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IF's "Sour"
 For Illustration Friday's "Sour." My husband and I enjoy going to our local Barnes and Noble Bookstore to read and hang out in the Starbucks coffee shop there. I always bring a sketchbook and enjoy sketching the people reading. Unfortunately, on this particular evening, the woman who I was sketching glanced up and gave me the most sour look I have ever seen. Of course I immediately stopped sketching her and she stared me down until I had to look away. I stopped sketching for a while but continued (I was halfway through my sketch!) when she wasn't looking though she kept glaring at me from time to time with eyes that looked as if they were shooting daggers. I thought she was quite an interesting subject with her eye glass chains dangling but I fear she didn't find me as interesting. At the onset, I thought she was going to get up, lunge at me and grab my sketchbook and destroy it. It was the first time I felt like that of a protective mother bear over her cub, in this case the cub was my sketchbook which holds some of my most precious drawings. Out of respect for her discomfort, I captured only what I needed to finish and put my sketchbook away and enjoyed the rest of the evening reading with my husband. Labels: "woman reading", Illustration Friday, journaling, sour, Starbucks
'Bachelorette' Deanna and Jesse: 'Soul Mates'
 FinallY! The best Bachlorette season yet, DeaAnna Papas chooses the right man, Jesse Csincsak to be her husband and has found her soul mate.
Ok, so I am a bit sappy over this one. I watched every night as she slowly sent home each of the guys as I held on to the hope that Jesse would be the one DeAnna fell in love with. I truly believe anyone who was ready to send Jesse home has completely under estimated the man-and my husband agrees! DeAnna & Jesse, can we come to the wedding?
Many were quick to judge Jesse's profession, however being a pro snowboarder shows dedication, focus and discipline. What kind of a future job is in store for him you say? Not only is he a professional athlete (did you see Jesse snowboarded carrying DeAnna on his back and didn't drop her-now that's hot!), but his opportunities are open for sponsors, franchise and product endorsements, educational and television opportunities, just to name a few. He is so marketable, great looking and sincere. You rock Jesse and your just the sweetest-next to MY husband that is! DeAnna, trust him with your heart, treat him right, and you'll have a soulmate for life. Check out their new website -is this the real deal? Labels: "Bachelorette", "DeAnna Pappas", "Jesse Csincsak, "Maggie Summers", "pro snowboarding", "Soul Mates"
Silver Bella & Plans
 Picture: Delphiniums in my garden. Silver Bella 2008 is fast approaching, set for November 13 - 15th. Last year's event was such a fabulous time and I had the opportunity to meet so many creative and talented women. The classes I attended were so inspiring and I came home with oodles of projects, some I must admit are still unfinished and lying in a drawer-a winter project maybe? I will get to them one of these days, I promise! I won't be attending this year as my priorities have changed however I am tickled that so many of the great women I met will be in town again. I do hope I will get to see them all! Of the priorities I mentioned, one is to to get my arm back into tip-top shape. No news on that front yet, I still have to see a hand specialist and I think I will need surgery but that isn't a definite either. We'll be heading to Florida for a vacation soon and I am SO excited, I can hardly wait. We'll be going to see my brother and SIL and it's been way too long since we last saw each other. Labels: delphiniums, flowers, garden, recovery, Silver Bella
Injuries Recovery 3
 Feeling small as a bug today, wish I could fly away! I had my EMG tests today and let's just say, they were shocking! I took a couple of tylenol prior, hoping it would take the edge off. The pain from the needles wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though the electrodes were the most painful/uncomfortable. The doctor actually gives you a shock or jolt of electricity, then more and more until she/he gets the results they are looking for. Painful enough to get your attention. It made me jumpy, anticpating the next jolt which would leave you flinching from it. Most weren't bad until the doctor tested the area where I had the most pain. Then I really took notice. The doctor was 30ish, and a pretty red head, German, with no bed side manner whatsoever, quite void of emotion. Completely analytical, focused and all business, yet she was wearing a long floral skirt and a blue jean jacket. What's that all about? Cold as a fish. :) She didn't smile however when I asked her a particular question about her profession for a milisecond I think I actually heard a smile in her voice rather than saw one on her face. I have to say she did a thorough job and my anticipation was worse than the procedures. NOTE TO SELF: never read about the procedure on the internet prior to the appointment. She did give me a glowing report though and said I had no never damage- YAY! I will survive. Now on to the hand specialist for more tests. Labels: EMG, recovery
Injuries and Recovery 2
 This morning I go in for an EMG test. My understanding is that the test is unpleasant and painful-oh joy! I feel like a human guinea pig, not enjoying the thought of being stuck with several needles intramuscularly (electrodes) and then the electrical activity is picked up by the electrodes and monitored to see if there isn any nerve damage. Geez Louise! I KNOW. The knowledge that in 20 minutes to an hour I will be out of there and back to work motivates me. Then once the test results are in, I will be sent to a hand specialist. I just want to get on with working again without pain. I am off to take some Tylenol...I was hoping to take something much stronger...he he, but tis not the case. Have a great Wednesday and say a prayer for me will you? Labels: EMG, recovery
Injuries and Recovery
  My gardens are a bloom with color! I've recently been struggling with pain in my right hand and arm. It is exasberated by doing anything with my right hand which as a graphic designer and illustrator can be disheartening. I don't believe it is carpul tunnel though I do experience a bit of it from time to time. I've had a blocked vein (feels like a little nodule) near my elbow for at least 12 years now and often when working,when I rest my arm on something, it puts pressure on that spot. I try to adjust this as needed. The nodule seems to have gotten bigger and is tender with inflamation. I believe it is blocking the blood supply to my right hand resulting in some of the pain, the other I think is some form of arthritis.
