Saturday

Life has been such a roller coaster.  Not horrible, really....but I've been so emotional and never do know when I'm going to burst out in tears.  Not always bad tears....I'll cry for any occasion...happy, sad, frustrated, mad, when I'm feeling sentimental or just love for someone.  I'm a basket-case, no kidding!  So, today was a good day, a wonderful day.  I only cried a handful of times but in all of these cases, I was in a good place...(ready to be in a normal place...but at least I wasn't crying because I was depressed!) 

This morning I arranged a day with my friend Lenall.  Before meeting up with her at a big student art sale at the Oregon College of Art & Craft.  I stopped by the post office to express mail a package of Art4aCure cards to one of the artists who honored her mother...her mother is not doing well and so she had asked for her decks asap....which for me lately, is hard to determine.  My hubby and I have been going full force getting the 50 boxes of orders and decks that will be going directly to the artists of the deck.  I'd hoped to get them all mailed by today, but it will be on Monday.  I took Cris Peacock's package in and had it express mailed.  Afterwards, I begin driving to the art sale to meet Lenall, I called home and had Katy look through my emails to locate Cris's phone number.  I'd never called her before, I've actually talked personally to only a few of the artists....when she got on the phone, she was just gracious and adorable.  I prayed that her mother was still living and that I hadn't mailed the cards too late.  She shared good news about her mother, she was able to leave her hospice type care and go out for thanksgiving dinner with Cris and her family.  Just hearing it made me choke up.  I've been in such a personal funk that when she had emailed me a couple of weeks ago asking for a quick delivery, I didn't have anything in me to get that out....I'd been so worried, yet paralyzed and unable to send.  It was just a gift from God that I wasn't too late, that and the fact that Cris was so gracious with me.  So, that was my first crying spell of the day....I cried again telling hubby about it tonight after we both got home....and hey, crying now just typing it out.  It's something that has weighed on my heart for two weeks...that her mom wouldn't be able to see her card in the deck because I couldn't get my sh#t together.   

I have to tell you that while mailing the package, something happened that has only happened one other time in the "real world".... In my art world, several people have heard of me because of my website or teaching, etc....but in the real world, who would know?  When I was mailing Cris's package, (I'd used a box that had been previously mailed to me and my name was on it), the post office lady looked at me and asked if I was Tracy Roos and said she knew me from my website.  Actually, that's the third time it's happened.  The first time was when my hubby sold his car in the Auto Trader...a young couple with a baby bought it, came over to get the title, etc, and asked if he was related to Tracy Roos....(I was upstairs in the bathtub at the time!)  He couldn't believe it. :)  Another time, Katy had a Dr. appt. and afterwords we went to a wonderful shop and the sales person started talking about Art & Soul.  When I told her I was teaching, she asked who I was and got excited, knew me from my article in Cloth Paper Scissors and was just so cute and flustered....it all happened in front of Katy and we both just sat there and grinned at each other and the lady.  It was so surreal. 

Okay, so, I got some wonderful Xmas presents bought at the art sale.  I found some awesome jewelry by Mullanium design.  I actually did a search online and found one of the pins I bought.  This photo isn't the best....the pin is so gorgeous.  I bought another one that has a heart and a compass.  Ooooh, who to give them to.  ....we went to an antique store and I bought some velvet millinery flowers and some wonderful old photos....then to Ten Thousand Villages... the coolest shop I'd never been to before.  It's a non profit store....even the employees are volunteer.  I bought two recycled newspaper trivets  some Milagros and two coke can dog pins...they had some awesome garlands that I might have to order online...

In the midst of typing the above, my ADD kicked in and I got totally sidetracked and went from one cool art store site to the next...I'm pooped now, so I'll close.  love, tracy

Comments

[kjackson]

Hi Tracy, I hope you understand what a great impact you have made on the lives of other people, like me. Your art is your legacy and a true inspiration. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. hugs kj

[Hanna]

The famous stories are way cool, and showes the power of the internet, right? And art of course! I've been in one or two stories my self, and it's really strange thing. Thanks for sharing your day - Hope you are well, take care!

[Lelainia (Faith)]

Hey Tracy, I've been in a bit of a funk myself the last few weeks-Xmas coming and grieving still I guess. Just keep Kleenex at the ready! As for what you said about worrying about getting stuff in the mail for Chris, I believe that miracles arrive right on schedual. Mircles know exactly the right moment to unfold, so I am sure that's why you were a bit delayed in your mailing. *wink* Congrats on the recognition factor. Isn't it nice to hear good things about yourself? Sometimes I struggle with it (I feel shy and do not want to be the center of attention) however it is nice to realize people value what you do and just want to let you know. YAY you!!

[naomi]

Hey Tracy, I can totally relate to having seasons of weepiness. Tears are good, they're healing, you know, washing the soul etc. etc. btw, I have a friend living in Halifax Nova Scotia working at a Ten Thousand Villages.