I'm in LA

...and it's 83 degrees or something like that. Drove up from San Diego yesterday, and going home on the red eye on Thursday.



This blog got reviewed at this site and got a "very good" rating.



But this means more to me, an award from a friend, our own Ms. Soulbrush - I think its adorable!

Have a Happy Animal Wednesday all - not sure if I can get back onto the net today - too much interfering WORK to do!!!!

(found this link on Designing Fairy's blog - oh how I want these polka dotted pants - ms em wants them too)

Animal Wednesday - OWL and the big draw

Copied from my nature book - a snowy owl, and also part of the Big Draw - which is coming to a close soon (boo hoo)

I am posting this in advance as I am off for a trip to southern CA - a quick whirlwind trip with the red eye home. The company is asking us to travel less, which is JUST fine with me! The timing stinks for this trip, as I have a girls weekend planned for the 1st and 2nd - 4 of us are going to Martha's vineyard for a weekend at the house that DH and I stayed in for vacation this summer.

A confession - I have never...NEVER...had a weekend away with just the girlfriends. I really don't know why, perhaps I enjoy being with DH and don't want to miss our precious time together - mostly because I travel so much. I have spent many weekends away with family in CA, Florida and even Italy. But never local...never really intentional.

We've been friends for over 20 years - and we finally get a chance to talk and share stuff that you just don't do when the guys are around. I'll show them Ms. Em drawings and let them draw their own conclusions/interpretations. One friend is a new grandma (altho she looks about 40), and the other has a 40 year old daughter and a 13 year old daughter. The third has raised her stepsons - with little support from their bio mother and has done a wonderful job of it. We all love dogs. We all love the beach, comfortable clothes, and three of us are scientists. The fourth one quit her job at a company in Boston and opened a wine store in NH (the WineStudio!) Our other friend, who was supposed to join us just broke her ankle and has to stay home - altho I think she could make it (having been there myself) - but it probably would be uncomfortable for her. We call ourselves " The Foundation Club" because we all realize that at this point in our lives - foundation garments are a necessity. (for obvious reasons, I am the chief foundation garment wearer)

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone - if you don't see me it's because I'm on a damned airplane!

My mind amazes me sometimes

I started this drawing as an undersea fantasy - which I love - and initially drew a snake to add some interest. When I picked up this drawing again yesterday, I immediately added additional snakes, and some danger and conflict to the drawing. The snakes are eating the fish, and look more dangerous than I had originally intended. Ms. Em made her way into the picture - she wasn't there before yesterday and she is (as usual) blithely heading towards danger (can you see her, she's still in pencil - I'm conflicted about adding her).

The drawing is too big to scan so I took pictures instead, and as usual, without natural light they are not so good. But I think you can see the overall feeling.


My mind amazes me because while I know, intellectually, that I am upset about a friends upcoming divorce and upset about the economy and upset and nervous about the upcoming election - I didn't realize HOW upset and unsettled I felt. Obviously I feel like I am walking on a thin layer of safety and feel uncomfortable about what lies beneath.


Since I've only been drawing or crafting for about a year and a half, it surprises me what comes out in my artwork. Mr P always told me to dig deep to find the angst - and I didn't know that I could really do it. I have him to thank for letting some angst come thru in my artwork. DH gets somewhat upset when he sees these conflicted drawings and prefers to see "happier" artwork. That surprises me in a way, he is an artist and understands the process - but it also shows me how he sees me - again...somewhat of a surprise.


I do like to do happy artwork, it's fun...people like it...and it makes me feel good. But sometimes in the middle of a happy undersea fantasy, the darker side can show thru. I guess it's better to get it out than to try to hide my feelings....right?

Sunday morning and Zazzle

I should be packing for my quick trip to California but I'm not. I'm blogging and reading blogs - my favorite way to start the day. Found this on TeriC's site - hmmmmm.....Ms. Em on a tee shirt? It could be so opposite of the "Life is Good" tee shirts. More of a "Life can be so dangerous" shirts. Might just try it!

On another note, this post made me laugh out loud yesterday and then I had a funny experience with my mom last night.

Last time my niece (bless her heart) was in Sarasota she put "Skype" on mom's computer. All I said was "you're in charge of this program dear niece - I absolutely refuse to try to troubleshoot it from far away" and she agreed. Of course, I got Skype also so that we can chat in person. So last night I took a chance and called mom on the computer and yes...she was there and we started to chat. But she kept looking downwards - and I kept waving my arms and saying "MOM - look UP" and she would raise her face but not her eyes. I tried like heck to get her to change her camera angle, (I checked mine) and I saw her nose only, then her chest and finally got a full face view (still looking down). So we talked for awhile just about this and that - (it really is nice to be able to do this). Then dad came in the room and it became a group chat. He says "you look great" and I said "thanks" - completely remembering that he can't see, is considered blind from macular degeneration! But thanks anyways Dad - nothing like a parents fond affection.

After about 20 minutes we hung up - and then DH came in and wanted to know what all the shouting was about. Yes...I was virtually yelling at the computer! Mom can't put the receiver closer to her good ear and there was alot of "WHAT???" and "Yes, your town is lovely" after I just told her that I went up to Portsmouth for the morning. "MOM - I WENT TO PORTSMOUTH NOT MY TOWN" and she said "OH HOW NICE". This went on for the 20 minutes -
but I still enjoyed it!

My parents remember the New York Worlds Fair in the 60's where they showed video phones and they are completely fascinated by the ability to see and talk to us. What they don't like is that they can't hug and kiss us - especially the kids - and they actually would sometimes rather talk on the phone and not feel the need to touch us. I can understand, and actually, despite all my making fun, I'm quite proud of my folks to be able to navigate their way thru their computer. Even tho I spend hours listening to "I got your picture but I don't know were it went" type conversations.

How good to be able to complain about my 85 and 94 year old parents. Dad is down to about 140 lbs and is weak as a kitten but is still my dad, my ally.

Love them both.

A good Saturday giggle

Remember the BRA story?  Go see SB's Saturday giggle - dedicated to me and Cynthia.  I had such a good laugh!!! What a clever gal she is that ms. soulbrush!!!

Which was a great way to start this day, cause it's gotten a bit serious-er in some ways.  I met a friend this morning at 7:00 am (on a Saturday ) and we drove an hour north to meet up with another friend for breakfast.  The friend up north has had some tragedy in her life - she was living with a man she dearly loved but who was bipolar. She couldn't handle it anymore...moved out and a few months later he killed himself - on Good Friday  - about 1.5 years ago.  We've cried together and had his memorial and she is moving on with her life, thank god.  We've spent alot of time with her and with her sisters - all of whom are married to seemingly wonderful men. 

We just found out this week that one of the sisters is getting divorced - because yes...he was fooling around. After 35 years!  And I guess this isn't the first time, so she's had it!  OK, this is normal in this day and age and I've heard it a million times, but oh - it was so hard to see her pain!  She looks wonderful but you can just see that a part of her has been ripped away - her best friend has betrayed her.  It brings tears to my eyes just to hear the story.  We all talked about how she would be OK, life moves on etc etc, but there is something that changes within one when this type of trust is broken - no way to even put it into words.  

Life....never know what's going to happen next do we??? Treasure the moment? or prepare for the worst? 

Friday night

It's a quiet night.  DH is out playing racquetball.  I'm switching winter clothes/summer clothes. Bringing out all the sweaters. Trying to enjoy the quiet (lately, it's been oppressive - I don't know why), and naturally, reading blogs - catching up with friends. 

Reading other's blogs is so strange sometimes. There are the people that I "know" and the people I'm getting to "know".  That's OK, I read and comments and learn, and visit and keep up with friends. 

There are other blogs that I read, and never comment - and sometimes I wonder if the voyeur in me is reading and following the story - maybe I don't think it's real?  

This blog is done by a Mormon lady who had a sister in a terrible accident.  Beside the fact that the whole family is absolutely wholesome and gorgeous looking, and they are close knit and tremendously family oriented - there is a sense of reality that comes thru in this blog that is pretty amazing.  These people also have such faith - I am both jealous and skeptical.   The one sister has taken in the 4 children of the sister in the accident.  The sister in the accident was terribly burned and it's just a tragic story.  There is tremendous blogging support for this family, on line auctions and fund raisers and concerts.  Its unbelievable what the power of this medium can do. 

I don't really know why I keep following this blog.  Is it voyeurism?  Am I hoping for a miracle that the sister will wake up with a whole heart?  Do I think I am following a story that must have a happy ending?  Is it compassion or "glad it's not me".  

I just don't know.  

I do know that I have gotten drawn into the family saga, and DO want a happy ending to the story - be it years in coming.  Maybe it just the ability to help slightly, by buying something on auction.  Maybe it's knowing that the new skin the sister is getting is grown by my company - and I know the tremendous compassion that the people growing those cells have for the burn victims.   There are a whole lot more important things going on in this world, but I've gotten caught up in this drama - and yes...have sent up a few prayers for the family. And, am counting my blessings - at least trying to  - every day. 

To Dog or Not to Dog

I got my first dog when I was six, and was completely hooked! Since then I've always had a dog, - who was a huge part of the family - until our last, most beloved dog Samson died in 2002. We decided to take a break from dog ownership for awhile, I just couldn't face trying to replace Sam. So here we are, years later and I'm wanting a dog big time. Problem is - DH doesn't! He was never a dog person really, but did love Samson as much as I did. Confounding this is the fact that he really is allergic to dander and hair and we do have to be careful about diseases in this house (immunosupression is a tough life to live).

So I'm to make up a list of Pro's and Con's for having a dog. Problem is it looks something like this

Pro
I want a dog
Companionship
I need a dog
Get to go outside and take it for a walk

Con
Expensive
Have to come home to take it out
Go for a walk on your own
Messy
his responsibility when I am at work

and it goes on and on. The reasons for having a dog are all emotional. The reasons for not having a dog are all practical. On paper it just doesn't add up.

How do you write down doggie love????