A little update

Well Christmas has come and gone and I managed to get through it just fine thank you!  It was just my daughter and I and it was very relaxed and low key.  I came home from work Christmas Eve and got in my pajamas and I stayed in them until Sunday afternoon.  Heavenly!

Santa was good to both of us and we enjoyed our turkey.  I made soup with the leftovers and now I don’t want to see another turkey until this time next year.

I’m still working on organizing my work room  Some successes and some failures and sometimes I end up with more of a mess than I started with….it is what it is!

I’ve been working in my art journal and I’ve signed up for Life Book 2015.  I’m not sure if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, however I am looking forward to the process.  I have no idea what to expect other than that I’ve heard it’s a great experience.  I’m thinking that I should probably choose a word for 2015 – it seems like the trendy thing everyone is doing – just can’t make up my mind what my word should be.

The countdown to Palm Springs has started.  Just 50 more sleeps and I’ll be lying by the pool chillin’.  Ya’ gotta love when a plan comes together.

Caio!

Just another day in my little corner of paradise…….

 

Quiet day today, just vegging and doing very little.  I seem to have spent a good part of my day lying around and playing on my ipad.  I’ve not been feeling well for a few days now.  Fighting a cold or the flu or both so I’m not very energetic or productive to say the least.

Work has been busy, lots of changes coming in the next several weeks.  Some are good changes and some not so much but then not really my concern.  I’ll go where they tell me to go and do what I’m told to do.  Anyway a change is as good as a rest.

My cards for the store are all done and delivered.  Neither store needs more cards so I guess things aren’t selling well or selling well yet.  Whatever!

I’m just starting on my own Christmas cards, something I always enjoy doing.  I put lots of work into them but it’s a labour of love.  Most people who receive my cards appreciate the time and effort I put into them. I hope to have them all done and in the mail by the 15th so I can finish my christmas shopping.

Nothing much else new here.  I’m trying to get more journaling done and find it hard to find the time.  However, like the commercial says, if I want to do something, just do it.  Good advice which I will try to heed.4

Gotta run.  Ciao !

Gorgeous Weather

Here on the coast, the weather is fabulous.  We’ve been averaging weather in the low to mid 20’s (celscius) for the last couple of weeks.  It cools down nicely at night so it’s nice for sleeping.  We still have all the windows open all the time.  It’s wonderful.

I can’t believe that it’s already almost 6 weeks since I lost my dad.  I catch myself thinking sometimes that I must call him and then I remember that I can’t do that. 

I’m busy with my cards – playing catchup as usual!  This coming weekend is the Canadian thanksgiving so I have a 4 day weekend and I’ve also taken an extra day off to finish up my stock for the store so it’s actually 5 days…..Woohoo!

Work is busy – so what else is new.  We have hired 2 new people and we’re in the process of hiring another two.  Halleleuja!!

I want to work on my journal so gotta run.  Caio!

I lost my father….

My Dad passed away on September 1st after a courageous battle with stage 4 cancer.  Once diagnosed, they gave him 2 weeks to 2 months.  He was gone in 2 weeks,almost to the day.

He was ready, he had put his house in order and he wanted to go.  My daughter and I flew back to be with him for whatever time he had left.  We had a couple of good days with him – we were able to visit with him and he was able to say all the things he needed to say, as did we. 

He was one of that older generation – he was 89 – who had come through a depression, a war and the loss of all his brothers and sisters.  He had hip replacement surgery a couple of years ago but he waited almost 8 months before he finally got the surgery.  My brother and I were concerned that he wouldn’t recover from the surgery.  Once they got him on the table they discovered that he had been walking and then limping around for almost 8 months with a broken hip.  The doctor said no worries with him recovering; anyone who could tolerate that pain was a tough old guy and he’d do just fine.  And he did.

