Pamela Dalseno

CREATE

LOU LOU LIVING

by Pamela Dalseno

STAY HOME, STAY WELL, STAY SAFE.

Life changed for everyone around the world since our last

edition of eYs Magazine. The pandemic of the Corona Virus has touched all our lives in some form or other. Some of us watched on from the safety of our own homes whilst many worked as essential. No one has been spared really, especially with our emotions being in turmoil perhaps with fear of the unknown and yes that one thing that we all had and did not realise that meant so much in our life, being the freedom taken that we had grown to know and value in our life becoming something that was taboo and regulated. Restrictions slowly are being lifted with guidance in place and hope that all would be controlled with a great outcome. It perhaps will be the unknown for quite some time of how life will continue to function around our country Australia where I live and the world.

It’s important for my husband and me to STAY HOME being immune compromised. I have been struggling with an autoimmune disorder since 2017 and have endured the highs and lows of this and know what it is like to strive in keeping as well as can be. At times my husband became the person to take care of me when I had massive flare-ups that allowed me to do little, so he had also experienced the STAY HOME. In the midst of learning to deal with the changes of organising living and doing things differently like Telehealth and shopping for essentials online etc., my husband took ill and very quickly tests revealed he needed an emergency operation. It was a shock. Thankfully I am back to driving, and I could only take him to the hospital and drop him off as I am too compromised with my health to have been there. Such concern grew, but thankfully all went well, and he has been recovering

well. We all have had to live our life with the ups and downs regardless of a pandemic. Always I have said that time is our gift.

Time has certainly been a gift, especially when it’s known many have lost life during this present pandemic journey. The sadness of loss is heartbreaking, especially when loved ones can’t be together. So, the hours turn into days and weeks here at my home, and I’ve appreciated more than ever my humble surrounds. I must admit though I have missed simple things we take for granted like enjoying coffee and chat catchups with friends and feeling those real hugs. So, these days have been spent knowing and feeling compassionate of the emotions of those that have been affected in health, work and a new way of living to truly appreciate my home and surrounds more than ever.

My outdoors at home has been so valued. How the Decor has been applied with furnishings and pots laden with botanicals has been welcoming as my daily escape ritual from the indoors, so Decor is not only for the internals of your home and external rooms or spaces can be an addition to your lifestyle and play a huge part of living. I know I am blessed with living in a North Queensland, Australian tropical paradise. I while away time when I have needed to rest from the days of troubled pain from my immune disorder with a coffee and at times imagine I am anywhere in the world in the haven we have created. I have never been to Paris, but now and again I do play that game of imagination and sometimes take to adding items of Decor to include such of that location.

In these many weeks, it’s been a time to catch up and enjoy the feel of what is surrounding in the outdoors as we are blessed with weather beautiful one day and perfect the next. The blue of the sky, the green of the botanicals and watching the sway in the breeze, butterflies fluttering about and the birdsong have been magic. Do you feel

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and imagine the picture I have painted in words? It’s been real and beautiful. So, STAY HOME has been of much healing benefit away from the crowds and just living the simple life and staying safe in ISO.

Creating has always been a release for me. It’s like a coping mechanism and very therapeutic. As well as upcycling furniture during this time at home, I have taken up the challenge after a long break to once again paint on canvas. The last art I had completed was two large canvasses that I had created for my son’s home, but after he died in an accident, I had no heart to do such again. That part of my soul had no feel to do such, but during this pandemic, I took to my paints again. One day I just realised it was time to do such again and I was on my way with easel, paint, brushes and canvas. I was thrilled when a client bought the first one, I had painted as soon as I showed it and am very proud that she is hanging it in her new home. There was so much love and feeling painted into it, so I am immensely happy with that outcome. My style is my own truth of love, that feeling that gets captured to canvas as it flows with the strokes happening. It’s a creation from my heart and soul, and perhaps

it now will be another healing in my own journey. My son loved the large art that had graced the walls of his home, and it was like he had sent me the message “It’s time to do this again, Mum”, so I’ve set myself a new direction and challenge to enjoy the freedom of expression that comes along with the days I choose to utilise it.

As I write this, our mild change in weather has begun. Tropical weather does have a cool patch and the paint does need different drying times on the furniture, so maybe there have been more coffee breaks than usual and perhaps an extra few minutes to sit in the sun basking and imagining one is somewhere else but then realising that this is the best place to be. For that, I am so grateful. There is still the love of taking a piece of neglected furniture and transforming it into a new piece with glamour and knowing I’ve saved it from landfill is the reward. There will be more to share in further editions.

We all wonder how and when this new journey is going to continue long term and for now, it is keep safe, keep well, continue to be grateful and show kindness. Love is so important in our unsettled world. Allow the lessons of this time to show us a kinder future.

Till next time, Pam xx

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