Weekly Scumble Jan 22 Thru 28

[K Taylor-Green]

Morning everyone! Welcome to this week's Scumble, our weekly chat thread where we share the everyday happenings in our lives!

My computer is acting a bit weird, all due to downloading Service Pack2 I expect. I've known about it for a long time, but it was a 10 hour download for dial up and around here, dial up is the only game in town.
I finally got the disc from Microsoft. I am dealing with a series of small glitches that I hope will be resolved, soon.

I don't think our snow is going to hang around long. It is slowly melting. Then I get to deal with.....you guessed it.....more mud! And we all know how I feel about mud!

The last of the pups was sold yesterday.:( Don't get me wrong, that was the whole point, and I am more than sure they went to loving homes. But we really enjoyed this litter, taking them for walks everyday, getting to know their personalities. They were a lot of fun.

[Piper Ballou]

I had to check this thread twice because it is Monday evening and no one has posted yet...then I checked to make sure that it was Monday....

Well, I am moved into the new school and started the new Alternative Program today...it went fairly well, kids will see how far they can go and I will hold fast to the dress code and the rules.....
so...I now have my mornings fairly free, plan on starting a good excerise program and painting...yipppeeeee

hope everyone is doing well
piper

[Pat Isaac]

Good for you, Piper. I hope all goes well. WC has been down most of the day, but it is up and running now.

Pat

[meowmeow]

That sounds great, Piper. I'm glad the move went smoothly.
It must be tough giving the pups up, Kate....but yeah....that's what it's all about. And you give them such a great start....but...it's hard to see them leave. Then....you get to start all over!

Things are still zany here but at least with the new baby here safe and sound I am not stressed about that. I spent the day with daughter and new grandson today....he spent a lot of the day sleeping. Of course he has to get his rest so he can be up all night! :lol It's so much fun just watching them at this young age!

I haven't done much art lately but when I was clearing stuff at the old house I came across an old pile of paintings. There were some watercolors I had done about 20 years ago....I got rid of some of them but I kept a few that seemed to have a little merit to them. I have finally gotten around to messing around with them with pastels over the old watercolor. I can't find any of the original old photos but I have some idea of what they were....and some pictures from the same rolls of film. It has been interesting and once I get my good scanner set up here I will try to post some. At least I am doing a little painting and that makes me feel better.

Have a good week, everyone!

Sandy

[Pat Isaac]

How nice to have a new grandbaby. All my grandkids are growing up so fast, no more bablies as the youngest is 13!! Glad you are painting again Sandy. Pastels works quite well over watercolr so you will have new paintings.

Pat

[K Taylor-Green]

Sandy, what part of Maine are you in? I am coming to Maine in October to teach a workshop on painting the Arabian horse in pastels. It is in Vasselboro, which is close to Augusta, I think. I am really looking forward to it.
I'm not sure I wished you congratulations on that new grandson! If I didn't, I am now! I'll bet he's growing like a weed.

[Piper Ballou]

Thanks Pat...so far the program is going great.

Sandy, How fun for you with a new grandson, love and kiss and rock them, I love that part.
piper

[meowmeow]

I am in Saco, Kate. Vassalboro is about 2 hours north....about...not sure. When it gets closer I'll check. Maybe I can get up there. That's exciting that you will be travelling to do a class. Good for you!

We are sure enjoying the new baby. I forget how small and wondrous they are to watch! Just amazing! And yes, they grow sooooo fast!
Here is a picture of our 11 years old grandson with his new brother and one of the newbie!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Jan-2007/15050-jakeandmatt.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Jan-2007/15050-IMG_3008.JPG

Sandy

[Merriel]

He is beautiful! congratulations. Hi to everyone have a great day.

merriel

[Pat Isaac]

He is handsome, Sandy and so nice that he has a big brother.

Pat

[CJMonty]

Oh Kate so sad all your cute puppies are gone, will you breed again?

Sandy your grandson looks so cute, how old is he? I thought he looked a little jaundiced or is that his ntural complexion? What are our grandsons names.?

Piper I wish yu luck in your new school.

I have a lot of catching up to do as I have not been around for most of this week, firstly I spent most of Monday getting the ingredients fo Monty's Birthday Dinner which was just the two of us and went really well. I did a Garlic and Herb Chicken Snitzel topped with Scallops with bright Orange rowe tossed in garlic butter along with Roast Pumpkin topped with grilled Camembert cheese Baked Jacket potatoes and some Broccoli, French beans and Brussel Sprouts with a cheese sauce with Blue Vein cheese for extra flavour. This was accompanied with a lovely Unwooded Chardonay.

