Cloud's Meow

My Girls

2008-12-12T19:43:00.000-08:00

My babies!

Please don't invite me to any "networking" happy hours!

2008-12-11T18:52:00.000-08:00

Oy!

There's another whole world out there and I had a peek at it tonight. Bruce and I went to a happy hour in Reston which was organized by a friend of a friend. Never again. I'd rather do anything else.

Slumdog Millionaire

2008-12-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

Bruce and I just thoroughly enjoyed the movie Slumdog Millionaire. It was like a gift. It was perfectly cast, and showed a side of India that I could not imagine. Great story, great acting.

2008-12-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

Mmmmm, Spagheeettiiii.... - video powered by Metacafe

Now I'm a Face on Facebook

2008-12-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing around with it, but I'm getting a sense that Facebook is a huge black hole that will suck up hours and hours of time. I am enjoying looking at pictures of my daughters, though. I'm forcing myself to stay at home today because I have a cold coming on and I have a steadfast rule not to make anybody sick. In the meantime, my thighs are expanding as I'm just putzing away on this laptop.

Two more schools have signed up for Noodle classes and I'm really excited about it. That means we have 5 Montgomery County schools signed up already, and probably there are more to come. Encouraging news, indeed.

Heaven

2008-12-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

Three cats, crossword puzzle, laptop, Mary Poppins bag......heaven.

What's Arnie doing in Sculpture Class?

2008-12-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

I brought my dad to Sculpture Class and he seems to really like it. Believe it or not, this is his first time working with clay from a model.

2008-12-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Frances is the smartest woman at Montgomery College and the most amazing artist. I am the President of the Frances Fan Club. I think she is mad cool. She has beautiful blue eyes.

Frank turns Keith into Saggy Batman

2008-12-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

Sculpture class

2008-12-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

I finally got my camera, my photo card, and my battery in the same place and brought it in with me to sculpture class. This is my very favorite of all of my very favorite classes because I love the people. They are all really great sculptors and it is inspiring to watch them work. We started a piece on Monday of Keith - the personal trainer model. Anyway, you can see how happy everyone is. This is Susan.

The Owl, Lion, and Baby Panda

2008-01-16T10:40:00.001-08:00

A trip to the Zoo with Nana and Celia

2008-01-16T10:26:00.001-08:00

Celia had a hankering to go to the zoo when she was home for a break, and we bravely decided to take my mother. My mom loves animals and used to volunteer with other former teachers at the zoo preparing city school children for their trip to the zoo. She knew the inside story of every animal there, and was constantly talking about the animals.

The problem with the National Zoo is that it is built on a very hilly part of the city, and walking around it is grueling. There is also a lot of walking between animals. I didn't know how much stamina my mom would have, but she did great! She really surprised us. There were lots of highlights for us, one was that we saw the baby panda (not such a baby, but she only recently began being viewed by the public. The lion was magnificent, but people were very wary about walking around his habitat due to the freaky incident with the tiger at the San Francisco Zoo.

Really Really Really Good News

2007-12-29T12:01:00.000-08:00

Joyce got into NYU!

We are elated, Joyce was accepted Early Decision to the school of her dreams.

It is so rare to get exactly what you want, but if anyone can do it, Joyce can. Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and get rid of all of the college guides and SAT books which have been filling our shelves for years.

My Dad's Broken Neck

2007-12-29T11:45:00.000-08:00

Wow - I can't believe I've been away for so long! This is hard to believe, but my Dad broke his neck! We just got home from the hospital Friday, so we've had lots of chaos, but things seem to be settling down now.

I brought him to the emergency room at Georgetown University Hospital because he was acting really bizarre. I thought he had had a stroke or something. He had actually fallen a few days before but complained of no pain, so we thought we were just lucky. Then his speech as slurred (could be the parkinsons), he was very tired (not unusual), and he was acting manic in his studio. Anyway, after trying to reach his neurologist, I finally decided to have him checked up. A CT showed a broken C1. Further imaging proved that he needed neurosurgery.

There are a million images that have gathered in my head from the 10 days we spent in the hospital, which I'm sure I will convey as they unfold.

Important parts of this story:

My dad is fine and recovering well for someone who is 80 years old.

We took him off of most of his Parkinsons drugs and he is almost symptom free. He was clearly overmedicated.

It turns out he has had a broken neck since May 1, 2007. His orthopaedist decided not to do any further imaging after a CT showed the fracture in his neck. He was prescribed physical therapy which in retrospect endangered his life. I will pursue this issue when my Dad has stabilized.

I have way too much experience with spinal cord injury, so I was filled with dread during this whole fiasco. One of my students was injured at the c4 level and I guided him back to a meaningful existence.

Nurses are the bomb, doctors are the worst.

Amazing Treats from Sweet Repeats

2007-11-21T18:07:00.000-08:00

Look at all the Sweet Treats I got from Lucy! Opening this package is the best thing I did all week! I love how everything is color coordinated. You've got the touch, Lucy!!

2007-11-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

Here are some more photos from Frederick. I hope I don't bore you with them, but we had a really good photo safari.

Frederick photos

2007-11-12T19:02:00.000-08:00

A Day in Frederick with my Parents

2007-11-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

My parents and I had such a good day at the Flea Market last week that I decided to take them out to Frederick to look at some antiques and to take some pictures for my Dad's watercolors. We also wanted to enjoy the last blush of the foliage. It is so nice to have good days with my parents! You forget that you have to have "family fun" with all generations, not just your kids.

An Owl Painting from Celia's Room

2007-11-05T15:33:00.001-08:00

Just had to share this great painting that we got for Celia's room at Case Western.

Some thrifting magic

2007-11-05T15:30:00.001-08:00

I took my parents to the big DC Flea Market yesterday, and bought some really great stuff. Here are a couple of things that came home with me.

Sweet Goodness Sister Swap

2007-11-05T15:19:00.000-08:00

Here are my swap photos from my super swap sister Lucy from Sweet Repeats.

I got the package from her and had to run out of town the next day. When I got back someone had put everything away all over the place. I keep finding wonderful stuff where ever I look. My swap sister is the greatest!!

Finally got shots of my repetition exercises

2007-11-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

When I flew out to Cleveland to help my daughter get her dorm room set up, I brought some pieces to work on while I waiting in airports and such. I showed them to Celia, and told her that she could put some up on her walls. Turns out, she wanted all of them, and I left before I could photograph them. I still consider them unfinished, but they are busy being art, so I can't fuss with them. These were exercises that Lucy from Sweet Repeats did concurrently.

Sorry it's been so long!

2007-11-04T15:07:00.001-08:00

Hey friends! I am so sorry that I have neglected my blogging for so long. I have a million excuses, but I did put this on the back burner while big chunks of life came flying at me faster than I could process them. I'll get into those eventually, but I have a bunch of things I want to show you now.

First, I've been taking Life Drawing,. Portrait Painting and Ceramics at Montgomery College and enjoying them fully. I have a degree in art, but I felt really really stuck each time I tried to paint or draw. Since I have started I feel that my drawing and painting have stepped up to a whole new level. Somehow, at this point in my life I am really able to learn, and I'm soaking knowledge in like a sponge. Here are a few drawings:

Sweet Goodness Sister Swap

2007-09-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Hey all! This will be my second Sweet Goodness swap, and I got to be partnered with one of the queens, Lucy of Sweet Repeats!

Here are my 20 questions answers:

1. Favorite Color: I love coral, cerulean blue, raspberry, any color with intensity.

.
2. Chocolate Lover? Milk, Dark, White, or none of the above? My husband is a chocolate freak. I never actually feel the need for chocolate, but I have been known to make a bag of milk M & M's disappear pretty fast.

3. What is your favorite craft hobby? Quilting, collage, sewing, and ceramics

4. What is a craft/art hobby that you would like to start?

Silk screening and other printmaking type stuff. Digital photography has been nagging at me, but the software is so hard to learn!

5. What craft do you NOT have abut then interest in or just not great in ( so your partner doesn’t send something you wouldn’t use)?

I don't knit, crochet or make wreaths. A also don't dye my own fabrics or do silk painting or anything like that.

6. Do you have any allergies? Nope!

7.What’s your favorite part of Halloween? Decorating, candy eating, costumes, or something else?
I love making costumes, eating candy, and drinking wicked brews.

8. Do you decorate for Thanksgiving/Fall? No. We have a plastic turkey that we've been putting on our door since 1977, and we still put it up as a joke, but other than that, we are pretty boring when it comes to fall decor.

9. December Holidays--what holiday do you celebrate? What type of decorations do you like to put up in your house for that holiday?

We celebrate Hanukah, and will bring out menorahs and candles. Banners would be cute, but we try not to make it seem like "the Jewish Christmas" or anything.

10. Do you have any children, if so what are their ages, boys/girls? I have two beautiful daughters - Celia is 19 and Joyce is almost 18
11. Do you have any pets, if so what kind?

