Christmas is over, and we had a nice time with five of the six children here. It's fun to see them enjoy each other and play games. It was a pleasant time.
The day AFTER Christmas was another story. When the phone rings, and the caller asks, "Are you Sam's Mom?" there is an immediate reaction: what happened? Is he okay?
Sam had an accident, and ended up with his leg under a golf cart, having a bad cut under the knee and several wounds involing skin loss and abrasions. Due to the risk of infection and considerable pain, he was admitted to the hospital, put on IV antibiotics and maximum pain killers, staying for a week. He is now home, on crutches, immobilizing his leg until the wounds heal. There will be a lot of rehab, but he should heal completely. It could have turned out much, much worse. I thank God that it did not.
When he is mobile again, Sam will return to Ft. Wood, MO, to go through a lot of rehab, and will go into another AIT unit to complete his MP training. He is in the National Guard.
Everyone else is well.
Eric is in California, doing well.
My daughter, Amy, is doing well with her first pregnancy. She and Adam are lookinf forward to the arrival of Charlie, in late March. He will be our first grandson.
Granddaughter Ava is a delight. She is almost 16 months old, and finds joy in everyday activities, like "helping" her mom sort and clean. However, I guess even at that age, housework can become boring. When I talked to her mother on the phone, Ava brought her a coat and purse. Everyone likes a change of pace sometimes. Sometimes a girl just wants to get out!
The younger girls started back to school on Tuesday. There was a two hour delay, due to ice, which made it a bit better.
Over the holidays, my husband and I did some de-cluttering, which will be an ongoing process, sometimes a painful one, as I am a gatherer, and just like stuff. The house does look better.
If I had new year's resolutions, de-cluttering would be near the top of the list.
My birthday is coming soon; I want to do something fun, but haven't decided what that is.
Here's to 2009: May it be full of good things, pleasant times and warm memories.
Love,
Cindy
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Frustration
Recently, I had a very frustrating day. I could not find a Christmas gift which I thought had been carefully hidden. The package was small, containing just three tiny charms for my daughter's and granddaughter's bracelets.
My less-than-stellar memory, which has not improved with age, is already well-known here at home, so losing the package was not a surprise to anyone.
"Don't worry, Mom, you'll find them," said my daughters..."Just like the charms you lost two years ago, and found last month!"
With history repeating itself, losing charms for Christmas AGAIN, I looked everywhere, twice. Thrice. Nothing. As the fruitless searching continued, my normal sense of relative calm began to unravel. I was frustrated. Then I became angry...at me, my lousy memory, the embarrassment of losing track of a gift, the SAME kind of gift, twice. I could not focus or anything else. I really let it ruin my evening. And it didn't improve anyone else's, either.
With this one dumb lapse of memory, I really raked myself over the coals, relentlessly, unforgivingly, even viciously.
The evening deteriorated as the continuing searching proved fruitless. At midnight, not yet asleep, I searched again, looking through the boxes where all the Christmas gifts were purposedly hidden (so there would not be a repeat of lost gifts). This time I happened to turn the box around as I looked into it. There, behind a book, was the tiny package I had been seeking. It was exactly where it should have been, but I had overlooked it until now.
I was SO RELIEVED to find it! After a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving, I had to take a hard look at my behavior.
I had been fixated on finding the charms. I let it ruin the evening. I had been lousy company. I had been very unforgiving of myself, my carelessness.
Yet if this same situation had happened to a friend or family member, I would have never been as negative toward them as I had been toward myself.
Why didn't I see myself with as much understanding as I would someone else I cared about? Even a stranger? Why is it so much easier to see, and forgive, someone else's weakness than my own?
This has certainly been an eye-opening experience, and has given me much to consider. I really need to lighten up, and quit beating myself up.
My less-than-stellar memory, which has not improved with age, is already well-known here at home, so losing the package was not a surprise to anyone.
"Don't worry, Mom, you'll find them," said my daughters..."Just like the charms you lost two years ago, and found last month!"
With history repeating itself, losing charms for Christmas AGAIN, I looked everywhere, twice. Thrice. Nothing. As the fruitless searching continued, my normal sense of relative calm began to unravel. I was frustrated. Then I became angry...at me, my lousy memory, the embarrassment of losing track of a gift, the SAME kind of gift, twice. I could not focus or anything else. I really let it ruin my evening. And it didn't improve anyone else's, either.
With this one dumb lapse of memory, I really raked myself over the coals, relentlessly, unforgivingly, even viciously.
The evening deteriorated as the continuing searching proved fruitless. At midnight, not yet asleep, I searched again, looking through the boxes where all the Christmas gifts were purposedly hidden (so there would not be a repeat of lost gifts). This time I happened to turn the box around as I looked into it. There, behind a book, was the tiny package I had been seeking. It was exactly where it should have been, but I had overlooked it until now.
I was SO RELIEVED to find it! After a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving, I had to take a hard look at my behavior.
I had been fixated on finding the charms. I let it ruin the evening. I had been lousy company. I had been very unforgiving of myself, my carelessness.
Yet if this same situation had happened to a friend or family member, I would have never been as negative toward them as I had been toward myself.
Why didn't I see myself with as much understanding as I would someone else I cared about? Even a stranger? Why is it so much easier to see, and forgive, someone else's weakness than my own?
This has certainly been an eye-opening experience, and has given me much to consider. I really need to lighten up, and quit beating myself up.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New Studio
After a long, long wait, my new studio is ready to go, waiting for me to play!
Previously, my studio shared space with the laundry, and was the general depository for all unattached household clutter. I have finally come out of the ( utility ) closet!
Now, all art supplies are in one room. That room is on the next level, three feet above the basement drain ( don't ask why that is an important feature ). And it is a dedicated, art only room. Think oasis for my dried out creative soul!
Today, I worked on ATC's ( Artist's Trading Cards ), with a Christmas theme. I wrote some lines from Christmas carols in Copperplate calligraphy on green printed paper over a holly print. They look nice, but aren't as crafty as the others' ATC's will probably be, but it is a start, and a start is progress. Two of my daughters and I will be going to the ATC swap in December; it should be fun to participate.
Right now, I have ink on my fingers, but I really don't mind. It shows that I've been busy.
I also have been working on scrapbook pages, completing several of the girls' sports teams when I attended my first PMS crop ( Pizza, Music and Scrapping ). The next one is Friday. My oldest daughter, Crafty Mama, is a regular attender. She said her friends are hoping I'll be there. (Gee, that makes me feel good! ) Another daughter, Big Red, will make her first appearance there. Up to six hours to talk, create, scrap and experience the camaraderie of other creative women. Am I looking forward to it!
Since I've already done lots of genealogy, there is an abundance of material to use to create my family heritage scrapbook. Creatively presenting the facts and photos to bring each ancestor to life will be a challenge and a lot of fun! I want this to be interesting for my children and grandchildren. It's pretty cool to read about history, and know that my family was part of it, connected.
I am feeling full of hope and excitement as I dream about what can be, as I allow my crerative self to blossom.
Love,
Cindy
Previously, my studio shared space with the laundry, and was the general depository for all unattached household clutter. I have finally come out of the ( utility ) closet!
Now, all art supplies are in one room. That room is on the next level, three feet above the basement drain ( don't ask why that is an important feature ). And it is a dedicated, art only room. Think oasis for my dried out creative soul!
Today, I worked on ATC's ( Artist's Trading Cards ), with a Christmas theme. I wrote some lines from Christmas carols in Copperplate calligraphy on green printed paper over a holly print. They look nice, but aren't as crafty as the others' ATC's will probably be, but it is a start, and a start is progress. Two of my daughters and I will be going to the ATC swap in December; it should be fun to participate.
Right now, I have ink on my fingers, but I really don't mind. It shows that I've been busy.
I also have been working on scrapbook pages, completing several of the girls' sports teams when I attended my first PMS crop ( Pizza, Music and Scrapping ). The next one is Friday. My oldest daughter, Crafty Mama, is a regular attender. She said her friends are hoping I'll be there. (Gee, that makes me feel good! ) Another daughter, Big Red, will make her first appearance there. Up to six hours to talk, create, scrap and experience the camaraderie of other creative women. Am I looking forward to it!
Since I've already done lots of genealogy, there is an abundance of material to use to create my family heritage scrapbook. Creatively presenting the facts and photos to bring each ancestor to life will be a challenge and a lot of fun! I want this to be interesting for my children and grandchildren. It's pretty cool to read about history, and know that my family was part of it, connected.
I am feeling full of hope and excitement as I dream about what can be, as I allow my crerative self to blossom.
Love,
Cindy
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A Delightful Bracelet
I have a bracelet that delights me! Just looking at it makes me smile! It is a beautiful, delicate, exquisite slide bracelet, antique, probably Edwardian, with TINY sets of seed pearls, opals, garnets, and a tiny ruby and sapphire. The unmarked metal looks like rose gold, with carving and enamel, too. The fine craftsmanship calls out to my artist's heart. I am blessed to own such a pretty piece. Even so, I know it is only a thing, a bauble. It can be lost or damaged.
As much as I am delighted by its earthly beauty, I am struck by an analogy:
The LORD delights in me! I absolutely don't understand why He does, for I know what I am: a flawed woman with failings, regrets, and many sins. Yet in the LORD's eyes, I am more beautiful, priceless, and exquisitely unique than any jewel. in fact, I am the apple of His eye!
I don't understand it, and I so want to believe it, but it is so very difficult to see myself as the LORD does.
Dear LORD, please open my heart more fully to your love. Let me look into a mirror, and see what you see: the one you know and still love, have created and refined in the fire, carved with your hand, and set with gifts, as with precious stones. Show me how to delight in you, as you delight in me. And help my unbelief. Thank you.
Love,
Cindy
As much as I am delighted by its earthly beauty, I am struck by an analogy:
The LORD delights in me! I absolutely don't understand why He does, for I know what I am: a flawed woman with failings, regrets, and many sins. Yet in the LORD's eyes, I am more beautiful, priceless, and exquisitely unique than any jewel. in fact, I am the apple of His eye!
I don't understand it, and I so want to believe it, but it is so very difficult to see myself as the LORD does.
Dear LORD, please open my heart more fully to your love. Let me look into a mirror, and see what you see: the one you know and still love, have created and refined in the fire, carved with your hand, and set with gifts, as with precious stones. Show me how to delight in you, as you delight in me. And help my unbelief. Thank you.
Love,
Cindy
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
125 Bags Later
To those who like flowers,
My husband and I spent the weekend spreading 125 2CU FT bags of mulch around the yard. Ouch! Some beds were expanded a little bit, others added to. Several plants were moved to more promising locations, and we added more, mostly hostas.
This May brought beautiful blooms-the best we've had-of the Nova Zembla rhododendrons and the Pink Rosebud azaleas. Currently, the Stella d' Ora day lillies are adding swaths of yellow to the front of the house. By the stone-edged bed, there is also a row of Ruby Stellas, about to open into deep red blossoms.
My favorites, the Endless Summer blue hydrangeas, are blooming. They are in shades of lavender and pink. With the addition of some acidic fertilizer, the colors may change to the beautiful blue shades they are known for: a blend of blue, lavender, and pink that reminds me of Monet's watercolor paintings. Just beautiful! The shocking pink Glowing Embers are about to pop. Other hydrangeas we have include the Blue Wave, Bluebird and Blushing Bride. Although beautiful, hydrangeas do require a LOT of water...their stems are actually enormous drinking straws with leaves. The peonies were pretty and smelled nice, as do the Pink Lemonade honeysuckles.
We also have spireas, Goldmound and Peppermint Stick, which are doing well. Four of the Goldmounds were brought back from the edge of death when purchased, perhaps the last available in town, two years ago. (At a significant discount--did I mention that I love a good bargain?)
Viburnums include the five American Cranberries and the 3 Blue Muffins. The 6 Butterfly Bushes are getting taller. My Clematis vines finally bloomed and I am cheered every time I see them. My mom said they reminded her of the ones HER grandmother had! So maybe it's in the blood.
There are also a number of evergreens, which don't warrant special mention. Although they do look good, they do not inspire me at all. I do like the Pieris, though.
That's been the focus of my recent creative energies. More to come!
Love,
Cindy
My husband and I spent the weekend spreading 125 2CU FT bags of mulch around the yard. Ouch! Some beds were expanded a little bit, others added to. Several plants were moved to more promising locations, and we added more, mostly hostas.
