Saturday, November 12, 2011

Family Values ...

I've had some pretty tough decisions to make recently, concerning my family still in Texas. My mother, struggling with health issues of her own, has now been forced to realize the depreciating health of my step-father, and I feel like right now, my family needs me.

While the tour of the house is on hold, the blog will be in full force while I'm away. I've scheduled a ton of  posts for the next few weeks simply titled "Love ...". These posts may include one or several images of things I find beautiful or inspiring to keep me motivated and joyful in the coming days.

For those of you who like seeing snapshots of my home, I'm including a few "A Picture is Worth ..." posts while I do my best to comfort my loved ones. I hope you find inspiration in these filler posts, until I get back to CDLV, and can inspire you with more of photos the house.

Until then, know that you haven't been forgotten, and thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my family.
Artie
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42 comments:

  1. The Green PeaNovember 12, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Artie, pleas know that you are so blessed to be able to be with your family in their need. You and your family are in my prayers. sandi

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  2. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Thank you Sandi, I know that all the additional prayers will be a great help in all ways. See you soon!

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  3. JoNovember 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Artie, my thoughts are with you and your family. Please take care and update us when you can.....Jo

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  4. Sonny GNovember 12, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Family is the most important.
    Blessings to all of you.

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  5. NanaDianaNovember 12, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Oh- Artie- I am so sorry to hear about your Mom and stepdad. It is awful to deal with family health issues. I went through it with my father and mother so I understand.

    God bless you- Don't worry about blogging-take care of family and take care of YOU-cuz we will all be waiting for you to come back.

    The bright light? You probably will have MUCH better weather in TX than you will in NY this time of year! xo Diana

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  6. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Thank you Jo, I will update the blog as soon as I can manage. Until then, keep checking in. There are plenty of inspiration posts scheduled for my faithful followers! :)
    xo,
    A

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  7. for the love of a houseNovember 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    as you know... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...

    thinking of you,
    joan

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  8. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Thank you Sonny!
    xo,
    A

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  9. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Thank you Diana.
    It's a difficult time for all of us, and a really unexpected diagnosis. They're very strong and faithful people though, so I'm sure we'll power through this together just fine.
    It's nice to know you're gonna be here when I get back though. Don't forget to keep checking in. There are going to be plenty of filler posts to keep you supplied with inspriation! :)
    xo,
    A

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  10. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Thank you Joan,
    Will keep you updated!
    xo,
    A

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  11. vignette designNovember 12, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Hi Artie,
    Isn't it hard to be there for our parents when we live so far away. My mom was just diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer. I had to be in Oregon for a week last week to be with her through surgery and recovery. I just stopped blogging for a while. You are smart to keep up your blog with a series of posts lined up. I wish you luck in Texas and I'll be thinking of you as you are there for your mom. You are a good son!
    xo Delores

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  12. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Thank you Delores. My mother has faught Ovarian Cancer, as well - and is currently dealing with the onset of parkinsons, and my step-father was diagnosed two weeks ago with liver cancer and they found a cancerous tumor on his spleen that's attached to his pancreas. It's a terrible diagnosis, and because chemo will not cure the cancer, and they can not remove any part of the liver, or ALL of the tumor, they can't operate. Awful all the way around - but they are strong and faithful, and I believe they'll get through this ... I just need to be at an arms reach, just in case.
    I'll be back soon,
    xo,
    A

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  13. Katie @ Wildwood CreekNovember 12, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Life happens, but will forward to your posts when you have the time.

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  14. UnknownNovember 12, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Artie,
    I'm sure that your family needs you more right now than your blog family. I've been through this myself as my Dad has been fighting bladder cancer for three years. It's an awful thing this SOB cancer!
    I hope your being there will comfort your family...
    Thoughts and prayers with you always...
    Tami

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  15. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Thank you Katie,
    Please keep checking in. I've put together tons of inspiration posts that will auto post every morning while I'm away.
    xo,
    A

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  16. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Thank Tami, and I'm so sorry to hear about your own family struggles with Cancer. Yes - it's a terrible thing! My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours, too. See you soon, and keep visiting. I've put a lot of work into these inspiration posts that will be up daily while I'm gone! LOL!
    xo,
    A

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  17. Carol@6WilsonBlog.comNovember 12, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Hi Artie,
    Thinking of you and wishing you and your family well. Family is everything. I wish nothing but good things for yours.

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  18. nannykimNovember 12, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    You are focusing on what is more important--relationships and family are treasures!

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  19. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    Thank you Carol,
    So sweet of you to come by, and thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.

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  20. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Yes, Kim, you're 100% right. I knew my great readers would understand! :)
    Thanks so much, and I'll see you soon!
    xo,
    A

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  21. AntiqueChaseNovember 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Hope that everything will be okay. Family is always FIRST <3

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  22. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Thank you so much AC. I'm so touched that everyone has taken the time to comment on this post. It shows me just how much people really care, and it makes this very rewarding. I'll be back soon, but please keep reading, there's plenty of posts scheduled to keep you motivated to create fabulous spaces!
    xo,
    A

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  23. SarahNovember 12, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Glad that you are able to take care of your family, they are so much more important than a blog!

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  24. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Thank you Sarah, I totally agree. However, I do still enjoy all of my visitors, and have an obligation to my sponsors. So please, check back in often with the inspiration posts I've got lined up. I'll be back soon.
    xo,
    A

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  25. MarlisNovember 12, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    I knew it was good to wait on the crosses.. Prayers for you and your family. It's always difficult when this happens. Safe travels and may good things come your way Artie. hugs,
    marlis

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  26. Patti @ Pandoras BoxNovember 12, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Artie - you are in my thoughts and prayers. Consider yourself lucky that you are able to "stop the world and get off" to go to Texas. Wishing for happiness and strength for your family...patti

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  27. AnonymousNovember 12, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    THINKING OF ALL OF YOU ARTIE. MAY I ASK HOW OLD YOUR MOTHER AND STEPFATHER ARE? YOU ARE A GOOD SON. WILL CONTINUE TO READ AND WAIT FOR YOUR RETURN.
    XO DIANNE

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  28. VictoriaNovember 12, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Artie, I am so sorry to hear about your mother and stepfather. This undoubtedly will be a very difficult time for them, and they are so fortunate to have a caring, loving son like you who will be there for them. I know your presence will give them strength and courage. Treasure each moment.
    Warm regards,
    Victoria

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  29. An Urban CottageNovember 12, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Family absolutely comes first! Thoughts and prayers are with you for sure.

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  30. MarilynNovember 12, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Your head and your heart are in the right place. May you feel the love of God wrap His arms around you and your family and bring you strength and peace. Take care.♥♫

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  31. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Marlis,
    Thank you so much for leaving your well wishes, and I know we'll be in your extended thoughts. You're such a great friend to the blog, and I appreciate you keeping up with my extension posts til' I can get back!
    xo,
    A

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  32. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Thank you Patti,
    I am thanking my lucky stars for every day that I have available to be of help to them. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
    xo,
    A

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  33. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thank you Dianne, I'll be back soon, and until then there are plenty of inspirational posts to keep you coming back - so I hope you will.
    My parents are 51 and 60, too young to be dealing with this tragic disease.
    Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them greatly.
    xo,
    A

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  34. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Thank you Victoria,
    I will treasure each and every moment, whether I'm there or here, it's nice to know that I have the option to be fully devoted to them at this time.
    Keep checking back with me, I'll be back soon.
    xo,
    A

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  35. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Couldn't agree more, Steve. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, I'll talk to you soon.
    A

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  36. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Many hundreds of thank yous to you Marilyn, I know your continued thoughts and prayers for them will be well recieved.
    I'll be back soon!
    xo,
    A

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  37. niartistNovember 12, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    And thank you to everyone who will leave a comment on this post, or has thought about leaving one, but chose not to. It's hard to know what to say with a post like this, and I didn't want to write it. It's difficult for me to even put into words what I'm going to be experiencing these next few months. However, I didn't want to leave you in the lurch without atleast a partial explination for my absence, and the absence of my original design work.

    You're all so very thoughtful, generous, and kind to have genuine courtesy to leave me notes during this time - and I hope you'll continue to come by and drop comments on these filler posts that you find inspiring.

    I'll be checking back in randomly, and I know I'll be happy to see all of your faces when I return.

    All the best,
    xo
    A

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  38. MJNovember 12, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    Artie,

    You and I have spoken on this through our emails, I hope that you get to spend some good quality time with him. As well as to be there for your mother. I will keep them in my prayers. As for us, we will always be here to check in on you, and if your not in we understand and will just be back another time...like any good neighbor!

    Many blessings & prayers to you love..

    MJ
    Lucky 7 Design

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  39. mrsbenNovember 13, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Artie, I am so sorry to hear about your Mother and Stepfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take one day at a time and never doubt your inner strength during this difficult time.
    Many hugs -Brenda-
    (I myself this past year have been on a similar journey as my eldest sister is terminally ill with primary Cancer of the Lung and secondary Cancer of the Brain.)

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  40. AnonymousNovember 13, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Dear Artie,
    I'm so sorry to hear of the struggles your family is facing. It can be a challenging time when roles change and the children begin to need to care for the parents. I can tell you are a good son and will find the way to help. When my mother needed help, my siblings and I found the book "Another Country" by Mary Pipher to be helpful. Maybe this would be helpful to you too. I'll miss your posts and look forward to your return.
    Best regards,
    Ruth

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  41. Vickie H.November 13, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Keeping all of you in my prayers, Artie! God bless each of you!

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  42. WindlostNovember 13, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Thinking of you. Prayers, Terri xo

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