Category Archives: Goals

Hangin’ at the Manse!

Good evening!

I have had a pretty good day today!!

  • Had a yummy brunch with my sweetie!
  • Got all of the laundry done in the house – which if you would have seen our massive pile of dirty clothes, you would have realized what an AMAZING accomplishment that was!! 😉
  • Helped my sweetie pain on a Victorian doll house for a little while! (He has been contracted to refinish one for one of his clients!)
  • I have read a little in a romance novel I have been reading!
  • I have watched one too many episodes of tele off of our Netflix!
  • Had a GIANORMOUS, but extremely delicious dinner with my sweetie!
  • and am now sitting in my living room enjoying my family, while the Christmas lights are on, my sweetie is writing, and I am getting ready to spend a little too much time on Pinterest!! 😉

Talking of Pinterest, is anyone else as completely addicted as I am???? Oh-em-gee!!! I can open it up and start rifling through pics, and before I realize it 2 hours have passed!! I am sooooo ENAMORED!!! It’s all good though! I have always loved collecting photographs of all things inspiring – I have about 15,000 different pics on my computer – I know, a little obsessive, right?? But I have been collecting photographs online for about 5 years, so n average of 3000 pics a year – I can handle that!! Maybe I just need to be a photographer so that I can start collecting some of my own inspiring shots!!! 😉

Talking about photography, I am getting ready to sign up for an online photography class. It is not your typical, technical type class, but more about how to take more artistic and expressive pics using whatever kind of camera you may have available. Right now I have a normal point and click, but someday soon I hope to have a real big-girl-camera, with lenses and everything.  WOULDN’T THAT BE AWESOME????? Oh man, that idea just jazzes me SO MUCH!!! 😉 I can’t wait!!! Anyway, the class is given by Darrah Parker, and if you click on her name it will take you to a page telling about her class. I can’t wait!!

Anyway, I just noticed the time, and realized it is later than I thought it was (it is about 8:45 her, and I am an early to bed kinda gal!!), so I am going to skee-daddle to get ready for bed!!

Have a FABULOUS evening! :-)

 

Package In the Mail!

Good evening!

Do you ever get excited whenever you get a package in the mail???

or is that just me???

Well, tonight, after I got home from work, I found a package in my mail!! YEAH!!! 😉

Yes, I really do get that excited!!

In it, was my new 2012 Curly Girl calendar. I am not sure if you know who Curly Girl is, but she is one of my FAVORITE artists. She is a collage artist specializing in uplifting and girl power type artwork!! I am sooooo excited for the new year so that I can put it up in my office!!

I also received a new book called, The Right-Brain Business Plan. This book is by Jennifer Lee, and I have been drooling over this book seemingly FOREVER!!! I finally decided it was time to break down and treat myself to this little book! It is basically a book that helps visual people, like myself, visually map out a plan of action to get to where they want to be. I have needed this kind of help for a while now, because for some reason I seem to get all excited about something, get overwhelmed and then sabotage myself and end up back at the beginning of my progress!! So, I am at least hoping that this book will have some fun, and creative ideas for getting inspired!!!

There was one more thing in this package I received, but I am not at liberty to share what it was, because it was a Christmas gift for my sweetie, and he reads my blog faithfully!! I am SOOO NOT going to spoil that surprise!! 😉

What else happened today? Well, we had our Christmas luncheon at work today. It is always such a nice treat to have a delicious meal, served by our administration!! Plus, we usually take a bit of a longer lunch so we can just take some time to catch up on how everyone is doing. It was really quite a treat!!

I realized today that it is only one week from tomorrow until we are traveling down to Roseburg to see family for Christmas. I am just so excited to get there, and just hang out and have some fun!!! I will have to see if we can have our friend come over and babysit our girls while we are gone. I really do hate leaving them, but they really need to stay in there own habitat!! It is just safer for them!! I am hoping to someday have an RV where we can have a mini home away from home and then they could easily travel with us, but until then, a dog-sitter it is!!! 😉

Alright, that is enough rambling for one night!!

Have a FABULOUS evening! :-)

Setting Up Shop!

Good evening!

So, my sweetie and I made it to Roseburg! WHEW!!! We headed straight to my sister’s house, picked her up, and long story short, Jennifer, Trina, Sweetie, and myself all ended up at the Douglas County fairgrounds so we could set up our booth! Of course I forgot my camera, so I will be taking pics of our booth first thing in the morning, but I have to admit that we were all pleasantly surprised that we were able to make it look so nice, PLUS fill up a double booth!!! My sisters have been hard at work creating handicrafts all year to make this weekend possible!

I had the opportunity to pull all of my old jewelry out to sell in the booth too, which really made me nostalgic for creating jewelry again! I will make sure to take pics of those too!

I wanted to especially share one thing that happened this evening that has really made this trip worthwhile already and that is, after we had finished setting up the booth, Austin met us at Denny’s and we all sat down for dinner. As we all held hand so my sweetie could pray over our dinner, in that moment, as I was holding Jennifer and Trina’s hand, I had great feeling of being blessed that I was able to be in that moment with my family. It was a priceless feeling that I have really been missing lately! God is good!! 😉

With that, it has been a long day, and we have got to get up very early tomorrow to go finish any last minute preparations, so I am going to call it a night and get some much needed sleep!

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

Treasure Hunting!

Good evening!
The other day, I had the opportunity to go treasure hunting, and I thought today that I would share two of my finds with you!

I found these two spectacular pieces at Aunt Bee’s here in town! I was absolutely flabbergasted when I first laid eyes on them, I just KNEW they had to come home with me! They were a little spendier than I am used to spending on a whim, but I knew that they would be a great investment and a great addition to my ever growing art collection. That sounds so cool to me! 😉

These pictures make me long to visit Europe. I dream of what it would be like if I could live there someday. Maybe live in the countryside of France, or the hustle and bustle of an Italian Villa, or maybe even live on a remote and isolated  emerald isle of Ireland. DREAMY!

I can imagine myself walking endlessly, just enjoying the scenery, or holding hands with my sweetie as we enjoy the sights of Europe together. Reading on a blanket under a shady tree, or sloshing in puddles while wearing my wellies, and the rain is coming down pitter-patting on my umbrella, that of course I would have right on hand! I would love to see the magnificent architecture, and learn about the vast history, and I would be proficient in every language – ok that may be pushing it, but I think you get what I mean. I would love to be blend in with the locals, and live the culture the way that they really live it. Living life, loving life, enjoying my friends and family! That would be AMAZING!!!

Someday, you will see. I am not sure how, and I am not sure when, but it will happen!! And when it does maybe I will be able to see these actual scenes first hand. For now, I will settle with enjoying my European view through these small paintings that I will truly treasure! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Big Decisions Being Made!

Good evening!

You know, I have come to believe that you can change your life by making one single solitary decision.

Today was a day like that. My hubby and I had a very important meeting this morning. This meeting is a meeting where a life changing decisions was made. I am very hesitant to say what that decision is, right now. I feel like I still want to let this decision sink in, but I am going to bit the bullet and just get it out there. My husband and I met at a bariatric clinic and we have started the process to get approval for a gastric-bypass.

OK, there. It’s out there.

I have come to a point in my life where I have decided that my weight is beyond a minor niggling problem. It is something that I have decided that I need to some major action to get it under control so that I can move on, and get on with living my real life!!

I know this is a really big step, something that I have been looking at and researching for a really long time. As I was sitting in the doctor’s office this morning, I had this AWESOME sense of peace wash over me, that I KNEW that I was doing the right thing. Even as I say it again now, I KNOW that this is the perfect step for me!!

I am very excited about this journey that my sweetie and I are embarking on together, and I will make sure to keep all of you posted on what twists and turns our journey will take!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

A Chunky Dunker’s Information Session!

Good evening!

Well, as you may be able to tell by now that we did not have a typical Chunky Dunker’s session this evening. Instead, my sweetie and I went to a 2 hour bariatric surgery information session down at the hospital. The physicians and staff of the bariatric clinic told us all about the differences between lap band and the different kind of gastric bypass surgeries, all of the risks, preperations, pre- and after care!! It was very informative!

I am not sure how I feel about it for myself yet, but I know that Jason is close to making up his mind and I am more than happy to support him in whatever decision he makes. As for myself, I will keep you posted! 😉

I am tired, it is getting late, and I have a lot to think about this evening, so I am going to cut this post short, and say G’night!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! ;-)

A Lazy Naked Sunday!

Good evening!
I have had the best kind of lazy naked Sunday! There have been no plans, no agendas, and no to-do lists! THAT IS THE BEST KIND OF SUNDAY!!

I have been spending some time this evening perusing new blogs, and websites. Places that have inspired me to do a little decorating for the Winter holidays! I thought I would share some of these with you!

Dreamy Whites

One that I just happened to stumble upon is called Dreamy Whites. I am in LOVE with this site. It is so romantic, chic, and so homey looking! I just LOVE this site!! This site has inspired me to cover my red sofa with a scrumptious white blanket!! Aaaah!!! LOVELY!

Peony & Sage

Another site that I have been enjoying is Peony & Sage, they have some very beautiful vintage-y fabrics! These make me want to have throw pillows done for the entire house in these great fabrics!

The Paris Apartment

The last site I want to share with you this evening is The Paris Apartment. I know, I know, I have talked about this site before. This is actually one of my FAVORITE sites!! I could just jump right in to anyone of the lovely vignettes that she posts! I would be SUCH A HAPPY GIRL!!! French chic!!! DIVINE!!!

I am going to go do a little more inspiration induced perusing!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! ;-)

Crossing Something Scary Off My Life List!

Good evening!

You remember I had told you my original plans were to stay close to home and just be homey, but I had a little change of plans!! This morning Jason and I had gotten together with our friends Errin and Dawn, for breakfast! Well, we were having a lovely time when, I am not sure how the subject came about, but Dawn blurted out that we should go down to the tattoo shop to get my tattoo. You know the one that has been on my HUGE life list, the same one that also made it on to 36 before 37 life list??? I am not sure how I let her talk me into these things, but I found myself waiting in the tattoo shop while the tattoo artist drew up a sample of the design I described to him.

After sweating it out, for what seemed like an eternity, he came out and showed my his translation of my design, and I LOVED IT!!! I knew that it was now or never, and the cost was a very minimal amount, something I had on my in cash (which is saying something because I hardly ever have cash), so I just

HAD TO GO FOR IT!!!

Dawn went with me into the back where I hopped up onto a medical looking table, and the tattoo artist transferred his drawing onto my right foot, exactly where I wanted it, and I knew that if I was going to chicken out, now would be the time to do it!

BUT I DIDN’T!

Before he started, I asked him how badly will this hurt? and he responded by saying that most people describe it like scratching a really bad sunburn. So, I thought, ok, I can handle that. I layed back and let the man do what he does best!! By the way, Dawn is with me this whole time and she is taking pictures, videos, asking me questions, which I honestly don’t remember answering, but she had promised not to leave my side. I was going to hold her hand, but I was terrified that I would crush her little hand!!

Anyway, long story short, I DID IT!! For the most part it really didn’t hurt so bad, except for maybe a couple of moments, but of course, Dawn got pics of those moments too! I have to say that I have inherited a trait from my family, that when we are scared or are in pain, we become really quiet and delve inside of ourselves. Today proved no different! Dawn was surprised that I was able to stay so quiet.

The whole tattoo only took about 10-15 minutes, it is isn’t very big after all! That just would not have been my style! and when he finished, I saw that he did a PHENOMENAL job!!! My tattoo is of 7 tiny footprints walking across the side of my foot. They represent 2 things to me, the poem of The Footprints, where Jesus carries you across the sand when you are not strong enough to carry yourself, and it also represents my Ohana, my family. Those that are my family by blood, those that are family by marriage, and those that are family by choice!!

I want to always to be reminded of them.

Both those that are still with me, and those who have gone on before me.

They are why I do what I do.

They are why I fight with all of my might.

They are why I constantly try to better myself.

They make life worth living.

I love you all, I truly hope you all know who you are and how much you mean to me! 😉

I love you!!!

With that said…

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Chunky Dunker’s Night!

Good evening!
Tonight is Chunky Dunker’s night here on Christinaville. Chunky Dunkers is an open and informal support group for anyone who has any kind of health and fitness goals. We are here to cheer each other on, share advice, ideas, hints, tips, recipes, and just be an all around encouragement to help each other in achieving our goals.  So, please feel free to grab a cup of coffee, and meet us in the comment section! The more the merrier!

With that said, I am very happy to report that I have lost 10.4 pounds!!! Which, when I think about it is kind of surprising, because even though it has been slow going, it has been 3 months, I was sure that it was going to be much harder than it actually has been. My sweetie has been very supportive in putting together healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks every day, and I have been working at being mindful to watch my portion sizes, and to take my time in eating. Baby steps! Baby steps!

I can’t wait to hear how all of you are doing, I will see you in the comments section! 🙂

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! ;-)

I Love This Sunday!

Good evening!

This has been such a COOL Sunday! We got an extra hour today with daylight savings time, and it has really made a HUGE difference in my attitude for the day!! I knew today was going to be the PERFECT kind of naked lazy-do-whatever-you-want Sunday!!!

I woke up early this morning, and spent a little time reading!  Even got to take a mini-nap before breakfast, yes I go t up THAT early!! After my nap, I had a leisurely breakfast with my sweetie, and then made a b-line to the art studio!! (Jason LOVES my art studio time because it means that he gets to spend that time hogging the Netflix, watching EVERY low-budget horror movie they ahve available!!!)

Earlier this week, I had gotten inspired to create two pieces of art for my drab office cubicle! So I had a lot of fun getting these started.I have some more textures, aging, and motivational thoughts to put on these still. I am planning on taking my time and getting these done over the next week. It will be hard, because I am not exactly the most patient person, but I am really am very excited to see them hanging in my office cubicle!!

So, without further ado, here are the pieces I have been working on, please keep in mind that these are a work in progress, but I am very excited how they are turning out so far!

I am not really sure what to say about these, but when I look at them they really make me happy!and the little maps, and word puzzles that I have chosen to accent these have sentimental value to me! I really just can’t wait to see these finished!!!  😉

This is how I wish I could always make art, just get whatever is in me onto the canvas, without worry about what others might think of them, or worry about whether or not they are commercial or sale-able.

Art for the sake of art.

So what do you think? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!!!

Being creative is where my bliss is coming from.

Life is good.

Today has been great.

I am feeling greatly blessed. 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!! 😉