In the News - Sickle Cell Awareness - Josh and Ahisha's Story

I wanted to share this video that my stepdaughter Ahisha made to explain just how blood disorder Sickle Cell affects lives. Her husband Josh suffers from it and is in and out of hospital. It can be quite a stressful experience that a crisis can put on the whole family. They have a 3 year old and often when Josh is taken to hospital Ahisha shoulders the responsibility of keeping the family going, as well as running back and forth from the hospital.

In support for those with Sickle Cell that affects mostly the Afro Caribbean community, Ahisha started a sponsorship page to give blood and more - (she is terrified of needles), and there needs to be more people coming forward to give blood, you never know when you might need it yourself.  It is important that we all do our part regardless of our race, so step out today!

If you can't give blood, you can support Ahisha and sponsor her, read a bit about her story on 'Ahisha gives blood'. 

Why Donate to this cause?

They will be using the donations to buy staple foods and health supplements to give directly to patients in Hammersmith Hospital hematology department.

They will receive things to help them deal with the long term effects of the medications they need to take; especially whilst in hospital on poor quality hospital meals.

Ok, so what you waiting for! hop along to Ahisha's page and donate so that others who are suffering can be helped, go along to your nearest hospital or blood drive and give blood yourself, you could be saving someones life.

Stay blessed as you are a blessing!

New Art - Finishing what you started!

I have been taking my time to see what art that I have that has not been finished and found that there was quite a bit of work.  I love trying new things and with this comes a tendency to make a start on something as I learn a new technique or find another use for something that I am familiar with.

Having made the decision that I wanted to get some of the pieces complete, and below is just a few, I started to make my way though them, along side trying new things, taking a couple of course - there is so much to learn and so little time!

I thought I would give you a sneak peek - If you would like to see the full painting, click on the image and it will take you to my art blog, let me know what you think, leave a comment!

Bird on my shoulder

I use bead embellishments for this painting

What if

Each one has mixed media elements within

My Family

And makes the most of the colours that I love to work with

My Family

I do hope you take a visit to my Art blog to see the full sized paintings.

Gratitudes and Celebrations - Week 75 - Travel

I had quite a few of weeks break from the Gratitudes and Celebrations post, not because there wasn't anything that I could think of for being grateful, but I had spent a few weeks away seeing family and friends in the States.  

The trip away made me realize even more that each and every day is a gift to be treasured and not taken for granted. We got our first taste of bad weather and snow when we landed in New York on route to Richmond, Virginia, the flight was a bit hairy as we had to circle the airport for about an hour waiting for a spot to land and the runway to be cleared of snow.  As fast as they removed the snow more fell, and the skid of the final landing which was felt by many made us appreciate the skill and the composure of the pilot and crew on the plane.

Sometimes being away from your every day routine also shines fresh light on your life, and whether you can take a two week break as we did or if you can only get away for a few hours, it is something you should do on a regular basis.  Going away to a colder than UK environment was strange for us but we were excited to see folks and make use of our snow boots and see if the rest of the world copes better than the UK when it comes to snow, rain and leaves on the train lines.

The trip reminded me of the book that I brought my son when he was little - 'The Relatives Came' it is a lovely book about a family driving to see their relatives for the summer in Virginia, how every one mucks in and makes room for each other, the kids play the adults share memories until it is time to pack up and go back home.  It was something that we would do when we were kids seeing cousins and having adventures.  It was funny that the story had them travelling to Virginia and it was where we were going to visit as well.

Whilst in Virginia the weather picked up and we had some sunny days enabling us to get small doses of vitamin D, and we heard that folks in the UK had some lovely weather as well.  And it's funny that many a time we have gone away seeking the sunshine and the UK has a heat wave!  but you have to see the funny side of things.  The main thing about venturing to new environments is to get a different perspective or understanding, and you only get that by stepping out, doing something new, something different.

While visiting the states we took tours in Washington, Richmond and in our final destination New York with my cousin.  Travelling around we hopped on the metro (which is such value for money!) and we saw much of New York and the surrounding areas, and we have come back to the UK hitting the ground running trying to shake the jet lag and get ourselves organised. 

I am grateful and celebrate being able to travel to see different parts of the world, meeting people from different walks of life and coming back home safely.

I am on a journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Greetings from the US of A and Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers around the world!

