Saturday, December 31, 2011

Who IS This?

Yes, tis me

Popping in quickly to extend a warm thank you to all who are still following my very neglected blog... especially as there has been nothing to follow in the past 6 - 7 months! Thank you so much for hanging in there!

I'm happy to report that after a rather tumultuous year, things are going well.  I'm looking forward to the New Year, new opportunities, challenges and experiences.  
Nicole's health is still up and down, but the very positive thing is that there has been no recurrence of the cancer.  She celebrated one year cancer free on Dec. 16!  Big WHOOOOHOOO!!!

In April of this year, I started weaning myself off of Cymbalta (taken for depression), as it obviously was not helping.  I resisted going on the new Rx that the doc had given me for Prestiq.    I have been on one kind or another of serotonin type meds for over 10 years and made the decision to see how I felt without any of this type of drug.   It took several months to get the drug out of my system (these are not easy drugs to stop!), but I feel so much better now.  Much more energy, back to feeling positive about things and finally back to creating.

I have felt horrible about not blogging.  I've actually started several entries  (counted 11) that I put into draft to finish at another time.  Not a good idea - should have finished and posted immediately.  This one I am finishing NOW and posting NOW!

I'm looking forward in this New Year that is almost upon us to blogging regularly and also getting back to following everyone's entries.  

2012 is going to be my year for 'doing'
 
Before this becomes too long, a final thought -  if you are out celebrating and ringing in the New Year tonight, have a joyous time....and stay safe!

♥♥♥

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Rolling Along

I didn't want another month to go by without a post.  I also did not want to do an all-text post, but unfortunately have no pics to add....so I will keep this short.


Still feeling overall 'blah' and aside from emails and checking/posting on Facebook, my computer time has been limited.  I just don't have the energy or the motivation at the moment to do much else as far as the computer goes.

I'm working on several sculpts however it is slow going - some days, I just don't feel like picking up the clay.  I have an appointment with a psychologist on May 19 and will also have meds reviewed at that time.  Hoping that will be the first step of getting back into the swing of things.  I'm so looking forward to once again not looking at every little thing like a huge effort!
I have been viewing  many of your blogs, but have rarely commented.   The whole blogger word verification thing just seemed too  much for me - how silly is that?!

Hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day and continues to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather

I will be back as soon as possible with hopefully, a more interesting post

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

OKAY............so

I've been a rotten blogger, really and truly crappy.
It's not that I haven't thought about blogging, in fact I usually think about it several times a day but, obviously for over a month thinking has not meant doing!
For months now, I have felt my life becoming increasingly ...
 
getty images
 
cluttered.  

This feeling has led to further feelings of lack of motivation, inertia and being overwhelmed.  I've missed blogging, but I have also purposely stayed away.

In speaking with several other blogger friends, I realize that what I'm feeling is not unique so I decided today to ....
let down my hair.

I know that I am suffering from depression, part of it caused by not fully acknowledging my Dad's passing which unfortunately happened right when Nicole was dealing with her melanoma diagnosis.  Nicole has had several scares since, but is doing fine.  
Since late last year I have gained a large amount of weight which has added to my feeling of gloom and doom.  In February when I finally decided to do something about it, I tore a ligament in my knee.  It has been a slow recovery, and exercise has been nil (no exercise, makes for little energy).

I could list a bunch of reasons for my current feelings, but the last thing I want to do is come across as Sappy Sad-sack  Sue.  Deep down, that is NOT me.  That is not my 'normal' day-to-day existence, so while I realize it will be an ...

Arthur Tress
 
uphill battle....

I am starting to work on some things that I know I can control and that are positive.

So, this is my update for today.  I do love blogging and love all the friends I have made here in blogland and I vow to not be gone for over a month again.

♥ 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Faerie Work for St. Patrick's Day



Wonderful artwork of Jean-Baptiste Monge
 
 
 from Funnychix.com


Have a happy day!!!
 
 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Looking Back

My First Polymer Sculpt - Early '90s
 
 
I was going through an old album the other day and came across this image.  I had been creating cloth dolls from my own design for a number of years, but wanted to try polymer clay.   This piece was sculpted from cernit (head) and fimo (hands).  The body was wire, padded and wrapped.

I can still remember how gorgeous I thought she was.  Gosh I was proud of this piece and given everything I see wrong with her now ('flat' face, tiny mouth, too wide spaced eyes, large gnarly hands), I still have fond memories of my "first-born".  
I named her Niamh,  and she went to live with a couple here in Ontario who purchased subsequent pieces from me over the years.

My sister is attempting to clear out my Dad's house in Vancouver and has a large box full of mainly cloth dolls to send to me that I had sent Mom and Dad over the years.  I only have a couple of cloth pieces from those years, and I'm looking forward to receiving these.

I love to see pics of the evolution of an artist, so thought I would share my first polymer piece with you.




Tuesday, March 8, 2011

I Am Woman

International Women's Day


Yes, we have come a long way, but there is still quite a journey before us



Celebrate the women in your life today



♥♥♥

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Neglect



I have not purposely been neglecting my blog and blog-hopping lately, but have found it increasingly hard to juggle my time between blogging, Facebook and several forums I am on.  I was worried that this would happen when I joined FB just before Christmas.  The advantage of FB is that it is relatively fast to catch up and stay current with others.  As a consequence though,  when I visit my blog, I often don't feel like I have the energy to post or follow all the blogs I do enjoy reading. 

