life keeps happenin'

Hair Day - She would kill me if my grandma saw this picture!

I am so behind on everything! But life keeps happening. Some of you may know that I set my grandma's hair every Thursday and that she lives in assisted living. Grandma who will be 95 in July has always been a live wire. But sadly, now she has moderate Alzheimer's and it seems to be rapidly advancing. I had found out this last Thursday that according to doctor's orders she must now live in a more secure facility. One that has locks at the doors and people to make sure she doesn't escape, I guess. I know, I know... so she won't get hurt. But she is not happy at all about it and neither am I. Grandma has apparently been found wandering around at night. I've talked to the girl that takes her blood sugar and doles out the meds and she told me that there are a lot of old ladies that wander around. She isn't strong enough to even open the door that leads outside and hasn't ever tried to leave. I'm just upset that they are pulling her out of her comfy little nest that she feels safe in. Not to mention they made her leave her home of 40+ years and move there about 2 years ago.

She not only must leave her assisted living apartment that allows her to have her fridge full of her beloved Diet Rite and sneak chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies more often than she should, but she has to leave the whole facility and find a new place to take her by the end of March! They don't take Medicare or Medicaid I can't remember which and she doesn't have enough money to pay the $165 a day it takes!!!! $165 a day?! Jeeesh. Is this what we all have to look forward too? I'm damn depressed let me tell ya.

So fast forward to this past Sunday night. I found out my grandma fell and broke her pelvis in 2 places. She is in the hospital now. I am scared for her because I know that breaking a hip or something like this does not usually end well. Crazily, she now qualifies for the same facility they were kicking her out of. They will put her in rehab and I know she has a hard road ahead of her and I really worry she will just give up.

I feel like all the people I love are dying around me. I know how incredibly blessed she (and me) have been for her to live this long. But I still want her around. She may very well pull through this and even be able to walk again, but the Alzheimer's has already stolen most of her away from us. She is a great lady and a wonderful grandmother. I am lucky to have her in my life.

Grandma at Thanksgiving 2010

Today, I took Asher to get his 5 year check up, 3 shots and all... you all knew he's been sick and the ear infection deal. Well, he cannot hear very good and today I found out he is not hearing out of one ear and not good out of the other. what now?! Fluid on the ear. He was born with fluid on his ear and they thought he was deaf. Thankfully, it left eventually on its own. So we have an appointment with the ear nose and throat doctor in April. Possibly tubes are in his future. Great.

So forgive me for not visiting lately, I'll be by soon.

1st GIVEAWAY & my 200th post!

Yay! It's my 200th post today! I've been blogging for a while but I don't post everyday so this is exciting for me. My 100th post kinda came and went without me realizing it, so I wanted to do something special for this milestone.

I've been going back and forth as to what to offer in my giveaway. I want it to be something nice and also something that people will actually want to receive and that is what has stumped me. I've won a couple things myself and have always been so pleased with the gift, that I feel I have some big shoes to fill. Since I don't make jewelry and I don't have anything for sale in my shop that you can wear I wonder if people will actually want anything I've got. So I've thought since it's the Christmas season and December 1st and who couldn't use another decoration. Plus, that isn't too taste specific well maybe a little, it's not traditional colors. I've decided to give away my mixed media "Blue Santa" 5x7 framed print. I also will send along some other goodies that I want to remain a surprise.  (see the Santa before it was finished here). This is just the right size for display on a counter or side table or the mantle, tucked in the tree, even the bathroom sink. It stands on it's own and also hangs. It is ready to display.

I was inspired to draw this Santa because of my grandmother, Elma, who is 94. She had an incredible Santa collection, I mean thousands. I was mesmerized as a child with her carefully laid out collection and many Santa trees throughout her warm and inviting home where I spent every Christmas Day. It is such a warm and fuzzy memory for me now. Her favorites were always a little bit quirky and she is going to love this one, since I plan to give her my original framed for her gift this year. She now has had to give up most all her earthly possessions because she lives in an Assisted Living apartment.

If the Santa isn't your thing, then you'll have a gift to give to a last minute drop in or a "Dirty Santa" party and at the very least you'll have a white frame with matte. ;)

I offer this Santa as an ACEO right now in my Artfire shop and my Etsy Shop and will be adding this larger size as soon as possible, hopefully this evening. What does everyone think about offering it for sale with the matt and frame?

Blue Santa 5x7 framed mixed media signed print

Deadline for entry is Friday, December 10th 2010 6 pm Central time. Winner will be picked by random and be notified by email so please make sure you have a way for me to contact you. I will mail it out right away so you can enjoy it displayed for Christmas. If you have trouble posting just contact me (my email is under my profile picture in "about me" along right side bar)

Here's what ya gotta do to enter (Rules of participation):

1. Leave a comment on this post; and
2. Follow me :)
3. For one additional entry, become a fan on facebook (like)

While it's not necessary to tell others about via twitter or on your blog or elsewhere, I'd appreciate it! I always like to return favors ;)

You need to have a place where it can be delivered, no post boxes unless you can receive a parcel there. Good luck!