Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Pardon me? Is that a nodule i see?

yup, i got myself a fantastical 1.5 cm nodule on my thyroid. i had been stalling on my yearly thyroid check because i HATE getting blood tests since i had my Port-a-Cath removed after i went in to remission from ITP. i finally buckled down, got the blood drawn, went for the ultrasound and followed up with my new doc. i actually like this guy, he takes a lot of time to explain everything throughly and is hilarious when he says "ok, so when i do the biopsy, i need you to not be wearing your....*insert long pause while he looks a the ceiling*...ummm, collar? Necklace?"

So, July 2nd, i get to go have a needle stuck in my neck. Fun! :-) i'm actually not worried about it. i've had the nodule for a while (since 2002) but "they" think it's a bit bigger - which is not necessarily something to worry about. Of course, right now all i can feel is my neck! i can feel the lump! i can! NO, really, i can not. Not at all. Ridiculous and amazing what acrobatics the mind is capable of, no?

Sunday, May 04, 2008

i'm tired and i wanna go home!

Last class is done and i am back in my hotel room. i had a blast, it's a good event. Great selection of teachers.

i don't have a ton of finished work - that's not what this trip was about. It was to learn technique, break some barriers (both in what art i do and traveling alone) and to feed my soul. All those things were accomplished.

i had a blast with Keith Lo Blue, i nailed the first rivet i did (pun?) and then made a mess of the next couple but i did get 2 pieces done and they're still holding together! He's also got the BEST pair of goggles i've ever seen (yes, even better than those goggles) i tracked a pair down online. Turns out, they're Japanese WWII issue. Fabulous! And truly practical. It was nice to meet a fellow goggle nut.

All 3 classes with Tracy Bautista rocked. They were exactly the challenge i hoped they'd be, but by the end of the weekend, i really felt good about the work i did. For me, her classes were about breaking through a huge barrier that my father gave me by telling me i wasn't an artist, my art sucked and giving me an intense fear of being a failure. As i packed up my stuff, i called out a big "thank you Traci" and she called me back and gave me a gift. (Like the classes weren't gift enough.) Sweet! i'll hang it in my studio to remind me of the good work that can be done if i get over myself.

i'm off to get packed up and try to figure out my return directions. i miss my dogs, my bed, my tea pot and most of all, i miss my sweet Master! Thanks to everyone who called and checked up on Him and me this weekend. It meant a lot to me to hear about all the calls and emails. Surrounded by love and covered with paint - that's me!

PS: Jack, yes - i DID use glitter. It was green. It's all over my room. It's freakin' me out! :-)

Thursday, May 01, 2008

why is everything all covered with goo?

i am covered in paint, ink, dye, glue, gel medium and gesso. i am happy and exhausted. i can't beleive i have 3 MORE DAYS of blessed creating. Today was intimidating: there are some major fabulous artists here. But such an out pouring of generosity. People at these things trade small bits of art with each other. i didn't bring anything to trade but i've been handed several goodies. Favorite so far is a cute, purple, hand felted wool pin in the shape of a skull. The lady gave it to me just because she thought i looked like a purple skull girl! :-) LOL! me?

i won 3 door prizes at the reception: more art supplies! Lucky gal!

i miss Master Larry and the Canine Dynamic Duo more than i can put in to words. i'm going to enjoy the rest of the weekend, with out a doubt, but i am looking so forward to being in Master's arms again! (not to mention, i can't sleep with out all of His snoring!) *blat*

off to bed!
G'Night!