I Have A Confession...

this was written on the path I have been running on, somebody..nature perhaps, added an E, to be a bit more grammatically correct.  :D

Two weeks ago, my bff called me and asked if I want to run a 5k with her...I said heck yes!  Now for my confession....I am not a runner, I never have been, as a matter of fact, in my whole life I have been of the opinion that the only reason a person would run on purpose, is if they were being chased.  Why would I want all my jiggly parts bouncing out of control...on purpose?  When I told my husband that I signed up for a 5k, he laughed hysterically....he knows me so well.  He said of all the unpredictable things I could ever do, that takes the cake.  But here I am, training for a 5k, although I must say, who ever came up with this training program has really high expectations.  But I'm doing it.  I decided that, life is short and if I'm going to live it, I have to start now and I might as well, do the things that I thought I couldn't and prove to myself that I can.  The best way to do it, is to just go for it...not wait for the perfect time.  I tend to think that next week, next month, next year...things will be better for whatever it is I'm putting off.  Not anymore, I'm going for it!  It's going to be quite an adventure!  I'm already feeling stronger and although my muscles are sore, at least it's a good sore and not a "my body hurts cause I'm getting old, kind of sore."  Now if I can just get my body to like healthier foods....

this is the path I run on, one of the main reasons I am willing to do this, it's outdoors and more importantly, it's pretty.  

some of the little critters I encounter on my path.

My training partner, my son loves to run and walks as fast as I run, but he is motivating and keeps me moving.  

And now for something completely different...

I'm working on a series of pics, this is one of them...Jane Austen.

Not quite complete, but that always seems to be the case.

an attempt at a small painting, I don't like it and plan to reuse the canvas for something else.  I need more painting practice.

I've decided to start using some of my favorite photos to make postcards, this is one of them.

this is what the back looks like, I've actually mailed a few, to make sure the Post Office would be okay with them and so far, so good.  

if I can find a place in town that would sell them, then that is what I'd like to do. 

Any thoughts on how much I should sell them for?

And now I will leave with a funny old pic I found of my daughter....

she's the one on the horse...yahhooooo...

Have a gorgeous day!!  

Do something surprising.  :D

Inspire Others and Be Grateful.

"Gratitude is always an option.  Make it your default emotion. Who knows what you might record in your journal."
~Max Lucado

Another Art Trade....hooray!  I had the joy of trading with another fellow artist/blogger Melanie, at Rabbit Hole Art.  This is what we traded.  You should pop by and see all of the wonderful creations she has on her blog.  She also has classes/videos, if you're interested.  

this is the postcard that Melanie made for our trade, isn't it beautiful?

She made this lovely book, it is cloth, painted and stitched and stamped.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Wow, I love the colors, the softness of it and what it says.

It says, "Soar As High As Your Spirit Will Take You! :)

this one says, "when I want to see love defined, I look at you."

"experience is not what happens to you.

 it's what you do with what happens to you"

aren't these glorious??

these are the items I made for her.  This is drawn/painted onto a little plaque and hung with ribbon.

this is drawn onto paper then modpodged onto a little book.  

I wrote words of encouragement/inspiration on every almost every page.  

It was a fun little project and I really enjoyed every moment of it.  

Thank you Melanie, for trading with me and for adding such beauty to the world.

Our little sweet peas, they're growing like crazy..yay!

How was your weekend?  What inspired you?  What are you most grateful for?

Friday, I got to go spend the entire day with my bestie.  We sat on a rooftop, eating lunch.  In the distance we could see a carnival, so after lunch, we walked to it and rode a couple of rides.  It was glorious!

this is us, sitting at the rooftop restaurant, one of my faves. yay!

this is the little carnival, I love rides.  :D

Saturday, the boys and I, helped a friend move her mom to a retirement community.  It was great to meet her mom, they are very happy and wonderful people and it was a joy to be around them.

two of my sons, they've both had their birthdays this month and it's crazy that I now I have 3 adult children...is that possible???  

my hubba bubba and my youngest son.  

On Sunday, we all had the day off and stayed home to BBQ and spend time together, it was truly lovely.  The weather was cool enough, that we built a fire.
My favorite.

Hoping for a beautiful and inspiring week for all of you!
Cheers!!  :)

Bloggy friends and life.

This week, I got to meet up with fellow blogger Cameron from paint myself pretty.  They were traveling through and we were able to meet up.  She is every bit as lovely in person, as she is in blog land.  It was great to meet her and Maggie, her very delightful, talented and enthusiastic daughter.

Cameron and I

Cameron and her daughter Maggie.  

Maggie entertained us with song and dance, which was quite delightful.  

I'm so glad I got to meet them both and hope we can meet again in the future.

new art bits.

I painted this, inspired by the "mint chocolate chip" flavor from Twinkle, Twinkle's

Summer of Color, which I (sadly) am not participating in, because of time lack.  But I thought I'd give it a go and that's as far as it went.  BAH!! 

another work in progress.  I start drawing and just let the picture take shape, this is one of those.

not finished yet, but still working towards something.

I've progressed, but not much!  Not really sure where I'm going with it yet. 

Today, my son decided it was a good day to dress like a pirate.  We went downtown and meandered, then came home and he went longboarding.

Another work in progress, a series of pics I'm working on, this is just a smidge of the pic.

These little goodies, are delightful handmade gifts from Cameron and Maggie.  Aren't they super sweet.  I love bunnies and pumpkins!!!  They make me happy!!

another merry maker, the lovely blooms out my door.

I do love books.  and Ray Bradbury.

My other son, jamming out on the drums.  I love watching him play. 

Well dearies, have an adventure filled day.  Hope you find pirate gold today!

ARGHHHH!!!

A bit of crazy!

Well, I did it.  I survived working, having a house full of 11 people, being the hostess...but not with the mostest and tour guide.  It was all quite grand and I had a wonderful time seeing friends and running around with them.   I also got A LOT of pictures.

Mount St. Helens

On a side note, I am sitting at my art desk, which has very little workspace, because it has tons of stuff all over it, but I am ready to paint, draw, create.  I have no place I have to be today....yippeee!!!  Also, I quite happily sent off my May trade today, I am certain she will faint when it shows up on her doorstep.  Sorry for the tragic delay, it has truly been ultra crazy here....
OH yes...my younger son wiped out on his skateboard yesterday....what the poop??  He's okay, lots of scrapes though.  BAH!!!

And now for some photo sharing!
Good day my dear friends!!  :)

a new painting...not sure where I'm going with it or if I even like it.

paints that I found in my stuff...I think they're several years old...I may give them a try and see if they'll still work...hmmm...

sitting at my desk and happy to be here.

me and my bestie...yay, she will be living close to me again...

my son...always climbing things.

a portion of us and our visitors, out for a hike.

my oldest son, enjoying a moment of peace.

My hub, me and my "brother from another mother"

ferns and light.

the waters edge.

maple and water

Mount St. Helen's covered in clouds.

freedom

the city lights.