Skip to content

Tag: Service Animal

4

Published on 4 Comments on The Unseen

"The Unseen" is a painting by my 12 year old alter named Michelle who has been out quite a bit lately. She's doing therapy with Dr. D right now so there will surely be more art from her displayed on the blog.

The art piece was started by layering paint then smearing ink until she found an image she wanted to pull.

She prefers the 'dirty art' look and doesn't pay attention to if it's considered pretty. She layers faces and shadows, piling them one on the other in burnt orange, turquoise, black and a bit of white. There is also a large bird and an abstract tree that roots from the head of the main face.

Title: The Unseen (original art)
Art by: Faith Magdalene Austin
Media: Acrylic, ink on paper
Size: 7 x 10
Finish: Signed, heat sealed, unmounted
Style: Abstract Surreal

I was recently asked why I don't do larger art. I still do most creating, including this piece and small sewing projects, while in bed. My mattress is covered well so as not to look like a painters pallet. I've also got a nice little sewing box. Because so much time is spent in bed, I won't be able to complete large art projects. It's one of the things I had to accept awhile back. I do what I am capable of doing which means a lot is done in a way that accommodates Lupus and CRSD symptoms.

Even though my dog Clyde is on the bed with me as I paint, to date he has not been splattered with paint. He remains brown and white. 🙂

Sir Clyde Austin Dreams of Light

The original painting called, "The Unseen" is available through Etsy or PayPal.

Faith

Published on Leave a comment on Weather. Desensitization Therapy. Courage and Resilience.

It's cold,
dead cold
freezing my bones in place.
bones that aren't, squeak and squawk
at the audacious request to carry me.

****
It's supposed to be bitter cold for the next 10 days. I just want the barometric pressure to stabilize, at least my pain would be tolerable. Right now my hands and knees are screaming.

This is year three that I've turned the heat on in the entire apartment instead of just using the heat settings in my room. I have baseboard heaters, not centralized heating with ventilation. These are like glorified space heaters for each room which is why the heating bill I just got is a whopping $107.00 for 650 sq feet. ...continue reading "Weather. Desensitization Therapy. Courage and Resilience."

Published on Leave a comment on Dog and Frog

Clyde is needy, so am I. He too jumps at the slightest noise.  Even though he's anxious, he's protective of me.

He knows what it means when alarms go off 4 times a day. Two of those times he's going to eat, which he loves to do.

He's such a good boy, gentle yet playful and easy to please. I can't believe how much he loves tennis balls. In this photo he's looking all sad and pitiful bc we weren't playing ball in the rain. Lol He was happy inside the house when I unwrapped his new chew bone. 🙂

I'm typing in bed, half asleep, with Clyde laying on my legs. This is truly appreciated. It helps physically and emotionally. ...continue reading "Dog and Frog"

Published on Leave a comment on Still Walking

We played ball and took advantage of the weather. The little spot in this photo is Clyde running and chewing a tennis ball. The ball didn't make it. It was chewed to nothing, but that's okay 'cause we had a lot of fun.
That little spot is Clyde

We both came home quite happy with ourselves.

While there I thought about some of the projects to try for next year when I start my tree a day project.

Today was easier than yesterday. I'm grateful for that.

Faith

Published on Leave a comment on Bad Day – We Make A Good Team

Today was another day where I had spasms. The pain gets so bad it frightens me. I want to run from it.

There's loneliness with pain. I'm not sure why but it's a lonely feeling to be in pain like that. It's even more odd when it's over and I'm out walking the dog as if nothing happened. It's strange. I mean, I slept hard after it but when I woke I got up and walked the dog as if I hadn't, hours before, gotten too close to crossing the line between sane and insane. I feel like I'll lose my mind.  ...continue reading "Bad Day – We Make A Good Team"

Published on Leave a comment on Therapy Review: Managing Anxiety. Relief

My dreams weren't good but they didn't plague me. I laid in bed for a bit and watched a short lecture then got ready for therapy. We talked about how wonderful it's been to have my new buddy and how there's renewed courage to leave the house and go further than usual. I can't explain why a dog gives me that courage but he does.

We talked about the gift of sleep and how I can close my eyes and go to sleep without looking at the door fearing someone from my past will be standing there. It's not possible to stand in the doorway without Clyde letting me know. So I close my eyes and go to sleep....because I can.

The anxiety is still out of control with no real answer as to why. It's there, it's huge and it's not going anywhere soon. Dr. D and I went over a few things that could assist with managing it. We talked again about getting a stationary bike. I have to do something physical to relieve anxiety like this. Sometimes I just need to run from myself, get out of my skin and my head. I remember riding a bike back when I had a measure of health to do so. Man I miss it terribly. That's one of the best feelings ever. I know this bike will be stationary but my current need for it will be met because the motion of riding is what I seek. I figure since this is holiday time I can put one in the layaway at Walmart or something. ...continue reading "Therapy Review: Managing Anxiety. Relief"

Published on Leave a comment on Medications. GP Impression. Decompression.

She nixed the Gabapentin and Cyclobenzaprine which no longer work for me and exchanged them for Lyrica and Zanaflex. I'm already on Cymbalta with Abilify. This is a combination I've not had before, one I really need to give some relief. I'd take a level pain 7 with no questions asked. If they could just get me to a 7. I know there are a few moderate potential problems with this mix but being in pain makes me willing to take the risk. I'm monitored very carefully.

I said this wasn't the doctor for me but we'll see. The first two appointments with her weren't promising but it's gotten better. She was pleased to see that I've lost 23 lbs since August. She was pleased to know I got Clyde and that we're walking daily. Today has been harder than usual because my left knee is swollen, so our walks aren't as far away from the house. We walk the courtyard several times which is a good leg stretch for us both. ...continue reading "Medications. GP Impression. Decompression."

2

Published on 2 Comments on Therapy Review: Trust. Guilt. Anxiety Art. Community

We talked about how there's no reason on earth I shouldn't trust that I get to keep Sir Clyde for a very long time. We discussed anxiety and grief concerning Mary Jane and some guilt that I have another pet so early after her passing. It feels like I tried to replace her but as I've said (I just have to always remember it) Mary Jane helped me be able to give even more love to the next four-legged friend in this house. Clyde is here now and I look forward to spending a very long time with him.

A few pieces of anxiety artwork.

We talked about how I became so frustrated with someone who kept giving me way too much information when all I needed was a simple answer. My head was swimming in information that just confused me. Processing words seems complicated at times. The words stop 5 inches from my face and mean nothing to me. I get frustrated and shut down. ...continue reading "Therapy Review: Trust. Guilt. Anxiety Art. Community"

Published on Leave a comment on Courage with a Service Dog

snail hunting at the parkA week ago a friend and I went snail and moss hunting. I didn't find a single snail but I did get great moss. There was moss down by the water but I didn't want to risk my life going where the best of it was so we just ohh and aaahed on shore.

The park closest to me has seen Sir Clyde and my face daily since he's been here. I feel more secure leaving the house with a dog at my side. I walked to the park when I didn't have a dog but it wasn't as relaxing. I had to force myself to go but that's not the case with a dog.

I've talked to Dr. D and to my old medical doctor about getting a dog and some high calorie dog foods for at least a year but a lot had to happen before I could do it. I had to know I could go up and down those stairs to take him out. I had to know I wouldn't be in the ER several times a month or be bed-bound like before. I needed to know I'd have the physical ability to care for him. I do. I'll be working my butt off putting dolls and paintings in my shop to pay for his day to day needs. ...continue reading "Courage with a Service Dog"

Published on Leave a comment on No tears. The page has turned.

Why do women cry in the bathtub while drinking a glass of wine? Is that in our DNA?

I had a wonderful lavender bath. When I got out I put on my lavender oil and gave myself a foot massage with the oil. You couldn't tell me I wasn't sexy. I mean seriously, all that lavender, all that water, dreads drenched and hanging, yeah, there was a moment when I thought, you can't tell me I'm not sexy. Ha ha haaaa. lol. 🙂 It felt good to tell you the truth. Usually I feel like a beast but if you mix lavender oil and DIY lavender bath bombs together you get a supple woman with a case of confidence. Like wow!

I refused to cry in my beautiful bath water. I refused. I wanted to but instead I laid back, used my loofah, sipped wine and enjoyed the flicker of a pear and sage candle. I thought to myself, this is how you live....this...is....how...you....live!  ...continue reading "No tears. The page has turned."

%d bloggers like this: