Well...?

So...
I haven't taken the time yet to take pictures of my Art Room.
Big Surprise, right?
I'm sorry.
But i *do* have Good Intentions!
...I know, i know; "the road to Hell is *paved* with Good Intentions."

But i *have* been working on Bunny's Bunting, and i have a *bunch* of them sewn and ironed up!  (Or a "shit-ton" as Bunny would say.)  I'm so tickled about them!  And they make me happy, just looking at them!   =-)

So i'll soon take pictures of them and post about them, too.
I keep thinking about maybe doing a tutorial ("tute"), but then i just keep thinking about how there are already tutes alllll over the Internet for making Bunting Flags, so i keep talking myself out of doing a tute.  If you want to see tutes for how to make Bunting Flags, just go to YouTube and search 'bunting'.  That's how i got my courage up to do mine.   =-)

Work on the front yard has been going a little slow around here.  The weather hasn't exactly been co-operating, so.  Yeah.  It's been slow.
But it was *really* nice out yesterday, so i finally washed the truck in the driveway.  Because, MAN!, did it ever *need* it!  Boyfriend had driven it when it "snowed" here (i put it in quotes because it was really just 'snow-dust'), so my black truck was really grey.  But NOW it looks GOOD!  =-)

And i haven't taken the time to work on *any* WIPs because i've been having such a good time working on the Bunting.   =-)
And i think that's okay.

So that's my "check-in" for this week.
I hope you're having a productive week.
And if you're not, then i hope at least you're having a Good Week.   =-)

'Til next week!

=-)

Okay...

Okay, here's what i'm hoping to do in the next four weeks.
(I'm hoping that by putting it on my blog, it'll make me "obligated" to get it done!)

I've *totally* organized my Art Room (formerly the Art/Yoga room), and moved things around and made some changes in there.  It took awhile, as many worthy projects do, but i've finished getting it totally organized, and i want to share it here with you.  It's working for me.  I've already been doing stuff in there.  =-)

And speaking of "doing stuff", that leads me to another post i'm wanting to make soon.  I've been working on making bunting for Bunny's wedding.
...what?
Wait!
You mean i haven't told you about Bunny's wedding?
Oh shit!  "My bad", as they say.

Bunny (my 23-yo daughter) announced in June that she and her boyfriend, "AJ", got engaged.  Their wedding date is September 21st.  She wants to have her wedding in our backyard.  She wants a sort-of non-traditional wedding.  And she wants me to make bunting to hang from the house to the shop, and perhaps in the trees and/or on the fence.
What.  Not really sure what i'm talking about; "bunting"?

Check this out.
*That's* what i'm talking about.   =-)

So i had her go through allll my fabrics the other night and pull out the fabrics she wants me to use for her buntings.  So i've been working on that lately.  I usually don't post pics of Works In Progress.  I prefer to post about *finished* projects.  But for some reason i'm wanting to post about it.  So...

Okay.
Another post i'm wanting to make is about our front yard.
Yes, i know i *just* made a post about our back yard.
We did that work in July/August.
But now we're having our front yard re-done.
And i'm lovin' it!!!
And they're supposed to be finished fairly soon, so i want to post about it as soon as i can.
Did i mention i love it!?   =-)


I also want to make a post about all of the projects i have "in process" (Work In Progress), so *hopefully* that will get me motivated to get to work on them!  Plus, it'll help me to see just how many projects i have, and hopefully help me get motivated instead of depressed about them.   =-)


Okay.
So, to sum up, that means posts about:

1.  The Art Room
2.  Bunny's Bunting
3.  The Front Yard
4.  WIPs

Alright!
I have declared it.
Make it so.  (That one's for you, Pam.) (Who else knows what that's from?)

So.  What are you wanting to accomplish?  Craft-wise, Blog-wise, Organizing-wise, whatever subject.  Leave a comment and i'll come check out your blog too!
(Maybe one of these days, i'll figure out how to do one of those Link-y things...  Hmmm...)

I hope you have a Super Day!!!
=-)

Okay, Suzanne, this one's for you! (And About Time!)

So, this is the post about my backyard renovation.
And it's about time!  I know.  

I just don't take time to post.
I *read* lots of other people's posts, but don't take the time to make my own.

Frustrating.

