greenpepperpressblog

Tag: family

double trouble (in a good way)

Today we got good news that Shannon is leaving the hospital! We’ve been praying for this day for weeks. We have all been wanting to break her out so that she could enjoy her 40th birthday at HOME.

Tomorrow she will be 40, and I will be 44. Having the same birthday is just one of the special things I share with my sister. There were probably many years that we blew out candles on the same cake – but I remember one year in particular where there was a party, and one large sheet cake, and we each got to pick our own color for the frosted roses. I think I picked yellow or red, but I’m sure she picked pink. Shannon ~ let’s skip the frosted roses and get something decadent and chocolatey and call each other with our mouths full.

How is possible that this sweet thing in the flowered purple coat below is now 40?

The best gift will be getting a birthday call from you and the caller ID tells me you are HOME.

May 16, 2008
double trouble (in a good way)

Today we got good news that Shannon is leaving the hospital! We’ve been praying for this day for weeks. We have all been wanting to break her out so that she could enjoy her 40th birthday at HOME.

Tomorrow she will be 40, and I will be 44. Having the same birthday is just one of the special things I share with my sister. There were probably many years that we blew out candles on the same cake – but I remember one year in particular where there was a party, and one large sheet cake, and we each got to pick our own color for the frosted roses. I think I picked yellow or red, but I’m sure she picked pink. Shannon ~ let’s skip the frosted roses and get something decadent and chocolatey and call each other with our mouths full.

How is possible that this sweet thing in the flowered purple coat below is now 40?

The best gift will be getting a birthday call from you and the caller ID tells me you are HOME.

May 16, 2008
what day is it?

This week was one of those this-feels-like-a-monday-on-wednesday AND this-feels-like-a-friday-on-wednesday. At least today is Saturday and could sleep in, one of my favorite indulgences. So here’s a catch-up post so I can clear my head and the memory card on my camera…..

Another terrific weekend spent making cool stuff with old friends and new ones. Kathy and Bill are The Best hosts and the additions they made to their compound are wonderful. The weekend began with a delightful ride from the airport with new-friend-who-felt-like-an-old-friend-because-we-talked-and-talked-and-talked, Beth. Fun to meet you in person Beth! Mom drives to Valley Ridge each year from the Twin Cities so she can see hang out and try out the groovy things we like to do with paint.

Then we spent two days painting pages. There’s nothing quite like an extended workshop – to be able to set up camp and leave your stuff out for two days is really cool. The artists made great stuff! Great to see Judy, Bonnie, and Bernadette again. And I got to give a hug to Tina and Marlynn – both are friends made online and met in person for the first time. And it was delight to meet Kelley, Julia, Kaye, Michelle, Sue, Jennifer, Kathy, and the token dude, Gary.

And at VRAS they have a new community building not only for amazing lunches, but for a wine-and-cheese-or-soda happy hour. I think we were all very happy – as in it was great to spend time together making art and making new friends. For more photos of the weekend you can visit VRAS’s album HERE.

EDIT: OMG! Look at my thumb and index finger on Kelley’s shoulder! It’s covered in black spray paint. What a riot. Where were my gloves?

I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to teach at this wonderful place, and to have a classroom full of students who are eager to learn and play and made it so much fun. It’s so energizing to see creativity at work, and to be part of that. And I’m grateful to my husband and kids – that they make it easy for me to get away, to be a full-time artist for a few days. I’ll be back in October 2009 and have already started inventing my class – can’t wait!

Since Shannon is still in the hospital I modified my return plans and caught a ride back to MN with Mom and Judy, and got to spend some time visiting with Mom and Dad, Shannon and her husband Andy, my Grandma, my cousins Kathy and Molly, and friends Virginia and Peggy. So fab to see so many loved ones. Whew! Got alot in for less than 48 hours. Shannon is doing much better and it was The Best to get to see her. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers coming in….hope she’s out before her 40th birthday on the 17th.

Got home at midnight Tuesday, then headed out Wednesday afternoon for an MCR concert with Fallon and our friend Leci. Home at 1 am. Do you blame me for not knowing what day it was?

