May Her Guardian Angel Protect Her

Two days until we move Ariel up to RI. Bob said he's in denial. I might be, but I am so excited for her. I've been helping pack, and nagging about lists, and I even got to suck the air out of two space bags. I think it is quite different for fathers and daughters. There's something there that I can't describe, but everyone seems to know it is there. Mothers and daughters, on the other hand, are connected with this amazing golden heart string that will never disappear even if you want it to. Ariel knows that I am always there, beside her in spirit, a phone call away, a text away, a skype away and I would drive up in 5 hours if she needed me. I know she is going to have some lonely, dark hours after settling in when she begins to miss Sean and starts thinking about "home" things. However, she is committed to building her career and knows it will give her a fabulous life. She is doing it for all the other women who didn't. I'd give almost anything to be in my 20's and starting a new chapter. Well, that's a foolish thought but I can dream for a moment, can't I? We will have so many things to do to get her settled in. Curtains, a BJ's run, grocery shopping . . .  it's going to be great. I'm going to feel great being a part of it. I might even draw a picture on her wall before I leave.

Roberta Adams - Fine Art

Roberta Adams - Fine Art

It Is My Turn To Win the Powerball Jackpot

Thank you, universe.

Here's the Buzz

Buzz, the dog, is joining our family soon! Our application was approved today. He is a rescue dog, currently at Jerry's Rescues in Tennessee. He is about 8 years old, and part Giant Schnauzer and part German Shepherd. Imagine that. He reminds me so much of Nemo - especially the eyebrows and the white around his face and the white on his chest. Bed, brush, bowls, treats, toys here we come. I have been looking to rescue a little dog for a while now, but either couldn't find one that was available - they get adopted rather quickly - or I couldn't afford the hundreds of dollars adoption fee. Buzz is at a shelter that has to close their doors. I don't even remember how I found him among the zillions of dogs on Petfinder.com, but there he was. Tugged at my heartstrings. So, they've sped up the process a bit to get all their dogs into foster or new homes, and reduced the fees, including the cost of transporting him. Buzz will be arriving in Allentown, PA (about an hour and a half from us)  the last weekend in July! They use the same dog transport service that they use on the Animal Planet Show "Last Chance Highway." I am so excited to think that I will be with a group of people who are awaiting delivery of their new buddies. So, now, the wait begins. 

In the meantime, I will be going up to RI with Ariel the week after next to help her move into her new apartment and do all the mom things to help her settle in and feel empowered, safe and ready for this next chapter of her life. My daughter the Executive Director. So cool. Makes me think I did some things right as a parent. Whew. We are all having new chapters - Dane is still planning to go to school this fall, although the process of making it all come together is an arduous one. Applications, courses, loans, etc. Yikes. May the education gods be with us. It may be delayed until the spring term, but it will happen. Stay tuned.

The Garden

The garden is wilting daily in the heat. 100 degrees is feeling a little like insanity. Trying to keep things watered, but the tomatoes seem to be on hold, and not ripening. The cucumbers are growing like mad! Cucumber salad for the weekend!! Picked the first yellow squash today and sauteed it with onions and garlic for dinner. Fabulous.The basil, parsley and oregano are thriving. So is the mint. Hooray for gardens!

Me and Fine Art America

Okay, so today I splurged with a bit of my tax return money that I finally got back after some minor brawling with IRS about owing them from last year. (I tried to pay it several times and it just didn't make it through the system.) Anyway, so here I am posting my artwork on a site that prints, frames, ships, processes payments, etc. Let's give it a go. Have everything to gain and just a few tuppence to lose. But they promised me I would sell stuff. Really! Okay! Ready, set, go.

http://roberta-adams.artistwebsites.com

Tiime For An Update

So, Ariel has taken a fabulous new job in Rhode Island, and will be moving away in mid-July. This is a landmark moment for me. I am so proud of her, and extremely happy for her and the job she has been working towards. But I will be sad that she won't be dropping in for dinner anymore, or going shopping with me, or just being part of my daily life. I am also happy that she has friends and family there, and the support when she needs it.The tides are turning, and it is time for different things. It is time to get Dane into college and help him launch his life now. It is time for me to find something to occupy my time outside the house. I would certainly work if I could find a job, but perhaps I will find a place to volunteer. I'm thinking the local humane society.

My garden is thriving. Tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, oregano, parsley, cilantro and pumpkins. It keeps me busy each day, and I have an assortment of flowers to cut. I always feel rich, safe and blessed when I place a vase of flowers on the table.

I made it through another deep depression. I felt so paralyzed. Fed up with the concept of job hunting and competing with a younger world. I did a lot of sleeping. I did an art show in the middle of it, and I just wasn't there with it. Sometimes I think my days of making art are over. Other days I think I should be filling my time making art. It's a struggle. Always has been. So many friends have told me I should go back to school. This thought also paralyzes me. Aside from the frightening thought of more debt, I shudder to think how hard it could be trying to find a job four years from now. By the time I finish a bachelors degree, I will need a masters degree. I guess I should explore more about why this paralyzes me.

There is a reason for everything. Sometimes we never understand the reasons things happen. Sometimes we do. In this case, about this point in my life with no job anchor, I shall keep trying.