raven.black

The summer I was Little Bear's age, I read a rather simple little book which profoundly affected me. Summer Growing Time , a deceptively "easy" juvenile tale crammed with moral truths about character, courage, strength, perseverance, and the sacrificial nature of love. It has stayed with me lo these many years, both as one of my favorite books, as well as the lessons therein.

Simple story of of a young girl living with her grandmother in a southern small town. With cash tight, they are careful with their limited resources, gardening and agonizing over the Sears catalog for the best value winter coat for the child. Idyllic life for the young girl until her friendship with an African American child erupts racial tensions tin the small town.

It was the first time I'd ever heard of Ku Klux Klan or "racial tensions". It was the first time I'd read a book with a non-traditional family, let alone a family that did not attend an organized church. A family with admittedly scarce funds, but creativity to be comfortable without deprivation.

KKK aside, it was the first time I'd read a book with a heroine I could relate to. An epiphany of sorts.

Ever since that summer, I have always taken stock of my own Summer Growing Times. With children, natural extension to track their growth, as well.

Despite my insane summer work schedule and duties, I still managed to make some cool things. Completed approximately half a repro Quaker sampler in washed, muted tones. A sweet vintagey baby quilt. Awesome purse for myself. Cutest refashioned capris this side of ReadyMade. Lovely periwinkle embroidered pillowcases embellished with luxurious wide satin ribbon. And Benjamin's Fishy cushion cover, a lovely hand- quilted piece with peacock blue metallic threads, limited run Hoffman prints, and vibrant Bali's.

I have finally accepted my Mad Skillz set makes me uniquely qualified to successfully work with teens. Not fighting it, anymore. Learned to change Fender guitar strings. I do not play. 

My boys have been busy this summer. W12.8  spent a week at Boy Scout camp, completing  4 merit badges this summer, including one requiring several field trips, a written research paper, and a model. W12.8 successfully passed the rigorous BSA swimming test and is working toward his Swimming merit badge. He is running Cross Country for his school team. Assisting tutoring 6th grade cello students. Committed to private cello lessons. Nice kid.

Little Bear.....where to begin? Two Scout Camps. Passed BSA Beginning Swimmer's test. Then, he spent a week at Diving camp swimming laps every morning and diving from platforms. Fishy. Lacrosse is one of his passions. A talented, aggressive player, nearly had his nose broken last week. A Badge of Honor. Climbing walls. Literally. Committed to his blues and jazz guitar lessons. Less Green Day and more Robert Johnson. Jonsing for a new Vox amp. Spitfire.

Summer is winding down for us. Precious few weeks remain. Harvest is nearly here. What will you harvest from your summer?                

Not so much posting this summer......

LAX.
NCAA LAX summer league games.
Scout Camp x3
Cello summer conservatory x2 sessions.
Summer Strings 24/7x6wks.
Crafting.
Behind the scenes support/coordination for Romance Writer.
Museums.
Walking 12 mi qwk.
Pool 3x/wk
Replacing the Nano that did the spin cycle.
Comedy club.
Blue Herons.
Deer.

August?

LAX
White water rafting.
Camping.
Sewing.
Back to school.

How's your summer?  

OK. It's been a whopping 10 days of Hypertension Enlightenment. It sucks. On so many levels.

I am not used to being in the role of patient. I am a care provider, not the receiver. Role reversal is neither fun nor easy. It means giving up control and developing new behaviors. And who really wants to do that?

Reality is that I do not have great options: get with the program and make lifestyle changes and therapeutic regime or have the boys visit me in rehab while I relearn how to walk and tie my shoes.

Spent the week trying desperately to get my b/p down to the land of merely Stage 1 Hypertension. 150/99  and absence of chest tightness was my target.

I failed.

172/105 today.And is that headache due to hypertension or sinus?

My MD is an asshole whom I shall soon be booting once my lab work results are returned. Nice guy, lack luster practioneer. At this point, I'll take a raving son of a bitch if he/she adequately treats my hypertension. Somehow, I think he should have come up with the monitor plan and follow up....maybe given me some pamphlets on Heart Disease? Do ya think? How about discussing non-pharmaceutical measures I could implement to try to reduce the pressure before trying meds?  Apparently the Pharm  kick-backs are more attractive than Quality Care.

What did I get? Orders for assorted lab work and a vague "come back in a month".

