Been A While

Life is moving along. Horse Racing is over and we did great. Attendance was amazing. Folks came out that had never been to a horse race - just to support our fair grounds and keep horse racing alive at Grants Pass Downs. For the first time, a profit was realized - simply stated - the race was run by the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association, not the County... Profits will be held for next year's races. I can't begin to tell you the volunteer work associated with this effort. - I did my part too... Congratulations to all the members of SOHRA... we pulled it off....

I have met a new friend on line and we have developed quite a relationship by telephone and e-mail. He is anxious for us to meet and will be here to visit in the coming months. He's 1811 miles away -  but I feel as though I have known him forever. He farms and raises cattle. We have so much in common. Could this be a new chapter in my life? I think so, certainly hope so. It's given me direction, enthusiasm and hope. I feel like I have been re-born, thanks to my new friend. Time will tell.

No artwork lately. Been busy finishing up with SOHRA and spending time with my animals, home and yard. I am excited to get back to being creative in my artroom.

Cheers.

Barbara

Catching Up

Sure been a while since I posted. I have my ups and downs after losing Don. I'm volunteering to help the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association put on the horse races at the fairgrounds. Seems the county won't do it anymore. I do mostly clerical things, spreadsheets, newsletters, etc. I've sure learned a whole lot about horse racing. I have 8 girl friends and we meet once a month. We call ourselves the Old Nag Group. Almost all of those friends own thoroughbred or Quarter Horse race horses -  and will participate in the fair racing program. So far about 300 horses are signed up.  I still brag my old horse can out run any of them, especially if food is involved.

Speaking of her -- Princess has shed her winter coat and is slick and beautiful. I think she belongs in the movies with that flowing black mane and tale. Besides she the kindest girl you will ever meet. Good thing I have her, I would be lost without her whinny, sweet muzzling to my cheek and most of all being around the barn, getting dirty and smelling like horse and hay... 

I also have joined an on-line dating service for farmers. I only want a friendship and then someday, it might be more. I've sure met some nice people on that list and find it is fun to read about the participants, what they do and where they live. Makes the lonely nights more tolerable. Most of these folks love the outdoors and enjoy their country lives. Me too.

That's about it. I've done a few new art things and will post them another time. I hope if you read this you are doing well and enjoying some great spring weather. It's finally arrived in Merlin.

Barbara

I

Steampunk Spool

I joined a spool swap and decided to go with Steampunk. It was so much fun finding the perfect hardware to embellish the thread spool with... Of course it needed a base and wheels.. 

Pamphlet Book

What fun creating a pamphlet book. My first. I couldn't resist the stamp. Maybe it could be used as a small recipe book.

Another Valentine

This one is for a friend that lives in my neighborhood. We talk everyday, mostly about our horses.

Whinnies to Robbie.

Early Valentine

Gosh it's been a long time since I posted something. I can say for sure that "time" is the best healer of sadness. I'm beginning to get my life straightened out. I have a very dear friend - who in a former life was a cowboy. Known him since high school. I thought I would send him a Valentine as a surprise. He suffered with his Mom's Alzheimer's disease, and gave me lots of support. Terrible thing to have in common, isn't it? I found during Don's last days, support from others that had been through the experience of losing a loved one... well, it just helped. Anyway, this one's for Dr. Dave Ganzel, DVM, Arkansas.

Trying to be Better - a horse helps

I'm so very sorry I don't know who posted this on the net - I thank them so much and I am breathing deeply.

Christmas

I keep telling everyone that I am okay. Honestly, I'm not. Why I'm writing this on my blog is beyond me. Except, I know it will be preserved for another time. I sincerely wish I had kept a journal of our journey with Alzheimers.