My Dad was still living in his own home when he was finally admitted to hospital.  He was stoic and strong and when the doctor tried to soften the diagnosis he wouldn’t have it.  He told the doctor he was a soldier and he’d seen terrible things so just get to the point so he would know what he was dealing with.  Quite a man!

He wanted to die quickly and he really tried but God just wouldn’t take him.  Dad said he was devoting his energy to get the job done and he was frustrated and angry that he couldn’t make his plan work.  He was concerned about inconveniencing us and what it was costing us  for parking !  Can you believe it??

I can’t help but wonder if God didn’t take him more quickly because of all the love that surrounded him.  Dad had all his family with him during his last days – so when his time finally came he died peacefully.

He was very special and I loved him very much and I shall miss him. I know he’s up in heaven with my husband.  I asked Dad to give Garry a hug and tell him I loved him.

We love you Dad.  Rest in peace Dad, rest in peace

A quick update

The last several weeks have been challenging.

My dad, who is 89, has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung and spine cancer.
He was admitted to the hospital  3 weeks  ago and they've given him 2 weeks
to 2 months to live.

I'm now back in Ottawa with the rest of the family to spend what time he has
left with him.  He knows what's happening and all his affairs are in order. He
had a couple of good days when we first arrived, which is what usually
happens  just before the final decline.

He's getting the very best care available and the team caring for him
are wonderful.  There's nothing more that can be done for him except
make him as comfortable as possible. Thankfully they have his meds
managed correctly so he's not in any pain .  He's ready and he just wants
to get it over with!  It's hard on all of us, watching him get weaker and
weaker.  We just want him to pass quickly and peacefully.

Beautiful day

I' m not sure what 's going on but I seem to be missing at least one post.  WTF !  What's  up with that?

Anyway, today was a great day. Weather is fabulous, sunny and warm.  I was up early to finish up my order so I could deliver it to my customer in Fort Langley.  I'm so happy to get that order finished. I've been working on this for weeks and I should have had it finished and delivered weeks ago!

I've been surfing the net trying to get some inspiration for my journal.  I was looking for journaling challenges and I found several so I plan to use those prompts to get me journaling on a more regualar basis.  The bottom line is that I've got to stop looking and start doing !

Gotta run.  Caio!

Drawing faces

I’ve never felt that I had a talent for drawing.  For the most part I just didn’t go there as it was just awful.  However, I signed up for the “Painted Faces” on-line course being run by Christy over at Art Geeks.  I haven’t really had an opportunity to start the course until this last week.

While Christy is teaching how to paint faces, part of week one is devoted to discussing the composition of faces with Christy giving a tutorial on how she draws her whimsical faces.  Everything she says makes so much sense  and its all so do-able.  I’ve just completed week one and I feel so much more confident!

The first drawing is what I came up with after Christy’s week one tutorial.  I think the difference between the first and the other two faces is quite amazing.

The two faces  (bottom 2) are “before” tutorial faces.  I worked long and hard to come up with them, particularly the one on bottom right. I was quite proud of the end product…..now not so much!

Chaos in the workroom…

I swear that my workroom looks like someone broke in and tossed it.  Everything on the floor and piled on every available spot.  It makes it impossible to find anything and I spend all my time moving things from one pile to another looking for stuff.   Argh….it makes me crazy!!

This weekend when I should have been working on wedding cards and planting my garden, I worked at re-organizing, re-arranging and cleaning up my studio.  I’m actually embarrassed by how much “stuff” I’ve collected over the last several years.  It’s absolutely obscene !!  I really didn’t know how much I have until I started sorting through it! I’ve already purchased a few things that are being shipped to me and then the purchasing department is closed!  I have enough stuff to stock a store – I kid you not!  Enough said about that!!!

I managed to get some art done so I’m posting below.

Caio.

 

A mini holiday!

I went into work yesterday and started looking at the calendar.  HMMMMMM.  If I take 3 days off work, I end up with 9 days off.  Well that’s a no-brainer!  So,  I did and now I’m off until April 22nd.  WOOOOHOOOO!!!!