This May brought beautiful blooms-the best we've had-of the Nova Zembla rhododendrons and the Pink Rosebud azaleas. Currently, the Stella d' Ora day lillies are adding swaths of yellow to the front of the house. By the stone-edged bed, there is also a row of Ruby Stellas, about to open into deep red blossoms.
My favorites, the Endless Summer blue hydrangeas, are blooming. They are in shades of lavender and pink. With the addition of some acidic fertilizer, the colors may change to the beautiful blue shades they are known for: a blend of blue, lavender, and pink that reminds me of Monet's watercolor paintings. Just beautiful! The shocking pink Glowing Embers are about to pop. Other hydrangeas we have include the Blue Wave, Bluebird and Blushing Bride. Although beautiful, hydrangeas do require a LOT of water...their stems are actually enormous drinking straws with leaves. The peonies were pretty and smelled nice, as do the Pink Lemonade honeysuckles.
We also have spireas, Goldmound and Peppermint Stick, which are doing well. Four of the Goldmounds were brought back from the edge of death when purchased, perhaps the last available in town, two years ago. (At a significant discount--did I mention that I love a good bargain?)
Viburnums include the five American Cranberries and the 3 Blue Muffins. The 6 Butterfly Bushes are getting taller. My Clematis vines finally bloomed and I am cheered every time I see them. My mom said they reminded her of the ones HER grandmother had! So maybe it's in the blood.
There are also a number of evergreens, which don't warrant special mention. Although they do look good, they do not inspire me at all. I do like the Pieris, though.
That's been the focus of my recent creative energies. More to come!
Love,
Cindy
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Introduction to this Blog
Greetings on May 22,2008:
My name is Cindy . For over 30 years, I have enjoyed doing calligraphy professionally and for my own enjoyment. The artistic, expressive forming of letters is intensely satisfying. I love color, especially blues and greens.
Drawing on a love of genealogy, I have created lovely family tree charts in many forms. My favorite artform is the fraktur. These were done by the Pennsylvania Dutch/Deutsch itinerate artists in the 1800's to document births, baptisms, marriages, blessings and religious instruction. Usually colorful and primitive, the combination of drawing and text is enchanting.
Other arts-related interests include drawing, painting furniture, making jewelry and photography. I enjoy art museums and shows, as well as reading about a variety of art and artists.
I have collected over 1700 quotations about art and artists, creativity, imagination, music, and related areas, love, family and friendship, some of which I plan to share here and do in calligraphy.
For inspiration, I read various publications, and observe the world around me.
I also enjoy going to flea markets, yard sales, thrift and antique stores both to explore the unexpected and just because I find the treasure hunt so enjoyable! Since I collect novelty salt and pepper shakers, I look a lot. Repurposing has been a way of life, and a lot of fun as well.
This blog is a new experience, so please be patient as I work through the process of expressing myself on the web.
May your day be blessed!
Sincerely,
Cindy
My name is Cindy . For over 30 years, I have enjoyed doing calligraphy professionally and for my own enjoyment. The artistic, expressive forming of letters is intensely satisfying. I love color, especially blues and greens.
Drawing on a love of genealogy, I have created lovely family tree charts in many forms. My favorite artform is the fraktur. These were done by the Pennsylvania Dutch/Deutsch itinerate artists in the 1800's to document births, baptisms, marriages, blessings and religious instruction. Usually colorful and primitive, the combination of drawing and text is enchanting.
Other arts-related interests include drawing, painting furniture, making jewelry and photography. I enjoy art museums and shows, as well as reading about a variety of art and artists.
I have collected over 1700 quotations about art and artists, creativity, imagination, music, and related areas, love, family and friendship, some of which I plan to share here and do in calligraphy.
For inspiration, I read various publications, and observe the world around me.
I also enjoy going to flea markets, yard sales, thrift and antique stores both to explore the unexpected and just because I find the treasure hunt so enjoyable! Since I collect novelty salt and pepper shakers, I look a lot. Repurposing has been a way of life, and a lot of fun as well.
This blog is a new experience, so please be patient as I work through the process of expressing myself on the web.
May your day be blessed!
Sincerely,
Cindy
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