Tomorrow is Christmas eve and for the life of me, I am remembering Christmas's past. For the past month all I could think about is Don and Alzheimer's. The rushing, talking, care taking....the death.  Now, all of a sudden, I am remembering before the dreaded disease invaded our lives. Simply stated, it's awful. Today, I cried all day. Didn't matter what, I just cried. I hate to do that and wish it were different. Christmas? It's not a fun time. I have an invitation to a neighbor's for Christmas eve dinner. How much fun would I be if I sat there and cried? Christmas day another friend wants me to join their family. What a downer that would be for them with my sadness. I think I need to go outside and pray to God to give me some peace. Maybe I will pray inside as it is freezing outside, and snowing.       

IN MEMORY OF DON

My darling husband Donald Dale Rossman died October 28, 2012 at Norris Manor in Grants Pass, Oregon from complications of Alzheimer's.He was 75 years old.  Don worked for the City of Los Angeles, City Attorney's office for some 25 years. He served in the Army after attending college. He was an avid hobbyist and enjoyed driving his 1941 Ford. I miss him more than I can say, as does his dog Abby. She still waits for him by the door. We were married almost 45 years. This photo of us was taken a month before he passed.  The other photos are just memories.

Don's Alzheimer's was with us for about 7 years. The last year was the hardest for me. Making the decision to move him to a memory care center was something I didn't want to do. Alas, it had to be. I couldn't take care of him anymore. He was only gone from home about 2 months before he died.  I want to thank my friends at An Affair With Art for their support and donation to Hospice in Don's Memory. Additionally, I was so blessed to have the support of my dear friends & neighbors in Oregon,  Debbie from CA., my family, Eris & Leslie from CA, Bob & Susan from CA, and Betty from Alaska. 

Don Rossman  May 14,1937  -  October 28, 2012

Steampunk

It's been 8 days since my husband entered a memory care center. He has good and bad days, that's for sure.. In that time I have tried to get back to "me", it's been a hard 8 days for me too... I was asked to go to the "Yayas", an artsy group I use to belong to. The hostess wanted to do something "Steampunk" so she came over and we created tags. I'm posting my samples. The meeting went well and the tags were all so creative and fun. I hope I've found my way back to creating something. Feels good.

Life is a Circus

A special very good friend ask me to do a 4x4 swap. I suggested "Circus". Here's my swap contribution.... I called it "Life is a Circus"...♠

Inchies Again

I'm in an Inchie swap and made 10 last week. Thanks to Cher on the AAWA list for hosting this fun swap.

I'm making inchies. Here's my interpretation of labyrinth

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I wanted to do a special but different thank you because I was a recipient in a birthday club exchange of so many beautiful and different embellishments from my friend Nancy. Hand made items, stamps, more than I can describe in this message. I decided on a thank you folder with a card on one side and a gift of some beautiful die cuts on the other.

A Special Birthday Gift

Participating in a birthday club swap is so much fun. I was so lucky to get Jean's name and knew right away I had to make her a Nutcracker. She is an avid collector... I started with a wooden base, coated him with Gesso and painted him with lively colors using Lumiere and craft acrylics. Embellishments were next. Thanks to the tutorials from Artfully Musing I payed more attention to the details, often layering and enhancing my embellishments with paint and other objects. I think he turned pretty good... and is now on route to his new home.

Been trying to get some artwork in between caretaker duties. I made some "row houses" for my favorite list An Affair with Art. Additionally, in the wee hours of the morning I decorated the letter "B" for my dear cousin Betty. She brought the letter to me a long time ago and I wanted to finish it for her birthday.

Valentine's Day

I got through it today but honest it was hard.

Baby It's Cold Outside.... in Oregon... more than you will know? ouch....

4 x 4 swap. Here's my offering.

How does it move?

I'm in a swap for ATC's and they need to "move"... So here's a video. Quality is not so good but it was dark in the room. I think you will get the idea OR I will have to get better at video.

Another Project

Now I have two horses to paint... Thank goodness they don't eat.

Project for a rainy day

My niece couldn't resist buying me this horse. I am going to paint or decoupage him, haven't decided. Should be a fun project if I can find time..

Bird in the Hand

A new addition to the Rossman household is a baby Cockatiel. No name yet.
We had a great Christmas with our nieces and friends. As you can see, the bird room is full....

