Chel in the Land of ZNE

A Good Cause, A Great Chunky Book!

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A Wee Ball 'o Fur

Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?  ~Irish Saying

Although all the other furry creatures in our house aren't quite sure what to make of yet another addition to the household - all of us two legged folk have been stumbling around all day in glee.

How is it that kittens can be so incredibly cute?

Little Pepper is too wonderful for words!

The pictures aren't great because my camera hasn't arrived yet from Michigan, so we are relying on my husband's cell phone camera.

But,  I think you can get the general idea.

Don't stare into little Pepper's eyes for too long.  We've all been hypnotized to believe that he's the master of our household, already - and he's only been here a day!

: D 

Trying to make everything seem All Right...

"A new kitten will turn your house upside down and at the same time make everything seem right."

(That's a picture of my son RJ, taken about ten years ago.  I have always loved this picture.  He has a little heart painted on his cheek, and those big brown eyes, oh my. 

He is bigger now, still beautiful, (always will be to me, I'm sure!) and sashaying toward adolescence.  Sometimes I forget that a part of him will also always be that same little boy, inside.

Today however, something very difficult happened, and I was reminded of his fragility, and overwhelmed with love for him, and by how blessed those of us who are parents - are - to have such tender lives - those of our children - handed over to us for safekeeping.

This morning, RJ's Dad came to take him out to breakfast, to celebrate father's day.  But then, right before they left for breakfast, with RJ right there - my ex husband turns to me and says:  "Oh, I've been meaning to talk to you.  I wanted to let you know that - for a number of reasons, I've decided to stay in Colorado.  But, I'd like to have RJ visit me for several weeks this summer, and you know - I'll come visit with RJ when I can - on weekends."

For brevity's sake - I am leaving out some details.  For example, the fact that RJ's dad remarried - a woman who has been living in Colorado (we live in California) - a little over a year ago.  RJ has only met her a few times, and hasn't seen her in over a  year.  Oh, and she's pregnant - expecting a child at the end of this month.

It is a baffling situation to say the least.  My ex has been leading this odd double life, living here in California part of the time and flying across state lines every other week to spend weekends with his pregnant wife.  But, up until this point, RJ's dad has had 50% custody of our son.  and while we knew that RJ's Dad was going to Colorado tomorrow morning - for an "extended stay" - to go and be with his wife who is expecting the baby, we always thought he was returning in August to continue this strange double life he'd set up for himself.

I've talked about a lot of personal things on this blog before, but never my ex husband.  He's my son's father after all, and there are no words - really - to express the gratitude I feel toward him for being a part of the most extraordinary gift I ever received - that being, the opportunity to be a mother to my incredible and beautiful son.

So, I don't want go on and on here about my feelings, in terms of the timing, or logistics, or bizarre handling of this situation.  And, in truth - the feelings I DO have about his - aren't about me anyway. I'm not the important one here.  This, is about my son.

Let me digress to say that I adore my own father, but he is no gem and has a knack for abandonment which has rattled my self esteem and trust on such core levels, I couldn't explain it if I tried.  I simply have no words for how damaging it is to our fragile spirits, when we were parented by someone reckless and unreliable.

And I'll say this -  my heart broke anew today, for my son - this little boy love of my life, when the gravity of the situation hit me.  His father moving out of state - has been my son's greatest fear, ever since his Dad remarried.  My son has actually said this out loud, during the past year.  In tears no less.  "You don't think my dad will move to Colorado, do you?"  (I can't even remember how I answered those fears.  "I don't know what your Dad is going to do, RJ - but I do know he loves you very much."  Something like that.)

It's been coming of course, for months now.  My ex-husband never talked about it, but this dual life was a bit ridiculous.  His wife had to endure the entirety of her first pregnancy, without a husband there 80% of the time!  How was my ex-husband going to manage one child 50% of the time in one state, and a newborn and wife in another state?  How would he be there, much less hold down a job or be responsible or accountable toward either child, under such bizarre circumstances?

