Thursday 19 May 2011

Okay... What Next?

Yesterday things were looking up until Sam came home late from a day working in Cambridge (he's a punt chauffeur for the summer) to announce his bicycle had been stolen. He'd had to walk the three miles home from the station because some idiot had taken bolt cutters to his lock and made off with his bike.

Not a fancy expensive bike but necessary for Sam to get around. So until he gets it sorted out he's dependant on us for lifts. The irony is not lost on him that had his move to Cambridge gone ahead this would not have happened. It's really not been his week.

Then this morning I got up early to meet my friend as usual for our daily dog walk. As she walked across the field to meet me I knew all was not well... she was on her own.

Her lovely, bouncy, totally barmy, border collie cross has had a couple of operations recently for a tumour behind his eye. We knew he probably didn't have much longer but didn't expect it to be quite so soon. He'd only gone to the vet yesterday to have his stitches removed... but he didn't come home.

We've been walking together since the dogs were puppies, so at least nine years... probably longer. We meet early every morning come rain or shine and put the world to right. We walked today with just one dog... crying and laughing... what a sight we must have been! She came out to walk today because she didn't know what else to do... because that is what we do in the mornings.

So, I am trying to stay positive I really am, but its not a good week all round. Today I can't settle to much again although I have finished this doll as an example to take back to the 4S class on Monday. In case you were wondering I was inspired by this lady...


But I've got to knuckle down as it's a busy few days again. I'm talking to a local W.I. this evening. Teaching at Art and Stitch on Saturday (still places available). On Sunday I've to deliver work to the Mall galleries and help set up the exhibition before going to catch the Julia Caprara school degree show in the afternoon. On Monday I'm teaching 4S how to put bodies on their dolls and then on Tuesday I'm back in London all day for the opening of the PRISM show.


So forgive me if I'm not around here for a while. And when I come back I'm going to be a smiley, happy person who doesn't moan about all the bad things that are happening... because I hate moany blogs! See you next week!

34 comments:

  1. I thought 'Zandra!' as soon as I saw her.

    You're having a s*** week!!! I hope things look up soon. If I'd known that Sam was a punt chauffeur I would have looked for him to take our guest for a tour (hope he wasn't one of the dozens we turned down yesterday morning).

    Hope the ladies behave at the workshop on Monday - I know one who might be trouble!

    Good luck with everything in the week ahead and hope there are lots of lovely things to cheer you up.

    Celia
    x

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  2. Sounds like you have every right to have a moan. My son's bike got stolen or rather the seat and the wheel got stolen which meant he had to have a lift home with half a bike in our Christiania bike (google it to see what I mean), we didn't have a car at the time. He kept telling me to slow down on the corners :).

    You still seem to have made a fabulous inspiring creation despite all the hassles of the week. Hope next week brings better news.

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  3. I am sorry to hear about the stolen bike, that happened to mine .... someone pulled up in a van and took all the bikes from outside the front of the hospital so a lot of them were us nurses.

    So sad about the dog too, they are such loyal friends.

    I hope your week cheers up a bit.

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  4. This has not been a good week for you, has it? Poor Sam's faith in humanity must have been severely shaken with his experiences this week. And my heart goes out to your early morning dog walking friend. It's sad for you too, because what has always been has now suddenly gone, and your dog has also lost a companion. As a dog owner this puts a chill in my heart, I can't imagine a day when our darling Rosie Mae won't be there to take for a walk but she's 14 and a half.......

    I hope you enjoy your busy busy busy days ahead.

    x
    ps Your art doll is SUPERB!
    pps Your blog is not moany!

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  5. So glad your friend still went walking today, not an easy decision to make. Love the doll.

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  6. My granddaughter had her bike stolen from outside a shop in Cambridge near her home.
    Hope your week gets better.

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  7. oh dear gina you have indeed had a dreadful time of late. things can only get better from now on.

    you certainly have a really busy time ahead - i often wonder how you fit it all in. you must have tremendous energy. you are also very gifted - you are so creative in oh so many ways which is an inspiration for me.

    take care and give sam a big hug from me!

    love annx

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  8. Hugs, Gina xxx and one for Sam too x

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  9. Urgh, it just gets worse and worse. I am sorry - poor Sam. I hope he has had a good stomp. I would.

    But I'm really looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, and you can moan as much as you like!

