Wednesday 7 January 2009

I'm Back....

I wasn't sure whether to post anything today, as I haven't really got much to show you, but then I thought it might do me good.........
The past few weeks have been tough for me and my family. My dad's mental and physical health deteriorated and mum became quite poorly. She's almost 80 and has struggled to look after dad for the past 18 months - I helped as much as I could, but she's had to cope with his disabilities 24 hours a day. There have been many occasions when we've tried to persuade her to give in.
Anyway, by New Years Eve even she knew 'the time had come'.... something she had been dreading. After a visit from the doctor, Dad's social worker fetched him at 5pm and took him to a dementia care home. Maybe you can imagine how devastating this was for my mum, having to quickly put some things in a bag for him and say goodbye.
The last few days have been difficult and upsetting - especially when we went to visit him on Sunday. I can't even begin tell you what that was like......too awful.
So, I've found it difficult to concentrate on making anything but here are a few things I can show.....

On a lighter note - this is the card DH gave me for Christmas. Its so brilliant - she even looks like me!! I even wore a similar dress on Christmas day! DH wanted to know when I found the time to go and model for Quentin Blake.











Have you ever tried these gorgeous 'Mozart Chocolates' that you can buy from Aldi? They have a lovely marzipan and truffle filling. I've kept all the wrappers and used one on the charm that I made for our challenge on http://bigartadventure.blogspot.com/



I've managed to make an arch for the Gothic Arch Challenge - the theme this month is New Year. At the bottom it says ..... have the courage to make a difference.

This is a collage project I've just started - its not finished yet. You may have spotted the tree making another appearance! Its from one of the napkins sent to me by my friend Jacky in Australia.

And finally.... some of my blogging friends have been discussing having a 'meaningful word' for 2009. Well I have decided to have two.....

My first is RELEASE. There are many reasons why I need to keep this word in mind but I won't bore you with all the details.

My second word is SMILE. I haven't had a lot to smile about just recently but I'm going to do it a lot more often from now on! Smiling not only makes me feel better inside - I know it makes me look better as well - I have that kind of face.

Two years ago I found this rock on a beach in Corfu .... this is exactly how I found it, it has not been altered in any way. I think its trying to tell me something .........

Its going to sit on the shelf facing me in my craft room this year. Just in case I need reminding.

Happy New Year everyone. Hope its a good one......

23 comments:

~*~Patty S said...

Dear Linda ~ my heart goes out to you and your family. There is nothing easy in what you all are facing. Sending all good wishes your way.
This post is just packed with inspiration on so many levels....Using the Mozart kugel wrapper like you did is brilliant! Release is something we could all do well to focus on, releasing fear, expectation, doubt and smile. Thank you for all you give with your creative spirit and for touching my heart! oxo

Anonymous said...

Hello my Friend ,I really do feel for you and your Family I'm sending lots of love to you all .

The stone is fantastic!! it was waiting for you on the beach I'M certain of that .

fantastic Card !!

I love the charm you made its fabulous .

Love and hugs from sesga xx

Sandy said...

Welcome back my friend.
I wish you all the best for 2009.

Your work is again so inspiring and wonderful. Stunning.

Jackie said...

Dear Linda
What a terribly sad event for you all. I'm sure you must be grieving for your father as he was, as well as trying to comfort your Mother.
Its no wonder you couldn't post for a while.
I would love to try those chocs..but I've had quite enough of that sort of thing.

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you Linda and your Mum and Dad. Be strong xx

Judy S. said...

Thinking of you and your family, Linda. Hoping for a good outcome for all of you in what has to be one of life's toughest situations. Perhaps your creativity will give you some release? Big hugs.

Dot said...

Hello my dear friend

I hope you received the email I sent to you this week. You have been constantly in my thoughts.

Thankyou for sharing with us what has happened with your dad. You know I am holding you close in my heart.

Love the art you have shared here and your magical rock from Corfu.

Sending you much, much love.

Dot xx

pammyjo said...

My heart goes out to your family situation. My mother had dementia. There are no words to describe the slow loss of a loved one. My heart aches for you. Keep plenty of space for the love, smiles, fun and joy of your own life. Something I didn't do, and had a bit of a break down. Hug,:o) P

The Joy of Nesting said...

Dear Linda,

Take solace in knowing that you are in the hearts and thoughts of your fellow Sisters in Bloglandia. Please reach out any time you need us to help shoulder your burdens :) That's what families do ;)

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me your words of encouragement!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mexico

Jacky said...

I am smiling Linda...it is so nice to have you back blogging.
It sounds like you have had a very traumatic couple of weeks. Sending a huge warm hug to your and your mum as you go through this tough, transitional time (and of course a big hug for your dad too). Know you have lots of friends thinking of you.

I am off the Aldi to try and find some of those chocolate truffles...yes my hips are quite wide enough, but sometimes you do have to make sacrifices for your art.... your charm is beautiful!!!

LOVE your gothic arch page and so pleased to see one of the serviettes making an appearance. Your collage is beautiful too...love those greens.

Take care Linda.

Jacky xox

Anonymous said...

Nothing I can usefully say re your Dad, except that my thoughts are with you all. I can relate, a little, to how you felt as my Mum had to go into a home for rehab for 6 weeks after her hip replacement and I felt I was abandoning her - a feeling akin to leaving your child at school on his/her first day.

My Mum has now developed a degree of dementia and I am dreading the day which has already arrived for you and your family.

Regarding your craft work - wow, how inspired were you to use the choccie wrappers - of course, now, you'll need MORE to do other pieces.

Lovely arch.

Your DH is a star! What a great card and yes, when DID you find time to pose for it?

Keep smiling - you might kid yourself if you do it often enough.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jaqi said...

Oh Linda,

What a post, I do hope things start to look brighter for your mum soon, and that she manages that period of adjustment as your dad settles into his new routine.
You have been through such an awful lot and I think about you often.
The chocolate wrappers are wonderful and what wonderful things you have made, everything looks so beautiful. You are very talented and I know that your artwork will help you to get through this testing time. Know that I am always at the other end of the phone or email should you need someone to talk to.
It doesnt surprise me at all that you have been modeling for greetings cards, your secret is out.....hehehe.
What a fantastic find in your little stone, I am sure you were meant to find that and i hope it brings you lots of smiles whilst it sits in your craft room.

Take Care and chin up, you are a wonderful friend and a wonderful person and I know you have a network of people who are all the better for your friendship. Jaqi xx

Chriss Rollins said...

Hello Linda,

It's lovely to have you back...sorry you have been through sooo much of late,
I have just read everones beautiful comments to you (pass the tissues)they have all said it so beautiful you have some wonderful blogland friends you are soooo loved because you are truely a wonderful caring talented person.
Take care of yourself Linda you need to to get through this very upsetting and traumatic time you are all going through.xxx

Yes well I must confess I have had those chocolates on many occasion my first being in Vienna just as you would expect with mozart....and so many times in Germany as we had Aldi there for many years before it came to the UK.

Your stone is telling you something... please listen as when i lost my dad I forgot to smile for many many years and felt such guilt leading to depression... I forgot to live my life...but now i know that was a waste as my dad would never had wanted that and If your dad was well enough to tell you he would want you to live your life to the full and keep smiling... his blue eyed girl.

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF. XXX
cHRISS X

Mary-Beth said...

Linda, I am new to your blog and as I read this post, I wish I had found it earlier.

I'd like to say that my heart goes out to you I wish you all the best for 2009.

I love your arch, the charm and thank you for sharing the little rock, it is fabulous!!

Thank you so much for playing in GA this week. May this be a Happy New Year!

Mary S. Hunt said...

i am sorry for your mom and dad
aging sad and is hard on everyone....
i wish everyone well and send my thoughts and prayers

Kathryn Costa said...

It is so good to see a post from you. I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties in your family life. I hope the pain eases very, very soon. I love your charms. I must make one.

This week's Soul Journal prompt is about finding our "defining word(s)" for 2009.

It seems as though you've already done your homework! The exercise may be a fun and easy thing to do to distract you from life's worries and to warm you up. Or you may skip it altogether and pick up with a different prompt. Either way I'm so happy to reconnect.

Some white lavender tea to soothe your soul will be dropped in the post to you tomorrow.

{soul hugs}
k

Judy S. said...

Hi Linda, Hope this day finds you feeling a bit cheerier. If you get a chance, pop on over to my blog as there's an award waiting for you!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back,Linda!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog.
I´m felting with hot water and soap, so I don't use a needle.

I hope I helped you :-)
hugs
Sanja

Kazza said...

So sorry you have had such a difficult time Linda. A very hard decision for you and your mum to make but definately the right one. I hope things will start getting a bit easier for you very soon. Sending loads of hugs. xx Karen

Rosie said...

Crikey, you have a lot to cope with... I feel for you and your Mum, sincerely Linda - life really is a bitch when things like that happen.
My DH is a wheelchair user and I honeschool our teen at present, so challenges are nothing new, b ut my colleague has her Nan (Alzheimers) living with them and that's a nightmare.
I just think women have an innate ability to cope and I think you do a fantastic job, so yeah, go ahead and smile. Better still, 'Release' that smile and I hope this year is a bit happier for you. HUggggggggssssssss
Rosie (the other one!)

sharon said...

Sending positive thoughts your way Linda. xx
I have tried those chocolates and they are gorgeous! I like the way you used the wrappers for your charm. I'm halfway through the challenge for your otehr blog so hopefully I'll make it this week! xx

Chris said...

I'm so sorry to hear of all the difficulties you've been facing Linda... I feel for you soooo much as I can imagine how hard it must be for you and your family right now so I send you (((hugs hugs)))) and lots of love and hope that things get a little easier for you all.
On a lighter note your creations are growing more beautiful with each thing you focus on... such stunning artwork and it always seems to be done with such feeling (not chucked together like mine...lol)
I love the card your DH gave you too... can just imagine you posing in your gawgus dress...lol
hugs
Chris xx

Laney said...

I love that rock! And to think the only interesting rock I ever found was a big one flipping me the bird on a beach in Cap Enragé, New Brunswick (Canada)! I have a pic, but I'm not going to post it in here! :-D

Be filled with Wonder and Peace.....and Cosiness

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