Sneakers

A good friend has her horse in race training. Maybe someday he will win a big race. For her Christmas present I made her a calender. Princess (my horse) gave it a big thumbs up (or should I say hoof up?)

What is a blog? Is this about a Spider?

What is a blog I asked myself. It's been so long since I updated it... (just kidding)
It's not been #1 on my list. So today, time permitting I am going to post some pictures.

I was part of the 12 days of Christmas gift exchange on the list An Affair with Art. I decided to make Christmas spiders inspired by an old legend "The Christmas Spider". Since I have no experience in beading, it proved to be quite a challenge. I had to find time at night to pursue this new effort... I have supplies. Something about "beads" made me accrue a collection. Obviously though, I had to buy some different sizes. After making 30 of the large spiders I turned to tiny ones. I think, for some reason, I like working on miniature things. Inches, etc... Here's some photos of my adventure. P.S. Everyone seemed to enjoy their own Christmas spider.

Happy Holidays

From Don,Barbara and all the fur and feathers that live here.

ATC's

Been working on ATC's for swaps. Halloween and Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
Thought I would share.

Framing My Cover Girl Steed

Had a little time to work on the computer. Working with a new photo of Princess, I added a flower frame. She is quite a cover girl you know.

Some Fun Photos

Had a great visit with my Brother and his wife.... Bobby (bro) took a rocking horse oldie and made me a carousel horse. Pretty awesome... GADS, he's good.

Then I decided to dress Princess up for Halloween. Last year, my friend Kathy said she almost didn't recognize her. ha ha ha. (I put a BIG red bow in her mane).

This year, she is going as a cowboy.

Then, there is Don with his big smile waving to the camera.

AND, what about my succulent bloom. GADS, what a weekend.

Smiles to you.

I'll probably delete this in the morning...

Here I am. It's about 8:30 PM and all is going to bed in this household. Husband with AZ is in for the night.

The wiener dogs are in their crates in the bedrooms with a blanket over their crates. I call it their cabana... I read the "Kindle" at night so I don't want to keep them up.

Princess, my beloved horse, has her stall to the barn open and is munching her last bite of clover. All the lights are out with the exception of my big time mess crafty room -- that REALLY needs my attention. It's a wonder to me how one room can be so messy and the rest of the house be okay..... Guess that's what goes with the territory. Is that an artistic outlook? duh?

I've had company from CA for the last weeks or so. That's my excuse for not blogging. Gads.

I have to mention what happened to me yesterday or I will burst... like a big fat balloon.

Here's my story:

For the last few weeks I experienced foot pain. Sever to say the least. So off to the Dr. I went. He said I am getting a hammer toe. What the heck? When you get in your late 60's sh.... happens. A hammer toe? GADSZOOKS.

SO, I have NOT been riding my sweet horse.

Fast forward and a couple of days ago, I am headed out to saddle and ride her. Helmet is in place, boots are on, toe hurts a little .... but.... I am determined.

I take her in the round pen and saddle her. Okay.

I get on her with the "mounting step".... (It's a two step affair)... I am so afraid I will fall ... and... my toe hurts. But... on I go.

She packs me around the arena like old friends... for almost an hour. Then, I go to dismount against the stool and I cannot get off. I can't do it. FEAR, ANXIETY.. what is wrong with me? Princess and I stood there for at least an hour. She never moved. Finally, I got off and found my place on the dismounting stool.

THIS was an event I will never forget, ever. My horse is the kindest, sweetest friend I have in my life. I've had many horses in my life, but none as this kind hearted black Morgan mare. She takes me to a place that outlives my grief and sadness. Isn't that amazing?

On the artistic side... I am participating in a 32 page swap for a "transportation" fat book. Imagine, I changed my mind after creating 5 intense pages. Oh well, onward and up.

I probably made grammatical errors in this post, but what the heck. I'll probably delete it in the morning.

Barbara

What? Inchies?

I joined an Inchie mingle on An Affair with Art and in the wee hours of the morning made 4 inchies. What fun. I really miss doing them.

The theme..... FALL...