Holiday Lights, Potlucks and a Christmas Puppet Show

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I went with my friend Barb to an Audubon potluck and auction.   They did a nice puppet show. 

There were nine puppets with two women controlling them.
They presented different holiday situations told in poetry.
Lovely!

It occurred to me we are the generation of casseroles.   I make a salad of some kind to break up the starchiness of the casseroles.  I brought a green salad and it was almost all eaten.  What variety of food.  In the silent auction there was a used electric Yamaha organ. I bid on it and got it. I used to play the piano, so this is exciting. Then they had a auction caller. Barb and I checked out what they had and we were interested a tour of Tejon Ranch Conservancy. Including us, we can have 6 people. I picked my daughter Shelley and friend Janet. By Barbara and I splitting the cost of this, we were able to go higher and win the bid. Now Barb needs to pick two people. We want to wait until the weather is milder. We will pack a gourmet lunch and wine. 

This is the Yamaha I got sitting on my dining room table.

If you are interested in what we will see when we do the tour of the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, go here.  There are pictures, a blog, a write up on what they want to accomplish. and other information.

Tejon Ranch Conservancy

Wayne came back to art class!  Yeah!  I enjoyed him and he is very talented so that is good. Linda was also there, so we actually had a "class". We started on lions and next week is our last class until sometime in March.  Carol will have surgery, then have rehabilitation. My plan is to work on transferring  drawings from tracing to  drawing paper by measuring and blocking it.  I've never fully understood this, but in class, we used this technique in drawing lions.  We have done this before, but I think I'm just beginning to get this.  Linda picked up on the problem with my deer.  I thought it was the bent back leg, but she felt I needed to put a little angle on the front back leg.  That solved the problem.  I showed them my horse, but I was embarrassed by it.  They felt just a little work would do it.  So, I re-did it.  It looks better, but something is still off.  While Carol is off, I'm going to work on the pictures that I have.  And finally, I did a lion.  Though, it may be a little off, I like him.  He is sitting on his haunches, somewhat to the side.  I can't seem to show all the skin that is wrinkled, but I got the idea.  Also, he had a lot of hair, not just in front, but underneath and to the sides of his belly.  I never noticed that before.

My deer continues to improve!

She is improving, no longer a cartoon, but she is still off on
proportion.  I think it is the legs mostly.

I like him!  He has character!

Janet and I went to the Holiday Lights at the California Living Museum (CALM).  We really enjoyed it!  It wasn't quite as cold as last year. I bought these Hot packs to attach to my socks at my toes and to also place in my pockets.  The Christmas lights were timed with the Christmas music.   It was all so lovely. After, we went to The Red Pepper to top the evening off. 

Janet at The Holiday Lights at CALM

Me at The Holiday Lights at Calm

So here is another picture of Conner and Kason.  They are a year apart, and they look like twins to me!

My great grandsons Conner and Kason

My granddaughter Crystal is ready to deliver Nylah Marie this month.  She is more than ready.  She feels fat and ugly, though none of us feel she is.  She is just a beautiful young pregnant woman.  She is running out of clothes to wear and feels very unattractive.  I have heard this from others, so I think this is common.  She and Lorence got an apartment.  She came to borrow money to get cleaning supplies, but I had a lot here and gave it to her.  I think things will be so much better after Nylah arrives.

I did see my primary Doctor, Doctor Quiogue. She had breast cancer and chemo and recently returned.  She used to have long straight hair. Now it is short and curly. She looks lovely the way it is, but my friends whose hair did this eventually returned to how it looks before chemo. She said she will leave it short because there is little to do when leaving the house. It saves a lot of time. So I told her my right hip joint was really hurting for about six weeks. She felt it and told me I had bursitis. She gave me a cortisone injection in that point and now it feels a lot better. She gave me instructions on exercises which will help with this. She also had me get lab work done. I'm so glad I saw her.

Here is an excellent description of grieving. This is how it has been for me. 

http://www.thatericalper.com/2015/08/16/person-is-asking-for-advice-hn-how-to-deal-with-grief-this-reply-is-incredible/

So, I liked the week.  It was not completely filled, which is the way I need it.  I have events scheduled this next week that I am looking forward to.  I really hope your week went well and I will see you next Sunday.    Rachel

Art to Reduce Stress

Did you know that it takes a gallon of water to produce one almond?  I didn't. Did you know that agriculture uses 80% of our state's water?  I didn't realize it was that high!  So if I cut my showers to half the time I do now, it isn't going to have that big an impact. I'm okay about not growing grass.  I do understand the need to cut back. It seems we have a much bigger problem because the water is going to run out. The water underground is being used now by agriculture. That took millions of years to develop. It hasn't taken long to use it up. Okay, end of my rant on our water situation. What I now want to figure out is what can I have instead of grass. I did get three waist level gardening units that I have to put together.  But it is small and I am going to grow my own veggies. My friend Barbara does this we will talk about each of us deciding on some veggies and sharing them.  My daughter Shelley is doing her vegetable garden too.  Now, they never did put in a backyard, but her picture is a little scary.

