Sunshine

This was a fun piece to make.  I cut up some old wood and made some sunshine!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Soke !!!!

My dear old friend, I wish you a colorful day and your best year yet.

Mixed Media Piece for Floyd, VA, Show

 We hang the Floyd show in one week.  At this point, I will finish what I can and hope for the best.  I finished this mixed media piece last night. 

Detail.

The Sweetest Surprise

I received the sweetest surprise in the mail.  I ordered a print from my friend, Constanza, who lives in California.  The beautiful print arrived yesterday along with a small package.  When I opened the little package, there was no stopping the tears.  There, wrapped with love and made by Constanza, was this adorable little pin.

It is attached to a tag that she drew a frame around and at the bottom ~ the sweetest sentiment ~ "for Jake's recovery".

How sweet is the little dachshund that she stitched on fabric?  There is a "J" charm attached and a beautiful little "Our Lady Miraculous Medal".  

I showed it to Jake and he touched it with his nose.  How could he not heal completely with Our Lady watching over him.

♥  Constanza, thank you.  You have touched my heart.  ♥

Not only does Constanza paint beautifully, she also stitches on fabric, making the sweetest art.  You will enjoy a visit to her Blog.  Click here.

Throwback Thursday

Not sure of the year or who the two girls on the right are ~ probably neighbors.  I only posted this photo because it is such a cute picture of Patrick.  I do NOT look happy about being in this "car washing" group.  Patrick looks VERY happy.  Perhaps he was supervising ~ cheering me on to scrub harder?  Always the good "big" brother, watching over me.

Jake's Special Vet

We just returned home and put Jake back in the crate.  I think it did him some good to get out for a bit.  I was very happy to see his weight back up to his normal 6 pounds.  He was getting quite thin after the accident, but he is eating on a normal schedule now and has put the weight back on.  After examining him, Dr. Mitchell says Jake is doing real well.  She did, however, stress how important it is that we keep him in the crate and keep his activity at a very low level for a good while yet.  One jump and he could do a lot of damage to his healing fractures. He will be spending the day at the Vet's in a couple of weeks - they will be sedating him to take X-rays, cut his nails, and clean his teeth.  I hope those X-rays show a big improvement in his pelvic fractures.

Dr. Mitchell has been wonderful in her care of Jake for the last three years.  Unfortunately, this was our last visit with her as she is leaving the Pet Hospital that we go to.  Just married last Saturday, going on her honeymoon, and then starting a new job ~ She has much to look forward to and I wish her a lifetime of happiness.

Jake says "thank you" Dr. Mitchell!!  You will be missed. 

Checkup Time

Taking sweet baby to Vet appointment for checkup this afternoon. It has been almost three weeks since the accident.  Hoping for a very good report. ♥

Lunch with Friends

As always, lunch was wonderful at Nawab Indian Cuisine today.  But the real joy was time spent with Tricia Scott and Ibby Taylor Greer.  Laughter was the main ingredient ~ something we all need a good dose of from time to time.  Thank you girls for a fun lunch.

Morning Fog

We woke to heavy fog this morning.  As it settles over the valley in back of the house, I have to appreciate its short lived beauty.  It is like magic hiding the mountain that lurks beyond the trees ~ a tease showing me what it would be like if the mountain was truly not there. I sigh with relief as the mountain appears, while like more magic, the fog disappears. 

Judgement

Throwback Thursday

July, 1951 ~ Enjoying an ice cream cone with Patrick on that good old back porch.  It was small, but we sure put it to good use.  We also had a wonderful front porch on this little bungalow.  Spent a lot of time out there, as well.  Back then, all the houses had big front porches and in the evening everyone sat out on them.  Neighboring was a big part of our life growing up.  I believe my love of porches came from my childhood.  Notice I have no shoes on again.  To this day, I prefer not having shoes on.  

Wishing I could be enjoying a cone with Patrick right now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jan !!

Thinking of you today with love, my Oregon friend.  I find it comforting to know that I have a friend who lives way over on the West Coast.  

Knowing you will be celebrating the day of your birth makes me wish I could be there to join you.  I hope the day brings you much joy and love.  You are so deserving.

I had planned to send Mom's Coreopsis seeds to arrive on your Birthday.  Sad to say, they are still setting on my desk.  On the bright side, every time I see the little bag of seeds, I think of you.  You will get them one day.

Have a special beautiful day, Jan!

♥ 

Indecision

I've long wanted to have a studio somewhere other than in my home.  I have found that creating at home has way too many distractions and it takes me a long time to finish a project.  Having a studio alongside other artists has many benefits - comradery, support, inspiration - to name a few.  I'm thinking I might be more apt to make some "messy" art if my studio was elsewhere.  

I toured the Art Studios at 202 Market Gallery yesterday with my sweet friend, Tricia.  We were both SO excited, met some lovely friendly artists, and discussed the pros of renting a studio there. One nice benefit is that our art would be hung in the Gallery and on the walls outside our studio.  202 Market also participates in Roanoke's Art By Night, which draws a nice crowd.  There are only a few studios empty and decisions need to be made. Tricia jumped on one that she loved, and I found one that suited me.  There are many things I have to take into consideration and I am having a difficult time deciding.  I will take some time to hash this over and I hope to make the right decision.

Even if I don't rent a studio, I will visit 202 Market Gallery often.  It has been one of my favorite places to go for many years.  Over the years, I have dreamed of having a studio there.  Opportunity is knocking on my door!

