356 + 252 Weeks

Well, this certainly has been a week filled with drama, both good and bad!!  I found out last week that I am a finalist in the 2018 Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW.  I was very very surprised to be included with the other 45 finalists.  Over 700 people enter each year, and I only entered because a good friend forcefully insisted.  I had no doubt that I wouldn't get in, but I actually did!  The list of finalists was made public today, and yes, I am actually on the list (I secretly thought it was a mistake all week!).  I am on the list with the likes of John Olson, Tim Storrier and Aida Tomescu (one of my favourite artists of all time!).  I still can't quite believe it.  On Thursday of next week, Jeff and I are heading up to Sydney to the artists lunch, and then the following night is the preview and the opening reception.  I was supposed to invite my 'dealer' (I'm way out of my league here!!), so I invited my friend Mark (the forcefully insistent friend), and he and his girlfriend are very chuffed to be joining us.  It is all really exciting!!  Here is the link: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/wynne/2018/29998/

So, to celebrate, I broke my ankle!  Just joking, it wasn't to celebrate.  But on Sunday (after making a good sale!), I left the gallery, and went to the IGA supermarket to get a treat for the kids.  When I left, I stepped down into the gutter, which had a pothole in it that I didn't see, and I twisted my ankle.  The pain was fairly immense.  I called Mum and Geoff (Jeffrey was at home with the kids), and they came and picked me up.  I insisted it was just a sprain, and Mum insisted that I go to hospital.  She won because she was driving.  Luckily, because I have definitely fractured a bone in my ankle.  So now I'm clumping around the house in a big black boot, and I can't drive anywhere.  I find out on Monday how long I have to wear this boot for, but my guess is that I will be looking very fancy in it at the Wynne events next week :(

On a good note, the kids have been wonderful this week!  We have been housebound because of my ankle, and I don't know if this is why, but Arley has been such a lovely boy (for the most part!).  Maybe it's because he doesn't have the stress of going out?  I also removed the zinc drops from his diet.  This protocol that we are on might be starting to work.  And he has had so much of my attention, because all I have really been able to do is sit and play games, or read or draw with them.  Whatever the reason, Arley has been cheery and happy and kind.  Still making mistakes, but apologising afterwards.  It has been four days now.  Hopefully this is his turning point!  And Carmie is my little angel.  She has been very helpful, taking on new chores and even doing some cooking.  This morning the two of them were fighting over Magnatiles, and usually I would intervene and help them.  They fought for about two minutes, and then they worked it out and started trading tiles with each other!  I couldn't believe it!  My motto is now to butt out at all costs!  :)

I have been really lucky in that Mum and Geoff live close by and Mum has been coming over to help me.  She has made our dinners for us, and cleaned our house.  Apart from the pain, it has been lovely to be taken care of!  Today I managed to hobble with the kids to the neighbourhood park, because the kids and I needed to get out.  I was exhausted afterwards, but it was worth it.  And because the school term has started again, all of our activities have also started up.  I am relying on friends and Mum to get the kids places, as Jeffrey has been at work all week.

Anyway, apart from the broken ankle, it's been a fantastic week!

Playing Trouble, our new favourite game :)

 Searching for puddles (before my fractured ankle!)

 Today at the park

"Frogs Holla", my painting for the Wynne