New Cast or ugly sock?

I realize that its pretty lame to talk about my broken ankle and the idea that I have to tell people that I got a new cast, but in a world that is as limited as mine at present, it's as exciting as getting a new pair of  Jimmy Choos. (Not that I've ever had anything even close to designer shoes) (When Jimmy Choo starts making orthopedic type shoes, I'll be first in line) So when I picked out a nice purple for my new cast (in honor of Karin Gable) and Henry, the cast maker, suggested a stripe of my bright pink so that I could keep my pink toenails and not have to get a new pedi, I agreed. Somehow, I didn't really picture how that would look, but I'm good for a little "change up". But, when he was finished it looked a little like Pippy Longstockings! Oh, well! I have a sense of humor and it is rather humorous. So I'll probably be fielding "ugly socks" jokes. Or ugly sock jokes. It's a good thing my hair is really short and won't go into turned up pig-tailed braids.

I want you to sympathize with me. I realize it's in bad taste to post this picture. So close your eyes if you can't take it.

Exhibit in Burbank

My exhibit piece "From Gothic to Graffiti"

A wonderful SfC Calligraphy exhibit is now showing!

Expressions: Images from Our Pens

Creative Arts Center Gallery 1100 West Clark Avenue Burbank, CA 91506   Ph. 818 238-5397

Gallery Hours;  M-Th 9am-8 pm   Friday 9am-7pm

Sat 9am-1pm    Closed Sunday

Marci, Francine & David at the exhibit opening

Scribe Fair Olive Park, Sat. August 14, 1-4pm.Come buy things offered by calligraphers in the park. There will be many craft objects, books, calligraphy materials, and fine prints and art. If you come in the morning to see the exhibit, have lunch in the area, (we ate at TallyRand, excellent) then check out all the things offered at the Fair. I will be writing names with metallic watercolors on black paper in a flourishing copperplate for $5 each. Need presents for the holidays? This is a personal gift that is reasonably priced but something that is always appreciated. Just as long as we spell it correctly. 

My view for the whole summer

I went to the Opening Reception last night, thanks to my friend, Francine Oller. I had my bright pink cast and toenails and my wheelchair and had a great time. So many WONDERFUL friends and students and calligraphers were there. Really, it was terrific to see everyone. Course I haven't been too many places since my accident, so it was especially sweet. The canvas on top is the piece that I made for the exhibit. I also had a page from my"Portals" book on display.  Please try to make it before it closes on August 26th. There are around 100 pieces of beautiful calligraphy from many artist around Southern California. Well, worth the effort to get out there!!!

On the Mend!

Just a little peek of how gross it is.And thats only one side!

I haven't written anything lately because I had lost all my sense of humor, but I feel it coming back. My ankle repair surgery was 2 weeks ago and I'm afraid it really wasn't funny. If I'd have known it was going to be this much trouble and pain, I'd have had the paramedics shoot me on the spot instead of take me to the hospital. I guess it's a good thing we can't see into the future. But, surprisingly enough, each day is much better than the last, and this is how I get over it. I know I shouldn't really complain, there are so many worse things out there. But, a few people have asked me to get back to the blog so I decided I'd write today with or without complaining about my circumstances.

What I see from my bed. Besides the TV

I'm thinking back and trying to find something about the hospital stay that stands out. Yes, the lack of dignity and modesty!!! Your butt is hanging out of the gown and your bowels are the subject of a lot of conversation. The only other time I was in the hospital was in 1981 when my daughter was born and I had a c-section and a premature baby so I stayed a week. I was in a fog so don't remember a lot. So this whole episode was different to me. Luckily, I had a really nice roommate who had had both her knees replaced so she was in worse shape than I. Just getting up to use the bathroom is a group affair, so you can't lay there until you can't hold it before summoning the "troops". At least the first day you have a catheter but they want to remove that as soon as possible because the chance of infection is so high. I'm surprised that in this day and age they haven't come up with a better method of "bed pan" for a woman! Those of you who have ever been in this situation know what I'm talking about. Really! So we had to get used to getting up and at least I had a bedside commode so I didn't have to go far. At home I used a computer chair to sit upon and roll to the toilet, but they didn't have that here. So I would need my crutches if I were going very far. But, I did manage to get this exercise to a pretty good flow once the drugs were out of my system and I wasn't faint or ready to throw up at any given moment. It was amazing how much better I felt from one day to the next. It's a really good thing that the memory of all this fades easily. I had to ask my daughter about details of a few of the days because I couldn't remember. Elizabethclaire said she had a friend who kept getting things in the mail that she had ordered off info-mercials and didn't remember ordering them because of the meds she was taking. So far I don't think I've ordered anything that I am unaware of. But, I still have in mind to order the Music of Relaxation with the bonus 4 CD's if I'm one of the first 500 to order.

Pretty much the position I'm in every day!

