by Steve Chastain on April 28, 2012
Literally
This picture represents the pain in my neck. Yes, my 48 year-old neck has apparently given way to holding up my big head. Years of sitting at my desk and working on computers apparently has made my neck scrunch like a “Slinky”.
No trauma. No injury. Professional sitting is squishing my spine.
Out of the blue about a month ago came a sharp, shooting pain, followed by sleepless nights of tossing and turning. Thinking it must be the way I was sleeping, new pillows were purchased. But there was no relief.
Soon I decided something serious was going on so I went to the doctor who took these pictures.
Diagnosis: Severe Neck Disease. Now, off to the neck specialist.
Reading up on all of the possibilities, I know that this pain probably won’t last forever at the current levels if I change the way I sit while I work, start exercising more and get some physical therapy. That’s the good news.
The bad news? None really. Except for my newly wedded wife, who apparently just bought some damaged goods. I’m pretty sure I was an “As-Is” purchase item.
by Steve Chastain on March 21, 2012
In preparing for the “party” that’s coming up soon, I’ve been working on some decorations with Aracely. It’s been fun. She’s had her projects and I’ve had mine and we collaborate here and there.
One of the things she wanted to do was to make candle holders out of wine bottles. So, I got a diamond wheel for my Dremel and proceeded to cut the bottoms off of a few bottles and here were the results.
Then, this last week, I was thinking about the themes I wanted portrayed at our party. One of these is “butterflies”. Aracely loves them and they have significance for her. I have grown to appreciate the “butterfly” story (as I like to call it) that I’ve experienced as I have seen myself go through stages in my life over the past 7 years and have emerged from the cocoon I was in at one time. Aracely is a part of that process.
So, over a year ago I started drawing “manly” butterflies and eventually got a tattoo of one to symbolize my own metamorphosis and to commemorate my commitment to the love of my life. This past week, I made a stencil of this drawing and began using it on decorations in the house. Most recently, I decided it might look nice on the wine bottles. Using the stencil, I took some frosting spray paint and used them on the bottles. Here’s what it looks like.
I don’t have a picture of them with candles yet, but will add them later. It’s all coming along nicely and I will post up the finished products for our party as they are finished and if they turn out well.
