Help [ME] Ronda

Round Here

Happy Thanksgiving!  No matter if you are are in the United States or outside the US, i'm grateful for you.  Yesterday was a day filled with family, friends, laughter, and lots of great food.  i need these days as they rejuvinate me.  Round here life as been moving pretty fast and it's nice to slow down and just be.

Autumn is coming to a close around here and bits of winter are settling in.  i wish the fall colors lasted a bit longer.  They are so beautiful and inspiring.  i am grateful Andrew was home to see some of the changing foilage.  He missed it last year and i like him to have remiders of wonderful life here. 

i love curling up with this magazine at night.  it's like my little reward for a hard day's work.  Flow is a Dutch magazine that is issued internationally a few times a year.  it's such an amazing magazine.  Seriously A-MAZ-ING. 

My sweet nephew Jake is now living with us.  He graduated earlier this year and decided life in Colorado was appealing to him.  It could be the beautiful scenery, the four seasons, the new job, or that his favorite cousins are here.  And you know what, we are really happy to have him here too!

My classes at the Art Student League of Denver are over.  I have much to say on the workshops but that's another post.  My studio is in need of tidying, organizing, and a good thorough scrubbing.  i know it needs to be done but cannot find the time.  But i know i need to make myself do it soon because it's making me moody. 

This was the scene just last week.  i totally love it.  Like really love it.  There's nothing like a cup of hot cocoa while watching the snow gently fall to the ground.  It lasted for a few days which is unusal for here.  It's gone now but here's hoping it will be a White Christmas.  i think we will take advantage though of its absence and get the holiday lights up on the house.  Sounds like a good project for this weekend. 

What are you up to this weekend?

Falling for Prints

The other day i went to take some photos of Anthony in the beautiful Autumn foliage.  I have a favorite place where i have taken many different senior photos.  it's a great park near the house.  Colorado does parks and open spaces very well. 

Of course while i was there, i had to snap some more photos of the trees and leaves.  After all the rain, it's been nice to see the color changes here.  I also started picking up twigs and leaves not quite knowing what i was going to do with them but needed them nonetheless.  Anthony helped.  He's such a good kid. 

As they lay on my desk i decided to pull out my Gelli Arts Printing plate and make a few mono prints hoping they could capture well.  Needless to say i was extremely pleased.  Here are a few more prints i did with the plate and one with just pressing the leaf into the paper. 

I so want to do some more.  I just love the look of these prints.  I am seriously thinking of just framing a couple of the pieces and using them as fall decor. 

Colorado Flood Update

It's hard to believe that Colorado was consumed by rain and flooding just last week.  This picture above was just around the corner, literally, last Sunday.  It's an intersection I visit about once every week or two and to see it like this is unfathomable.  We decided to hunker down and not venture out in order to stay safe.  More reports came in about the devastation.  See this article about the destructiveness of the floods.  All I could do was pray.  We are thankfully safe and our house suffered no damage.  Our sump pump worked overtime and i have never been so grateful for such a piece of equipment that i admit has gone unnoticed until these days.

The rains have receded and the sun has come out giving us hope.  Even though life is slowly returning to normal here, we still have far to go.  People have asked how to help.  Here is a website, Help Colorado Now, detailing ways on how to best help our state, money being the most effective way.  Any donation helps, small or large.  Our beautiful state relys on tourism, especially towns like Estes Park, so once we have rebuilt this state, please do come back.  Once again, thank you for all the emails and comments asking about our safety.  I am deeply, deeply touched.

From Fire to Flood, a devasted state

Last summer our state was on fire.  So many devastating fires, so many homes lost and unfortunately a few lives lost.  This summer it seemed to start off that same way.  Things tapered off a bit and we had a weird but good summer.  We had rain here and there and then days of heat.  This past week while we went from 90 F one day to 65 F the next day.  In came the rain & clouds from across the mountains. 

Wednesday night I went to teach confirmation.  I love teaching the 5th graders & was ready to kick off the new year.  It was chilly & damp, raining off and on all day.  During the last 20 minutes of class, the rain came pouring down.  I mean torrents of rain.  I was trying to make my way home, dashing to the car in between bursts of down pours.  I live 2 miles from my church but the roads were crazy flooded.  One car stalled, you couldn't see the road because they were flooded with buckets of rain, and driving was nerve-wracking to say the least. I made it home safely, happy to be inside with no where pressing to go. 

It rained the whole night, wind whipping against the windows.  The next day images like the one above kept appearing.  This is just down the road from me.  Dams are breaking, roads are being washed out, rivers have taken over control, and lives have been lost.  We are safe & sound.  The sump pump has been running continuously so blessedly no flooding in our basement.  We did have leaks in our roof but again we are blessed for it was over our porch.  We had a quick repair man come out to seal the roof tiles before more rain could get in.  Our family and friends have had some scary moments, power outages, and basically trapped in their homes.  It's just so devastating.  Complete towns being evacuated, lives lost, people unaccounted for, homes & businesses demolished. 

This video is from Rick & Cheryl Grisby, owners of Rocky Mountain Memories in Estes Park.  The town is flooded and the river has caused much damage.  Blessedly the store & their cabin which sits right next to the river has no damage.  They are safe but more rain is expected.  It's hard to sit & watch, not being able to do anything. I keep seeing the rescue planes flying overhead and it just breaks my heart.

I am safe but others are not.  Prayers are welcomed for this area.  We need them as more rain is coming our way.  A big thank you to those who have reached out to me to make sure we are safe.  I am truly truly blessed to know you care so much.

Tales from the Teenager

Anthony is in his last year of high school.  It seems so unreal that my baby boy, who isn't a baby or a boy anymore, is almost ready to leave the nest.  Over the years on this blog, i have tried to be open & honest about his highs & lows with ADHD.  I have documented on scrapbook layouts, even had him write out his perspectives for one.  I really should do that again.  Early this year, he asked to come off his ADHD meds (see this post for details).  While it wasn't quite the year we had hoped for, he actually did better in those last few months off the meds than all year round.  His mood changed dramatically too.  He's a much happier kid.  I honestly wished we would have pulled him off the meds sooner but i cannot beat myself up for the decisions we made in the past.  We move forward.

This year we had a meeting with his counselor.  We always do at the beginning of the year since he's on a 504 plan.  We have had the same high school counselor all four years.  She has been wonderful for us, finding ways to help us communicate with his teachers and building a schedule that's right for him.  This year when we met with her, Anthony knew what he needed and took the initiative to make it happen.  He wanted to have his core classes (Math, English, Science, Social Studies) in the morning when his concentration is at his best.  He looked at his 504 plan with me and offered up some suggestions.  He has taken an active roll in his academics which has made Andrew & i so proud.  It has lightened my worries about next year as he sets off to university on his own. 

CPS STUDIOS: The Art of Storytelling

The Fall edition of Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS magazine has hit the stands.  I feel very blessed to be one of the eleven studios featured in the magazine.  Earlier this year i worked hard on reorgnizing my studio to reflect me.  While i always continually "tweak" it, i know it's closer to who i am right now. 

There are a lot of awesome artist & designers featured in this edition.  I think you will find lots of inspiring stories and cool studios in here.  I haven't posted any new studio shots so you get your first peek by picking up the magazine. 

I absolutely adore the title of the article for it captures me in just a few words.  In the magazine you will read more about me and my thoughts on my studio. i open up my studio doors to you sharing my world through the art of storytelling. 

Simple Things

It's labor day in the US, a day that was originally designed to celebrate trade and labor organizations.  These days is more about the closing of summer and the beginning of schools and football season.  A day of family gatherings, picnics in the park, and bbqs.

Soon mornings will start off with a bit of a chill with a light fog that hovers over the dewy grass.  The green of the trees will start to fade as the leaves change to brilliant gold & red tones, making the Colorado blue skies appear even bluer.  This is my favorite time of the year and i feel very blessed Andrew is here to see the start of this season. 

Yesterday we spent time with family, just sitting around enjoying the last of the garden harvest, chit-chatting over simple yet tasty food.  It was a low-key day, one that i wish we could have more often.  One that makes me appreciate the time we do have together. 

So today i hope you find the beauty in the simple things and the joy of the everyday.

Sweet Summer Living

The summer season is winding down and life shifts again.  We have had a great summer with travels, visits, and just simple time together as a family.  it's been nice to be settled at home for a while, almost a month now just enjoying daily life.  The only thing missing was Andrew but he has enjoyed life flying the 787 around Europe.

i love summer in Colorado.  i have been trying to take advantage of it more, here and there.  From time in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, biking on beautiful days, and eatting breakfast & dinner outdoors.  With sunsets like this, who can resist sitting on the deck watching the breath-taking views?

Earlier this summer, we took an unexpected journey into Munich.  While there we had dinner with Anthony's host family.  They were planning their summer holiday to the States including a visit to our home as the start of their journey.  Last week they came to stay with us, bringing beautiful gifts including Anthony's new liederhosen outfit.  Can you tell how much he loves them?

Alexi is back at University, heading up last weekend.  She has been talking about staying up there next summer so this just may have been her last summer at home.  While she is living at the Sorority she isn't allowed pets so Chloe stays with me but still pines for Alexi. 

As summer is coming to a close, Andrew has returned home for the next three weeks.  It's the perfect time to be here in Colorado as the temperature is perfect during the days and the nights are so beautiful.  We may even get in a trip to the mountains to see the changing leaves of the Aspen trees.

How's your summer been?

Hello Handsome

The baby boy isn't a boy anymore.  Today he turns 17 and is entering his last year in High School.  He was such a spry little guy who always keeps me active.  Anthony was the kid who had to do things a little different like rolling instead of crawling.  He always knows how to make me laugh, such a quick witted character.  He's had his share of successes & struggles.  I've watched him grown into an intelligent & respectful young man i am proud to call my son. 

Yes Alexi & Anthony were born 2 days & 3 years apart.  It wasn't planned, it just happened that way.  When they were super young, they didn't mind sharing birthdays.  Through the elementary & middle school years it was a different story.  Now we have come full circle and they plan a day to celebrate together. 

Alexi: I didn't embrace these combined parties when I was little but now I love sharing our special days together!

Yesterday we had family over for a birthday dinner.  We sang happy birthday at the same time to them and i loved how they sang it to each other.  it was truly a special day. 

 

the Momster

Goodbye teens

Hello 20!  it seems so hard to believe that twenty years ago we welcomed our baby girl into our lives.  Completely adorable with amazing blue eyes, just like her daddy.  She was such an easy baby but rocked my world through the teen years.  Thank goodness that's over ;)  Alexi has grown up into a wonderful young lady, fiercely independent, slightly awkward (i wonder where she gets that from), and still completely adorable. 

 

aka...the MOMster