The Daily Life of Sweetpea[s]

Well, the meeting with my landlady did not go well. They are not taking responsibility for what happened, since there is no "obvious negligence" on their part--no leak, etc. I told them that, only if you push on our bedroom ceiling, you can tell that the sheetrock there is drooping, too. The nailheads pop out, so you can tell at least part of the sheetrock is hanging down and not flush with the rafter.

I asked if they were going to check other people's apartments and she said....no! No, they won't go around doing that unless people request it. She said "you know, there'll be cracks, or sagging, if there's a problem..." I reminded her that there was no sign at all for us. She said, "yeah, that's what's so weird about yours."

They've never tested for asbestos and said they don't usually do it on their properties....Said they probably won't have the air ducts cleaned out but she'll check with her husband....

Final outrages: They will not replace our damaged property "It's not our responsibility." "You should carry renter's insurance." "We DO carry renter's insurance, but I would assume that since your ceiling fell in on us, it would be YOUR responsibility." "No, it's not ours..."

What about common decency?

She has graciously allowed to let us out of our lease, "with no penalty." "We're not big bad guys...we don't mind letting you out of it if you want to move," she said with smile and a little wink. I actually laughed.

Yesterday I was puttering around the house, paying bills on the couch, exercizing on the elliptical, doing a bit of laundry. Around 3 o'clock I left the apt. to switch some laundry over to the dryer. I was gone quite literally about 2 minutes. When I walked in, here's what I saw. Our entire, and I do mean entire ceiling had fallen into the living room. Nasty OLD fiberglass insulation and huge pieces of heavy sheetrock covering everything. My lamps were on, as was the TV. I backed out and ran out, trying to find our landlady, thinking she was onsite. Then I realized the dogs were still in the apt.....ran back in and found them three feet away from the living room, still asleep.....couldn't get to their leashes so I ran around the grounds with a chihuahua under each arm and a cell phone under my chin.....there is no clear leak, no water, nothing's wet. Sheetrock pulled out completely from the rafters, nails and all. We had a contractor friend come look at it last nite, also consulted with an attorney friend. I will meet with our landlady this afternoon. Please, please pray that she will agree to have the place tested for asbestos, airducts cleaned, other ceilings which seem questionable (there's at least one) and our damaged things replaced. Otherwise, we may be saying goodbye to our place. We've been here for 2 months.

Praise God a few hundred pounds of sheetrock didn't fall on my head!!! We're pretty excited about this.

A good friend of mine just found out that she's pregnant (no, not me) and I was wondering if someone(s) could recommend a what to expect while you're expecting type of book. I'd like to buy it for her as a gift. You wonderful moms who frequent this blog seem well-informed in these areas...

Well, I may have a diagnosis for my tingling. My chiropractor who has been doing a muscle release technique on me suggested I see a naturopathic physician.

I saw her last night and after reviewing all of my symptoms and health history she believes I may have Depression. Apparently one of the symptoms of depression is to have a physical symptom like pain (or tingling) that does not respond to treatment. I also have several other classic signs such as sleep problems, fatigue (all the time), anxiety (yep-got that one too-loads of it), sadness (I thought all artists were melancholy), lack of motivation (really, I need to do that now?) and some others.

Depression runs in my family and I had always thought I had dodged this bullet, but apparently I've had this for quite awhile. Some of my symptoms I can pinpoint back to childhood and others to Adrienne's death. Some are more recent, like freakish tingling all over my body.

Right now I am being tested for the specific neurotransmitters that are out of balance and then she will treat me vitamin and amino acid therapies. (No drugs for me thank you, I appreciate being concious!)

I have mixed emotions right now. On one hand it makes me very sad, but on the other it is an answer to all my questions. It is also a treatable answer.

I love my nieces. This is the oldest of the two. I told her to say cheese so we could take a picture together...

Definitely neurotic, a little sneaky, territorial, a screaming banshee howl at three in the morning, a burrower, gets the shakes, hypoglycemic, epileptic chi-chi dog. Love that skinny little thing.

Today is the 7th anniversary of our loss of Adrienne, my husbands sister. She died in a car accident south of College Station. She was 21.

You are missed and loved sweet friend, sweet sister.......

We love you and are praying for you to have a wonderful first birthday!!!

This is my unpacking self-portrait. (Will also post on the art blog)

We're back from Australia, back from California and finally moved in to our new apartment in Charlestown. (A Boston neighborhood) Whew. I'm exhausted, but happy. Here are some great things about our new apartment:

1. We're in a super cute little neighborhood with trees and families and nice places to eat within walking distance.
2. It's QUIET!!!! (We lived in a 30 story building and outside the window you could hear street noise and huge industrial air conditioners all day long...)
3. New apartment is bigger!!! (850 sq. ft as opposed to 450)
4. I have a gas stove.
5. I bought a new IKEA couch and gave away my old slouchy (terribly uncomfortable) futon. Hasta la vista, baby!!

I feel like I finally have a grown-up apartment!!!

I'm behind in commenting and posting, but I'm hoping to catch up this week.

This is the email I received from Sarah B's mom yesterday:

As most of you know, Thomas had brain surgery today, Tuesday, August 15th. The surgery was to remove a cyst that the MRI showed had grown in the same place the tumor had been removed back on March 2nd.
WElllllll..... soOOo, it turns out that INside the cyst was a tumor - it had grown back afterall. The doctor is confident he was able to get it all ---again --- and he did some additional scraping around the area as well. The plan, as I understand it, is to start the radiation as soon as possible - within a couple of weeks. He has to recover from the surgery first.
When Rhonda and I left the hospital late this afternoon, Thomas was in ICU, resting comfortably, still under the anesthesia ---- time will answer the unasked questions.
He'll be in ICU two or more days and then will be moved to the 9th floor for recovery. Sarah/Scott are handling it in their own way for now. I can only imagine the things going through their heads and hearts at this time. For tonite ... i am just still in a state of shock; of extreme disappointment and yes even fear.
It doesn't mean anything to me right now that we have been through all this before .... all i know is Cancer sucks.

pray people. please.
.... thanks. love, mallorie.

