Yesterday Graham asked me “didn’t you notice my voice was different this morning?” and I said “no, i didn’t notice that.” Then he said “I’m older now so my voice is deeper- remember you told us that would happen to us when we got older. And my voice is definitely deeper now that I am 7.”
ah just so sweet.
T
I’m perplexed today. I had another strange day at school. My teacher is still going on and on about this other student to a degree that i find uncomfortable. She is changing the curriculum of the class so that she can have back up if she decides to fail the student in question. Today in class she gave a ‘pop quiz’. Everyone but one person failed and the teacher wrote FAIL across the drawing. I can’t even begin to say how wrong that is. So after class I went to talk to the teacher about this issue. I tried to explain to her that I found it very harsh and unfair to have art be judged as PASS/FAIL. She went on to tell me it’s her safeguard against this other student (who by the way got up and left the class after she received her FAIL) and that she [teacher] wants to teach like they do in Europe. Many thoughts went through my head- one being, why are we suffering because of her disagreement with this other student, and this is a community college… in the USA. I am all for learning different ways- but I don’t think it’s fair to switch curriculum in the last part of the class…. BUT I’m not the teacher, I am a student. I am no longer enjoying this class and I will not take it next fall. I am doing this for fun- and to enrich my life not cause stress and make me feel as though i have ‘failed’ at art. I don’t need that in my life. I like a challenge especially if I learn something from it. But i don’t need grief in my life- especially from something that should be wonderful. I have 3 more classes to go- and then I’m done.
anyway- off to take G to Build A Bear.
T
Today my baby turned 7 (12:10am to be exact). I remember giving birth to him- a month early. I remember how worried I was for him as he lay in the incubator in NICU. I remember not sleeping for 72 hours straight- because I couldn’t- i was so worried-and I sat next to the incubator just hoping that he’d be ok. I remember having a miscarriage before I got pregnant with Graham- devastating at the time but now I know that I wouldn’t have my Graham if that wouldn’t have happened. I remember having to take Graham to the hospital for weeks and weeks so his levels could be tested- and watching him go through the pain of being pricked with a needle nearly killed me every time. I remember having to wait a month before we could get him circumcised and that certain people tried to make me feel guilty about this by saying very cruel and hurtful things to me about mutilating my babies body for the sake of appearance. I believe it was that day that I became fiercely protective of Graham and I knew that if anyone tried to hurt him……. I remember the first time we told him ‘NO NO” and he looked at us like we were crazy and he started screaming and did it anyway. lol There are so many wonderful things I remember about him being a baby- but I so love and enjoy him now. He is my Gigi. He is SO sweet but boy can he push our buttons. My life would be so empty without him. I am blessed to have him as a son. 
And even though I’d love to continue writing about how much I love him, and how wonderful he is I have to leave early because the birthday boy forgot his lunch by the front door and I need to drop it off at his school.
T
It’s Monday-no school, no work and I got to sleep in until 7:40. I must say that was NICE. Yesterday was a lazy day for us- just what we needed. I did start a new painting and came up with an idea to finish the one i am struggling with. I took a nap-it was awesome. We went out to dinner to a new Mexican restaurant. We had a good time but the food and service wasn’t so hot. I caught up on most of my tv shows. [side note here- does anyone else think Desperate Housewives is getting kind of stupid? Terri Hatchers character just annoys the hell out of me now. Her stupidity and stumbling around like a fool is no longer funny- just tiresome and predictable. I'm not sure if I'll watch that in the fall. ER is another one that I may delete from my Tivo. Mick has already given up on this one. I am *almost* ready to do the same. The story line is repeating and honestly, no ER can have THAT much outside trauma.... helicopter falling in front killing a doc, numerous shoot outs, etc....i KNOW it's just tv but still!]
Graham is so sweet i just can’t believe it sometimes. Last night after dinner he decided he was going to use some of his birthday money to treat the family to ice cream. So sweet. I wasn’t going to make him pay but he REALLY had his heart set on it. While we were eating our ice cream at Baskin Robins he said that we deserved a treat because it’s almost his birthday and he wanted to thank us for all his presents. Melts my heart that little one….
