Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Wednesdays With My Mom AND...I Dreamed a Dream

Love, love, love this photo of my mom. Love the darling dress, too!!

On this day, last week, I took my mom to a Corneal Specialist (as suggested by the regular Eye Dr. on her last visit there). The vision in her left eye has been compromised a bit because of some swelling on the cornea.
While we were there, they ended up having to dilate her eyes twice just to make sure they could get a good look at what was going on behind the eye. Good thing I brought the latest Coldwater Creek catalog to help pass the time. She loves to talk about fashion, as I've mentioned before. : )
Just being cute!!

This was the Tech who did the preliminary things with her. Once the Specialist came in, he told us that what he saw was directly linked to normal aging and a little bit of scar tissue from when my mom had cataract surgery a long time ago. There's not really anything they can do for her particular problem. I'm so happy that the vision in her right eye is still very good. So, we made an appointment to go back in 9 months just to make sure there isn't any big change in between.
Wondering about this picture of the clouds? Well, the day of this appt., it was very stormy outside and my mom was just so taken by all the blustery clouds. She talked and talked about them the whole way there and back. Then, we got a kick out of their screen saver in the room where we waited, so I told her I'd take a picture to help us remember our "crazy cloud day". : )
Have you ever wondered why I so often have TWO titles in my Title Box? It's because the best I can do is... two posts per week...one on Wednesday and one near the weekend somewhere. Which means I need to squeeze a lot of living into two posts per week.
So here goes the other half...the "Dream I Dreamed" is the "dream" of having an organized Studio again. Put your seatbelts on because it's about to get very rough... and ugly!!!



ARE YOU READY??? My daughters are going to be so proud of me!!! They double-dared me (kind of) to show these pictures.
And of course, I'm still holding back (on the whole ugly truth) so that I have a shred of pride left when this is all over!
Remember my motto after Christmas..."Divide and Conquer"? That's what those temporary green tags are all about. I had to start somewhere. : {
Here's the good news... we're expecting my adorable niece, Melanie, to come stay with us for a few days. So......that's all the motivation I needed to finally get my act together regarding my Studio/Guestroom. After all, I'm sure Melanie would like a place to sleep at night, right??? : )
Just a little something goofy to share. I turned this wire basket upside down (because who uses things for their intended purpose anyway)??? Not me!!!

Okay, I have to thank my inspiration for posting the "Oh My Word" shots of the Studio. A short while back, Joyce @ Scrap for Joy posted some "keeping it real" pics of her crafting table. I thanked her profusely and told her I would sleep better that night knowing I'm not the only one who makes a mess while crafting. There have been others of you too...and believe me...I was always thankful!!!
Speaking of Joyce, she sent me this darling handmade Valentine (above) last month. I'm the one who put the "made by" there. It didn't come that way. Hee-hee! Joyce, I admire your talent with papercrafting very much and appreciate your friendship too! : )

More beautiful work done by Joyce, below:
Tag to the right was made with an image
shared with all last month from Elizabeth, of 'Creative Breathing'.












Okay, so my next post will, of course, include "The After" since this one was "The Before". Wish me luck!! I appreciate the inspiration I continually receive from each of you when I swing by your "places".

28 comments:

Scrap for Joy said...

Hi sweet friend!
I was so comforted seeing the up close and personal shots of your "happy space"! All creative people must work like this and I feel better about my room. That being said...you mean there's supposed to be an "after"? Hmmm, I'll have to think about that!
Glad your Mom can still enjoy the CC catalog even with her little vision challenge..it is a page turner for sure!
Your wire basket doodad holder is a great idea...when you hang things where you can see them you might remember to use them...I like that idea!
Happy St. Paddy's day to you ML!
xoxo
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, That is such a happy photo of your mom and I love that dress! What a blessing that she still enjoys fashion so much. Have fun organizing - I love what you've done with the wire basket! Happy St. Patrick's Day too!

queen-of-nostalgia said...

Love the vintage pics of your mom :) She is a sweetie!

