December 8

#8

Paper

A love affair that began when my dad used to bring home

 paper samples from the ad agency. I would create with one set 

until the next set arrived home. 

I'm still in love and still playing - especially

 through my on line lessons.

I've taught so many classes with paper over the years.

One class had 20 students with 17 different stations set up all over my house

and out into the yard. Each station was a technique to learn

from burnt brown bag ornaments to scherenschnitte. That was a terrific day.

Z

 

December 7

 #7

DJR, my dad passed in 2000

My kids had not seen him in almost 3 years 

as he could no longer travel, and I was 

in the middle of a mess in my marriage.

They have very limited memories of him.

My daughter told me she thinks her memories of him 

are only because of the few pictures we have.

He adored his two grandchildren and I deeply regret

not going back to Pa for weeks, months at a time so that

they would have those memories for real.

I made the wrong choices, for the wrong person,

the fault is mine.

DJR was an intentional memory maker, a life guide,

my entire life.

I tell stories about him all the time,

praying that those memories and lessons

somehow stick around awhile longer.

You never really die until the memories do.  

Z

 

December 6

#6

This special place

 I am promising myself that next year I will be a better 

caregiver to this special place.

I worked hard to get it just so, 

but lately I have been lax.

I vow to do better.

December 5

 #5

Walter

From his first day...

IYKYK

MOHAWK

                                                                   

                                                                 He is asleep 

His body rests on the couch back 

Z

December 4

 #4

Of course

 these four

How many times a day do I think of them, miss them,

wonder about them, pray for them.

They are my whole heart

Z

 

December 3

 My studio

#3 in the sorta advent

BTW none of these are in order of importance

just as they pop into my head

Many of you who have been around from the start, know 

that this is my refuge, from well...anything,

often from myself and my troublesome thoughts.

This studio enabled me to spend the day with Jo Packham at my home,

and have several other photo shoots here and

 I was included in magazines and a book!

Never in my wildest...

It's a hodgepodge, tiny, yet cozy.

If you search studio on the blog you will see

 many more photos over the years beginning in 2008

I added a coffee/cocoa bar this year for the visiting troops

but I've found it to be wonderful for me, and Walter 

searches the trash can daily for empty water bottles

that he can crunch on and play with. 

I signed up for two on line art classes this year

and I am enjoying that very much.

The latest is Fodder School 2, a year long class

with wonderful instructors, one new each month.

I've gotten a little behind due to holiday decorating, but 

that's done now, so I'll be paint splattered in no time.

Hope your holidays are shaping up and that everyone is able to spend time

 with family or their chosen loved ones.

Z

December 2

December 17, 2017 

Went to my GP, rushed to hospital -

I was in the emergency room all night.

My life changed.

My health had taken a deep nose dive.

These items I am so grateful for.

For nearly two years I was in this house alone connected to a 

 75' O/2 concentrator. Then 18 months completely alone with Walter during covid.

Last month I was informed I didn't have to see

 pulmonology or cardiology for an entire year!

These meds, daily injections and this portable concentrator

have put me back to almost my old self.

I can now go a lot of places where I still need O/2.

Most importantly I was able to attend Ben's wedding in 2021.

I had to privately buy this 2700.00 baby during covid 

as my local providers had none available.

I sent it in to my insurance and an 18 month battle ensued.

I kept records of all the transactions and timed the long holds and conversations 

and recorded the names of every rep I spoke to.

Phone time was over 40 hours, 

as I received very few promised call backs.

Paperwork and scans were over an inch high.

I spoke to over 25 different reps and several of them multiple times.

Finally as a last ditch effort, I researched my insurer and 

got the names /emails of Board of Directors and the CEO.

I emailed the CEO late on a Thursday in a long detailed explanation of 

why this should be covered.

Friday morning at 8 am I received a call from his aid who promised

a call Monday morning after research.  

That call came - I  told my story.

At the end of the week I received a letter

 with a check enclosed for the amount minus my 

co-pay.

Why is this huge and warrants a #2 on my sorta advent?

That 2700.00 is 4 months income to me.

( lol some of you just did the math) 

why is another LONG story

so these deserve a spot as 2022 saw a HUGE 

improvement in my quality of life.

 

Blessings in 2022 - Dec 1

Blessings and things that made 2022 a good year

December 1

Consider this my "sort of an advent"

#1 My home

Due to many events I almost 

left this home after 29 years. I've managed to stay, and not a day

goes by that I am not grateful that I have a safe and warm place to live.

So many in this world do not.

Quick shots

Snapped a few very quick shots (no editing)

for a far away friend. 

New tree colors this year in FR mustard, grey and green

Homemade ones in there I showed on IG 

Mustard fall garland and olive garlands woven in

- candle lights this year 

Where I spend most of my leisure time

Back porch

Hope your holidays are going well

Z

 

Six More

LR tree

same as last year

Even the spice cabinet gets a wee bit 

I went from doing a minimal to a medium.

My thinking was this - who knows how many more Christmases 

in this house there will be. It is Nick's first time here

in our home and all four have been 

under mega stress with their careers...so

It may look like a lot of work but it's not at all. It is still just plunking.

The vintage jars here are always out. I just swap out the

insides and then store the "swapped out" in the box

of holiday fillers. 

The table display took 2 minutes. I lay down 5 picks with stems toward center.

Quickly tucked in one strand of twinkle lights and lay the 

carved balls on top to hide the stems. Those same balls

are repeated on the table bowl and the sideboard. See previous posts.

Trees, deer, mercury glass and eucalyptus are everywhere.

Green, grey, brown and mustard are repeated

with black accents for good measure. 

The pink is just for surprise and a chuckle.

The gifts under the LR tree will be brown paper and black accents.

Some will set atop the black sled in front. 

While I am decorating I am purging 

anything not used this year.

( except for my beloved House of Hatten)

And I may just find a spot for it this year..

Now that tree takes time!

Z

 

A Plunking We Will Go

 Gather greens and Plunk.

All reproduction, or new, Shiny Brites bought several yeas ago, 

with some other glitter stuff thrown in for good measure.

Below my views from couch each evening.

Whatever did we do before twinkle lights?

A tree in LR and small touches in bedrooms 

over next few days and it's fini.

bedtime

Z