11/19/09: Need an Ann Arbor therapist?

So for the last three weeks, my therapist has been in India.  Yep – that would be the same three weeks that my husband’s been at pre-deployment training at Fort Dix in New Jersey.  And the same time that one of my best friends lost two of her beloved pets, so she’s NOT been up for any kind of socializing.  Oh -  and the other best friend?  The one who lives directly across the street from me, the one whose kids I’ve adopted as my own nieces and nephews, the friend who’s more like a sister to me, the greatest neighbor I’ve ever had, and have enjoyed for the last many years?  During this same time, she told me they’re moving to Wash, DC around the beginning of 2010.

And it was only two months ago that I was suffering through a bout of severe depression, a fall that resulted in a broken hand, an awful tooth implant procedure that resulted in infection and nerve pain, and a perpetually-upset stomach from all the narcotics prescribed for the broken hand and tooth pain. 

Yeah – I hit a rough patch.  <wry grin>

Needless to say, I was a wreck.  And with no therapist to talk to about any of it. 

But if you’ve had the same therapist for 9 years, she probably knows whether or not you should see a colleague of hers while she’s away.  Thankfully, mine knew that I should. 

So I met Valerie Jo Taylor, a laid-back, kind, and respectful therapist with a great sense of humor who practices in downtown Ann Arbor.  I’ve been seeing her for the last three weeks, and I can say UNEQUIVOCALLY that, if you’re looking for a therapist, she’s among the FEW in this town who still practice with professionalism and high ethical standards (and I speak from experience). 

Besides being recommended by my own therapist, she also had a blemish-free record on the Michigan License Verification website, and a wonderful website for her practice. 

Of course, one should NEVER choose a therapist based solely on his/her website (that’s almost as bad as choosing someone from the Yellow Pages, or WORSE – from a list of approved therapists provided by your insurance!), but when I saw Valerie’s website (and took into account the referral and clean record), I thought she might be a good temporary solution. 

And she was.  In fact, I’m sad that I won’t be seeing her anymore.  Of course, I’m glad my own therapist is returning to town – although I’m REALLY mad at her for deserting me, but that’ll just make for good therapy fodder - but it’s difficult to imagine that I’ll no longer be seeing Valerie, someone I’ve come to appreciate, respect, and really REALLY like.

Since today was my last session with her, I made a thank-you gift for being my “bridge” during my regular therapist’s absence.  And if you’ve clicked the link to her website, you’ll see why I chose this design.  And, in fact, if you saw her business cards, you’d REALLY see the reason. 

So here’s a photo of the gift – it’s titled ”Bird Song”  and it measures 10″ x 14″ on the outer canvas, and 4″ x 5″ on the inner canvas.  I started with crumpled blue tissue paper adhered with matte medium (crumpled for texture), crumpled beige tissue paper with text, cut-out images of birds & a nest from greeting cards & decorative papers, specialty Florentine paper with sheet music and swirls, a single large skeleton leaf, two different kinds of vintage lace, branch leaves cut from sheet music (using a Sizzix die), and handstamped black ink swirls:

 

So there you have it – if you’re looking for a therapist in Ann Arbor, I can highly (and without reservation) recommend Valerie Jo Taylor, whose office is located at the corner of Washington & Fourth.  Give her a call – you’ll be glad you did.  And then tell her that Katherine Willson said hi, and that she misses her already. 

11/17/09: Holiday Ornament Exchange Party

Two weeks before Thanksgiving this year, I pulled out all the Christmas decorations and “decked the halls!”  I wanted them all up before my Holiday Ornament Exchange Party ’cause I had these lovely visions of all of us gathered in the living room, with a fire in the fireplace, lots of lit candles, flickering white lights in the miniature trees, Christmas carols playing in the background, and hot mulled cider simmering on the stove. 

