Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

August 8, 2018

JoJo Lost Her Mojo

I'm so tired.  The exhaustion of the past few years is really catching up to me and I just haven't had the motivation to blog at all.  I post all my pics on FB and it's been feeling like a chore to put them on here as well.  

I haven't gone into much detail of my trials and tribulations because we really don't like putting a lot out there.  Before Facebook, only a few people read my blog.  Some cousins and my fellow Vincent D'Onofrio fans.  I didn't care about what I said about my life 'BR' (Before Russell) and pretty much aired all my stresses.  However, more people have access to it now and although I have no idea if anyone from FB reads it, they could and just not leave comments and my dirty laundry would be known to people.  The one cousin who wasn't into social media use to follow my blog to keep up with what I was up to and would occasionally send me an email, but she passed away suddenly last summer. 

Speaking of, my dear friend Joe passed away suddenly in June and sent us all reeling.  By 'us all' I mean my fellow 'group' who hung out together in high school and are still friends now.  Joe was part of our group.  Then I went with Val when it was time to send her beloved pupper Tia over rainbow bridge.  And now, my own sweet little guy Sagan has also crossed and I'm still grieving big time.  This is the first time since 2003 that I've had no dogs, and the first time since 1991 without a pet of some kind.  At least we still get Shadow for a couple days a week. But I miss being followed around, pestered for food, met at the door and solicited for belly rubs and snuggles.  Been trying to organize and purge some stuff in the back rooms cause it's the only thing in my life right now I can control.

The weather's been horrid all summer.  Hot & humid every single day.  Very little rain.  The kind of weather where you need a second shower after toweling off from your first shower cause it's so damn hot.  Can't really cook.   Definitely no baking. 

Haven't really done anything of interest other than meet up with Sheila to explore an old cemetery in Barnstable off Rte 6A, browse Parnassus Books and tour the Edward Gorey House.  We found all 26 Gashlycrumb Tinies hidden throughout the house.  Some are obvious....some you really have to work for!

Going through a ton of stuff as my mom's house is for sale which brings with it a whole other host of emotions that range the gamut.  It's been so hot that we haven't done much there lately but I have to get back to it.  Car repairs up the kazoo. 

I craft as much as possible.....really try to make time for that every day no matter what it is.  This is what I've done so far:

Got these tiles in Dec and used resin to stick them to this cool window frame.  Unfortunately it leaked through to the dark blue background which bummed me out. 

Finished the bead embroidery yin yang.

The Jack diamond painting only took about a month to complete.  It's all framed and ready to go to Ohio on our next trip.

I thought this was a cross stitch when I bought the kit but it was embroidery.  Charted kits like these are not my first choice and I ended up having to use the picture rather than the chart, even though the colours are also stamped on the canvas.  It has sparkly ribbon in the large dragonfly's wings.  It looks good in the frame but it wasn't a fun project to do.  I pushed through cause I wanted to put it behind me.

This is a custom piece I did for Sheila, for her brother's birthday.  He's a mechanic so I did nuts, bolts, chain, screws, drill bits, washers and little light bulbs.

This little birdie was on this branch for hours one night.  Russell said he was still there in the morning, but eventually he was gone.  No idea what was wrong but he let me get really close for a picture. 

I'll try to post some pics of the few travels I had in July.

14 comments:

  1. Hey - so sorry for losses - good friends and pets. That can wear on you, plus the loss of a parent takes a lot of time. Heat can bog you down. It's okay to take a deep breath and just sit in a chair and reflect. Sounds like your crafts bring joy and no doubt you've had a few good jaunts. You have been missed on the blog...but stuff happens and we just keep our eye out for you to pop back up again. Hang in there and plug along. A fall breeze will swoosh through soon enough and clear out some cobwebs. Take care!!!

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    1. Oh my mom isn't dead yet (unfortunately....she was horribly abusive to me). She's in assisted living so the house has to go. I just cannot take much more of this weather.

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    2. Sorry - I mis-read or mis-interpreted your post. Lately, I've had lots of friends with aging parents passing. I just assumed.
      I head to PA on Sat and I know it will be humid there. I remember those hot August nights. Hang tough, my friend!!!

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    3. The humidity is horrid. My daughter in law keeps warning me how hot and steamy it's gonna be when we visit later this month. Can't stand it.

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  2. You have a lot going on, that would exhaust me too.
    Love your art/craft work! I'd love to try working on a resin frame. The idea is so intriguing. Wonder about using my tiny gemstones in one ...
    I didn't know about Sagan, so sorry.

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    1. Thanks Sharon! Sagan was diagnosed with a mass near his stomach a few months ago, so we knew it was only a matter of time. Doesn't make it any easier though.

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  3. Anonymous12:44 PM

    I'm glad you posted, JoJo. I've missed you. I understand why you haven't though. Yesterday I came home from work and was like, "Uh. I just want to sit here for a few minutes and do nothing. Just nothing." No reason for it other than like you said, it was oppressively hot and humid yesterday, even for me, someone who adores the heat. The loss of a pet can be the same as the loss of a family member. It is for us in our home. My hubby still mourns one of ours and it's been several years. My heart goes out to you, my friend.

    Elsie

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    1. Thanks Elsie. I really miss Sagan, and I still miss Pepper too. I've been trying to keep busy every day but I'm starting to run on fumes.

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  4. The loss of pets is always depressing as well as of friends and family. We have a saying in the UK, The King is Dead, Long Live the King. I guess we just have to get on with it. We haven't had a dog for maybe 20 years now and I miss having a pet. Keeping your projects alive is a good thing to help when you are down. Have you checked in with a doctor lately?

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    1. I haven't seen my doc since March I think, or early April. There was a huge insurance snafu and then we got busy. I don't think it'd do me any good. I have anti depressants already. The heat and humidity has been keeping me down too.

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  5. Hi JoJo - Waving from hot as the devil's balls, Idaho! - I'm so sorry for all of your days of heartache, and that's what it is really, an ache in your heart but I'm happy you pushed on enough to blog. I love your blog and you are missed when you don't post. - I also love all of your creations and like you, I make the time to craft every single day. I must or I'll just end up in a home somewhere. So much crap going on here.. I just want to move into Joann's or Michael's!

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    1. I just wanna move somewhere that's cool and from what I understand, my beloved WA has been sizzling for weeks. And all those fires! Thanks Mimi. I'll try to do a few more posts from my travels.

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  6. Wow what a great blog, i really enjoyed reading this, good luck in your work. Dragonfly Diamond Painting

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