Now that I'm feeling better...

Remember how I started last Wednesdays post by informing you that my boys were both sick? Well, guess what? That's right! I got sick, too.

I don't know what this particular 'bug' was but, oh boy, did it kick our butts!

Monday evening, while I'm in the kitchen making dinner, Asher walks up to me and vomits all over the floor. It was so out of the blue and Asher gave no hint about what was going to happen that I just stood there for a moment, staring in horror at my floor. Thank goodness Dave was there. He wisked Asher away to clean him up and I cleaned up the floor. While gagging. A lot. It was so gross!!! And it didn't stop there. The poor kid kept throwing up until about nine o'clock that night.

Fast forward to Tuesday morning, about six o'clock. I hear from Nathanael, who has just stuck his head in my room, "My stomach hurts." This was followed by him running to the bathroom and throwing up. Over and over again. The poor baby was the palest shade of green and his freckles seemed to get bigger and 3-D. His eyes looked huge, like a sad puppy dog. I could hardly look at him with out wanting to cry.

So, there I was, snowed in with the vomitteers. Little wonder that, Wednesday night- blammo! It got me. It got me good! I was so upset that I was sick that, at one point, I started to cry. My loving husband woke to the sound of my tears and asked me what was wrong. When I uttered my whining, wimpering, "I'mmmm siiiick", I heard him inhale and say in a strangled voice, "Oh, honey..."

Why a strangled voice? 'Cause he was holding his breath! I'm surprised he didn't run out and purchase a haz-mat suit, you know, just in case. I remember, when we were dating, that no matter how sick I was or how contagious, he was there taking care of me. Not that he doesn't take care of me now when I get sick. It's just at a safe distance, while wearing gloves. And a face mask.

Well, I'm better now. Let's forget it all like a bad dream.

Now that I'm 'back', I can take a look at the war-zone that used to be my house. What a mess! I spent the morning giving the living room a thorough going over. It looks good and it sure is nice to be able to do more than lie there and watch the dust settle!

I've also been working on plans, etc. for Nathanael's birthday party which is rapidly approaching. More on that later.

I hear the thump, thump, thump of my Asher, up from his nap, so I'm off! Enjoy your day!!!

Tuesday's Thing- My Art Journal

***I know it's Wednesday but, because both boys were sick with a stomach bug yesterday, I didn't have time/energy to post. They are doing better today and, now that I find myself with a moment or two, here goes...


I've started reading a book called The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer. I've only just started and, due to all of the drama involved with vomiting boys, I am not far into it and will give you a summary/review later. I have gotten far enough to find that the author stresses the importance of an art journal. Not a sketchbook but a journal. A place to put thoughts, ideas, inspiration, pictures, quotes and well, at least in my case, sketches.

So, during my spot of me time on Sunday, I bought a small, hardcover sketchbook. I've made it pretty and have promised to try really hard to write or sketch something in it every day. It's only been a few days but I am really enjoying the process.

I start out looking at my little book and finding nary a thought in my head. Then I make myself sit down and start to write something (today I wrote SNOW DAY!!!) and it kinda snowballs from there. I've had some recent bouts of inspiration lately and this little book helps me to both record and expand on those inspirations. I give it: two thumbs (cracked and bleeding) up! ☺

Here are some pictures:






Now, back to watching cars/trucks/vans (currently a pretty little mustang) trying to drive up or down our un-plowed street. Entertaining, to say the least! Stay safe and warm wherever you may be!

New Week, New Attitude (hopefully)

As I sit at my work table, reflecting on the week behind me and thinking about the week ahead, my eyes drift toward a set of stickers I received from a friend the other day. They are a bunch of Edgar Allan Poe quotes among other greetings and phrases. My eyes fell, in particular on this quote:

"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."

A couple of stickers down I see: "Happy Mother's Day!" (Insert crazy-lady laugh here.)

Then I thought, that's kinda what the week has been like. It started out INSANE. And then I got my act together. 'Cause I'm a mom and we don't have any time budgeted out for insanity. Maybe later.

Actually, I had a pretty good week. I prayed A LOT. But that is never a bad thing so feel free to pat me on the back. There were many times where the first word or two out of my mouth had a lot of volume to it but then I quickly toned it down. For the most part, it's working (loosely). The boys are still a couple of squirrelly-monkey squirrels but I started to notice some longer intervals of sanity. I still noticed that by bedtime, I'm worn out and run down and patience-free, for the most part. But I no longer feel as despairing. I'll get there.

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Now for a new week. It began with Asher stomping on my foot with his big, thick, toddler foot. But that was quickly followed by my husband packing up the boys in the minivan and taking them to visit Grandma. (Actually, I grew weary of waiting for them to get their acts together and GET ON THE ROAD ALRIGHT ALREADY, so I got in a car of my own and went to the store.)

So here I sit, in silence and solitude. I've been experiencing the joy of having a thought, being able to hear the thought, and finish thinking the thought. Sigh...

I bought a small sketch book to use as a daily art journal. I'm going to decorate it and begin filling it with... well, I'll tell you more about that on Tuesday.

I've weeded through my binder, planned out the week's meals and groceries and appointments.

I've posted Marie A. II on Etsy and on my website. And, I've written my post for Monday! :)

Now, I'm gonna clip some coupons, work on my new journal, read and, maybe, force my self to make a new facebook page for my portraits. ( I stumbled upon an art business blog that was explaining facebook pages for artists and how they should be created, etc. I discovered that I didn't do my page "correctly" and that I need to do a new one. Let me re-phrase that. It would be in my best interest to do a new one. Arrrgghh, urrrgghh... I'll explain more on Tuesday.)

Here's to a new week and all that awaits us!

