Not Well

I am not feeling well. The infection is making me have cold chills, then hot spells. I did see the doctor and am now on antibiotics. I am still doing my therapy but even the two pain pills I take, there is still some pain. The infected area is sore to the touch. But hopefully all will get better soon. But because of this, I am not getting any art done. I just don't have the energy.
So everyone, keep on doing your art and hopefully soon, I will too.

Day after

Well today is the day after Christmas. A day of sadness but a day of renewal. Today the few decorations I put up, will come down. I usually do that Christmas Day night. But I wasn't feeling well last night.

I think my leg has an infection. The scar is all healed but the infection is under the skin. The leg is really red and has been for several days. But try to get to a doctor during a holiday. And I didn't feel like sitting in the emergency ward for hours waiting to be seen.

I have been taking a few of my hubby's antibiotics, using ice then heat packs. And keeping the leg elevated as much as possible. But today I will call the doctor and hopefully see him. Get some antibiotics of my own.

The leg is sore to the touch which is uncomfortable. And I have been having chills and then hot flashes. I will feel better once I have seen the doctor.

Well I hope everyone's Christmas was very nice, and safe. We had Christmas dinner at hubby's sister's house. Just 4 of us but a very nice dinner. She served prime rib and tried out some new online recipes for vegetables. The cream corn was to die for. We got some leftovers to bring home and a care package of goodies she had made. Fudge and coconut macaroons. Yum. Hubby's brother and his wife and grandson stopped by later so we had a very nice visit.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law Are health nuts. They take vitamins and watch what they eat. But these two have a verrrrrrry fat cat named Tommy. Well as we sat and ate dinner, Tommy decided he wasn't getting enough attention. He nipped my leg just at the crease of the knee (thankfully my good knee). They said he usually reserves those bites for just the two of them. I guess I am officially family in his site. Before the night was over, I was the recipient of two of those badges of honor. Quite a character. Really a sweet cat. Quite roly-poly. And he just gloats in satisfaction when you scratch his back or his stomach. When I get a yearning to have another cat, I get my fix at their house.

Barn

A few days ago I did a colored pencil drawing of a barn. I found it in the RIL at Wetcanvas. I don't remember who was kind enough to upload it. The file name was barn51. This is one of only 3 colored pencil drawings I have sitting here at the house that I have framed. They usually sit in a folder. I am trying to be better about framing as I go.

Only 3 days left until Christmas. Hubby is making an out of town trip. He had to pick up something at the LAX airport this morning and take it to Las Vegas. Along with millions of others going to Vegas. He just called me and when he made the turnoff to Vegas, the traffic came to a dead stop. He won't be home until tomorrow some time. Depends on how slow the traffic gets. Lots of crazy people out there and in a hurry.

Penny is pestering me today. I usually keep the door open so that she can go in and out at will. But today is cold and I have the heater going. I don't want to waste the warmth by opening the door. But I may have to turn the heat down and let her have her way. She can be the most determined dog I have ever known. I used to feed her at 5 pm but since Daylight savings time, she gets fed at 4. You can't convince her the time has changed. Her internal clock says it is still 5.

Scavenger Hunt #67

Well we are in the middle of Hunt #67. I have done more items on this hunt than any for the last couple months or so. Feels good.

I had to call the veterinarian today. My cockatiel was laying on her stomach on the wire at the bottom of her cage. She was perching at night, eating just fine, and jumping up and chasing us when we came near her cage. But I didn't want to let her get sick.

The vet said to wrap saran wrap around 3 sides of her cage and put a heating pat on medium under the bottom. He said this time of year they get cold. I keep a towel around the sides and back during the day and cover the front at night, but apparantly this year it wasn't working good enough to keep her warm.

Since I did what the vet said, she has been on her perch and singing and carrying on all evening. Poor little thing was just cold. I need to be a better mama.

Seed Catalog

My mom had a seed catalog last week that she gave me. It had a really nice flower in bloom that caught my eye. It was a Coneflower. I couldn't resist drawing one on a greeting card. For some reason I liked the way the center was pushed up toward the sun and the petals were drooping below. Here is my version. The size is about 5x5 and done in colored pencil.

