Tag Archives: Joy

Moving at the Speed of Light!

IMG_2468Good evening, my lovely chickadees! ๐Ÿ™‚

Life seems to be moving at the speed of light!! SERIOUSLY!!!

This year has been a year of doing numerous self experiments! How can I make a better life for my husband and myself? How can I live a more authentic life? How can I move into he life that we are constantly dreaming about? How can I be as fit, healthy, and happyย as much as possible?

Some of the experiments that have resulted in some micro changes in my life have been:

  1. Morning Pages: Waking early every morning to write morning pages a la Julie Cameron, The Artist Way author’s recommended practice (one of them)! – this has been helping me deal with some out of control anxiety and feelings of overwhelm that I have been struggling with. This practice basically dumps all of my ever-running thoughts out of my brain every morning, essentially giving me a reboot every morning!
  2. Meditation: 15 minutes meditation most mornings of the week. I have been doing this after my morning pages, and because my brain is wiped clean after my morning pages, meditation gives me the conscious opportunity to fill my brain with the thoughts that I want to carry around, I mean on purpose! I focus on thoughts of thankfulness to my creator for all of the blessings that have come my way, and the ones that are on their way to me!
  3. Personal Altar: For my meditation time, I have created a small altar in my home. More specifically there is a small, comfortable cushion on the floor of my walk-in closet, and a small white shelf that I have cleared off (it is one of my shoe shelves), that I have placed various items that have special meaning for me. These are all things that I want to remind myself to think about while meditating. Some of the things are a glass heart to remind me that I am loved, a bracelet to remind me that I can be brave and do brave things, a candle to call my truth teller to my meditation space, and a small yellow toy farm truck to remind me of my future dream life! I have a bunch of other things too, something to remind me of my sisters, something to remind me to have fun, something to remind me of my amazing marriage, etc. etc. etc. This has become a sacred place in my life.
  4. Exercise: My sweetie and I have signed up for a fun 5k that happens October 1st of this year, so we have started a Couch to 5k training program! It has been hard work not only the exercise itself, but also not giving up!! Right now, we only walk/jog about 3 days a week, but starting this week, I want us to go for a least a strong walk every morning, so that the non walk/jog mornings, we are getting out and spending quality time getting fit together!
  5. Uncluttering: There has been a major uncluttering projectย that is currently happening in my house! Things are leaving though the front door at a whirlwind pace!! Iย realized that if I wanted the life that I have envisioned in my head to come true, then I would have to make room for it – both literally and figuratively! God bless my husband, he has been the epitome of patience, and support!
  6. Gathering a Team: I have learned, this year, that you don’t have to do everything on myย own. So I am actively seeking a team of awesome people, who know more than I do, to help me in various areas of my life. Mental health, physical health, general life goals, etc. I have found a life coach, and have also been seeking out quality time with friends and family, and going out of my way to nurture those relationships. I can achieve every single thing that my heart desires, but if I do not have friends and family to share that with, then I think my joy will be lessened, and that is not ok with me. Joy that is shared is always multiplied for both the share-er and the share-ee. How is that for good grammar??? ๐Ÿ™‚

Now with all of this said, and all of this done, and still going on, I am by no means perfect at these things. I still have to say “oops, my bad” and try it again tomorrow, but I feel like my life is heading in the right direction, or at least the humungous ship, that is my life, is starting to pivot in the right direction!! and that is such a very exciting prospect that it makes me think that my future is so bright that I have to wear shades!! I can’t wait to see what comes next, but baby, I think I will be ready!!

Here is to living a BEAUTIFUL CREATIVE life! ๐Ÿ™‚

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If you want to have a different life you have to live differently!!

 

Art Journal Thursday Video #16

Good morning!

I am happy to announce that my Art Journal Thursday video #16 has now been posted out on YouTube!