Heart of Mine

I am  frantically working on several art pieces that are all in unfinished stages.  Our Creative Life group will be having a show hanging at Oddfella's Cantina in Floyd during September and October.  I need to get myself in high gear.  Thank goodness, I can use my hand.  I knew about this all summer, but life insisted on keeping me out of the studio.  I finished this torn paper piece yesterday ~ "Heart of Mine".

Love

Do you think this man loves this dog?  

He has barely left Jake's side since the accident.

♥

Sweet Jake's Recovery Time

 "All I get to do is rest, rest, and more rest!"

 Checking out the neighborhood

 "We have to go back inside ALREADY?"

 Daddy's Tender Loving Hands

"But WHY do I have to stay in this contraption?"
~~~~

Jake is recovering.  He is able to walk a little when we take him outside to do his business, but his back legs are a little off kilter and shaky.  He has been SO good about staying in the crate when we can't be right with him.  He is not going to be happy about being kept inactive once his fractures start to heal real well.  Vet said 2-3 months!  We will be nutcases. He has some intestinal woes we are dealing with.  We hope to get that back to normal quickly.  Jake says "thank you" for the well wishes and prayers. 

Throwback Thursday

December, 1953

This is me at the age of 5 with my Aunt Fran Kopka.  I am guessing she gave me the doll I am holding.   Uncle Steve and Aunt Fran had no children of their own, but they showered attention on Uncle Andy's children and Mom's children.  They are both gone, but I have wonderful memories of time spent with them.  Uncle Steve was Mom's youngest brother.

Medical Supply Waste

After my stitches were removed this morning, the nurse asked me if I wanted to keep the kit (in photo).  If not, she would be throwing it away.  I asked about sterilization.  She said it is less expensive for them to use a new kit with each procedure ~ that sterilization is super expensive.  I was shocked.  SO much waste.  What about recycling?  I didn't think to ask.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Josh !!

I hope you don't have to work today and can spend some fun time with the boys and Maria.  Have a GREAT day! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Silke !!

Whether you paint, shop, or go on a field trip with Daniel today, I wish you sunshine and blue skies.

Enjoy your day!!

RIP  

Robin Williams    

1951 ~ 2014

The world has lost an extremely talented artist.  

Update on Jake and I

I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and concern I have received from everyone, including facebook friends and blog friends.  Thank you so very much.  My cast is now off from the surgery and I can manipulate much better having my one hand free.  It still lacks full strength, but that will come and the stitches come out on Wednesday.  Hopefully, by then the wrapping will be off the other hand.  Wounds look good - no sign of infection.  I will be fine.  

Jake will be in his crate for months.  He is needing a lot of care right now.  I can only pray that he will heal completely and be back to the happy little guy he was before this.

Terry and I have devoted all our time this weekend to caring for Jake and we will continue to do whatever is needed to get him through this.  What a gift God gave us when he sent Jake our way.  He could not be loved any more than he is.

A Very Very Bad Day

This has been one of the worst days of my life.  Jake ran out into the cul-de-sac this morning and was hit by a landscaping truck that was going entirely too fast.  Trying to comfort his cries, I reached down and he bit me.  Then, trying to pry my hand loose, I used my right hand - and he bit my finger.  The poor little guy was in pain and shock.  To make a long story short ~ Jake is in the hospital ~ he has multiple fractures of the pelvis, a bruised bladder, and some scrapes on his leg.  He is going to be ok.  I was a total mess emotionally.  I keep thanking God because it could have been so much worse.  We will be picking him up in the morning and will begin the vigil of keeping him from jumping or running for 2-3 months so the fractures can heal.

I spent the entire afternoon in Urgent Care getting a tetanus shot and minor surgery on all the bite wounds.  As you can see in the photo, I pretty much can do nothing right now.  Terry is being my Angel.  And that, my friends, was my Friday.

Throwback Thursday

 Terry is a CPA and had an accounting firm back in Ohio that he sold when we moved to Virginia.  For a number of years, one of his clients would have us as guests in Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  It is a little slice of Heaven in Islamorada.  These photos are just a sampling of our time there in 1994 and 1996.  I remember the peace I felt while there... The quiet... The beauty... The fun.

 The little apartment we stayed in was on this canal on the other side of these boats.  I loved sitting on the dock watching the lizards and the heron while Terry fished off the dock.  Once in a while a manatee would come right up to the dock.

 Barracuda!

 The Fisherman and his prize!

Bikers!!

Post-Surgery

I'm home!  Had a delicious spicy hummus wrap, and a berry smoothie, and feeling almost normal again.  Except for the hand.  Two fingers are numb and the other two along with my thumb are tingling.  I guess they will be like this for several hours.  I have to wear this wrapping till Saturday, keep it dry, and keep my hand above my heart.  Back to Dr. next Wednesday to remove stitches and begin physical therapy.  I don't remember this being such a lengthy process when Mom had hers done. I just hope there will be a big improvement in time as the Dr. said mine was severe.  And to think I get to do this again with my left hand!

Thank you for your good thoughts.  It is always helpful to know others are thinking of you.  It has taken me well over 1/2 hour to type this with my left hand.  I don't think I'll be on the computer much for a few days.

Surgery

I am having carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand at 1:30 today.  I will be relieved to have this over and be back home later today.

Our Anniversary

August 3, 2014

 Celebrating 18 years today!  The years sure went fast.  I hope the next 18 are just as happy and filled with adventure.

August 3, 1996 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dan !!!

Wow, it has been a very long time since I've seen you.  Hopefully, one day we can get the family all together in one place for a nice long visit.

I wish you sunny days, blue skies, and all things that will bring you joy.

♥