Scavenger Hunt #66

It is my turn this week to host the Scavenger Hunt. We are at #66. Who woulda thought we would have this many done. Now I am anxious to get to #100. I worked on some sketches for the hunt today. I am farther along than I have gotten in the last few hunts. I finished number 10.

I didn't feel too perky today so I slept quite a lot. It is nice to be able to be lazy once in awhile. Hubby is out of town tonight for work, so I didn't have anything that had to get done. So it didn't. I am trying to take less medication as I am almost out of pills. I don't know if my prescription will be renewed but hope so. I am trying to stretch them out, so the leg was a little achey today.

Yesterday I finished up addressing my Christmas cards for family and friends. Mailed them out today. A few were handmade but most were from the store. After the Christmas Card Exchange Project, I didn't have it in me to do that many more originals.

The dogs are a little pesky tonight. Maybe missing their papa. But Penny keeps coming to me and waiting for me to figure out what she wants. They have been fed, pottied, and petted. Beats me what she wants now. Just my attenction I guess.

Life

Well I decided Life would be my last thankful card. After all Life is what we start with and what we end without. This one will be the cherry on my sundae. I got this one in the mail, so I am officially finished with all my cards.

Jeanette wondered how I could do it all. Well it helps when you don't work a full-time job. And don't teach classes. And don't have a farm and critters, and plants to take care of. Plus I'm still recovering from surgery and can't do a lot around the house. My part is easy. I am in awe of what you (Jeanette) accomplish with all you have on your plate. I will call you Wonder Woman.

ATC Project

I finished two more ATCs tonight. One for Chocolate and one for Maturity. I won't post them until they are received. Now I have only one more to go and I will be finished. I just have to figure out one more word. So far the items I have been thankful for are: nature, peace, wisdom, curiosity, silence, comfort, prayer, rainbows, loyalty, love, freedom, trust, faith, smiles, innocence, maturity, and chocolate. There are many more things to be thankful for but I only get one more.

Week's End

Well here it is another week gone. Christmas is coming fast. My days are spent quietly. I haven't been shopping at all for gifts. Thankfully I don't have many to buy. This is probably the latest I have left my shopping.

Most of the years before and after I got married, I was always making gifts. Crocheted mostly. I remember one year everyone (female) got a crochet and leather-like patchwork shoulder purses. Other gifts were, crocheted brandy snifter candles, crocheted dogs that covered a bar of soap, crocheted rug and lid covers for the bathroom, crewel/needlework framed pictures, crocheted and beaded jewelry, crocheted table runners, arm covers for couches and chairs, and crocheted afghans. Whatever was my art project at the time, ended up being the gifts I made. Oh yeah and dozens and dozens of crocheted slippers. I still make crocheted slippers once in awhile but now it is more of a chore than a pleasure.

Working a full time job and getting older just made life get in the way of handmade gifts. In between jobs, I had a couple of times where I didn't work an outside job. I was able to be a homemaker. That was pure joy. I took classes. Didn't matter if they were craft, sewing, accounting, or painting. I just love to take classes. It is always fun to learn new things plus it keeps your brain sharpened.

Now I just don't have the motivation. I would rather be doing my art. Here is another of my project ATCs.

Innocence

I worked today on two more of my Thankful project ATCs. I did one for Wisdom and one for Innocence. I am really enjoying choosing the words and then doing a picture for each of the words. So far I have been pretty pleased with my results. And I am enjoying doing a theme.

There are 19 participants. I have already done 9 of my ATCs. Half are done.

Since I am taking medication for pain, I have stayed pretty close to home. My parents have been taking me to my therapy sessions. I did make a trip to the grocery store today. Hubby has been doing the shopping and he has been working really long hours. I wanted to take some of the load from him. I made it pretty good but was very tired and my ankle and leg were really sore afterward. Just going thru the store is bad enough, but when I got home I had to unload and put away everything.

ATC project

I worked on two more ATCs for the project at Wetcanvas. That is 7 completed. So far 17 people have signed up. I don't know how long until they close the project for new ones. Any way I have a good start. Now more thinking of words and pictures to go with them. The ones I did today are for Trust and Loyalty. I don't have them scanned so can't show them.