I'm really feeling like the computer is taking up way too much of my time (i.e. my studio time has diminished greatly).  I see other artists that happily do blogs, Facebook, studio, housework, events, etc., without seeming to have any problems at all.
Please.....how do you manage this???

On a lighter note, my daughter sent me the following via email this morning.  For my Juno and Finley,
and all the other furry family members out there....
The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes on the floor with the paw prints are yours and contain your food The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate does not mean that is is suddenly your food, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
 

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the top of the stairs is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It Is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space that you are taking up, is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
 (2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children.....(*_*)


I'm sure that so many of us can identify with the above! 

P.S.  I think the bathroom statement above is the funniest

♥ 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesday ...Feb. 16, 2011

mrsInman collection - FlickrFree


 ♥♥♥
                                                                                 

Monday, February 14, 2011

How Do I Love Thee

Regardless if your love is 
a young love.....
an old love....

shorpy.com

tragic love.......


Sibling love....

MrsInmanCollection - FlickrFree


family love....
 shorpy.com


friend love....

  Florence Ward

or even puppy love...




I'm wishing everyone a 

Very Happy..


 


 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Funk a Junk

Been in a bit of a funk lately.  Can't put my finger on just what is sapping my energy so that I feel like this..

I have so much to do, but things seem overwhelming.
One would think that after being so focussed on Nicole for several months, and then being so relieved at her prognosis I would feel totally rejuvenated.  I did for several weeks, but then seemed to slip into this grey funk.  I have tried to self-analyze myself, and I realize that part of my problem is clutter.

I am feeling overwhelmed with clutter.  Clutter in the house, clutter with the computer, clutter in my body.  Okay the body part isn't really clutter, but fat.  Excess baggage that I have packed on over the last year or so.  I feel larger than Mr. Polar Bear above, which has led to much of my lack of energy.  Lack of energy has led to lack of exercise, and thus a vicious cycle of sluggishness ensues. 

From past experience I know when I feel like this, exercise is a key to banishing the funk, so starting today, I am resuming regular exercise.  I have not been doing much sculpting due to my wrist (carpal tunnel) acting up again, but I have been doing a lot of surfing around on the internet.  My new plan  will mean not sitting on my butt at this computer so much and actually starting to MOVE.


Usually I have grand ideas and start out too big, this time I am going to plan and pace myself so that I don't end up giving up.

Baby steps...
Bliss Boutique Photography
The house?  One drawer at a time.  Sort and purge is the plan.  My scheme here (body/house) may take several months, several years - but I know that I will feel so much better.
Time to start!!!
♥ 
  

Monday, January 31, 2011

Don't Miss Out!

On the fifth and final annual OWOH Blog Event!




Are you participating this year?  It is such a fun event and you meet so many diverse people from all over the world.  You discover art and talents that you may not even be aware of, and you have a chance at winning a special treasure from each blogger.  I enjoyed this so much last year!
 

Haven't heard of this?  Click yourself over to the amazing Lisa's (The Whimsical Bohemian) site for all the nitty and gritty on OWOH

Due to mitigating (do people really use that word? Other than me, I mean LOL).  Anyway, due to circumstances beyond my control I will not be participating this year, although I will be visiting some of the blogs that are participating (as time permits).

I would like to thank Lisa for creating and hosting OWOH!  What a huge amount of time and work over the past five years, and I know so many people that appreciate this.
 


Friday, January 21, 2011

Aftermath




Nicole moved back to Toronto earlier this week, after almost 3 months of being here at home.  She is doing well, has had some further tests and we are awaiting results, but the plan is that she returns to work on Monday.
Before she left, I was looking forward to getting back to my routineI was looking forward to a return of normality.  After saying goodbye to her though, I felt sad.


I missed having coffee with Nicole, chatting about different art projects, even watching tv (something I rarely do).  I even miss her two cats, Mordecai (the Statesman)...


and Edward (the Terminator)



These two formed a weird dynamic with my kitty Juno and my dog Finley.  Juno seemed to have 'a thing' for Mordy, who would hiss and spit at her.  Edward had 'a thing' for Juno who would hiss and spit at him and Finley wanted to play with all of them.  Unfortunately, 
because the felines had their own strange threesome going on, they were not interested in including a smelly, panting, tail wagging canine.

I'm actually missing having four animals tear around this house - well maybe not when I'm trying to sleep!

I am looking forward to getting my studio back in order and finishing a Kindred (that I should have finished before Christmas)  and starting on some new pieces.  I want to try my hand at making some eyes and also an idea I have for wings.  I also have to get back to an exercise routine.  I have not exercised (or watched my diet) for three months now.  I don't look quite like this (and I don't mean because I am female)
...


  but I soon will if I don't get movin'!


So, I need to shake this feeling of listlessness

and regain my energy and motivation


Hoping everyone has an awesome weekend!






Sunday, January 9, 2011

Imagine

The past week has been very busy and I've had little time for my studio or the computer.  I have been on Facebook a bit, but my blog and blogger friends have been terribly ignored.
Next week should be better as far as time goes and I'm looking forward to getting caught up.
For now though I want to leave you all with this.........




A timeless, beautiful song and a timely, powerful message.




♥ PEACE ♥

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Welcome 2011


Stardust wishes to all for a most awesome
  
*~* 2011 *~*