Then just as we headed off to bed that night, I had the surprise of a hamorrhage from my bladder, we unfortunately thought the worse as one of the side effects of one of my chemo drugs is bladder cancer ( I have an Autoimmune Disease where my Immune System is rejecting my major organs and vessels and in order to stop it doing too much damage I have been on Chemo now for about 15 years to suppress the immune system.I have had numerous close shaves in those years but I intend to stick around. This is why my 50th this year is such a great milestone for me. Feel free to ask me more if you want to know) After a couple more bleeds at the hospital and numerous tests and a scope of the bladder yesterday it is a rather nasty urinary infection which although not good it is a HUGE RELIEF.They let me home last night. So I am on high dose antibiotics for now and off work this weekend, mind you if I had anything to do with it I would have gone to work as they are SO VERY BUSY with lots of preterm bubs. I have loads of new threads to catch up on and some videos that Monty recorded for me to watch. He is working today as he is Ambulance Commander for a large Sky show of Fireworks and Australia Day Celebrations so he is on duty from 1000 this morning until 0200 tomorrow morning !!!!! It is the AUSTRALIA DAY long weekend. Australia Day is on January 26th each year and the Public Holiday is on whatever day it falls.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, I will go and catch up for now and will talk to you all again soon . Take Care all of you.

Love CJ

[meowmeow]

I'm so glad your problem did not turn out to be worse than a UTI...those are lousy but obviously nothing compared to cancer.

Funny you should say that about Matthew looking a bit yellowy...he is not jaundiced but I have to admit I kept wondering about his coloring. In person he just has high color, or something but he has been thoroughly checked and is fine. He will be 2 weeks at 1:20 Saturday morning.


Sandy

[Kathryn Wilson]

CJ! So glad it turned out better than you thought - antibiotics are big helpers in that regard.

You can cook for me anytime girl - were you a chef in another lifetime? You certainly seem to know lots about cooking.

Sandy, good to see you here - the baby looks scrumptous and so kissable - :)

[Pat Isaac]

Happy that your little trip to the emrgency room turned out well for you. Must be scary.
You can cook for me too. Your description sounds as if it is a page from the book I am listening to. It is a mystery by Diane Mott Davidson and the main character is a caterer who sleuths on the side. The book is filled with many delicious descriptions of food.
Take care.

Pat

[Bill Foehringer]

As I read all your news each week I'm reminded that most of us are very busy with our lives beyond our artistic efforts. This makes me feel less frustrated with my own progress in the craft of painting. Since last Spring there has been little time for much besides the daily chores and my day job. As my wife's medical problems have worsened, my Dad suffered, endured and then passed away this last year. I can imagine that the WC is a refuge for many from the travails of life and I'm sorry if I've crossed the line and caused any distress for anyone with these comments.
I think that the most progress I have made artistically has been mental. I now think of myself as a painter, even tho I've been painting less. So maybe as this new year unfolds I'll see more growth because of my new self-image.
I know from the other part of my life that once I was able to step back and see myself as a caregiver my life became less stressful. Becoming a self-aware caregiver led me to take more time for myself, eventually finding the pleasure of painting outdoors. (How can one not know one is a caregiver? That is a long story, lol)
I know the ladies outnumber the guys on this forum but I so seldom see guys post to the Scumble. Let's hear from 'da guys'!!!
BillF

[Snowbound]

I am glad you guys are sharing some of the things in your life that make you who you are. Thank you. It's another link for us to know one another as human beings. And it helps me deal better with some of the things in my life, and lessens the isolation I sometimes feel as a result. I have chronic Lyme disease, which went undiagnosed for 16 years, and basically dismantled my life. I am very lucky because I've responded well to treatment and have been able to pick up a lot of my life. It was in early stages of recovery that I went back to the art that had taken back stage.

I may be starting a relapse, and have been trying to avoid dealing with it. (Ignore it and maybe it won't happen? Silly.) CJ, I am glad you shared your story, because I realize how simple what I need to do is. You are one courageous lady. I will make an app't with my dr to talk to him about starting antibiotics again. I guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to again. It shouldn't be a long round this time, though. I hope.

Bill, bless you-- your note helps me keep things in perspective, too. Yes, the awareness and acceptance thing is really the key, isn't it? I could keep fighting the reality, but that just makes it harder to cope with.

Sandy, the pic of those two kids together is so touching and so tender. What a wonderful thing to share.

It is late morning and the temp is still below zeroF. Sunny, lovely and bright with the white ground. My dog goes out for 90 seconds flat. Cold on doggy toes.

And I have bureaucratic paperwork to fill out. Geez, I hate forms.

Dayle Ann

[Nori]

Bill, I always enjoy your notes in the Scumble. We all are called on to be caregivers at one time or another and you articulate the struggles we all have... to attend to our own needs as well as those of others and come out feeling somewhat whole. I also liked your comment on most of your artistic growth being mental. Me too, I have been reading a lot about composition and I am feeling that this mental work is so right for this time. Happy painting.

