March 2017 - my new website is launched

I am so stinking excited. What a difference it makes using a professional - Tisha Oehmen of ParaduxMedia has given my mosaic website a completely fresh and new platform.  I could not be more pleased. The fact that Scott Palmer of Bag&Baggage recommended her spoke volumes to me, but feeling heard when explaining what I was looking for was the greatest joy in the process.

Peek around - ask questions, make suggestions, and of course, let me know if you have a mosaic project for me!

Yahoo!!

And, it is still in my birthday month so I am claiming this as part of my continued celebration.

Thank you Tisha, I couldn't be more pleased.

Where I have been

Much about where we go is influenced by where we have been.  Sweet cousin Cathy tells me I should write it down.  It feels daunting to track 52 years of movement.  The same things that have enriched my life - the travel, living among other cultures, the people I have met (so many I have forgotten many names) make it very challenging to think about accomplishing this goal.  And yet, today I started...didn't get far, but the first steps are as important as all the rest. 

Telling my story

I think I had started to become daunted by the process of meeting someone and feeling like there has been so much life before this moment, so many experiences, people, connections triumphs and struggles that brought me to this point....how would I ever go about explaining all of that to someone new?

Then, out of the blue, I find myself in that exact position.  Laughing at his stories; freely sharing mine. 

I am beginning to think it less a chore and more a joy as we explore each other through our pasts in all the tarnished glory, the laughter filled present, and the hints of possibilities for tomorrow and beyond.

Smiling.  Smiling. 

Closing out 2011

September marked the passing of my pops.  I will save the long story for those who know me enough to ask (if you really want to know) over an adult beverage sometime, and just add that it was a consuming change. 

Not because there was so much to do, I mean, there was a lot to do but a good list and keeping notes helps that process along, but becuase it changes the day to day.  For mom, for me, for friends - the world looks different when a loved one passes. 

The pup and I keep moving forward.  God I love that furry face.  She never tells my secrets.  :-)

Friends are well, and the work front likely holds 6 more years for me - I had hoped to start the full time artist gig sooner, but number crunching tells me the extra years at the county will prove their worth many times over.

Still, I look for ways to keep creating, and I am currently signing up to be considered as an artist for a contest (of sorts) that asks for 10 pieces, 90% of the materials coming from landfill (yep - the dump!) and I am super excited.  More news on that should I get selected.

Already over a week into 2012, I set the following intentions:

• Identify and hold my gratitudes DAILY - hourly if it is hard
• Spend quality time with family and friends
• Assess the ways I can grow and take action
• Breath deeply
• Listen more
• Eat good food
• And always choose love, not fear

How does time pass so quickly?

Should be heading to bed; I was talked into a "you are certain to get wet and muddy" 5k obstacle course tomorrow - though for a good cause - what was I thinking?

My yard looks awesome - there are always more projects, but the pruning is so so so much better. 

I need to write more.  Make more art.  Breath deeper.  Count my blessings.  Keep walking forward.

Smiling, I am calling it a day.

Clarity

I am doing what I need to to be clear.  Sure.  While at the same time dreaming and visioning the future I want.  I like to think that we can have it all - all the things that bring us joy, especially the parts where that feeling comes from bringing joy to the lives of others. 

It isn't about predicting, it is about setting clear intentions, and then making the choices that lead us to the desired outcome. 

I know how to do that.  I have done it.  I am doing it right now; I just want to make sure I know what I want for the future.

For the present, making this tanish gray furball that curls up next to me and stares at me through bright yellow eyes, happy - giving her a good life in exchange for all the times she has been a patient listener, is a pretty darn good place to be.

I am grateful to have a career I love; that I do fairy well, that gives me a chance to influence lives of others positively.

I am grateful to be healthy, surrounded by family and friends who I love and I know love me. 

I am grateful for my connection to spirit, and the world, and all the live and love in it.

I am grateful to know who I am at my core, even if I don't always know where I am going in the moment. 

at the airport...again

Funny, as much as I like travel, the back to back thing is not my gig.  I need down time to recharge and I am not sure my battery is full.  Seems especially hard since though I know this training for Rotary president is required, the timing is just bad. 

San Jose of all places...oh well, it isn't like I will have time to explore even if it had been somewhere more exciting. 

I am craving time to relax at home, play with the pooch, mosaic, and have true calm and unscheduled time with Mark.  Trying to pry visits in during the midst of a busy week wasn't great for either of us. 

ok... they are calling the flight.  Paste on a smile, remember the mission of Rotary and why I love the great things it does and stands for. 

Buck up Buttercup.