Barefoot Wanderings

Gifts and a Whole lot of Gratitude

It is hard to believe that this time last week I was sitting in a class room with Bernie Berlin, filled with the wonderful thought of DJ Pettitt and Stephanie Lee to come. This was at the Creative Soul Retreat 2009 in Melbourne. I will post about the classes and retreat soon but here I want to express my gratitude for so many gifts........

To these wonderful tutors who's gifts were sharing their time, talent, techniques as well as themselves. They are all wonderful, warm, giving people as well as talented artists.

To Bevlea for the gift of her time and effort into organising such a mammoth event and to all her helpers, especially Eva & Lucy.

To my dear roomy, always the gift of support, love, friendship, good laughs and grounding.

To new friends and acquaintances, their gift of conversation, time, friendship and some very hearty laughs.

As with any large gathering there will always be people there that you may not like but they too give gifts, the gift of reminding me patience, understanding, tolerance and of how I want to be in the world.

To old friends the gift of friendship, sharing and of being themselves.

To Jan and Ro for their beautiful handmade gifts of thanks. I am deeply touched and humbled to receive hand made gifts. It is really hard to put into words just how much it moves me and how it makes me feel when I receive them. I am lost for words and just hope that what I lack in words can simply be felt, then and now. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to give a bit of background on these gifts as I also have gratitude for the journey and reason behind them. About two years ago I met some wonderful people at the first art retreat I ever attended. The seed of an idea for an Artist Book Round Robin was planted and from there it grew, and grew...and GREW! to become Volumes of Expression. It was a great journey and a great gift, giving glimpses into other artists, peoples, lives. I was blessed by the experience and have grown because of it. One of the rewards, and relief, was when everyone's book was returned safely to them just before Christmas. This was incredible as it went for 18 months and involved 15 artists who lived across two continents. The range of skill level, experience and artistic style was as diverse as the artists and places they lived. Whilst I organised it, and yes it was a lot of work, it was also because of everyone who was part of this group that made it the success that it was. I am grateful and thankful to all involved.

There were gifts along the way. Of course the obvious joy of receiving a new package each month, seeing the wonderful art already created, but more so the gift of sharing - stories, trials, triumphs, sadness, support, friendship, and more, so much more. The personal journey of growth and change. I am also appreciative of and thankful for these. I did also receive other handmade treasures throughout this journey that I would like to publicly acknowledge, and express my thanks and joy in their thoughtfulness.

Jan's gift, a little altered book, is a reminder to me of all those who were involved. She has included everyone and created a small page in this precious book for each artist (above are just some of the pages). She would want me to tell you that she lacked enough time to give it the full attention that she wanted to, but I love it the way it is. I will treasure it along with the experience and all that I gained.

Big Steps

Last Thursday was my daughters first day at school.
Look how beautiful my babies are.
She looks so 'grown up' and yet so little in her new uniform. She was a little apprehensive about starting but she was also excited, and her big brother was excited to have her start. She was quite happy to go back the next day, which is always a good sign.

Both my children took delight in the fact that they didn't have homework but Mummy did - having to cover their books!

We have had quite a busy time, but that business has included being busy having fun and relaxing. My family came and stayed for Christmas, and then we had my in-laws come out from the UK. (They are currently in NZ and will return for another couple of weeks).
I never thought I would enjoy the school holidays as much as I do.

Final Wishes

This month's crusade at Michelle's GPP Street Team is to think and write about what our personal wishes are for when our time is up.

I have to admit that I have been giving this some thought. Perhaps due to my fortieth creeping up, my aging parents, news of an incurable illness of a close family member, all of these things and so much more.

For whatever reason I had not really thought about writing them down or creating a journal page so this crusade was a great idea.

I have written a letter and created a page in my journal.
Here is the journal page I created......

I had created most of the left page for another crusade and just created a similar page opposite.

On the back of each butterfly tag I have written some wishes.

Perserverance

Today the training wheels came off.

As expected, it really was really hard and he wanted to give up.

He had a break, a play with sticks, a basket ball.
Encouraging words. Support. Another difficult try and still wanting to give up.
Another break - sticks, ball, climb a tree......
More Encouragment, support and positive words........
One more try before the promise of home for a swim and an ice-cream......

'I can do It!'
The look on his face says it all.
Pride all round.

My daughter is now wanting to do the same so I better warm up my arms and running legs again ready for the netball courts next week end!

In other exciting news my beautiful girl had her first of three school orientations on Friday in preparation for starting school next year. Whilst she is familiar with the school and knows children that will start with her she was very quiet, she stayed close and enjoyed a snuggle as we waited. The sudden realisation that this was happening so soon had hit her. She was overwhelmed.
Some encouraging words, knowledge I was just in the hall, settled down at a table with friends, paper and coloured pencils, and a quick kiss and see you soon. After 75mins I saw her beautiful face and her answer to how was it -
"I was sad at first but then I was OK." ...... and the chatter of what she did started, my girl was back to her usual self!

With positive encouragment anything is possible.
With support of family and friends we are all able to face the world and what life has in store for us.

The Power of Positive Thinking

About 2 months ago due to the ever increasing interest rates and other expenses my husband thought it best that, after almost a year off, it was time I returned to the workforce. This was not something that I really wanted to do, and actually looking for a job was even less inviting.

I prepared my resume and short of actually writing in big red letters that my kids come first I sent it off to a part-time Accounts/Reception job that was about half an hour from my sons school. The interview went well, they understood the importance of family. They wanted 3 to 4 days a week. With two days sitting on reception. The days were longer than school hours.

I thought it would be so much better to find a job closer to home (a suburb or two away) working 2-3 days a week during school hours, with more flexibility, in particular not being tied to having to be there set days and times to cover reception. Yes, a bit of a dream job.

I was offered the job but after further discussions it was mutually agreed that it wasn't the best fit.

The second job I applied for was for a part-time Bookkeeper with some general office duties. Again I got an interview and it seemed ideal, flexible with what days and hours I worked as long as I made a commitment to those days. They too understood the importance of family. The office was 5 minutes from my sons school. Yes, it was the job I had hoped for.... and yes, I did get it!

What is even better is that I am working in a small Architects office - not many places where coloured pencils are found in the stationary cupboard. I am at home with these creative people.

I have been working there for the past 5 weeks and couldn't have asked for a better job.

I no longer have any days, or time in fact, where I am at home without the kids....which hasn't happened for about six years. Next year will be different when my daughter will start school but in the meantime I am trying to get myself organised/settled into a new way. In the meantime I have decided to make no commitments to creating, emailing, blogging etc..... and to just do what I can.

How can I be any other way when the power of my positive thoughts has landed me more than what I was hoping for.

Gluing of a different kind

On Wednesday evening my son had a collision with a chair in which the chair came off the victor. His cry alerted me that something was not right. On inspection there was a cut, not too big but it did look deep so a trip up to Emergency was happening.

As it was a clean (straight) cut they asked if we would rather it be glued than stitched. I had never heard of gluing and asked what the difference was, gluing was quicker and more comfortable...well, was there really a decision to be made! He wanted to see what his cut looked like, as there was no mirror I pulled out my mobile phone (it is times like these that I really appreciate technology).... I won't show the 'before' shot taken but here is a picture after the glue was applied.... it's purple!
A steri strip was put over the top and I was told to leave it on and keep it dry for 7-10days.

It was quick, easy, and not too painful (they had applied an anaesthetic patch on it earlier, it was just that it was bruised).

My daughter was such a great help and remained calm and curious (she wanted to see!).

So did the monkey learn anything from his jumping around.......not back long from the hospital and the monkeying around was back and still continues! Isn't their resilience great ....not so good so soon after for the mother ....but that's life!

By the way, the chair is fine, not even a scratch or drop of blood on it.

The Long and Winding Road

We returned last night from a week down south spent with my parents.
I wanted to see what images would look like taken from the car (and no, I wasn't driving at the time!).

My parents live a couple of hours from the snowfields so we took the kids for the day.

Five

I have had quite a busy couple of weeks and have once again neglected my blog, well pretty much the internet in general!
One of the biggest events was that my youngest turned 5!
There are times where I feel all that time that has passed, and other moments when I wonder where has the time gone, but each day I love her a little more and am amazed by her.
Just cupcakes on the day as the Ninja Turtle Chocolate Mud Cake was to be had at her Ten Pin Bowling party (just like her brother had). It was only a small group of friends but a big lot of fun was had! Soon after my Hubby celebrated the 20th anniversary of his 21st birthday. And we are now in School Holidays.

I have been doing some art, mostly in some books for an Artist Book Round Robin I am in. I have also been doing some more faces.
This little snippet / sneak peak is for the Artistic Journey  Monthly Mixed Media Challenge, (entries close at the end of the month).

This was my first attempted at a mouth opened, OK it is only slightly opened but it is a start and I am rather pleased with it.
Little steps forward, certainly better than going backwards!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Breakfast in Bed. Flowers. Presents. Hugs. Two Beautiful Kids. Perfect.

and for afternoon tea......mmmmm...... chocolate cake.

Just a quiet day at home since the kids have been sick this week.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mums

What a day!

Look how fabulous the weather was today. We have had quite a bit of rain these past few weeks so it was really nice today to see the sun in all it's glory. Having spent most of the school holidays indoors we decided to get out of the house and go to the Kirribilli markets (right near the harbour).

It was nice wandering around looking at old and new stuff to buy. We did find some treasures...
my son come home with a Pokemon video,
my Daughter got a fabulous Green bag/case,
I got a beautiful wooden box, some old but in very good condition book binding needles, and the bargain of the day were a load of wonderful brown buttons for $2!
and Hubby, well he was just happy to see the rest of us happy!

...and afterwards was a trip to my fav book shop at McMahons Point. As usual 'we' spent a bit there but I just can't resist books, and Helen just has such a wonderful selection.