Where Did It GO???

Okay then - 2008 is almost DONE - tomorrow being New Years Eve - and the past year has slipped away and what do I have to show?

The past few weeks for me, have been as busy and chaotic as everyone else.

Since my return from Melbourne and the fabulous Book of Memories workshop, I seem to have not had a moment - that was mid-November I guess, and Christmas needs start to press about then.  I have done little art - besides Christmas cards - but lots of agonizing and I have RESOLUTIONS for 2009!

For 2009 - I am going to do less stressing.  This is BIG.  I sadly have to quit many of my groups, I know too well that groups depend on members input for success, and I have not been active in lots of them.  Those I have been active in - well I fear that I have let them down - I sign up for "swaps" - and immediately panic, redo everything that I do, then feel disappointed with what I actually send!

I have found, in reviewing my art over the past few years, that the things I love best, are the things I have done, because I wanted to do them - the singular pieces, the one-offs.

This is what I will do in 2009 - what I want to do!

I have diversified into fabric and fibre rather a lot this year - I want to experiment more, with those media, and with the paint and texture that I love.  Dye too -  and RUST - there are so many wonderful experiments to do and if I don't have to actually reveal them to anyone, if they are only for knowledge and experience and PROCESS - then there will be no pressure and only the joy of creating.

This is the plan.  I am such a lazy soul though - I am a bit afraid that without pressure, I will just grind to a halt!

If anyone has a prod to poke me with I would be grateful!

So that is the plan for 2009.

2008 had a gorgeous December - I was involved with a 12 Days of Christmas swap - each day from 12th December, we opened gifties, and what a joy it was!  I shall scan and take photos and post them I swear!

And there WAS Christmas!

What a big one it was this year - 4 families combined - everyone brought food and drink, and it was big and loud and diverse.  Such fun.  I have photos of food..........

In 2009, I also resolve to post more pictures.  Pictures are GOOOOOOOD!!!!!

hope that someone is awake still............  hugs

Requisant in Pace - Buster-Cat

Dear old Buster-cat has crossed the bridge - she is now chasing mousies in Heaven (she never caught one on earth, but maybe it is different up there - but if so where is mouse-Heaven?  Maybe she won't catch one there either, the joy is in the chase so they say).

The time came - I had always said, since she got Dementia a couple of years ago, that when the bad days out-numbered the good, that we would help her over.  In the last couple of months she had failed terribly, totally deaf, painful movement, little appetite, and such mental confusion.  She had  come to the conclusion that she needed to come indoors to pee - and for a cat who had such sweet manners, that was so alien.  

So on Monday, with heavy hearts, we took her down for her final vet visit.  They all knew her medical history, so fortunately there was no last minute "are you sure this is necessary?" discussions.  Even Ben, the young and bouncy vet, was sad and quiet, and we all did what was necessary - I signed papers and paid accounts, and Ben did what he needed to do.

Even though I knew and still know, that it was the right thing to do for Buster, I felt terrible grief, when I was stroking her and her little heart  stopped beating.  So quickly - she had gotten  so small, her little face was tiny, and yet her lovely coat was still silky and thick, even though it was falling out under my loving stroking.

There is a kind of sad resignation ruling the house just now.  We all miss Buster - poor Kofee-dog is just realizing, she is clingy and worried about us both, bringing us toys and looking at us with love.

Funny how dogs are closer to us.  Cats OWN us - dogs love us.  Either way, they are a huge part of our families - when we lose one, our grief is just the same.

I have been recalling when we lost our old dog Storm.  When he passed I was so grief-stricken, he was such a lovely old boy - but I was comforted by the fact that I knew he would go straight over the bridge, and that he would find my dad, walking Duke (a neighbour's dog that he loved, and walked daily), and that Storm would fall into step with them, and all would be right , and as it should be.

We take comfort where we can.