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Friday, February 21, 2014

Smoothing out


 bird I did on 2draw.net

Thankfully things seem to be calming a bit on the home front. Basically over the last few weeks my Mom had broken her hip. She lives next door to us and we take care of her and so this had a rather large impact on my family. She HATES going to hospitals so it took a lot of talking to get her to go as she didn't believe she had hurt herself that badly and when she found she did she was shocked. She had to go to a nursing home for a bit for therapy and this was pretty difficult especially due to lack of communication between the nursing home and therapists etc so anyway it looked like it would lead to a loss of a lot of what she has as far as nursing and all and in the end thankfully she still has everything she needs and possibly more. I hate when people go through stress that actually turns out later it was all for nothing (well not nothing really and I am glad it didn't turn out how it appeared it would against all odds) but yeah. Much un-needed on all parties. The stress is fading now mostly still have a couple of bumps and a lot of re-adjusting to new schedules yet again (and even AGAIN here in about a week) but so far so good. 
My youngest will be starting Kindergarten next year and had to go to her future school for testing. She actually was testing at a 7 yr old level for this test she was taking. (which is funny because she looks like a 7 yr old and is the height and weight of one) We were told they don't normally make it that far through the tests at that age. :) Made me feel really good. My 2nd oldest is leaving state and so this should be quite an adventure for her. Hoping it is a smooth move and all goes well. My son is doing well. He's growing up on me even getting a mustache. He will be 15 next month. Time to get some birthday shopping done. He didn't give me much of a list to go with. My oldest is expecting her first baby in May (her own birth month) She hopefully finds out what she is having next week so all is well on that front. (with all the kids) 
I've thus far managed to keep the 5lbs I  lost off which actually is doing pretty good for me. I have a pile of pants that are "goal pants" to try to fit into. I have some that I've worn forever that I can't hardly keep up anymore. (I'm losing inches faster than lbs) I'm excited but actually kinda nervous to get rid of my old pants but I am going to soon. I don't want to keep them around. Got that pedometer only problem is remembering to wear it otherwise I love it. 
 I am at the moment hooked on Red Dead Redemption. Totally fascinated by the graphics and game play. Loved Dead Island and will likely play that one again. Would like to play Uncharted but none of that series will play without the cut scenes messing up.  (Best place to get them is the pawn shop where they have sales which is actually kind of a plus to getting into it late which we did ....weren't able to til recently...there are more choices for cheap) 
We got the okay to get rid of our totaled van recently so can finally get that out of our driveway thankfully. Got it cleaned out today. Won't get much on it because of the fact it is totaled but hey. 
I am hoping the weather starts to stay nice though I am hearing snow storm the weekend after this one. :( That can just go away. I want to start cleaning out our shed and carport and getting rid of stuff. Have plenty to start with that is either broken, kids have grown out of, or don't need in general. Want to get my garden areas ready for spring. We have other projects we are hoping to work on later in the spring. I am excited but tentative because anything goes with how that is going to turn out. So much to do but at least it isn't things I dread as the last few years has been and I hope it all stays positive. 
Also if all goes well I would like to take the kids a few places this year. (pushing myself again but I feel I need it) Places the older kids got to go but the younger two haven't really had the opportunities to do. 
Also I've actually been talking to my dad a little which is progress in that dept. Kind of nice. (Something I learned is never say never no matter how sure you are of something) 
I've also been continuing to work on my artwork: 
 water dragon I did on 2draw.net
I've been wanting to branch out with my crafts and my cousin is really inspiring me with that at the moment. I want to learn more about crochet and I just found some things to make jewelry with. It kills me that I don't have more of a set space to work on that stuff (I'd like for my hubby to have a good space like that too as he makes jewelry and things) Something I've day dreamed about a bit is getting a used free piano that I see on Craigslist all the time (there was one local recently and it was all I could do to NOT go get it) and do a full scale painting on it. I'd want to have it tuned too which I know nothing about to do that. My mom used to play piano and so did my grandma and they tried to teach me and about as far as I got was how to play "I dropped my dolly in the dirt"...granted I was like 7 but still. No real musical talent here. (I love to sing and dance but can't play instruments...maybe drums LOL) I may give in to that urge some day but no space to put one anyway. If someone asked me to for them I so would though. I've done furniture for friends and enjoyed it. I always find I get nervous when I am doing something like that for someone else though. I worry that they aren't going to like it or that I am not doing the best I can and I am always so relieved and even surprised when I get rave reviews. I even get like this when doing posters for my daughters school. Yet they've really liked them. I got to do face painting for the kids during a party and had fun with that too. 
I guess looking back I have done more with my art than I give myself credit for but it is hard to see unless I look back at where I was on occasion. I just wish I could apply that to my writing too. I guess just have to dive in sometime and go to it. Well it looks like it is my turn on playstation so I am off. We take turns after the kids go to bed. (tv is pretty much theirs during the day) Hard to choose sometimes between game time and movie time. Though when it comes to walking dead I watch that ASAP so I don't run into spoilers on facebook. :/    I did find that both my son and daughter love the lego game series so it is something they can play together which is cool.  (They each have their own other preferences but that one they share pretty strongly) Wonder if when he gets to go out and build his easter houses as he calls them (some thing he likes to do in spring using sticks to build them...kind of like dioramas) if she'd like to go help him. I personally may build some little fairy houses like the ones I've seen samples of. I think they are cute. Just some fun silly thing to do but isn't that what makes life worth living somewhat? 
     

Thursday, February 13, 2014

2014 holds some obstacles as well


I still feel like 2014 holds promise it is too early in the year to really tell  but it isn't going to be without some rough spots for sure. I am going through one right now with my mom. It seems like there may be big changes ahead there and as of yet not entirely sure what those will be or how things will unfold but doesn't look to be easy changes for anyone at the moment. Trying to take each day daily and see what it holds and to not focus entirely on that. Can't say too much about it at the moment other than to say it is heavily affecting all our lives and that everything is up in the air yet again. 
As for me I think I got a hint in a way to carry on with my paintings though I've been lacking in time to do so. (I may be on and off here a lot but I am usually multi-tasking at the time or in a situation where painting is not possible) I can do digital art because well no supplies laid all around, no water to spill, etc. Just a digital tablet and pen so I tend to work in that medium a lot. I do also use my sketchpad in waiting rooms and all. Just don't have my flash drive at the moment. Anyway... We had gone to the little thrift store and my hubby came back with a big bag of acrylics that was actually really inexpensive. Went ahead and got it after looking at the paints at much as we could and came home to find out most all of them were brand new never opened. So eventually going to have to find some time to use them. The weather is also warming so I know I need to use the time to get some outdoor chores done that I wasn't able to before. My entire family needs some sunshine. I need to start my walking. My diet has been on and off (mostly still on) due to so much going on and high stress levels. 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Random thoughts bourne of cabin fever

Sitting here waiting on spring to arrive it feels like forever away. I am watching the tree across the street bud out heavily and tease me with Spring while the snow just won't quit falling. :/ Typical. So tired of the cold. 
Anyway some random thoughts. I figured out that one reason I was failing on my weight loss before was I was concentrating too much on the scales. Apparently a common problem. This time around I was shocked by the inches lost factor vs. lbs lost. Big difference. While my weight was not changing much the inches are in fact coming down. The weight is now starting to come down as well but this has been one inspiration that and noticing my clothes are getting too big. (though almost sad to see my favorite pants go....ALMOST LOL) I am so anxious for the warmer weather and to be able to get out and start walking a lot more. Maybe even *gasp* jogging or running. My son has a bike that we need to air up for him to get around on and I guess I need to get mine going as well. Want to get a trailer thing for my youngest if she isn't too big for it and a bike going for hubby (if I can talk him into it LOL Though I know he will do the walks with me) I wish we had a decent gym here. Or the Y was closer. May try to do something like that anyway. I'm continuing my dancing and so far so good with the at least 10 min of exercise for 5 days a week. Also if it were warmer I'd like to start working on a greenhouse type thing. There are a few things up kind of in the air but nothing bad just more of which way will we go type things. Still see so much potential in this year. I am still continuing to work on my artwork though I had a painting I was so happy with mysteriously get damaged. No clue how but it was one I'd planned to enter in the county fair this year. I may have to try to do something else. 
My mom was injured in the last month when she fell and broke her hip. She didn't honestly believe the fall was that bad and was rather shocked to find out what injury had actually incurred. She is recouping. My youngest has missed a full week of school due to weather and we are all out of our groove and out of sorts. 
I really do still believe though that this will be a year of change and growth. It all ready seems to be in other ways. Just so long as it is GOOD chance and growth :)