Gratitude December 11, 2016

#gratitudechallenge
1. I am grateful for the photo my momma sent me of Zoe this morning. I am also grateful for the dog after church and the puppy in Starbucks who let me pet her.
2. I am grateful for Steve who asked me about my "loved" button. I gave it to him. It's a good starter for conversation.
3. I am grateful for amatriciana sauce. Spicy.
4. I am grateful for antacids.
5. I am grateful for holiday lights.
6. I am grateful for all my church families. Being in community makes me feel things will be okay. Not easy, but okay.
7. I am still grateful for shark. He's the best.

Gratitude December 10, 2016

#gratitudechallenge

1. I am grateful for a full day with friends, activities, and doing good for others and myself.

2. I am grateful for delivering over 60 bras and other items to Mary's Place. Other items included pj's, socks, underwear, housewares, a few coats, jeans, and feminine hygiene supplies (thanks Tara and Wendy).

3. I am grateful for getting the hair removed from my armpits by Celia... I also uttered these words. "I think I want to start dating". Granted I don't really know the first thing about dating but I think I might be a catch.... so hey, introduce me to people and help this introvert get out there without freaking out too much.

4. I am grateful for crafty day... it's always good to spend time with friends and be creative. I had a great time.

5. I am grateful for walking around greenlake and seeing all the luminaries and people and pets adorned with holiday lights. Thanks for joining me Kenny.

6. I am grateful for feeling better-ish... for having some self awareness that things were off and taking steps to fix things.

7. I am grateful for my momma and a quick visit with Zoe. Unconditional love from a mom and a dog are the best.

8. bonus gratitude today... I am grateful for class this morning.. it's good to get some exercise.. one of the things I haven't been doing lately is exercising... tomorrow I'm doing stairs. That will get me feeling and hopefully sleeping better.

Gratitude December 9, 2016

#gratitudechallenge
1. I am grateful for a nice lunch with my friend Katy yesterday.
2. I am grateful for a reprieve from story telling on Sunday (whew).
3. I am grateful for my reduced heart rate (still higher than I'd like but I'm working on it).
4. I am grateful for waking up to snow. 
5. I am grateful for my friend Ken checking in with me yesterday. It's nice to have friends make sure you're not going off the rails.
6. I am grateful for puppy cam.
7. I am grateful for crafty day tomorrow. It will be good to be creative and be amongst friends.
here's a link to the Rob Cast... I know I talk about it a lot but I find it very helpful to listen to these...

Gratitude December 8, 2016

#gratitudechallenge
1. I am grateful for my new lavender diffuser in my bedroom.That combined with covering up all electronics, and taking a more natural sleep aid led me to almost 8 hours of sleep - and a bit lower heart rate when I woke up.
2. I am grateful that the snow is going to be delayed a bit... I get to have lunch with my Katy if all things go as planned.
3. I am grateful for the phone call I received from my friend Susan as I was walking home from work yesterday. She's a peach.
4. I am grateful for an office that will let me take four weeks off in March for an artist residency.
5. I am grateful for coffee...
6. I am grateful for doing some grocery shopping yesterday - I replaced the accidentally liquified vegetables I removed from my crisper drawer on Tuesday night.
7. I am grateful for my daily email meditations from the Center of Action and Contemplation... they help keep me calm and sort of centered...

Gratitude December 7, 2016

#gratitudechallenge 
1. I am grateful for horoscopes 
Today is an 8 -- Watch for career advances in a direction you love. Take on more responsibility this month, with Venus in Aquarius. It's easier to advance your agenda. -hmmmmm.
2. I am grateful for my friend Tara who is holding her annual crafty day this Saturday - it will be good to be with people!
3. I am grateful for my Electronic Advent Calendar... the smash the ornament game is one of my favorites.
4. I am grateful for the decision to find like minded people to be in community with. I have been feeling a little lost since my boot camp buddies have disbanded... realizing that this has affected me is good.
5. I am grateful for the over the phone hug I got from my momma yesterday.
6. I am grateful for selling some artwork. It makes the "not good enough" voice in my head a little quieter.
7. I am grateful for puppies, Lenny Kravitz, and cheese.