[Bill Foehringer]

Yes, I have been reading, studying from books. I never stop that aspect of my artistic endeavor. I guess I overlooked this in my post. I haven't actually painted much since last spring would be more accurate. I can always find time for books on art. I end every day looking art art or reading about art, that's my decompression time. It may not be long some nights but I like to give my mind something to work on at night and even during the day my art readings surface as I see......everything is a composition now. Colors are warm or cool. Edges are soft, lost or hard. Things recede or not thru the atmosphere. Values sort before my eyes. I paint in my mind even if not on paper. What a wonderful way to go through life!!!!!
BillF

[K Taylor-Green]

Bill, what a wonderful outlook on life you have!! And I know what you mean. Seems as though your mind and eyes work different from other folks when you are an artist. Your time to put your vision on paper will come, my friend.

CJ, Gosh I hate those kinds of infections. I'm glad you will soon be on the mend.
I hate taking pills and then I think about my sister and all the meds she is on just to stay alive, and it puts everything in perspective. The only things I need to take daily are a sinus pill and an antacid!

[Deborah Secor]

Wow--an amazing amount here that I just caught up on! If I try to comment on all of it I'll just have to X out of here, so suffice it to say that I'm blessed by all of you strong, creative, loving people. Hang in there, every one of you!

We talked to the Real Estate agent today and the house is 'unofficially' listed until Feb. 9th. We hope it will sell before then, since we have a very modest price on it and there's hardly any other houses in its price range, but that remains to be seen. Meantime we have a zillion planning details for the new homeless ministry we're starting. We've prayed to be able to do this for over 2 years and nothing has gone unconsidered, but when it comes time it's still a bit overwhelming! Fun but busy.

I'm counting my blessings as I read the tales you've shared. I get up each morning and thank the Lord for the parts that are still working correctly, and even for the broken parts that are somehow holding together anyway. :D God is good.

I'm off to plan a class on how to make a good painting from a bad photo--something I always find easier than using a good photo (which often becomes a relatively bad painting, or at least disappointing. Good photos are so hard to live up to.)

Deborah

[chewie]

i am happy that bill still comes around, altho i bet his days are long and hard sometimes. hang in there, we do care.

and cj, that's also a big load to carry.

dayle ann, get yourself cared for!

my week has been filled with lots of sickness myself, but i will be better soon. hubby thinks its mroe than a cold, but i am feeling better so refuse a doctor. seldom am i knocked down like this for more than a day, but this time it was most of the week. if snot was worth something, i'd be rich! (ugh, maybe too much info? sorry!)

that baby, awww! love that pix of baby with big brother. so sweet. hard to remember mine that small. my youngest turned 10 this weekend. wow.

hope good health visits each of us this week. and extra time found for art!

[CJMonty]

Bill, hang in there, I understand it is a lot of pressure on those who love and care for others.

Dayle you have to take care as well you know.

Thankyou to everyone for your kind thoughts, I am sure once the antibiotics kick in things will be on the mend, at least I am home again now. I hope to be able to find some time to paint this week, time just seems to get away all the time.

Love to All CJ XX

[meowmeow]

Bill, I'm so sorry about your dad. I'm sorry too that things have continued to worsen in your personal life but glad you are able to keep as good as attitude as possible. It is always good to see you here.

Deborah, good luck with the house sale. Having just gone through it myself I know what a pain it can be.

I hope you are feeling better soon CJ.

Sandy

[Bill Foehringer]

Sorry to read of your struggles CJ. My wife's RA is an auto-immune problem. The body thinks the joints are not supposed to be there and busily tries to destroy them. The meds she's on have slowed the RA but have side-effects. My wife, my IS (ill spouse), has fibromyalgia that also has a murky cause possibly an auto-immune class disorder. Neither can be cured but can be treated sometimes. My wife is 53 and sometimes it seems as though we've lived several lifetimes in the 30 years we've been married. The ortho-surgeon said yesterday the RA has caused necrosis at the top of the femur- right hip replacement time. First cortizone injections in the back to relieve the back pain and right leg numbness caused by a ruptured disc at L4-L5. One step-one day at a time.
Our daughter is still our shining light, an artistic dancer and tenth so far in her High School class, she's never had less than an A in any course in school beginning in 1st grade, she's a junior now. Wants to dance as long as she can, go to college and eventually become a doctor who works with sports injuries. She's a little vague on exactly what kind of doctor that would be, lol. As long as she's aiming high...... we're happy. Whatever she does do with her life we'll be there for her.
Say Deborah could ya sell my house for me too! LOL. The 106 yr old Vic is too much for us now. We'll be selling sometime after daughter goes to college. Small cape cod or single-story townhome will be next. One floor living. Hate to give up the north-facing room with Victorian style bay I use for a studio though. I do most of my painting outdoors so it's not so bad.
BillF