Year In Review - 2012

I guess it is that time of the year for a review.  I went back in my blogging this year to January 1, 2012.  The entry was 366 Days  and in it I wrote about:

Blog every single day of 2012

Read as many books in 2012 that I did in 2011 (56 books)

Start the eating thing and tracking my food (smaller plate)

Ramp up exercise

Continue the painting and prepare for my own show this spring!!!!!

I have to admit that I didn't do all of them and that is kind of sad.  The first one I was pretty faithful until about October and November when I just kind of lost my writing mojo.  I think I did fairly well in my endeavour, but still, I didn't accomplish the task I put forth in front of me. 

Books, yes I did finish that task by reading 60 books, surpassing my 2011 total of 56. 

Eating, well, like nearly everyone who sets those lose weight goals I kind of fudged (LOL) on that one.  I did start eating a lot better and have stopped buying diet pop by the caseload and only one when I have a desire or eat out.  I am eating smaller portions but the tracking thing, ick...not happening.  I am just not that disciplined for that task. 

The exercise I have continued my 3 days a week but haven't added anymore but it's mainly because of the knee and now that I've had the surgery and am mending...let that goal roll forward.

The painting, yes, I have done that but my own show...NOT!  I've kind of veered from that by focusing on a, well, "focus" in my art and a couple of weeks I sent a packet to my first gallery for admission.  Now I am waiting to hear but won't be disappointed too much if they turn me down.  I think it was pretty brave for me to apply in the first place.  Now we wait. 

Now I will  work on the new 2013 list. 

2012...It's Been A VERY Good Year

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

TO ONE AND ALL.........

 

I promise I will return.  I'm just taking a break from blogging for a few weeks.  Things will be back to normal by the first of the year.

Mum's The Word

I'm still here I promise.  For some reason I have been quite mum with my writing lately.  I haven't even written in my hand journals.  I kind of blame it on my need to pull into myself this time of year, a form of hibernating when it turns winter.  The feeling is trying to take hold of me this year harder than the past few years.  It is so important for me to keep with my exercise routine and stay busy or I can get really depressed.  I HATE the cold and winter.  I HATE when the trees look like skeletons in the dark and grey sky.  So depressing for me.  

I do love Christmas music playing in the stores and enjoy singing along as I do my shopping, that is grocery shopping.  I have not been to the big mall one time this season!  Most of my Christmas shopping as been online, smaller Mom-n-Pop stores, and of course The Alliday Show.  Gift cards are the bulk of my presents this year too.  A isn't coming home for Christmas this year and as of today have still not put anything in the mail to her.  I'm so bad.  

Since before Thanksgiving and my knee surgery I've been off, real off.  The holidays seem to have just flown by and left me no time to think.  Didn't help we had our HUGE party and then The Alliday Show to occupy most of my time.  Next year, no party and I'm going to actually do Christmas cards again.  For years I had my cards ready before Thanksgiving, and sent tons of them.  The past couple of years the task has fallen by the wayside.  This is just not like me but I can't seem to get motivated.  Oh I can't let the dreary season called winter to get hold of me.  

Jingle bells, jingle bells...

Music Is Truly A Miracle

The Alliday Show - The Day After

Yesterday was a big day.  It was the 3rd Annual Alliday Show that B produces.  It was a rousing success for all involved.  The Friday before we spent setting up and helping all the other vendors find their places and get set up.  Rio was a huge help in showing them her precious bright eyes and not hardly making a peep.  She endured two days of constant strangers smiling at her and oooing and awwing at her.  This poor little girl was a trooper and I'm sure this morning is still napping and resting. 

 

The publicity was awesome for the show with B on television several times, in local magazines and even in the Tulsa World newspaper Saturday morning!  Turn out was consistent and steady and I think everyone did well.  We are all exhausted but it is a good tired after a successful event.  Now on to next year.

 

Here's to Alliday 2013!

Alliday is Everyday

Saturday is the B's big day.  The Alliday Show that she has been working on all year long, that and having a baby!!!!!  I will be there with a few of my paintings, note cards and prints.  Come on by and say hello if you are around! 

We welcome you to the third annual Alliday Show on Saturday, December 15th at the Tulsa Fairgrounds from 9-5! The first 50 people in the door will receive swag bags filled with surprises from the artists! This event is FREE to attend and will be full of unique, handmade goods to help finish (or begin) your holiday shopping! To entice you further, little Rio, the granddaughter will be in attendance lending her sweet smile!

Post Party

This is just a quick update and I'm so sorry but a camera was not even used last night to document the FABULOUS Party that happened here.   My feet, my aching feet!  After nearly 2 hours in my pumps, my pretty shoes, I ditched them for barefoot then out came the house shoes.  My guests by that time didn't mind as they all knew that I had recent surgery.  About 5:15 the wait staff I hired arrived and what I can say is WOW!  Best decision I ever made for sure and well worth any money to help.  They started in getting the drink area going and my food table set up, especially when the food arrived at 6 and some early guests that arrived (party started at 6:30.)  My Daddy even arrived at 4:30, before it was dark.  He stayed about 15 minutes and then was on his way back home.  The drive this time made him very nervous.  So even though I needed to pay attention to the food set up I had to attend to guests earlier than expected, but that was okay. I checked my list this morning and there were a total of 86 guest in attendance.  I planned on 150 on food and beverages and you know what, there is not much food left.  The caterer I use has great food and the amount eaten is testament to that.  It seemed that everyone arrived at once with a trickle throughout the evening but it was pretty much done by 10 pm.  We had a few stragglers coming after that and we welcomed them by the fire pit with a glass of wine and lots of chit-chat.  It was a glorious evening, made even better is that the wait staff put all the leftovers in the fridge, washed my dishes used and took away their plates and wine glasses that I didn't have to wash!  Big plus on all the decisions we made.  The last of the guests finally headed home at one in the morning as I was changing into something much more comfortable and getting my bed ready.  It was guy time by the fire and I was done!

