV series called “Three Rivers.” It’s on CBS, and it focuses on a medical team that harvests organs from gracious donors who have passed, and find “homes” for them in very sick and needy patients, some of whom have been waiting for a long time. I enjoyed it, and it sparked some discussion between Nate and I.

I’ve had the organ donor box checked on my driver’s license since I was 16, and I’ve always thought I wanted everything possible to be donated except for my skin and eyes. Many people don’t even know that these can be donated, and I’ve kind of thought of it as “icky.” However, donating these organs would make a world of difference in the lives of a blind person or burn victim, so I’ve given it some more thought. Now, if you’re on top of things, you’re realizing that this extensive donation could make for an unsightly open casket. Enter my next preference: cremation.

Now, before you start thinking this will be a morbid blog post, be assured that you’re probably going to laugh very soon .

Cremation… the alternative to slowly becoming worm food over the course of many years. I’m rather fond of it. But, what do your loved ones DO with your remains? There’s the sprinkling into the ocean, off of a mountainside, and resting in the somewhat typical urn on the mantle which could be creepy for your home’s visitors or housekeeper.

I want something different. I am an artist. When I die and become ashes, I’d like to become art. (What?)

I think I'd feel eternally comfy in any of these shapes.

You heard me! I want my ashes to be given to a skilled and open-minded potter who will then mix me into clay and form a number of beautiful pieces of pottery for each of my loved ones to cherish for a lifetime. I fancy them choosing the design or have something inscribed on their work of art.

I LOVE IT. I have made my wishes known to Nate, and in the event of our simultaneous demise, we’d like to both be incorporated into a separate vase. There you have it!

How do you want to spend your “after years?” Please comment! I want to know. Oh, and please check your donor box if you haven’t already. It’s your final chance to save lives.

For my Dad’s hilarious run-down of his post-demise options, click here! He’s a trip.

Many of you may not know this, but I’m a vegetarian! I have been since February of 2007, and I’ve never regretted it. (It’s not as hard as you might think!) I was thinking I should blog about it. So, here’s my tongue-in-cheek list of compelling reasons for “going veggie.” And, please know that while this is my personal decision, I don’t love you carnivores any less.

Makes that bacon a little harder to eat, doesn't it?

1. It might be the only thing you’ll ever have in common with Paul McCartney, Vanessa Williams, Elle MacPherson, Carrie Underwood, and Noah Wylie.

2. You find another vegetarian at a party? Instant friend!

3. You can drive past a truck filled with animals and feel no personal guilt.

4. Clearer skin, less cellulite, better health, weight loss, longer life… but who really cares about all of that?

5. Now you can wear the t-shirt you’ve always wanted that says, “I was a vegetarian before it was cool.” (that might just be me)

6. Swine flu, e.Coli, and salmonella no longer seem so scary.

7. Yes, God did say we could eat meat, but they killed animals humanely back then.

8. You can save moolah by not eating things that moo.

9. Protein is overrated. (More info)

10. People feed you more at cookouts! You know.. to make up for all of the nutrients you must be missing by skipping on the hamburger.

11. You’ll discover a host of new ways to confuse and astound your waiter at dinner.

12. You can come up with your own clever remarks to the constant question, “So , then, what do you EAT?”

13. You always wanted to be “different.”

14. The looks on your friends and families faces when you break the news are PRICELESS.

15. You eat, then you poop. Not much waiting.

For some more serious, scientific, and useful reasons to not eat meat, please go here.

It’s Good Friday!

As a child, I was perplexed by the name of this important day. Wasn’t it the day that acknowledges Jesus’ death? Jesus, who was sinless and pure, who deserved no death, but who chose it? Now I grasp how good this day really is. It’s a day that represents the death of our separation from God. Our sin separated us from our loving Creator, and Jesus’ death bridged that gap. We couldn’t do it on our own.

The miracle and power of this weekend, however, lies in Jesus’ resurrection. Had Christ remained on the cross, we would still be lost. But he didn’t. Jesus was buried, but rose to life on Sunday, and showed himself to over 500 witnesses before ascending to heaven. Amazing!

I recently completed a painting which embodies the spirit of Easter, entitled “Risen.” An empty cocoon hangs off of one side of the cross, and on the other side, a butterfly ascends toward heaven. It is red and white, symbolizing both the purity of Christ and the blood which has saved us. This Easter weekend, don’t let the miracle of Christ’s resurrection pass you by. “It is Finished” changed everything.

Please click here to see it larger.

This painting is available as a print in my online store.

“Help!” uttered a small voice from the backseat on my cousin’s family vacation. Holly’s motherly instinct kicked in and she quickly turned to see what was going on with her youngest son. The little guy had apparently gotten hot and tried to take off his shirt while strapped into his car seat. Now he was stuck! I received an email with this photo attached. (Holly’s motherly instinct was superseded at least temporarily by her desire to catch the humorous situation on camera first)

What strikes me as great about this photo is his expression. Here’s a kid, completely stuck, can’t see, probably feeling confined and helpless, yet he’s SMILING. He knew it was all going to be alright and wasn’t stressing out. I immediately decided I could learn from this little guy.

I occasionally find myself feeling a bit “stuck.” How great would it be to just realize that something is out of my control, laugh, and find help? Do you ever spend too much time trying to do something on your own, only to finally get frustrated, cranky, and then ask for help? (Guilty as charged). Next time, I’m going to remember Cooper. Will you?

In the words of Beth Moore, “We are wise to force ourselves to keep differentiating between simple inconveniences and authentic tribulations.”

Admit it. All of the press and hype about this awful recession has started to get to you a little, hasn’t it? Even if you haven’t lost your job, you probably know someone who has, or you are concerned about your own.

The fact is, that yes… people have lost some jobs. They are being forced to get a bit creative and seek out possibly a whole new career path. Is this necessarily a bad thing? I stand that it is not.

I am a freelance artist. You can believe that I’ve been getting a lot of questions and concerns about how I’m doing in these uncertain times. And a couple of months ago, I might have told you that I was concerned. In my little corner of the world, people weren’t spending the usual big bucks on custom portraits for Christmas gifts. Portrait commissions accounted for the majority of my income, so I realized that I had to make some changes in how I do business.

The recession caused me to change my plan of action.

I started learning more, researching some creative ways to further my business. It so happens that I have a very marketable set of skills in the area of graphic design! The wheels started turning, and it went something like this: “People are spending less on ‘unnecessary’ items right now (portraits). But businesses need more help than ever, and many new businesses are starting up as a result of this recession… Maybe, just maybe I need to find ways to connect with these people for awhile.” And so I did.

I became an active Twitterer (If you are unfamiliar with Twitter, it’s a micro-blogging tool that is sweeping the world. Visit Twitter.com for more information). It has the ability to connect people in need of specific services with those people who are offering said services. It’s brilliant, and I had never seen its value before necessity called for a change in my thinking.

In a matter of 2 weeks, my graphic design business quadrupled, enough to where I’m now working with a handful of amazing, loyal clients and I’m now able to turn down work. IN A RECESSION.

This post isn’t about Twitter, or about how blessed I am to be thriving in a down economy. It’s about YOU. It’s about changing your thinking. It’s about refusing to listen to mainstream media with all of its predictions and reports of doom and gloom. It’s about realizing that the answer to your problems is out there – you just need to expand your horizons and think about solutions that are a bit “out of the box.” More millionaires were made during the Great Depression than in any other time in our nation’s history. I am convinced that this is not a coincidence, but a testament to how, when we have to, we can find a way.

I’d love to hear back from you on this. And if I can help, I’d love to.

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KellyONeill.

1. You have a solid reason to do your hair and makeup each morning.

2. You never have to make the bed again (this may just be a personal benefit, but it’s one that I find quite satisfying).

3. You have a great excuse to have cookies in the house.

4. Husbands can move heavy stuff.

5. Saturday mornings can now be spent talking with someone other than yourself.

6. You no longer have to wait 2 weeks to have enough laundry to run a dark load.

7. You can use him as a plausible excuse to leave a dull social event early.

8. Two words: Grocery runs.

9. Husbands will almost always laugh at your jokes.

10. Someone besides you can possibly be to blame for your cluttered garage.

11. A lightbulb needs changing? Doorknob is loose? Weatherstripping needs to be replaced? You are no longer the default person for these tasks. These are man jobs.

12. The heating bill is lower because he doubles as an electric blanket at night.

13. Your vehicular problems are now potential opportunities for him to morph into Superman.

14. Leftovers are no longer an issue.

15. Making a baby just got a LOT easier.

Last weekend, I was at a family’s home and one of their girls, Ravin, came to show me her latest creations in her portfolio. At not even 10 years old yet, she’s always impressed me with her creativity, but one of her paintings stood out to me:

What’s so great about this particular painting is how she created it. She laid down a quarter to mask the area where the sun was going to be, and splattered paint around it. I asked her how she did the splatters of color, and she gave me a big smile and said “with a toothbrush!” Her reply almost had a “silly girl, what else would I use?” tone to it, but I’m pretty sure it was my own artistic convictions coloring my reaction.

You see, I used to paint with toothbrushes. I painted with leaves, string, my fingers, and a host of other non-conventional tools. My paintings didn’t always stay on the paper, and they were rarely centered. When did I stop thinking that this was an acceptable way to paint?

Ravin’s painting was a kind reminder that we artistic types should never lose the wonder of getting a little messy.

~ Here’s to painting outside of the box from time to time. Thanks Ravin! ~

“Have you always wanted to be an artist?”

This is the most common question I get at art shows or when people see my work for the first time.  It’s funny, because one would think that I had dreamed about this career from childhood.  It’s simply not the case.

You see, I had never met a successful artist.  I grew up with the assumption that creating art was fun, and it was just something to do in your spare time, or after retirement… seriously.  It didn’t stop me from loving the creative process, however.  I colored with the best of them.  I made art supplies out of the most random items, and it was always pure joy.

In middle and high school, I turned a great deal of my attention to the kitchen.  I would come home, change into comfortable clothes, and go help Mom with whatever she was preparing.  I didn’t care what we were making, but I wanted to be in the middle of it.  Soon I began believing that I wanted to be a bread and pastry chef for a living, and my parents and I began touring culinary institutes..  I was all set!  Now, just to graduate..

I’ve heard that God shuts doors and opens windows. I’ve always thought that was a pretty cheesy concept, but my senior year I got to experience it first-hand.  It turns out that they don’t allow 17-year olds into culinary school.  It’s something about sharp knives and hot ovens I’m sure…  I got this jolt of reality as I neared graduation.  It seemed clear that I would have to put off becoming a chef at least for a time.  Not to be discouraged, I began looking for a way to amuse myself for a year, and decided on attending “regular” college.  A school I wasn’t even interested in attending offered me a full scholarship.  This scared me into trying for a full scholarship where I actually wanted to attend (Union University).   I had only a week to get the ACT score I needed to even be considered for a full scholarship there, and it turns out they had a final residual test I could take ASAP.

Through a string of events and circumstances I can only attribute to God’s direction on my life, I ended up receiving one of the few full scholarships Union offered that year.  (I’m happy to share the full story if you ask).

I chose to major in art and LOVED IT.  During an assignment in Drawing II, I had to draw 40 faces in a week.  This is what sparked my now decade-long art career. People came through the studio and saw what I was doing, and asked if I would draw their kid or themselves or whoever, because after all, I had to draw people anyway – why draw strangers from magazines?  I realized I was alright at drawing.  The following summer, my Dad encouraged me to start a business, and I did.  I started my drawings out at $50 apiece in those days, and upon graduation I launched my full-time career.

