Odds -n- Ends

First of all I received my new camera just in time for Mother's Day.  It is a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS.  I love it and played with it a bit this weekend.  It is awesome!  This is the cover of my journal.

This one I love and may use it to paint. 

This weekend was also the Kentucky Derby.  This is the second year in a row that a bunch of us ladies have a KD hat contest.  What fun!  I never had time to go out and buy a hat to decorate so I used my cowboy hat and flowers from the garden at the cabin.  Sadly I didn't win this year but that was just fine as we had a grand time.   (I'm the one on the far right in the black shorts.)

The birds are also arriving at the bird feeders at the cabin retreat.  I was so happy to capture this indigo bunting with my new camera with the zoom feature.  AWESOME! 

Before I tell the story I have to share that A is coming home for a few days and she is DRIVING!  I'm a little apprehensive about a young, beautiful 25 year old girl driving from California to Oklahoma by herself but it is something adult she wants to do.  I'm trying NOT to be scared for her but anxious to see her. 

Now the story of The Hubby and a fight.  Yes, I said a fight.  He was even injured and was good enough to fish but his dancing days are put on hold for a bit. 

Yes, that is a broken toe.  On Thursday night I was sitting here in my chair checking emails.  It was about 11 pm and I suddenly heard a huge crash and a moaning.  Clayton was asleep by my feet and he jumped up and ran into the living room where The Hubby was sleeping on the couch.  I was right behind him and encountered The Hubby writhing on the couch holding his foot.  He had a dream that he was in a fight and he hauled off and kicked the guy in his dream but in reality it was our huge coffee table.  Friday he had to go have it x-rayed and surely it was quite broken.  I am so sorry for him but can't help but laugh.  He laughs too, when it is not hurting.

My new project.  I've kind of taken on a challenging task here and I hope I can pull it off.  The photo is from The Hubby's cousin somewhere "over there."  It is only blocked in a bit so so don't judge too harshly.  There is really a lot of detail but not too much color so I have to pump it up a bit.  Hope it goes well. 

Slow But Sure

Construction is moving along but very slow.  A lot of it is the electrical and not obvious to me but I hear them prowling around all day long while the brick guy, mason, is creating the brick columns on the patio. 

Writing

I'm still here.  For some unknown reason I just can't seem to come up with words for this blog lately.  I'm blocked in so many ways and not sure why.  I do journal in a handwritten journal but even that has become a bit silent.  Lots of stuff rumbling around in my noggin' but just not able to put it into words.  I haven't even been able to pick up a book to read, although I am listening to audio books in my car.  Every few years I get this way and can't explain it.  I think there is just a lot of stuff on my plate and I'm in kind of a limbo:  Daddy in the nursing home, waiting and waiting for his next surgery; the remodel/add-on to the house that seems to be moving slow as molasses; and more that I can't put here for various reasons.  So don't worry all I will be back on track soon, I hope.  I liked posting everyday but I think I needed a break, to slow down a bit.  Hang in there with me.  The camera should be here soon too and I will be able to share more snapshots of life in my world.  Take care all and Happy Wednesday.  Enjoy an old snapshot of Momma - Happy Mother's Day.

No Photos

There will be no photos posted here for a few days as my sweet little Cannon PowerShow A620 took a tumble down the driveway on Friday as I was snapping pic's of the giant steel arbor being hoisted over our house.  Actually, the last photo the camera took before it died was the arbor in place (actually 2.5 tons.)   I had gone out to take more snapshots of the giant crane disassembling and the camera just fell out of my hand and hit the concrete with a thud leaving the lens jammed and the camera screaming until I could turn it off.  Poor little baby.  The little guy has been to France, England and Ireland, now, no more travel time.  I'm researching the options for a camera to take its place.  A friend bought the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera and loves it.  It has the same swing out screen that I love and it still uses regular batteries.  The Hubby told me to get it and I think I will, today.  Happy Mother's Day to me!