Anyway, we did a major "overhaul" on our backyard this past Summer, and now it is Freakin' Awesome!  =-)  This is gonna be a picture-heavy post, so sit back and enjoy.
Here are some "Before" photos:

"Back in the Day" before we added the porch roof:

 Back before we added the porch roof, looking toward the backdoor:

 Looking from the backyard toward the Art room:

 Looking at my messy garden in front of the shop, 

in it's "full splendor":

I don't have the "just before" pictures that Boyfriend has on his computer, so these "right at the beginning of the work" pictures will have to do...

From the backyard looking at the house 

 From the back door looking toward the shop:

 From the back of the house (outside) looking toward the shop:

From the backyard looking toward the shop: 

 A different angle looking toward the house:

At this point in all of these pictures, the guys had already started hammering out the concrete that we had back there.  That was quite a job.  They used sledge hammers and beat and busted allllll day.  And they were young guys, too!  I'm just glad it wasn't me who had to bust out all that concrete.  It would have taken me a *week*!   =-)

So, now that you have an idea of what my backyard *used* to look like, here are the "After" pictures:

 Looking from the back gate toward the back door:

(and please disregard the furniture...

it's just there 'til we find something nice)

That's Italian marble on the "floor",

and Tennessee Field Stone coming up the side of the house.

Looking from the backyard toward the house:

 Looking from the back door toward the shop/gate:

 Looking from the gate down the side of the shop:

 Looking from the backyard toward the shop:

Those are Knockout Roses on the left, and

a Fragrant Tea Olive on the right.

 Sorry about this one;

the firepit (on the right) isn't quite finished in this photo

but you get the idea...

On the left is the water feature

It and the firepit are made from

Tennessee Field Stone

 Looking from the gate toward the back/side -ish:

 Looking from the back/side fence toward the Art room

(it's much neater now, and the bushes shouldn't get much taller):

The bushes are Azaleas and Hydrangeas

that bloom Spring through Fall.

 Japanese Maple and rock "wall":

 Steps into the shop, and future

bistro table area near the firepit:

And one Night Shot

It's really gorgeous out there at night too

since he put in such wonderful lighting:

We're really not finished.
We need to get some new furniture, and a nice metal sculptural art piece for that big wall space.
But we are really enjoying it.  We go out there quite frequently, especially in the evenings.  Even now, in the chilly weather.  We just turn on the natural gas firepit and enjoy its warmth while we bask in the serenity of our "new" surroundings.  
We are so glad we've done it!  We didn't really go out there much before.  
The environment just "wasn't right".  It wasn't cozy, like it is now.
We love it!!!


I hope you're loving where you are right now!
If not, maybe stop and look around and ask yourself what you can do to help the situation out...

I hope you have a Wonderful Day!

=-)


.

12.13.12

The Earth is so old.
I  typically tend toward thinking of things solely as they "relate to" me, but at times?  At times...

At times i have thoughts of
"I wonder if anyone has ever died on this very spot where i stand?"

It *could* be true.  The  Earth *is* very old.

This very spot could be sacred to someone i've never met, and likely never *will*, solely because of that "Time factor".



I try to think of People in that way, too.

I don't pretend to know *everything* that's happened in anybody's life, so i try to treat everyone as if they've had *some* sort of Trauma...  or Event...
*Something* that makes me treat them with a certain Respect, and a certain "Delicate-ness".


But i'm not steady and "predictable" in my ways,  so there are also times - *most* times -  when i treat people as if they're "just like me", and they just need a Good Laugh.

Getting ready for Senior Prom

& *wishing* my Mom would 

"just leave me alone for a minute!!!"

I  hope you're having a Wonderful Day!

And i hope your Tomorrow is Awesome as well.   =-)

.

I've Been...

wanting to write something, but i don't have a picture to go with it.
And when i say "something", i don't mean anything in particular.  Just "SOMEthing".  =-)
Just a blurb.
Just something for today.

So, here is *something*.

That's my dear "Assistant", Allie.
We've had her since Bunny was in 6th grade.
That's over TEN years!
I'm not really sure how old she was when we got her 'cause we "adopted" her when she was already an adult.
But she's SO SMART!
And she's been such an awesome dog!

...

She's getting so old.
She's also going deaf.
I'm certain of it, 'cause if i ask her, "You want a Cookie?" very quietly, she doesn't move a muscle.
And half the time when the doorbell rings, she just sits there silently, instead of barking like mad like she used to - which bothers me and makes me happy at the same time, because she wants to defend me. 
It's so sad.

