Blessings and Challenges

It's been a week of both around here, but I sooooo believe we can't appreciate one without the other, yes?

Topping the blessings list is John's continued improvement following last month's open heart surgery. It's been a long haul, but we're seeing light at the end of the tunnel now, and I just can't tell you how wonderful it is to see him growing stronger daily. :)

Blessings abound in the studio too, where inspiration is flowing faster than I can begin to paint, and for the most part, work has been selling like mad the second it lists. For that I am ever so thankful.

Here are a couple of recent pieces I have to share, one on eBay and one on the PFATT Marketplace. A Mitten box, with a trio of kittens a little too distracted by falling snowflakes to find their lost mittens...

And a tiny trinket box (another tuxedo cat)....

Both of these were snapped up, but I do have another piece listed just this evening, sort of a prayer in paint, for all our furry companions. If you click here you can see the whole piece....

And of course there's the ever present blessing of friends and family, and of our daughter, who now lives so much closer to us - the best blessing of all.

The challenges aren't as much fun to write about (or read about either, haha), so I'll be brief. Suffice to say tomorrow morning will find me at the hospital for an MRI of my left ankle, the one I've repeatedly sprained due to general klutziness, haha...They suspect a torn or degenerated tendon, and are talking reconstructive surgery if the MRI confirms the diagnosis.

In the meantime, I'm hobbling around the house in a good deal of pain, having refused to take steroids. NOT a good time for surgery, as John is still recovering and I need to work every minute I can. Not a good HOUSE for the kind of surgery which requires staying off one's feet for several weeks either, with one bathroom upstairs, and two dogs that need walking several times a day. Anyway, I'm taking it one step at a time, but do appreciate prayers and positive vibes. :)

That's about for now. I'll be back very soon with new work to share and hopefully good news on the pesky ankle....

Wishing everyone all the blessings of this most beautiful season!!

♥ Carolee