Since my Doctor is disinterested, I'm taking control.

Big Surprise, eh?

Researched non-pharm interventions. LOTS!!! First off, today is the First Day of the DASH diet. I actually sat down and read about it in depth and detail. Basically, almost no salt, tons of fruits and veggies, 3 servings fat free dairy/day, whole grains, limiting sweets/fats, and only 4-6 oz. meat per day. Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is strongly recommended. If followed closely, I may be able to skinny latte, again. The restaurant Indian I ate last night is causing me issues today. Bummer. No restaurants on DASH. 

Need to add a tad more exercise to my week. Nothing wild or wacky, just add aerobic exercise 20-30 min 2 more days per week, in addition to the Power Walking I already do 3 days/wk with Glamzon Barbie. Cleaning house this weekend was therapeutic! Folding laundry was Good For Me! B/P 137/82 just after folding a big load of whites. Who knew? 

Relaxation. I don't know how. Seriously. No freakin' clue. Which may be the root of the problem. May have to visit the New Agers for lessons. That's on tomorrow's To Do list. Yoga? Meditation? Tai Chi?

Laughter. I saw Kathy Griffin, live, last night. Hysterical. But effects sabotaged by Raj Mahal. Watched a really stupid slapstick movie with H9.11 this am. Laughed out loud. Snuggle time with my boy.

So the saga continues. Perhaps embracing new hobbies ( diet, aerobic exercise, relaxation, etc) will amuse me and keep me occupied so I obsess less over the numbers game? Who knows, it might even make me nicer. Too much to ask.        

I've decided that I'm not going to be nearly as Nice anymore. Not stark raving Evil either, but if you piss me off with unacceptable boorish behavior or continue to blight my life with your poor choices, I'm gonna let you know and it will probably smart.

I used to be this way. I used to have a very low tolerance for shit. Hence a rather extensive list of ex-boyfriends. I'm certain the reason Mr. Black made it through the guantlet is that he, too, has a very low threshold for annoyance. In fact, he relishes his workplace nic-name, Arrogant Bastard.

When let loose on some hapless dolt, I feel better and my blood pressure is low normal.

Being Nice is foreign to me and requires Great Effort. Apparently, it is also toxic.

The Being Nice Personality Disorder is easily traced back to my College of Nursing. One Must Always Be Nice to Patient and Families. Regardless of whatever stupidity they have brought/wrought upon themselves. Door Mat professionalized.

I have been understudying my Boss. She is extremely professional in her demeanor, but she also espouses the notion of Personal Responsibility. In essence, we all screw up from time to time, but it can usually be traced back to our own failure to accept or fulfill responsibility. It's an Accountabilty thing.

Seems to me, a big chunk of Being Nice is a bastardization of Political Correctness. Great concept, poor implementation. Respect and Acknowledge Differences, but dare not Qualify or Apply Values. Some behaviors are simply Unacceptable and should be acknowledged as such. Society has different levels of malfeasance: felonies; misdemeanors; and civil or tort issues. I think we should have the same for everyday social encounters.

Bad grade because you played and did not study? The Bad Grade should be punishment enough, but many people are not capable of Cause and Effect connections. They should not be allowed to re-take the test. And their grade,as well as request to have it expunged should be dutifully documented with some sort of minor citation. At our house,  failure to do home work is  punishable by loss of privileges and a substantial cash fine, "Because if you choose to act like a delinquent, we will treat you like one."

Forward me stupid chain emails promising me riches or death if I "do not fwd this to at least 10 friends" and you will be blocked from my email for a period of weeks with a notice of your transgression and penalty fwd'd to all the other hapless email addy's afflicted with your time suck crap. Keep up the fwd's and we'll see how long you have 10 friends.

Cut in line at grocery store, bank, where ever? You must go to the end of the line and will pay a 5% penalty. In the world of hidden cameras everywhere, video documentation of boorish behavior should be easy to enough to obtain.

This week, I have taken to 'sharing' my annoyance and irritation with sources of said misery. Guess what? My blood pressure is coming down!