Perhaps some people know how to handle these situations, but I am going to put it mildly when I say that I don't feel that he handled it well... no he simply did NOT handle it - at all.

Cut to today.  Father's Day.  It may have been coming for months (the news, not Father's Day) but it felt like it appeared out of nowhere - this declaration.  The elephant in the middle of the room - roaring suddenly.  "Oh, by the way... I'm moving out of state, to live with my new family, my new child.  See you later.  Goodbye."

There was no talking about it.  No forewarning.  No... figuring out how to handle this together so that we could mutually support our own child, my son - and reassure him that no matter what everything would be ok.  No preparing for the fact that if this was handled badly - my boy, who is still a boy, only 11 years old, after all - will worry, late at night, under the covers, that monster under the bed - up and out and whispering in his ear "your Daddy doesn't love you [as much] [anymore] [now that he has a new family]." 

All I had, was that moment, my ex husband explaining that "maybe in six months, a year, maybe, he and his wife will find new jobs and a new home out here.  Maybe, then, they will return.  Maybe, then, he will be a father again, to our son.

And in this surreal, ridiculous and heartbreaking moment - the weight of the world, every bit of responsibility that the blessing of a child bestows on you - seemed to have been carelessly tossed in my lap.  With my child watching, I could not be angry. What if RJ thought that meant that I was angry that he was here full time now?  I could not tell my ex-husband that he was a louse or a fool, or how dissapointed I was in his choices and the way he has handled them.  Because, the only thing that could make this moment worse for RJ - would have been to have to see his mother and his father fight.

I had to smile.  I couldn't shake or even grit my teeth.  I had to say something equally ridiculous and surreal, as if I was talking to a neighbor, a casual aquaintence off for a trip around the world.  "Ok, well keep me apprised of your plans."

"I'm not really moving... I'm just going to live "there" instead of "here."

It was as if he had become Dr. Seuss.  The Cat in the Hat.  Bizarre double speak, that made no sense. 

My mantra.  Smiling.  No yelling.  THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME.  My son was looking at me.  I couldn't even grit my teeth.  Here is what I said:

"You know what?  I don't think it matters what words you use - "living here, living there, or moving" - or whose name is on what electric bill in what state - all that really matters right now, is that RJ understands that you love him, no matter where you live, and of course - you do right?"

Please, please, please.  Tell our son you love him, before you say goodbye.

And he did.  He said, "Oh, yes, well of course..."  He took RJ out to breakfast, and when they returned - it was my ex husband who started to cry.  My 11 year old son hugged him and said - "Dad, it is going to be ok."

His Dad left.  A car door closing.  He drove away.

Everything in my son's life changed today.  I know, he will always remember this day.  The day his Dad moved.  That car, driving away.

"Well, I have to go to the pet store to get some dog-food.  Wanna come?" I asked RJ, a few minutes after his Dad left.

RJ sat on the couch.  "No Mom.  I feel sort of wiped out." 

"Ok.  Well... you know what.  I want you to come anyway.  Alright?  I just want to hang out with you  - ok?"  So RJ relented, and came with me. 

As it turns out, a local animal shelter was having adoption day at the Petco where we went for the dog food.  RJ wanted to hold a kitten, so we sat down together, with the sweetest tiny little tabby I have ever seen.

"Can I have him Mom?"  RJ asked after a few minutes.  I began to prepare mental notes for all the reasons why another cat in the house would not be a good idea.  Why we couldn't, we shouldn't, we wouldn't... and then RJ said:

"Since I won't be going to my Dad's anymore, I'll be with you all the time.  So I can take care of the kitty better, that way."

Well.  What can I say?  Our menagerie of pets has grown, by one kitten.  This is a picture of him - near asleep, this afternoon - on RJ's Bed.

He is the sweetest little kitty in all the world.  Still, RJ named him "Pepper."  Ah well, I suspect RJ - has had a bitter-sweet day.

