Home from school and do not have my Amazing Ladies for class tonight, so am having a quick cuppa coffee before getting all that needs to be done, done. Quite a list with the puppy coming on Saturday! Boil the water! Get the cigars! Where's my breathing coach? I can't really believe that I am getting another golden opportunity to share my life with a very special dog. Yes, I predict miserable heartbreak at some point on this journey, and am still feeling it whenever I think of my Tilman. Whether I jump in the maltese pool again or not does not bring Til back, though, and I think in a weird way I'm respecting him by doing this again. I learned so much about what not to do with a puppy because of Tilly, and will never ever stop wishing he was right here by my side. Maybe he is, in another dimension, and I'll get to see him again someday. I can't imagine a better eternity than being surrounded by all my fur and feather babies. Sure hope so! Until then, furry white bum on the bed #2 is coming in four days and my heart is starting to get ready and welcome this little love. OMG the cuteness hurts. 

School is off to a really terrific start. I am so, so pleased with the classes this year. Very manageable sizes, which translates to more focus for the kids and better teaching for me. Each class is showing its own personality and so far, all are more than enjoyable. At the end of the day I am exhausted and my legs and feet are miserable, but I have to say I am truly happy and doing what I love to do. The kids are just wonderful. Love every one of them and to have the opportunity to help them discover art is The Best!

On the art front, I am getting my skates back on with my current still life piece, which was supposed to be done over the summer, but has gotten placed on the back burner behind much needed sleep, school, health, and other nonsense. Am on the embroidery stage now, and can't wait to get to the beads! SO many ideas, here. I see where this piece is leading in terms of the next work I make, too...a series is born! Having the ability to make fabric is changing my game and I really do feel like this is a pivotal change in direction, here, that is tying up some loose threads from previous endeavors. Once puppy comes, we will spend time together stitching and playing, simultaneously! Wait...can I stitch and cuddle her at the same time? 

So soon after seeing Squeeze so many times in August, which was heavenly, a truly unbelievable musical opportunity has shown up in the form of Marc Almond playing the Paradise in Boston. The last time I saw Marc sing was when I went to London to do just that, and saw five of six sold out performances at a little club in Islington. It was amazing, emotional, and brilliant, and I have no doubt that this will be the same. I've driven to Philly and NYC to see him over the years and have not regretted any of the travel -- he is that good. A legend. I can not believe he is coming here and will actually grace the stage in Boston. Get out the tissues, his voice is the most emotional and beautiful sound for the soul. A real diva / torch singer / vocal musician. I can not wait. I keep pinching myself and thinking it is a dream that he is coming! 

Add to this that I recently completed a restructuring of my finances to allow for a less stressful life and better tax status. A life reset, really. New puppy, new art, Marc Almond, wonderful job -- if only I could get new legs! Guess that would be greedy! Cheers. 

Brrrr...chilly! That is me saying this, not Hapi this time. Wonderful sleeping weather, and I made the best use of it. On deck today is getting the house ready for the arrival of The Puppy, Teddie, who will be here in two weeks. It doesn't seem real yet, and while I know I will be thrilled when she arrives, I am still missing my little man. It's been less than three months since he passed and I am still feeling it. I'm sure that Teddie will be a welcome distraction from the loss. She is a beautiful pup! And thanks to my dear friends, she has a lovely ball gown to wear when needed...omg. It is purple. 

On the art front, I am still pecking away at the stitching stage of my current large piece. It is verrrrry different for me and I look forward to the hubub of the start of the school year to wind down so I can really hone in on what it needs. More stitching, and most important, BEADS. Oh, the embellishment possibilities that exist with this one. I can see where this piece will lead to the next, so feel good it is well underway. It is a final piece for the coursework I was supposed to complete over the summer, so it had best get done soon! Yikes. 

Survived another birthday, and have reached the ripe age of 52 now, which for some reason I never thought would happen when I was young. Still seems funny to be in my fifties. My attitude gets younger as I get older, I think. Good old John Denver has said it best, as always...give a listen to Poems, Prayers, and Promises...it's all in there.  The world gets smaller, but it is okay.

The roughness of this past summer taught me a lot about letting go of personal expectations, and trying to focus on keeping the RA in check as best as I can. The start of the school year is always ushered in with an uptick of symptoms, and this is no exception. Examining the visual state of my ankles and ret hot, swollen feet at the end of a day, and evaluating the pain level in my lower extremities throughout the day, I've come to a point that I can't ignore. Walking is hard, now. Every step. All day. Whatever damage has occurred to the soft tissues and joints in my feet, ankles, and knees, and lower legs is making quick jaunts nearly impossible. There, I said it. I can putter in my house, and walk in my classroom (limited steps in every direction, can lean and sit as needed), but walking with fast purpose to get to another classroom, the office, or even exit for a fire drill, is challenging and pain inducing. 

I've made a decision to accept this. Not fight it as I always have, not prove to myself that I was stronger than the pain. Denial isn't working anymore. Along with my birthday comes my RA Anniversary of seventeen years, and I'm quite satisfied that I've been able to hold off on an option like this for so long. 

I am getting a Pee Wee Herman Mobility Scooter to assist me in my speed-required jaunts around the building, and even to get my fat arse to and from school (I hate driving my car 300 steps!) It isn't that I CAN'T walk, it is that it hurts too much most of the time, and this is a solution. I will walk my puppy after school, on a nice long leash so she can run, but I can take my time doing so (unlike trekking around the building, pounding on the concrete.) Hopefully by reducing the pain throughout the day I can conserve a little energy so that my life can have more balance. This "going to bed at 7 thing" is getting very old. Especially when I can't sleep, but the legs are too painful to do anything else. 

And, I need more art time! Lots more! So many pieces to make! Be well.
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