Out of my Mind

Oh my, it's been a while since I've posted anything, I guess it has to do with not having much time!!! The above pic was taken a couple of weeks ago while we at a local volcano hole. We had fun shooting at the old rusted out trucks that somehow landed at the bottom of the pit...love to hear those stories...bet beer was involved. Later on we headed to an area that was littered with Indian pottery shards. Picked up a few great pieces and will probably include them in some art piece. We had a blast (excuse the pun) and it was just the 4 of us and the great desert.

One incident that was particularly hilarious was when Mother Nature decided to knock on my bladder and of course, seeing how we were out in the middle of somewhere, we had to stop and take care of my little problem. Our friend decided to revisit the area were there were steers and their harems, that's an all together different story. As I made myself as comfortable as possible, avoiding snake and ant holes, I had a serious stare down with Mr. Steer! His ears pinned back, he began drooling and snorting at the same time. I don't know if he was ready to impale me against the SUV or include me as one of his "bitches." After all, I'm not exactly petite and I've been called heifer before! Well, I survived the cow incident and we headed back into the city were we ended up bowling and eating nachos and chicken wings.

I've been busy in the studio when I have the time. Since my father's death, I've spent much time with my mother, helping her out and taking her on errands. Next month I'm taking her to Phoenix for a few days to visit my sister and niece. I know she'll enjoy the road trip and seeing my sister's new house. She's also looking forward to visiting with a couple of dear friends in Tucson, just down the road from Phoenix. I know when I return, I'll be ready for a large shot of Turkey and Valium!!! Oiy Vey!

As for studio work, been getting a few things done. Made a couple of things for an exchange and have completed other items for my Etsy shop. Go take a peek at my new stuff and while your there, you might like to revisit my old stuff too!! Peace out!

Valentines

As you can see, I've been a bit busy...should be busier, but sometimes stuff gets in the way. I love working with tin cans, especially the little olive cans, tuna and the long asparagus cans. The smooth surfaces are great to work on. Years ago I painted a watering can that used to belong to my fraternal grandmother. It was a really nice surface to work on, but because of it's size, I didn't use gesso as a primer, but real auto primer and spray paint...Wow, it turned out wonderful! I need to take a pic of that can that my mother has in her kitchen. I told her when she didn't want it anymore, that it's mine!!! LOL

Today we're going to my brother's for a little birthday celebration, my birthday was last Sunday, so it will be a short road trip, up to Las Cruces, NM. He had offered to throw something for me last week, but we already had plans to go to a Super Bowl party, so I asked him if we could have it this Saturday!!! I don't think the offer was extended beyound last weekend, but I kind of just popped the question!! LOL I actually did it for my Mom who would enjoy the short trip and seeing her family in NM.

I have many more projecst waiting for me, but I'm not feeling too motivated. I'm afraid depression is setting in again and I don't want to take anymore medication. My depression manifests physically, I will be fine one moment, then I feel sick to my stomach and I don't think it's necessary to go into anymore details. My father's death has affected me and I just don't want to feel this way. Life is just too short and precious to feel sick, so now that I'm aware of what's happening, hopefully, I can talk my way out of it with a little prayer to my Dad to help out!

I hope my stepdaughter and hubby visit tomorrow and bring that adorable little man with them. Aiden will be 12 mos. in March and he is the apple of my eye right now. He brings so much joy and I need to be with that little bundle of energy! Peace out.

Getting it Back

Well, it's been a while since I last posted anything. After my father's death, I had so much to do, not that I already wasn't on my last thread. Christmas Eve was strange and even stranger at my home. I never had time to decorate my home for the holidays, except a huge red bow on the front door that my wreath usually was placed. This whole ordeal was almost too surreal. I still can't believe my Pop is gone, but I'm sure that idea will dissipate soon.

Yesterday, we went to the cemetery to view the stone and there it was, my father's grave stone...it was like being hit on the head with a sledge hammer....reality is a bitch! My mother and I both cried and cried...a very cathartic moment.

As for my work, today will be the first time I go into the studio in a very long time. I have plenty of heads needing bodies and additional components to their personalities. Additionally, I still have a Christmas gift to complete and my sister's birthday gift to begin. I'm quite happy I have a full plate in the studio.

Well, time to stop typing and start working. Peace out!

Bye Pop

My pop died December 19, 2008 at approximately 8:30 p.m. We had just had him transferred to a specialty care hospital that afternoon. Just watching the emergency crew transferring him from one bed to another seemed to just overwhelm him. Before we left him for the evening, I gave him a kiss and told him if he didn't want to hang out here he could take off at anytime...told him his parents, brothers and golf buddies were waiting for him to go play on heaven's links. He died within an hour after we left.

I'll miss him terribly, but another generation will continue to use his silly sayings in both English and Spanish, we will continue to be $$ savvy as he taught us and will continue to love each other as always. A friend of his once told him that the biggest problem he had was loving his family too much. Don't get me wrong, we were never overindulged, but if we wanted something we had to work for it...even if it included cleaning the nasty toilets in his office!!!

Tomorrow we bury my wonderful dad and will go on with our lives without him. I will carry him in my heart and feel his warmth in my soul. When we left the hospital the second time, to view his body, the last thing I said to him was, "I love you, pop; see you in my dreams." I hope he visits soon....want to know what kind of off-coloured jokes they tell in heaven!!!! Peace out.

Life

Well, I'm facing a major change in my life that many have faced and will as long as humans are around. My father is critically ill and I really feel he's not coming home. He's 87, a colon cancer survivor, severe diabetic, blind and riddled with arthritis. In spite of all of those conditions, he always stayed pretty perky.

My father loves his family and has done everything to help us out, when help was needed. My heart breaks to see my 86 yr. mother, still very active, in such a state of denial. Hell, I don't know how I would react if I had to go through that...after 64 years together, what else does she know? I just pray for the best, what ever that is and that's about all I can do for him now.

This is all too sad...can't type anymore. Love you, Pop!

The Doc Is Done & Gone

Well here he is, my first sculpture! I believe I mentionedit in an earlier post that a doc's wife had commisioned me to make a small sculpture for her reflecting her husband's profession. Well, here's the doc with his lovely patient, however unaware that he has his speculum in her face!!! I used polymer clay and it's not as forgiving as paper clay, but it worked. Mrs. Doc loved it and lovingly took it home. I don't know if I really want to get into this, but it sure was fun making it!

New Wreath

Had to show my new wreath...isn't it just too funny? During the Thanksgiving weekend, my sister and I went to a local art show, best one in town as far as I'm concerned. I came across this woman that makes these awesome wreaths and when I saw this one, I knew it was mine. She makes them from regular grapevine wreaths, purchased at any craft store, but what she does with them is just magical. She gets much of her materials in Mexico then assembles them into these fab wreaths. This was the only one of it's kind, the rest were for Christmas or for home decor. My sister bought a star with these great, brightly coloured straw balls and corn flowers. It was a great afternoon and it was nice to see many old friends from my college days, graduated 3 years ago, to see many in their own stands. I'm going to work towards this show and hopefully get in next year or by 2010.