I have taken some time away from my schedules in the UK to take a trip to Virginia and New York

Snowed in at the Airport

We are thankful that the snow is on the melt, when we flew into New York last week on route to Virginia we were snowed in as flights came to a stand still in New York. Thankfully Virgin put us up in a hotel for the night so we didn't have to stay at the airport waiting for the next flight the following day.

On our way to Virginia at last!

While in Virginia, we drove down to Washington with Alan's Sister Yvonne and Sekani and did a 6 hour tour with Signature Tours (I thoroughly recommend!) which enabled us to get a snapshot taste of the city.  You really have to spend longer in the city, so it is on my list for next time!

Tour stopping outside the White House

We got to see the White House up close and personal, they forgot we were coming so we didn't get an invite in!

Also took in a stroll to the monument on arrival to Washington

Spent some time with Alan's sister Yvonne and later that week her son and daughter joined us, it was great catching up with them.

When we got back to Williamsburg, Virginia I got an opportunity to see my friend and fellow Artist Mika from Motley Soul.  We got so caught up in chatting and looking round her studio and getting to know her beautiful family that we forgot to take a picture together.  I left for New York and arrived yesterday to see my cousin and his family and see some of the sites here in New York -  we are also enjoying the brisk weather.

I will be posting more on my return and have a few things to show you this week that I had been working on, and some of the great supplies that Mika passed on to me on my visit. Here is something that I have been working on with the supplies I managed to buy on my trip to Virginia.

It is the beginning background stages, so when I get a chance will be adding more and hopefully completing it. Also working on a few pen and ink drawings that I will be sharing along with some more photographs when I get the chance to post.....

What have you been up to and in what way are you spending time with family this week.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

UBC - Day 7 - Encourage - Tips for Carers

Welcome to day 7 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, 

Tips for Carers

It can be very easy at times to loose your cool, you get frustrated and then annoyed at something that you need them to do that they are not doing, or appear to be sabotaging.  I must admit at times I have got angry at mum thinking that she is doing something on purpose, and I think that these things stem from fear, when you think about the thing that they were quite alright doing, suddenly the next day they don't have a clue how to do it.

I remember the day mum couldn't work out how to get out of her bed room.  This was in the early days and I had gone round there and my key wouldn't open the door as she had put the chain on the door.  I rang the bell and couldn't understand why she hadn't come to the door yet, I knew she was in, I kept calling through the door but didn't hear anything, so I started looking through the bedrooms thinking something must have happened.  

I was shocked when saw her through her bedroom window trying to find the door which was directly in front of her, there wasn't anything wrong with her vision but she just couldn't work it out, she kept feeling the walls and muttering to herself.  I was scared, for her and what it meant for me, as there would have to be things implemented to cope with this new change.  I called to her through the window and directed her to the door, and then when she got to it she came straight to the front door and opened it for me.

Over the years, I had to keep reminding myself that if we focused on what she could do for herself and encourage her along the way this took the anxiety out of the situation that was changing.  I am not saying that I don't get frustrated at times, but I have to  put it in perspective and celebrate all thing things that she can still do, and today being able to feed herself is something to celebrate.

For now, think about all the things that they can do and celebrate no matter how small.  The encouragement that you can give will mean so much to them, and help you put things into perspective as well!

Check out some of my A-Z posts on my journey as a carer, click on the links below

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts about my A-Z experience as a carer.

UBC - Day 6 - Tips for Carers - Family and Friends

Caring for a loved one can be such an isolating experience with dementia unlike say a broken leg, the leg gets better people can see that the leg is broken and so there are certain expectations about things that you are unable to do.  With dementia there isn't necessarily any outward sign, as it gets worse and ravages the memory and leaves its after effects on its unwilling participants

As the carer I have found that your relationships with family and friends can suffer, as you try and navigate your way around the changes to your routines and additional things that you need to do in order to manage the caring role, you can end up drifting from your social life, too tired to call friends when you've been up all night trying to get your loved one back in bed cause they think it is day time.  

This is the same for those with dementia, people don't know what to say, they feel awkward with the silences and stop calling or passing by.  Where possible if you can have a few people that you can call on and will call you every now and again even if it is just to say hi, it is important that you keep the connections going, and for your loved one hearing a familiar voice of someone they know can help both of you.  

You could ask friends and family to make a voice recording of things they have been doing that week and play it back.  It is a way that they can feel included in things that are going on around them. There is lots of technology that you can use to facilitate this and it is also good for those people whose family live abroad.