Wine, Food and the Toilet

Last night was a wonderful evening of wine tasting and the most fabulous food at the cabin retreat area.  The catering was a company called Eats2u and was just AHHHHHH...the only word I can come up with.  We had scallops, lamb (I'm not fond of), cinnamon crusted tilapia (yum) and lots and lots of wine.  I must stay I was cautious on the wine front as my tummy was having an acid reflux issue.  The whole thing for 32 people was supposed to be set up along the creek and would have been just stunning but alas the rains had caused the creek and adjoining river to flood.  We all gathered for the evening in one of the larger cabins and it was set up in their screened porch, very, very large porch with tables, candles, flowers and the tables set exquisitely.  After the dinner music was turned up and dancing ensued, lots and lots of dancing.  I sort of danced around a bit as I was dragged into the midst of the gyrating group but my tummy was starting to act funny.  I told The Hubby I thought I needed to leave and he put me off dancing off into the crowd.  He was a madman on the dance floor and the women loved it.  He was having a grand time while I was getting sicker by the minute.  He got angry with me because I didn't dance with my husband as it truly would have been a mistake.  I made my way to the golf cart to wait for him and breathe in the cool air as my stomach churned when suddenly my $125 dinner came up, several times while I waited in the dark cool air.  I got my composure and stumbled towards the door to get him when he appeared and took me back to our cabin where I spent most of the night in pain and hovering over the toilet.  What a crappy end to a fabulous evening and he was still mad at me.  I think the culprit is scallops.  I got sick like this the last time I ate them a few months ago.  Not good.

Arbor Day

Art and My Happy Place

This is what keeps me a bit sane, my art:

First of all this is a bad picture of the painting but I was in a time crunch and it was still wet, hence the glistening paint. This is my contribution the the 5x5 show at the Tulsa Art Coalition Gallery downtown. The opening is May 5 at 5:55 p.m. and runs until May 21. All the paintings are $55. So come line up and buy something. The oldest has a mixed media one in the show too. I had the idea of eggs since last year and it turned out well.

Savage Art Gallery & The Gallery on Sixth is hosting the Alpha Rho Tau art exhibit again. The artist reception is May 5, 5-8 pm...uh just realized it is the same night as the 5x5. Hmmmm, oh well. I have 4 paintings in the ART show. The show runs thru May 16. The gallery hours are Tues-Sat. 10-5. Come on by the reception or the other times. EVERYTHING is For Sale!

Weathering the Storm

Today I've opened up my Blogger window probably ten times, trying to write a post.  There are so many emotions going on that I don't know where to start.  I'm tired of writing about Daddy and the trevails that abound with his nursing home incarceration and all the crap I've been dealing with.  I can't rail about my friends or family or even my life because so many people that I know read my words here now and I catch all kinds of flack when I do.  I'm just kind in my own little box that I can't write out of.  It's frustrating because I like to write here about everything and be truthful but it just can't happen.  I like the feedback that I get from my online friends but I have to be so very cautious.  So what do I write about, the weather, I don't think so. 

I guess it's weather, construction, flowers and Clayton.  Not too bad. 

Chang Of Plans

Well this morning I was to get up, workout, and then go to work to meet the accountant. A night of taking Clayton outside numerous times, in the pouring rain, in my robe and muck boots and not being able to sleep left me sleeping in. Missed workout, accountant had a sick child so rescheduled. I decided to take the new artwork to the scanner and then to Daddy's to get some more clothes. Then to the nursing home to visit. He was not there, in physical therapy. So now I'm sitting at the dealership getting my oil changed. Totally not what I had planned for the day. Tomorrow is already changed too, as the accountant is coming and the hair appointment has been changed to Wednesday on behalf of the hair stylist. It is not even noon on Monday.

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Happy Easter

A Brick Wall

Thought I would show some of the room addition progress...what's this...uh oh, little Clayton has found the concrete.  Scared him to death when he sank...

This is the end of the add on, storage for garden tools and chairs. 

Oh look a window.  The brick has been completed, for now.  He will be back to brick around the steel posts on the patio when they get it set and poured. 

The inside of the glass block window.  I love it.  This is the workout area. 

Electrical stuff.   

Plumbing stuff. 

M.I.A.

