Category: AS Awareness Projects

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Day 220 – A Flood of Emotion

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred TwentyToday has been emotionally difficult.

I’ve run myself down a bit physically and pushed more than I probably should have for the last month. I wouldn’t change a thing and really, I’m fine, just very tired.

So, I decided to sit down in my studio this afternoon and whip up an apple, get it posted, take a nice long nap and have a relaxing evening with Doug who’s spent many evenings in the last month alone bless his heart.

I turned on the computer and there in the Hope & Apples inbox was a new story. A Mother’s Day story that opened the flood gates of the emotions I’ve been holding onto. It really could have been my story – they are all extremely powerful and so meaningful – these stories are my story. They may be a little bit different here and there but spondylitis hits lives hard no matter how it hits.

I wish I could take the pain away. I wish I could take it all on myself. I wish for a cure so that mothers and fathers don’t have to worry that their children may one day suffer like they have. I let the emotions flood in, I had a good cleansing cry, and now I’m going to figure out how next I might continue the fight for awareness and –  of course –  a cure.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 220 was created in mixed media.

A story I wrote for the Fight Like A Girl Club weighed heavily on my mind too today.

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Day 217 – Amazing Day for Us All!

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred SeventeenWhat an amazing day!

We made huge strides is spreading AS awareness today. Thank you everyone!

More great stuff to come in the next couple of days – sorry for the short post tonight I’ve been busy watching the twitter and facebook action happening as we get ready to announce the winners of the prizes for this round of Hope & Apples. We’re on to something here and I know all of us will continue to work on awareness – we’ve seen what we can do as a team! Bravo to all of you!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 217 was created with a Faber-Castell – PITT artist pen with a brush tip and then highlighted with watercolor.

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Day 215 – A Peachey Apple

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred FifteenNo, I didn’t spell that wrong.

Kelby is a Peachey Planner. She is beautiful young woman who has an amazing story. I consider myself very lucky to call her my friend and I’m proud to be walking with her and her “Peachey’s Pack” for the Arthritis Foundation’s Denver walk on May 14th.

Kelby and I met on twitter and realized we were both in the Denver area and planned a time to meet. There is something fascinating about meeting someone for the first time (in person) who you share so much with. We hugged like long lost buddies and never considered for a minute the age difference – we were kindred spirits in our shared struggles. I am so very, very proud of her and this apple is for her. This is how I see Kelby – bright, vibrant, and loving. Happy late Birthday sweet Kelby!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 215 was created in pastels.

See Kelby’s apple and story on her Hope & Apples page too!

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Day 210 – From A-pples to Z-zzzzz’s

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred TenBig, bold, and wonderful thoughts of all things apples are creating the best sleep I’ve had in years!

Chronic illness tends to lead to unrestful and unfulfilling sleep. I think I went years where I never woke feeling rested and I still have bouts and stretches where I unfortunately rely on my Ambien instead of my Valerian Root but I love what I’m doing to the bottom of my soul and my brain is paying back the favor with deep and refreshing sleep filled with amazing and colorful dreams! So – I am going to bed tonight – happily exhausted!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 210 was created in ink and watercolor.

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Day 207 – One Story and One Apple at a time…

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred SevenWe are making progress everyday.

One story and one apple at a time we will raise awareness of spondylitis. I wonder where the journey will take us – I’m just so thrilled that so many people are joining me and speaking up.

Funny things happen when you talk about what you are passionate about. I went looking for a web development company in Parker today. I was driving around and I couldn’t find it so I stopped in at a design company and asked them if they knew the people I was looking for. Although they did not we started talking and I told them about my apple a day AS awareness campaign and Hope & Apples and the gentleman I was speaking with started asking me questions about AS. Turns out he has dealt with severe back pain for over 10 years and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia but had never heard of AS or seen a Rheumatologist. Then he told me about a great web guy he and the local NBC news affiliate use and I mentioned the Arthritis Walk on May 15th and he said this web guy was very involved with it because of his wife.

WHAT?

Let’s speak up – we can find people to help if we just start speaking up – one story and one apple at a time …

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 207 was created in watercolor. Doug says this sweet little image is not my best work – thank goodness for someone so close to me to keep my feet on the ground and push me for better tomorrow, but… I kinda like it 🙂 and doesn’t infusion day allow me to slack a little tiny bit?

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Day 203 – Countdown: World AS Day

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred ThreeWe are counting down to World AS Day on May 7th!

I just want to thank all the people who are contributing to our Hope & Apples project and working to make World AS Day the best yet!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 203 was created in watercolor.

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Day 202 – Magic Eight Ball

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred TwoRemember the Magic Eight Ball?

I had one and I would ask it the same question over and over again waiting for it to say “You May Rely On It” or “Signs Point to Yes” in response to “Does so and so like me?” or “Will I get an ‘A’ on my paper?”

The Magic Eight Ball refused to forecast my future in the way I wanted. It was so frustrating but I asked and shook over and over again.

My insecurities fed into the magic eight ball – what a brilliant product for the tweens who had no instant horoscope app for their smart phone.

If I had a Magic Eight Ball today I would ask it the same kinds of questions I asked all of those years ago. The desires just mean a bit more now and the difference today is that I know that as long as I work hard and keep my vision in my sights, I’ll get where I want to go.

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 202 was created in watercolor.

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Day 201 – Bite Off More Than You Can Chew!

Art Apple - Day Two Hundred OneBite off more than you can chew and then chew like hell. – Peter Brock

This is the first Apple I’ve done with one bite out of it. Really – I’ve stayed away from that icon 🙂

Just because we’re making apples doesn’t mean we need anyone to associate us with “Apple” which is why I haven’t created any apple art that looks like their logo. If they happened to see our project and …

…well that would be an amazing thing for the world of AS awareness but I won’t hold my breath.

Maybe some day we could have “Apple” take notice. Why not take a huge bite – a huge leap of faith.

Something to chew on – and chew like hell!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 201 was created in ink.