Our trip to Sedona

John & I just returned from another wonderful time in Sedona, AZ.  There are so many things I love about Sedona.   The scenery is breathtaking!  I'm more at peace when I am there.  It is one of my goals to own a home there with a studio overlooking the red rocks.   One day it will come true!  In the meantime, I continue to enjoy our annual trip.  I lived in Arizona for approx 1.5 years and in that time I became more in touch with my spiritual side.  That may be why it  feels "right" to me. 

Each day in Sedona John & I we would rise early and hike, often times we would be climbing the red rocks.  One day we started on this path called Lizard Head Trail, it was not a well known trail to the tourists, it was one the locals would do. We were thinking it was going to be on low land.  Well it wasn't, it was quite high up.  It was probably one of the most strenuous hikes we had done.  I was getting sorta scared at what was ahead until we met Brian.  He was a local guy sitting at the top of a boulder.  We stopped him to gather some info on where we were and where this trail was headed.  John got the fine details from him but I believe I got a greater message.  He said to let the mountain teach me.  I was not longer concerned, I was more focus on learning the lessons. 

Here are a few the things I discovered.
*I can do alot more than I give myself credit for

*When a can't do attitude creeps in realize I have a choice and it begins with the good attitude
*There are many paths to take, just know where I am going and choose the right path
*Enjoy every step of the journey
*I have John's support
*Celebrate your victories
*HAVE FUN!

I was, also, very fortunate to meet up with a long time friend that I haven't seen in about 16-17 years, Jeanne and her husband Steve.  Jeanne and I worked together for several years at a doctors' office.  She has a contagious laugh and I loved hearing and seeing her laugh again.  I remember there was a time that at lunchtime would buy carnations and go downtown and randomly give them to people and wish them a Happy Day.  That fell in line with the random acts of kindness.  Now that our husbands have met, I sure hope we see reach other again.


The last part of what Brian said the day on the mountain was to have fun.  So I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

I had fun!

it was just a sentence in my journal

A couple weeks ago I took a trip down memory lane, sorta speak, and re-read some pages in my journal.  read the story here  It was good thing to do, I want to admit that a part of me got really pissed off at myself.  Here I had written about some really neat things I wanted to do and they were only sentences in my journal.  That is what pissed me off the most.  After many, many tears and lots of curse words coming out of my mouth like a sailor I made a commitment that I was going to start with one project and bring it to reality.  (For those who know me, you know that when I commit,  I really commit.)  Well....... we all know that when you let the Universe/God know you are serious about something it's amazing how all the pieces start fitting together.  I'm here to tell you that is what's happening with this project.  I am thrilled beyond belief!  I started to write that I was really surprised at how it all seems to be falling into place but  that would not be true.  I know that all I have to do is show up to do the work  and to BELIEVE IT IS ALL POSSIBLE. 

I have to contain myself not to tell you too much, I don't want to spill the beans.  

I have already spoken about it with several people and they, also, think it's a good idea.  I have just begun.  I am filled with anticipation to see how it all unfolds.  When my project is complete, which I am projecting to be around the first of the year, I will revel in telling you how certain people came into my life to help "make this sentence in my journal a reality".   I do want to send a very special THANKS to Larry and Julie - they are playing a pivotol role in the beginning.  You guys are awesome!!!!!

Baby steps

On Sunday I spoke briefly about moving toward my dream.

I am happy to report that I have successfully taken 2 BIG baby steps.

Yeah... for me!

dreams

Someone asked me the other day what I had been up to and I wasn't sure how to answer.  Did she really want to know all the details or was it just a rhetorical question? I determined it was the latter so I said "not much". 

My objective is to look at life from a more positively position, than negative. Being negative doesn't serve me or anyone else.  I prefer to see life as either ebbing or flowing.  Just like with nature, it will change.  The last couple weeks I seem to be ebbing more than I would like.  One day I surrendered and stayed in bed all day - watched YouTube "how to" videos in between naps.   It actually ended up being a good thing. 

My art comes from my heart.  "Simple Truth/Simple Reminders"  I smile when I can see a piece of my art and know exactly what I was feeling when I created it.  This piece I did on 9/23/12, I was feeling like I wasn't getting anywhere with my dreams.  My message to myself was, it doesn't matter how long it takes or how you get there, just begin to follow the path of your dreams.  The tricycle is to symbolize how slow it can seem.  I was ebbing when I created this piece.

On 10/7/12 I created  this lady.  She most definitely is in deep thought, perhaps about her next adventure.  I used a new product, Faber-Castell Gelatos,  for her face that I will be using alot of now.  I learned about gelatos while watching YouTube "how to" videos the day I stayed in bed. (this was only one thing that turned out good from staying in bed that day)

I have come full circle, the ebb is gone and I am flowing, again.

Here is a piece of artwork from the on-line class I took with Donna Downey Canvas Create.  I made it for my neighbor's birthday, Maureen, who exudes love.

Another thing I did the day I stayed in bed all day was re-read my journal. What a revelation that was!  My journal is a place where I write everything, my hopes, my dreams, and my fears.  Many times within the past year I had written about a project that I felt I was suppose to do.  And because of fear or whatever, I haven't done anything with it.  I remember I let fear or whatever delay me beginning my creative I'm a Late Bloomer blog (read about it here) This blog was the best thing I could have ever done.  I am honored to share stories of some pretty awesome women who have creatively bloomed late.  There are many, many more women out there who need a little boost to let their creative spirit out to play. 

 

Well.... enough of holding back from moving toward my dreams.  I'm going for it.  It will be fun watching it unfold.  I feel my next piece of art stirring within my soul that will be called The Happy Dance, so stay tuned for the rest of the story!

I wonder why she started to cry?

I wanted to remind everyone to stop by Wednesday at http://www.imalatebloomer.com 

to read the rest of her story.

 

I LOVE Gelatos!

Just wanted to share.  I had bought some gelatos by Faber-Castell a while back and was finally able to use them.  Love, Love, Love them!!    I noticed that right now they are on sale from JoAnn Fabrics  for $7.99 for 3.  I will stopping by there tomorrow to snag some more.

They can be used wet  like water colors or blendable like oil pastels.  I wanted to find the ideal medium for use on faces and I believe I have found it.  I am showing a spread from my art journal where I used them on the girl's face and dress.

By the way... what do you think she is thinking about?

reminder

A reminder to hop,skip, or jump over to the creative Late Bloomer site on Wednesday to meet the latest flower added to the vase.