This is bad news. Please keep praying for Sarah, Scott and Baby Thomas...

Baby Thomas is having brain surgery today. Remember him, and his parents Sarah and Scott, in your prayers.

1. One book that changed your life: There have been many, but The Poisonwood Bible had a huge impact on how I lived my daily, wasteful American life. I've never looked at an empty food container the same way.

2. One book that you have read more than once: The Lord of the Rings. Ok, that's 3 books.

3. One book you would want on a desert island: John Bunyan's, The Pilgrims Progress. I would want to be reminded that even while stuck on an island that I was still on a journey!

4. One book that made you laugh: I have to say The Da Vinci Code.

5. One book that made you cry: The Kiterunner

6. One book that you wish you had written: I wish I could write with enough eloquence to write a story about my sister-in-law who died in 1999. I so desperately want my boys to know her as I did.

7. One book you wish had never been written: I Love You Forever, the children's book. : )

8. One book your currently reading: Girl Meets God, Lauren Winner

9. One book you've been meaning to read: I've been trying to get through Mere Christianity for a long time.

Kristen tagged me with this meme:

1. One book that changed your life: (I'm going to play as if the Bible wasn't an option.) The Narnia series--when I re-read them in college. In particular, The Silver Chair. Also, Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Many choices here...When I was a girl I re-read Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery about 8 times.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Again, assuming the Bible isn't an option, I think I'd want a good anthology of poetry. Poetry is difficult for me, but rewarding when I really concentrate. I know it'd last me a long time!

4. One book that made you laugh: The DaVinci Code

5. One book that made you cry: Lust for Life by Irving Stone (historical fiction about the life of Vincent Van Gogh)

6. One book that you wish had been written: A book of collected stories about my grandfather, by the students he touched in 40 years of teaching. I heard a few of these at his funeral; I wish I knew more.

7. One book you wish had never been written: I second Kristen's choice: Left Behind

8. One book you’re currently reading: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: The Kiterunner

10. Now tag five people: I tag Kellsey, Wedding Girl, Lizard, Laura, and Sarah McB. (You can put 'em here if you want.)

Hi friends,

I've sent a blog invite to Laura, Roxana, Kellsey, Kristen, and a few more. Have yet to hear back from any of you, so I'm wondering if there's a problem. Have you people gotten your blog invites?

Thanks,

SP

The new artmaking blog is underway!

If YOU would like to be a team member on our new blog, let me know. All readers are welcome to participate. Of course, if you become a team member on our new blog, you are not required to partipate all the time, in every project. We are all busy and have lives apart from the blogosphere. I hope.

Comment here if you'd like to be sent an email invite to join the team. If you don't mind, leave your email address--if you are concerned about doing that, let me know and we'll figure something out.

Also, I need some great quotes about artmaking to put on the header. Any ideas?

Stoclet Frieze by Gustav Klimt.

I really connect with this piece. I've been thinking/trying to make some things that are botanical, decorative-but-not. I'm looking hard at art like this....

Did you know it's World Breastfeeding Week??? Check out Kristen's and Tulip's respective blogs for some very interesting posts on the subject.

I've struggled with anxiety different times in my life. I was a very cautious child. I was definitely not a risk taker and I like to feel safe and 'in control'. My first panic attack happened in a Canal Street thrift shop in NYC while shopping with Sweetpea and a mutual friend A.K.. Whenever my kids get sick I instantly get a pit in my stomach until they are better. I worry-alot.

But friends would probably tell you that I am actually a very laid back person. I'm easy going and easy to laugh. My anxiety problems have always lurked behind the surface.

I have mentioned that I injured my back in June. Over the past month I have developed sciatica in my left leg and and have had ongoing tingling in my face and arms. I've been receiving a muscle release treatment that was sort-of working. I have slept 2 out of the last 6 nights.

But God is good. He shows us with loving kindness His Grace in the midst of our weakness. This week I have come to realize that I have not been improving because of my stress! It keeps me completely tight. I had truly under appreciated what stress can do to one's body. I think I've been under stress for many months and not really seen it. I could list the individual stressors, but they are a part of everyones lives and responsibilities.

I am feeling better today, but exhausted and humbled. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with a neurologist who will probably tell me-"Your stressed. Keep seeing your chiropractor"

SO If Sweetpea can tackle her physical problems I can come out of hiding with mine. I struggle with fear and sometimes it utterly controls me. But I am a daughter of God and He has not given us a Spirit of Fear, but of a SOUND MIND and Joy and Love and Peace.......

"Lord, Let it be."

I was thinking, today, that in our new art blog, to be created sometime soon, we should also contribute self-portraits.... keeps a visual record, a traditional form, makes us play with our cameras.....and our subject is always available when we are.

We're seriously jet lagged, but I'm thankful for our safe return home yesterday. Here are a few photos from the highlight of our trip--3 day, 2 night liveaboard boat trip to dive/snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. I was seasick for the first half day, but then my sea legs kicked in and it was "no worries" from then on.











I'm glad to be back and excited about this art project by theme/topic idea!

I think for our first assignment we should do something familiar and accessible. So our first theme will be: FLOWER .

So get out your camera, brushes, carving tools, knitting needles, your kids crayons and make some art!!