Ok, before I end here, I want to say this:  In my life, I am surrounded by extraordinary men and fathers, all around.  My best friend Jenna's husband Randy is father-of-the year, every year, in my book - for the loving and tender way he takes care of his children, his step-children, and RJ too.  My other best friend Marc is single and childless, but is incredibly loyal and caring, and both my children - RJ and Abigail, love him dearly, as do I.  My brother is an amazing father to my nephew - a joy behold - I love them, my brother and his son - beyond any words' ability to explain.

And of course, my own husband, Richard.  He has wrapped his sense of family and faith and loyalty around me and my son and his daughter, as if our family was always meant to be.  And of course, I too believe that to be true.  Here he is, when RJ was six, making sure that my boy was safe and ready to ride his first skateboard.  Making sure, that he was safe.

My husband, my love.  He did what a dad will do when they are worried about their children and want to reassure them, today.  He hung out with RJ this afternoon.  He didn't get mad about the kitten we brought home (goodness knows, this alone is proof this man loves us!) and even told RJ, that his new furry friend was awfully cute.  Then, my husband built a rocket with my son.  We walked down to the park, our little family - and launched this hydrolic foam rocket high into the sky.

What can I say?  Today, something very difficult happened.  But also some things wonderful.  My son's heart and soul was turned upside down - and because of that, so was mine.  But my son and I are so loved and so blessed, and so lucky.  AND, we have a new kitten!  Life changes and turns, and sometimes hearts break - and yet, it seems, in the end it is always alright. 

It makes me think of that quote about kittens:

"A new kitten will turn your house upside down and at the same time make everything seem right."

So, I'll end with this:

Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful fathers out there.  Hold, and hug, and keep your children close.  They need you near, more than words can say.

And to everyone - hang in there through the difficulties and upside downs.  Hang in there.  soon enough the tide will turn the other way, and life will seem alright.

And finally, this - another picture I love, taken several years ago of me and my little boy wonder, my blessing, my child love of my life...

Hey there! Just a little help needed!

My little Sophie, a rescue dog herself - is tyring to hop on the bed here, she has a request of all of you - for just a little bit of help.

Oh, but NO, not for her!

Sophie's asking for help for the incredible animal rescue foundation, A Place to Bark.

The extraordinary generosity of caring individuals all over the world has boosted A Place to Bark into second place in the America's Giving Challenge hosted by Parade Magazine.

This next ten days will make all the difference in trying to push A Place to Bark into the winning spot.

Have you made a donation yet?  Every $10 (or higher) donation made by individual donors helps to get A Place to Bark closer to winning.  And when the hundreds of dogs (and cats too!) that Bernie rescues are given a chance to live a life full of love, affection, and the care that they deserve - we all win.

If you haven't donated yet, donate now.  If you have donated - thank you - and now is the time to send emails, post on blogs, and ask your family and friends to donate too. 

AND ~ a wonderful array of artists have stepped forward to offer gifts that will be awarded to randomly chosen donors, at the end of the contests.  When you donate, you may just end up receiving:

So, on behalf of Sophie, myself - and certainly Bernie and all the dogs she has and will continue to rescue -

THANK YOU.

original artwork by Tim Holtz

a lifetime membership to ZNE

original 16x20 artwork by Claudine Hellmuth

5 signed copies of Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected

original artwork by Sheri Gaynor

5 original Artist Trading Cards by Bernie Berlin

original mixed media painting by Brenda Pinnick custom made for you!

5 signed copies of Artist Trading Card Workshop, a book by Bernie Berlin

10 archival prints by pet portrait artist Kathy Weller

a signed archival print by Melissa Langer of Pug Notes

For Bernie...

Many thanks to both Barbe Saint John and Claudine Hellmuth for reminding me to post this:

Bernie at A Place to Bark has entered a contest to win funding for her animal rescue foundation. For every $10.00 donated through the badge below, she gets closer to the prize. Right now she is now #5 in the top ten badges

BUT she needs to be in the top 4 badges to win the grant -

From Claudine Hellmuth:

"We can do it, we are SO close, thanks to all your help! To those of you posting the badges to your blogs and spreading the word -- thank you! thank you!!! Each $10 donation is important and helps her get that much closer to winning!

