'Tis the Season

Although things have been a bit crazed since John's hospital stay (and are likely to remain that way for awhile as he goes through the requisite tests and consultations for probable heart surgery) time marches on, and the holiday season is fast approaching.....

We'll spend a quiet Thanksgiving, just the two of us, and the day after I hope to get the tree up! This is always quite the project, with literally hundreds of ornaments and icicles. We'll drink hot cocoa, listen to Christmas music, and reminisce as we unwrap treasured decorations from years past; the ornament Courtney made in kindergarten, the musical silver bell my grandmother gave me, the Christmas photos to be placed in the antique frames atop the piano, the stockings we'll hang over the dining room hearth...The same items every year, but unwrapping them never fails to give me the warm fuzzies. :)

Courtney will be home for Christmas too - the best possible medicine for John, and we're both sooooooo looking forward to spending some time with her. A year between visits with your child is just far too long.

Work in the studio is moving into Holiday mode too, with a combination of pieces both wicked and whimsical, and also a few welcome signs featuring different breeds of dogs and cats. I paint a few of these every year, and they're always such fun! I only wish I had time to paint all the requests I'm getting, but I need to save time for Halloween art too (never too early to start thinking about NEXT Halloween, hehe)...

So stay tuned, and please keep checking, as I expect to be listing new items every few days. In fact, look for a VERY detailed Witch's apothecary/pantry piece next week, and a wintery "mitten box" soon to follow!

Wishing everyone a happy and blessed holiday season....

~ Carolee

Veterans Day

Since today is the Day we celebrate Veterans Day here in the US, and with Christmas fast approaching, I have to share this video. The artist is folk singer John McCutcheon, and the subject is the Christmas Truce of 1914. I'm not sure if this will appear as a link, or if you'll have to cut and paste. It's about six minutes long, but well worth the watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9coPzDx6tA

Blessings

I've been thinking a lot lately about the blessings in my life, and about the grace we receive in the face of challenges.

There are, of course, those blessings I'm conscious of on a daily basis; my marriage, our beautiful daughter, whatever degree of artistic ability I have, and my general satisfaction with the path I've chosen.

But then there are the unexpected blessings....

While several people I thought would have responded to the messages and updates about John's health crisis have not, there have been so many less "close" to us who have been a real source of strength - calling, sending emails and messages offering help both emotional and practical, and making it much easier to face the challenges that lie ahead. Just when I begin to feel tired or discouraged, strength and inspiration arrives from the most unexpected of sources, and I'm able to move forward.

I know also that these blessings are a manifestation of divine grace. That God, or Goddess, or Universe, or whatever you want to call it, has a hand in weaving the tapestry of our lives, and will continue to do so as we face whatever lies ahead.

So in this season of blessings we remain grateful for all of it, even the challenges. And we thank those of you who've been there for us in person and in spirit. Your thoughts, prayers and encouragement are a constant inspiration as we look forward to brighter days ahead. :)

Home Again....for a bit :)

Just wanted to share the latest - John came home today, at least for a little while....But after another more sophisticated test on Thursday, and follow ups with the cardiologist, pulmonologist, and surgeon, he'll need to return to the hospital for open heart surgery to replace his damaged mitral valve.

Scary stuff, but the alternative (eventual heart failure) is even scarier. And we're SO grateful for the technology and skill that makes this kind of fix possible (it wasn't all that long ago this kind of thing would have been science fiction!)

At any rate, I'm happy to have him home, and he's happy to BE home, and that's enough for now. :)

Work in the studio is continuing, with more Halloween and witchy art coming SOON (Look for a new and VERY large Yule pantry next week!) In the meantime, I've returned to my eBay roots with a few wintery welcome signs featuring dogs and cats (to be listed tomorrow).

Finally, many, many thank for all the messages and emails, the prayers, and the positive, healing thoughts sent our way. It's truly a blessing to be part of such a thoughtful and caring community of friends. :)

Hugs,
~ Carolee

Quick Update

Thanks very much to everyone who's commented and emailed. The cardiac cath dept. at our local hospital is "down" today (some kind of computer thing from what I gather) so they've postponed John's test until tomorrow....We're finding that "hurry up and wait" is standard operating procedure, but everyone has been so nice we really can't complain. John is comfortable, if a bit frustrated with everything still up in the air.

We should know more tomorrow. In the meantime, he's breathing easier and they've managed to slow his heart rate - a good thing. :)

Hugs,
~ Carolee

Hanging In There

Just a quick update...... I'm still dividing my time between home and the hospital, and will likely be at the hospital most of the day tomorrow - more tests, which will determine if John will need heart surgery.

Apologies again if I'm neglecting emails - I will get to them, but things are still a bit frantic around here at the moment. Oh, and shipping is going out tomorrow via priority mail. :)

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. They mean a lot.

~ Carolee

Apologies

Emails will be limited, and shipping on hold for a few days. John (my other half for almost 30 years now) is in the IMCU of our local hospital with what they suspect is some kind of lung problem, so my time at home and on the computer will be limited until we know what's going on. Prayers and good thoughts are appreciated. Thanks so much... ~ Carolee