Twenty Crusades! Phew! I can hardly believe it. Congrats to Sarah Harris from the U.K. for being the Top Hat Pick for No. 19. I was late in getting No. 20 up but it’s an easy one….plenty of time to try it before June 1st. Come play!

Wishing all you all a Happy Mother’s Day! I’m feeling so grateful to have time with my Mom this week, and to come home to three wonderful children. I am so lucky! Check this out, found in Sam’s backpack:

Adorable!

May 10, 2008
what day is it?

This week was one of those this-feels-like-a-monday-on-wednesday AND this-feels-like-a-friday-on-wednesday. At least today is Saturday and could sleep in, one of my favorite indulgences. So here’s a catch-up post so I can clear my head and the memory card on my camera…..

Another terrific weekend spent making cool stuff with old friends and new ones. Kathy and Bill are The Best hosts and the additions they made to their compound are wonderful. The weekend began with a delightful ride from the airport with new-friend-who-felt-like-an-old-friend-because-we-talked-and-talked-and-talked, Beth. Fun to meet you in person Beth! Mom drives to Valley Ridge each year from the Twin Cities so she can see hang out and try out the groovy things we like to do with paint.

Then we spent two days painting pages. There’s nothing quite like an extended workshop – to be able to set up camp and leave your stuff out for two days is really cool. The artists made great stuff! Great to see Judy, Bonnie, and Bernadette again. And I got to give a hug to Tina and Marlynn – both are friends made online and met in person for the first time. And it was delight to meet Kelley, Julia, Kaye, Michelle, Sue, Jennifer, Kathy, and the token dude, Gary.

And at VRAS they have a new community building not only for amazing lunches, but for a wine-and-cheese-or-soda happy hour. I think we were all very happy – as in it was great to spend time together making art and making new friends. For more photos of the weekend you can visit VRAS’s album HERE.

EDIT: OMG! Look at my thumb and index finger on Kelley’s shoulder! It’s covered in black spray paint. What a riot. Where were my gloves?

I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to teach at this wonderful place, and to have a classroom full of students who are eager to learn and play and made it so much fun. It’s so energizing to see creativity at work, and to be part of that. And I’m grateful to my husband and kids – that they make it easy for me to get away, to be a full-time artist for a few days. I’ll be back in October 2009 and have already started inventing my class – can’t wait!

Since Shannon is still in the hospital I modified my return plans and caught a ride back to MN with Mom and Judy, and got to spend some time visiting with Mom and Dad, Shannon and her husband Andy, my Grandma, my cousins Kathy and Molly, and friends Virginia and Peggy. So fab to see so many loved ones. Whew! Got alot in for less than 48 hours. Shannon is doing much better and it was The Best to get to see her. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers coming in….hope she’s out before her 40th birthday on the 17th.

Got home at midnight Tuesday, then headed out Wednesday afternoon for an MCR concert with Fallon and our friend Leci. Home at 1 am. Do you blame me for not knowing what day it was?

Twenty Crusades! Phew! I can hardly believe it. Congrats to Sarah Harris from the U.K. for being the Top Hat Pick for No. 19. I was late in getting No. 20 up but it’s an easy one….plenty of time to try it before June 1st. Come play!

Wishing all you all a Happy Mother’s Day! I’m feeling so grateful to have time with my Mom this week, and to come home to three wonderful children. I am so lucky! Check this out, found in Sam’s backpack:

Adorable!

May 10, 2008
for shannon

this was how my morning started yesterday……

then i spoke with you on the phone….your voice is coming back, your fever is gone, and you learned you have internet access. all good things!! so i called on my friends, some who i talk with all the time, some who i know but have never met, and some who i never knew even came by here…..and they have all rallied ’round to send their positive vibes for YOU.

i know you will laugh, and i know you will be brought to tears, as i have been after reading all these comments. after sending flowers and cookies….i thought what else can i do from here? a-ha! a blog call-to-arms for well wishes! go to the next post and click on "comment" so you can read the 65+ messages of love and sunshine. when you get to the bottom there is a small gray arrow to continue reading. grab a tissue….

LOVE YOU. hoping you are home soon with Andy.

