Rusty

Hello My Friends!

I don't know why I'm having such a difficult time getting back into a routine after the Holidays.  I'm trying not to be too hard on myself or carry around guilt about unwritten posts and unfinished ( or even started, for that matter ) projects.
Perhaps easing into it all again is best for now.....like 2013 is a vast pool of possibilities...and I'm standing on the edge working up the momentum to dive in.....
I have a feeling that once I'm completely drenched in it, I'm not going to want to get out :)

There is a lot of excitement in the air and I've been giving some thought to a Word for the Year.  Other Bloggers and Creatives have been choosing a special word to help them focus on their goals ahead.  I've never felt that one was necessary in previous years, but this time, there has been one that has surfaced and presented itself on more than one occasion. 
...and when I ponder it....it feels right :)

My word is....Intuition.

I want to listen to it more, trust my inner whisperings and believe that there is a purpose and path I naturally know how to get to....if only I would get out of my own way.
I tend to worry too much about what others think I should be doing or overthink things to the point of procrastinating.  I want to take a little less head out of my decisions and put in more heart....more soul.

Something my soul has long wanted to do is take Art Classes.....I'm finally listening!
I will turn 40 in April and asked my Hubby to make my Christmas and Birthday presents be a big Art Conference in May.  My Mom and I signed up for 5 classes over 4 days.  I couldn't be more excited!!  Perhaps some of you are planning to be there?  Please let me know if you are....we could have lunch or dinner together if we're not in the same classes :)

You can find out all about it here :
Create Art Workshops

I'm also proud to say I finally finished a painting sitting on the sidelines.  Remember this fox on my desk back in October?

 

Well, here he is with his rusty coat on :)

 

 

He makes me want to do some more classic, simple animal portraits.

 

 

He is in my shop if there are any fox lovers out there :)

 

Well, My Dears....this post has felt really nice to write.....I think I just dipped my toe in and am finding the water just right :)

 

Love to you all,

Cameron

On the Agenda

It's that time of year....to sum up what we've done in the last 12 months.
To decide there are some things that can be improved,  others that can be strived for....and put on our list, yet again, those things that we still want, but have eluded us thus far...

The thing that most needs improvement in my Life, is my health...

Resolution # 1 Get Healthy

Since we moved and I stopped working as a Massage Therapist, I've done zero physical activity.  Do you remember the muscle pull while swatting flies incident?

I've been noticing aches and cramps that weren't there before....and a noticeable loss of flexibility....

I'm only 38. 

I spend way too much time sitting in front of the computer.

My Dad has heart issues.

I had borderline high cholesterol 3 years ago (the last time I had it checked).

Um....does anyone else see the red flags here...ding ding!!  Time to make some changes.

So, I need to drop Maggie off at school and...

Those red things are bike shorts....does anyone still wear those things? Haha!

This is for illustrative purposes only.  I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of shorts in public :)

I just need to get my physical activity done in the morning, before email and blog checks, before excuses and obligations...I need to just start my day on a positive.

Be more regular about taking my vitamins...

...and eat more veggies.  I actually enjoy vegetables, but, I find I eat the same ones all the time.  I'd like to mix it up some kale and eggplant with my usual tomatoes and broccoli.  I can become so predictable. 

Perhaps I'll try Green Shakes like so many of you do.  If you have any advice or recipes to share I'd love to hear them! :)

My second Resolution stems from something else extremely important to me.  I've always longed to make a living as an Artist. 

I know I'm preaching to the choir here.

My Husband would love for me to contribute more financially and has politely suggested that I may be able to find a job when Maggie goes to school fulltime in 1st grade....

....but, it would be a dream come true to be able to make Art my profession, and have Chief Paint Slinger be my title :)

I think we established above, with all that health talk, just how short Life is...I want to live mine doing what I love most.

I figured I'd make it my goal to get published in a magazine. If an Art Mag takes your work seriously, than the rest of the world will too, right?!  Well, maybe not....but it's something to strive for anyways :)

Besides, it would make my Mom and Dad so proud :)

...and show Maggie that all dreams are within reach...

So, I'll create...

mail in....

...and keep my fingers crossed again and again...

Until, one day...I may be able to...

Celebrate....and you'll all be invited to party with me...heehee!

My 3rd Resolution is the one that keeps eluding me.  On the surface, it seems like a non-issue.

I mean, how could someone who doesn't have to work (yet...haha!), doesn't exercise and doesn't eat veggies not be having fun..haha!  Well, I don't have nearly as much as I should :)

I want to live in my heart more...and less in my mind....

While I have no problem laughing at myself sometimes, I have trouble in stressful situations relaxing and going with the flow.  Getting uptight and tense isn't going to help anything. Maybe just laughing at the whole thing would put me more at ease :)

I don't say yes enough to her.  She's only a kid once....and one day, she'll stop asking.

 Lazy is just way too easy for me... I believe there is definately room to do better. To try harder. 

I can put the clothes away as soon as I pull them out of the dryer (instead of letting them sit in the basket for a week).

I can write a love letter to my Hubby once a month instead of once a year.

I can cook a meal every now and then, rather than heat up a frozen dinner.

I can look in the mirror....and look past my crow's feet and gray hair....and not mourn over what I used to be.  But, appreciate who I am now and just how special she is :)

Maybe I'll finally do a self-portrait?

Well, probably not....haha!  Maybe in 2013....

Happy New Year, Blog Friends! 

Let's make it a great one!!

Big hugs,

Cameron