Thursday, June 30, 2011

this is starting to look like my yearly mid-summer post

First things first. I did not create anything all year.
There. I said it. I feel relieved from my self-imposed guilt. Since when has not creating for art's sake been a crime or a sin?
I've considered changing my blog's name. I've not dwelt in my studio, let alone set foot in this secluded room of my house since last year. I'm almost afraid of seeing all that mishmash of art and scrapbooking supplies. A glaring testament to excess, to indulgence that was left unchecked. But in truth, all that clutter has come to symbolize my disorganized life.
Oh, I will say this much.
My friend and constant companion of fourteen years, THOR, died last February 22nd 2011.
My mom, with whom I've been estranged for more years that I can admit, died last May 12th.
My cousin, Allen, is going through yet another round of chemo.
The kids are alright. They're acting like typical (translation--obnoxious, moody, hooked on Facebook) teenagers. And maybe, I'm the only one in the world who don't have perfect teenagers.
El hubby and I are alright. I coming home to him. He is the only one who can say I'm such a b* and the most difficult person to live with and figure out and love me anyway. Or, as I see it, he's simply gotten resigned to his fate ha ha ha.
I wasn't gonna mention work. That thing that I do 5-6 days a week, twelve hours a day. It really doesn't sound all that bad! But if I did start writing about work, I will ramble on and on I'm afraid.
In a word--blessed. I've decided the other day that it's become clear to me. My work is no longer work. It is a calling. I feel blessed to be included in the lives of young children with specific disabilities. Correction: The children have included me into their lives. This is the best and most amazing treat! To them, I'm just a big kid, not much older than them (in heart and soul)...
That was how the year was for a weary, ol' soul such as I.
And if I had actually planned it out well enough, I would've had more than a few scrapbooking pages to journal about, eh?
Well, along the way, I misplaced myself. Temporarilly.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Time flies

Wow. Two years it's been since I last posted! Ha-ha. Life got in the way once again, you could say.

The important thing about 2009 was that the family and I went on a road trip that took us as far as to Vancouver, British Columbia. This was also Thor's first long-distance vacation with us (Thor is our chocolate labrador, who is 14 this year). I *finally* finished making the album for this trip, which I hope to be able to post here soon.

Renee, my daughter who is also 14, competed in martial arts (kempo karate) in several places in California and in Las Vegas, Nevada. She really is one tough cookie, my little girl. And seeing as how she has been a teenager for two years in a row, she has the Attitude to prove it.

Alex, my son who is 16, is in third year high school. He's been sending for information from colleges from all over, although we did tell him that we are not moving anytime soon to those States LOL. We have one more year and he should be off to college.

College! Time flies...Not too long ago, Alex was just coming home, after having been in the neonatal intensive care unit for three months, being born so early, and so sick. And now, I have an almost-adult boy, who certainly has plans for his future. I can't stop worrying about him, though. Alex is always full of surprises, some of which, have not been the ones to please his Mom and Dad, at the very least. But I am ever so grateful for him, for all that he is. He is our first Miracle. And maybe sometimes, he is our teacher for patience and understanding, too.

Lance and I just celebrated our 18th anniversary. Has it been that long? We often say to one another, it seems longer than that. Ha-ha. Time flies indeed.