The supplies I used today were:

  • Liquitex Gesso
  • DecoArt Acrylic Paints: Tropical Blue, Tuscan Red
  • Folk Art Acrylic Paint: Medium Yellow
  • Dina Wakley Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints: Lemon, Ruby, Sky
  • Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint: Green (02662)
  • Golden’s Molding Paste
  • Palette Knife
  • Adirondack Metallics Acrylic Paint Dabber: Gold
  • Fineline Applicator (18 gauge tip) – 4 of them
  • Stencil – I apologize, I have no idea what this stencil is called or who created it – I remember purchasing this at Michael’s in a pack of 3 or 4 stencils

DSC06583My inspiration for this spread was this cute little wooden wall hanger that I had found on sale at my local World Market. I immediately fell in love with the beautiful colors, and all of the interesting designs. I am thinking it looks very Moroccan in design, which I also LOVE!!

DSC06608I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to translate this cute tile onto a two page art journal spread, the size difference was a little daunting to envision – a 4″x4″ tile versus aย 22″x28″ art journal spread. BIIIIIIIIIG difference!! ๐Ÿ˜‰DSC06580Anyway, I really like the way that this spread has turned out!
DSC06599 The textures are scrumptious!DSC06592And the little doodling designs turned out better than I expected. I am really in LOVEย with my Fineline bottles!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰
DSC06590I also really REALLY like the color combinations! I would have NEVER used this mix if it weren’t for my inspiration piece!DSC06601I also really like that in some parts of this spread, it really does look like this was painted on wood! Doesn’t it???
DSC06595

And the coppery-gold section in the lower left hand corner, is very texturally interesting too!

I really like how this page turned out! I may have to look for more inspiration pieces, in the coming weeks, to keep me arting out of my comfort zone!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

What do you think? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this weekโ€™s art spread!! ๐Ÿ™‚

Also, if you have any ideas, or techniques that you might like to see me try in one of my future layouts, please let me know in the comment section and I will see what I can do to be accommodating! Also, I really do LOVE answering any questions you may have about art journaling, mixed-media, or anything you might have seen me do here! Please feel free to ask questions in the comments, and I will try and get back to you in a timely manner!!

Until next time!

Here is to a BEAUTIFULย CREATIVE life!

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If you want to have a different life, live differently!

Unemployed and Loving It!

Crown HeaderGood morning!

It has been a while since I have posted, and I thought now would be a good time to catch you up with what has been going on with me!

I am officially unemployed!!

YEAH!!

No, seriously, YEAH!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

I am consciously taking a sabbatical from work!

It is time for me to focus on taking care of my health and doing things that feed my soul – whatever that may be; this is a learning process for me! When was the last time I really, REALLY let myself do what I wanted to do? No, I don’t mean be lazy, sitting around watching the tele, eating cheetos (yeah, that happens), I mean, what do I really, really, REALLY want to do?

The things I know for sure right now are:

  • I want to art
  • I want to spend time in nature
  • I want to get my house in order
  • I want to get my health and fitness in order
  • I want to dance for no reason whatsoever
  • I want to reconnect with my close friends and family
  • I want to learn something
  • I want to bake something
  • I want to create something
  • I want to help someone
  • I want to teach someone
  • I want to inspire someone

This is what I am now consciously working on. I have made the decision to take myself off of autopilot and live my life on purpose!! Who knows where I will be in six months, let alone a year, or two, or five, or ten years from now, but this morning, I am in a really, really peaceful, joyful place. It has been a long time since I could honestly say that, but I am happy to report, that today it is my truth!

Here is to a FABULOUS day!

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If you want to have a different life, live differently!!

A Happy Monday!

Good evening!

I am very happy to report that today has been a very happy Monday! I managed to get myself up bright and early at 5:30 am to write my morning pages, which felt pretty darn good to get that habit started back up again. I know I will be up and at-em again tomorrow morning too!

I had a good day at work today, and even had the opportunity to laugh with my co-workers Chris, and Julie, which is ALWAYS so much fun!