Gratitude list December 6, 2016

#gratitudechallenge

1. I am grateful for watching videos of people being kind.

2. I am grateful for this feeling of grief/sadness/fear/lumpiness inside. It's proof that I'm a feeling, caring person.

3. I am grateful for text messages from Jenny.

4. I am grateful for the Good Like Project journal that I'm actually using... doing my work.

5. I am grateful for finally contacting my therapist so I can work on my "pit".

6. I am grateful that I decided to apply to be in a focus group to give feedback on the light rail station development project - I gave a shout out for affordable artist studio space.

7. I am grateful for my momma and puppies and friends and protein.

Gratitude December 5, 2016

#gratitudechallenge
1. grateful that I started the morning off with some meditation/reading instead of diving into to electronic minefields.
2. I am grateful that I have a selection of good books to read (what? me reading?).
3. I am grateful that I was selected to be on a focus group regarding the development of the Light Rail Station on Capitol Hill (the middle aged/single gal/artist/professional in me does have a place)...
4. I am grateful that Alice is subbing my class tonight.
5. I am grateful that the Seahawks won.
6. I am grateful for my SAD light and my Christmas Tree Frederico, III are in my sight.
7. I am grateful for my First Family coffee cup The Obama's are a family which show class and dignity.... I will miss them.

Gratitude December 4, 2016

#gratitudechallenge
1. I am grateful for all the cookies my mom made yesterday... I ate far to many and today the leftovers are going to a good cause (Church!).
2. I am grateful for all the people who came to my sale yesterday and the amount of generosity of people with their donations to Mary's Place. I HAVE A TON OF BRAS!
3. I am grateful to have received my Good life Project Journal in the mail Friday - it is getting me kick started back to the living... I am no use to anyone if I work/live from a place of fear. I can acknowledge that fear but also know that if I work for what is just I need compassion, love, and gratitude.
4. I am grateful for the big salad I had for dinner last night. I have been treating my body like a garbage can lately and I can feel it. Also grateful for the company I had at dinner!
5. Still grateful for Shark. Best $9.99 I've spent in a long time (not as good as the money I donated to the ACLU or the Dakota Pipline Protectors - it's a different category).
6. Grateful for talks with people about Our Whole Lives... it seems to be creating a spark in me - that is good! We could all use sparks.
7. I am grateful for my crockpot.
I am going to attempt to tag all who came yesterday - if I forget you, please forgive me.

Todays Gratitude 12/2/2016

#gratitudechallenge
1. I am grateful for an early morning walk with my ww people (my momma was there too and I got two hugs - bonus).
2. I am grateful that my apartment is sort of clean for tomorrow.
3. I am grateful for the Good Life Project and Rob Bell podcast. They are helping me feel less anxious. (although I still am anxious).
4. Grateful for practicing single nostril breathing (I heard Gabby Bernstein on the GLP podcast and found my way to her website... one thing leads to another, single nostril breathing).
5. I am grateful for a football game to watch tonight while I'm working on art stuff.
6. I am grateful for dipping my toe into things and being able to realize when I need to get out so I can function.
7. I am grateful for calculators. I am not strong at math.

Gratitude Challenge.

I've been doing a gratitude challenge on Facebook since the early part of November. I think I need to share it here as well. I have a lot of emotions since the election and I find the gratitude is helping me not get too stressed out. Spreading the good is important

#gratitudechallenge 
1. I am grateful for How to Live a Good Life. I ordered a few of the books and disbursed them throughout my people... the iBook version is 99 cents... the sale runs through today but if you're looking for a way to get out of your hole it may be just the thing.
2. I am grateful for getting some boxes of things cleared up from my living room last night. Studio sale is going to happen no matter what - it will be easier if there are no boxes for people to walk around.
3. I am grateful for the sequins that fell all over the place last night.. reminded me of my first year of grad school when embroidering coffee filters was my thing.
4. I am grateful for people who share kindness and empathy. I need to remember no matter what someone believes, if I start with kindness I can't go wrong.
5. I am grateful for podcasts. They expand my thinking and keep the hamsters from running crazy on the wheel in my brain.
6. I am grateful for my church camp friends... it's nice to have a group of people who have compassion, goodness, and a thirst for social justice.
7. I am grateful for love.