Good stuff happened though as there was a kind of bidding war on some of my paintings and I may have sold some.  People were whispering so their spouses or partners would not hear for Christmas presents!  SCORE!  Also, I may have a commission piece to do, and it's for a gift for a world renowned designer!!!!! SCORE!  Couldn't have been a better evening.

I got to introduce my Now best friend to my old high school best friend that I have reconnected with.  It is was a wonderful feeling to have some of my favorite people meet and be one place together, with me!  Actually, our home was full of best friends and our life is full of riches of the love our friends showed us and hopefully we show them.  Life is good!

Today is REST day and I may have The Hubby to take me to dinner tonight!

Party-Time

Tis the season to stay really, really busy.  Today is our huge party and I'm so excited that of course I couldn't sleep in.  My mind starts going off about 4:30 a.m., just about the time Clayton starts waking up for his 5 am feeding.  Once the mind starts whirring I'm done for and just have to get up.  Especially today as the day for our Christmas Extravaganza has come.  I sent out 92 invitations and as of yesterday am still receiving RSVP's, but that is okay.  I've booked for for 150 with the caterer.  The Hubby and I went to the liquor store and purchase a sizeable amount of beverages, nearly $500 worth but we think we might need more.  I have wait staff hired to help.  Finally, yesterday the wonderful brother-in-law came over with boxes of decor to add to my stuff.  He hung wreaths, swags and set sweet little white baby reindeer (pictures later) around to enhance the feel of Christmas.  The Hubby has gone overboard, when he said he wouldn't, and hung lights on the front of the house and around the backyard on the new landscaping.  It's so pretty.  I think the weather is going to hold out one day for us and stay fairly nice, nice enough that we can leave the doors open and have a nice fire in the fire pit, plus we have the heater outside.  I think we will have slightly over a hundred people in attendance but as it is a drop in kind of thing I don't think it will be all at once but we can handle it.

My knee is so much better and my plan for the evening is to wear this killer cocktail dress I purchased.  I'm so hoping I can wear my pumps, my favorite shoes for most of the evening.  I certainly don't want to be forced to my tennis shoes for comfort.  The one thing I won't be doing this time around is drinking a lot of wine.  Oh my gosh, six years ago, the last time we had this kind of shindig, I was still reeling from the loss of my mother and my best friend Gail and I imbibed a bit too much, a LOT too much.  I spent the night on the bathroom floor sick, SICK I say.  It was just too much after all the loss and I took to the wine to have a release.  2006 was a very hard year for me and 2012, I have healed and moved on and to top it off have reconnected with my high school bestie friend, Sharon.  2011-2012 have been the best for me.  We've completed the house totally.  I found Sharon again.  We had our first grandbaby, granddaughter Rio come into our lives.  And, my art is taking a different direction and given me a new sense of ME!  I'm ready for 2013 and what it holds!

Christmas Memories

Trying to blog everyday till the end of the year I was at a loss for words as usual.  I thought I would find an old picture and try some memories.  Here we go!

This picture was taken at my Grandma's, probably Christmas Eve 1975.  Momma, Daddy, Bro, Sis and I.  I can guess the age because of my hair.  I'm more bleached blonde thanks to my Aunt trying to "paint" my hair.  Remember that technique, where they would paint the blonde in but I had such long hair that she thought she would brush it through.  What we ended up with was bleached hair.  It was the first time that I had done anything to my hair that wasn't a permanent.  She cut the cute little fly bangs and bleached me out and I loved it.  My dress, Momma made.  She made a lot of clothes for Sis and I.  You can't tell in the photo but this maxi dress had a sweet print and the little bows were burgundy velvet.  I think Sis had a matching one.  

Earlier times at home for Christmas.  There is Sis with our beloved Susie.  Susie was Daddy's cat.  She loved my Daddy so much.  Susie gave us several litters of sweet kittens. of which we kept only one of her many kittens.  When we lived in Arkansas briefly Susie got some kind of an abscess in her bottom jaw or worms or something  (memory) and Daddy had to cut it out and (old time vet practices) kept it clean with peroxide.  She ended up losing her bottom teeth but that didn't stop her from bringing field rats to the door for Momma.  Because she had no bottom teeth when she was content and purring her tongue would slid out and she would drool.  She was a great mouser and momma kitty.  

 Awww, there she is.  She had 3 litters of three but the last litter was 5 and Mother said no more and had her fixed.

Check out the PJ's.  Again they were the product of my mother's handiwork on the sewing machine.  They were our Christmas present.  Money was not readily available but fabric was cheap and mother was talented.  We almost always got handmade stuff under the tree and our stockings were filled with nuts, fruit and some hard candy.  They were the best kinds of Christmas memories.

Even older Christmas, there I am on the left.  Bro in on the floor crying and Sis is in Momma's lap with the pacifier.  The rest are aunts and cousins.  Wasn't Mother a beauty!  I was 3 years old, Bro was nearly 2 and Sis 5 months old.  Stairstep kiddos.  

My Aching Feet

Oh my aching feet!  I think I've written a post titled this before but today is for a different reason.  Yesterday I spent the day trying to finish the Christmas decor in the front room with a bit of stuffing junk in various closets.  I was done by about three in the afternoon when my knee said STOP!  This morning I got up about six, read the paper, enjoyed a cup of coffee and my protein bar and then began the task of reorganizing my room, yet again.  Yesterday I brought nearly every painting I have done in here to set up the room as a kind of gallery for the party.  Well, instead I started picking up stuff in one corner and moving it around to a better spot, then more and more and more until I had picked up the entire room and of course stuff some of it in the closet.  My art corner was a total mess with piles of sketches, tracing paper pieces, canvases, paint brushes, just stuff and I organized it.  I've got all kinds of table easels, my painting easel, some TV trays and my desk/table all ready and set up with various paintings around the room.  I've hung three paintings and some are sitting in the windows.  It doesn't look great but is better and at least all the paintings are displayed.  I asked The Hubby to come in a have a look because I was kind of proud of how orderly it looked, to me.  He just kind of shook his head and said, "uh huh."  Well, crap.  It is my space and it's a creative room, my creative room.  At least he didn't give suggestions or ask when I would finish.  He knows better, I think.  LOL!

Back to the feet and my calves.  OUCH!  The knee not so much but my feet and legs are killing me.  I know part of the problem is that I have been doing this stuff in my house shoes for two solid days and the feet they are revolting!  I think I'm done for the weekend, really.  I still have the living room and the kitchen but they will be easy.  I'll get those done closer to Friday so the house can get totally cleaned and ready for the party.

I think I'm hitting the hot tub, get my book and sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Awwww, my air chair, book and glass of iced tea!

Party and Garden or Garden Party

Exactly a week from today our party is happening and I have TONS left to do.  It's funny that I have sent nearly 200 invites out and only a handful have bothered to RSVP.  I am going to have to just plan food on the assumption that all will come!?  That is weird but what do you do.  The family helped to get the tree up but I still have boxes and boxes of stuff to put out.  That is really the easy part but I do have to do it.  Then I can tweek the house and shelves and stuff.  I have to make it perfect as it is an open house.  My plan is to also set "my room" up as a kind of gallery and maybe hang a few of my pieces around the house.  What an opportunity for an art show!  Maybe I can sell some stuff.  That would be AWESOME!

My mind is just swimming with stuff this morning.  I was up at five with Clayton and just could not go back to sleep.  The party, and next weekend is B's Alliday Show at the fairgrounds and I have to set up my booth.  That is kind of blowing my mind right now because I'm not really sure I want to do it but I need too.  Last year I had a lot of prints to sell but I'm not going to do that this year.  I just don't want to get into the PRINT stuff.  I just want to paint and sell paintings.  I don't want it to be a "business", I want to create.  I do have note cards and those are easy and sell nicely.

This month, December, I plan on fulfilling the plan to post everyday, I hope.  I did pretty well for posting everyday of the year until about September then I just gave up.  I think because my body was in so much pain that I couldn't write.  The knee thing is a memory, although I still have the arthritis pain some, I am pain free.  I've gone back to the exercise but I don't overdo it because I am still post-surgery and have another 6-7 weeks of healing time internally.  There are times at the end of the day when it is telling me "STOP and rest!"  This week won't be an option for me in that regard.  It is full steam ahead.

The house renovation is complete, inside and out...well, the out is not quite complete but by Tuesday it will be.  The landscaping is done and the new sod will be laid on Tuesday, then we can call it complete, at least till spring when my new vegetable garden will be set up.  I've adjusted where it is and have plans for some of the flowerbeds along with Sue from The Garden Trug.

When we were planning on getting some more landscaping done the guy who did the front yard was a flake and left us with new flowerbeds overrun with the zoysia grass.  We couldn't get him back to replace plants that were the wrong stuff or to fix our problems.  I had HAD it with him and I told The Hubby that I was going to be in charge of the yard stuff.  I love gardening and when I first went to college at the age of 24 my first class was horticulture because that is what I wanted to be briefly.  I knew what I was doing.  He let me, although he couldn't help himself for trying to horn in.  That's okay because I know he is a micro-manager and he needed to be a part.  Anyway, in our little three street area The Garden Trug truck was everywhere at 3 or 4 different houses and I saw that they were doing everything from fences to new flowerbeds.  I contacted Sue and got things going and I am extremely pleased with them.  They will also come out to clean out my beds in the spring and put more annuals, whatever I need!!!!!  I am in control of the yard!

I Apologize and More!

I apologize for not blogging enough lately but it is what it is.

Last night I invited The Hubby's brother, his partner, the mother-in-law, B&B2+Rio over for dinner and a Christmas decorating party.  Unfortunately The Hubby is feeling under the weather and so we were very delayed in getting all of the Christmas out of the attic.  I was still trying to set up the tree and un-box the ornaments when everyone started arriving.  WHEW!  Between getting a full workout yesterday and doing the Christmas thing with company, I have over done it.  My knee is a bit swollen this morning and I am exhausted.  On top of that Clayton was up several times last night getting sick.  We had new landscaping stuff in the backyard with mulch and I realized that he had apparently eaten some of it because that is what he is tossing.  Have to keep a good eye on him to make sure he is okay.  I did do a bit of painting in class and that makes me take a breather.