And sure enough, when it was time for the party tonight, the house was resplendent in RED!  I’m surrounded by so much red that I could die of bliss!    Red candles, red stockings, red poinsettias, red Santas, red trees, red ornaments, red topiaries, red blankets… I’ve got fire engine red, scarlet red, cranberry, maroon, burgandy, persimmon, sangria… oh, and a tiny bit of green & gold thrown in for good measure. 

As if this television (below) wasn’t already too big for our little living room, David wants a MUCH bigger one for Christmas next year, after he returns from the Middle East.  He can get one – he’s earning it. 

It drives people nuts that I don’t put blinds up on our front window (below).  Why would I sacrifice any of that light?  Plus, I have the added benefit of ALWAYS knowing what’s going on in the neighborhood. 

Main entrance to the house (below) -  that tiny folding table in front of the window is where my GIANT Christmas tree will go, as soon as David gets home and helps me bring it in. 

We bought this beautiful piano (below) at a garage sale, of all places – I love it even as a magnificent piece of furniture.  The fact that it’s also in great working condition is a bonus!  It was built in 1904, and has a gorgeous, deep, warm tone that fills the living room beautifully.  And – of course – there’s David’s “Archie Bunker” recliner.  :-)

David’s Marathon Wall (below)  - I put those shadow boxes together for him as a Christmas present last year.  Each one contains his race bib, his medal, and a photo.  Really goes well with the decorations, no? 

I made this wreath (below) about 10 years ago, after gathering grapevines by the dozens from County Farm Park, just up the street.  I can’t believe how many packages of eucalyptus it took to fill it out.   Usually the wreath hangs above the fireplace, but I always move it when I put up the Christmas decorations ’cause I worry that the candles on the fireplace mantle will set the wreath on fire – neurotic, or good common sense?? 

The dogs were a little jealous that they weren’t in any of the photos, so this one (below) is just to humor them.  :-)  Check out their “paw-kings” hanging from the fireplace (with the nieces’ stockings hanging behind them).  I made the paw-kings about 10 years ago, and STILL get a huge kick out of re-discovering them again each Christmas. 

After all the decorations were up and the house was given a good dusting and sweeping (you’d be amazed at how much dog hair these two little beagles shed EVERY DAY), I put the mulled spiced cider on the stove to simmer, and waited for the guests to arrive!

All of the women that I invited were previously (or are currently) in my paper arts classes, and we did a Secret Santa ornament exchange.  Everyone wrote down something about their Christmas decorating style and/or types of ornaments that they collect, and then I randomly assigned Secret Santa partners to everyone, including me!  I had no idea who drew my name ’cause I turned the cards upside down before distributing them (even though I was tempted to peek!). 

We had so much fun giving one another our ornaments – everyone did such an incredible job picking out an ornament that was perfect for their partner.  Below are a few photos of the evening…

(above, from left: Mia, Nieka, Lisa & Laurie)

(above, from left: Mia, Nieka, Lisa & Laurie)

(above, from left: Janet and Sherry)

(above, from left: Janet and Sherry)

(above, from left: Heather, Lissa and Merrill)

(above, from left: Merrill & Karen & baby Carter)

(above, from left: baby Carter, me and Janet)

(above, from left: baby Carter and me)

The evening was magnificent – good food, good cider, great ornaments, and even greater company.    What an incredible group of women – I’m so blessed to have them as friends.

11/14/09: Nine months without a post

Wow – I could’ve grown a baby in that time.  But I didn’t.   

So what’d I do during those months?

