Monday and my stomache is black and blue from my injections...very odd to look at from my point of view....

I was a little shaky this morning but I went over to Tina's to watch the girls for her day in the office. I am afraid she is leaving this job that offers her so much freedom in taking the three girls to school and afternoon activities. I am trying to be supportive but I know how difficult it is to find a job in Ohio today....most jobs are part time without benefits or service positions that offer very little chance for promotion. I told Tina we will make it work but I know how difficult it is to make ends meet and be home every day without assistance. Maya, Sabrina and Hannah are magical girls with boundless energy that will love having their mother Full time... which is how all mothers work anyway.

We went down to the studio and met with Ken for a pizza lunch and a visit with Mrs. Doyle...Maya's first grade teacher from North Elementary. My friend from Australia stopped by to say goodbye before she heads back home to the Gold Coast. She has finished her doctorate at Ohio University and we hope to be able to have her and the Roberts over for a dinner before she departs on 8/13/10. They asked for photos when I get the set up in the studio completed...Ken has been busy putting two tall shelf units today and tomorrow I will continue to sort the multitude of materials we have already moved down. Slowly slowly slowly each day is progressing and I am getting excited to actually move in with my work table. Michelle Channel brought in some of her drawing exercises and I think you can see the sensitivity in her pencil marks...she is beginning perspective work and that is always a challenge for myself. I look forward to seeing her once I am settled down in the studio. I am very tired and I hope you enjoy the glow of the moonlight dancing on our tree tops. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

a quiet Sunday...grocery...fresh produce...and my travel magazines....

Full Moon or Thunder Moon...Big Buck Moon....


I spent the morning resting in bed with my cup of coffee and CBS Morning Show..they may have been reruns most likely but it is always a relaxing way to bring in a new week...my worship of St. Mary's of the Bed springs... a little disrespectful but quiet refection is good for the soul. Ken and I had watched a movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and the story is so powerful and an emotional highway to remember the importance of knowing our History. The little boys...one Jewish and one the son of a German soldier...weave a story of unlikely friendship and compassion for each other and their predicament. Ken had ordered this movie from Netflix and I think I would like to watch it once again...the complexities of secrets in families and governments reminded me of my flawed acceptance back in the 1960's. Each character's development and unique voice documents the events in Germany in the 1940's...it will make you ask what is your truth? Questions are necessary for a trusting relationship ....even when they are the most difficult of the questions and the answers are not what we would have expected or wanted. Has anyone else heard or seen this movie? I would love some feedback if you are willing.

I did the grocery shopping with Ken and we had a pretty efficient and cost prohibitive receipt at the end of the total tally. On the way out Ken noticed two 75% off shelving units with doors ...and he went back after dinner to purchase them. I love this magnificent man...we could not make them for that cheap and they will serve their purpose. We think we have the design area worked out and hopefully plenty of storage to keep materials and supplies hidden when they are not in use. Tomorrow we will work on putting them together and I will take photos and post as the studio comes together. I have the three girls tomorrow morning from 8:30 am because their mother has been called into the office so we will plan a pizza lunch at the Grill and I will give them a small tour of the studio...they are very excited and cannot wait until I get it set up and they will be able to come in for making ART! After lunch I am hoping the girls and I will be able to see Ramona and Beezus...the movie. I have snacks and blow pops to help cut costs so I have to remember to put them in a separate bag... the tickets costs a small fortune by themselves.

This morning I tried to sneak up on my triplets...the tiny deer were eating my flowers and when I opened the door off they scampered...they are so beautiful. I will keep trying to capture them with my camera but right now their skinny little toothpick of legs are much faster than mine, I hope you all have had a relaxing weekend. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Time to hit the water...

Ken went over to let Erin get a nap while Morgan was down and he and Cole had a man's afternoon...Grandpa we are out of fudge....Grandpa those Rice Crispie Treats were sure good. I searched for my swimsuit...first time out this summer...Yikes I am white :O)! I guess in the move somehow the silver bag has been moved somewhere...real good...national security hidden by Mr. Ken. I ran to Kohl's and picked one up without trying it on and on sale for half price. Rushed to the pool to the sounds of "Grandma" and changed in the dressing room with Miss Hannah's assistance. I swam with three little mermaids from 4:00 to 5:15 pm...which was more than enough Sun for me...the water felt great and they all had to show me what they learned at the ocean this summer. We had a black lab named Brutus who lives next door and is a regular member of the private pool join us for cool romps and snacks by the pool. I hope you enjoy the few photos...last night I was a little carried away but I wanted to make sure everyone in the workshop had their photos up on the blog...they are now my facebook friends.

Ken put together a simple ad for the Licking County Arts 2010 catalogue and we adjusted just a few things and sent it out to the Universe. I think Ken is getting to be very proficient with the graphic skills on the computer. Thank you Mr. Ken. Find a cool place to read or watch a movie this weekend...the storms are moving in our area and hopefully the humidity will break soon. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

my life flows when I am making art with children....

Today was the last day of my CSI fabric forensic investigation workshop with some very spectacular children who have blessed my life for the last five days. My Hayley, Ann and Amy...my volunteers worked diligently... individually with each child's week's work to mount for a special celebration with their parents. The students created their very own scratch art page....color with crayons and then paint the page with black tempera paint and then scratch their very own designs. I enjoyed witnessing their selections of colors and designs but with a little conversation I knew instantly what direction each person's mark making would lead their viewer. I know a few artists that would love to work with total abandonment and joy as they create. Ken brought in special Popsicles for the afternoon in delicious fruity flavors...it was 94 degrees this afternoon and the air conditioning unit struggled to keep and maintain a cool room. "Your husband sure is very tall!" and he became an instant hit with the kids :O)! As the parents filed into the room they pulled their mothers, fathers, and grand parents and siblings throughout the room sharing their work for the week...I was beaming with pride just seeing their excitement and acknowledgment of their individual progress. I am tired from the heat but they will leave footprints on my heart . My life truly flows when I am working with children and witnessing unbridled glee while they make their sacred marks. Have a great weekend! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart