LafnPlayground

One of the joys of going to other locations is going to art galleries and other shops not seen before.  On my most recent trip to Durango we were strolling downtown after filling ourselves at a wonderful Mexican restaurant taking in as many shops as we could.  From across the street I had a perfect view of the most exquisite painted sky that I’d seen in a long time, and dragged the others with me.  Karyn’s shop was full of fabulous art pieces and was one of the highlights of our venture.  Meant to share it with you long ago, but I’ve been busy.  Highly recommended if you get there.  Visiting with other artists always inspires me.

Yesterday after reviewing all the photos from the hospital trip to meet Isaiah, I came across this gem that just made me giggle every time I saw it.  For those who don’t know Gil, he’s very vocal about politics, but other than that he’s a quiet man.  Since he doesn’t speak about politics with Aiyana (she’s 4) so she only knows him as quiet.  When Gil held Isaiah yesterday, he began telling him the “story of the family” and yes, dates included….history nuts are like that;O)  Here’s the picture.

History Lesson 1

Now, I still can’t decide if Aiyana is amazed Grandpa Gil is talking so much, or thoroughly enraptured with the tales!

Of course Grandmas always pull rank when it comes to sharing photos…so after a 13-year hiatus we have another grandson we’d love to share with everyone.  Born today at 7:46 a.m. he weighed in at 8 pounds 2.7 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Isaiah's first day

Now, I’m asking ya….does it get any sweeter than that?

One of the things I deal with is chronic illness…and I had planned to “out” myself at some point, but this is just too important not to share with others who are in similar circumstances.  I have Familial Mediterranean Fever as well as other diseases for which I take daily medicines.  I use colchicine on a daily basis for flare relief for FMF.  Because I’m acutely aware of interactions with medications and my personal proclivity to allergies, I normally investigate any medicine I am prescribed.  In addition I go to the same pharmacy where they are familiar with my reactions and history.

So earlier this month my sis had a double mastectomy and I came to Durango, CO to help her through that rehabilitation.  A few days after arriving I became ill, but frankly we thought it was allergies since I’m allergic to pine and well, it’s everywhere here, and blooming!  After a few days of getting sicker, I was very concerned that I was getting a bronchial infection and thus might cause her to get it…so I called my doc.  He was out of town but the on-call prescribed Biaxin for me.  Through a bunch of missteps I did not research the med, nor did the local pharmacy here have any idea I took colchicine.

The very next day I was very weak, and with the next few days I became weaker as well as becoming nauseated.  Since most antibiotics cause nausea we really didn’t think much of it.  I couldn’t wait to get the script done so I could feel better.  After a couple days went by and I wasn’t better once ceasing the antibiotic, I called my doctor’s office back.  My doctor immediately suspected an interaction as well as altitude sickness.  I immediately ceased taking any colchicine, increased water intake, rested and over the course of the past week I’m better…but not completely back to my normal yet.  I will see my physician when I return home next week, but continue to be in close contact.

I know this seems lengthy, but once I researched the interaction issues I soon found that I could have died from this combination.  It is not funny at that point.  If only one person reads this, is cautioned and never experiences this type of problem it will be worth it to me.

RESEARCH all meds you take for any illness it may be prescribed….include other-the-counter medications with that caution.  I have found three important articles for the particular interaction of biaxin and colchicine and they are here, here and here.  If you regularly take colchicine for any reason be sure to read them.  If you don’t know the signs of toxicity for colchicine, have a look here.

Please do not ever be lax…one time almost cost me more than I wanted to pay!

Wowsers, it really has been a long while.  We’ve been battling some kind of gruesome bug around here and it’s taken all my energy just to grab the email and sign off lately.  Great news is there is still some spring left in our Arizona weather and I’m feeling well finally…woohoo!  I’ve started my second course in painting with Painter so I’m having fun with that.

Now, although I have been down a while, you can’t keep me bottled up too much.  I went out to grab the mail one day and spotted this awesome site at my next door neighbors’ front yard.

Next Door

Is that just a hoot?  I laughed at the proportion of the flower, which is bigger than the entire plant almost.  Like many of the cacti it bloomed and the next day was dying off.  Don’t know which type of cactus it is and my neighbor is a snowbird…so have to wait until October to find out.  I’m not good at waiting, but suppose I have to learn, huh?

What a fabulous weekend it was up in Prescott.  Nothing better than a weekend in the mountains with a great group of like-minded women with no kitchen duty.  What was even better about this year’s retreat (besides the teachings) was the span of ages, from babies to ladies in their 80′s all sharing, having fun and loving each other.

I took my camera with the intent on taking many photos of the surroundings and the ladies, however, I forgot to use it (which I have found makes it hard to take shots – and how to remember was not covered in photo class)!  As we were coming home down the hill, I saw Minnie playing with Dannika (the baby), making her giggle with delight.  It reminded me of the age span so I took this shot.

Going home from retreat

Please forgive how fuzzy it appears.  Since there was a gal sleeping next to me I just did the “over-the-head-and-pray-something-comes-out” shot, just couldn’t pass it up and happy I have the memory recorded.

LOL…to say I’m green at using Painter is a huge understatement, but I have been working on another class at LVS to hopefully continue to grow.  The course is PhotoPainting and Portraiture and I’m having lots of fun with it, and learning gobs.  Whether painting in this medium or real-life mediums, my biggest challenge has been trying to paint like it was a photograph…and I’m trying ever so hard to let loose.  I do believe my instructor, Maureen will do all she can to break me out of that mold…as have my other instructors.  Decided I’d share what I completed not too long ago…before and after shots.  I certainly am hoping I remember how to enter the pics.

Before

and then once I did the lesson, this is what resulted:

After Lesson

This lesson was teaching a watercolor technique and you can tell I need to practice lots more, but it surely was fun enough to do just that;O)

I’ve been busy this week catching up my Painter lessons and having a great time doing so.  One of the things I noted is that the opening splash screen is a dreaded item in most of my programs, and I usually change the preference immediately to avoid them.  It’s a bit different in Painter.  I actually look forward to seeing the art in my face, even if it’s not in a genre I would purchase or create myself.

That’s the case today.  I must share with you the link to Dwayne Vance’s artwork, as it’s phenomenal even if I could care less about cars, futuristic drawings or any genre he works in.  What I saw was a super artist.  It gives me joy to see other artists’ work, and this is no exception.  So while I’m out piddling….oops not supposed to do that…painting my assignments, I’m hoping you’ll get the same type of joy I did.

Woohoo, our newest addition to the family arrived last night at 9:56 pm.  Layton Timothy bounced in at 7 pounds 9 ounces and I’ll post a pic soon as I can get one.  Since I have a nasty cold, I’m unwilling to share it with Brian and Selena and the kids.  Congrats, guys…can’t wait to play with him.

Well, the very last thing I plan for is being sick…but it just happens.  Since I’m used to flares from FMF where I usually don’t have to go into hiding to protect others from catching my grief, I have been a little disgusted to get some crud that’s really nasty and contagious.  Sore throat, high fevers, chest and head congestion, headaches, coughing and a very sour attitude.  I was supposed to be helping a friend get through her shoulder surgery, but that didn’t happen.  Gratefully, we have mutual friends who took over the need and she’s doing well…and doesn’t have this gunk…thank God!

I am working on getting tutorials completed to put online as well as other articles, but for now that is on a molasses schedule.  I haven’t given up, but wanted to let you know I’m still around.