Back to the drawing board

I had the most wonderful week last week. Tom and I went on a cruise to the Caribbean on Liberty of the Seas, with my sister and husband. As we were walking up the ramp to the ship, we all commented to enjoy the days, cause before we knew it, it would be over... and it was. So quickly, time went by...I had a little time to draw during the week,  in my room on the balcony.  As I was out there, I  listened to the waves crash against the ship, while I was admiring  the artwork God provided in the sky each morning, noon and night. This was a particularly beautiful night with the moon shining. Looks like a path across the water straight into the heavens.. Loved it....The next Sunday as we got off of the ship, we indeed said the same thing, that it went by in the blink of an eye... Life.... has a way of doing that, doesn`t it?One of the many highlights of my week was  that same day.  We had sailed out of Galveston, Texas, and had plans to drive to Houston for Tom to work a few days. On the way to our hotel there in Houston, we were able to go to the apartments at MD Anderson , where my sweet friend from Birmingham,  is being treated for Leukemia. She has been there for over a month now, and as she opened the door to her apartment, it was a sweet time to see her pretty face and that smile that she wears so beautifully. We had a nice visit then it was time to say good bye. I didn`t want to tire her out but what a nice gift to receive on that hot, Sunday afternoon in Houston.We got home Tuesday and I had a few days of cleaning and washing and special days with my grandsons, but today, when it was quiet, I got the pencils back out . I started up where I had left off a few weeks ago, with faces... LOL One of the classes that I am taking with Kara Bullock, Let`s face it, has just included a challenge.  I am a sucker when it comes to challenges.... and still a week behind in the lessons, but I will catch up one day... so back to the challenge.. it was to draw or sketch each day until the end of the year. WHAT?!!!Now, I must admit, I have already missed days, but when I can, I love to bring my pencil and sketch pad out and do a new sketch.. So much to learn and so little time... Here are a few that I have done since I have been home.. This was a profile, that I sketched with my stabilo black pencil, love those things. Then activated it with water to shade it. This front sketch, I just started today. I plan on working on her more, to add color and some kind of background. Lots more thinking to do, but here she is as of now...So, in closing if you could say a prayer for my friend, Julie, that her marrow will start making her own platelets really soon, and they will find a match for her to have her stem cell transplant when she is able, it would be so appreciated.Linked with Sunday Sketches this week http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/Have a great new week!Love, Jane