incoming

  i am going to keep this very brief, as i have a really, really busy day (and weekend) ahead of me, sorting and culling and tossing and packing, taping and filing and addressing and then sending a massive stack of boxes off into the ever-world of this friendly little place called Ornamental.  when i showed my (new-ish to me, until the beginning of june) dentist yesterday the photograph of my upside down studio, then said i wanted to take his picture, he laughed and laughed.  look at his eyes in the photograph and you will see the crinkles that come from pure, unfiltered mirth.  this is a good thing, people, when i can go into that place and laugh.  believe me, i am no fan of dentists, i do not like having to shell out instant cash (i have no credit card) for a lot of pain.  i have a mouth full of baby teeth that never fell out, because there were lots of spots where no permanent teeth came in to take their place.  at 55, those baby teeth have done all they can do, and i'll leave the rest up to your imagination.  the weekend before i left to go teach at artfest back at the first of april, just as daddy's rapid decline was in a downward spin, i developed a horrid ache in my jaw and called my dentist of 15 years.  the office was closed, i called the emergency number on the office machine which turned out to be my dentist's home machine.  after leaving a frantic message - remember, i was headed out to teach in washington state - i never ever heard back from him.  fortunately, my doctor prescribed an antibiotic that helped me through that next week.  upon my return, when i finally got in to see the dentist, i reprimanded him for not calling back, and he simply chuckled.  then he sent me to an endodontist, for a root canal.  the endodontist was able to see the extent of a problem gone very wrong; when i went back to my dentist, and told him daddy had died, he laughed again.  needless to say, i've changed dentists and am crazy about the one i have now.  anyway....

i thought i'd better write what was supposed to be a quick post and tell you a huge thank you for the outpouring of requests for boxes.  at this point, i'm having to say i've got enough for now to handle - more than enough - and am filing requests in a place where i can check back after the beginning of next week.  i had no idea that this would turn into what it has, and i'm doing all i can to get things moving and out of here.  what this involves?  multiple trips to the post office for flat rate boxes (i've ordered some online but those take over a week to arrive), another trip into town yesterday to purchase new ink cartridges for the printer (am printing online postage labels) and some bubble wrap; the boxes are of course not stuffed to capacity, as they are quite large (when considering filling them, that is), and i don't want the items to rattle around.  i am a packrat, and for six years i've accumulated all manner of things for both my jewelry and my mixed media work (books and art), as well as items for class kit supplies.  how to pack these things without it looking like they were thrown into the boxes?  no easy feat.  i've lined up rows of empty boxes at a time, placed goodies in them at random, sealed them with shipping tape, and have placed mailing labels on boxes not knowing what is in which.  this is a good thing, as i don't want to play favorites with anyone, it slows me down to even think that way.  so, for those of you who've placed your order and have paid, i ask that you bear with me as i muddle my way through getting your box to you.  it takes so much more time than i ever thought it would.

for now, i'll be up to my knees in packing boxes and piles of things.  but just imagine the sense of freedom i will (hopefully) feel once this is all behind me!  already, i'm imagining ways to handle some long-term goals (a better studio, a book to write, for starters).  my body will be aching, as i have to haul lots of bags of things off to the dump (this means filling garbage bags, hauling them up steps to the car, throwing into the car, driving to the dump, and then lifting them out of the car into the dump, and driving back home again).  lesley (my fellow artist friend of eleven years who is now also my creative coach - go check her out here) advises to take the ibuprofen NOW, rather than waiting for the aches to set in.  she is a marvel, people.  i remember how she wrote onto little wooden blocks her things she wanted to accomplish, and placed them in a bowl.  i'd like to be like that, but i never will - it isn't in my genetic makeup, believe me, i've tried - so i have her to keep me on track for this latest attempt at self improvement.

i'm sitting at the laptop on a very rainy day, still in pajamas, hair a total mess, coffee cup drained.  when i look at the photograph above i see so many things after initially seeing the mess:  i need a new studio table; the one i purchased ten years ago at a church rummage sale has seen much better days.  i need a new studio chair; the cane bottomed vintage piece in which i sit is losing its bottom, so i sink and stuff another pillow underneath to shore me up.  i need to re-think the shelves in a really tiny room - it is all i can do to get to one or two levels, the others serve me no use if i cannot utilize the space.  i need better light.  i need a space for a much better printer, since the one i have is pathetic and i can't use it for images in my jewelry.  i need a better camera to take those improved images.  i need, i need, i need.  it shall happen, all of this takes time, and money, and more time.  so, i'm taking charge.  first things, first.  ready, set, GO.  xo

Comments

[Denise S.]

I can hardly wait and I hope you can get your dentist fund moving right along sweet girl. How's Walter?

[Tina in McLeansville]

how very cathartic to be able to throw out the old and begin fresh and new...i love that. i feel i am beginning to walk down a similar path...it is energizing and exciting with a bit of trepidation and bone-weariness thrown in....you are on a mission to be sure....hang tough! hugs...xo

[Carol Weiler]

Just came back to your blog after a long absence. If any 30.00 boxes are still available I'd love one-even though I should e clearing out also! Good luck-I think you have a great attitude for a daunting task. CW

[Mosaic Magpie]

Any dentist that would not return a phone call, should be left. I am glad you found one that has a caring attitude. I hope you raise enough $$ from your destash to not only pay for the dental work but allows you to purchase your new studio necessities. Lighting, seating and a good work table are important!
Deb
Hey I hope there is not too much bubble wrap in that package!!!!

[Tina]

Oh Nina you are so very brave getting rid of things, i really don't think i could do it...but you have inspired me to try! I wish i was there to help you, i'd love to see what you're putting in the boxes and more to the point how you decide what to throw or keep, i'd love to take photos of your facial expressions when you pick up something and decide to post it or keep it...to know what's going through your mind when you're indecisive...probably a lot of heavy sighing on your part... but hope it's not too difficult for you. Good luck with the dental stuff xxx

[Debbi]

You go, Girl! I need to do the same thing. . . . sigh . . . :)
Nina, if you will email me, I will give you directions to recane that old chair! It actually is really simple, and fairly easy . . . if it is sheet cane. Are there little holes or does the whole sheet of caning fit into a groove? If you like . . . of course . . . wish I was on the same coast to do it for you!
XOXO
~Debbi

[sandy]

That old dentist needs to realize there is Karma. He's lucky you didn't report him to the board. He could loose his license.

Moving on....

I hope this new dentist works out for you. For one, he's transparent and that's a good thing. We all know who he is and what he looks like(just joking)
But Mr. Dentist please treat our Nina well. We all have her back. Yes we do.

I know your office/work area is going to be just beautiful. Just put like with like and you'll do fine. And give each of those "like groups" a home. That is all that organizing is about anyway.

For the chair and desk don't forget to check craigslist.org in your area and even the local thrift(you'd be surprise what people throw away which can be repainted)

I think Leslie is right about the pain stuff. Even though I'm not a doctor, I take my Motrin before I get ready to do something strenuous and I also take it as soon as I feel any little twinge. It really does help, along with a nice warm bath or shower.

[Mary G.]

Oh, Nina, I love the positive energy in this post!

When I retired at the beginning of this year, I spent a lot of time in the first 3 months decluttering -- mostly shredding a lot of papers, throwing out things that did not need to be saved, and taking lots of things to Goodwill. The idea of selling box lots is brilliant -- it just goes to show that 2 heads (yours and Lesley's) are better than my 1. And I still have lots more to do (oh, the basement and attic are stuffed, still!) but I got sidetracked knitting and learning to spin my own yarn. . .

You are reminding me that, now that my time is my own, I really should set goals and take daily baby steps towards achieving them. Fear, I think, is the root of a lot of my inertia.

The fairy lights in the corner of your studio picture remind me of your clean-up last winter, and your cleverness. With tiny baby steps, you will be clever enough to have what you need and to meet your goals. Yes -- GO!!

[Katherine Langford]

I am pleased to see you honor the passage -- big changes are built from little changes and. . . this is a journey of sorts. I have read and watched you journey all year and this is the most positive you have seemed in so long. Love that energy - love the movement and, perhaps you are getting ready to bite into the big apple of inspiration! Sometimes when we force ourselves to rethink our process we find just what we need for that journey. Happy packing, happy trails, happy smile and most happy of all happy moments - creation of more art both in your life and in your work. You are being "brave on the rocks" as Sabrina Ward Harrison would say. Hugs!

[Monica]

I've just sent a message to your email, but I am so inspired by the clearing you are doing!! It is truly inspiring me to get to work on my creative space and my home, both of which are in a sorry state =-(

Thank you for your honesty in sharing your studio space Nina - it's galvanizing me to do the same!

[beth]

i cleaned out my studio last year and it was like breathing for the first time in a long time....but like always, recently i was looking for my scrabble pieces for a project, only to remember that i had sold them....arrghhhh

[Jan]

A book! Yeah! I'm so excited to see that's in your plans.

You're doing a terrific job of tackling this project. You'll be good weary from accomplishing so much rather than drained-of-energy and overwhelmed weary from continually facing that mountain of stuff.

Well done.

[Sue]

Oh I wish I lived near you Nina, I LOVE doing all of those organising -type jobs that you dislike .....and I'd be happy to help! Have you thought about swapping your living area and studio area (so that your work-space is bigger?) I'm sure you spend more time working than lounging anyway!

And what's this talk of a book? At long last!!! You have been charming us for years on your amazing blog, it's about time you earned something from your wonderful words and photographs! I, for one, will be pre-ordering your book :-)

[Loretta a/k/a Mrs. Pom]

I wish I was close by, too, Nina. I would get in there and help you. I am in the midst of the same sort of thing here. Sorting, purging, organizing, and setting up my little tiny art room as a place where I can work, a place that is clean, welcoming, and organized. Lesley is an amazing friend and coach and I'm so happy she is encouraging you.

[somepinkflowers]

{{ i don't think
you meant for this
to happen
BUT
you have inspired me
to purge
my own Stash
as well
so i do thank you
for that }}

[Jeannie]

Oh Nina! If there are any boxes left, I would love one, any size. Today is my first day back in the world after having my thyroid removed, so I fear I may have missed out. If so, I will wait until next time.I hope your new dentist treats you well. I have been down that road, and it is nice to finally be done. Sometimes, no matter how good we treat our body, genetics have a say in what happens. Hugs to you and Walter.

[Irma Deane]

Hi Nina,
I took a class from you six years ago in Lake Elsinore. During that class you mentioned that you were asked to write a book. You asked us if you did write one, what would we like to see you write about. My suggesion was for you to write the book you would want to buy. For years I have kept my eyes open, waiting for it to appear. Finally it is to be born. I look forward to buying it when it comes out. By the way, I still use everything I learned in your class. Thank you for being a great Teacher!
Much saddness to hear about the passing of your Father and the violation of your home. I hope the reorganization of your space brings you peace and a fresh place to begin a new journey.

[Patricia Walters]

You are an amazing woman, Nina. Your humanity shines through in everything you write to us. I can see you running into town and packing all kinds of wonderful treasures in those boxes.

You will ache, and it will be a good ache when those boxes are on their way to their new homes.

[Bonnie Moench]

Dear Nina

It is so liberating to get rid of the clutter. Last year I donated 10 large boxes of quilting fabric to a group that makes quilts for charity......they produced 124 quilts with the fabric I gave them. They appreciated it and I felt fantastic.

So you go girl....I am proud of you
xoxo
Bonnie

[Joanie]

Hi Nina,
Like Carol (above) I've been away from artist's blogs for quite a while. I didn't realize how much I missed your blog until I started trying to catch up. It's neat that you're so you. Thanks for an always interesting read. Happy days, Joanie Hoffman.

[Nathan Bedingfield]

Dentists should be emphatic of their patients and it's a good thing yours had a good laugh in him. It does help if you can laugh while at the dentist, as that would help relieve a lot of the tension. Anyway, have fun organizing your beloved studio.