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My Artist Home

Nov 02 2013

El Dia de los Muertos or Dead on my Feet

By Holidaze

Dead on my feet…that sounds so weird. Let’s just say my plans to post daily got derailed by our big transitional move weekend which has overnight become an 18 day transition thanks to a graveyard shift SNAFU. I am putting on my game face now…

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We are moving Logan into Supported Living, so yesterday we busted ass signing paperwork, renting a van, buying furniture, moving furniture, taking apart and putting back together furniture, and today we get to do more of the same. His new digs are starting to look great, and in spite of being only a skeleton crew and working our fingers to the bone we are feeling celebratory.

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El Dia de los Muertos always feels like a celebration to me. There is sadness for who and what we have lost but I choose to remember the joy and the happy times and let the bad times go. I never have been one to wallow. I’m all in, and when it’s over, I’m done. Over and out. And when I’m out, I like a good celebration. Win, win.

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Year before last I participated in an exhibition of ofrendas for El Dia de los Muertos and my altar was dedicated to my lost youth.

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Do I really miss my youth? Heck no! I spent my youth wishing and working for everything I’m enjoying now. My family, my home, my art. I do look back fondly on my flat abs, but you can’t have everything. (All at the same time.)

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So, I may be dead on my feet, BUT I’m on my feet. Win.

Oct 29 2013

Orange you glad it’s Fall!

By Holidaze, My Artist Home

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The 1st of October I put Danny Elfman’s soundtracks for Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and all the others on my iPod on repeat. I start sneaking Reese’s Cups, crave Pumpkin Spice lattes and watch endless marathons of Vampire Diaries, Lost Girl, and Walking Dead on Netflix. I plan escapist afternoons watching my Van Helsing, Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, and Trick or Treat DVDs, to say nothing of all the Tim Burton films Danny Elfman’s soundtracks above accompany. I am a happy girl.

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Of course the house gets a Fall spiffing and for inspiration I needn’t look any further than outside my front window…
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Inside we get cosy. I put away the summer cottons and take down the screens from the windows. I bring out the Indian bedspreads, the faux fur throws, and the spicy potpourri to put around the candle.

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The faux pumpkins join the party too. I’m actually a big fan of faux. When you are on a limited budget there’s nothing like buying a decent fake once and having it for years. We’ve had the same Christmas tree for over 20 years (you’ll meet her in a few weeks).

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I think when you invest material things with meaning, especially if you alter them in some way as I do with second hand stuff, that makes them even better. Even if it’s just a pumpkin you glued some fake flowers on and bring out year after year. That’s a good thing. Not a freaking Martha “Good Thing.” It’s a Better Thing than that. I don’t make this stuff up. You have heard of the Velveteen Rabbit? Something about investing that faux thing with meaning makes it come alive. It’s weird I know, but I actually think those pumpkins can’t wait to join the party every October.

Me either! In the meantime though I think I’ll just take a moment to put my feet up and enjoy the view. Orange you glad it’s Fall!

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