Happy Birthday Connie

I made a birthday card today for one of the teens across the street. I used a reference photo that I took at their next door neighbor's house of one of her roses. Connie's favorite color is pink. You would know that if you saw her bedroom. It is painted hot pink. I used colored pencil and pen and ink on a blank greeting card. And "Happy birthday" she gets to clean my house this evening.

Hubby decided it was time for more deep fried fish. He went to Costco today. On a Sunday. And on a day right after the first of the month which is really bad. People coming from the woodwork.

I am usually the one who goes alone and has to deal with all the buying, loading, unloading, and putting away. This time it was his turn. But he did it after working today. So he is really tired. Now he is also doing the cooking. When my uncle gave him the little deep fryer, he made a monster. I am trying to lose some weight and hubby is frying.

EDM

I have spent the last day or so sketching some of the EDM items. I have had the list printed out for awhile but had not tackled it. I even had a new sketchbook labeled just for that. Well I finally started to use it. I have done 11 of the items. No particular order. I just pick one I want to do and do it. I have 143 items on my list, but I am sure there are more on the website by now.

I am devoting a page per item and labeling them similar to what Anita does in her book. But not so nice as she does. I don't have anything scanned yet but will post one or two when I get them scanned.

Another cat

I seem to be stuck on cats this week. This is one of my cousin Sheila's cats. I took the picture when we were there for Thanksgiving.

I am still trying to get my therapy set up. I don't know what the holdup is but I am still waiting. I am ready to get started on it so that I can get more motion. I will still have a limp as my ankle doesn't have much movement but at least I will have more than I do now.

I have received 10 Christmas cards from that project in Wetcanvas. They are all so nice and pretty. Such a nice way to end November.

I am planning to concentrate on getting a few things drawn/painted and framed. I have a couple small things done that need framing but I want a few different subjects all ready and framed for showing if the opportunity comes up. I also want to work towards having some items for the County fair next Sept. They have to have been done in that year so I will start planning a couple items. Not sure of the subject yet but have some time to ponder. I will probably do onsite art next year with the few who did it this year. I think most of them sold their paintings the same day they did them.

Sunday afternoon

Today has been a lazy day. I did do two Christmas cards in the last two days. Relatives have requested original ones this year. Not sure how many I will do and mail but I will do a few.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my cousin's house. Her dad gave us some catfish he had caught and a little mini deep fryer. So hubby had to have fish last night. Pretty good even if I am not a fish person. Not fond of fish or seafood. But it was good and not greasy or fishy tasting. Pretty bad not to want the fish to taste fishy.

I will be glad when I can stop the medication. I don't like the lala land they put me in but can't stop them while I am trying to work at therapy. And that will be painful. I should be starting next week.

Now it is the hectic month before Christmas. They started playing Christmas songs just before Thanksgiving. And they are nonstop. Once in awile added in to regular music would be plenty, but no they have to saturate us in it. By the time I hear it for a month, I start hating it. It would be nice to have the saturation the week before Christmas but not a month. So for now I will not be listening to the radio much. Thankfully I have cds.

Quilted Cat

Here is drawing I have been working on. The reference photo is from a pet portrait exchange in WC. I will probably leave the cat in graphite. For some reason, I like the mix of the graphite and the color.

I am still doing ok. Trying to work some more movement into my knee. Will start therapy next week.

Sorry

So sorry I have been absent for such a long time. A few bumps in the road to recovery from surgery. Everything went fine. I see the doctor tomorrow and hopefully the staples will be removed.
Right now I am having trouble sitting for any length of time. The leg is just not comfortable hanging down or being propped up. When the staples are gone, maybe the relief will be better.
I haven't done much artwork. A few sketches here and there. Nothing really at the hospital. The drugs did their job really well. I just enjoyed some la-la land time.
I will try to start posting daily from here on. Happy Thanksgiving for all in the US who celebrate.

I Am Lion, Hear Me Roar!

