There's a New Normal in Town

I don't know where I'm at in relation to it.  Yessireebob, can't make head nor tails out of things lately, but I'm still here anyhow, plugging along, skipping a beat now and again, making do, making time and then just being.

Gloves Meeting by Eloise de Hauteclocque

Thank goodness for my true love and that's the truth.  A bridge over troubled water.  Meanwhile Mom's in the hospital again.  She's "okay," per the latest version of normal.  What's that Zappa song?..there's no way to delay, that trouble comin' every day.  enough whining.

We're now looking for assisted living in Chicago because driving every week to Detroit is not working out.  Once that is settled, it should help a great deal.  But there is so much involved first.

painting by Robert Zeller

I have not been able to sew since Mother's Day, mid-May, when this all started.  I can't focus.  I think about her and what needs to be done all the time.  There are constant calls back and forth between me and various providers, etc.  Otherwise I just sleep.  I am the only relative she has.  And vice versa.  I know how the story ends, but the way there is still very hard to manage.  Everything seems foreign and unknowable - both practically and emotionally, ethically and financially, medically and psychologically. 

Yes, I'm still whining.  Which is why I haven't been posting.  or visiting blogs.  sorry.  I don't know what else to do or how else do be right now.  Greetings from a new place in pao-land!

Hold the Light, pastel drawing by Sharon Yamamoto
 "It is our choice to hold negative beliefs as the truth or to hold the light."

Thanks so much to all who have commented, your kind thoughts and words are appreciated and make me feel connected when I need it most.  I'm looking forward to being fun again, sometime, someday...

State of Project Minima: Y2 Q4

The Summer Quarter for Year Two of Project Minima has been stopped in its tracks by my Mom's sudden turn of events.  Rather, by my state of coping I should say.  Nevertheless, following is my summary.

painting by Haidee Becker

I've completed 13 pieces this quarter, all from patterns except 1 skirt that was simply gathered at the waist.  Some were very complicated designs, however.  Like the Koos Spring Coat and the Koos Kaftan, wherein I used multiple pieces of fabric from my stash.  

You can see the clothes I made on my Spring Clothes page. 

With the Fishes

What a difference a week makes!  More on that later.
Today I'm focusing on the inspiration for Style Imitating Art:   

David Wiesner, from his book, Flotsam

So here I am underwater again

wearing my newly made, Koos designed, kaftan

plus my nail polished, polka dotted, $ store reading glasses and my newly painted old sandals.

Darn.  I did it again.  Hit publish before I was finished posting.  sigh.  Okay, let me continue after the break.

Mom Trip

There once was a girl named pao

Pao with Mom-made teddy bear,
self-made nightgown and 
pantaloons made from Mom's kitchen curtains

And she thought Mother's Day was a very good day

to celebrate Mom things,

ya know?

So let's get this MOM TRIP on the road!

Here's the picture book I made about me and her...

Just click here and scroll to bottom of page to see the book.
(For a real laugh, view/ hear the video of our road trip at the same site.)

Go ahead, I'll wait for you.  They'll be more after the break.

Just Groovin'

...in my sewing room, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.  

Sewing up patterns #1, 2 & 3.  

Check it out!

 from A Dress A Day (unknown source)

And Get Down!