But we need more help to get A Place to Bark to win this grant! Let's make Bernie the number 1 badge!!! We only have until Jan 31st so we have to work quickly! I know we can do this."

As a thank you for donating your $10 to A Place to Bark, Tim Holtz is giving away one of his artworks to a lucky donor and Claudine Hellmuth is giving away her incredible original artwork as shown above - a 16x20 framed artwork that was featured in Claudine's book Collage Discovery Workshop:Beyond the Unexpected.. In addition - ZNE will give away one Lifetime Membership!

How to win:

Everyone who donates just $10 before Jan 31st, will be entered into a chance to win. (PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHEN YOU DONATE, SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU, ABOUT YOUR GIFT:)

To make it even more exciting, Claudine will give away 5 signed copies of her book Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected - to another 5 lucky donors!

If you have already donated you are already entered. To increase your chances of winning have your friends and family donate and put your name in the dedication line when you check out. A reminder: we need the most amount of donors to help A Place to Bark win this grant, not the most amount of money. Each person who donates $10 will be counted only once on the badge, so get your friends and family to donate too, if you can.

How to Donate:
here's the badge to donate from:

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!

Entre Vous

I know that I have really been making you guys wait for this.  I am truly piecemealing this studio tour out!

Ok, you already saw the double doors, which you can't really enter through.  Now, come around the the front side.  You enter in to The Land of ZNE, here:

This is the front door.  It is also my VIP business card holder. Most of the cards and art on this door belong to my fellow ZNEers and/or Pleasanton Craft Mafia members.  Makes for a delightful entrance into my beloved studio home.

Here's a closeup of the lower half of that board:

 

Do you see anyone YOU recognize?  :)

Maybe, just maybe... tomorrow, I'll let you see the inside of the office.  Muwhahahahahaha!

xo - Chel

PS - Look at B-Muse.  Is she a beauty - or what?

Ok, people keep asking me about my dear friend Imogene Indie.  She's a bit of a mystery - but here is what I know:

Imogene Indie is the Indie-O-Rama Queen.  She likes to sit beside me every month and dictate the IOR eZine.  She talks a mile a minute, that girl.  I'd tell her to type it up herself - but somehow she has always managed to get a manicure on the very same day as the eZine production.  Hmmm.

In truth, her life is completely dedicated to indie artist shopping, indie artist talkin', and manicures.  This is the life of Imogene Indie.  Here is how she looked when she arrived at my house yesterday:

I am telling you, this gal really knows how to live. 

You may wonder why I do it.  Why am I a slave to Imo Indie?  Well, everytime she stops by, whispers in my ear, shares the wisdom of her incredible and growing list of indie-artists friends, with me - I am just so inspired.  I am downright awestruck. Ah yes, just to have Imo share a moment of her day with me - not to mention have her sit beside me with her perfectly coifed retro hair-doo, her shiny red still-wet nails, and all her indie goodies - I feel so very lucky.  She may not be much of a typist (she's got better things to do) - but she is an indie artist lover through and through.  I admit, I live vicariously through her.  Wouldn't you?

If  you want to learn yet more about good 'ol Imo - check out Indie-O-Rama - its her thing.

Speaking of artists who inspire me - yesterday I also got to hang out with a fabulous Fondante (chi-chi talk for "founding") member of ZNE - Barbe Saint John!  Check us out:

Barbe's on the right.  She is the most amazing mixed media artist, and she can spin a yarn (!) like no one's business.  You should definitely check out her website, Saints and Sinners.  Tres cool.

In fact, this morning I was browsing her wonderful stuff, and just look at these Valentine-O-Riffic earrings that my hubby picked out for me.  I mean, without knowing it - he picked 'em out for me.  Ha!  But won't he be relieved that he doesn't have to stress over a valentines day gift for me now?  I snagged 'em up off her website and they are mine all mine now!   Tee hee!

OOOH!  LOVE THESE!

COMING TO AN EARLOBE (or two) NEAR YOU, SOON!

Barbe and I met at a Pleasanton Craft Mafia Art Marketing Workshop. She's actually a member of the SF Craft Mafia, but (in addition to our ZNE connection) we are mafia famiglia and neighbors, so she and another SF Craft Mafia Member joined us for the PCM workshop.  It was a fun workshop, but - as is always the case with my wonderful Pleasanton Craft Mafia group - the best part for me is getting the chance to hang out with such talented and supportive craftisans.  I am really growing to adore this fabulous bunch!  Here's  a piccy of us from last night.  Note that I am holding our mascot - Adin!  : )  Sneaky me.

Alright, well, that's about it for today.  I'd give an "On To Art" update, but isn't that really what this whole issue has been about?  Still, if you are looking for some fun artsy news - then check out the February issue of The ZNE Scene, because man alive are things cookin' in that group!  Until then I am going to take a tip from (left to right) Sophie, B-Muse and Butter - and get some rest today!

xo - Chel

PS - THANKS FOR THE COMMENTI KAT!!!  YOU ROCK MY WORLD!

Faith, Hope and Love

  What a busy week!

I've decided that I will just break with tradition, and try to keep this blog updated, beyond once a month.  Those may be famous last words - but I can try, anyways.  There  is just SO much going on right now, there is no way I could capture the highlights in a monthly update!

Let's see - what do I have to share today ~ ?

Well, first of all - look at this ridiculously adorable picture of my Sophie girl:

JoAnnA Pierotti took that picture of Sophie while I was visiting her, weekend before last.  She dressed Sophie up in this vintage christening gown - which Sophie appeared to love - and then she laid her down with that teddy bear.  Some of you may recall that Sophie was the rescue pooch that we got from Rocket Dog Rescue.  Needless to say, Sophie's living in the lap of luxury now.  Ha!

It's probably time for me to post a piccy of the other super cutie in my life (who am I kidding? I have dozens of super cuties in my life!) - well, in any case - the youngest super cutie:

That's right folks, he's CRAWLING!  This means I am getting excercise again.  Argh!

Adin is just over seven months old now, and he has teeth, he's crawling, and he eats bananas.  How does this happen?  This flying by of time, and the growth of our beloved children?  Sigh.

(For those of you who are new to my blog, et. al, Adin is my nephew, but he hangs out with me 10 hours a day, five days a week.  We are serious buddies.  And for Auntie Chelise, that is a dream come true!)

On the Art side of things... (say, that is a blog in and of itself) - I've received a couple of gorgeous pieces of artwork for Vickie Mackensie.  ZNEer Kathy Dirks sent this gorgeous chunky book page:

   

I'll post another page in the next few days.  As always, I am deeply touched by the art community, and their creative generosity.

Oh, and this past weekend, I had fun hanging out with a group of crafty girls (my favorite kind) at at a Trunk Show in Hayward. 

Ok, left to right, that is Lauren Smash, Kimberlee, Moi, and Jessica Ortiz. I got the most adorable felt flower pin and doll from Lauren. I'll have to post the doll in the next couple of days. I call her dotty and I'm in love. She's got a red and white polka dot dress and a tulle skirt, of course. Kimberlee and I traded some of the art tags I made for some of her delicious lip balm. Plus, she gave out some soap samples - and I am really regretting not having purchased some. Etsy, here I come! And Jessica, a fellow Pleasanton Craft Mafia Member - is one of my favorite artisans. For Christmas I bought Adin an adorable little hat that Jess made, and a floral pin for Katrina, my sister in law. Last weekend, I bought Mossy a lovely hat and matching pin, too. For her chemo days. Oh, and I broke down (it wasn't hard to do) and bought a hat for myself too. Check it out ~ terrible picture, but a fun hat!  It's moss green.  Oh, and look, its Richard and Abs in the right corner of the picture - dats my family!  Ok, then, with this picture, I wish you all warm heads, crafty goodness, and lots of faith, hope, and love in your lives!

xo - Chel

The Art of Happiness

  Art, by my wonderful friend JoAnnA Pierotti

"The Grand essentials of happiness are:

something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

Well, I have updates. I hope no one falls out of their chair in shock that I am actually posting in my blog TWICE in one month. It's true. That is how much is happening, and how much is on my mind lately! (Oh, and I know - a NEW blog to boot!  I have lovely Bella to thank for that.  She inspired me!  If you want to catch up on the past coupla' years, check out my old blog, here.)

Ok, I've got few updates, some fun pictures, and this seemed like the best way to share.

First of all - I spoke to Vickie Mackensie's boyfriend Andrew today. He's such a nice person. Vickie IS awake, conscious, and continues to recover. That alone is a miracle, and prayers are being answered - so keep 'em coming!

However, she is dealing with the effects of a major brain injury. Andrew says she has good long term memory, she can talk, and she can move her left hand side just fine (which had been a concern). So all that is wonderful. Vickie's short term memory is not yet there, and at present she is not, cognitively, the Vickie that Andrew knew before her aneurism. Keep thinking good thoughts, I suspect he is very lonely for the girlfriend he knew right now.  Once again, I am reminded of how delicate and impermanent everything in life can be.  I've had head trauma accidents occur in my own family (an uncle in a car accident resulting in severe head trauma, and an Aunt who had a major stroke, at the age of 38) and so I know the heartbreak that accompanies the hope, as loved ones and the patient themselves learn the fine art of coping, and grieving, while healing all the while.

I want to thank everyone who sent in donations so that we were able to provide Andrew with a wonderful care package full of goodies.  We wanted him to have something that he could use while visiting Vickie in the hospital.  We provided him with a fleece blanket, notepads, pens, crossword puzzles, sodas, juice, soups, crackers, chips, cookies, brownies, chocolates, and more. In a few days we are also going to send flowers directly to Vickie, and in the next few weeks, Sandee and I are going to hand deliver some art and goodies to her.

Some of you know that when I spoke to Andrew a couple of weeks ago, one of his primary concerns at that time was adopting out a stray cat that Vickie had taken in prior to her accident.

Funny, Vickie herself had approached me about adopting the cat, in mid December - but at that time, I replied that things were too hectic in my household, what with the dogs, the rat, the hermit crab, the baby, and of course, the husband. Well, when Andrew brought it up again, that old adage - "you don't have to ask twice" - flashed through my head, and I realized that picking up and caring for a cat was the least I could do.

Initially, we thought that a neighbor of ours was going to keep the cat, but it turned out their daughter was allergic to this cat, so the kitty came back to our house, to stay.

Andrew told us the kitty didn't have a name - so we named her - "B-Muse," of course. (B-Meows?) The name fits, and kitty actually comes when we call her that. It turns out she is just what this house needed. I don't know if this picture does her justice, because this cat is absolutely beautiful. Her face is truly stunning. And, she walks around this place as if she is the queen of the city - which, I imagine, she surely is.

Even the dogs are ok with her. She gave Butter a few swats at his nose the first day, to let him know that she (not he!) was boss, and Sophie - (who is essentially the same size as her) seems to have known all along.

One last note, when I talked to Andrew today, he noted that he is steadfastly holding down the fort at Vickie's house, while she is recovering. Not only is he still filling orders and keeping B-Muse up and running (hooray for art lovers everwhere!) - but he is also stopping by her house regularly to care for her cats (these ones are Vickie's to keep, not strays). Vickie has three cats, one of whom Andrew feels he can easily bring to his own home to hang out with his own cats. The other two are finicky sisters that Vicky has raised since they were four days old. (!) Needless to say, they adore Vickie. I imagine they are bit sad and confused with her absence right now, and Andrew says they didn't particularly like other people before Vickie dissapeared.