I believe the plan for the day is to go down town to Powells- the big book store, then to Mick’s office. The fun center is open on the waterfront- in preparation for the Rose Festival. If it isn’t raining too much we may take the boys there. Have I mentioned how ready I am for school to be out? I’m ready to have the boys home, and to not worry about homework, making lunches, finishing projects, studying for tests….. etc… I seriously don’t remember elementary school being this hard when I was growing up.
off to make breakfast for my sweet boys
T
Today was Graham’s family party. Even though I only have an uncle and cousins (Vic, his wife and their baby Abby) we have two families that we are close to and consider family. They were all here today to help us celebrate Gigi’s birthday. Mick grilled burgers and dogs, and i made several dips and cut up a bunch of watermelon. It was a great day. I held baby Abby while my cousin Vic ate his dinner. She’s just so sweet and had big animated smiles. She’s getting so big- and her face is just so sweet and round. My friend Annalisa has 3 kids that we just adore. She has two younger daughters that i just eat up every time i see them. Today, the youngest, Amelie, was very perplexed that I was holding baby Abby. She said “Why are you holding that baby?”…. and i explained that I loved baby Abby and wanted to snuggle with her. Then Amelie said “you need to put that baby down.” See, i always hold Amelie and she’s ‘my baby’ so i knew that she was getting a little jealous and i didn’t want her feelings to get hurt. So I tried to explain that she was still ‘my girl’ even though I was holding a baby. She kind of understood and said “when you are done holding that baby you need to hold me.” ha ha so sweet….
Graham was very gracious and said thank you to everyone when they left- without me even prompting him. He was so happy they came to his party. It was very sweet. He got a home made cheese cake from my cousins wife-Ann. Graham was in heaven- he LOVES cheese cake. She even made a little mini one JUST for Graham and a big one for everyone else. very sweet. An hour before everyone arrived Graham got on my bed and fell asleep. I had to wake him up for his own party! I waited until everyone arrived before waking him. I guess it’s pretty tough being almost 7.
Needless to say he loved his art supplies and easel. we are going to paint the day away tomorrow. I am hoping to take him to my last painting class- but it will depend on how much I get done before then.
Mick went to the doctor for his snoring. He’s been referred to a sleep specialist and will have to make an appointment on Tuesday. Ahhhh light at the end of the tunnel.
it was a good day.
T
7 years ago i was still pregnant with Graham. He will be 7 on Tuesday. We are having a little party for him on Saturday. I’m excited to give him his art supplies. I think he’ll enjoy them.
Art show ends tomorrow. It’s been a good run. Several people on campus have commented on how happy i look in my picture in the paper. I’m totally in my element- printing.
It’s been a long week and I’m really tired. I need to try to catch up on sleep this weekend.
There was a big drama situation that happened in my life drawing class with the teacher and another student. It was pretty crazy and my teacher completely confided in me-and I feel in many ways crossed the line. She criticized this other students work in front of me- yet she’s praised this students work in the class- and even put it up on the board several times….. It makes me feel confused and unsure of her comments towards my work. I don’t really trust what she says now. Strange situation.
I talked to my printmaking teacher today about my last assignment. It’s supposed to be the big one. The one I have been looking forward to all term. It’s a picture that I took with my camera of these pretty little pink flowers with beautiful green leaves. It will be a multiple block- four to be exact. A lot of planning, a lot of carving and a lot of printing, but a beautiful piece of art in the end. I should have started it this week to insure I’d have time to do it all. just didn’t happen. I tend to get overwhelmed easily when I am tired. I’ve always been that way- even as a child. I felt very overwhelmed this week and found myself doubting my decision to do art. I feel a little better today and after talking to my teacher I may just decide to do a smaller project. It won’t be the same as the multiple block- but I’ll still be able to use the last few weeks to print. I guess that’s the important thing.
The ceramic students were having a pottery sale today. I got a bunch of bowls and ‘holders’ for next to nothing. I got each of the boys a bowl and a brush holder for myself. They are beautiful. I love being on campus with people that create beautiful things. I gave my friend a print that i did for him today. He loved it. Said he was going to mat and frame it. He was very touched by it- but he inspired me to do it. It was more ‘his’ style than mine. But i really enjoyed working on it.
It’s 9 p.m. and I’m ready to drop. Boys are in bed so I’m gonna do the same.
