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......