This evening, after work, my sweetie surprised me by agreeing to meet me down at the grocery store so that I wouldn’t have to go grocery shopping by myself, and we made a game of it trying to get through the store under budget, and with a cart full of healthy food, which we did a mighty good job of doing! Thank you, honey!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

After we drove home, the book I have been impatiently waiting finally arrived, and I was able to sit a spell and read some before dinner tonight, which my hubby made for us. One of his new specialties: tuna fish sandwiches with dices celery and pickles – which I have to tell you is might delicious!! You see, I thought I didn’t like tuna fish, and Jason convinced me a couple of weeks ago to try it again to make sure that I really didn’t like it, and sure enough – I had to fess up and admit that it was pretty yummy!! Thanks for that love! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Anyway, I am going to try and list 5 things I am grateful for every evening here with you, and then I am going to try and make room for a 10 minute quiet meditation before bed, just to keep this happiness momentum going!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

This evening I am happy for:

  1. My husband who I love more and more every day!
  2. My friends and coworkers at the office who help make a sometimes tedious job fun!
  3. Having a kitchen stocked with fresh and healthy food so Jason and I can make healthy eating choices!
  4. For Fay’s vet, who has given her medicine which is helping clear up her ear infection so she is her peppy self again!
  5. To live in a country where I can be truly free to do what I want, when I want, and how I want. What a blessing that is!!

Anyway, as I get ready to take myself up to bed!

Have a FABULOUS evening! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Catch-Up Tuesday!

Good evening!

I have to tell you that today has been such a very good day!! REALLY!!! The sun is shining, Chris and I have help at work now, which is DIVINE!!! Plus Julie really is VERY SWEET, so she has been a joyful addition to our team!!

I am sorry that my posts have been a little sparse the past two days! I had gotten caught up in a book – yes, I still do read, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE!! I just finished readingย  City of Fallen Angels, by Cassandra Claire, with my girlfriend, and co-worker Chris. She had finished it before me, which meant I HAD TO GET IT READ so that we could discuss!! WHEW!! So that is what I have been busy doing.

Ok, I got the last few pages read right before bed last evening! and can I tell you???

WHAT A HORRIBLE ENDING!!!

There is a movie that came out in 1982 that my mom used to watch A LOT when I was a little girl, it was called The Pirate Movie. Well, at the end of that movie, the main character, Mabel, who had been having a pirate dream for the length of the movie, realized she was getting a bad ending. She start calling out, “I want a happy ending! I want a happy ending!!” and the dream froze and, long story short – she got her happy ending!! Well,

I WANT A HAPPY ENDING!! I WANT A HAPPY ENDING!!!

For those of you who haven’t read City of Fallen Angels yet, Chris and I are both sooooo dang frustrated that we have to wait probably another year before we get to find out WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!! UGH!!!

What is a girl to do??

Hmmm… I could always start another book???

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As I said earlier in this post, it is so nice and sunny here today – the first real feeling day of Spring!! FINALLY! This cheery, warm weather has started me dreaming about my farm again!! I am so ready to go out and find my farm! Today would be the most DELIGHTFUL day to go out and play in the gardens, take a nice leisurely walk, and spend some time laughing with my sweetie in the great outdoors!!

My sweetie is out working on a roof for a customer, and so I am home alone for dinner. I had a pretty big lunch today, so I have decided to do a light fruit and veggie based dinner tonight – kind of like a mini cleanse!! I have had a lovely pear, a nice crisp apple, and some freshly sliced strawberries!! Later, when/if I get hungry again, I have the makings of a fresh, crisp, green salad, which should be DELICIOUS!! if I get really hungry, we have some fresh baguette in the kitchen too, that I can tear a chunk off of!! Or maybe I can add about an ounce of cheese to the mix, for some calcium-rich protein! YUM! We’ll see! (NOTE: this is my attempt to live spontaneously! WILD? I KNOW!!!!)