The invites for the big Christmas Open House went out on Sunday and yesterday I started getting RSVP's.  Only two or three but it's a start.  I'm getting a bit nervous but all will work out.  I have to get the house in order and set up "my room" like an art gallery so that everyone can see the paintings.  Then the next weekend is B's Alliday Show  and I will have a booth set up with some of my paintings, prints and note cards.  You have to come and see me.

Lastly today, I apologize for changing the way you can leave comments but I have been getting at least 20-30 spam comments daily lately.  I don't understand what has prompted this and I MUST take action.

Let Me Ask You This...

Let me ask you this.....

You have someone come in and fill out a job application.  You check him out, interview him and then hire him to start the next Monday.  Monday rolls around and the work day begins but he does not show up.  In this day and age with unemployment at the levels it is, do you not show up.  Apparantly this guy is not hungry.  What in the world is the matter with people. 

Grey Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday

Grey Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday.  Have I missed something here.  Have the days of the week changed and no one told me.  Do you participate in this madness?  I have gone out on a Black Friday a few times before but that was when it was a relatively new idea and not crowded.  Also, the stores didn't open till like 5 or 6 am, not Thursday morning.  Now, I prefer to go to the cabin and hibernate from the hustle and bustle that has become the NOT Christmas like holidays!  What has happened to a perfectly nice family holiday, we've made it all about the commercialness of getting a good deal on crap we don't need!  I have to admit I am a Cyber Monday kind of gal but that is because I HATE the mall.  I will do my Christmas shopping a small Mom & Pop kind of stores so as not to deal with the crap that retail has turned Christmas into.  I want to go back to getting oranges, apples, and nuts in my stocking.  Being excited for a handmade pair of pants or dress from my momma.  Back to the idea of just being with family instead of an XBox or IPhone or crap like that.  Christmas has lost it and we have to got to get it back.

On Tuesday I am planning on having part of The Hubby's family, B&B2-w/Rio over for a bite to eat and then we will decorate the tree and house.  They will help me since I'm kind of down a bit and besides it is great fun.  We did it a few years ago and my oh my was it the best time.  I'm going to have Christmas music playing, we will sing along, laugh, eat and enjoy each other's company.  Maybe I'll even have some cider or hot cookies, something to give the house a fabulous smell.  I really can't wait and think this time will be even more fun than Christmas Day!

Next year why don't we BOYCOTT the Grey Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday!  Take back our holiday from retailers and make them start celebrating it again at the appropriate time again, the day after Thanksgiving, NOT Labor Day!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.  I am thankful for my family and my fabulous life.  

CRASH! BANG! ERROR!

Good early morning everyone.  I am kind of excited today!  Today is the first doc appointment after the knee thingy.  The stitches will finally come out.  I'm feeling so much better that I was awake at 4 this morning.  Just woke up.  Of course my head hit the pillow last night at 8:30 but I really didn't drift off till about 9:30.  So much is swimming around in my head and this doc thing today is very much on the top of the list.  

I think I forgot to tell you about my Friday at the office last week.  WHEW!  What a day.  Every other Friday is payroll day at our office.  I use the program Quickbooks Pro and have used it since 1996 with updates to the program every few years.  I got to the office fairly early that day with the intention of being done and ready to head to the cabin.  I clicked the icon to open QB and waited.  OOPS!  There was an error message.  WHAT!!!!!  ERROR!!!!!  Click again, same message.  The time was about 8:30 and I was immediately on the phone to tech support.  They have been very helpful before and I knew they would again.  I was connected to a guy in India who I allowed to take over my computer (kind of a scary thing!)  I watched as the cursor whizzed back and forth and after about 45 minutes and him receiving the same error message twice it was finally determined that my program had CRASHED!  Oh my goodness.  I was in a bit of a panic.  I HAD to do payroll for the employees.  He suggested that I go ahead and upgrade to the new version of 2013 and I quickly agreed.  Well, after yet another 45 minutes or so I had a new upgrade and my QB PRO was open and I was processing payroll.  It was very fortunate that the data files were not affected in all this.  My concern with all of this is that I sometimes I wonder that there might possibly be a glitch included in programs that cause them to hiccup every few years, forcing you to HAVE to upgrade.  Do you often question that?  

Monday Ramble

Thought I would give a Monday Ramble today about this and that, whatever seems to be swimming around in my head this morning.

So much stuff is rolling around in my thoughts about what needs to be done...NOW!!!  I am not doing the Thanksgiving thing exactly this year with this knee thing.  My sweet sis-in-law has taken on the chore of hosting this year and the other side of the family is being taken over by one of the nieces.  WooHoo!  I'm good and all I have to come up with is the green bean casserole.  The knee is so much better but not for me to stand around in the kitchen for sure.  I've got to get better for our party.  See, every few years we host a huge open house party and it seems to grow every year.  Since we have done so much more construction on the house it is time yet again to do the shindig again.  So far my list is close to 200 people so I've got to be creative to make sure is is truly a drop-in kind of thing.  I don't all 200 at one time and I'm sure the neighbors don't want that too on the streets.  Of course they are all invited too...the key to a harmonious party.  I've got the caterer lined up and I TOLD The Hubby I was hiring wait staff to help keep the wine flowing and the food tables full.  I can't do it all by myself.  My problem now is getting the house all decorated up and that means a trip to the attic which is where he comes in.  I think I will do what I did a few years ago and invite the mother-in-law, the brother-in-law and his partner and B&B2 w/Rio to help decorate and feed them.  It was a ton of fun the last time and I had great help.  I'm not going to push myself with this knee thing.