T
ugh…. I’m dead on my feet today. I got 3 hours of sleep last night. I hate dragging through days like this- and this is my LONG day at school. I am on another desperate mission for ear plugs. If ANYONE has ANY recommendations or suggestions PLEASE let me know. The new ones I got seemed to work ok- but Mick’s snoring is getting worse. Usually i wake up at around 2am and put plugs in and struggle back to sleep. Last night was awful. I put plugs in and it made no difference. Then I turned my fan on-for ‘white’ noise and that usually helps but it did not. I put a pillow over my head-nothing. Asked him to roll over several times- nothing….. I tossed and turned until 4 and was dozing when the phone rang. Hang up. Phone rang again- heavy breather and some kid telling me he was doing naughty things to himself-(i could hear giggling in the back ground). I said “oh that’s lovely have a good time and don’t call back”. He did 3 times and i took the phone off the hook. Didn’t have any more luck with the plugs/fan/pillow so i laid there planning out my day. School, go to Target to get a back up alarm clock to put in Grahams room, get a memory foam pad for Grahams bed (his mattress kills my back and tail bone), get a new comforter for his bed (I’m allergic to down). So hopefully, tonight I’ll be able to sleep. If I don’t fall asleep at school today it will be a miracle.
enough from me
t
ok- art reception pictures are up in the gallery. My first acrylic painting is there as well.
T
I think I’m becoming addicted. It hasn’t been a week yet but honestly, today i was craving a Dr. Pepper. i went to the grocery store and got a scone to eat while I shopped (i was starving). Mid way through I was like “damn…. a DP would go really well with this….” . I resisted until I was ready to check out and I passed the fountain drinks…. such a weakness. I can pass up the bottled DP, but not a big cup with little pieces of chopped up ice and a big straw…. ahhhhhhh So i caved. Now I’m all chipper and ready to clean the house, finish laundry, stretch/gesso canvases, homework…etc……
Last night we watched Girl With a Pearl Earring, as part of a homework assignment for my painting class. It’s about Vermeer. WOW. I’ve always loved that painting and even saw it when I was in the Netherlands playing field hockey. It was a beautiful movie. Vermeer’s wife was cookier than shit and his daughter was a horrible brat. But to paint like he did- to see things the way he did. WOW.
OK, off to do chores.
T
According to my husband I am now a famous. He believes “”Famous means that complete strangers recognize you,” And yesterday, only hours after the paper was delivered I was recognized by a complete stranger.
SO YES I made it in the school news paper- The Advocate. Picture of my butterfly print and me as well! The information isn’t all correct-but I can’t be picky. I’ll try to scan it or something to put it on my blog. ANYWAY, Graham and I went to my school yesterday so that I could print and while I was in there another student (stranger) came in and said “hey are you Tina? Did you do the butterfly print?” and I said “…….yes………”. Then he told me he saw me in the paper and he like all 3 of my prints-even knew them by name (even thought the paper only listed ONE, and had the name incorrect!) SO I am famous.
YEAH FOR ME!!!
Printing went ok yesterday. I’ve decided that I’m not going to ‘judge’ any of my art until 2 days after I complete it. I find that right after I finish it I’m very critical and harsh- but that if i walk away for a few days I like it. I think that’s because I’m more focused on the process then the actual beauty. I see all my errors and the mistakes I made as I’m doing it. Once I get out of that mode- I can appreciate it for it’s beauty- the way I would if it were someone else’s.
Graham did me proud yesterday. He painted ALL day long in the studio. He loved it. I set him up at my easel and gave him some of my paints, brushes, pallet knives, etc…. He covered 4 canvases with beautiful images. I was shocked- he has such an eye for art. During a little break we discussed his birthday- which is coming up very soon. He wants more acrylic paints and his own brushes and canvases like mine, and an easel to put them on so he can paint at home. How can I say no to that? I took him to the gallery and showed him the art show- he was very proud to see ‘HIS” print on the wall with a big NFS (not for sale) underneath it. I asked him what his favorite piece was and he didn’t want to hurt my feelings by telling me it wasn’t one of mine. I told him that he wouldn’t- and then he showed me which ones he liked. Two huge paintings- with abstract art-just like the paintings he had done. Very sweet……
Thomas has a birthday party today- so I’m off to do that.
T