What do pastel painting, I Love Lucy, the Genesis spacecraft and mission, and a newsletter regarding privacy issues from GoDaddy.com's Bob Parsons have in common?

I don't know either, 'cept for the fact that had the dream gone on for what felt like eternity, I would've peed the bed this morning. This was a truly unsettling wake-up call. Can you notice the sudden twitch in my eye? I swear it wasn't there yesterday!

Ehem. Composure.

In any case, the first image to pop into my head was this, which I quickly put on paper, and still have no idea as to where it will lead. Maybe my inner artist is getting unblocked. :o)

Rest in peace, Terri.

Terri Schiavo dies, at age 41, March 31, 2005.

Today was nothing like I hoped it would be. It was one of those days I wish I could do all over again, for many different reasons.

Sitting in front of my canvas yielded nothing, creativity was practically non existent. I wanted to go right back to bed at 11AM, and wake up all over again. Maybe the day would get better after that. But I didn't go to bed. Instead, I headed out to run some errands, get a new phone, some groceries, and return just at the appropriate time for early afternoon coffee, which I purposefully took outside.

After that, the day seemed to be in a hurry to end.

The day was beautiful, more so when I decided to take part in it, stepping outside, communing, and taking it all in. It was pristine. I even heard the grass grow. Still, I would've loved to have been able to get some art work done. Perhaps tomorrow will be just as beautiful, but also creatively promising.

There's too much pain and suffering in the world. Terri Schiavo is all over the news, there is so much negative energy surrounding her situation; I feel such deep sorrow for her. There is not a damned thing I can do, really, except send positive energy her way, and take a moment. For her. She deserves that.

(I didn't shoot this picture for her, but now everytime I look at it, she comes to mind. So there.)

My sister was sent home Monday evening, exactly one week after giving birth. She called up to let us know, and broke down crying over the phone. She spoke of so many things that didn’t go as she had planned, imagined, expected. But really, how can one ever expect something concrete from an event as unpredictable and out of ones control as is childbirth? Such a thing simply does not exist.

The only time you have some control or say in the outcome is during your pregnancy, taking better care of yourself, and as much as I love my sister, I believe she could’ve done a better job at it.

To compound on her sadness, Mom returned home Tuesday morning.

I’m sad that my sister wasn’t able to experience childbirth as I did, that her child-bearing experience has not been an enjoyable one. A cesarean birth can have so many complications. I’m sorry that she and her beautiful baby boy haven’t had the chance to bond, and to spend quality time, alone, just the one to the other, until yesterday. Baby was finally going home.

Earlier today I stopped by to see how they are doing, see if there was anything they needed that I could do for them. I was greeted with a hug, a kiss, and a smile brimming of pure joy. She looks better, and she seems so happy. Seeing her with that great big smile on her face gave me peace. I cannot imagine what feelings I’d have had to deal with had it been my child, had I been released knowing that my baby would remain in the hospital until notice that he was healthy enough to go home. I would not have left his side. Can you picture me sleeping in the waiting area of the NICU?

Thankfully, baby is home now, cuddling with mom and making up for the time they’ve been apart. Two weeks apart for a newborn and his mom seem like a lifetime to me.

My sister is getting better, slowly but surely. Tubes were taken out. Baby is still in NICU with IV, not digesting food yet. He's also jaundice, but they have the lights shining on him. He's opening his eyes, moving, even grabbing tightly onto our fingers.

Me, I'm OK, immensely happy, incredibly sleepy, and unbearably achy since my mom and I have been in the hospital with them nearly 24/7, getting maybe four hours of sleep. Just a bit closer to exhaling, now.

Thank you all so much for your comments, emails, and calls. They've meant the world to me, and my sister is greatly appreciative of your support. Much love to all of you.

Josué Isaias (would be Joshua Isaiah in english), was born on March 14, 2005

Weight: 8 lbs
Height: not yet known to me

He's in ICU. He's being treated for a blood infection, is on oxygen because not enough was getting to his lungs and bloodstream nor his extremities. His blood is being expanded. I don't know what this infection is called, and no information is being given to my mom or myself.

My sister is recuperating from her C-section. After pushing for 3 hours, doctor said baby was too big to be born naturally.

I'll be back with more as soon as I have more to share.

This morning I was feeling a bit under the weather. Bit of a headache, and little groggy. I was pretty much feeling the way it looks outside. Nothing but clouds and rain. After getting soaked as we walked home from school, taking our respective showers in the hopes of warding off a cold, my daughter decides in her matter-of-fact way that she want to be "just like mom". She says she'll only be a minute (not the expression), and walks out of my room sporting my bandanna: "Ta-da!", it's just like magic!