Kevin and Shelley's Vegetable Garden

It goes before the city council  to put in a watering schedule. If your street number ends in an even number, you may water your lawn Sunday , Wednesday and Friday. If your street number ends in an even number, your watering days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  Businesses do not have limitations. Now if this is a serious drought, why would they not be included?  This seems very scary,  but, they are acting too casual.  Why is this?  Okay, end of my rant on our water situation.  If all the grass died, which it should with this, I want to think about how to make my  yard inviting without it costing a ridiculous amount of water.

My oven now works. The element I ordered did the trick. I called a plumber to see about the water getting to the fridge for water and ice in the door. Water comes to the door. Still have a problem with the ice maker. I left a message with the appliance repairman about coming back for that.  Next week the plumber is coming back to replace the pipes attached to the house. But, he needs to know where the emergency shut off valve is. I don't know where it is.  I messaged the water company. Their message is I need to call and make an appointment for them to come and turn it off, then turn it on. They got back to me too late. I'll call them Monday morning 

Major events happened this week.  My great-grandson Conner turned one and his sister Coco turned three. My friend Marykay's daughter Rachel (named after me) had her first child, her daughter Eva Ramona. I also had friends who married. I'm so happy for them!  And life goes on. 

My art class, called Healing Art with Nina Landgraff at Bakersfield College was good.  We stood up with our hands in a prayer position our eyes closed and noted which way we leaned. She then had us do a drawing exercise to help get ourselves in balance. She first had us drawing the number 8. She asked us to determine if the upper part was the same size and shape as the lower part.  So we turned it sideways still drawing over it to make them be more in line. Then she had us do it with our non-dominant hand.  Then we did two eights next to each other trying to keep the same proportions. Then we drew both eights at the same time using both hands at the same time. Then we outlined the eights at the top and where they join in the middle to make a heart. She said to do this daily until we could stand without being pulled any direction.   Mind and body interact with each other and the idea is to get them working for you instead of against you.  I love the idea.  I recommend this class for anyone in the area.  

Then we did a finger painting selecting two colors and white. I've included Nina's (she's our teacher)  and mine. Then she had us do a background with several colors, then draw some squiggly lines to make grape vines, then with our fingers put in grapes and then more squiggly lines that the vines use to hold the grapes. Also a couple of grape leaves. The ocean and lighthouse pictures are done by  spraying water over the paper and then making a white circle and come back with the bright color around it until it is only the bright color.  The dark color goes around all of this following the circle at the top and going back and forth at the bottom.  Then work in white for the reflection and come back on the sides for the rocks and lighthouse.  Then perhaps put a boat in the water and birds in the sky.  Fun!  I'm going to do more of this.  Only one more class, but I have really enjoyed it. Learning how the body and mind work together to help or hinder us can be helpful to get the resources on our side. I appreciate having that knowledge.  I liked practicing it too because you get a better sense of how to do it.  I will take it again if I am not overwhelmed with other events.  I have to pace myself.

Nina Landgraff's Finger Painting with  Acrylic

Nina Landgraff's Finger Painting with Acrylic

Nina Landgraff's Finger Painting with Acrylic

This is My Finger Painting with Acrylic

My Perspective is Way Off!
My Lighthouse is too big!  But it was supposed to be Fun and it was!

Class with Carol Bradshaw went well. I find it helps to watch her do it, though I feel I need to see it more than once. So we went over the graduated wash and then worked on a variable wash. She also gives wonderful tips to make our pictures even better. One she said was to go back to the mountain range and drop a little more color at the top of the range, but not solidly. It will make it look more real.  By the way, she recommended Mastering the Watercolor Wash by Joe Garcia.  Very helpful.  I think I am ready to frame the green peppers and the seaside port.  I'm still working on my butterfly- perhaps nesx weekend.

Carol Bradshaw's Layering Flat Washes

Carol Bradshaw's Layers of Gradated Washes

Carol Bradshaw's Gradated Wash Using Two Colors
Coming From Each Side

My Painting-Seaside Port

My Painting-Green Peppers done in Hooker's Green

Trees on a Flat Wash with Some Color Removed from Trunks

Trees on a Gradated Wash with Some Color Removed from the Trunks

So a birthday party was held for Conner and Coco. It was a nice event.  It was held outside.  Very windy and when in the shade, quite cool, but I couldn't handle the sun.

Conner, One Year Old and Coco, Three Years Old

Conner Enjoying a Birthday Cupcake

Billy and Conner Going Down the Slide

Picture of Billy, my grandson and Conner, my great-grandson

Father and Son

This afternoon Barbara and I are going to a matinee put on by the Bakersfield Community Concert Association featuring Los 3 Ortiz.  A Cuban/Venezuelan harpist, Alfredo Rolando Ortiz will be performing with his two daughters.  They do folk, popular and classical music from many countries.  I'm looking forward to it.  Then we are going back to this great little Chinese. restaurant called Ching Yen which is so tasty.  With Barbara I usually go vegetarian and have found it delicious!

This is an article called "How Do You Want to Die?" From Nextavenue.org   

http://www.nextavenue.org/article/2015-04/how-do-you-want-die?utm_source=na_socialmedia&utm_medium=na_socialmedia&utm_campaign=na_socialmedia


That is it for the week.  I hope you are doing well and finding things to enjoy in life.   See you next Sunday.                   Rachel

When Your Kids and Grandkids are Having Trouble Getting Jobs

My daughter Jennifer has been filling in applications for jobs and turning them in with her redone resume. I think job hunting has become harder for people these days.  Even those who get jobs are getting paid less, get less benefits, having to take part time jobs, work multiple jobs and work split shifts. If I weren't  watching what some of my kids and grandkids are going through, I really wouldn't have a full understanding of how bad it is. It is stressful and depressing. 

The thing I require is to take the job search as a full time job in itself.  That is a lot, but necessary to get out of this spot. For my younger family members I would urge them to consider further schooling or training to increase their skills  to broaden their opportunities in getting work that could pay an adequate wage.  Minimum wage is far from adequate.  Keep a good resume and dress for the job search.  I cannot do this for them and I resent feeling used because I'm around .

I'm trying to set limits which is difficult with people you love, but really, I don't think I'm helping, just enabling. It encourages them to not make changes in what they do.  Some things they do are not working.  I don't believe they want to hear from me about this, but at the same time I don't have to deal with it if I don't desire. 

My art class with Carol Bradshaw is going well. She does not feel I'll become a botanical artist. I would agree with her. My problem is having a tremor and very poor vision for detail. So this affects the direction my art is going. Interesting to consider physical limitations in what I can do. I don't feel bad about it, it just is.  I'm having difficulty getting my pictures on here.  I think it is because I'm not understanding how to use a Mac.  Perhaps next week I can show you.  I'm working on a color wheel and I will have a hot air balloon ready for class.  I think I'm a little intimidated by it, but I'm not giving up.

Occupational therapy is going well. She did note that it was impressive that I wasn't having pain. I told her "but I am".   I think because I don't express it, the assumption is that there is no pain. So then I started verbalizing when I did have pain. My concern is that I expect there will be pain. When do you "buck up" or tell others there is pain?  I'm willing to accept a certain amount of pain, otherwise I would do nothing. 

Related to this, my friend Marti in my Red Hat group asked me how do I not get more tired with what I do. That is a good question. I actually can get very tired and was desiring at that moment to go home and lie down in bed.  But, what I try for are breaks in between events to regenerate.  Usually this works. I cannot go on and on. I will pay for it in pain and exhaustion.  I keep a calendar to schedule events to space events as I can.

I enjoy  getting together with my Red Hat gals. This month it was at The Woolgrowers, a tasty Basque restaurant.  The problem was that we were put in the main dining room. It was too noisy!  I could hear the women next to me, but I was lost with all other discussions. Those by me stated they were having the same problem. 

I had my second class with Nina Landgraff at Bakersfield College. I did some shading on the tennis shoe we did. I wasn't supposed to do that. It was only supposed to be a line drawing withe heaviness of line indicating if it was closer or farther away.  Then she had us copy a landscape picture using charcoal.  Now, I did this last term with her, but she has brought up new information which is stimulating. This year she asked us to do these in charcoal. We watched her do it, so I have a better sense of how to do it. 

I was tired at chemotherapy this week. I get caught up reading too late which makes me short of sleep.

I wet to my friend Annemarie's home by train to go with her to a fund raiser. I went out the day before to get a couple of clothing items to somewhat blend with the group (a country western theme). 

This event was a fund raiser for a children's garden and museum which will be in Hanford. It will take several years to complete this project, but how wonderful it will be!

This morning we went out for breakfast and Tone joined us. I don't get to see Tone much and she's a wonderful person.  We went to an organic farm to pick some Fuyu persimmons which have the texture of an apple. We were given permission to pick a few even if we missed the owner Jeannie. She has a community garden and people join and pay $500 for 6 months of vegetables and fruit that they pick up once a week.. What ever herbs they have you may take and fruits can be had for $1 per basket or pound. Very impressive. She and Annemarie are friends and I met her at that fundraiser and I invited her to the next Helping One Woman and she said she would come.  I also told Tone. It would be a good way to see good friends I don't get to see often enough.

Here is Coco and Conner singing

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10204172746230291&substory_index=0&id=1575518000

Here Conner is letting his mom that he is angry

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10204172746230291&substory_index=1&id=1575518000

Several people let me know that the link to one of the posts, Facing Paul's Death did not work. This is the link to all my posts:

HTTP:/racheljerdin.blogspot.com

Okay.  That's it for the week.  Hope your week went well and this next week will be good too!  See you next Sunday.          Rachel