Even though I’ve only been back from holidays for about a month, work has been brutal  I think a time out is appropriate!

What am I going to do?  Get lots of sleep, play in my workroom and in my journal and get some of the projects that are incomplete finished.  I’m actually really looking forward to this little break. I need to put my brain on snooze for awhile.

Well, must run.  I have a spa appointment at 10:30 and I still need to grab a bite.

Caio!

Some days it just doesn’t pay to get up !

I’ve had one of “those” days!  Seems that no matter how hard you try, there is always someone or several someones who just aren’t happy unless they can complain about you.  Yeah, big surprise there!

I won’t go on a rant, suffice it to say I’m just a little down tonight.

I’m looking forward to a 3 day weekend.  I’m going to bottle some wine after work Friday and then home to put my feet up.  I booked myself a massage and a facial for Saturday and I’m going to enjoy it. Rather fortuitous that!

Hope to get more organizing done, work in my art journal, get caught up on some cards I owe and get some samples together for the store.  They say it’s going to be good weather here on the coast so I might also work in the garden for awhile. 

That’s it for now.  Caio!

Last round at Tahquitz today

We played our last round of golf in Palm Springs at our “home” club, Tahquitz Creek Resort today.  The weather was outstanding.  We played with two gay gentlemen – the nicest people you could ever want to meet.  We had soooo much fun today.  It was a wonderful end to our wonderful holiday.

This point in the trip is always bittersweet.  We’ve had a fabulous time, the weather has been outstanding and my daughter and I have had wonderful time together. We love, love, love Palm Springs and we hate to leave….On the other hand, we know we have to go home so we’re starting to wind down.  We’re ready to go home to our own beds and both of us miss “our girls” – our 3 fur-babies.  We love our cats and miss them – 33 days is a long time away from them!

Thank you Palm Springs for welcoming us to our second home.  You never let us down!!!

Fabulous weather

The weather down here in Palm Springs continues to be outstanding.  It's been warm and sunny every day.  We played golf at Tahquitz Creek Monday and we're playing there again Wednesday and Thursday.  The weather forecast for Friday and Saturday is rainy with possible thunderstorms though I'll believe that when I see it!

We went out for dinner at DiCarlos in Rancho Mirage again this evening.  Fabulous as usual.  Their early bird special is a great deal - a good sized salad, a choice of 5 entrees and garlic toast for $ 9.95.  What's not to like?

I've been working in my journal and trying to perfect some of my pen work.  Still lots of room for improvement.  I'm working on a journal page a la Teesha Moore.  Not sure how it's going to turn out.  I'm pushing my boundaries and working outside my comfort zone.  It should be interesting!

Gotta run.  Caio!

Return to paradise

I'm here in Palm Springs and loving every minute of it.  We arrived on Wednesday Feb 12th and the weather has been fabulous ever since.  Most days have been high 80's or low 90's.  I've been in the pool every day and I'm enjoying myself immensely.  We golfed on Thursday - only 9 holes because we got a late start.  That was fine though.  We finished our nine and had a beer at the clubhouse and watched the other golfers coming in to the 18th.

I brought my journal and some journalling supplies with me and I've worked in it a little.  Plan to do more tonight.

Must run, I have to make some phone calls and then off to bed.  Caio!

Last 7 days before blast off

We're down to the last few days before we head off to Palm Springs - the land of botox and bronzer.  Can hardly wait!!

Work is busy.  I'm training a new hire and trying to tie up loose ends before leaving.  Art has taken a back seat, yet again.  I'm working on some journals for a swap and hope to get them off in the mail by next Monday.  I have to make up a handful of swap cards and send them off as well.  Last but not least, I want to prep some pages in my journal - a la Teesha Moore - I want them ready to go so I can work on them when I'm in Palm Springs. Love, Love, Love her style!

Here's a spread I did to start off 2014.