April 24, 2008
for shannon

this was how my morning started yesterday……

then i spoke with you on the phone….your voice is coming back, your fever is gone, and you learned you have internet access. all good things!! so i called on my friends, some who i talk with all the time, some who i know but have never met, and some who i never knew even came by here…..and they have all rallied ’round to send their positive vibes for YOU.

i know you will laugh, and i know you will be brought to tears, as i have been after reading all these comments. after sending flowers and cookies….i thought what else can i do from here? a-ha! a blog call-to-arms for well wishes! go to the next post and click on "comment" so you can read the 65+ messages of love and sunshine. when you get to the bottom there is a small gray arrow to continue reading. grab a tissue….

LOVE YOU. hoping you are home soon with Andy.

April 24, 2008
are you with me?

Just this afternoon Shannon, my sister, told me she learned she can access the computer from her hospital room. HELLO? Why wasn’t this brought to our attention earlier? She’s been cooped up for over a month and they just tell her now? Ok, so she’s not an internet junkie like I am so she probably didn’t ask….but now we know. SO…..I’m thinking it might be a gas if I sent her an email tomorrow and said ‘hey, have you been to my blog lately?’ and when she gets here she’ll first roll her eyes (at me) and then she will be so touched and overwhelmed by all your messages. What do ya think? Wanna join me?

They have been doing what they can with adjusting meds and all that, but I think there are very powerful things that assist the way to wellness – things that can’t be bottled or sent via IV to battle cystic fibrosis like gestures, words, and presence. Since I can’t be there right now I thought I’d muster up, with your help, all the cheer we can manage from our keyboards.

Some years ago there was an invented saying for cystic fibrosis: sixty-five roses. I think it came from a child that mis-heard or mis-said the name of the disease (much easier to say). So my goal is get at least 65 comments. Are you with me?

April 23, 2008
are you with me?

Just this afternoon Shannon, my sister, told me she learned she can access the computer from her hospital room. HELLO? Why wasn’t this brought to our attention earlier? She’s been cooped up for over a month and they just tell her now? Ok, so she’s not an internet junkie like I am so she probably didn’t ask….but now we know. SO…..I’m thinking it might be a gas if I sent her an email tomorrow and said ‘hey, have you been to my blog lately?’ and when she gets here she’ll first roll her eyes (at me) and then she will be so touched and overwhelmed by all your messages. What do ya think? Wanna join me?

They have been doing what they can with adjusting meds and all that, but I think there are very powerful things that assist the way to wellness – things that can’t be bottled or sent via IV to battle cystic fibrosis like gestures, words, and presence. Since I can’t be there right now I thought I’d muster up, with your help, all the cheer we can manage from our keyboards.

Some years ago there was an invented saying for cystic fibrosis: sixty-five roses. I think it came from a child that mis-heard or mis-said the name of the disease (much easier to say). So my goal is get at least 65 comments. Are you with me?

April 23, 2008
it rocked

We are totally buzzing from a terrific day spent with friends out on the deck for the annual birthday party. It ended up being the BEST weather even though they said it would be otherwise. Not one single drop. Even the medium gray clouds were gone before the party started.

Unfortunately I didn’t get everyone in the photo but you get the idea. Here’s a cool thing: all the girls are current buddies who come to help out in Room 10. All the boys are buddie-alumni, coming back to visit from High School.

(Of course, one more pose with the you-know-what hands)

This morning….found this….the first for the season….

Thanks for all your good wishes and positive vibes. *grins*

April 12, 2008
it rocked

We are totally buzzing from a terrific day spent with friends out on the deck for the annual birthday party. It ended up being the BEST weather even though they said it would be otherwise. Not one single drop. Even the medium gray clouds were gone before the party started.

Unfortunately I didn’t get everyone in the photo but you get the idea. Here’s a cool thing: all the girls are current buddies who come to help out in Room 10. All the boys are buddie-alumni, coming back to visit from High School.

(Of course, one more pose with the you-know-what hands)

This morning….found this….the first for the season….

Thanks for all your good wishes and positive vibes. *grins*

April 12, 2008