Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 

Clayton is dreaming away this early Christmas morning.  He tried to wake me up this morning at 3:30 because yesterday I was up at 3:30 and he got to eat early.  This morning I just put him down on the floor and he slept on his new pallet in the living room until about 5:30.  That's more like it.  Update on our little guy is he is much better.  He still has some episodes of spasms but they are not often now.  It was so hard to watch his body spasm and he just cried.  The vet had us increase one of his meds and it seems to have helped.  He's finally wanting to sit and sleep by me on the couch again.  When he first started this the best place for him was on the floor on a thick soft blanket.  He laid so funny on it in such twisted ways but it was what was comfortable for him.  I just knew at the beginning of this that we were going to lose him but again he has rallied.  Poor guy.  He even goes out his doggie door and back in again like a champ.  

This week was another sad time but a must to move on to the future.  Daddy's house, our home at one time is now gone and all that's left is dirt.  I got all kinds of texts and Facebook messages that "the old homestead" was gone, did I know...well, yes I did know it was going to go.  We knew and we are okay with it.  The land will have a new grand home built on it and a new family and new memories will be made in that spot.  I hope all the good memories surround their family and home.  I was also able to disburse nearly all of Daddy's estate to my siblings and myself this week too, Merry Christmas!  If Daddy only knew what he left us.  He thought he just had a little money in the bank but he forgot to take into account the life insurance and the house.  I hope to be able to give some to my girls and the grandbabies for their college funds.  Thank you Daddy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Moving On

I am moving on. I won't lie, Monday was tough for me.  Sitting in a room at a huge conference table all alone for about 15 minutes waiting for the closing lady to come in was tough.  Don't get me wrong I was totally on board with our decision, but that doesn't make it any easier.  You see, I am the oldest of we three, and so I am the "SIGNER" of everything.  I signed my mother into a nursing home originally.  I signed for her surgery when Daddy couldn't emotionally, and we know that did not go well.  I signed for her burial, her casket, etc...  I've signed for various medical things for Daddy as has my brother.  I signed for his burial, his casket, etc...  Now I have signed away his home.  It is just part of being a grown-up and taking charge of stuff.  It is a hazard of being the oldest, of being the one in charge.  It is a hazard of just taking care of what must be done.  My brother said he had no regrets and I totally agree, absolutely no regrets.  I do have sadness for the situation but it's not a bad sadness, it is the process.  What was really nice was that the people who bought the house/property is friends with my brother and they sent him a message thanking us for the sale.  They saw on Facebook about our memories, our photos, etcetera  and acknowledge the sadness and wonderful memories we were having.  They sent a photo of the house they plan on building there and have offered to let us come see it when it is done and listen to some of the memories.  I thought that such a wonderful gesture and hope they follow through.  Another family will be making new kinds of memories there and that cannot be bad.  

"Lemons, Onions and Celery - Thanksgiving Day Prep"

9x12 oil on linen

(reference photo)

I've spent a couple of days back in the studio painting finally.  I needed to do a little "art therapy" for my well being.  The reference photo for this painting I took a couple of years ago in preparation for Thanksgiving.  I have always loved it and wanted to paint but just couldn't be inspired nor could I figure out if I could pull it off.  I'm very pleased with it and can't wait to delve into another painting.  I need to get back to my self portraits, but first, I have GOT to reorganize the studio.  I had a light fixture fall in the storage room and there is sheetrock dust everywhere I have to clean up.  I have just walked by and ignored it to the point it is making me a bit crazy.  First up today though is baking day.  I'm doing my fruitcake!  I have to, I just HAVE TO for Christmas memories!  There is so much I really need to do here at home, the office and the studio that I have neglected, and a bit more Daddy financial stuff.  Just a bit overwhelmed with financial/business stuff right now that I DO NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH!  Oh well, one day at a time, one project at a time.  Moving on.

Treasures

The house has been emptied. Emptied of everything.  Not a dust bunny, well, maybe one or two of those are left.  My nephew and a couple of his friends went to town and filled this dumpster.  Honestly The Hubby nor I thought we needed this large dumpster but it was only like $10 more for the month so we did it.  Thank goodness we did.  Can't believe it is so full. 

A few photos and negatives I need to have printed.

When you think you have gone through EVERYTHING you still find more.  The nephew went into the attic, a place we NEVER, EVER went into, except for maybe Brother.  I just never thought of anything being in there, and frankly, there wasn't much except mice bedding!  But...but...but...

As I was going through mostly canceled checks a few newspapers that were pretty chewed up look at this little gem.  

The Hubby found this absolutely fascinating as did I.  The address on the clipping was 1444 N. Denver and of course The Hubby had to go and find the address on Google Earth.  There is a fairly new house on the spot now.  I mean really why did my parents keep this clipping.  Why did they even clip it out of the paper.  Googling you do find a Wikipedia article on Nathaniel Reed (outlaw), that he died in 1950 so that must be the date of the clipping, before my parents were  even out of high school. 

Also out of the pile of trash I did find a few negatives and a couple of photos and this little jewel.  It is a baby care book given to my grandma when daddy was born.  He was born at the Flower Hospital that was located on North Boulder in 1935.  

I just love this book and it was in almost pristine condition, considering it is at least 85 years old and in the attic where the mice lived.  The copyright inside said eighth printing, copyright 1936, 1st published 1931.

Don't you just LOVE this artwork!

Not sure if you can read this but one of the things listed to give the baby is cod liver oil and orange juice.  EGAD!  I was born in 1956 and apparently my mother believed in the cod liver oil thing, or at least she listened to my grandmother give that advice.  One day mother decided we three kids needed a huge dose of cod liver oil (she forgot the orange juice part!)  She lined us up, and spoonful after spoonful went into each of our mouths.  What ensued was each of us running to a sink, a toilet or a trash can to THROW UP said cod liver oil.  She never EVER did that again.  

The book was not written in at all but as I thumbed through the pages I found this sweet note written by my daddy to his daddy.  I love it.