Surgery is reset at 1:00 pm tomorrow. But I had to redo my labs about an hour ago, so hopefully those will be ok. I just hope that my potassium level is up where it should be this time.

I have been having a hard time staying awake. I sleep the night, get up and fall asleep at my computer. After doing that a few times and waking with a neck ache, I took a nap. The hospital called and woke me. At 2:30 pm, they wanted me to retake my labs. Don't know why they didn't call earlier. Anyway I got all that done and now just more wait.

My husband is happy he gets to sleep in tomorrow. Just means longer without food and water for me. And probably no dinner either. My cousin said that is a new weight loss program, no food for a couple days. lol

I also had to change my hair appt. It was set up just right if the surgery had gone off last week. (I can only wait 4 weeks between "washing that grey away"). Well I have to wait now for 6 weeks. The hair dresser may not even recognize me. My hair grows about 3/4 inch a month. I will look like a skunk with a white stripe going sideways. Nice look and for Thanksgiving holiday too.

The weekly Wetcanvas challenge was posted last night, and it was a beautiful lion. I just had to do it and only had today to get it done. Here is my drawing.

Birds

Tonight I worked on my WDE entry. I did a picture of two ravens. The reference photo was really a good one. The two birds were sitting on a wooden fence and looked like statues. I did it in graphite.

The other bird I worked on was from the Wetcanvas reference library. Photo by digigrl of a bird named Gizmo. I did that one in colored pencil. I was not happy with the background and wish I had left it out. But the position of the bird was odd and without the curtain on the left side, he would have must been hanging in the air.

Good News

I got some good news yesterday. Two of my pictures I did for the Guild House were sold at the silent auction. The two colored pencil ones (chair and settee). I don't know the price or any other particulars. It gave me great pleasure to know someone liked them enough to purchase them but a little sad that I won't see them again. And a great sense of accomplishment that the first event with my art association that I participated in produced results.

Surgery Cancelled

Well I was at the hospital ready, willing, and sort of able, but the weather was against it. We had a storm the night before and it knocked out the electric in the area of the hospital. When I got there, they were prepping some (they were in gowns but back in the waiting room). My doctor was the first to cancel all his surgeries for the day. So back home very frustrated.

I thought I was going to have to wait till Nov 20 or Dec 4, but they found me a spot for next Tues. So here we go again and another week to wait.

Besides being frustrated, I was exhausted. So once home I called the doctor's office then took a nap. Most of the day I was out of sorts and a little lost. That happens sometimes when plans don't happen the way expected.

I did fit in another Christmas card in colored pencil. We have lost a couple of the participants, and gained one new one. So just in case of any more new additions, I will be making a few spares this week. I will also try to do some sketches for the Sketchcrawl even if from home. I won't be going on the plein air outing. I plan to do some relaxing this week and try to be stress free. Like that is going to happen with surgery pending. But at least I don't have the worry of tax classes. So I can concentrate on art.

Click here http://wetcanvas.com/Community/Projects/index.php?cmd=browse_final_all&proj_id=1138 to see all the cards I have done for the Christmas Card Project.

Surgery Eve

Well tomorrow is my surgery date. I was told to be there at 10 am, but about half an hour later I got a call and now I report at 8 am. Someone probably had to cancel. I will be in the hospital 3-4 days, so I won't be able to post anything new on here until about the weekend.
See you then.

One More Day

I have decided my office is now mouse free. I spent the day moving my stuff back to my office. And trying to clean up the clutter I had caused in the other room. I still have a few things to move but I am pretty much using the office again.

My hubby said it's about time. Our cockatiel, Bozo, was starting to get very mean. She tries to flog us every time we go near her cage. She is in the office and was spending way too much time alone while I was in the other room. She already seems a little calmer. Just in time for me to be gone for 3-4 days for my surgery.

Done, Da Done, Done

Tax classes are now completed. Now I can once again play and rid myself of the stress. I worked late into the morning from last night and again thru a good part of the day to finish, but it was worth it. I had decided today I would finish or else. That will give me 2 whole days to be at peace and do some art.

Here are a couple sketches with my new Lamy pen and Hunter's Green Noodler's Ink. And in my small moleskine which I haven't used for quite some time. Just some trees in front of the healthcare place we went to yesterday.

