I'm sick

My body has been trying to fight off something since about Friday-Its getting worse by the day. I have a temperature I can't really get to stay down-its fairly mild so I am not overly alarmed but its enough to make me feel just awful. I think I have a sinus infection-I wake up in the morning with such pain its unbearable. It eases up when I take a couple of Sudafed, but other than that its just terrible. I have to alternate between Tylenol and Motrin to even keep my temp down at all. Its getting higher than yesterday. I am feeling achey and weak along with that.
I had an appointment for Gillian's IEP today with the team of :her preschool teacher, occupational therapist, psychologist, and a new teacher gillian will have starting next Monday. Its really hard take-the news at these IEP meetings. They can be just plain brutal. The findings were that mostly gillians problem results from her inattentiveness. She seems very intelligent, but can't sit still , cant concentrate , etc. Today was hard hearing the results of her Psych evaluation. They want her to be evaluated for ADD. True, she has many traits of ADD. But, Sensory Integration Dysfunction has many crossovers. So, the Occupational therapist says she plans to test her for that. I do hope the findings indicate that she has that. Gillian has some traits other than those of kids with ADD. Like not wanting to wear clothes (its said to feel like sandpaper on kids with sensory issues), wanting to sleep in a pitch black room, avoiding certain textures and tactile defensiveness. It was SO difficult to listen to what they had to say. I did cry a little bit, but at the same time, help is on the horizon. I am just hanging on to the hope that I do not have to have her medicated. I have lots of information to take to the neurologist in March. I know these folks from the school district are NOT doctors. I am trying to take this info just a little more lightly, because of that. I know also that schools are known to do this.
I am just hoping that with Gillian starting a new class in a less overstimulating environment and more one on one will really help her out. I know that she functions much better in a less stimulating environment. I have seen it with my own eyes.
One thing that gets me through this is the fact that she does have strengths. I think of the major problems she could have-the ones we have dealt with all around have been very minor compared to what could have been. These are problems that can be dealt with and taken care of.
Sorry for the ramble-I am on meds and when I don't feel too well I do this, especially when I have loads on my mind. I think it sort of helps me cope a little.
I wish I felt better-I could see some really great collages coming out right about now. It seems I do my best work when I am under stress or have alot I am dealing with. I am just simply too tired and blah to even create anything. I think I will head off to the urgent care tomorrow and see if they can't fix me.

Awards

Here's me at the awards. Remember, not feeling too well, and I hate pictures anyway!LOL
This is my "Hurry up and take the picture" smile. I am not liking my digital camera lately. It plain stinks! Notice the kewl little gold seal thingies next to my two paintings that indicate my awards :) Aren't they kewl?
The ceremony was just amazing. She had me up there in front of everyone a loooooooooooong time, explaining how I won this purchase award and how she was lucky to have one of my paintings (thats how I was introduced LOL). It was very flattering. What was even more surreal were people walking up to me telling me how they liked MY work. MY WORK!!!!! How awesome is that? It was just ..................nuts!! The art association would like me to put on a class too! Now how awesome is that? Wow. Me? Teach a class????
I got my stuff to sign up for the art association, and then I am going to take some stuff into the gallery to sell. woohooooooooooooooo!! I met some very cool people tonight.
Now I am rambling because quite frankly I feel really crappy, my body has been fighting off something but I think it has taken hold . ugh!
I gotta go eat a bowl of chicken noodle soup!

"Letters Home" won the award!

I went down to the museum this morning to see the art on the wall :) It was SO surreal!
As I paid to get into the museum, I could look into the room and see my art on the wall! Talk about wild!! There was some VERY nice art in the exhibit! I was honored to be a part of it.
I did see that the "Letters home" collage won the Award. Its a $25 gift card to Dick Blick. Not bad! I am excited just to have won something :) And, my Crow collage (named him "Oh the Places You'll Go" had a Purchase award! Yes! Someone bought him!! I was there , staring at my pieces on the wall in disbelief. I felt sort of numb.........it was so surreal! The lady there, still putting out sold tags, etc) asked if I knew the artist. I said "Yes." A minute later I piped up that it was me :) She came over and asked me to show her my pieces........so I did, showing her the crow last as it was a few paintings down from my other two. She excitedly said "Thats MINE!!!! I bought him!!" I tell you, I have NEVER sold any of my work before. It was more exciting to know, that I created that, and to see how excited the buyer was. I can't even describe it. Its an amazing feeling. The lady who purchased it is a part of the Art Association that is the sponsor of this event.
Now I am feeling like I am coming down with something. I feel SO icky :( I have to sort of stay low, so I can be up to going to the Reception thingy on Sunday-I can't miss that!!
Tomorrow is my son's birthday too, so he is having some friends over. I gotta be well for that too!

