Pieces of Time - So - I've been absent...

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23 August 2008 @ 10:00 am

So - I've been absent...

It's been quite a while since I've posted. Shortly after my last post, my modem was knocked out by one of the devastating storms we experienced here in early June and it was a couple of weeks before I replaced it.

In the meantime, however, I wracked up my back and am still having a lot of trouble with it. Though I'm in therapy and doing regular exercizes to strengthen it, sitting in front of my computer - especially after a day at work - is just not do-able. It is getting better and is not nearly as painful as it was a month ago, but I'm guessing my computer time will continue to be severly limited.

I apologize for being unable to keep up with everyone and I hope everyone on my flist is doing well. I still have comments and invitations issued before all this happened to respond to and I hope to take care of those over the next few days. Thank you so much to those of you who emailed to check up on me!

And look - I actually have a manip to share! My first in quite some time. As usual, the full size is kinda big! :-) Main texture by

uglybusiness. Hope you enjoy.

Untitled Buffy Manip – Full Size.

43 Had Something to Say | Talk to Me

( 43 Had Something to Say — Post a new comment )

enigmaticblues on August 23rd, 2008 03:02 pm (UTC)

I was just thinking about you the other day! I'm sorry to hear about your back. I've had trouble with mine before, and it's no fun. I hope it improves quickly!

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:27 pm (UTC)

I've had trouble with mine for most of my life. This flair up is one of the worst - and longest lasting, though.

Thanks for the good wishes!

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adriana_is on August 23rd, 2008 03:26 pm (UTC)

That's gorgeous Mary!

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:26 pm (UTC)

Thank you! :-)

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starscythe on August 23rd, 2008 03:42 pm (UTC)

That's so lovely! :O The best manip I've seen in ages!

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:26 pm (UTC)

What a great compliment - thank you so much! :-)

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kazzy_cee on August 23rd, 2008 03:59 pm (UTC)

Absolutely gorgeous!

Sorry to hear about your back. Take things as easy as you can, and look forward to you being able to spend more time with us when you're feeling up to it! *gentle hugs*

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:28 pm (UTC)

Glad you like the manip and thanks for the good wishes - I'm hoping the pain continues to lessen. It hasn't been much fun lately.

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easy_to_corrupt on August 23rd, 2008 04:26 pm (UTC)

She looks beautiful as always!

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:28 pm (UTC)

Thank you so much!

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stars_of_tears on August 23rd, 2008 04:45 pm (UTC)

gorgeous manip!
I hope your back gets better soon :)

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:29 pm (UTC)

gorgeous manip!

Thank you!

I hope your back gets better soon

Me, too! :-)

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kindredspirit75 on August 23rd, 2008 04:49 pm (UTC)

Your work continues to amaze me and this is quite beautiful.

Hope you feel better soon.

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:29 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the lovely compliment and the good wishes! :-)

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petzipellepingo on August 23rd, 2008 06:15 pm (UTC)

We've missed you. And as someone who has continuing back issues, I totally understand you taking a long LJ rest. Keep going with both the therapy and the exercises.

And what a lovely present you brought all of us.

Edited at 2008-08-23 06:16 pm (UTC)

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:32 pm (UTC)

Yeah, I've struggled with back problems since high school, which is, well... Let's just say a loooong time. :-) This flair up is lasting longer than most though, and seems to be more disabling. I am being good with the therapy and exercizes though, so I'm hoping for pain free days soon.

Glad you like the manip - thank you!

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thisficklemob on August 23rd, 2008 06:26 pm (UTC)

Oh, you really do make the most gorgeous images. *sets new desktop image*

I hope your back continues to improve.

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:33 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

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cordykitten on August 23rd, 2008 06:34 pm (UTC)

Gorgeous manip, Mary. Well done.
*hugs you careful* I hope your back continues to get better.

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:33 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

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louise39 on August 23rd, 2008 08:36 pm (UTC)

This is beautiful, as always. The colors and designs and manip create a seemless delight.

Hope your back continues to improve.