Looking back, it was never about food. It was about creating.  I realize that now, and had I known that a young person could be a successful artist, I might have dreamed of it as a child.  My parents saw the love I had for it at age four.  I was 18 before my eyes were opened.

I love open windows.  Do you?

A mini “How To” manual from someone who’s been there:

1.  Get a free account at www.backpackit.com. It’s a GENIUS online To-Do List, and you and your fiance’ can conquer the world together with it!

2.  For the first 2 weeks, do not eat, do not sleep, do not do anything but make phone calls.  This will take some dedication, but you’ll thank yourself later.

3.  Embrace the fact that you’re having a Sunday wedding. No, there will not be any Saturdays available until this time next year, unless you get want to get hitched at Sonny’s Bait Shop.

4.  Do not underestimate the value of a good spreadsheet. Cross reference your available venues, photographers, caterer, and guest attendees.  You may have to move your date around to accommodate Aunt Louise’s hip surgery, or to make sure you get the cake designer that you want – be flexible!  No one likes a Bridezilla.

5. If someone offers to throw a shower for you, say YES.  These are wonderful breaks from the planning, and it helps remind you that you have loving people all around who are super-excited about your wedding day too.

6. Stay AWAY from the thick bridal magazines. I don’t care how “Modern” or “Today” you want your wedding to be: this type of reading material will only give you a slew of ideas that you don’t have the time to do.

7. Try to get your dress, jewelry, and shoes on the same day. I cannot stress this enough: Multiple trips to shoe stores returning shoes you *thought* would look good with your dress that is now at your alterations lady’s house is not fun.  In the end, go to Payless for white shoes.  No one will see them anyway!

8. If a friend gives you the “if there’s anything I can do to help…” line, accept before she finishes her sentence. In fact, keep a running list of yet-to-do items in your purse and just whip it out for just this occasion.  This way, she can pick her favorite!  LOL

9.  Enjoy the process, but if you have to be stressed during either on your wedding day or in the planning weeks, choose the latter.  If I had a nickel for every bride who’s told me they barely remember their wedding day, well…  my parents wouldn’t be writing quite as many checks. Capiche?

10.  Marry someone as wonderful as my groom-to-be, who neither argues with your good judgement, but also spends every moment that he can taking care of some of the details for you.  Ahhhhh

Want to see how my wedding turned out?  View our wedding photos. It was a day that dreams are made of

If you live in the Nashville area you know first-hand that we’ve had a gas shortage.  The hurricanes and the fact that people are freaking out and getting in line for an hour just to top off their tanks out of fear are contributing to this problem.

I was blessed to find a station yesterday with some gas.  Nate, my fiance’ was kind enough to take this photo for this blog article.  If you see my car in town, give me a little friendly honk!

It’s not all smiles at the pump.  I have to bring a story to you that blows my mind.  Have people gone mad?  My dear friend, who we’ll call Samantha, was in line to get gas the other day at a Shell station.  The line was ridiculously long, but she got up to the front and there was this woman who had already filled up her car, but had not moved forward enough for another car to come behind her.  She was holding up the line, and it turns out she had sent out a couple of her friends to go and buy some gas cans at another store and bring them back to her so she could get some “back-up” gasoline on top of what she had already bought.

Samantha asked her if she would pull forward, but was refused. (At this point, several other drivers have started yelling and/or demanding that she move).  My friend decided to pull in sideways to the woman’s car so that she could reach the pump.  The woman was irate and came over and punched her in the face. Continue to hear what happened next. Samantha pushed her away and asked what the heck was she doing?  The woman came back at her, scratching and pulling her hair!  At this point, people are coming out of their cars to help my friend, pulling the woman off of her.  Eventually the cops came and a report was filed.

I heard this story and was so saddened by the selfishness of this woman and the way she handled herself just because the city was low on gasoline.  She felt like it was okay to use violence against a complete stranger to get her way.   What can we do to prevent this type of behavior?  Is it even possible?  Can we only make sure that we are in check and hope that others will act civilized?   I am opening this up for discussion.  Feel free to comment.