For now, get together with family members and a few friends and ask them to be part of a schedule where they call once a week to see how things are going, or even come round and give you a much needed break!

UBC Day 3 & Gratititudes and Celebrations - Week - 59 - Savor

As a carer there are so many things that need to be done in order to get through the day.  You are not only thinking of yourself but another adult who needs your support for all their needs.   You can then find yourself busy in a lot of stuff, with deadlines and to do lists, busy, each with their own pressure and sometimes feel that you are rushing through life missing out on the blessings and relationships that are actually right in front of you.

You plan, and schedule, burning the candle at both ends, trying to reach a goal and then wonder why that headache that has been bothering you is still there, and when you start to think about it those aches and pains have been around for a while and so many things hurt.  The time that you crave to spend on those things that really matter and that nurture and minister to your soul are put aside and you are all timed out. 

What you need is balance and the time to savor, to sit, to think and reflect.  Among those plans and schedules and the daily things that you have to do - including looking after those you care for you have to make real time for those you love and to be with friends and share your life.  You have to notice the little things and take stock of where you are right at this moment and savor it, even if it is just for 5 minutes. I have found it important to savor the moments that I am able to spend with my mum, each special in its own way, where we can be in each other's company and just be still. 

I am grateful and celebrate the still times that I can organise just to be.  Without watching the clock or chasing another deadline, or worrying about what needs to be done but to spend time with those people that really matter in my life.

What can you to to take some time out to savor in your life right now

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts

Check out Silver Sunday which is an annual day of fun and free activities for older people across the UK. Led by The Sir Simon Milton Foundation, it celebrates older people and their contribution to our communities while combating loneliness and isolation. Everyone can get involved, and you can organise your own event, spread the word, or simply attending an activity. Silver Sunday will take place on 5th October 2014!

Kew, and Following your heART - some new work

I had a great day out with my sister and cousin yesterday and we spent the day at Kew Gardens. 

We had been blessed with tickets by Cooltan Arts - A mental health and arts charity, who were able to bring a number of people together to enjoy the day as well.  They do really great work and I recommend that you check out their website.

I love going to Kew Gardens, there is such a peace about the place and the displays are great, and you could definitely spend the whole day there!.  I always bring my camera and end up with some beautiful images of some of the flowers on display.  

Yesterday was no exception we strolled around and there was much sharing, laughter, reflection as it had been a while since we had spent time together in a relaxing environment, the sun was warm and there was a gentle breeze so walking around was a pleasant experience.

We all agreed that spending time in a relaxing environment was an important part of impacting on mental health and well-being.  I have also been busy in the studio, which is a necessary part of my day, experimenting with techniques which I will share over time.
  

From time to time I share work here and on my Mixed media art site, so you have a choice of places to go.  Going to Kew gardens and spending time in a natural environment reminds me to pay attention, not only to my surroundings but to my choices. It is important to spend time reflecting each day.

I feel that immersing myself in my work and continuing to develop and hone my style is important, I love being creative, and trying new things, seeing how different materials work together, and seeing the fruits of my effort. Find out what sparks your creative juices and do more of it.

So, I will continue to follow my heART and paint, draw, sew, craft and keep on doing work that makes my heart sing, what will you be getting up to? 

Work in Progress - What are you in the middle of?

Thought I would share what I am working on at the moment, in the midst of some of the online courses, clearing and redecorating at home.  I have been playing around with supplies and my journal/art book.

Just adding shapes and colours to the page.  These guys have come to visit

Not sure quite yet what message they want to share, they have brought their child with them.

I think that the child also has something to share, could be a photo that they have in their hand or a book

The more I play with the page I am sure that they will have something encouraging and supportive to say.  The most important thing is spending some time being creative.  

When it is finished I will let you see the family and what blessings they have to bring, there may be some changes made along the way, but it is important to keep going and do something even if it is one thing each and every day. 

Another couple are showing their face, they look like they will have some good news to share, and as soon as I know I will let you know!

I am reminded today that we are all a work in progress, and still on our journey, learning something new every day.  It is alright to step away from your work every now and then and look from a different perspective.  

What are you right in the middle of today? Take some time to notice what is going on around you and capture that in some creative play.  Above all, stay blessed and be a blessing!

Fresh Linen - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

When we were little we had what was known as an 'airing cupboard, which housed the hot water cylinder for the boiler.  It was quite a large cupboard and would warm up from the heat radiating from the padded cylinder.  My dad fitted three shelves in the cupboard and this was where clean bedding and towels were kept. When you opened it you would be met with the sweet aromas of the washing powder and the fabric conditioner which would caress your nostrils and make you think of tropical islands, .....ok, maybe not the islands but they always smelt great!