I have decided to start buying only organic produce. It is more expensive, but I think in the long run, it can only help us by not consuming quite as many chemicals as we have eaten in the past! So, we have been eating organic produce for a few days now, and I have to tell you, that I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of a lot of these foods. They just taste better. More flavor, richer, somehow!! It has been less than a week, and I am already hooked!! Go figure!! Thanks for the words of encouragement, Sis!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Tonight, I am going to do a little more reading, but I think I am also going to go take a nice walk out in nature, and just soak up as much vitamin D as I possibly can!!! Doesn’t that just sound lovely???

Have a FABULOUS evening!!

Note to Chunky Dunkers: I can’t wait to see all of you at our Chunky Dunker’s Club, here tomorrow night!!! It will be great to talk about our ups and downs in our efforts to getting fit and healthy!! If anyone would like to join us – I should have the night’s post published by 6:30 PM! The more the merrier! GO CHUNKY DUNKERS!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

It’s Friday! Friday! Friday!!

Good morning, you FABULOUS people!!

I am in a really good place right now, and I can’t help but share some of that newly found joy with you!!! I have to confess, after my hour of morning pages, I started to get ready for work, and found myself doing some belly dancing to Rhianna!!! She has got such a GREAT beat in her music, it was fun!!

I am getting ready to head to work for the day, but I am hoping to get off a little bit early today, I do have a couple of errands that I want to run, and then I am thinking that my sweetie and I will go play in the pool for a while!!! Oh it is fun to be a kid again!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

I was telling my sis last night, that it I am just LOVING having activities in my life that I LOVE to do!! That is the key to happiness!! Oh, and having people to share those activities with!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

I am trying to decide what creative activity I would like to do this weekend. I am meeting Dawn in the morning for coffee downtown, so I am thinking that I am going to take my knitting, with extras (yarn and knitting needles) in case anyone would like to join me, and then people watch while visiting with Dawn!! Doesn’t that just sound delicious????

I am also needing to do some some serious kitchen overhauling and make a trip to the health food store to get some NEW groceries for our place. I have a restaurant that I just discovered last night that I want to tell you all about, but I don’t have time to get the pics ready before work today, so Iย  will post those pics and tell you all about my NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT downtown!! In the meantime, I will tell you that the new restaurant has really inspired me to incorporate more FRESHNESS into my meals, raw vegetables are our friends!! LOL!! Hence the need to go to the Health Food store!! PRODUCE RUN!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Anyway, I am off!!

Have a FABULOUS day!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Note to Chunky Dunkers: I have not forgotten about you, my lovelies!!! Keep up the hard work, it will be SOOOO WORTH IT!!! GO CHUNKY DUNKERS!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Surprisingly Refreshed!!

Good morning!

I have to tell you, even after burning my candle at both ends with all of the work that I have been doing, I have awoken this morning surprisingly refreshed!!! I am not sure if that is because I am excited about the new day that is to come, or because it is supposed to be sunny today, or a little of both!! I am just EXCITED for some reason!! God is so good!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

I have known since even before it started, that this year was going to be my year, and even though there are events going on that I have no control over, I still think that is true!! This is my year. A year of blessings, abundance, progress, overcoming obstacles, clarity, focus, and new vision!! SO TRUE!!! I believe that this is your year too!! If you are up to taking on the challenge!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

My daily mantra right now is,

“I am the artist and my life is my life is my greatest masterpiece,
only I can choose what gets painted onto my canvas!”

I have another 10-hour day at work today, so I am hoping that I am going to be able to maintain my pep and optimism! I am going to have to remember to go out of my way to take a few mini breaks, my walk at Bush Park with my new camera, listen to tons of happy music, and try to find the humor in every situation today!!! WHEW!! That can be a tall order, but I KNOW I can do it!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Have a FABULOUS day!! ๐Ÿ˜‰