stone soup...a little bit of everything

studio....sometime in may.

holy crap! 2 weeks - where the hell have i been!?

where i've been....

work, exercise, biking, work, dinners out, out of state

visitors, biking, vegging on a raft in the pool, exercise,

work, phone call with kim, catching up on emails - yours

is coming liz. supporting a dear friend, work, biking,

more dinners out. kicking as hard as i can to keep my

pea brain above water.......................DEEP BREATH!

whew - i am ready for SQUAM. not really, but i will

be.

where i am going....

class reunion pre-party

corinne...coming to stay! wow have i missed her.

pool party saturday afternoon.

25th class reunion - saturday nite!

buffett 2008 - tuesday nite.

and in the middle of all that. revise one website, create another,

layout magazine, finish up stationary. and please find time

to work on commission....and enjoy it!

crazy sweet life - simply stone soup.

peace, ya'll

beef jerky

..does it really cure cotton mouth..i doubt it.

we had a grand fourth of july weekend. several great meals
with friends, lots of laughter, several annoying moments,
where i thought my tongue might bleed from me biting it to
keep from going off on someone. another 50 miles logged

on pearl this weekend. and some good naps.

onto another week.

peace.

sweet octopussy..

this is sherbet..

i have seen this little guy before. i am so intrigued by all
those little suction cups. you can find more here.

and more fun links...

for the love of patterns - check out jess'
the new mankind mag - erin rocks!
i am now a proud sponsor for kellyrae
and the lovely christine at sparkletopia has once again been
a jewel of a friend and highlighted my new prints on etsy.

another 23 miles logged on the new bike, which i have named
pearl. she is so pretty and easy to ride. these jeans are finally
beginning to feel loose. i can't believe i poured this ass into them
as long as i did! shocked that the seams held that long.

feeling good in my old but newly refined body.

peace..

bless my soul *[goodness]

...some days we just need some added goodness.
here is some that i have received through the
week.

check these.

zen habits...morsels of the simple life

made by girl...want color and happyness, go here

peace within....hats and tees, that remind us

a dear friend kim is living without her husband
while he is in the middle east. she is so strong and
brave. in the middle of her crazyness she posted
about the zen in her life. such a simple gesture of
kindness that made me sit still and regroup. she is
a light in my world and i miss her. so here is my
zen, my haiku...

...the 30 mile bike ride yesterday with bryce and
two cool chickadees

..8 weeks of exercise and eating better. 4lbs fat
loss, 6lbs and toner musles - oh and loose clothes

..getting to meet up with kendra again with dawn
for lunch and a load of new purses.

..the commission piece i am frantically wanting to
finish up.

..little miss c growing up, still finding time to lay
her head on my shoulder and telling me that she
missed me. [this is my baby c, not big c.]

..my little studio space that i so love and cherish

where's your zen today?

peace..

..prints..

beloved one..print

4 new prints now available. go check them out!

..beloved one
..girl
..stella
..wander

bless my soul *[new]

one : on display at eagle creek coffee company

two : stella, girl, soul

three : beloved one and chaos

four : stella

finally - five new paintings, each 6x6 gallery canvas.

mixed media. bright, sassy and fun. prints of each

soon on etsy. originals at the end of the month.

see something you like? let me know.

peace..

gone to the dogs

delilahblue = rockstar

this dog owner was bored and

decided to add a new blog. so

for all you pooch lovers - delilah

has her own blog. yes, i know

silly but what the hell! we need

more fun in life.

peace.

..bless my soul..[progress]

busy happy studio..

things are really busy here. but

in that - i can find plenty of

blessings.

i have found out that i was

accepted to have a table for

squams vendor night. if you have

checked this art workshop out

please do so - i can only feel

that this is going to be life

changing for me. elizabeth

is such a endearing soul, so

helpful and kind. christine

will be introducing her new book

for all those attending.

i have been busy in the studio.

as always frantically trying to

get paintings started and finished.

i am hanging some of my pieces

at a coffee house in zionsville,

this sunday. it has been such

a rush to be able to paint again.

i hate when respondsiblities take

me away from that.

i have a little part time gig at

the local rec center. i have also

began an exercise and diet program

called [ body for life ]. i can't tell

you how good it feels to get up

and move. this computer has

taken control of my life for far

too long, yes - have to use it to

make a living, but i dont have to

be tied to it to the point of being

obsessive.

new laptop is finally primed for use.

that will come in handy when i am

basking in the sun on beckys pool

deck sipping an ice cold red stripe....

ah, its summertime and life is sweet.

peace, ya'll

..it' the little things..