And she carries her bowl around quite a bit lately.
I don't know if she just gets comfort from having it near.  I'm sure she's not *really* hungry; i actually think she's honestly *forgotten* that she's already eaten.

And she's losing her teeth.  
And she seems to be getting Arthritis, 'cause she sort of limps and halts and grunts when she gets up and starts moving around.

She's definitely not the Pup she used to be.

And she's started waking me up in the early morning 'cause she needs to go outside.

And her face is becoming more white than orange-ish.
And she has little cysts/tumors popping up on her in various places.
And she just lies around most of the time now.

It's sad, the slow "disappearing" of my faithful companion.

I'm gonna cry my eyes out when she passes...



But Boyfriend will be happy!  =-)


.

Happy Halloween (And Yes, I Know I'm 2 Days Early)!

I absolutely LOVE Halloween!

And Dressing Up!

(Which is a little bit surprising, because i'm usually so serious about things.)

But Boyfriend and i went to TWO Halloween parties this past Saturday evening:

one was a friend of mine, and the other was a co-worker of Boyfriend's.

We had a fun time at both, but i think i had more fun at the co-worker's 'cause there was Dancing!  

I love to dance!

And Dancing *while* dressed up?!?!

Bonus!!!   (Unless it's a cumbersome costume, of course.)

We went as Pirates, though looking at the picture, Boyfriend certainly looks more like a pirate than i do...  But we had fun!!!  And isn't that what it's all about, anyway?  =-)

Me & Boyfriend, Halloween 2012

Just before going out!

(Thank you Kitty for letting me borrow the dress & tutu!)   =-)

I can't remember if i blogged about it, but i dressed up a couple of weekends back to go to the local Renaissance Festival with my daughters.  Kitty & i *usually* dress up when we go to Ren Fest.  We LOVE it!  I think we love it *because* of all the costumes.  =-)  Tons of people dress up, and when it first began, most people were mainly into "authentic" costumes.  You know, dress that was accurate to the period.  No zippers or plastic or anything like that, 'cause that stuff hadn't been invented yet.
But now?!  Now, most people kinda throw together whatever they feel like, and wear *that* to the Ren Fest.  
And I LOVE IT!!!
I'm *not* against "authenticity" by any means!
But if i don't have the time, or the money, or the desire, or the *what-have-you* to acquire an "authentic" costume, i don't think *that* should stop me from dressing up and having fun and being HAPPY at the Ren Fest!!!
It may be just me.
Whatever.

Here's a picture of me with a friend:


.....


Well CRAP!  I thought i had a picture of us on my computer, but apparently my daughter sent it to me in a text message...  So *now* i'll have to figure out how to get it off of my phone and onto my computer!!!

...it's gonna be awhile...
Please don't wait.
And REALLY don't hold your breath!


How about an old one of Boyfriend & me on a Halloween about 5 to 7 years ago?

An Old-fashioned Gangster & his Flapper

Hmmm...  That's funny.  Allllll the times i've dressed up for Halloween, and i can't find any pictures?!?!  Guess i'll have to do a bit of research on this subject...
'Cause i *know* we've had pictures taken of us!!!


><> ><> ><> ><> <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


I've been thinking lately about compliments & critiques...
Why is it that it's easier for us to "accept" a critique than it is 
to accept a compliment?

When someone tells me "Your hair's a mess." i hear and accept it without a second's hesitation, and i get this internal dialogue going about what a mess my hair really is.
But when someone tells me, "I love your hair!" i get all this internal dialogue about what a mess my hair really is.  It's almost as if i never even *heard*  the compliment!

And i'm only using my hair as an example here.
It's the same thing with *ANY* compliment/critique.
I'm sure it probably has something to do with survival, and needing to evaluate ourselves in order to "better" ourselves along the journey, but really?  We've taken to criticizing ourselves too much!

We take the Negative to heart, and allow the Positive to be brushed off so easily.

So, here's something for you (and me) to try.
When someone gives you a compliment - about *anything!* - try to Honestly *hear* it.  
Maybe even repeat what the person says!

And also?  Allow the Adult-you to talk to the Child-you, to nurture the Child-you, to comfort the Child-you.  
Allow the Adult-you to compliment the Child-you, and allow the Child to 
Truly Hear the compliment - to receive it.
We need to stop putting ourselves down.
We need to start patting ourselves on the back a bit.

We need to show ourselves Love.


I hope you have a WONDERFUL week!!!!!
I'll try to figure out how to get that other picture on my computer so you can see it too.
=-)

I Keep Meaning to Write a Post...