• Joined a mixed-media critique group with fellow members of the Ann Arbor Women Artists (including Barbara Carson, Karen Gallup, Corinne Vivian, and others),
• Coordinated two juried exhibits for Ann Arbor Women Artists - the Spring exhibit at the Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown location, and the Summer exhibit at Ypsilanti’s Riverside Arts Center Gallery,
• Participated in a few more Standardized Patient interviews through the University of Michigan Medical School (I had to pretend to be an alcoholic chef suffering from amnesia, then a mother of premature twins – one of whom is dying – and then the wife of an asthmatic husband who dies in the ER).  Turns out I’m an AMAZING actress! 
• Hosted a “recycled arts & crafts” birthday party for my 9 year old niece Gabby at the Scrap Box,
• Attended a 5-day conference in Washington, DC as part of the Army Reserve’s Family Programs (I gave a presentation on using newsletters to enhance the communications within Family Readiness Groups),
• Picked up two new clients here in Ann Arbor who’ve hired me to research their genealogy and compile their family tree charts,
• Went on an Ann Arbor Women Artists field trip to Midland, MI for a tour of the home and studio of Alden B. Dow, a tour of the art studio of Charles Breed, and a tour of the First United Methodist Church of Midland to see the stained glass windows created by fellow AAWA member Karen Gallup,
• Cheered on my husband at the finish line of the 2009 Dexter-Ann Arbor half-marathon,
• Started an Ann Arbor Altered Books group that meets on the 1st Sunday of each month at Sweetwaters Cafe in Kerrytown,
• Started an Ann Arbor Artist Trading Card group that meets on the 1st Monday of each month at Carribou Coffee on Packard & Stadium,
• Finished another successful summer of teaching Ann Arbor Rec & Ed’s preschool “Itsy Bitsy Campers”  (themed weeks included “Camp Bug-a-loo,” “Zoo School,” “America the Beautiful,” and “Going Green-Recycling”),
• Attended a couple of Ann Arbor Rec & Ed’s Italian cooking classes with Francesca Giarraffa, accompanied by both my husband and my friend/neighbor Karen,
• Finished another successful summer of teaching “Paper Arts Studio,” a class through Ann Arbor Rec & Ed for adults, focusing on altered books, artist trading cards, art journaling, and bookmaking,
• Cheered on my husband and other members of his “Just Pitiful” mens’ softball league as they took 2nd place in the city – it was suggested that,  for next year’s season, they change their team name to “Not As Pitiful.” 
• Represented Ann Arbor Women Artists at the Arts Alliance’s “Creative Connections” booth during the Townie Street Party (held two days before the Ann Arbor Art Fairs every year),
• Helped to organize (and attended) the annual Family Day Picnic through my husband’s Army Reserve unit,  
• Attended a 5-day conference in San Antonio, TX as part of the Army Reserve’s Family Programs (I gave the presentation regarding newsletters for Family Readiness Groups again),
• and 3 days after I returned home, I left for ANOTHER 5-day conference – this time in St. Louis, MO – as part of the Army Reserve’s Family Programs (same newsletters presentation),
• Participated in a research study through the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department regarding correlations between creativity and ADD and OCD.  The results?  Yes, I’m creative, and yes, I exhibit ADD & OCD traits that are just short of disorder – but I could have told them that BEFORE the study! 
• Suffered through another bout of clinical depression, lasting six long weeks (thank god for antidepressants and psychotherapists),
• Broke a finger on my right hand from a fall, and spent weeks in a cast and learning how to do everything left-handed, then learning how to re-use that finger for writing, typing, playing piano and flute, and just about everything else,
• Attended a SoulCollage workshop facilitated by Colleen Russell,  and discovered my reason for obsessively collecting images of just about everything over the last 10 years – it’s all been in preparation for this SoulCollage process!
• Received notification that my husband was being deployed to the Middle East within 2 months. 
• Got a tooth implant put in, and suffered through three long weeks of pain, inflammation, infection, adverse reactions to prescribed narcotics and antibiotics,  and finally, at long last, healing,
• Participated in a paid “shop-along study” through “New Product Works,”  a local market research firm that gave me a cash payment of $100 to spend 45″ talking to a researcher as I perused the pet aisles of a local store, giving my opinions on why I would or would not purchase various items.  Paid for my OPINION!!!  How cool is THAT? 
• Was a featured caller on NPR’s Car Talk!!!  As of this posting, though, my show date isn’t listed in the archives (where my link will take you)- maybe in another week or two?  I was caller #3 in the first segment, and the brothers were absolutely right about what was wrong with my car.  $650 later (GASP!), it’s working just fine. 
• Threw a wonderful, fantastic, totally awesome and well-attended going away party for my soldier husband, prior to his deployment to the Middle East.  Over the course of 6 hours, we had more than 100 friends and neighbors stop over to wish him well, including many who came from out of state, and even from out of the country!  What a great send-off for my American Hero. 
• Missed handing out candy to the neighborhood kids for the first Halloween ever, since moving into this neighborhood 11 years ago.  David had already left, and I just wasn’t up for doing it alone, so I turned off all the front lights and worked in my art studio in the back.  Very, very sad – and lonely!  I’ll never miss it again, regardless of whether or not David’s here. 
• Accompanied friends to the Washtenaw County Chapter of the American Red Cross to assemble over 500  ”Military Comfort Kits” that included foot powder, anti-itch cream, wet wipes, kleenex, bug repellant, socks, and more.  We were told that the kits were being sent to Kuwait, so it’s quite possible that David will receive one of the kits we assembled!
• Met with a life coach for the first time – it was the first session of 12. One of my goals while David’s gone is to devote more attention to my art, and develop a plan for getting it out into the world, and I’m feeling VERY optimistic that this life coach can help me to exactly that.
• Attended a “Veterans Day Celebration” at Concordia University, the An Arbor-based college I attended from 1987-1991.  It was very moving, featuring an ROTC Honor Guard that handled the flag rituals, an Army Band performing rousing versions of patriotic classics, and the Concordia Choir singing an awe-inspiring version of ”The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  I found myself fighting back tears more than once during this memorable event, and I can’t thank the organizers enough for putting together such a wonderful event. 

