Madison is one year old today

We had a perfect day. Jill made her this adorable crown.

It was beautiful in Santa Barbara at the zoo.

Jill wanted to start a tradition of having her photo in the Solvang Shoe Store shoe....but Maddie had a different idea.

Then we had a delish cake Susan made for her at the Solvang Bakery. Baby had her own and seemed to know what to do.
HAPPY DAY BABY!

a great quote...

Be the kind of woman
that when your feet
hit the floor each
morning the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"

My latest ....

Here are some pieces I am pretty much done with. I have a couple more in the works to pack up for ArtFest.





This was our Ladies and Gents Show in Los Olivos Saturday. I think there were 9 artists. The 3 of us : Ron, Becky and I painted outside. It was really fun and I got something done.


Here is Earl doing a trial run for Easter. I am posting 2 pics here. One is good of Madison and one is good of Earl.


I am happy to report that Earl is doing good. It is still tough to stick to the new eating pattern....small amounts and frequent....but we are working on it. He got his last tube out last week so he is completely tubeless...which he is very happy about. We see the other surgeon, West and the oncologist Wed. Then I plan to visit my brother, Steve. I can't really talk about it right now but I will post a picture of him with our oldest brother, Neale. I have always loved this picture even though Steve looks a little bothered to have to take time out of play to pose with me etc. I love you Steve...

Any BSG fans out there....

With the end of Battlestar Galactica, millions of Cylons hit the job market.
.....This is from my Flickr friend ShelleyS...I love it!!!

I am soooo busy...

It's that pre-ArtFest time again...yikes...so I will do a quick post. This is a small painting I finished.

I have 3 more in the works.

I am entering an assemblage/collage show. I have one piece done. This may be all that I get done.

Here are 2 more pics of Santa barbara Arts. They are better than the last ones. Those are some of my paintings in the window.


....and here is my favorite 2 toothed girl...Madison!

Now back to meeeeee....

I am in a new gallery in Santa Barbara. I am very excited about it. It is Santa Barbara Arts. Located in the alley next to the Santa Barbara Art Museum on State Street...the La Arcada. Now I just need to get more painting done....

Another good day....

Earl continues to do well. He had a sandwich at the Longhorn and walked around the block a couple times and even mowed the lawn...in little spirts and rests. Here is a pic of him with his new comforter from Frank, Sue and Paula. It has been quite handy since our heater only works from time to time. Thanks again Frank, Sue and Paula.

Here are LE and Madison doing a little work before LE left. Madison grabbed LE's coffee cup seconds later...just to show how helpful she can be...

Earl is in the house...

I picked him up about 1 today and he has gone around the block twice, eaten 2 small meals and had visitors from the Newbeetle Club visits and bring fun gifts..I'llI take photos tomorrow. Thanks again Sue, Paula ( who came from San Diego!) and Frank. You guys really made a great day even greater.....

update....

Earl just called and they are letting him come home today now....yipeeeeeeeee!


This is the first day in ICU....just to give you a hint of what was going on ...and this is not all the tubes either....

...the big day

....went really well! By the time I got there he was unleashed and unleaking. He wasn't even in his bed or dragging around his Christmas tree. He was freeeee...He had already been up to the "Lido deck" to work on his tan. The removal of the tube went well and he had eaten his first "food" aka clear liquids....but they were like prime rib to him. In the afternoon we had a dietitian tell us the rules but they are very livable...in fact everyone should do some of these....."eat slowly"....etc. Jim Knight stopped by for a visit and everyone admired the fragrant flowers from Dr Arnette ( Jill's boss) and crew and from ATK. They had said he would be coming home tomorrow but the doctor who did the lower surgery wanted him to stay another day and eat thicker food while under their care. So it looks like it will be Saturday. I have Madison tomorrow and LE and Jon are heading home so I might not make it down. But I will be there with bells on Sat.

Earl has left the building...

well not really . He went up on the roof. There is an outdoor patio. He shaved...except for the little Hitler mustache near the tube...so that felt good he said. He also got a new roommate that was what they call "confused"....Earl said he was "certifiable". Any way they moved another "confused" in and moved Earl to another room. That was really nice. They did not have to do that but we are so glad they did....he was really bothering Earl. So tomorrow they take out the tube and he thinks they will do the "leak" test! He calls it the "big day"....So not much more to report for today unless you wanted to hear the insane stories the roommate was telling....

I think he's milkin' it....

...not really..... It makes me so happy to see him improving everyday. He walked for about 45 min. today without a nurse. He rolled his own trolly of bags etc. He planned to do more laps after we left. Mike Levy stopped by with a cool book and a visit. Roommate 2 left today. It was so sunny at sunrise he put his sunglasses on. One of his doctors came in and was quite amused....They say the annoying hose will be removed Thursday. That will be great! He is on the higher octane food-in-a-tube now. He is in really good spirits and is starting to smell food and want some. He is so thankful for all the good wishes and thoughts....me too.

Yet another good day....

Earl did some walking and got a sponge bath. Maddie and I got there about 3:45 and Jill and Mike stopped by. I beat Earl at cribbage and went home. He is doing so well. They are talking about doing his "leak" test soon. Then he can try eating with his new esophagus. Even with the view he is getting bored I think.

Another good day....

Earl had another tube removed....he kinda misses this one. Now he has to pee in a jug.....He got his window spot now. We played cards and pretended we were on the balcony of a cruise ship at the dock at Puerto Rico. He can see the ocean from his bed. No roommate yet so it was pretty quiet. The family came by and we got a hand of cribbage in. Earl found a race to watch so I went home early to watch the Oscars. Terry had so magazines and goodies for him and Newbug buddy Jerry sent him a coool shirt....something to do and something to look forward to....very thoughtful.