I give my daughter a huge hug, tie up the bandanna correctly, and she darts upstairs. I follow, and find her sitting in my studio making all these funny faces. The moment would have been lost if I didn't shoot a picture. I'm not sure that I make all those faces, but I'll assume that painting certainly brings some gestures to my face.

Flashback. I'm suddenly reminded of when I did something similar, expressing to my mom that I wanted to be just like her, running to her bedroom, then walking out into a dining room full of my parent's friends wearing her black bra. I had no idea I could work such a big crowd! Ah, those were the days. Everything was so simple.

Kids are the best medicine a mom can have.

Just thought I'd let you know I've been pretty busy between taking care of my sister (preggie body), who I've already rushed to the hospital twice. She's on her 36th week, with a baby due on April Fools Day, yet already with strong contractions and 3 cm dialated. Baby J (very-active-lil-body), however, seems to be enjoying that his Mommy and Auntie Zee are running all over the place, going all 'ga-ga' awaiting his arrival.

My good friend Crankydragon (sleepy-body last time I checked) is also having a baby, same due date. I'm going to drop her a note soon. :o)

When not in the hospital, I can be found at home, painting. Which explains my absence here. I promise I'll get to your sites during the next few days, as well as answering all your emails. Thanks for keeping in touch! :o)

Let me know what kind of body you've been this week. I already have an idea of how Busy Mom is doing... heh.

Among other things yours truly is doing, next on my reading list is A Brush with Darkness, by Lisa Fittipaldi. You see, to me, she is an amazing artist. Her paintings are vibrant with color and brimming with energy. Her paintings tell tales. However, that's not why I think she's amazing. Why? She's blind. Yes, you read right. Now venture onto her site, and explore her work for yourself. I think you'll be delighted.

Lisa Fittipaldi.com :: Art from the Mind's Eye

Vernal Equinox on the 20th, at 7:33am EST.
Just thought a preview of things to look forward to was in order.

ELECTRIC GREEN

(bloom from last year)

Here's my banner, because I was there. I had heard things about this so called "Genuine Bash", and of course, I had to see for myself.

It was definitely time well spent, as I enjoyed the splending company of many female bloggers. The people I met were wonderful, I'm keeping in touch with several of them via their blogs and email, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next bash.

Did I get bashed? No. I kept myself in check, after all, it was my first time, and I thought I should therefore be on my best behaviour. Yes, I exherted composure.

Our host for the evening, however... well, it was his bash, what can I say? Or like one of the gals put it "It's his party, and he can do what he wants to." And he did. Yes, he was done in, if I recall correctly, shortly after 11pm.

But don't take my word for it, see for yourself! [click on image below]

I'll entertain the idea that this continued well into the early hours of the morning, long after Mrs. G's efforts to nudge him awake proved unsuccessfull, as I signed off at 2:10am. (Images to support these statements exist; last image recorded at 2:08am.) Being the honest person that I am, I informed Genuine that I had, in my possesion, proof of how wasted he was. I even provided him with the photos, but not before letting him know I retain copies... a caveat to the blogger, if you will. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I'm saving for a rainy day.

*Note: Copies have been forwarded to Rae, in the event I'm suddenly and inexplicably met with an ill fate.

I'm a sucker for tea. I love tea as much as I love my coffee, and if you know me, you know what I mean.

Herbal teas are my favorites, along with Green Tea and Black Tea. I also love Chai, but that's besides the point. Adagio Teas, which you can find online, has a nice little offer. I help them spread around the word, they send me some free tea. And while free tea is good, free Adagio Tea is better.

So, follow that link! Go on. Then go place one on your site as well. You've got nothing to lose, and some yummy tea to enjoy. So go spread the word while it lasts. Call me when you get your tea, and we'll enjoy tea time together!

[now back to your regularly scheduled programming...]

Perfect morning meditation. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to share. Just lay back, breathe deeply, and take it all in.

Subter.com, Under the Radar, Issue Two, is out today.

There's a little bit of everything there, for everyone. You'll even find a couple of my submissions there, but you'll have to go see for yourself. ;o)

And my subscription of The Artist's Magazine came in, so I have something more to dive into tonight.

My mood today has been mellow, as in relaxed and unhurried. And it feels good.

My darling girl noticed that there aren't very many pictures of mom to show around. She asked her brother, and since he didn't know, she asked me.



Kiki: "Mom, why isn't there more pictures of you?"

Me: "I'm usually behind the camera, Sweetie."

BlogBoy: "Well, that's a lame excuse, Mom."

Me: "!"



So, here goes, for the record.

We need more cameras in the house.



(the session lasted one hour, and you are all so lucky not to see my static smile by the end of the shoot.)