You are very brave :) My craft areas are complete disasters, and I need to wade into them and do some serious dividing and conquering...

That upside down basket idea is brilliant!

Have a great one!
Kristen

Lorraine said...

Good luck on your cleaning project. If you run out of things to clean, you can come hold my baby so I can clean my house! The wire basket is so pretty. I am glad your mom is doing well. Happt St. Patrick's Day!

Sara said...

After seeing your immaculate and organized basement after Christmas I was beginning to wonder if you were normal. Now I know you are. Thanks for making me feel better about my craft space!

Celestial Charms said...

Wow, I have lots to say after todays post. The photo of your mom taken many years ago is, well...perfect. You know how I melt for vintage photos. Her dress, smile, wavy hair...you could tell she was in a happy and playful mood the day that was taken.
So glad her eye appointment turned out well. Your photos reminded me of my Dad's visit to us last summer. He came down to Texas from Connecticut for 3 months to have laser cataract surgery on both his eyes. I never mentioned before, but my 80 year old dad has Alzheimer's too. On daily meds and the patch...
So, I adore all the posts about your lovely mom.
I'm also so looking forward to your "after" photos :)
Have a great St. Patrick's Day.
Maureen

1 Funky Woman said...

I love seeing pictures of your mom. I think all creative people have crazy work areas and what a great and creative thing to do with that basket.

Glad to hear the eye appt. was good! Every time I see your mom, I miss my mom more and want to give your mom a hug. So, give her a hug for me please!

Megan

Allie and Pattie said...

Every time I do a "reality" post, I end up with comments and thanks galore. We all need to feel normal! As always, your mom is ADORABLE!
xoxo Pattie

Sewconsult said...

Are trying to make me feel guilty? Geez! My sewing room/studio is a big disaster & has been since Christmas. My SIL came for a visit a couple of weeks ago & all the stuff in the guest room that hadn't been put away because of LIFE, was brought & stacked in my sewing room. I guess I should make a dent in it so I can get busy with an embroidery project. LOVE the wire basket idea. But most importantly, I am glad that your Mom's eye issue is nothing more serious than age, etc.
Beckie

Tina Puntigam said...

Good luck with the room! It will feel so wonderful when it's all done, just make sure you don't tear your hair out the night before it's finished wondering what you've got yourself into and hopelessly believing that there will never be an end to it. When you hit that moment, remember, you're practically done :D Oh and take a breather then, too.

Unknown said...

Love WED. WITH MOM~ THEY ARE SO appreciated, because loving our moms and taking care of them when they need it, is real true love. Good luck on the craft room, I like the basket idea.. you can DO IT! JGG

Mimi said...

HI Marylou!!!
I love that your MOM still loves fashion, as I say a girl never outgrows the love of clothes and shoes!! Our tastes may be the same or different, but we may choose comfort over the OH so CUTE!!!!And it is amazing that young girls as young as almost 2, I would know this, LOVES SHOES!!! ANY shoes, the higher the better!!!!
I love your Mom's twill blazaar, so glad her eyes are good, well good for her age and that is was not anything to damaging!!!
I love your clutter,a s it means you are up to making something wonderful!!!
It will be organized I know in a few days!!!
You will Conquer!!!!
hugs,
jamie

Unknown said...

Hello!
Well, I am proud of you! My craft room looks like a bomb went off....I just don't know how you work itn it and it can stay nice...I LOVE the idea of the red basket upside down.....where did you find that sweet little item? Your Mom is such a gem....I lvoe your posts every week about her and how well you take care of her! Pat yourself on the back, you are a very good daughter! Happy St. Pat's Day! Your Irish ( my proxy)friend!

RACHELLE said...

You are so cute!

i love the upside down basket!!!!

and the messy room!

A messy work space is a sure sign of An artist!

I did a little..."ahhhh" when i saw the pic of your mom checking out her necklace.

she is precious, that one!

shell

gypsylemonade

Busy Bee Suz said...