It's been a long time...

Hey there everyone.
I'm still around - I just spend more time doing things that bring me joy other than things that bring me down.

I think I said it before but life doesn't happen while you sit on the sofa. Okay, coffee drinking happens while you're sitting on the sofa... and that technically is part of life.

I don't really know what to report.

The last time I was here was September... I've continued to work on art and the ongoing struggle to keep my apartment clean is real....

I was part of a group show in February in Washington DC. I also got to take part in an artist talk at the Smithsonian so that's cool. Next March I'm off to the Vermont Studio Center again to make things... I've been focusing on printmaking - it brings me much satisfaction.

Last month I counseled at summer camp - it was fun and emotionally fulfilling in a way it hasn't been in a long time. I'm thinking that there are changes happening... not sure what just yet but I can feel it. A bit of a sense of dissatisfaction... but nothing so much to put me in a nervous breakdown state.

I think that's all I need to say... be kind to yourself and to one another. Life shouldn't be hard.

Howdy Strangers...

Here I am.

I am up early today (which is pretty much the norm these days).

What have I been up to?

Living life I guess.

This summer has been pretty busy... work, working out, teaching, making art, and a trip to Alaska.

Yes, I went to Alaska at the end of July to see a friend I knew from School... it was quite the adventure. If you haven't been to Alaska I think you should put it on your list. It's pretty breathtaking... my only complain is that it didn't ever really get dark -  if you are tired enough you can sleep through anything.

I will post a few photos at the end of this post.

In other news... my friend Jenny and another artist friend of hers and I  have a show coming up in February in Washington D.C.  it's called #thisiswhyimsingle and it will contain my Failed T-shirt Designs for Today's Modern Woman... I'm pretty excited to actually get my work out there again - sure it's work that was started a few years ago but it's still relevant today. Sometimes I guess you just have to go out of your local area to get anything seen...

here's a link to the press release page from Flashpoint Gallery

I have also gotten in to the Vermont Studio Center again - this time for next May. I'm thinking about seeing if I can change it to a later date... With all my travel next year (DC twice,-Hawaii in March) I'm thinking I can't afford to take that much time off of work.

My track record is pretty good when it comes to VSC.

I think I have an 80% acceptance rate which is pretty good... I've never gotten a fellowship which would make me going a no-brainer, but I do think it's worth going if you have the time and financial ability to do so.

I applied under the Painting category this time which is good... considering I"m a sculptor/object maker at heart.

I will figure it out sooner rather than later what to do...

okay, as promised some photos from Alaska....

It was fun... lots of scenery and I went fishing... came back with a lot of Halibut and a lone silver salmon...

I think that's all I have to share now.

Keep doing what makes you happy... I am.

Howdy Strangers!

I am indeed amongst the living.

What do I have to report? Let me see....

I've got a lot going on these days which has me off the sofa and out into the real world (hence the lack of posting to the blog).

I continue to create artwork - I'm currently working on applications for artist residencies, and I applied for a fellowship a few weeks back which I didn't get, but I got some really good feedback on my work. I am going to be heading to Alaska in a few weeks for what I am calling an "Art Adventure"... a friend I know from the University of Washington has invited me up and we are going to spend the week making art and going on adventures. It should be fun. I will hopefully post some photos when it's all over with.

I have a group show I'm in next February in Washington D.C. The press release has not been issued yet so I can't share more than that, but it will be fun.

I am also continuing my early morning workout routine... My various ailments which plagued me earlier in the year have been resolved... only to be taken over my hormonal fluctuations which disrupt my sleep patters but hey, that's life.

I spent a week at summer camp the week before last. It was fun, but exhausting.

Today one of my bosses is getting married so I am going to be getting gussied up and driving to Cle Elum for the wedding (with a stop at Owens Meats to get beef jerky).

Fun fun fun!

I think that's about it....
here are a few more photos of #lunchdrawings I've been working on.

xoxoxo

Woo Hoo.

Hi there...

Long time, no post. I know...

Here is what's happening.

After a long recovery my injuries are clearing up and I'm getting back into the swing of things finally... last night was the first time in a while I haven't taken any sort of medication for my back. I was having muscle spasms for a long while... my back is still tight at times but it's definitely much better.

Art wise things are plugging along. I've been working on some watercolors which please me... I shall share a few with you at the end of the post.

I am gearing up to lead a Young Adult Retreat in June and then counsel at Senior High Camp in July and then work with High School youth at a family camp in August in Idaho. It's going to be fun... I'm looking forward to once again doing things that I want to do over the summer...

I turn 48 in just under two weeks. I'm feeling pretty good about the whole situation... a lot has changed in the last year... for the better.

I don't have much to rant about nowadays... oh, I could rant, but I choose not to. It only stresses me out when I focus on what's wrong and don't appreciate what is right.

Okay - here are some photos of the watercolors... I'm not editing to make them look perfect (cropping etc...)
Go Team!

Well looky here.

Hi there.
I took a long walk this morning and started thinking about writing... so here I am.

I've thought a bit about why I haven't been updating my blog on a regular basis - here are some observations.

I found that I was focusing too much on what was not working in my life...
I started focusing on what was good and eventually it took up more of my time and I really don't have a lot of excess time to post blog entries about my exploits...

I think I also came to the realization that if I leave everything on the page there is no reason for people to interact with me on an personal one-on-one level... Or perhaps I should rephrase that - there's no reason for ME to interact with others on a one-on-one level...

I'm doing alright, I've got a few aches and pains, but things are going to fine.

perhaps I will post again in another few months...

I'm still here...

It's been a while since I posted anything on these pages.

A lot has been happening - it can mostly be summed up as follows:

I've been dealing with injuries to my knee and back which have slowed my exercise endeavors... I think things are finally getting back to normal after some Dr. Appointments, Physical Therapy, and rest.

A lot of people are dying... it's been a sad time, but over the course of past year I have developed some useful skills to help me cope with the ups and downs that life has to hand you...

My friends are awesome. They have stood by me when the road gets rocky... it feels good.

I got to counsel at Camp last weekend which was much needed.

This weekend should be a bit on the slow side with some down time with my family...
perhaps I will feel well enough to get some crap cleaned out of my apartment - it's funny - you don't want to do a lot of cleaning when your back is aching...

That's all I have... overall, life is good and I would trade anything I have or any obstacle I encounter because they made me who I am.

Not too much (but a lot) to report

Things are plugging along.
I feel good.
I have a lot of great friends.
I'm doing what I want to do.
I'm not worrying about things I have no control over.
I am diving head first into the holiday season with a sense of gratitude.

Happy.

Hello There!

It's me again.
Things are moving along and things are good.

Not much new to report except the fact I gave up eating sweets two weeks ago, I start stair training tomorrow, and I'm setting up my apartment to be able to make more work in it.
I moved out one of my sofas and set up a work table.

Tomorrow I am going to watch a bike race with my camp friends.

I've submitted work to a few shows and I am waiting to hear back...

I think that's about it...

Be nice to each other.

Not Dead

Howdy people...

I'm still kicking around, Not a ton to report but things are going well.

I have no complaints and I am keeping busy with work, teaching a bit, and being creative.

I no longer feel the need to complain about things - it does me no good.

I am not feeling the need to post a lot updates so they will be sporadic.

I don't have a lot to rant about which is good.

I'm sitting here on the sofa waiting for some soup to heat up (I actually am making it from scratch).

yay.

I made it home. I'm back. I'm tired.

Just a quick check in.

I arrived home safely last Wednesday night and started back at work on Monday.

Overall it hasn't been too bad but I'm looking forward to the weekend.

I don't have much to report other than I am slowly unpacking my things and trying to get into the swing of working on my drawings. I worked a little bit during lunch so that's good. I just need to finish unpacking. Hopefully by next week I will not be so tired when I get home in the evenings.

This weekend I have a wedding to attend which will be fun.
it's being held at camp - it's a camp person getting hitched... it will be super fun. I get to deliver the cake because my friend Bonnie is making it.

What else... I only gained 5.4 pounds while I was gone. I am having a bit of trouble getting back into the swing of healthy eating but I am doing my best.

I think I may end up going to bed early tonight. I just can't seem to get enough sleep. I mean I am technically getting enough I am just pooped.

Eventually I will get back into the swing of things, I usually do.