An injury occured at my oldest son's birthday party (when he was young). One of his friends who was quite a big, sturdy fellow for his age, was rocking back and forth on our oak kitchen chair and fell backwards. I tried to break his fall by grabbing the back of the chair and went down with it crushing my hand between him and the floor. Oak is not forgiving. It took quite a while to heal but my hand has suffered the damage and now from time to time it has started to ache. It couldn't have been my left hand, right? So, tomorrow I will make and appointment to get the nodule looked at. Years ago I showed it to my doctor and he didn't seem concerned, just said as long as it doesn't bother you don't do anything but watch it. It's one of two I have on my arm.
Drawing has been put on hold for time being. I also belong to a professional organization where I am the editor of the chapter's newsletter (more about that later) and have some concerns as the next edition is due soon and any time spent on the computer hurts (like now!) My hope is that my hand and arm will recover so that I can continue doing what I love to do best.
So I will sign off but apologize for my lack of illustration postings. Posting photos will have to be it for now. I have to say I just love photography and its so hard not to take pictures of such beautiful subjects. Don't you agree?
On thoughts about injuries and recovering from them, it brings to mind an article I read about in the newspaper, about Thomas Auen, 14, of Sioux City, Iowa, a young boy scout who was injured in the recent tornado that killed 4 of his fellow boy scouts while on a camping trip in Iowa. Thomas who is in intensive care is unable to speak because of a breathing tube. When asked by his father if he had anything to say, Thomas took a notepad and wrote: "Lord, together we can handle anything." What an impression this boy's words left upon me, from one so young but so wise. It is his thoughts, courage, and that sentence, that will stay with me as I deal with my hand and arm. Thomas, you are so right and I thank you. May God be with all the families of the 4 young boys that lost their lives, the young boys who are still recovering from their injuries, and those boys who walked away from the storm unharmed but emotionally in need, I wish you a swift recovery, I know you are in Good Hands! P.S. Mother, don't worry, I have a handle on the arm thing and will be fine! :) I'll let you know what I hear after I see the doctor. Labels: "Iowa tornado", "Thomas Auen", boy scouts, EMG, flowers, garden, geraniums, Maggie Summers, petunias, planters, rain, recovery
Aftermath & Clean Up
 Local police, Fema Disaster Relief and Home Depot were there to offer assistance and supplies to families to shore up their homes and businesses.
  Glimpses of the worst hit areas, blocked off by police. The homes in this photo have lost their roofs and walls.   A new home with it's windows blown out. The fencing also went through the windows. 
An old farm that has been around for a very long time.
The inside of a local business that blew across the street.
We saw three trampolines, this one was out near the road with no home in site where it might have blown away from.
 This brand new car wash lost its roof and the cement pillars toppled over on it.  Truck after truck of tree branches and debris headed for dumping areas.  Early this morning at about 2:30am I was awakened by the sound of an enormous rain storm, high winds, and the most incredible sound, like a train roaring toward our home. I had a hard time awakening but realized it was time to move. I literally rolled out of bed and looked out the window. The sky was unbelievably grey and the rain was coming straight sideways at an unbelievable speed-and the trees were completely on their sides also. K and I headed for the basement to take cover. An F2 tornado (111 to 135 mph winds) went right over our home then touched down and started a path of destruction many miles long about a mile and a half from our home. This afternoon we went out to see the damage and I was able to take a few photos. The police had several subdivisions completely blocked off so you couldn't get in to see the serious damage as was understandable, so many families were trying to clean up. More storms are coming in tonight and many homes had no roofs or walls. People were out cutting down the trees that blocked to roadways and on their homes. We saw truck after truck loaded down with trees and debris. Thankfully our home didn't suffer any damage and we only saw minor damage in our neighborhood. We are so grateful and blessed that we are safe and sound and pray for those who's homes sustained damage. Thankfully no lives were lost. Labels: storms, tornados, weather
Promises
 Promises of spring and summer ahead amidst the violent storms the U.S. has been having. Every time I look at our clematis in the front yard I want to pull up a chair on our deck and kick back, dreaming of the promise of lazy days, bbq's, lemonade and fresh fruit in crystal bowls topped with a dollop of yogurt. Mmmmm. Labels: clematis, flowers, green, plants, spring, vines
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