I know I've been MIA lately but rest assured I'm here.  Life has just gotten in the way of blogging and my head has not been in the right place.  I think the last time I posted was the day after the Big Gala Dance.  It was great fun and I looked awesome in my new dress but forgot to get a snapshot.  Sunday I went to the nursing home to visit Daddy.  I found him not in his room but in a lounge room, in his wheel chair reading the paper.  I haven't seen him sitting up in a month, it was nice.  We had a nice visit and then he decided he would like to eat lunch in the dining room, a first.  He asked if I would like to join him, "Why yes I would Daddy."  We sat and waited and watched as the room filled up with a multitude of wheel chairs of residents ready to eat lunch.  It was kind of sad as Daddy has his mind and most of the people were just, sad.  I know it is so hard on him.  We had a wonderful, and I mean surprisingly wonderful meal chicken and dumplings.  He scraped his bowl clean.  His spirits are better and his appetite is great.  Shortly after we finished the oldest, B, stopped by too.  I think it made his day and then after we left Bro stopped by and I think on Saturday Sis stopped by, the first for her in a couple of weeks.  I was back again to see him quickly on Monday night before a meeting and to take him a pair of new pants I bought and a pair of shoes.  Wednesday, I went to his house first to find another pair of pants as he called Tuesday night and had an accident and didn't want his new pants messed up.  I found some and some more dirty clothes which I took home to wash later along with his messy clothes.  The Hubby couldn't understand why the nursing home didn't wash them and I guess they can but I think things get lost a lot.  When I went in he was snoring to beat the band so quietly I started putting his name on everything he owned, just in case.  He woke up shortly and we talked a bit.  I gathered his laundry and headed home to wash and get his stuff ready.  Last night, at 5 pm he had a doctor's appointment with the hip doctor.  Daddy was so anxious and excited about the appointment because he felt he was healing so fast and would be ready for his new hip soon.  For some reason he has it in his head that it has been 2 months.  He was just thinking March and April, not March 17 to April.  I had to make him understand it had only been a month.  First blow.  He is so tired of being laid up and not able to go out in his yard and enjoy the spring and his garden.  He's exercising like a fiend, eating and has a great attitude in anticipation that the news at the doc will be good.  He was x-rayed and sadly the infection is still there and the spacer that was put in to hold the place where the hip is gone has been dislocated, by a nurse that man-handled him to rough.  The doctor said it will be left as is.  Daddy was so depressed and sad that the infection is still there.  I could see him drifting into the depression right before my eyes.  I'm afraid that he will be that way for a few days and then hopefully will rally.  Today I have to make an appointment with an infectious disease doctor and then back to the hip doc in 4 weeks.  Whew!  I'm a bit tired and there is still the construction that is on going, slow and on going.  Through all this I emailed out the The Hubby's family about Easter dinner and guess what, everyone is coming to our house!  Sometimes I think I'm a bit loopy but it should be easy.  I'm doing a ham and buying a cake and everyone is doing the rest.  Just have to have plates, eat and wash the dishes.  No problem.  Ask me how I feel Sunday evening! 

I thought about going into some of the family stuff that I've been dealing with but have decided to not air it here.  I will say that I've been frustrated but it will pass and I shall move on.  I don't have time for the petty stuff.  My focus is my Daddy, my family, my house and work and hopefully my art, when I have the time.  Toodles all and please stayed tuned as I hope to have some pictures next week of the room addition progress.  Hang with me please.

Windows

We have two openings here, one for a door and one for a huge glass block window (actually three but it is not in view).

Now we have a door with windows!  Hot Guy climbing down from ladder!

...and finally the other opening, the glass block has begun.  They got started on Friday and will finish on Monday.  Totally enclosed is the goal.  Also on Monday a HUGE crane will be set into place and gigantic steel beams will hoisted over the house and put into place.  The patio/porch off of this addition will have steel beams for the corners which the brick layer guy will enclose and then the arbor will be square steel beams overhead.  Hey, I think that will be the safest place in a tornado, too bad there won't be walls there.  Should not go anywhere!  Hopefully I will have some awesome pictures of the lifting tomorrow!