Friday

Not too much to blog about the past couple days! I am still having to pinch myself about this art show thing, and I have been dealing with Gillian's stuff too. Wednesday was tough-I went and observed the new "Special" class that she will be put in, and I had some teary moments. But I am feeling okay about it now. Its just accepting it all. But it is the best thing for her as there will be more one-on-one. and the teacher is just fantastic! She needs more one on one to help her with her sensory issues, and the occupational therapist will be there as well. I also signed the assessment form for the Occupational Therapist to observe her, etc. So at least the ball is rolling. Got Gillian in to see the Neurologist who specializes in this stuff too. So, life is good.

Today is the day! I am heading down to the museum to see the art on the wall for myself. I am still in disbelief. I have to keep pulling out the envelope!LOL

I am going to try to take pics. I am not sure if they let cameras in there or not!

Soooooooooooo kewl!!!

I am IN!!!!!!

ALL 3 of my pieces got in! and, I won an award! It says on the outside of the envy "Congrats! Dick Blick award!" so we shall see what that is. Honestly, I am just honored to get in :)
Wow. Big WOW. I think I will go to Coldstone and get the BIGGEST ice cream they have in my favorite flavor, Mud pie mojo :)

woohoooooooooooooooooooooooo!! Can you hear me screaming?

By golly I did it :)

I took my artwork to the museum , that is :)
I had to go through about 6 tables-the first ones take your art and check it out. they oohed and aahhed over it-particularly the "letters home" and they loved the crow :)
Anyway, this is juried. I knew that. She told me she really thought I had a great chance of getting in, but that if for some reason I didn't to not get discouraged. But she didn't think I had anything to worry about. All in all, I feel really good about it. I am excited that I took this step. I got some excellent feedback yesterday-I took the artwork for my hairdresser to see, and another hairdresser who works here,is a guy who belongs to the art assoc. that is sponsoring this show-he had nothing but good to say about my artwork (he is a hairdresser where I go) and assured me I would do VERY well there. So , so far it all seems very positive. I should hear back soon as the show begins Thursday. So, send me some positive vibes folks :)
This is exciting stuff! and I am proud of myself for taking this step. Many thanks to my old friend Kat for encouraging me to do this :)

change of plan

okay, instead of the baby with wings, I am going to take this one............my husband swears I should. So, I shall listen. Its a good one too. I had a hard time deciding anyway ! It is nice, and much nicer in person. This was my husband's favorite one.

The Three Pieces I am taking-whaddya think?

Okay I think I have my mind made up! I am taking these 3 collages for the exhibit. What do you think?
I have been pretty happy with all that I have done this week, but these are my 3 favorites.

Crow Collage

I just finished this one. I LOVE this!! So much better in person though! I painted the crow transfer with Omni Gel so it looks totally handpainted-VERY cool effect. I painted it twice , letting it dry in between the coats so its extra textured. Its awesome. I think I will be taking this one on Sunday to the drop off for the show.
He is 12x12 in size on a chunky canvas. Lots of vintage papers here, acrylics, etc. This was a fun one to do!


I am feeling better today. I am getting through to people at Gillian's school now. I talked to the occupational therapist about getting Gillian some help and FINALLY they are going to meet with me next week. Apparently the referral got lost or something. The good thing about this OT is that she used to work at a Sensory Integration Dysfunction clinic so she is well aware of treatment for this. I am happy. Now I just have to make sure they DO meet with me next week!

What a relief.