So that’s the past nine months in review (which’ll make my “year-in-review” post SO MUCH easier, now!). 

Today I’m heading over to the Scrap Box with a bunch of friends to attend a Paste Paper workshop led by Karen Gallup, and I’ll be taking my camera so I can once again start posting photos with these entries.  Stay tuned!

2/15/09: Valentine’s Day in sunny Orlando…

So I’ve been in Orlando, Florida since Friday morning for an Army Reserve Family Programs conference, and now it’s time to leave (boo-hoo, sniff sniff). 

It’s been a wonderful weekend – the sun shone brightly the whole time, temps were in the high 70’s & low 80’s, flowers were in bloom, and birds were singing.  But…

My husband wasn’t with me.      On Valentine’s Weekend, no less.    

Now I’m heading home – I’m leaving behind all this gloriousness to return to gray, cold Ann Arbor, where my husband has informed me another 4 inches of snow has fallen since I left Friday morning.  Ugh…

I’m not sure I can wait until retirement to move somewhere warm and sunny (hint hint, honey!!)

It’s been so long since I’ve posted that I’ve got TONS of new photos to add, so without further ado…

Below are a few of my most recent Valentine’s projects, beginning with a Valentine-themed chunky book page for Swap-Bot:

Valentine’s Day card – see all that sparkle? 

More glitter & sparkle:

Maybe I’ll have to work on MORE bright, cheerful pieces to keep the Michigan winter from killing me…

12/16/08: Yesterday’s Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday David and I celebrated 13 years of wedded bliss.  Okay, maybe not all 13 years were blissful, but we celebrated, nonetheless. 

13 years ago, David wore one of his old suits and I wore a friend’s red dress and we drove about 40 minutes to Taylor, Michigan to get married in my father’s childhood church – no attendants, no musicians, no frills.

This was a “quickie” wedding.  No, there wasn’t a bun in the oven. 

A few days prior to the wedding, we’d received notification that David’s Army unit was being deployed to Bosnia.  At the time, David and I were living together and planning a large wedding for the following June.

After receiving word of his impending deployment, we knew there was no way he’d be back in time for the big wedding six months down the road. 

We called the pastor who was scheduled to marry us in June in the chapel of Concordia University-Ann Arbor, where I ‘d attended undergrad, and asked him if we should go down to the county court house for a quickie wedding before David shipped off.