Playing catchup

Hubby and I spent the day doing some errands. Trying to second-guess what might come up in the next week or so that we can deal with today. Make sense? Probably not. But makes sense to me. I know, I am weird. I don't like surprises and try to prepare for any and everything.

I wanted to get supplies in so that hubby won't have to stop on his way home to "pick up" things. He works long enough hours without doing errands each night. Plus for a week he will be dealing with the dogs, household things, and visits to the hospital. Since he likes hospital food, he won't have to cook. But the dogs also like to eat, and they don't like their routine interupted.

Four more days left until surgery. The time is passing fast. The dog goes to the groomer on Monday. Another thing out of the way for a month. This weekend I plan to devote to getting a few things around the house in line, tax classes, and packing some art supplies and other incidentals that I will be taking to the hospital. I will take too much, but that is me. If I don't have it packed for hubby to bring, he won't be able to find it later. He is lost when it comes to finding anything. For one reason we have a small house and lots of stuff. We are both pack rats. Another reason is he has no patience.

I ordered and got some new pens. Anita Davies was always singing the praises of the Lamy fountain pens and Noodler's Ink she was using. Well I couldn't resist any longer. I had to have some.

I wonder why it is that all artists never have enough supplies no matter how many they have. One set of colored pencils is not enough...have to have a set of each brand. Then spares need to be horded. Then when any other person tells about a new item, we all have to have it. But without that shared knowledge, we would never learn about the new items. A lot of which make our art journey easier or more pleasureable.

The Lamy pens are so nice. So smooth. I hate scratchy pens or pencils. I even get scratchy leads at times. They get tossed. I can't stand the sound or feel. That may be one reason I don't like charcoal or pastel. The sound they make (as well as the "messy").

I now have 3 of the Lamy pens. One bottle of Hunter's Green Ink, some adapters to use with bottled ink, and some prefilled cartridges with blue and black ink. I will keep one pen for the cartridges. The other two will be used with bottled ink. I still need to buy another color. Haven't yet decided which color. I like the two colors that Anita uses (red/black and a greyish color).

I do have a couple bottles of Sennelier stain. It says a "traditional shellac based ink with a transparent satin finish. Thinned with water and superimposable, the inks can be intermixed. Apply with a brush or drawing pen". I have sepia and walnut

I would love to try these but am afraid to ruin my Lamy pen. So I won't take the chance. The pens cost me plenty especially as I had to order them online. Maybe I will buy a cheap fillable pen to try them on. If anyone knows anything about the use of the Sennelier, please let me know.

Well time to get something done. I had a late nap, so will probably be up awhile but things are pressing me and I am running out of time to get things done.

Photos taken at the last outing. Click the photo for a larger version.

Counting down

I am counting down the days now. 6 left till surgery. And only 6 more to finish my tax classes. No stress, right? I have been so stressed lately plus I had trouble getting onto blogger.

I had thought I wouldn't go to anymore plein air outings until after my surgery, but today the outing was at a private garden. The same one as my first time out with the group.

Since I had not done any art in about a week (dratted tax classes), I went for some relaxing time. It was fun but after that and a couple errands after and a doctor appt, I was exhausted. Had to take a nap. But as usual, when the dogs thought it time to get up and eat, they kept bugging me until I got up. They eat once a day around 5-6 pm, and you had better not be late with their food. Penny especially is persistent and knows when its 5pm on the dot.

Here are the two items I did at the art outing today. We had 9 people there, lunch after art, and a critique/showing after that. The hostess is part of the group and is fantastic. She has a beautiful home that has one of the best studios I have seen. A full wall of windows looking out to the yard, several work spaces, flat files, and even a separate walk-in closet for storage with shelves. An artist's dream.

New WW Sketchcrawl

World Wide SketchCrawl # 16 is November 4th !!

Mary's Green Thumb

Mary is my neighbor across the street. She has a green thumb. Flowers everywhere in her yard. The front fence is covered in roses of several color. The mailbox and post are covered with vines of Morning Glories. And all around the front and back yard there are many other plants and flowers.