I was recently blessed by an email
from miss lisa leonard. she makes
silver baubles and oh are they sweet!


i went with the ever so teeny tiny initials. s.o.u.l. after
my little studio. i figure i can wear this to gallerys, art
festivals and meetings. a simple way to remind people
of my business.


lisa also keeps track of her daily grind here.
she has a beautiful family story...


i don't wear much jewelry. i have 2 favorite
necklaces that i wear daily, my frida and my
superhero. i now have this soulful piece.

on a very impressive note. lisa uses her jewelry
to perform random acts of kindness, i know
this first hand. she also has special sales and
send off the proceeds to special groups. recently
she sent one here...in honor of this family.

please take the time to visit lisa. i have to say this
necklace is so well made, simple and fun. people
noticing it on my neck! because it is GORGEOUS!

now go see lisa!
[in case you forgot...silvery baubles here.]

peace.

as charlie would say....ugh!

delilahblue is two!

just finished another girl. i loved her so.

i had planned on posting her here, so that

you could see. my new powershot ate my

saved images. so if there are any canon

users who know how to recover images

off the sim card. please, i am all ears.

she is a pretty spunky and i would love

for the world to see that after three

dry months, kelly pulled a new piece

out of her tush. [ not literally, that would

hurt.]

finally finished up my wedding announcements

job. walked to the local ice cream shop and ate

a turtle [today is my cheat day] but i only

got a small. delilah blue went along for the

walk. today my sweet pooch turned 2. we

love her so. hopefully we will be adopting

a pooch sibling for her within the next year.

i think she would think that is swell.

my college grad has been here for a week,

working for me. pulling my arse out of the

trenches. she is fast and meticulous....two

things this mommy is not! but it allowed me

to get some painting done and spend time

with her.

the other two babes have spring fever and

they are driving me crazy. one talks constantly

and the other strums his guitar rather than

studying for finals.

big BIG class reunion coming in 2 months. one

of my dearest friends is coming in from san francisco.

i haven't seen her for at least 18 years. i can't wait.

i have been using the "body for life" system for 3

weeks now. i don't feel like i have lost weight. but

my fav button up didn't cling to my belly and i am

running 1/2 hour 4 days a week. so that is something

to build on. right?! you betcha.

my soul sister stopped by today, yes miss thang

i know you are reading this. see the drought has

cleared, i posted. you brighten my days, kindred

spirits i would have to say. now get on that

bike and ride!

peace to each of you. hope life is fine.

mr. rauschenberg ..pop artist..

Robert Rauschenberg, Read-Bleed

"I don't ever want to go," he told Harper's when asked about dying.
"I don't have a sense of great reality about the next world; my feet
are too ugly to wear those golden slippers. But I'm working on my
fear of it. And my fear is that something interesting will happen,
and I'll miss it."

thank you mr. rauschenberg for coloring the world.

happy

..life is crazy, i am happy..

the artistic block is about to
make me jump. but i got this
new ad out yesterday.

working on a magazine layout at
the moment. nice to have a big
project.

peace.

monday.

it is again - monday.
some fun, some warped
some deep links....

tattoos, hello kitty
[ laughed out loud...i am a huge
hello kitty fan, but these are
over the top!]

simple beauty....miss liz
[ simple words and truth, she
always brings me back towhat
is important ]

this print...at monkeypowered
[ fun stuff found here! ]

jeremy...one sweet artist

this new find....anessa arehart

we lost power yesterday for over 4 hours!
big winds and big trees just don't mix. the
kids and i played a couple hands of cards.
nice having no tv, no timeline, no bickering.

hope each of you have a happy day.

peace.

today.

today i found this,

dream house

this...brought tears to my eyes.
this...says everything that rattles
around in my head.

this...is simple and true.