Caterer - CHECK
Wait Staff - CHECK
Wine/Beer
Invitations
Guest List
Decorating
HOUSE IN ORDER!!!!!

My mind is a jumble!

Spam

I have to tell you that since I've been not blogging as much and down with this knee thing my blog comment section has absolutely been filling up with SPAM.  It is amazing how much I get every single day.  What's the deal here.  Yes I have readers, lots of readers but I don't want the spammers for sure.  Do you get a lot that?

Knee Update

This is I believe day 3 of after knee surgery.  It is getting better, very slowly.  Pain pills that lo 'n behold I can take without problems, lots of sleep and water and I am mending.  Saturday The Hubby got me all settled in at home with everything I could possibly need and was on his way to the gun show.  That was the worst day for sure.  The pain brought me to absolute tears.  I guess I had waited too long to start the pain meds and after that little fiasco I was johnny-on-the-spot popping a pill or two.  EEK!  Food has not been too high on the list of things either, nothing sounds good.  Friday night I had about two tablespoons of take-out Chinese, and a bit of chicken and rice soup.  Last night he went to get Jamil's  for steaks for dinner.  Yummy and then they repeated for lunch.  Not sure what's on the menu for tonight but a friend is bring grub tomorrow!!!!  I HAVE to go to the office tomorrow but it will be in and out.  Do a deposit and then head back home.  I certainly can't go to the grocery store on crutches, that is for sure.  So a list I will make.

I tell you what hurts horribly is the hand where the nurse botched putting in the IV....OUCH!  Really is sore.

Now for Thanksgiving, I'm afraid that I will not be cooking a turkey this year.  I will have to wait till next week to see how I'm doing.  I usually have the entire family over but I just can't manage that.  I worry about my Daddy but I do have two siblings that will have to take the lead there.  Makes me sad as this is The Hubby's favorite holiday.  Oh well, each day at a time.  I may be able to do a couple of cornish hens for he and I.

The Deed Is Done

For the first time in WEEKS I have no pain.  Yes, no pain, and this is after surgery.  Actually, the only pain I have is where they strapped my leg down and bruised me and a rip roaring headache.  For some strange reason when I came too I had a sore throat...oh yes, the tube...but I had the urgent need to cough and they encourage me.  I heard them say I had fluid in my lungs.  That scared me.  I thought of pneumonia and I don't want that again.   

Just before they came to take me in my sweet mother-in-law arrived.  I was very happy to see her.  It was nice to know she was there too.  After the surgery when I was in recovery I heard one of my brother-in-law's, Steve.  Again I was so happy.  It's is nice to be loved.  The ride home we were followed by my MIL to help.  She is awesome like that.  While laying on the couch I could hear her puttering around in the kitchen putting things away, cleaning, doing what she does best, HELP!  The Hubby got the ice machine thing hooked up around my knee and got me all situated and I could tell he was frustrated.  I don't know if he does this stuff well.  

The Hubby went to the pharmacy to fill my pain meds, the grocery store and to get FOOD!  I had not eaten since 8 pm the night before and it was 5 pm the next day.  Ravenous!  I didn't want anything too spicy and no milk products because I was very nauseated after and still was after the car ride home.  I am notorious for throwing-up after stuff like this.  Luckily I still have not though.  Since my throat was sore I wanted pop-cicles and apple sauce, chicken noodle soup and a Diet Pepsi.  That is what I WANTED!  He couldn't believe I didn't have any Diet Pepsi here but I guess he hasn't noticed that I have not bought the stuff in bulk for months now.  I occasionally buy one!  

The Hubby came home from the pharmacy ranting and raving and madder than a wet hen.  The pain meds were percocet and they did not want to give them to him because plainly I have on my records that I CAN'T TAKE CODEINE and that is what percocet is.  He was ticked off.  Plus when he went back to pick them up the pharmacy LOST the prescription.  Oh man he was mad.  Actually, I think he was more hungry as he didn't eat lunch which makes him like a bear.  He brought home Chinese takeout (uh spicy), groceries and meds.  Groceries, well, the one thing I really wanted were the pop-cicles but he forgot them.  Then he went off a bit and said he would go back the next day.  That's okay, I don't need them now.  

{see that bruise}

We finally ate a bit, not much and then sleep.  I still woke up with this headache but it's better now that I'm up in my chair.  Pain is gone, so far.  I can put 100% weight on it but have crutches!  YIKES.  I guess they are more for stabilization than anything.  They got it cleaned out but the doc told The Hubby that I really have a lot of arthritis in the knee so back to working out.  I have got to keep the joints moving.  

Anticipation

Tomorrow is the day.  The day they hopefully get this darned knee fixed or at least cleaned out to help my mobility.  I can't wait to get back to the stationary bike and treadmill.  My workout schedule has been so off because I hurt nearly all the time.  I'm so nervous about tomorrow.  It's not so much about the surgery thing it's about the possibility of infection afterwards.  Since I've had a bout of MRSA and Daddy's horrible experience with the MRSA with his hip replacement that TERRIFIES me!  All that aside, I am READY!  Today I wait till sometime after 2:30 when they will call with the surgery time.  Sleep will be a bit hard I would imagine tonight.  My mind will be working overtime.  