His response was, “No – come down to my church.  It’s beautifully-decorated for Christmas, so you can bring a couple of friends and family members and we’ll just have the wedding here.”

I was still in the process of making my wedding dress, and it wasn’t anywhere close to being finished, so a friend loaned me her red Christmas-y dress for “something borrowed.”  Thankfully, we’d already received the rings – already inscribed with the June wedding date. 

There wasn’t any time to put flowers together, or a cake, or even music – but these were things that mattered little at the time.  All we could think about was that we had less than a week before David was going to Bosnia. 

We each called our parents to tell them about the “quickie wedding,” then we each called a friend to join us as our witnesses. 

Somehow, word spread like wildfire… and when David and I pulled up to the church for our small “quickie wedding,” we were astonished to see almost 160 people waiting for us. 

Despite the sadness of David’s imminent departure, there was a joyfulness to the ceremony.  The church was indeed decorated for Christmas, just as the pastor had said.  We had a candle-lit ceremony with holiday greens lining each pew, and the pastor suggested we all join together in singing an a capella version of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” (I get goosebumps each time I hear it now).

There was no procession, no long message, no soloists.  

We simply said our vows, exchanged our rings, and we were married. 

Three days later…

David’s Army unit’s orders were cancelled. 

It was all for naught, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. 

Realizing that we could still go ahead with the originally-planned BIG-WHITE-DRESS wedding in June, we did – and now we celebrate two anniversaries each year:  Dec 15th and Jun 22nd. 

So we called this anniversary “The 13th anniversary of the 1st wedding” and David surprised me by taking me out for an amazing dinner last night at The Melting Pot (309 S. Main St in Ann Arbor). 

Our fantastic waiter (Guy – you were AMAZING!!) led us to the back corner table (very cozy & intimate), and the feasting began…

The first course was a creamy blend of aged cheddar cheeses, lager, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce & chives blended together – right there at our table! – served with an assortment of breads, fresh vegetables, and crisp granny-smith apples for dipping.  Seriously – this was SOOOO fantastic that I could have stopped there. 

BUT WAIT!!  There’s MORE!

Our second course was a giant salad – I had a fresh spinach salad topped with baby portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced red onions, chopped tomato & bacon, served with a warm Burgundy shallot vinaigrette.  YUMMMMM!!!!

I had no idea how we’d have room for the main course and dessert, but a few good belches later, I made room. 

The main course featured lobster tail, filet mignon, salmon, BBQ pork tenderloin, Key West shrimp, honey-Dijon chicken, and ravioli stuffed with spinach & gorgonzola – all served with about a billion different kinds of sauces, fresh potatoes, broccoli & mushroom caps. 

I had never realized that fondue could be anything other than cheese or chocolate, but for this main course, we were given a pot of broth-like liquid that simmered steadily, and we were told to pierce our raw meat pieces with the fondue sticks and cook them to their desired “doneness” in the broth:

I was totally in my glory.    There was no way for this to go wrong – I had bread, I had cheese, I had seafood (and did I mention the AMAZINGLY FANTASTIC glass of Spatlese I was drinking?) – and I knew chocolate was yet to come.

Oh. My. God.  The chocolate. 

Creamy melted milk chocolate, mixed with marshmallow cream, flambéed with a little rum, and topped with graham cracker crumbs.  And this was just the dipping sauce.

INTO the dipping sauce went:

 

Yeah.  ALL of that.  A large piece of creamy cheesecake, miniature decadent chocolate brownies, moist pound cake, chocolate-covered marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats, fresh strawberries & bananas, more graham crackers, and an already once-dipped-in-chocolate cherry, just waiting for its second dip. 

Guess who almost went into sugar-induced comas?!?!?!?

I swear – we had our pants unzipped, and they almost had to roll us out of there.  How we walked all the way back to our car is beyond me.  When we woke up this morning, we were STILL stuffed!

If you’ve never been to the Melting Pot, go!  I can’t imagine how David will ever be able to top this event.