Tomorrow we are taking LE's car to the dealership. I drove it home last night on high beams because she had no low beams!!! Everybody loved me on the pass.... Then we will head for SB with Madison. Auntie LE is her new best friend. We plan to give her a bath so LE can witness the Shamu experience... we will be in the splash zone. It is so nice to have her and Jon here.

....more Earl

Today the Jon and girls (baby too) visited Earl which made him happy. He is off all pain meds now. He has a cough. Which is good for his lungs but a little annoying to him. Tomorrow his roommate goes home and he is hoping to move to the window spot....where he was suppose to go. He did 3 laps around the ward and was going to ask to do more tonight with the night nurse, Hileo....Madonna is the assistant nurse tonight. Everyone is so great at that hospital. They all appreciated the goodies Susan gave us to hand out from her Solvang Bakery. Thanks Susan! They started his feeding tube today and gave him 2 units of blood to build him back up. He is doing really well. The only bummer is they are saying he will have to do more chemo. He was not to happy to hear that. But I am sure they wouldn't do it if they didn't think it was needed.

I caught up on my sleep last night and I am just so happy to see how well Earl is doing. It is nice to have Jon and LE here. Jill has been off so I don't have to worry about Madison. Colleen took me out to lunch (well not out...the hospital cafeteria) yesterday so I got to catch up with her and the outside world's going-ons. So I am fine. Thanks everyone for your kind words and concern.

Earl Update.....

He is improving rapidly. Today he is down to 4 tubes, he walked, is out of ICU and in a room and feels pretty good. He has no pain.

Thanks everyone for the messages. It will be great to share them with him....

Happy happy day!!!!

Earl's surgery went very well and he is resting comfortably in ICU for the night. He has every tube imaginable coming out of such imaginative places. But he is alert and in no pain at the moment. They even plan to get him up tomorrow and possibly move him out of the ICU. The tumor remnants were removed and the lymph-nods looked good according to Dr. West. The surgery was a little over 4 hours but took another 7 hours before they had a room available. I was the last person in the surgery waiting room.....I could not see him until he was in a room.....

Thank you everyone for your prayers and healing thoughts. We are so touched and overwhelmed by the outpour of love by all. I know I don't have everyone's email here...I have been up since 3AM....so pass the word. I will keep updating on my blog.

A busy week

Mary and I ran away and went to Santa Barbara to see "Coraline" in 3D. We loved it! If you plan to go be sure and check out the web site coraline.com....lots of good info. There is a woman that hand knit all the tiny clothes and even a pair of gloves. We stopped at Spoon for some gelato after the show.
On Wed. Mary and I threw ourselves a birthday party at the ART CLINIC with the CALL girls. We had asked for sox and we got some great ones. We did a little project and had some lunch and Crushcake cupcakes. It was a fun day. Go to Mary's blog for more pic...I forgot my camera....

On Fri. we celebrated the start of our third year at the ART CLINIC. We had so many nice people that dropped by to wish us well. I am so lucky to have so many great friends and supporter. I appreciate you all.....
These are some birthday gals that joined the Christmas group. They are now a posse.
I taught the third painting class on Saturday and today Jill and I plan to get a pedicure while Earl takes Madison for a stroll. Right now everyone is napping.....I.m barely awake myself.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here is my favorite Valentine this year...she is on the edge of crabiness but still sweet.

These are some of my fave hearts. I have others I love but could not find them... including a new adorable one from Colleen..if you know my house you know it could be right in front of me and I can't see it....

I will give an Earl update soon but he is sooo much stronger this week and eating more on his own. We are confident he is ready for the big day on Thursday.....LE and Jon are coming to help out with Madison. So we are in good shape.

super bowl fave

Grease monkeys

Here is Earl at his fightin' weight

I wanted to post that we have a surgery date for Earl..... Feb 19th. All the doctors are in agreement that he will be up to it by then. He is stronger everyday. We saw Dr. Dunn today. He will be one of the surgeons. He said Earl will probably be about this weight from now on. It will take some getting used to and we need to get him clothes that fit. But he was maybe 20 pounds thinner than this when we got married so I guess it is not too thin. I just won't be able to stand beside him.....I will block him from the sun.

Thanks everyone who has held us in your hearts. We still have some rough stuff to get through but from the scan he had today all looks good on the cancer front.....




Sunday we took a drive up Figeroa Mt. It was so beautiful with things just starting to turn green.

Welcome Obama!!!

One of the highlight's of the inauguration was Rev. Lowery's benediction. Here is the ending. I thought it was the right thing for a rather sober, but good speech from Obama.

....Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around . . .

. . . when yellow will be mellow . . .

. . . when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.

..And every one of the million and a half people did. ...Amen.

Had a great day

I taught a fun sock critter class then went to the park with my favorite locals, Jill and Madison. The sky was sooo blue and weather was perfect.

OK here is the follow up

Get your hanky out..... burritos for books

This is a great story

My childhood friend Roberta Dyer that is co owner of Broadway Books in Portland had a great event in Dec. Here's the link to the story on the news website: http://www.katu.com/news/local/37463784.html Just underneath the picture of Broadway Books you'll see the video link to the actual story that ran on the air last week. Then you can read Aaron's blogs at www.everydaydude.blogspot.com. I love it!

Want to meet my new friends?

On the left is from Mary ...the right is from Tara and shorty is from Jill. I think they make a great posse.These are tulips and artwork from Jill. I love looking at that those little Madison cheeks.

I think I am done now ....for sure.....