I am enthralled with morning glories. I don't know why. I have never had any. But when I was in grade school, the house where we lived had a scraggly vine. I do remember they were there. I think I was probably fascinated by the way they vine and climb attaching to different things.

Mary gave me a smaller morning glory she had started. If hubby doesn't let it die while I am in the hospital, maybe I will have my own to photo.

Wednesday I did my walk over to Mary's to photo the flowers. As usual the morning glories beckon to me. I made it to the back yard this time, and she has several more vines of them back there. One is covering a light and post. One vine is mixed colors, one has purple, and one has all white. Others have white with a streak of purple or blue. All so beautiful and so bountiful.

I took photos of some of the roses too. This one is one of the prettiest I think I have seen. In person it looks like it is glowing with sunshine. I think it will make a beautiful colored pencil drawing.

Wash that Grey

I had my monthly hair appointment to "wash that grey right outta my hair". Then I bought some groceries. Lots of fruit and vegetables and stocked up on a couple things. Then I came home and because the gardener didn't show this week, I was the poop patrol. That was such fun and great for my knee. Afterwards I unloaded the car and put away the groceries. That finished, I had a long nap.

While at the hair salon, I did a sketch/design for another Christmas card. I did the drawing on a card and finished that one tonight. I now have 18 finished with one of the 18 still missing in action. I apparantly am at an age where I put things away for safe keeping, and then promptly forget where that is. It is my favorite of all the cards because I took more time and did all the layers on it with colored pencil. I now have 7-8 left to do depending if I find the MIA one.

No plans tomorrow so that means more cards and more tax classes. Then Wednesday is my physical appointment with my medical doctor while my plein air group goes to a farmers market without me. I have opted to miss the next two outings left before my surgery so that I can keep from stressing out my knee any more than I have to. The outings have been pretty strenuous for me lately. Hobbling around on crutches, carrying art supplies, and trying to take pictures is not easy. Can't you just see that picture in your mind?

Ouch

Only fifteen more days till surgery. It's getting here fast. And time is running out for my Christmas Cards and my tax classes. I have 15 more hours of classes to do and I think 14 more cards to do. Plus one ATC Christmas card.

Today I did a little housework but not much art. I did one Christmas card tonight but haven't scanned it. Surfed a little on the net. Someone in the scavenger hunt mentioned painting with coffee. I think I will do a little research on that.

Marching Along

I am making headway on the Christmas Cards for the exchange. I have 13 now completed. I have to take a break from them and do some tax classes. What a change of pace. And a less fascinating one. Here are the 3 I just finished.

More FACT photos

F.A.C.T.

Our group went to the local university for our outing. They have a program called FACT (Facility for Animal Care and Treatment). http://www.csub.edu/FACT/

At FACT they have birds that have been injured or unable to fend for themselves. They take care of them and release them back into the wild. Students get to be involved in the process as part of their education.

The birds couldn't be seen very clearly as they are behind wire in the cages. But they were beautiful animals. The owls were even out. The barn owls were huddled on a wooden box and looked like a scared little family.

We had about 10 people at this outing. It was a nice pleasant day. Even the sun wasn't too bad for awhile, but the best place to sit was under the huge shade tree.

Afterwards we took our lunches and visited the beautiful house of one of the ladies in the group. She has a great secluded yard/garden. It will be a nice new place to do our outing one day when we need a shady spot. I could have sketched all day in her house. Full of family heirlooms. Beautiful antic furniture. And her studio puts my art room to shame.

Here are a few of the 59 photos I took today. Click on the photos for a larger view.

Eight down Sixteen to go

I finished another 6 of the Christmas cards for the exchange today. that is 1/3 of the ones I need. Sixteen more to do. I just hope I don't run out of ideas before finish. They are a little rough around the edges, but I think that is the joy of receiving a handmade card. It doesn't look "cookie cutter" perfect. And each one I have done is different. Only one is done in colored pencil only. That was the first. But that one took way more time. So now I am doing a mix of watercolor pencil, watercolor, and pen and ink.