Also tonight is the artist reception for the Alpha Rho Tau reception at TCC.  If you are in the Tulsa area and having nothing to do, come on by and see some great art.  All for sale and maybe I'll get a ribbon!  They were judged yesterday and I have no idea at this point.  I didn't think I would go but can't stay away.  If you show up I will be the one hobbling around or sitting in a corner rubbing my knee! 

Just Think

(by my mother, not me, but the talent I inherited)

[pastels]

Art & Babies

With extra time sitting on my backside with this darn knee I have found that sitting at the easel eases my pain.    We also had time in town this weekend away from the cabin babysitting little Rio.  More about that in a bit.  

This is an amaryllis that I loved.  The photo when blown up is not too clear so as I was contemplating painting it I decided to try my hand at abstract.

I grabbed the palette knife and started with some color and scraping around.  I have to say that I am NOT an abstract fan but I actually loved doing this and it was kind of freeing.  I ended up loving it too.   

That was Sunday, but on Saturday I sat down to my prepped easel and wanted to paint this sunflower.  I seem to have a love for painting sunflowers as this is the third one I've painted.  I love the vibrant yellow.  To me it is sunshine. 

My canvas size of choice in this line of flower paintings is a 16x16 gallery wrap canvas.

This picture does not do the color justice and at this point was not finished but I think it will be today with a signature.  I've got to get some pricing on these things as so many have asked which gives me hope of selling all of them! 

On the babysitting thing, well...

We kept her on Tuesday night while they went to dinner for a trial run at the babysitting a 5 week old and it went well.  The plan was for Saturday night.  They had a Halloween party to go to and we "were" going to keep her all night.  I can do this, I've raised two girls from birth, I can do this.  I can't do this.  I feel I failed but in reality she was terribly tired and fussy and really just needed her Momma.  That is fine because she is only weeks old.  We will have many more chances to keep that precious little girl for years to come.  It was good though as B&B2 got to have a couple of nights out with friends and time to themselves.  It's a start.  

Knee Update

I have news.  Waiting nearly 5 weeks for some kind of something to deal with this pain in my knee I finally have a surgery date.  I had the MRI last week and again I was waiting and waiting for a phone call about what the results were and where we needed to go.  Finally, 6 days later I called the doc's office to have them tell me that I was supposed to call and set up an appointment, "Didn't they tell you that."  NO!  So we scheduled the appointment and I went yesterday.  Wednesday I was in the worst pain ever and The Hubby was not sympathetic at all complaining that he was tired of me moaning.  Uh, really!  That aside, I slept badly and waited around all day long for the 3:15 appointment.  I arrived at 3:00, checked in and waited.  I waited and waited, yet again.  At 4:06, my name was called to go into the patient room where I patiently waited and waited.  At 4:24, in the door walked the doctor.  A quick yadda-yadda about cartilage bits, swelling, bone irritation (no joke), and arthritis, he sort of suggested that he could clean it out with the arthroscopic surgery and I was yes, yes, let's do it.  He did say that a knee replacement might be in my future...ICK!  I hobbled back to my car and made the phone calls to friends, kiddo's and then to the hospital to set up pre-op.  I'm on!  When talking to The Hubby, he wanted to know if it was caused by any one thing like a dance move.  I told him no but I should have said YES!  He wants to be sure I can dance again I think and for the dancing to not be the culprit.  Really, I think it is a lot of factors, dancing, jogging, Jazzercise, age, weight, age.....Sucks getting old I can say.  Daddy apologized for giving me the bad arthritic knees that he is blessed with.

Word Spill

I'm not sure what you call this abandoning of my blog lately, writers block.  I just don't know but the words are just not there.  I don't seem to have an opinion about anything lately and I certainly don't want to get political.  I haven't even been writing in my handwritten journal.  It's very strange that I don't have words spilling out of my brain.  It could be the pain that seems to be never ending from the knee because it seems to be constantly on my mind.  Workouts have been at a real minimum and any kind of walking to stores or ANYTHING is at a minimum.  I am in the holding pattern, STILL of waiting for a call from the doctor's office.  Since the MRI was last Wednesday I am giving them till tomorrow afternoon then I'm calling them.  They should surely have the results by then wouldn't you think.  If I was not referred by my regular doctor I would stop this and start the process over but I am patient and a waiter by nature.

I can't believe that tomorrow is Halloween, my most un-favorite time of year, mostly because of the candy aspect and how I DON'T want it in my house.  As it turns out my lights will be out because The Hubby will be at dance class and I am NOT going to be getting up and down to answer the door with this knee.  If he was here I have a bag of toys to give out if he was.

On a good note is that we are babysitting sweet Rio on Thursday and will get to have an all-nighter on Saturday while they go to a huge Halloween party.  Thursday will be a trial run and hope all goes well.  The Hubby is rather excited as am I.  She is a precious little being that has been brought into our lives and I can't wait to spend some time with her.  I can't wait till she is bouncing around this house with a sing-song "Granny", "GrandPOP!(or Poppy, or PaPa or whatever he prefers...)

