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“Fear stops a lot of people. Fear of failure, of the unknown, of risk. And it masks itself as procrastination.” Lisa Anderson
I’ve been absent from my blog for a very long time. Many upheavals in our home life over the past couple of years has sidelined my “writing muse.” To quote John Lennon “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” I’m happy to say we have adjusted to the changes, embraced them and are looking forward to a great year ahead for our family.
Our once empty nest is now pretty full. Our two teenaged grandchildren now live with us and are thriving. Said children come with pets, so we are now up to five dogs in the house. Yes, five – three mini-schnauzers and two cairn terriers. For long time followers who remember our bride, she gifted us with a new granddaughter in May! A new baby after a 14-year gap – we are so excited. After nearly forty years in his chosen industry, my husband found his dream job and loves what he does.
As for me, I’ve changed job titles a couple of times, but still work for the same great company. I logged a lot of travel miles for them last year and it looks like more of the same for 2016. I’ve been teaching around my local area. Sadly, my studio, The Wren’s Nest, was a casualty of the personal upheavals. It now shares space with my work office, but I still think of it as the Wren’s Nest. I still speak regularly as an advocate for safe driving and spoke to my granddaughter’s classmates recently about the impacts of distracted driving. My latest new adventure is to sign on as a consultant for Rodan+Fields. I’ve used their skin care for quite a while and it’s the best ever for specific skin concerns and anti aging. My face went from super dry with cystic acne breakouts to completely foundation free in about 6 months. I’d love to have you as a preferred customer or business partner. Take a look.
Through it all, I have been tangling – how else would I relax? Last year, a group of CZT’s decided to select a word of the year. The idea was to create a journal for 2015 guided by our word and the prompts posted by the group each week. My word was and still is, FEARLESS, thus the quote for today’s post. When I saw that quote as I was trying to find my word, it resonated with me and I knew that was it. So many times, when you really look at why you can’t seem to move forward, the very heart of the situation is fear. The journal languishes unfinished, but the word remains with me. I would encourage you to find your own word and follow where it leads you
Thank you all for waiting out my dry spell and I hope you enjoy some of the work I’ve done while I’ve been living life outside the plan.
My baby girl with her baby girl
ZIA Baby Name gift
Ten fingers, Ten toes
She’s laughter and teardrops
So small and brand new
And amazingly angelic
She’s sent to bless you
She’s one special Baby
The best of life’s treasure
And will grant and bless you
Many hours of great pleasure.
Author Unknown
Today is a special celebration for us as our first grandchild, Maggie, passes a milestone and becomes a teenager. She has had a challenging couple of years, surviving what should have been a fatal head injury just a few days after her eleventh birthday two years ago. If you are unfamiliar, the story is here. There has been a lot of healing for all of us this year, but especially for Maggie. I began speaking on behalf of victim families for a local program called Sudden Impact sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and the LA State Police. Maggie agreed to an interview for the Children’s Hospital magazine as part of a much smaller article on the Sudden Impact program and is featured in the Spring 2012 edition of Wee Believe Magazine. She was then invited to dance at a Children’s Hospital Fundraiser where she met one of our local legends, Coach Les Miles of the LSU Fighting Tigers football team. The two hit it off when she challenged him to a “split off” and she recently met up with him at the season opener radio program. The next thing we knew, she was invited to practice with the LSU Golden Girls (her goal is to make that elite team in college) and the Tiger Band before the Washington game – all this on the weekend of her 13th birthday. They surprised her with a birthday card, signed poster, and a special Golden Girl shirt they had made for her. The Girls then took her over to the Pep Rally at the P-Mac where Mike the Tiger bowed and gave her a kiss on the hand. Her day wasn’t over yet, they surprised her with an invitation to march down the Indian Mound on campus in the pre-game parade to the stadium with them. Can I just say, this little girl was over the moon happy as she shared every second with me late last night. Once again, she was touched by angels – this time wearing purple and gold. I can’t thank Coach Miles, the LSU Golden Girls, the Tiger Band, the LSU Cheerleaders, and Mike enough for giving Maggie the gift of new and happy memories for a time of year that can be challenging. They truly do Love Purple, LIVE Gold!
The ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) I have posted today is for another special little girl, the baby of a friend of our youngest daughter and his wife. She got a tough start, but has proven to be a strong little fighter from the beginning and a blessing for her parents and family. I have held back on posting as I wanted her parents to be the first to see it. The piece was framed and delivered to the proud parents today. I love doing these as few decisions get more thought or are more meaningful than choosing the perfect name for a new baby. Best wishes to little Jensen and her very lucky parents.
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- My contribution to Diva Challenge 85 using the tangle Copada by Margaret Bremner, CZT
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- Maggie,center,on the practice field with the LSU Golden Girls
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- A favorite photo, the first time Maggie and Coach Miles met in May 2012. His wife, Kathy was there as well.
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- At the Greek amphitheater on the LSU campus with three of the Golden Girls.
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- Hanging out with Mike and the Golden Girls.
My girly piece for this weekend
“A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend. ” ~Author Unknown
What a great weekend I had with my grandchildren! We got off our “art class schedule” when their mom had to have gallbladder surgery, though they asked often when we were going to do our art again. Mom returned to work on Friday, so we had a full weekend together. We pulled out our supplies on Friday night, wrapped the table in our ugly vinyl tablecloth and dabbled a bit. A visit to Michael’s and the grocery store on Saturday morning for more supplies and sustenance. Then lots of fun the rest of the day and most of Sunday. Both kids completed one piece and have another much larger piece in progress. I also revisited a very ugly background I had done and saved it and then added a little Zentangle for good measure – I can once again hold my head up. We all agree it is much improved.
Part of my plans for the weekend included trying out a new recipe for Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken. I was careful to use the rice noodles they like and that are safe for me. However, I did not reveal that the cheese was goat cheese. While they painted, stamped and played, I whipped up our dinner. Both kids loved the dish. After they finished off seconds, I shared that the reason it was so yummy was goat cheese. Maggie’s reaction was exactly as I expected. Jack, however, gave me a very solemn look and asked ” How do you milk a goat?” I replied, “Just like you would milk a cow.” A look of horror now, “Through the penis?!!” Oh lord, WHERE does he get this stuff! I explained there are boy goats and girl goats, only girl goats are milked and they are called nanny goats. “Oh. Well then that’s okay.” Not the lessons I thought we were learning, but valuable nonetheless!
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- Jack – his name is always proudly displayed on his work
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- Maggie’s girly work from this weekend – her version of her mom
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- My girly piece for this weekend
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- Salvaged ugly piece from a few weeks ago – the best of the ugly parts shows in the squares
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- Our Girl
”Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.” Welsh Proverb
Twelve years ago I was blessed to become a grandmother for the first time. She was a true gift from God for me. I almost lost her last year, but God gave her back, just as perfect as she was before. She was in my thoughts as I worked on tiles for the Diva Challenge – mono tangle tiles using only Paradox. It is one of my favorite tangles because it takes a lot of focus and concentration. Since I am not much of a cook anymore, I thought a tangled cake would be in order and the tangle is fitting. Our girl is very much a paradox these days as the wild mood swings of the pre-teen years take hold. That’s okay, she’ll grow out of them and we are ever grateful she has that opportunity.
I am such a lucky Kacki to have my Maggie Moe. Love you my Mags! Happy Birthday!
Tangled Tranquility 