I keep wanting to write a post...
I keep thinking about writing a post...
I keep thinking i *should* write a post...

But i just don't have loads to say lately.
I mean that in real life, too.  I've never been a very talkative person.
But i feel lately like i'm a little extra quiet.
Not sure what's going on in there, but, that's my Truth today.

Last week...
Last Tuesday, my sister-in-law had surgery for Breast Cancer.
She has/had Stage 2a breast cancer on her right side.
My Dad left last Monday to help them out - to be there for my brother, his wife, and their 14 y.o. son.  He's gonna stay for a month or two.
He's Awesome.

I've been thinking about her all last week, and a ton this week.
I want to send her e-mails, but i don't want to intrude or bother her.
I want to call, and go see her...  But i hesitate.

I'm not sure if i'd want "visitors" if it was me.

I sent her an email a few weeks ago, telling her that i've been thinking about her, and that i've been sending her Energy and Good Vibes, and dedicating my Yoga practice to her for 2 weeks now.

I have no idea if it helps her, but i think it helps me to feel a little better about the situation.

And with her on my mind so much lately, and everything on tv about Breast Cancer Awareness month, i remembered that i haven't had my mammogram yet this year, so i scheduled that.
It's tomorrow.
I hope i don't cry.
For some reason, i feel a little like crying for my sister-in-law.
I wonder if she had reconstructive surgery, or if she's gonna be a "uni-boob", like Melanie Testa's been talking about lately.

When i first heard from my brother about T (my sister-in-law), i immediately felt "She's gonna be fine.  It will all turn out okay."
And now?  Now i feel like mourning a bit.

I'm sort of in a weird place today.
Maybe it's not the best day for me to post.

But i had a bit of time, so i thought i would. 


<>< <>< <>< <>< ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> 


I've been cooking a bit lately!
I made the best Crock Pot Chicken a few days ago.  Ohmygod, Delicious!!!
Got the recipe from 100 Days of Real Food.
You should *so* try it!  Seriously!
And i also made the Chicken Stock that night, and freezed it the next morning.
SO so delicious!!!  *And* it was easy!  Can't beat that!  =-)
And i used the Chicken Stock yesterday and made her Butternut Squash Soup, and, *oh* *my* *word* it was awesome!!!
I didn't even know if i liked Butternut Squash.  (rolling eyes)
But i guess i do!  =-)

You should at least look around her site.
Too much wheat for me, but tons of other great recipes, menu plans, tips and hints, nice photos, and tons of information!

...maybe i'll go to the Farmers Market tomorrow.

I hope you're having a WONDERFUL DAY!!!
=-)

Yoga Post

Finally!

Today, i *finally* feel like i taught a Good Class for my Slow Flow class at the Studio.  =-)

The first time i taught this Slow Flow class (Sept 4th), it was as if i was standing beside myself, watching myself and thinking "What the HECK are you DOING?!", but i was powerless to stop myself!  

I didn't give a Slow Flow class, but a fast Vinyasa class (flowing & moving with the breath, fast, with sweating involved) with tons of Downward Facing Dogs in it!  
I *knew* i was f*ckin' up, but i couldn't stop myself!  
I had six people in that class, and most of them typically take Vinyasa-type classes (i.e. more difficult than Slow Flow), so i guess i kinda got a little freaked out by that, and my brain couldn't handle trying to give them Slow Flow when i honestly felt they were there for "Hard & Fast".  
Plus, i had a *ton* of Downward Facing Dogs in it, and i'm *tryin'* to gear this class toward seniors, people recovering from surgery and/or injury, people wanting to become more flexible (like athletes; runners, weight lifters, ball players, golfers, etc), and those wanting a slower pace.  
Down Dog is honestly *not* "the most comfortable" pose.  It's a difficult posture for *lots* of folk.
Anyway.

So the second week, i slowed it down, but it still wasn't what i was supposed to be teaching...  But it was easier for me because i only had one student, and she's a yoga instructor, so i at least was able to be calmer, and to stop when i needed to without me worrying about what she was thinking about me.  (I'm comfortable with Kat, and not intimidated by her.)
And, Bonus, after class i had her give me an honest critique.

But i know that the real thing i need is
Experience.  More and more practice at Teaching Yoga Class.