That is a great photo of your mom smiling; laughing. What a joy she is!!!
Glad things turned out ok at the Dr.'s office...aging is not for sissies. right?
I love the upside down basket...so great. You are so clever.
I am not brave enough to post photos of my craft room: MESS!!!

GrandmaBev said...

Good luck on getting your room in order. I was amazed how organized you are last time I saw that guest room/craft room. Beautiful pictures of your Mom. I spent a day in the hospital with my Mom yesterday as my Dad had a defibulator put in. The heart dr said all went well. It was nice to be able to take my mom's mind off my dad's surgery. Have a great ST. Patrick's day.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Awww...your Mom is sure a sweetie!
Love your craft room...You have one...mine is still a dream on paper! I have tables of stuff all over the family room!!!
Deb :)

Robin Beck said...

Girl, you better get busy! I laugh because my craft room looks about the same~ AND my parents are coming for Easter and it's our guest room too!
So I guess I better get busy also!

Love your basket chandelier!

Robin~♥

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Joyce is groovy, isn't she? I adore her.

Turning the basket upside-down was genius. My brain doesn't think that way on it's own....

Your mom looks great. The vintage shot of her is adorable. She looks so happy!!

Did you notice that the photo of the woman in the catalog has the same angle and coloring of the photo of your in your sidebar? Yes it does!!

Unknown said...

Seeing the "real you" is a gift...Life lived happily ever after with bits and pieces and mumble and jumble is a-okay with me!
Hi cute mom!!!
Love your girl with the curl who loves to eat humble pie! You can see my happy room...I finally cleaned it up last weekend...messy or clean it makes me happy! Love the wire basket idea...smarty pants!

GRAMS said...

Your room looks way better than mine.I've been working on it lately one little bit at a time but it's not fun.
I love your zipper rings. I've been making pins from zippers and am going to post them soon. I'll include your post.

marie said...

I'm so glad that isn't any serious problem with your mom's vision and I'll be sure to pray that there are no changes to it over the next 9 months. That first photo of her is lovely and the jacket she's wearing is very cute! Looks like it would match just about anything!!

About your craft room ~ hmmmm, mine is so much better (as in so much worse)! : )
There's a story behind this room - it's about four years long. I'll be sharing it soon.

But back to your room...yep, it's pretty messy! But it just looks "worked in"! I'll be looking forward to the after photos. Love the upside down wire basket by the way!

Oh that Joyce ~ I love her (funny how that can happen here in blogland - never met, but you feel the connection just the same!) Joyce does some beautiful things with paper....love the V-day cards she made. Lucky me got one of those too!

Mimi Sue said...

I surely do love the things Joy makes. She is one talented gal. I also want to thank you for showing us your craft room "before". I too have had a little explosion in my craft room on occasion. I'll show you some before and afters soon. I have company coming and that is all I need to get motivated. Great pics of your mom, as usual. Love her flowery vintage dress. She seems like she is such a happy mom then and now. A great example to us all. Mimi

Molly Anne said...

It's so weird but...I seem to have Susan Boyle singing in my head now...huh...strange...

I dream the same dream! Except that my space is only as big as a rolltop desk...because it IS a rolltop desk. (as well as under my bed and all over the floor and sometimes on the kitchen counter and the dining room table)

That is a wonderful photo of your mom! She looks so happy.

Lisa said...

Congrats! You're normal....as evidenced by your studio condition.

Anonymous said...

Your mom's dress is beautiful in the first picture! Glad her vision is ok.
I don't know why you're so ashamed of your craft room--you should see mine. I was going to post the pics last week....but I still don't have any after pics yet! YIKES! And the mess just keeps on growing!
Love the basket dodad! I think I need one, too!

Angela said...

Well let me tell ya, you did an awesome job conquering the Alamo!! This year has made me start to have some new mantra's..simplify, declutter (oh I love that new mantra) organize, chose what I love and get rid of what I like...

Susie Homemaker said...

Good Morning!

I have missed your "Wednesdays with My Mom" while I was "away"...she looks as cute as ever!
I have missed all your quirky creativity too! Can't wait to catch up on all your funness!!!

Have a great day!
Susie