Anyway, I'm home and being careful to keep my leg up and have been exercising so that I can regain some strength. I was hoping to go to my Studio Group meeting but the 18 stairs to the house were more than I could manage. I've been practicing on the 3 steps to my house and getting much steadier on the crutches. I see that this is really going to take as long as I've been told, so I'm getting used to it and will make the best of it. But, I'm going to take a nap now so I'll think more about that tomorrow, fiddle dee dee. (Gosh, what am I going to do when I can't take a nap whenever I want?)

Alaska Cruise Today

Today was going to be the first "real cruise" that I had ever gone on. And in honor of this occasion I watched Sleepless in Seattle because we were to fly to Seattle this morning where we embark on the cruise ship Sapphire Princess for a 7 day trip to Alaska. And since we won't be going to Alaska I watched The Proposal which is filmed in Sitka Alaska. Yes, I feel that the substitution was quite fulfilling because I've only seen each movie 19 or 20 times each. I just felt that it was important to point this all out to myself so that I don't lose the "vacation" aspect of it all. Ray went to work, so he's given up on the "vacation" aspect and my sister Allyson and husband, Dan went camping in Bryce Canyon in honor of their vacation. They, too, were going on the cruise but were disappointed by the turn of events. Oh well, the weather today is rather gray, not unlike Seattle and maybe I'll have Hailey (my daughter) bring me fish and chips from Jack in the Box  to make me feel like I'm at the wharf. Whenever I used to go to Seattle I'd go to this really good fish and chips place on the docks that had the best clam chowder ever, I forget the name. (Something like Ivar's) We'd go to Ye Olde Curiosity Shop to see a real mummified man in a glass case and the Lords Prayer on a grain of rice. Sure was looking forward to that!
Things are moving along well though. My ankle is reducing in size and is ready for phase 2 and the screws and pins will be placed in the bones on Tues. I will be in the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital for a couple of days then hopefully the healing will begin and I will be on the road to recovery! Yes!! I'm not sure how Rooney is going to take all this. He has become so co-dependent on me that he may need to go on Prozac because of separation anxiety. I'm still eating well and am well attended. Judy P. brought me 2 novels and  Su Doku For Dummies (to keep my brain from going to mush from watching rerun movies on t.v.) TOO LATE! She brought a chicken salad from the new "Pit Fire Pizza," YUM! Judy S. brought a supermex burrito from Paco's Tacos. My personal favorite place! That was good for both lunch and dinner on Friday. Then Lisa came with her cupcakes so we all told stories about surgery and injury and ate cupcakes. DELISH'  I've been snacking on fresh boysenberries from Utta's garden all week long. Debra, long lost Debra, came over with salad and Trader Joe's Sparkling Lemonade for a Saturday lunch and visit. She's been very busy with family for the last few years so it was great to see her again. So ALL IS WELL. It may be different then expected but it's all still very good! I'm completely blessed to have such nice friends and family to take care of me under these circumstances. My love and thanks go out to all of you that have sent cards and helped me during this time and I will continue to encourage and enjoy your visits and food.

Do you need this product?

Are you disorganized? Is your desk full of paper chaos? Are your vegetables and fruits moldy and spoiling right before your eyes? Well, we have the product for you!!!!
 AND IF YOU CALL IN THE NEXT 5 MINUTES WE'LL ADD FREE SHIPPING! And above all you won't get just one, you can have 2 products for the price of one, just pay the shipping and handling.
While watching "That Darn Cat" (old version with Haley Mills) I realized that I needed all these products: The Kangaroo Keeper Purse Organizer. You can put up to 70 items into it's own pocket and change it from purse to purse. "No more fumbling for my cell phone amid a bag of chaos" and if I buy it now I can have a second one for the same price in stylish black that will go with any purse. I can organize my life with this product. WAIT......I never change my purse and I only put 10 things in my purse at any one time. But maybe I really need this "kangaroo keeper" anyway.....
My closets are very small so my life would be so much better if I had the SPACE BAGS. I can put all the blankets and pillows into these bags and put them under the bed. OMG I really need this and if I call now and use my credit card I can get NOT 1, NOT 2, But 3 sets of SPACE BAGS for only $19.95! I can't live without these! Now, that I think about it, my sunglasses only darken the world that I look at, I could buy the High Definition, HDVision sunglasses and see the world as if for the first time. It's like looking through rose colored glasses. Hmm..how could I have gone this long without them especially if I call now I can get two pair for only $10, plus shipping and handling.
I must admit I've sent for a few of these products, one being, the containers that keep fruits and vegetables from spoiling because they allow the ethylene gasses to flow away from the produce. And, for only the extra shipping and handling I doubled my order and received 2 sets of these containers with lids that nest into each other. Only problem, when I got them in the mail the invoice said 19.99 + 6.99 s/h = $25.99 +$23.99 s/h for the extra set = $49.98. I kid you NOT!!!! I could return them if I'm not satisfied minus the shipping and handling costs. Since then I've gotten much more cynical about whether I can live without these things. I've learned to be cautious and not be so trusting......wait, The Pasta Pot is only $10 for 2 sets and I get a handy pasta measuring tool free if I order right now......better go!