creative rejuvenation

last week in the midst of total chaos i managed to sneek away feeling initially very guilty about taking time for myself for some creative time. my mom and i had signed up for a watercolor class at blue cloud abbey.

i can't even begin to explain the creative bliss that was found last week. not only were we painting in a beautiful church, but, somehow the quietness and peacefulness was transformed into total creative freedom.

so not only was i very prolifically creative, but, i also managed to learn a few things along the way.

things learned:
1. i CAN paint in watercolor
2. i CAN paint in watercolor and NOT have an initial plan of attack
3. MY plan of attack CAN be NO plan at all- just get some paint down
4. i CAN paint in watercolor on canvas with the help of a wonderful product called watercolor ground
5. MY watercolor CAN be NOTHING like anyone else's and still be cool

question...

my elderly neighbor asked me, "what i was going to do with my life?"

is this a rhetorical question...he didn't wait for an answer- just kept right on talking to me
and i was thinking initially to myself, "aren't i doing that- i mean? living me life?"

but, funny he should ask this question now. as i have been contemplating this same question....i am struggling with some of the politics at work along with the rigid guidelines, yet constantly a moving target versus just finding a more creative purposeful life.

friendship with belated birthday wishes

friendship...
a quiet lunch between friends in the midst of a chaotic work day
good food
great coffee
belated birthday...sometimes the perfect ray of sunshine on an unexpected day
the perfect gift from a friend who totally gets you

life...with kids

a proud moment last week as track has started. tk had run on both saturday and monday. did outstanding considering she is only 8th grade and was running against the "big" schools...sioux falls, sioux city, omaha. i am not sure how in the world we fit into that category, but, good to see groups we don't normally see and compete. after monday, our oldest son decided to trade golf for track...so, has been practicing. tomorrow we will see. i only pray for each of them to do their best...and good weather.

life has been busy...sometimes i feel like i almost get lost in the kids stuff...jo vball, track, after prom...i need to step back and grab my husband- he is coming, just not as quickly as the mom. i just want to be a part of their lives and what they like and to enjoy in the things they do well too.

life..
family...
love it.

winter....

well winter can be done...except, for basketball. i could watch basketball until the cows come home- oh, good thing they are all frozen in place and won't be able to get home....so, onward with basketball!!

tk plays center for 8th grade, and was asked to step up and play with the freshman team. tk and a guard. what great experience for the girls and the freshman have been so welcoming which is nice, because i know how not nice girls this age can be. tk got to play more tonight and put up some points...we even had one set of parents that said that tk played really well and was a nice addition to their group (proud parent moment...). keeping life busy for us, but, fun...

happy new year

twenty eleven...what are my aspirations for this year? what are your aspirations for this year? i'm not going to use the word "resolution" because i feel like that is supposed to be a fix for a problem and life is way too short to worrying about all the problems. i want to focus on dreams, aspirations....

my aspirations for 2011:
move more, as in exercise...focus on keeping my body in shape
declutter- get rid of the junk- everywhere! if i haven't worn it- gone; if it is not being used- gone; if it just hanging out cuz it doesn't have a better spot- gone
do more art...just go to the shop and turn on the music and let it be- but, much more often
focus on family...keep everyone engaged- life has gone so fast
find my balance...stay focused and keep doing something (this is for you Gramma Bee...you are already missed every day). gramma always said- her idea of hell was having nothing to do; the pic is from our art show this fall in november...

what are your aspirations?

post holiday

day after finds me wanting to clean house...maybe to make room for what was received; maybe anticipating the new year coming this next week, and wanting a fresh start; either way, i'm thinking about sneaking down to my art shop until the feeling passes for now anyway...

i'm hoping that the newest christmas gifts have righted the electronic world back into my favor making it MUCH easier for me to use my laptop. i was tired of arm wrestling my kid for the use of the laptop, cuz let's face it- i'm no longer a spring chicken, and she is as big as i am now (actually a little taller now...) i can feel the missing piece of inspiration from the other bloggers creeping back in and making me feel at peace again...aaauuuhhhhhhh!

my pic is my newest addition to the tree which is a little giraffe made out of candy wrappers courtesy of my mom- thanks mom! he is soo cute!