Sweet Sounds

Last night I again woke up about 2 a.m. This is really getting old.  I am sleeping very soundly and then I'm just awake.  The eyes open wide and the mind is racing.  It's not even hot flashes that are rousing me out of my slumber, I JUST WAKE UP!  I don't mind laying there for a bit and drifting back into dreamland but the problem is when The Hubby is rattling the walls with his own Sleepytown Noises.  It's not really even a snore, at least as bad as my Dad used to do, it's noise.  Many years ago The Hubby had a test to find out he had sleep apnea so he had surgery.  Then he had his uvula lasered off and his deviated septum fixed.  It was great because he finally started dreaming again and YEA the snoring stopped.  He could peel the paint off the walls snorer and it ceased.  Fast forward to now and he is again making sounds when he sleeps.  Saying all of this, therein lies my problem of trying to get back to sleep yet again.  The "sounds" he makes.  I jiggle the bed, I nudge, flip-flop in the bed, anything to try and make him shift.

As I was laying there last night trying all the maneuvers to get him to stop I had the thought that it would certainly be very quiet without his sweet sounds.  I don't think I would like the silence either.  I guess I have grown to love the sweet sounds that are rolling around the bedroom walls every night from The Hubby snoring.

Outdoor Kitchen and Living Space

BEFORE

THE TEAR OUT:

IN CONSTRUCTION

ALMOST COMPLETE

NEW LANDSCAPE...MORE TO COME

FINISHED!

Babies, Moons and Flowers

Friday night The Hubby and I attended a concert at the River Spirit Event Center, The 5th Dimension and The Spinners.  The Hubby was adamant that we go to see them so tickets I purchased.  The venue is fairly small and quaint and was quickly filled to the brim with a lot of blue and white hair, not the pink or yellow variety but the OLD kind.  But really, we are so in that age bracket it's scary.  What a rowdy crowd that loved to sing along and dance in their seats and aisles.  The 5th Dimension was okay with a founding member Florence LaRue, which I had never heard of.  The Spinners had two returning founding members and it was a great concert.  We were pleased.  

The next day we were headed to the cabin for one night but The Hubby was insistent that we spend some time with Rio.  She is growing so fast already and it's only been 3 weeks.  

Her face is changing so much and even smiled when her name was mentioned.   

The drive to the cabin was beautiful.  The day was incredibly beautiful with the colors changing quickly. 

I grabbed my camera when we got there and hopped on the golf cart to try and capture the beauty. 

Check this out.  I was driving through the meadow and when I stopped on the backside where it is quiet, I turned to capture this in the bright midday sky! 

The last of the flowers are trying hard to get all they can out of the sun and warmer temperatures. 

I am already waiting impatiently for spring.

Life Rolls On

Life seems to be marching on, day by day.  Little Rio is growing like a weed, already gaining nearly a pound in 2 weeks.  Her Momma is finally able to get out and about which will help with the stir crazy feeling.  Isn't this sweet.  It's the mother-in-law with her little great-granddaughter.  Aren't they both beautiful ladies.  

Work is slow for me but in general the guys are busy, busy, busy.  That is finally good.  It has been a weird few years in the industry and very slow to build back up.  I will be ready for the elections to be done and the US can move on, however things turn out.  At this point there is no telling which way it will fall.  

Yesterday we got new android phones, the new Galaxy III so I will be knee deep trying to figure out how it all works.  Should be fun.

The view from the new The Vault

The Hubby and I try to eat out only once a week but sometimes more.  Last week we tried the newly open The Vault in downtown Tulsa.  It's in the old First National Autobank and has a room called the Tom Tom Room  that can be rented out for special groups along with a general restaurant eating area.  The menu consists of pimento mac and cheese,  eggplant moussaka, and pretzel sliders with some old fashioned drinks like Manhattan's, Mai Tai, and Pink Stag.  The  decor is kind of Mad Men'ish and something B&B2 would love.  It's funny that some 36 years ago I was in the autobank when it was an autobank.  I used to work a couple of blocks away and the company I worked for deposited our paychecks automatically into new accounts set up there.  It's great to see the old being saved and re-thought for new.  

NOTE:  Still have not heard from the doctor office about the MRI.  It's been 2 weeks and I called yet again yesterday to have the girl say that was not right.  She took my number and said they would call me when they were back from lunch.  Do you see anywhere here where they called back...NO!  So today I will call yet again and see what is up.  I don't have time to play around here as life rolls on.  Next Tuesday they will start the tear out of the very old landscaping in the backyard and I need to concentrate on that.  I don't have time to play phone tag when I'm the only one phone tagging!  Can you tell I'm pissed!  Oh well.  On to my Friday as I wait around for the outdoor drapes to be delivered sometime today.  Tonight The Hubby and I go to see the 5th Dimension and The Spinners.  

LIFE ROLLS ON!

I'm Still Blogging

Good Sunday morning one and all.  I bet you thought I had given up blogging altogether but I haven't, I've just hit a lull in what wants to be put into words.  

We finally skedaddled off to the cabin Friday afternoon to only stay one night but what fun we had.  Pizza with some of the cabinites and then home on Saturday afternoon.

The last of my summer flowers are trying to keep spring and summer in the air.  I love the beautiful rose and there was one more tiny bud ready to pop soon.  I may have to paint this one.  

Along with the beauty we were left with the ugly.  This nasty little millipede was just one of thousands that were milling (LOL) around the front doorstep at the cabin.  We swept them off into oblivion, or at least into a huge pile that was NOT on my doorstep.  I Googled them knowing the were probably millipedes and found them on the okstate.edu website. Thank goodness it says they are harmless.  Yeah, that's what they think until you crunch tons of them under your shoes....ICK! 