Please note, these cats will not be put up for adoption. Vickie loves the cats, and Andrew is committed to caring for them while Vickie is hospitalized. That being said - Andrew said he is beginning to consider having them fostered. He wants what is best for the cats right now. He thinks that a foster arrangement would likely last about two months. If anyone out there is local to the SF Bay Area, and would be willing to foster two cats who may not be the epitome of affection with you, but sure need some loving care on their end, please don't hesitate to email me and let me know. I'd be happy to pass on your information. If you are not able to take on this task right now, but know someone else who might be able to do so - pass on the message. On behalf of Vickie, and Andrew, and the kitty sisters - thanks so much.

On a happy note...

I visited with my wonderful friend JoAnnA this weekend!

JoAnnA and I shopping in an adorable little store in Amador City, CA

On Saturday, I packed up some art goodies and jammies, and headed off for Amador County to visit with Miss Mossy. It's about a two hour drive (a little less) so it really wasn't bad. JoAnnA's been down here to visit with me a couple of different times during the past couple years - so my turn to do the driving was overdue!

JoAnnA lives in a beautiful home, in progress. While the walls are still being finished and moulding is being put in, it is still an absolutely gorgeous house in the woodsy hills, just above Volcano, CA. Her home is spacious and warm (just like her heart) and the view of the surrounding woods from every window is extraordinary. I was delighted too, to see that JoAnnA's bedroom in the house was finished, and even painted, and truly beautiful and cozy.

My heart felt happy that this will be the place that JoAnnA can nap if she is tired from her chemo, etc. Right now it looks like she'll start chemo in a couple of weeks - though she is waiting for a PET scan result to find out if a small mass on her kidney was also malignant. Of course, if that is the case, the possibility of another surgery and/or expanded chemo looms. While I know this is a scary (terrifying) prospect, JoAnnA's strength of spirit shone through, during our entire visit - and this reassured me.

I also met her husband Ron, and he is a doll. A tall, handsome and gentle man - I was once again reassured that my dear artist friend Mossy is in good hands.

Just in case JoAnnA does need a little extra company, I created the tiny little fairy at left, for her - the night before I left. I had the green bench ornament in my box of art supplies - and on Saturday night after JoAnnA went to bed, I dug it out and figured a little fairy friend was in order.

I told JoAnnA that the fairy was a special breast cancer fairy. See the pink ribbon on the right? I think the fairy is extra special too, because the little girl and the wings are from B-Muse collage sheets. So many good prayers and good wishes floating around right now...

Oh, and I wanted to share these pictures with you! A couple of years ago, the first time I met JoAnnA in person, we wandered into a little store in downtown Pleasanton, and found these hilarious little embroidered pillows. "I have issues," they said. This will tell you a lot about why JoAnnA and I get along so well. We both just fell out laughing when we saw them. We snatched them up and each bought one, for the other!

Certainly the pillow had to be displayed so it found its way into the arms of one of my fun prim raggedy anne dolls. It sits right in her lap, as you can see, on the right.

Imagine my delight, when I went to JoAnnA's house, what did I find but her own pillow, displayed prominently in the arms of her very own prim doll! I just thought that was a hoot that we both displayed our silly pillows (and our "we have issues!" pride) in the arms of a doll, which you can see above on the left. Ha!

                          Tee Hee!

Well, that's it for now. It's been a heavy few weeks and New Year so far. My arm is really sore, this tattoo is taking a while to heal - but reaching up and touching it - the constant reminder of my love and admiration for the altered art community, is beyond words, it is so lovely.

Heavy on my heart, is Vickie dear, and JoAnnA awaiting yet more results and the start of chemo. 

Still, it is joy that permeates these moments of mine.

Indeed, between the cat, ZNE, making little fairy friends - I have plenty to do. And between my growing zoo underfoot, children, babies, my husband, and all my artist friends - I have so very much to love. And it goes without saying, that I have plenty, more than I could ever dream, to hope for.

I hope you will join me today, in doing something of value, loving everything you can, and hoping for a better world, for us all.

May the art of happiness, be a gift to us all.

xo - Chel