The third week, i once again had six people in my class, but THREE of them  were instructors (one of whom i felt was judging me the whole time {though i think that was only in *my* head!}), so i was nervous.  
AND, i might have slowed the pace down, and taken all the Down Dogs out of the mix, but i replaced them with

A *Ton* of FORWARD FOLDS!!!

So once again i was fussing at myself all the way home after class...
Not Good.

Yes, i talk to myself about not being negative about myself.
I also tell myself this is just Yoga, and not Brain Surgery (THANK THE STARS!!!)!
But when i *know* i didn't really do a good job, i cannot "fake it" with myself into thinking it's okay.  I honestly WANT to be a Really Good Yoga Instructor.
I want to be able to help people to feel the way *I* feel after taking a really good Yoga class.

But back to today. (Sept 25th; the fourth time i've taught this class)

Today.  =-)

Well, the Heavens didn't open up and the angels didn't sing, but near the end of class, i knew.  
I just *knew* that i had *finally* taught a GOOD Slow Flow class.

And i can't tell you how wonderful that makes my Heart feel!

Sure, i only had two students, but i don't care.  I honestly like it BEST when i only have one student.  I worry about each individual too much when i'm teaching more than one, and i worry that it's too much for this person and not enough for that person, and that really messes with my MoJo, and that's when i start screwing up and getting too caught up in my head and worrying about every-little-thing.
Today's class was Kat (the instructor i'm really comfortable with), and a guy i've seen in the studio a handful of times.  He's relatively new to Yoga, and so i was really comfortable treating *his* Yoga like i treat my Dad's Yoga.  I knew Kat would push herself further where she needed pushing, so i only gave cues for the guy's benefit.  It was a Good Class.  I didn't have them do *any* Downward Dogs; the Forward Folds were minimal, and i didn't have them hold them forever; i had them step back from Mountain into their Crescents &  Warriors.  I even had them do a couple of Planks!
It was a Good Slow Flow class!  =-)

And i *finally* didn't fuss at myself on the way home from teaching Tuesday's Slow Flow class.

{deep inhale, deep exhale}  (a sigh of relief, really)

Now i just need to figure out some different things to have them do when we're on the floor for their seated exercises.  ;-)

Baby Steps of Improvements.


Smooth Sailing for Today.

Photo by Bunny

I hope you're having an Absolutely Awesome Day!!!


=-)
W

9/9/12

Sorry i haven't posted sooner, but i haven't really felt like "talking".  I haven't been depressed, though; just quiet.  

My Full Blue Moon Gathering on the 31st went well.

I invited 13 people, and believe it or not, 13 came.
*Not* the same 13 i originally invited, but whatever.  Semantics, i guess.

I was happy with it.
I didn't, however, get any pictures.
Sorry.
I wish i had thought of it, but i was too busy trying to socialize with everyone.  =-)
Plus, i don't think many would have wanted me &/or Boyfriend roaming around snapping pics of everyone.

And the Moon was gorgeous that night!  
It was only partly cloudy that night - just enough to be romantic - and i loved glancing up throughout the evening, and seeing where she had floated to along the sky.

It was a beautiful night, and a very nice party.
It was also nice for me to (finally) reach out to others.
And i discovered that i can reach out to others, and not be smacked on the hand while doing so.
Sure, there were people who didn't RSVP.  But that's okay.  I tried not to take it personally.  Stuff happens.
And i also had to have a little talk with myself that, despite my truth that i'd like for everyone to like me,
everyone doesn't *have to*.  And i don't need to stress over that.

But i'm thinking i may or may not have a gathering for the next full moon.
Haven't decided yet.
I think i'll wait 'til it gets a little closer.  Or maybe i'll just wait 'til October to "worry" about it.  =-)
Or maybe i'm just Miss Scarlett.   HAhaha!  =-)

So here's a picture i'll leave you with;
it's my Beautiful and Awesome daughters with me in our backyard.
It wasn't taken that night, but it was taken not too long ago, so i thought i'd include it.
It was a happy evening.

I hope you have a Wonderful Week.

Or at least you can find a Moment that was Wonderful to be thankful for.

=-)

Something I Needed to Find Today

In reading blog posts today, one blog led to another when...
i stumbled across something i'm needing to hear:

"Fear is just Excitement
in need of an Attitude Adjustment!"

Yes, i need to recite that lately.
Thank you Universe for sending it my way.

I'll post about my Blue Moon Gathering later.
Promise.
(Hadn't planned on posting here today, but then i found the above and just *had* to "put it somewhere".)   =-)

photo by Pam