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:34 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

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oceandreams on August 23rd, 2008 09:42 pm (UTC)

Stunning! Great job!

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:34 pm (UTC)

Thank you so much! :-)

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kargrif on August 24th, 2008 01:59 am (UTC)

that is just beautiful, i love it!

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:34 pm (UTC)

Thank you - so glad you like it! :-)

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molly_may on August 24th, 2008 02:02 am (UTC)

I'm so sorry to hear about your back problems, Mary. I hope it continues to improve quickly!

Awww, pretty Buffy! That's a beautiful manip.

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:39 pm (UTC)

Thanks so much - for the good wishes AND the kind words. :-)

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alwaysjbj on August 24th, 2008 02:37 am (UTC)

Absolutely beautiful, sweetie!

I'm sorry to hear about your back. Take it easy. I wish you better soon. *hugs*

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:34 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

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murielle on August 24th, 2008 07:25 am (UTC)

Beautiful Manip!

Please take care of yourself, don't push it ... we'll be here for you when you're up to it.

((gentle hugs))

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:35 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

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spikereader on August 24th, 2008 08:16 am (UTC)

*waves*

That is such a beautiful manip.

Sorry to hear you've had such a bad time with your back. I hope it continues to improve.

*hugs*

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:39 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

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ssddgr on August 24th, 2008 12:46 pm (UTC)

Welcome back, hun. I'm sorry about your back, hope you feel better soon!

And this manip is made of awesome, you're so beyond talented!

*hugs tight (but mindful of your back)*

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:38 pm (UTC)

So glad you like the manip - thank you so much! And thank you, too, for the good wishes. :-)

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jamalov29 on August 25th, 2008 02:20 pm (UTC)

It's lovely to see you posting, dear Mary. I wish your back problems could cease, I had them a few months ago and it's never easy to live with it.My best wishes .

Your manip is beautiful as usual. I love the vibrant coloring.

::soft hugs::

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:38 pm (UTC)

I've been dealing with back problems since high school - a loooong time! :-) This flair up seems worse than most and is lasting longer. But the therapy and exersizes ARE helping. (I keep telling myself that!)

Glad you like the manip - thank you!

*hugs*

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chic_c on August 25th, 2008 02:59 pm (UTC)

Really impressive work, darling!

Sorry about your back, I hope it gets better quickly. *hugs you gently*

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mary5958 on August 25th, 2008 11:35 pm (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words and good wishes! :-)

Also - love your icon!

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framedinlove on September 1st, 2008 05:48 pm (UTC)

First of all, I'm so very sorry to hear about your back problems! I had somehow managed to totally miss out this post of yours, and now I feel like a total jerk for being so late with this comment of mine. My most sincere apologies for that. I really hope you're doing better and wish you all the best in every possible way. *sends good thoughts*

As for the manip, it's absolutely gorgeous! I love the way you've used textures and light, and the colors make me heart sing. The manip in itself is perfectly flawless. You couldn't tell it's a manip even if you scrutinized it though a magnifying glass. *is in awe* I adore her dreamy expression - she looks so very beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this awesomeness with us!

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stawberynvanila on September 2nd, 2008 11:10 pm (UTC)

Hi Mary, i'm very sorry to hear about your back. I'm sure with the therapy and exercises, you will get better. *Hugs you tight*

I have to say, this is by far one of the most beautiful manips i've had the pleasure of admiring. It is soo ethereal and soft and it looks as if it's a real picture rather than a manip. It looks sooo perfect, as if a master painter has painted her. *stares*

I've always admired your art and you keep on surprising me and you surpass yourself every time. Very well done and KUDOS!!

I hope one day i can manip like you. Keep it up. ;)

*Hugs you for being awesome*

P.S. I've used the base you very generously provided and the manip is here ... # 12 Titled : 'Waiting for You..'

http://stawberynvanila.livejournal.com/27922.html

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missus_grace on September 19th, 2008 05:00 am (UTC)

Hey there!

I'm over here via

jamalov29 (she quoted from Journeys) and I wanted to friend you because I read your stories and loved them. Your artwork is as wonderful as your writing!

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