..namaste..

blessings owned today

earlymorning and i have been listening to vintage neil
diamond on youtube and now dave is playing in the background
i am currently OBSESSED with youtube and all the music
i can find there.

my weeks have been busy, so busy that i employeed
the soon college grad to help with layouts. she steps
in as if she has done it for years. new ipod for her efforts
soon.

i have a laptop on the way too. i can't believe i have gotten
away with no laptop all these years. i feel silly even admitting
that i don't have one. now i have to bite the bullet and
buy new software. YIKES! this is going to be an expensive
month, but i have put it off long enough.

this crazy, hairyed life spins frantically some days. i feel like
i am sitting on a carnie ride with my arms raised in the air
stomach up and down, giggling and sometimes near tears
begging for the ride to slow down so i can hop off with my
weary feet under me, looking for the secure footing.

so with that - i embrace the blessings that i have today

..ideas spilling from this conflicted brain
..the brite sun and warmth that has scooped up middle indiana
..the life of caroline that nuzzled up next to me and brought
some sweet souls in to my world
..tech pencils and clean white paper
..this local artist, talking to her about creative options
in this sleepy little community. iam not alone.

peace.

sweet caroline

"before me lies the edge of the world
i am on my way running."
~from a papago song.

peace be with you chickadee.
you gave your story to the
world, blessing each of us.

Young@Heart sing 'Fix You' by Coldplay

watch and learn

true

if you need a simple gift today,
i found one here:

true living project

thank you kim

somethings on monday

life is spinning past - quickly!

i never get around to taking pictures anymore.
and quite honestly, this gray indiana weather
isn't especially inspiring. the new digs are coming
together slowly, as well as fresh jobs. however,
the one thing i love the most has been pushed to
the back....painting. i have to find some time and
schedule that in. but i need to be inspired, i make
excuses and i feel guilty if i take time to paint rather
than put another load of laundry in, have lunch with
a friend or check emails. life.....it can bite you in
the butt.

i have a big bite out of mine. and it hurts!

yesterday....i was surprised again by kim's uplifting
phone call. out of no where - she called. made my
whole nite. she filled me in on artfest and all the
lovely chickadees. one day my friend! i dig you new
banner by the way!

soon i will be the proud momma of a college grad.
it is so hard to believe i am there in life. but in a
good way. she has been a dream of girl. so confident,
and strong. i don't know where the hell she got that.
but i am glad she found it. working on a summer class
reunion too. can't even get the number out of my mouth
without wanting to throw up, but at the same time it
makes me laugh. a group of us sat at the country club
last week and laughed until our cheeks hurt. stories i had
never heard and watching old friends glisten when talking
about old friends, kids and spouses. some days i hate
living here, but on days like that - i am so glad that i do.

i can't believe it has been a month since my last post. like
i said life took a giant nibble out of the tush. so withthat
here a a few goodies that have made me smile......

. penelope and these images - i laughed outloud when i saw these.
. this new artistic soul - drooling
. soul sounds of donovan frankenreiter
. the fun i had creating this banner for
sparkletopia
. the peace i find in my little studio
. the new community of friends that
we have found.

to each of you, may peace gently knock on your
door this week.

movin' on up.

i want! don't you...

studio soon to have new address, third floor, suite one.
gabe and i moved most of my art tables, easel and other
goodies up to the attic. computer station will be the last
to go. once that is up in place - bedroom moves down
a floor. i have the perfect ikea curtains, just screaming
to be put up in the new bedroom.

i have a list of new supplies that will go quite nicely
with all the new space.

and while i am giddy....i just have to say that miss liz, is
such a sweet soul. thanks a bunch for the chat. your
voice is just like i thought it would be. i can't wait to

crochet some rows together. i will bring the bug repellent!

peace out.

pink. happy. good.

summer o7....soon to be summer 08

it is friday and here is my happy, good and giddy pink list.

1. my bitchin' new necklace from miss jane

2. the envy issue of underwired magazine

3. squam packet is mailed and the surprise phone call from
miss elizabeth

4. possibly moving the studio to higher ground and more

square footage. we have an attic bedroom that is huge.
the studio may trade spaces with the bedroom. why do we
need such a big room, the space isn't used. but you can
believe the studio would use it! ah....freedom.