5 Songs

Because I've got a case of circus-on-the-brain, I felt the need to search around for musical inspiration. Here are 5:

My Kingdom for a Thumb!

A little slow going here due to the state of my hands and thumbs. I'm trying to stick to a break from fabric and sewing until I heal. Hard to do. I want to get Marie #2 finished so I can get working on my new series. Ah, well... The best laid plans blah, blah, blah.

So, no new pics of the ex-queen. However, I have started researching and doing sketches for my first series of 2011. The circus. Or carnival. I don't know which yet. I go back and forth between the two names and I can't get a clear enough "image" of each name to make a decision. What do you think?

Before I go any further, go here to check out part of my inspiration. When I heard of her series, my first thought was that, yes, circus people would make excellent subjects for my portraits. Then I took a look at her work and just was so impressed and enthralled! Please check it out.

I am also inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Saboteur"...

One of my favorites! There is a scene where the hero and reluctant-heroine have to stow away in a car on a circus train. There we meet your typical sideshow freaks. And the hero and heroine, finally, fall in love! Anyway... (Love the bearded lady!!!)

So I tucked the idea of carnival portraits away in my fevered brain, to be released after the new year. And here we are! I thought this would be a great series to usher in spring. Now for the cast of characters:
*Siamese Twins (double)
*Tattooed Man and his Wife (double)
*Snake Charmer
*Fortune Teller
*Bearded Lady

I may also do:
*Clown
*Ring Master
*Lady Giant and Tom Thumb (double)

In an effort to not get to ahead of myself, I've only just begun sketching ideas. Here's a peak:

(They are my Siamese Twins. I think I'll name them April and May.)

My kids are driving me crazy. Hardly an original thought, I know, but that is the plain truth. I feel like I am being ratcheted up, slowly but surely, to Mommy Dearest-like status.

I don't like that. I don't like feeling that, in acting like a crazy lady, I've given up control. To squirrel-y, monkey boys.

So, what to do? Stop. Start fresh. Thank the Lord for new days, new hours, new minutes. I realize I just have to make a very conscious effort, with each new day, to be patient, loving, kind, slow to anger... I need to speak softer (no big stick, though- the little monkeys would probably take it and wack me with it). Sometimes, I need to not speak at all. I need to pray about it more- every time I feel my blood pressure rise (and I have the blood pressure of a dead person, go figure). And, sadly, I need to stop playing around with my kids.

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I started putting the above into practice Monday morning (after nearly packing my bags and moving out Sunday night). Speaking softly, literally and figuratively, is a neat trick in the world of parenting. For one thing, it shuts the wee tyrants up. They can tell I'm talking but they can't hear what I'm saying so- quiet. Hard to do though when every fiber of my being wants to get LOUD. But the funny thing about getting loud is that I feel pretty lousy after the fact.

And, not speaking at all. Who knew! A knowing look goes a long way with a kid, especially when they are fully aware that they are doing or saying something they shouldn't. Plus, the anticipation of your saying something seems to neutralize the situation. Hee, hee, hee.

Praying. It helps. He helps. And, it gives you a moment, like counting to ten, but it's more productive. Amen.

And finally, not playing around with my kids. I don't mean playing with them. I (my husband, too) need to quit playing around with them because that is giving them the impression that we are all equals. We aren't and none of us should be treating the others as if we are. I have to be the mature one in all situations concerning my boys. It's about consistency more than anything else. If I laugh with Nathanael about something that Asher should not be doing, for example, but get upset with Nathanael for laughing at Asher the next time it happens, how is that fair to any of us? Well, it's not and it's on me to change this.

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Yesterday was a fresh new day! New behaviors and attitudes were exhibiting themselves all over the place! Until after dinner. We'll call it the witching hour. Actually, it wasn't that bad but I could tell the spell was beginning to fade. Thank heavens for early bed times!

Today! Another fresh new day! Huh? Well, another day at least. The Lord and I have had several conversations so far (and It's only 1:15!). I haven't gone off the deep end but I have noticed a bit more volume about me. Thank heavens for nap time!!!

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I guess I have to stop thinking that there is a quick fix in this parenting dilemma. I have to remember to be conscious of my role as mother. A role I can never set aside, not even for the merest of moments, if I am to be successful. But, I am determined! I love being a mom. I love being a mom to boys. I love my boys.

...But the greatest of these is love. :)

Books, Books, Books, Books, Books

5 books read in the past 4 weeks:

* A Christmas Odyssey by Anne Perry (I get her new Christmas novella every Christmas from my husband. I love how these have become a little bit of a tradition between us.)

* Heat Wave by "Richard Castle" (I loooove the TV show 'Castle' and have been curious about the books. It was a fun read and a good mystery that kept me going. The second book, Naked Heat, arrived in the mail today.)

* Mistletoe and Mayhem by Kate Kingsbury ( This, too, was a Christmas gift. It was a fun, holiday themed mystery in Edwardian England. I think I'll check out her other books once the holidays roll 'round again.)
* An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor (Just wonderful! I love this series that takes place in Ireland in the 1960's. They leave you feeling warm and happy. And, I also like walking around saying "wee" and "eejit".)

* The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig ( I love this series, too. They are rom-com, historical books inspired by the Scarlett Pimpernel. Sweet and funny and fun.)

Now, I shall be diving into Peril at Somner House by Joanna Challis. I read the first in this series last spring, Murder on the Cliffs. The heroine is none other than Daphne du Maurier (Rebecca, The Frenchman's Creek, Jamaica Inn) Good mystery, great characters and lots of fun. Then Naked Heat. And The Orchid Affair. I am positively giddy with anticipation!

What's on your nightstand?