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  10. Some patches in life are just like that, unfortunately. It always gets better though....
    Love your doll..... especially her very Zandra type tights and her hair! Wonderful.

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  11. Wow that's some gal you've got there.
    I'm sure things will get better soon starting with tomorrow.

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  12. What a superb doll. Lovely.
    Sorry you have had a bad week.

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  13. Hi Gina, just been catching up with your blog and I'm sorry things have been a bit off for you lately.
    I'm so very sorry to hear about your friends dog, it really is awful to lose a loving pet.
    Vivienne x
    P.S. Love 'Zandra' by the way!

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  14. I am sorry that you have been having a bad time - I hope things look up for you. And certainly when I look at your wonderful doll, I know the creativity is still going strong, whatever you might feel temporarily.

    Pomona x

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  15. Grrr - how annoying for all of you!

    I hope things start to perk up over the weekend! x

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  16. oh dear, a b*&%$r of a week for you, and then all that busyness. Hope you enjoy and get recharged

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  17. Many thanks for taking the trouble to leave a note. My goodness what a week. I bet you wish you could stay in bed and hide under the covers. I hope the trend is changing to good things at last.

    What a wonderful doll. I think Zandra would be impressed.

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  18. I've been missing for a few days - and what a few days you've had, Gina. Hope the roller coaster is coming to an end and life settles down.

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  19. Love your Zandra Doll... she's amazing. Hope she brings light and laughter when things are gloomy.

    and btw... you've not got a moany blog ;)

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  20. You're amongst friends Gina so 'moan' all you like.It's onwards and upwards from here. I wish you every success with the work in the exhibition and only wish I could get to see it. Tell us all about it later please and have a better time from here on in! Lesley x

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  21. Your post didn't sound moany at all - very interesting and the doll is wonderful!
    Sorry to hear about Sam's bike - I get so angry when things like that happen to decent people who are just trying to get on as best they can. So unfair.
    As for the dog....been there four times...heartbreaking. Just have to try to be grateful for the good times you had.

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  22. I'm so sorry to hear you're having a bit of a rotten run of things. Losing a dog and the reason to go out for walks in all weathers must be so hard - I think our daughter will need therapy when the Whippet dies. I really hope you have a good week next week and your teaching and the exhibition go well xx

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  23. I do hope today is a little better. What a dreadful week you all had. You weren't moany at all. Have a quiet few days - I hope things are brighter soon xx

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  24. Zandra is wonderful. Her face is so full of personality. Sounds like you've had a real week of it one way and another but I hope things brighten soon.

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  25. Hi Gina. Just found the lovely message you left on my blog. Thought I'd pop over to yours. Sorry to read about your crazy week. Mine was quite up there with you. We went punting the other week. Great fun. My husband punted though so we could have done with your Sam!!

    Bicycles and Cambridge!!!!! So annoying when they vapoirise!

    I am enjoying the course thanks but it is a lot of work and I also have four children, the youngest only 20 months so it's all a bit of a squash and a squeeze!

    Hope this week is better. A.

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  26. What goes round, comes round, so hopefully the rotten so-and-so who pinched Sam's bike will get his just desserts. What a good thing your friend had you to comfort her over the loss of her dog - it's a horrid time. Your doll is gorgeous and Zandra Rhodes would love her. Good luck for the week ahead - hope it all goes well.

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  27. Oh no. But you know, things can only get better from here! Will be thinking of you.

    K x

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  28. I love the way you have shared your gorgeous doll between telling the story of your week and your poor friend who has lost her beloved dog. Yes....my day starts with a dog walk too but often alone as I go out very early!I'd be lost without her. Have a brilliant week this week! Moira x

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  29. What a week you are having!!
    One of our speakers at our Regional Day is giving a talk on Zandra Rhodes.
    Hope everything goes well and you have a successfull exhibition.

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  30. Sorry to hear about your friend's dog and the bicycle incident. Your blog isn't moany - life just has its moments.


    Love the likeness between your painted lady and the real one who inspired.

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  31. Zandra is amazing - i've always loved her quirky style! Hope things settle down for you all.

    xx

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  32. I so know how it feels to lose a dog,well over a year now and I still get upset thinking of mine.Love your doll she seems to have real personality.x

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  33. I always feel a walk without a dog is like a cycle ride without a bike..but you get used to it.

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