My Cats Are Lazy Boys

My cats sure are lazy boys ....

I, on the other hand, have so much to do before I go to bed tonight.  Despite the rainy, gloomy, dismal weather, which has been sapping my energy all day,  I know I must finish at least the bulk of work I've set for myself.  I'll have a terribly fitful sleep if I don't.

Tomorrow night, though, it's Move over, boys!  It's MY turn to chill out!

Trying My Best

Yesterday, between feeling sadness and regret over celebrating Rob's birthday without him, I looked at all of my clothes and decided to get rid of some of them.

And then I bought some more clothes at Joe Fresh.  Retail therapy always softens the sharpness of a hard day.

Today I concentrated on advertising the Riverdale Art Walk, which is being held on the weekend of June 6-7.  I'm going to be one of the artists, talking to people and selling my work.

In recent past posts, I've mentioned how I felt like I had somehow "lost my footing" within my life. However, by purging old clothes and other stuff I don't use anymore; by rearranging my apartment so that it's more accessible; and, by trying out new adventures like the Riverdale Art Walk I think I'm on the path to regaining at least some of my balance.

Loving and Remembering Rob Warenda

Today I did my best to honour Rob by watcing his favorite shows and listening to is favorite music. I even used is shampoo and deodorant this morning.

Grief is a weird thing. For me at least, I want the pain and sadness to go away, and yet I'm afraid to forget about Rob altogether. 

But how could I forget a a man like Rob Warenda? He was the sweetest, funniest, smartest, weirdest and sometimes the most infurating man I have ever known. Plus, Rob loved me the most of everyone (except Mom) and I felt the exact same way about him!

I know in my heart I will never really forget Rob, but I'll still keep honouring him and honouring the times we spent together.

Cheers, Rob!  I'll always love you ....

Tired, So More Pictures

I'm exhausted but happy.  This evening I went to the orientation meeting for the Riverdale Art Walk. I'm both excited about this opportunity and yet stressed out about it too.  I've never been in the RAW before, and there's so much to do before June 6th and 7th. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Well, anyway, when I got home I decided to look in a bag that I had got from my mom's place two years ago.

This is what I found:

Rearranging My Life

One of a Kind Mom

As I'm having dinner, I'm drinking red wine and thinking about my mom.

When I was growing up I would say to my mother, "Mom, you're one of a kind!" I said this to her with great love and a bit of humour because Mom would make everybody smile or laugh out loud at stories of her past. She could make the Depression era sound like a hoot. Mom was always talking to people she met on the street or in transit and would tell us hilarious stories about the people she met. 

Because Mom had such an open and fun-loving nature, it seemed natural for she and I to go to parties together and even to a lodge together for a week.

Lately I've been watching Friday Night Lights, and I like it, but one part made me cry a little. The mother of the coach's daughter got so upset and furious that the girl was even thinking of having sex with a boy at age 15. Why did this make me cry? Because my mom and I could talk about anything, no problem. Mom would have never gotten upset over that type of thing, she would simply reason with me.  When I started dating Rob, I asked her to please take me to the doctor so I could get birth control pills. She was more than happy to do so! And, at 82, she told me all about the several boyfriends she had before she was with Dad. Way to go, Mom!

Mom, you sure were one of a kind! Happy Mother's Day!  I love you!

Pictures From Today at SLM

I had a pretty good day. People liked my Mother's Day cards, along with my other artwork.  I defininely made over $3.00 - perhaps not way over $3.00 but certainly over $30.00!

There were other adventures to my day besides selling at the market, but I'm too exhausted and sore to write anymore.

Perhaps tomorrow ....

The Supreme Ruler

This morning, when Marjie and Chloe came into my bedroom, they wanted to know if I wanted to get out of bed or did I want them to go and get me a frappuccino from Starbucks.

I opted to stay in bed and write emails on my iPad while Marjie and Chloe went to buy me a frappuccino.   (Even in bed I'm a workaholic!)

They came back soon afterwards, both laughing.  Marjie explained that when she was ordering my drink the server, who knew it was for me, said:  "I hope that The Supreme Ruler enjoys her beverage."

The Supreme Ruler.  I like that ....

Perhaps I should get a t-shirt with The Supreme Ruler emblazoned across its front!

Pictures from a Training Day

Chloe had another training session today.

Besides learning how to assist me with my daily routing and live a full-filled life, Chloe also learned the fine art of cuddling with the cats and lavish attention upon them.

My boys, in turn, taught Chloe the benefits of sleeping sideways on a bed.

A Jumble Puzzle

When I lived with my folks, my mother and I would look for the Jumble Puzzle from within the pages of the Toronto Star and solve it in the evenings.  It is one of my fondest memories, this small ritual of ours.

Today at counselling there were many tears (as usual), but there were also feelings of sadness; guilt; love; and, anger.  At one time during the session, I was attacked by all of these emotions at once.  Many thoughts and memories bombarded my mind as well. I had to close my eyes tightly and try to concentrate on quieting my mind so that I could choose one thought and feeling in order to continue.

Like a puzzle, a mad mixture of pieces and letters, I need to figure out exactly who I am and how to proceed from here.

I am my own Jumble Puzzle.

So Many Things to DO!

I'm swamped with work and need to get ahead of this so that I can sleep tonight.

I'll write tomorrow ....

Shifting Things Around

I love you, Rob.  You know that I do and that I always will.

However, recently I decided that I needed more space.  So, slowly, I've been dismantling your shrine and putting your momentos and pictures all over the apartment.

In a way, this is much better because I can see everything easier now.

Well, I think the boys like the changes anyway ....

Bad Day for Sales, but a Good One for Opportunities

So, yesterday was kind of a bust where sales were concerned. I only made $3.00 -can you believe it? Bloody hell!

*Takes sip of frappuccino*

However, there were some positive things that happened too. For one thing, my friend Larry came to see me and brought two of his friends. I love chatting with Larry, he's such a great guy. We laughed about the fact that I tried to invite him to play Words With Friends and instead got a totally different guy named Larry Mitchell to play with me. Well, before Larry left he told me that one of his friends is a documentary filmmaker and kind of jokingly he said, "If you ever want a documentary done, call him." And I said, "Actually, I'd love a documentary done about me and my life and art." (I'm no shrinking violet!)

*Takes another sip of frappuccino*

So, Larry's friend said "Yes, yes, yes! I'm very interested in working with you!" Since they're from Indiana it might take a while, but I have time!

When I was about to leave the Market, this guy I know from Pawsway came and told me that they're going to feature an artist for 3 months there, starting in June, and he wants me to be the very first artist to display and sell my work there.

A bad day in sales, but a good day in opportunities! Sometimes I get frustrated about lack of sales, but I think I'm on the right track and, who knows, maybe the people who didn't buy my art yesterday will buy it later when I'm more famous. 

*Takes another, final sip of frappuccino*

T-shirts For Sale, T-shirts For Sale!

I just arrived at the market and I've decided that I'm overstocked with T-shirts.  So,  I'm going to do a huge 2 for 1 sale today.  So if you need a gift for yourself or someone you love, or if you're just feeling particularly naked today,  come over and buy a t-shirt (or two) from me.


Be proud of the fact that you appreciate art and wear some of mine on your chest!

Predicted Correctly

As I predicted, I had a much better day than yesterday.  Thank goodness!

I wrote emails and texts.  My wonderful, dear nephew Thomas chatted with me and he updated me on his life.  And, Sarah Creskey, who I haven't seen in ages, told me that she'd visit me at the market tomorrow.

Yay!

It was a good day, and I hope tomorrow will be even better!

And, here are some pics of my adorable cats: