Catherine with a C.

     So since my last post you could probably say things got a little bit more complicated in my life.
 I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 5th.
yes,  breast cancer.
If you'd like to talk to me about it,  I am very open!  you can feel my lump while its still here!  Get yourself checked!,  Talk to me.  I am here for you.
 It is not my intent to have this blog dissolve into something sad or dramatic,  this is just the way that it it is,  and whats happened since I was last here. 
  So instead of turning this into something sad and morbid I would like to tell you about all of the good things that have happened since I found out I have the big C.,  because yes,  good things still happen when you think they won't.
    I moved into the cutest house out in the country and now have space for my two kids.
it was random that it happened,  and I am so fortunate that it did.
  I had a doctors appt. cancel on me last minute---they needed me to come in right away to see them instead of the original appt. so I had to scramble to get there.   my friend ended up going with me to the surgeons office because she didn't want me to be alone....
one conversation led to another,  I was looking for a place,  she had a place to rent---- and here I am with a new yard, a space to garden,  and light filled windows that shower me with rays of sunshine.
  I organized my life very quickly and moved out of my downtown apt.  sold off a bunch of stuff, closed my shop (temporarily) and moved in to this place in a matter of 2 weeks.
it was nuts,  but I did it,  and paid my rent three months in advance thankyouverymuch.
  You would be amazed at what you can do when you put your mind to it.
 I kind of went into commando mode and got it done.
  SO here are some little pictures of my new space.  I am so happy here.
  Its been a wild few weeks,  with lots of tests, pokes,  procedures,  gross things installed in my body, surgeries and losing my hair.  (Be warned, I posted some pictures to show you shit got real)
but I am figuring it out and will come back tougher from the experience.
  I am continuing to create but on a smaller scale at the moment until I can figure out how to deal with the effects the chemo has on my body,  but I am HERE!
I am STILL WORKING!  and I am Still INSPIRED!
  I will not give up ever.
  I want this to continue to be a place where I can share my art and my life. 
It may not always be rosy,  but it is REAL,
and that's the way it's supposed to be anyways right?


 

 

Tank loves it here.......

  The light from this place is healing and wonderful.  I am surrounded by woods and green trees.  It helps me to clear my mind and think.   I've been thinking alot.   Some of it is really silly,  some of it is deeper.
    The saddest thing to admit was how hard it was to think about losing my hair.  silly I know,  but when you feel like your essence as a woman is wrapped around that stuff,  it's kind of a big deal.    then when it starts to come out --- you kind of have an about face and realize that stuff really ISN'T
important in the long run.  hair is not what make you YOU.  It will grow back.  plus there's that kick ass feeling of shaving it off into a mohawk that makes you feel kind of tough :)

 

So now I am bald and figuring out how to wear hats and things like that.  

it will be o.k. man is it ever easy to get dressed and ready in the morning!  Summer is gonna be AWESOME!   :)

So in the meantime between treatments and feeling like crap,  I have been working and doing some painting,  making pillows,  and other odds and ends.

My work will be on display on Mainstreet at the Graphic arts Wholesaler next to Lena

or in my online shop for now until i get a lil bit better.

I have lots of ideas and things rolling around in my head as usual,  but this is a learning curve so I'm still figuring it out.

I am surrounded by the best people ever in my life and am overwhelmed by the love and support so many people have shown me.

I have more to share and more to create.

thanks for being here.

one last thing......

 

My son came home for an 8 hour pass last week and it was the best gift ever.

he is doing SO well!

I am SO proud of him and can't wait till he is home for good in the next two weeks.

I want to thank all of you for keeping him in your good thoughts.

it truly helps

I have so much more to say,  but for now--------

much love,  that is all

XOXOXOXO