How Italy Inspired me Back HOME!

                     

Lake Como                                                                  Venice  

While traveling through Italy just a little over a year ago I can't help how much that trip made me see everything in a different light.  My mother traveled there years ago and the same thing happened to her.  When she got home she put in 600 olive trees, painted oil paintings like mad, and put in a vineyard.  Now I can't obviously do all of that!  But I was able to have my own mini olive orchard ~ 12 trees and put in 60 grapes (Barbera and Mourvedre) and then painted my house a terracotta color!  So to the left is the first little crop of olives I got and below is my new house color!  It is good to see how other people live all over the world.  It gives us new ideas and think outside the box.  If you ever have the chance go to Italy and see for yourself!

Oh yeah did I mention we saw George in Lake Como ~  Right.
   


 

What My mom did when I went crazy at 19 ~

La Jolla, Ca

My mom painting in the town of Doma, France

Venice, Italy

A pic of my mom in Lake Como - Thinking of her next painting...

Venice Italy


I wanted to show some of my mom's work because it is so incredible.   She graduated  English and Art but never got into her art seriously until I got sick with Bipolar Disorder.  When everything she knew was falling apart she somehow was able to have an outlet.  She got her old brushes out, bought some new paints, rented a tiny studio and started in.  I know she was scared to death but it gave purpose to her life again and a place she could go so the stress and worry would not consume her.  As I began to get well she was able to spend more time painting.  Over the years she go so good that she went through many studios, got into lots of gallery's, and her work started paying her way for her travel.  I have some amazing pieces she has given me over the years.  Matt's Uncle commented over Christmas...."What is this an art gallery in here!?"  Anyway look at all the good my mother did out of a tough situation that just happened.  She not only paints now but runs an olive oil company, a vineyard, her own meat co., spices, and blackberry jam that is the best!  There is always good that comes out of a life altering event.  You just have to dig down deep and figure out what that may be.  I love my mom....oh did I mention she is a writer throughout my book Runaway Mind.  

Just for Fun!

The fountain I built in my back yard ~ A great place for kiddos

An old window from my house I used for decor in my office with my Italy pics.

I love sand dollars ~  just a hobby of mine

So this am I decided to share a little of what I do when I get creative.  I  had the best time building this fountain.  I still am not yet done but getting there.  I have two pumps feeding into it so I could have my creeks.  My husband also got into the project as well.  There was a lot of laughter and yelling of what and where things should go.  So worth it though.  It will be here for a while and I will always remember how much fun we had in making it!  Plus the kids can never have enough fun.  It is good to do projects.  Good for your mental health!  Trust me on this

My window project was a awesome to do.  My friend Tara helped me get the idea, helped with getting some cool knobs, ordering the pics from Costco, and it was a challenge to hang.  A lot of laughing going on that day but we got it done and Matt wasn't able to use the old window for golf practice.

My silly sand dollars are just a hobby.  When depressed I go find them and it makes me happy.  Hey what ever the heck works right!@

So today I am doing great and off to help my friend who I am so proud of.  She has started her own blog on all her projects and you know what I think it is helping her with all her own pain.

Go have a great day for me!  

                             

Friends you can count on...

Tara in Florence Italy

So earlier today I wrote my sad blog...yes because that is how I felt and looked so I thought why not let everyone see how a bad day really looks like and feels like.  My friend Tara who lives 2 miles down the street read my blog and started calling until I called back.  "Maggie come on lets go to lunch.  I got all my work done and it will be good for you to eat and get out."  I knew she was right.  I really didn't want to go but I did.  I took the help that was handed to me.  We went to a little Italian place called Momma Theresa's.  It is such great food and a got bowl of soup and good company did lift my spirits.  It was like somebody giving me a jump start.  Then I got to thinking as I picked up Allie from school.  Wow aren't friends amazing.  You really don't need many.  I have three that I can call, text, cry my eyes out to when ever I want.  They listen, they give hugs, and are there for me happy or sad.  Kelly I met through having Allie cakes in a play group when Allie was two.  Kelly has been a huge support over the years and our daughters are best friends still.  I have known her since I was 6, She is in my book and a writer in it as well if you have read your copy yet of Runaway Mind!  She has given me grace when you would think there was none left to give.  Friends are incredible.  Always keep those close ones at arms reach.  They are a lifeline.  So thanks to Tara, Kelly, and Carrie today.  I love you gals.

                                                            Me, Allie, and Carrie below

Kelly and Hailey 

Stress-Sickness-Sadness ~The Perfect Storm

WOW.... this is how awful I feel.  Bad picture I know this.  Kind of embarrassing that I am sharing this pic!  But it is the truth and I am one not to hide how I feel very well.  I could choose not to blog this week until I get better and then like magic I am looking all great, friendly, and feel fantastic.  But really, that is not the case.  I got the flu this past weekend while visiting family.  We went up to a doctor to fix a problem we had...which we are relieved in solving.  It was so stressful though my immune system crashed and then the sickness took over my body with a vengeance.  I was so grateful to get on antibiotics so quickly.  My body is now getting better but the aftermath of this has left with me with feeling like absolute CRAP.  What I mean is sadness beyond the norm where I just cry everywhere I go.  Sunglasses work for only so long then my tear drops just mess up the lenses.  You see the balance was tipped by everything going on.  When this happens either the irritation sets in or the depression finds it way into my head or like today BOTH.  It was so hard to get Allie to school.  It was my volunteer day which now seemed extra tough.  I used funny teaching methods the best I could to survive and the children were good to me.  Getting the gas was a daunting task which should be easy and the post office was like tackling the impossible.  When I got home more tears and sadness sank in.  My usual methods for fighting this are a bit tougher today since I am still physically sick too.  I don't have the energy to walk today, paint, do a project, or go out.  What I can do is rest - WOW HARD.  AND I can pray...that is easy (Thank Heavens God is available 24 seven.)  Love and Hugs to anyone having a rough day out there like me!  We need to stick together through our yucky days.  Maggie

Psychiatrist Speech~ The Fear of Finding on ~ Fighting any situation

My Speech went great last night!  I was not quite sure how I was going to pull this one off.  Then I remembered the key to speaking and giving out information that people always love is to be myself and to speak from my heart.  My entire audience was a room full of Psychiatrist.  I threw out some funny stuff to add a little magic to the talk.  I then started to talk about the differences of a terrible mental hospital compared to a superb mental hospital.  I touched on how bedside manner is huge coming from a doctor.  Their tone of voice can  provide trust and want to make a manic person calm.  Their sincerity and interest  in your life make you want to get better. I feel that the patient will try harder in getting well when they see how much their doctor cares for one's well being.  Unfortunately I have lost my recent doctor of 8 years recently.  She is no longer in practice.  I am now shopping for a Psychiatrist myself.  It is a daunting task ahead of me.  I have to put my feelers back out there and learn to trust somebody with my brain and that I must say scares the living crap out of me.  Will they care like I want them to?  Will they fight for my medication problems when they arise?  Will they stick with me when I am in a deep dark hole and figure out how to fix me back to the land of the living?  I talked with a new friend of mine who has a son with Autism.  She told me some very good advice today.  "Maggie go with your gut!"  I think I will do just that.  Off to tackle a crisis that has happened in my family. (Not Bipolar Stuff) Headed up to Northern California to a counselor that I had when I was 19.  I will go to great distances to seek out good help.  Hoping we get the answers we need to help move on.  When something in your life just happens don't ever ignore and bury it.  Take the problem HEAD ON and tackle it with all your might...FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT....NEVER GIVE UP... and do the best you can.  Mags

Jon Hansen Radio Show ~ Runaway Mind

I had so much fun this past Saturday night on Jon Hansen's radio program.  He was such a great interviewer and had done so much research on Bipolar Disorder!  I learned stuff I didn't know because of this show!  There is always so much to learn with any illness.  It was great flow the entire 45 minutes.  Fun to talk about my parents, in-laws, friends, my daughter, Matt, and my faith.  It made me realize again how much a support system is key.  Matt took this picture on Christmas day.  Thought I would share it with you because I just love my family to pieces.  I am feeling thankful today.  If you missed the show I posted the link below.  You can listen to it anytime!  Maggie

Runaway Mind

linkhttp://blogtalkradio.com/jon-hansen call in!! 877-503-5036! Yeah!!! Happy times. I can't help it I love to TALK!

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