It was great to use a towel that had just come out of the cupboard after a bath as it was always warm and gave you a cozy comforting feeling.  With the bed sheets mum would always iron them before placing them in the cupboard and whilst it isn't a practice that I have continued I definitely feel the difference sleeping on ironed sheets!

Mixed media on wooden panel

What was your favorite memory as a child, take time out if only for 10 minutes to think about recreating those special moments this week. I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

Children - Memories of Home

Happy Christmas. I hope that your day is filled with warmth as the family and friend get together. If you know that someone is going to be on their own, invite them round, visit and spread joy peace and happiness!.

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

As children we used to get really excited at Christmas time. We helped decorate the tree and underneath the presents circled. We tried to get a peek feeling the size and whether anything shook beneath the wrapping. We had to wait though for our dad to get up and have his breakfast before we were able to open any presents and we felt as if we were going to burst because we knew that while we might not get all the items on our list we might at at least one thing. As we got older on some years our presents would be something more practical and a I remember how I felt when I unwrapped the nightey rather than the cassette player that i had my eyes on.

As we have all grown up and have children of our own we tried to hold on to some of the traditions and Christmas would be be spent in each others houses, seeing the children now filled with the excitement that we had at their age.

Our day though is singed with the loss of our brother who was an uncle, father, son, husband and friend. We take time to lift up his memory and think of the laughter, his humour, grace, understanding and love.

I hope you are having a blessed day as you remember those near and far and those who have also lost loved ones this year, do leave a comment and share what makes today special for you

Family - Creating in Faith

Growing up in a family as the middle child of 3 had its ups and downs.  Sometimes it felt that you were always too young to do what your older sister was doing but always too old be included in my younger brothers activities.  As we have grown up the age gap seemed to decrease. 

I remember my brother having a birthday party every year from the age of 5 to around 11 years.  For me though, being born in August people were always on holiday so I wouldn’t get to organise anything. My sister would organise his parties and we would all help out with the games, it was lovely to see my brothers little friends running around him (he was a popular young man!) and mum would cook and make these amazing birthday cakes.  That was often one of the highlights, mums cooking - she would make a cake for each of us for birthdays and every other celebration and the tradition only stopped when she started to get ill, but each of us has tried to embrace one of the traditions within our families

As I have grown older with a family of my own the idea of the traditional family has changed and while you might not be blood related to them whether they are step family or adopted you love them just the same.  You can find in many different communities or groups that you join people who you just 'click with' and you get on as if you have known each other for life.  There is a connection, a bond, you might not be blood related but support and encourage each other as if you were.

As a Christian, the members of the church are my family and we are called to support and encourage one another.  It can sometimes seem challenging where the different backgrounds and experiences produces different ways of looking at things.  But we are all here because of the grace of God and we are called to do for others as we would do for ourselves, we have to question just how much we love ourselves and is that passed on or do we carry too much baggage? 

When we grow up in a nurturing and supportive environment as children we can in turn create that supportive environment in our own homes and more importantly in our communities recognising the connection that we have with each other in our communities and further afield around the world.  We might not be blood relation but our dreams and goals requires the participation of someone somewhere who connects with us enough to play a role in our success. 

What does the thought of family stir up for you, and how have we redefined the traditional sense of family to fit into our lives today?

...with God all things are possible.. Mark 10:27 

Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them....Hebrews 7:25 

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants Proverbs 31:15

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures and reflections in your art this week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

What a Challenge!

If you missed any of the posts for the A-Z Challenge you can see them below.  I will be sharing about the journey with the topic being so close to me about my mother with dementia on the 7th May.   I will let the dust settle and reflect on all the things that came up.  I hope you have been blessed with the posts as much as it has blessed me to write, and your comments have really been encouraging.  Over the next few weeks I will also be sharing some news, I am quite excited about and its been a long time coming....for now blessings and hope you are having a blessed week.

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities P is for Purpose, Q is for Quietness, R is for Regret, S is for Strategies, T is for Tradition, U is for Understanding, V is for Value, W is for Websites, X is for Xerox, Y is for Yearn Z is for Zephyr

These posts were part of the A-Z Challenge which took part during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia. Do check back for a reflection post taking place on the 7th May 2012.