Four cats: Kittycoo, Peekaboo, ScoobyDoo and Cloud.

12. Are you a reader? If so, what type of books do you like?

I eat books. I love fiction from other cultures, like India. I also love David Sedaris and his type of humor. Now there are books I read, and books that I tear up for collage. Those are picture books from the sixties and seventies.

13. Are you celebrating a birthday or anniversary in October, November, or December? If so, what day and what is the occasion? My birthday is December 28. 47 years old!!!

14. Do you collect anything? If so what type of things do you collect? I have a small collection of cat figurines. I love old metal lunch boxes for my supplies. My new collection is owls. I'm a thrifter, so I like so many different things!

15. What type of things do you like to cook? Are you an appetizer person, cookie maker, dessert freak or a take out type of person?? I'm a big meal maker. I also make pies really well, or cobblers and such.

16. What is your favorite scent? Is there one that you can’t stand? The only thing I don't like is musk. I like herbal essential oil type smells. I wear Armani Code, when I go out, but L'Occitaine Verbena otherwise

17. What’s your favorite song? I love Regina Spektor, Ben Folds, Guster, Dispatch. Recently I love the songs from Spring Awakening.

18. What’s the last movie you went to see at the movie theater?

Drawing a complete blank here -I loved Borat, Pay it Forward, and Marie Antoinette just because it is visually gorgeous.

19.What’s your favorite Candy?If you took an X ray of my tummy, you would see hot tamales, twizzlers, and good and plenty.

20. Tea or Coffee or other? Coffee black, please. Martini dirty and up, please.

2007-09-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

2007-09-20T19:36:00.001-07:00

2007-09-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

2007-09-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

Emotional work

2007-09-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

Here's some stuff I've been working on during a very emotionally trying time. I'm starting to see the light, so I think I'll be making these less chaotic, and more focussed. It is interesting to see how they are now, though.

Wow, it's been a while

2007-09-20T19:03:00.001-07:00

Joyce got her hair cut! Here she is with Sofia, in a very pensive pose. I got into the whole natural light from a window thing.

More Joyce - Very photogenic

2007-09-02T17:16:00.001-07:00

Joyce and Lida

2007-09-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

I had my friend Lida come over to take photos of my daughter Joyce, because she needs to send a photo (headshot) with her applications to conservatories. Lida is a lifelong photographer, and she only works with real film in black and white. It was a fascinating experience watching her work. She allowed me to follow her around with my digital and take some shots. I learned so much from her about lighting and setting up a shot. Here are some of the best that I took, but they don't compare to hers, which are amazing. I've only looked at contact sheets, but they are astounding.

Little ATCs in progress

2007-09-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy with things that I don't want to do (bringing parents to doctors, all day funerals, filling prescriptions, etc.) so I've just been working on these little cards made of extra mat board. Of course, they are not the right size to be ATC's, but they are nice and firm, and can travel with me all around.

My Assignment

2007-08-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to work with composition here. It's a lousy shot, and I need to scan it instead, but it's still a little wet. I used a lot of risky materials that really tripped me up and slowed me down, but now I know what they can do. They are these cool faux finish paints that I got for $1.00 at the Habitat for Humanity Store. I used a crackle finish, which I probably won't do again, and then this opal glaze which mixed really well with concentrated water colors. That stuff I liked a lot. Enjoy

2007-08-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

Rochelle's quilt

2007-08-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here's Rochelle basting her most recent masterpiece . This girl can quilt!! Is this not amazing? By the way, Rochelle is my best friend and we have enjoyed about 17 wonderful years nurturing eachother. She has taught me about unconditional love, and about a million other things, too.

Cloud and Scooby

2007-08-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

2007-08-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

2007-08-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

2007-08-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

2007-08-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

2007-08-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

2007-08-20T18:12:00.001-07:00

One more try...

Work for Review

2007-08-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

My new friend Jodi from Sweet Repeats and I have been having a great dialog about collage, color, composition, and other stuff. I realize that I've only posted quilts, and none of my mixed media work. So here we go! OK, it's now taken me 2 hours to post one picture! I scanned them too large, and I don't have any software to edit the size. I need to get going on another experient, so you'll have to be happy with my one scan for now.

What I've REALLY been doing

2007-08-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

I decided that I really had to organize my fabrics for the 4,000th time. But look what happened!!

Orange and Yellow Quilt

2007-08-14T06:16:00.002-07:00

The Sweet Goodness Swap inspired me to continue quilting with the scraps I had left over and this is what I created. I was able to use some of my really fun fabrics.

2007-08-14T06:16:00.001-07:00

Antique Road Show Find

2007-08-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

This has happened to me only twice in my long thrifting career; I found something that actually has some value. This is a crazy little candy dish that is signed on the back - made in Occupied Japan. Since Japan was only occupied for about 10 years, this piece has value. Price? $1.41, but because it was 25% off Mondays, it was even less. I can't figure out how to turn off my flash, but here's a shot.

Squares my mom liked

2007-07-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

Some of these she actually made, but didn't recognize.

My new quilt

2007-07-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

Again, out of order, here is one of my squares before assembling. When I figure out how to use blogspot, I will post in order. Until then,

Bye Bye Baby

2007-07-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

This is a few days late, but here's my baby on her way to camp. I can't believe how much I miss her. This is a preview of the empty nest....

2007-07-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

Check out this owl

2007-07-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

I was just poking around craigslist, and I saw this

Lida and Nancy

2007-06-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

I had lunch today with my friends Lida and Nancy. Lida is 87 years old and is an amazing and important photographer/photojournalist. I met her in my drawing group (she makes some reallly cool drawings) and we were instantly friends. Nancy is a good friend who I worked with at my old school. In a strange twist of events, Nancy was visiting a friend and found an old lady in the bushes. She pulled her out and it turned out to be Lida. She started telling me the story and I knew it was Lida right away. What a coincidence. Since then, we've all three been going out every couple of weeks. Aren't they both beautiful?

Cards Drying in the Sun

2007-06-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a "tip-in" swap with a bunch of other art teachers from Teacherartexchange. I've been working on them for about a month and I thought the deadline was July 1. It turns out they are due on August 1, so I still have time to work on them. They actually got a lot better from yesterday to today because I used pictures from this 1970 Good Housekeeping magazine.

Peekaboo of course had to oversee the process...

Fun with Mom

2007-06-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

' My Mom has alzheimers, so it's been hard to get her interested in doing anything. One thing I know she likes is sorting and folding, so I took out all of my assorted quilt blocks that I've never done anything with and let her sort through them. She had such a good time!! She found some of the squares she had made when she started quilting and kind of recognized them. We really had fun. At one point I was ironing and I said "If you start feeling stiff, it's because I'm spraying starch right behind you." She laughed and laughed. It's nice to have some good times with her again, especially over quilting, which was something she loved so much.

One Day

2007-06-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

One day I won't find a paintbrush when I reach for my toothbrush.

One day I will find a pair of reading glasses by my book instead of 5 pairs by the telephone.

One day the phone that I reach for will be fully charged.

One day I will show up for an appointment without having to be reminded.

One day I will be able to express my anger without blaming myself for being an idiot or a bitch afterwards.

One day I'll wake up in the morning gleeful to greet the day instead of worried about all the things I should have done but didn't.

One day I will own more than one comfortable bra.

One day I will actually have the right receipt when I return something.

One day I will fill the tank of my car before I am on LIGHT IS ON EMPTY.

One day I will return my library books on time without a fine.

Today, though, I'll just stumble along and deal with whatever trips me on the way to my first cup of coffee.

Proud of Joyce and Sofia at Artstream

2007-06-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today I had the honor of watching my daughter Joyce and her friend Sofia perform with Artstream, a theatre group for disabled adults. My mind was blown - this was such an accomplishment for so many people. Joyce has patience, enthusiasm, and respect for ALL people. This experience has given her a depth of character that I truly admire. I am very proud of her.

Cloud thinks she's a baby!

2007-06-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Ceramic Studio May Be Mine!

2007-06-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

I found a person on Craig's List who has to move and is selling his entire ceramic studio. I talked to him tonight and it looks like I'm really going to buy it!!! I can't wait to get my hands into clay again. I've been looking at ceramic blogs and getting tons of ideas.

I went to the dreadful Walmart this afternoon because someone told me that they are closing down their fabric department and everything is half price. Number one: there was nothing half price at our Walmart; Number two: as cheap as the fabrics were a full price, there was no one to cut them. After 1/2 an hour, I just left.

I spent a couple of hours working on my quilt - it's coming right along. I'm at the boring stage now of trimming the squares. I take a lot of breaks.

My husband is so tickled that I started a blog. We'll see....

2007-06-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

2007-06-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is the an example of the quilt I am working on today.. It is called boullabaise and is a pattern created by pie in the sky quilt company.