Trying a different tack.....

Will it help get my mojo back?

When a family crisis of any kind hits, it certainly brings true priorities to the fore.  I have always found comfort in miniatures during times of stress but have to admit that at the moment I am struggling to keep my mind set on anything.  I am of course very concerned about our daughter Kirsten.  Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the more successful cancers as far as treatment goes.  But when one has four young children to care for and has to undergo the far from pleasant process of any of the treatments it is difficult to put it mildly - not only physically but coping with the emotional issues on her side and the childrens' side as well.  I am naturally ready to hop in the car and go with the caravan to stay for an indefinite period to assist as much as possible as soon as she gives the word and have told her so.  She will let me know once we have a path of treatment mapped out from the doctors.

Then there is my mother who is in a Nursing Home.  I have felt so guilty ever since she had to move into there.  My husband and brother vetoed the idea of my nursing her here at home because I physically am unable to do it - her needs are too high and I have problems of my own.  But still the guilt persists, and her resentment persists too.  Her mind is sharp as a tack but her body is failing fast.  At the moment I am trying to visit her daily to get her on her feet with Peter's help, in order to improve her ability to stand and mobility.  For someone with a bad back this is taking a toll.  But the nursing staff are no longer able to do it because of OH&S and the only other alternative is a full lifter and she would no longer be able to use the toilet - this has implications that involve loss of dignity, total loss of any remaining mobility and independence, and of course everything that goes with that.  This is totally distressing for me as well as my mother.  And she is lashing out at everyone in her anxiety and frustration.

I have in fact lost my mojo regarding minis and when I try to find solace I end up just dithering.  And I find myself unable to participate in the groups at the moment, though I am still receiving emails and scanning some, doing my best to answer a few.  The other day I had a massage (I was a 'little tense' - wonder why???).  I have one every fortnight and believe me, they help!  Not relaxing though.  Gary is a 6'2" soccer player and he shows no mercy - gives me what my muscles need, not what I think I want vbg!  I always come home feeling spaced out and exhausted but it does really help.  After I recover! 

In the morning before I went I dug out the kit for the Secret Book that had arrived a couple of days prior.  I fiddled around a lot and it took me a long time - all morning in fact - but I did get the book and the cover assembled and painted before I left after lunch for my appointment.  These are the approximate size of a box of matches and are Robin Betterley's new release (www.robinbetterley.com).  There are 13 in the series, and a bookcase that holds 12 of them and has a display stand to go on top to hold the 13th, open for display.  Here is the exterior - sorry the photo of the spine isn't very clear, I need to take another photo.

Front cover

Back cover

And here is the interior.  First, showing the 'drawer' or secret book sliding out of the cover:

Then the two in the palm of my hands to show the size - it's very hard taking a photo with one hand and holding things with the other vbg.

Here's another view of the overall interior totally removed from the cover, in the palm of my hand:

And here is a close-up of the detail in the ground floor:

And the 1st floor:

As usual with anything from the Betterleys, all artwork and every little detail was supplied and the kit was beautifully presented.  The only things one need to supply are glue and paint.  As you can see above I didn't do a terribly good job of trimming the label on the lower side of the ribbon reel table - fortunately it doesn't show in real life.  My scissors just wouldn't trim any closer.  And after everything was glued into place I realised that I hadn't put in the pretty little rug that was supposed to go on the floor upstairs. But there is so much there that I don't think it is missed.  I will of course save it to use somewhere else.

It took me all afternoon and evening up until midnight or later to finish it off, but I was determined to do so.  I am reasonably pleased with the result but not totally.  It was more a matter of doing it to try and get inspired again rather than doing it because I was inspired.

I also dug out the Birchwood packs that I have received.  There is a hold-up of some kind with the 6th one, the last of the first series, but I have the rest.  I am wondering whether it will help if I start doing this series.  I know I am in the middle of so many Petite Properties things, and I have several other things from Debbie Young and also from Karen Benson, but perhaps a complete change of theme will get that old mojo back again.

Keep posted and we will see!