Candy Corn

I finished an ATC tonight of some candy corn. I like candy corn. I like the look of a bunch of candy corn all piled together. I decided to do an ATC and used colored pencil.

I was going to use it for the Halloween exchange project in Wetcanvas (all those were done in watercolor) but I had already finished those. I have a couple more that I had started the drawings for and will continue with them but they will just be spares.

I have all the 10 cards finished, addressed, stamped, and ready to mail on Monday. One project down and two to go. And 24 days left before surgery. And still no tax classes finished. Where do my priorities lie? Art, art, and more art.

I have 3 of the Christmas cards done for the Christmas card exchange project. One I'm not certain will make the cut. I still have about 22 -23 left to do. And for the third project just one Christmas ATC.

Halloween/Fall ATCs

I finished two more ATCs for the fall/Halloween exchange in Drawspace. These are both in watercolor. Tonight I bought some miniature pumpkins, two orange, one green striped, one solid light green, and another with gold stripes. I plan to photo them and also draw/paint them in different combinations. Of course they may be cropped. I tend to crop things in unusual ways. I enjoy doing ATCs that have an "in your face" look to them. I like the impact of them when they are cropped and very close.

Hubby and I were doing errands most of the day. He uses his company's diesel truck and flatbed trailer to haul the senior float during homecoming game. This is about his 7th year. He started when this one group was freshman and followed them thru all their grades. Then he was going to quit but they requested him and he enjoys it so much. Now that one family whose daughter was in that freshman class, has another daughter who will be a freshman next year. That means 4 more years. She has ridden with him during the parade most of the years he has pulled the floats.

One Mouse Down

Caught one mouse. Took a whole day but late yesterday evening, he went to his mouse rainbow bridge or wherever mice go. Haven't caught another yet but the trap is in place. The pest control was supposed to bring the sticky traps but they didn't show up. I'm afraid my dog will get in that room and get caught.

My bird is not happy. I am not in the room with her. She is in the "mouse" room and I'm not. She is getting lonely in there. I only look in a couple times a day. She is not talking at all with no one there. I guess I should turn on the tv for her. She likes being in the same room with me and talks up a storm all the time. Gets upset if I don't talk back.

My camera hookup is also in mouseland. I haven't downloaded my photos from today's outing yet. May go in there and drag all that out to the other computer too. If I don't catch any more mice, it will probably be about surgery time before I feel I can return to my room. And then I will be spooky every time I see a flicker or hear a tiny sound. I have the hall door closed and a towel across the bottom. I will probably do that to the closet from now on. I told you, I am really spooky about mice.

My husband laughs at me. The last mouse we had, he cracked up when he came home and I was standing in a chair and bending down taking laundry from the washer to the dryer. But drats can't get up on the chair now.

Mouse in the House

I am petrified of mice. I don't think they are cute, I don't care if we shouldn't kill them, I just want them gone. And now there are signs of a mouse in my home office. And what's worse that room has my computer and is also my studio. I grabbed what I would need and moved out. I won't be going back until I see a body. EEEEEK. I get the creeps just thinking that I have been in that room where he (or she as I found a lot of chewed up paper in my closet behind my clothes). I am now walking around on edge expecting the boogie man to jump out at me any time. I am nervous enough without the help of outside help.
I have read that they can come into a house thru a hole the size of a coin and can jump a foot or two. I believe the jumping part as the last one we had, jumped on the bed. Now that scares me silly. Last night I slept with the light on. Hubby is not going to like that. But I need to see if something gets on me. We did close all holes when he painted the outside but I know the doors have gaps at the bottom.
My mom used to have the same phobia. When I was a baby, she had to get over the fear as she had them in the house and wanted to protect me. I don't have kids and my dogs are on their own.
My mom now will chase them with a broom and she has even hit one with a hammer. I don't want to be that close. One ran up the inside of her pants leg. If that happens to me, you may as well bury me.
Wish us luck catching it, as I won't come home from the hospital unless I know my house is mouse free.
No new art today. I hadn't even started my Bible study questions and the study is tonight. I worked on that most of the afternoon. Maybe tomorrow will be better. but I sure miss my room.

CALM

California Living Museum (CALM) is the destination for our Wednesday Plein Air Outing. We took a breather for two weeks, so this is our first one back. CALM is a zoo/museum. Animals are here that can't be sent back to the wild. The duck area is a stopping off motel for all kinds of waterfowl. It is in the flight path of several species. They stop off, rest, eat, and then go on their way. And in a safe environment for them. Here is the website if you would like to browse thru: http://www.calmzoo.org/

I am behind as usual. No tax classes are done, no dinner started for tonight, and bills are not yet paid for the month. But here I sit on the computer. And I am happy.

I worked yesterday on my first Christmas Card for the exchange on Wetcanvas. Not too many have posted a complete card. I think I am the third one with a finished card.

I have spent several days looking thru sites to get ideas for cards. Nothing is really jumping out at me. I did find one and made something similar but totally different. Does that make sense? Well sorry, it does for me. I used watercolor pencils and pen and ink but didn't add any water to it. The paper is similar to cardstock, so I didn't want it to buckle by adding water. I bought these already made into cards and with envelopes so wanted to use them.

Well time to get something from the freezer to cook, get my shower, find some lunch, and pay some bills. Still no tax classes?

More for drawspace

I have two more cards ready for the exchange in drawspace forum. That makes 5. So far we have 13 participants. So that is 12 I need and I am almost half done. I have to buy a new roll of stamps this week. I'll put that on my todo list. Then I can get started on my 24 Christmas cards for that exchange. For that one I may look at the individual's websites to get inspiration. I will try to do all originals, but if not that's ok. I still have tax classes I need to get done.

Where Oh Where is Jo?

I haven't seen a post on Jo Castillo's site for some time. I miss reading about her trials and travels. Have they gotten lost in the desert? Have they eaten one too many burritos and exploded? Have they gotten lost in the new house? Jo "WHERE ARE YOU?"

Fall ATC Exchange

I finished another ATC for the drawspace forum exchange. I really liked the moon and sky. Hated to put something over the top of it. But it just didn't seem finished without the owl.

I'm making this post short as I am really tired and need to go to bed.

Another Project

Well I have now officially joined my 3rd project. I guess I don't know when to stop. For this one I only have to do one ATC Christmas Card. That should be a breeze.

Tonight I did two ATCs for the fall exchange for drawspace. Well I really did 4 but only liked two. One other may get finished later. I shall see. It will probably depend on whether I do enough that I am satisfied with. I am trying to do some that represent the fall season and indirectly maybe some Halloween without doing the ghoul thing.

Surgery Finally Scheduled

I have my knee replacement surgery on Oct 30, day before our 37th wedding anniversary. At first I thought he was not going to do it. The lady who took me to my room said he wouldn't unless I got my weight down. But after he called my medical doctor, he said ok. I'm ready to get it over with.

I just joined another art card exchange. This one on drawspace.com. They had 10 participants the last time. They are letting anyone who didn't get in last time to have first chance. I hope they all get to participate even if there are more than 10. The ones who participated on the last one all seemed to enjoy it. This one is a fall one. I probably won't do Halloween ones but will do ones with something to do with fall.

Between this one and the one on Wetcanvas I should have plenty to keep me busy. I won't have time to worry about surgery. Plus I still need to get my tax classes done. Can you tell how excited those make me? And sorry to say the nurse said I should be good to go for work in January. Drats. There goes that excuse. Now I have to spend my drawing time doing tax classes.

Project Christmas Card

There is a new Project at WC. A 2007 Christmas Card Exchange Project. I just joined. There will be a maximum of 25 participants. So far there are 6. Two of them I have known from prior projects. It will be fun.
A few months ago, I bought on sale some packs of greeting cards and envelopes that are blank. I hope that they are good for water medium. I will probably use those. I didn't have a reason for buying them but now they will come in handy as I got them at half price. And whenever I have surgery I should have plenty of time to do art. Looking forward to the project. Now I will have to look for inspiration for the cards.

WDE Entries

I did paintings of two of the WDE photos this week. Both are about 5 1/2 x 7 on Bristol. Watercolor with a waterbrush and pen and ink. The lake scene has some dry watercolor pencil.