Still Trying

FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013

Still trying...

What can I say about "neglecting" this blog???  I would click onto it at different times and since the last serious writing had to do with my mom and dying, I guess I didn't want to stay long.  Time passed and here I am two years later.

Lots has happened and nothing has happened.  Life and time passing.

Still no gray hair---though I have aged.  I know this because I am not "jumping" out of bed in the morning!  In fact, my sleep pattern has become so screwed up.  I often pull an all nighter (no sleeping) and it is frustrating.  What I wouldn't have given to have all this time to finish stuff I needed to get done.in the past.  Or the energy I have as I check the clock for the uptennth time.  I could have used it when I worked third shift and "slept when the baby slept"  That "baby is now fifty years old---has a "baby" of her own that is soon to be a sophomore at UCSB....  .  Oh---the hair---best color specialist in the area every 7 weeks!

Still going to lose that weight...When I have occasion to have lunch with my daughters they always say, "...you eat like a bird.  Aren't you going to finish?'  The "bird" must be eating during those sleepless nights---and indeed---loving the "Haagen Das ice cream bars!

Still trying to exercise. Trying to walk---exercise by ANY NAME... but the back limits me.  My doctor has a solution for the back.  Begin exercising with a plastic tube that you roll on---especially the areas that hurt.  Each time I visit him he asks if I have begun doing.  I told him that he could write down "patient non complying" as even if I could lower myself to the tube---there is no way I could roll on anything!  That includes rolling to a chair to help me get up.  I know he has not given up on me, for I used to say the same, non compliant answer, regarding smoking.

Still going to paint that masterpiece.  I do believe I still have plenty of time left to accomplish this !  Grandma Moses was well into her eighties when she BEGAN to paint.  Since I have been painting most of my life---  I think I still have a shot.!

Still going to make a "bucket list".  No, not really---no intention to make any list.  My little act of rebellion, as everyone else is doing that...

and lastly---still going to try harder to be a better wife, friend, daughter, sister, mother, teacher, grandma, person,---

Oh---and write on my blog!!!

cybersale

Life is so good you can sit at your computer and check out: www.MoonlightJourney.com

It's a huge cyber sale...don't miss out.

The Moonlight Journey website link

Design Team "Moonlight Journey"

I am excited---and delighted---to be selected as a "design team" member for "Moonlight Journey". They are a top notch company that supplies collage sheets and designs for artists. They are fresh and beautiful. Check them out and now---to do some art for them. Hang with me. I think you will love them too.

art---not for the timid

I think most people know that I belong to a group of four women who create art---usually at my house. We have worked on some amazing projects---some I would never have tried on my own. That is the point---to stretch ourselves. This piece is a canvas "bird house" made with twigs and wires and some split threads for the resting bird's nest.

The other is a clay tile box lid, done in L. Mika style. It is a piece honoring my Mom. There are hand made tiles formed, painted and baked---resting around a picture of my Mom and two of her friends. A lot of love went into this piece.

This last posting is actually Debi's I believe. It is a mandala which is a piece of art made of mostly paper, and "gold leaf". Our friend, Sally, showed us this technique. She said she wasn't a teacher, but she directed probably eight of us (that day) to make a beautiful rendering. I have such a time locating my different photos, but I have promised myself to start posting some of what I am doing. Till next time...Geo

Stormy Weather

It is an unusual rainy day in San Diego. The wind is blowing and it is what we call cold and a good day to snuggle in with a good book. The problem is the weather has played havoc with Carlsbad High School's traditional parade for their homecoming. When asked---very few people could not remember when it has ever RAINED ON THEIR PARADE. The thing is, at the game tonight there is always so much planned for the band, cheerleaders, Lancer Dancers, Flag Corp and presentation of the court. I am not certain what will transpire for sure. I do know that in Michigan (my home town) a little rain was a blessing---especially at this time of year. We would most likely encounter hail, coming down sideways, snow, slush, and winds that really ARE something to talk about. Rain is considered almost a "warm weather" activity. Especially in Lansing, MI. where I have heard they have the least sun of any place---in MI that is. Back to Homecoming at CHS. So many people have worked so hard with floats, practices, etc. etc. What a disappointment---but, like most relaxed Californians, we'll survive, and look to "bright side of life" That is--- the important day---the homecoming dance. I have heard rumors that not a lot of kids go to the dances. I hope that is just a rumor---cause dances are so much a part of high school. Don't lose faith, Lancers, in the words of Annie---"THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW. Have fun---be safe---the roads are slippery---

Birthdays and Anniversarys

What a weekend this has been. As we approached the weekend I was reminded daily that my Mom's anniversary of one year since she died was approaching. In so many ways it has seemed longer since I had the gift of returning to MI to care for her in her last days. When I feel sad I remember she IS where WE all hope to be...her tears have been washed away and turned into laughter. We are the ones who still miss her ways and support and work when anyone moved or had a rummage sale since her passing. I still hear from people who have been touched by some act of kindness from her. So as the day approached...I remember it is Jack's 13Th birthday on that same day. She had a special relationship with Jack. The Gibson's is where they usually stayed when they came to CA. She loved seeming to help--especially Jack, as he was usually the only one home in that busy household. One of the ways they would pass time is a card game mom taught Jack called GOLF. Don't ask me how to play---she never showed me. She also liked to get him in the habit of doing his homework right away after school so if he "hurried and got everything done"after dinner they could watch "Jeopardy". I say watch because to a normal person's hearing the words are all jumbled because the volume is so high. Jack always respected and "played along"---even though he had other things to do, he would often times delay them, as he knew Gram ma wanted him to play cards or something. Jack is our "gentle spirit". He is the one that seems in tune with someone perhaps having a "bad" day. He would be the one to come up to you---unnoticed (he hoped) to hug you and encourage you. Often times he has said to me, "...Gram ma, we haven't had much time together. Maybe we could do something soon." I am getting off track---back to Mom...

As Jack's birthday approached last year we knew Mom was dying. We also knew that she would deny being superstitious---but she would NEVER DIE ON THE THIRTEENTH! Heck, when we would book her flights OUT HERE TO CA, we not only had to watch the layovers, the times, the seat assignments---we knew Mom would NEVER FLY ON THE THIRTEENTH and certainly NEVER BE SEATED IN THE THIRTEENTH SEAT--- IN THE THIRTEENTH ROW! And so---you guessed it---Mom died on the 14Th of October, at 9:15 am. Oh, that's another thing---we knew she wouldn't die at night---she was always afraid of the dark!!! And so dear Jack----you have the HONOR of Granny T dying on your birthday...and you know, it's o.k. cause Jack always was so kind to Granny. We all know she is smiling down on us---but especially the "birthday boy". We love you Mom!