Couldn't bother to get me the required Cubbie  advancements for the end of the year picnic? Too bad, you, Adult Leader, have some esplainin' to do to the boys and parents who did not receive the advancements they worked so hard on. I'll sit back and watch you squirm on this one. Not like I didn't email you all friggin last week requesting said info. Your whining ass excuse? "I work........" Well so do I, fucktard, and I even manage to get your rotten Demon Spawn kids to school on time everyday in carpool. I believe I managed over 120 hrs of combined clinic and on-call hours during the previous 2 weeks, plus car pool, plus Scouts, plus various Other Duties as Assigned, so don't give me any lame ass "But I work....."    

I addressed the Troll behind the Front Desk at my physician's office thusly. She was and is a troll better suited to World of Warcraft than dealing with the public. After being suitably shitty to me re: my insurance cards, I called my gal pal, whose husband is the CEO of said HMO/largest regional health care enterprise from the waiting area and tattled. Loudly. Petty? Of course! I think HMO members deserve better service for our $10 co-pay+ premiums. My family rarely uses medical services, so we are a cash cow for the medical practices. I neither expect nor want bowing or obsequiousness, but common courtesy and civility.  

For the imbeciles who tried to take my blood pressure with cuff far too large for a petite but curvy girl x2, they earned Special Mention. Twice the dolts for the price of one! Yay!! Econo-Care! I called another gal pal whose husband is a partner physician in the medical grp. I foresee a remedial vital signs class. Big Cuffs for Big Biceps. Medium cuffs for Medium people. Child cuffs for those adults with wasting conditions or eating disorders. Liking ice cream, I'm a Medium Girl, myself.

The real piss-off? I'm an RN. Obviously, I have close ties to this practice and the local medical community. And this is the quality of care I received. What about the poor schlep off the street?

I have also quit carpool. Never Again. Nope.

I admitted to my older son, Mr. Presidential Academic Achievement Award ( twisted irony is it's supposed to be very elitist based on national scores, grades, etc. and the incumbent President is clearly a C- student) last year and this year's Most Improved Student, that I was ambivalent, at best, regarding his latest academic "accomplishment".  He earned a very respectable 4.0 this term, including phys ed, cello, and Latin/German.The boy is many things, but athletic prowess is not amongst his skill set so we are stunned an amazed at that grade! But isn't it amazing what merely doing and turning in one's homework can accomplish? To refresh,  Dear Readers,  Mr. Gifted College Level Reading Comprehension and Award Winning Student Writer very nearly failed 6th grade Literature and Composition for failure to complete and turn in assignments because they were "boring". If he thinks that's boring, he should try the drive through window, 8hrs a day asking, "Would you like fries with that?"

Being in a bitchy mood and not keen on repeating the academic "challenges"of this school year, I'm framing and hanging the dubious distinction of Most Improved Student over his desk. Not wanting to diminish his achievement, but honestly, the kid did it for the money and to impress a girl. Dad challenged him to earn the 4.0 required to bring his GPA to a 3.2 for end of year and would pay the Boy double the Fines Imposed, if successful. And rumor has it Bekah doesn't like dumb asses who can't be bothered to do their homework. I like Bekah, already.

I'm a Cranky Assed Bitch and proud of it! Diva? No. I do not expect Perfection of myself, my children, or the service industry. I do, however, expect civility and personal accountabilty in daily interactions. If you cannot or will not provide such, you will incur my ire and that's a bad place to be.

My b/p was a lovely 132/74 this am, with properly sized medium cuff. With coffee. See? It works.

I

Guess what I got for my birthday??

A cardiologist of my very own! I know. Not even gift wrapped!

The sudden onset of significant cardiac issues since my physical a year ago is deeply troubling to all involved. Basically, if I want to see my kids hit their next developmental milestones, I need to alter my lifestyle. Clean living. Relaxation. Stress reduction. Cutting out non-essentials, like caffeine, guilt, obligations, swaps, etc.

So, I will no longer be co-hosting Craft Challenge. I'm sure Quornflour will pass the torch to a worthy Craftista.

Craft in Peace.              

Missing in Action due to Real Life. Nothing Bad. Just Shift in Priorities.

Power of networking may yield new creative business opportunity.

Working on Professional Advancement with yet another license. Will not result in more $$ right now, but makes promotion highly likely.

Kids require more time and energy, as is their due.

Check back periodically for updates.......

Jenyfer wants to play.

Mere 8 bits. Proving how cheap we really are.

Here goes:

1. 5' 2". Perfect size 4 on bottom and an 8 on top. You do the math. And find me a dress that fits, while you're at it.

2. Art Skool dropout. But isn't everyone?

3. I am never alone. I have a 100lb Chocolate shadow, Laughing Stupid, who follows me everywhere. Perpetually underfoot. Best if she can have some sort of semi-permanent physical contact.

4. Nail enamel is OPI "I'm Not Really A Waitress", a vintage clear cherry red. Perfect name. Perfect for short nails.

5. Accomplished baker. Yeast rises before me in acknowledgment of the Baking Grandeur that is Raven.Cheesecakes quiver, yet never crack.

6. Chad, the Robo-Raptor, sits on my dashboard.

7. Ginger Altoids.

8. Prefer black and white photography to color. Character shines through in a way color obscures.

Tag....Quornflour....Black Squirrel Gallery...Lulubird.....Mim....Smoke&Mirrors....Rachel....Zoe....Pupule.

Raven.Black is on a new adventure. And as is now customary, she has no map, no clue, nor any idea how it shall fare.
Basically, Raven and Jenyfer Matthews have been collaborators for years. Met online via a now defunct site in the Primordial Ooze of Blogdom when Raven wrote the now infamous "Dan vs.The Squirrels" and "Potty Time" essays. They share interests in creative areas, but tend to be stubbornly independent in most others. Jenyfer is conscientious and dutifully driven to complete projects, whereas Raven flits from one to another, the consummate ADD adult.

Appearing comically incompatible, they function much better together. Jenyfer brings planning and completion to Raven's tempestuous creativity run amok with use of sharp sticks and pointed wit, while Raven spurs ( or more likely kicks with spurs) Jenyfer to test unknown waters. Despite superficial differences, they are more alike than either would care to admit.

Many years later, they cooked up Squash Blossom.

Named for a quilt pattern, Squash Blossom would provide a forum for the Post Modern bi-continental Lucy and Ethel to compare and contrast the absurdity that is their lives. 2 bloggers, one in America, the other Ex-Pat in Egypt, each with families and rampant craftiness.

Who knew broken toilets and black squirrels would lead to Squash Blossoms?  

Craft Challenge is hitting the road. Next week, Quornflour will be in residence at Raven's Roost. Expect some Crafty Goodness involving your hapless hostesses and a paint sprayer. Since neither of us has actually ever  commandeered said equipment, I believe it may count as "Try a New Craft". On a Grand Scale.

As Responsible Voice of Reason TxSkillet will be absent this adventure, trouble is sure to follow. Quornflour, don't forget your insurance cards!

We'll post pictorial evidence of our misdeeds and malfeasance.

Any other Craft Challengers getting together?

EDITED: Miss Q claims extensive paint sprayer experience, so I shall be the Vestal Virgin. Perhaps we can experiment with felting copious amounts of labrador hair?  Might be water resistant.

This week, crafting has been in short supply. Unless one was to count the Squirrel Trap as "Craft". Though, that hardly seems elaborate enough and no fabric or glitter was involved. I don't think squirrels much care for sparklies.

Did venture into Joann's Craftopia, this week. I was looking for simple magnetic fastners: the type used in wallets and purses. I know Craftopia carries said item, as I have purchased them at that establishment prior. In the interim, the store has been "reorganized" for my "convenience". I spent no less than 90 minutes searching for the damned fasteners to no avail!

Notions? Nope.

Purse findings? That would be too logical, of course not!

Teen craftiness? No.

Fasteners? Not on Planet Craftopia.

Last I checked, purses were one of the hottest crafts around, right now. So who is responsible for trend spotting and buying at Joann's?

To add insult to injury? The blow out sale on Gutterman thread? No black, white, or brown. And this was at the flagship, corp HQ store! Is it a purchasing issue or logistics?

Enough to make me a cranky girl. 

Think I may just have to start purchasing my supplies via mail. Hancock Fabrics is closing, so no competition other than Walmart. Sad.

But! At Walmart, today, I found stunning fabrics in the $1-$2/yd clearance bins. Lovely trims. All matched. It was truly Kismet. Visions of a faux vintage bag in sunwashed florals beckoned.I even knew exactly which Vogue pattern!

Reality? I had to wait for an hour and venture all the away to the front of the store with my cart twice to request assistance to cut yardage. No one ever showed up! Running out of time and patience, I abandoned the cart laden with bolts and simply left the store.

No fabric. No magnetic fasteners.