Fall is beginning and the color is coming.  It will probably not be as pretty from the drought conditions but it will be here. 

Baby Rio is doing well and tomorrow she will be 2 weeks old.  Wow!  Her momma, B, is doing well too and getting her girlish figure back very fast.  I think she's a bit stir crazy, not being to go out on her own yet but all in all she is doing remarkably well.  

The knee is still an issue.  I went to the specialist 11 days ago and am still waiting for the okay for an MRI.  He said they had to get the nod from the insurance company but how long does that take.  At least the pain is a bit better but I'm ready to get this thing fixed.  I'm going to give them till Thursday and will call yet again and raise a little ruckus.  Really this is silly, don't you think. 

Monday Morning Ramble

Good Monday morning...brrrr, it's in the 30's here this morning and I DON'T like.  Wow, why is it so chilly this early in the season.  I am not ready for the chill but I guess I can't fight it.  

The knee is a bit better today, not as swollen and sore but definitely still there.  I've been waiting since Thursday for a call from the scheduling office to see if the insurance will pay for the MRI and then the surgery.  If the insurance says no on the MRI but yes to surgery that will make me want to scratch the head.  I mean wouldn't they want to know exactly what the doctor is going after in there!  At this point I'm ready.  I'm tired of crippin' around here and being so careful and this cold weather will make it ache more.  I've already been dealing with a potential crick in my neck since the cold hit.  

Today is the first day for B2 to go back to work leaving B and baby Rio alone, on their own for the first time since she was born....wow, 7 days ago.  Rio is 7 days old, one week.   

Saturday I went to see Daddy with the purpose of taking him to see his first great-grandchild and he was elated.  We hopped in the car and trekked over there.  Isn't this picture awesome.  

Rio and her Great-GrandPapa!

This and That Saturday

Good Saturday morning all.  We're in town for yet another weekend.  The Hubby has to do some office work which means my Monday at the office will be on overload with invoicing.  We've missed several weeks at the cabin but it's all been good as we were waiting for little Rio to enter this world.  I think we will go up on Sunday afternoon because one of the cabins is going to be auctioned off.  Sadly one of our friends has hit very hard times and their cabin is one to go.  Makes my heart break for them and to see one of the places where we have all shared so many happy fun memories go to a stranger.  I'm not sure why The Hubby wants to go except for maybe curiosity, surely he doesn't plan on bidding?...?...?

Today I'm planning on visiting my dad and maybe seeing if he wants to go to B&B2's to see Rio.  I also hope to attend the Art in the Square at Utica Square but I'm not sure my knee can survive it.  I'm still waiting for the scheduling office to call for the MRI and they have not yet.  Monday if I have not heard by the afternoon I'm calling because this pain is non-stop and it is starting to grate on me.  Making me frown and that causes wrinkles and I'm having none of that!  Tomorrow I will do a bit of painting or pastel or something.

Last night I made my first risotto, successfully!  It was yummy.  Sauteed shrimp with a bit of garlic, lemon and capers and fresh steamed asparagus, I felt like we went out to dinner at a fancy restaurant.  It was a nice quiet Friday evening.

Foggy Days

Foggy days...yes that is me today.  I've been dealing with an increasingly sore knee for some time now but the past couple of weeks I'm in agony.  A lot of standing and waiting at the hospital put me over the top with pain so I finally called my internist and saw him yesterday.  He immediately had them book me to see a specialist this morning and in the meantime he gave me a prescription for hydrocodone.  I have been under the impression for over 30 years now that I could not tolerate any kind of codiene medicine so I have not taken it.  I get so very ill, usually, but I said okay I will try it again.  I was desparate to end the pain that I'm dealing with constantly.  So, last night I popped that mighty pill in my mouth and waited to see if anything happened.  What happened is that I slept.  You see sleeping has been an issue because the pain, in any position, does not stop.  I slept HARD, so hard that I could not wake up this morning.  I had the doctor appointment at 9 am and I threw myself out of bed at 8:30, gulped a cup of coffee and the hair in a ponytail and rushed out the door.  I was still in a fog until lunch with The Hubby when suddenly I saw sunlight.  Well, we know that stuff works for the pain and sleeping but I will only be taking it on the weekends.  Sheesh!

The ortho doc took x-rays and determined that I have a torn cartilidge in my knee and will confirm with an MRI and then arthroscopic surgery to take care of my issue.  I knew I had a problem when every dance turn I had pain but the pain had been increasingly worse and worse till one time I felt a kind of snap, pop, PAIN.  That was it a few months ago and now this. 

Wordless Wednesday

Grandpop

Rio Rae

She's here, she's here...sweet Rio Rae!

That precious little peanut firmly grasping her daddy's finger made her appearance yesterday, October 1 at 10:59 p.m., weighing 7 lb 12 oz.   

She was just a few days late but made an impressive entry in the world.  B had crampy labor pains all day long and then as the contractions got about 4-5 minutes apart they headed to the hospital.  Dilated to a 3-4 there was not a rush that she would be there anytime before 4 am the next morning but Rio had other plans.  After a whirlwind 5 hours labor and going from a 4 to 10 in less than an hour B had the natural childbirth that she didn't think possible.  Too late for the epidural she was a champ and sailed through bringing this precious little bundle into our world.   

Introducing our first grandchild, 

Rio Rae