5. a relaxing facial and baby butt soft skin.

what is your happygood wrapped in pink?

my so called mind

old grill, old picture

i would like to say that i am okay.
i want to live the life i am meant to live.
dont we all. today i feel like someone has beat
the crap out of my mind. bryce and i have been
attending a new church. we both feel so at home
there. we go to class each sunday for the new
comers. it is nice to attend the class with him.
but today, just as each sunday, i come home feeling
refreshed and quickly one thing throws my mood to the
wind. and i asked him how he can let so many big things
go, but why can't i. he looked at me and said, " you have
too much conflict in your head. and he is right. when
he said "conflict" it was like i melted. the hair on my
arms stood up. he is right.

some days i think i am living in the wrong era. our world
is so out of control, there are few boundaries, kids are
adults, parents are friends. i continue to allow others
words to bed under my skin like a grain of sand that just
bores deeper and deeper. how do i let this all go. how
do i tell someone that they are out of line with out
coming off judgemental or hateful.

conflict.

i have a new dvd, pema chodron. this week i will try
to listen to it each day. i will work on letting of my
anger go, let words roll off as quickly as they hit me,
i will spend more time with my kids, listening to them
and not worrying about how other parents are doing it.
i will try not to hold b accountable for things that he
wont put an end to. i will handle it myself. [this is a
really hard one. this is very personal and has had
a ill affect on me. after over a year, i have learned
that he isn't going to help on this and i have to let
it go] i can do this!

conflict.

i will find a way to be happy where i am at and stop
focusing on when i can leave here. i may never get
to go to another environment, so i have to find a way
to be happy here, at least for now.

conflict.

i will continue to exercise and watch what i put into
my body. i will be mindful of my food and nourishment.
i will take time to reflect. i will work on not allowing/
others negative energy to affect my everyday, my
people, your people.

conflict.

i will remind myself everyday, that i am worthy,
i can do this, i am blessed. [stewart b. smalley]

conflict.

conflict + kelly = her so called mind.

....and now from my sponsors, five really good
things that i am going to focus on this week.

new books on encaustic and screen printing
unwired cover
happy comments left.
maybe squam
a husband who always talks me off the ledge.

peace.

the envy issue

the envy issue - greener pastures.

greener pastures was picked to grace the cover
of underwired magazine. a big shout of a thank
you goes out to laura, who made this so easy.

to be honest when she called to ask if i was interested
it too approximately 5 painful seconds to pull my
chubby chin off my floor. she sweetly offered to send
me an email with all the info. can you tell this hasn't
ever happened! i am so suave.

they found miss green at illustration fridays, so
another big shout of thanks to penelope!

yippee!

ps....vote for luke.

pretty please!

monday.

sage smudge kit.....cleansing.

"the pity in life is that most of us die before we
are fully born. don't miss yourself."

~erich fromm

happy monday!

five happy, and really good things.

daily inspiration....

oops....forgot to post my weekly really good things,

..an unexpected happy CHEER me on postcard..
..a pkg of nag champa soap, sage bundles and incense..
..purging the studio..
..one week of exercise and eating right..
..this quote, a daily reminder that is is okay to be me..

“To be alive is the biggest fear humans have. Death is
not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking
the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express what
we really are. Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of
humans. We have learned to live our lives trying to satisfy
other people’s demands. We have learned to live by other
people’s points of view because of the fear of not being
accepted and of not being good enough for someone else.
Trying to be good enough for them, we create an image of
perfection, but we do not fit this image. We create this
image, but this image is not real. We are never going to be
perfect from this point of view. Never!”

-The Four Agreements
[thank you miss swirly, for the reminder]

happy. and five good things

necco's - i dig them

another busy week, but a good busy. it is thursday and
i have neglected my 5 REALLY good things, brought to you
by liz, each week. so here goes

. 8:39am, munching on sweetheart necco's
.. g's bald head, swim sectional tonight.
... miss c's midterm card, all a's
.... the other miss c, finding her way in the world of design
..... b and i working on being better at "marriage"

how about you, what are you 5 things?

and as a vd bonus, i will leave you with some happy
eye candy.

..michelle brusegaard -peacock enclosures, mine are pink..

..holly hawk..leather cuffs [can't choose]

..jen lemen's altars..

..mimi doodles encaustic paintings..

..new blogs to drool over,
..swallowtail..
..stephanie lee studios..
..mccabe, the dancing mermaid and her rocks..
..and urban prairie refueled..

and how can i NOT mention our hometown boy
top 24 finalist in american idol...........[insert drumroll]

..LUKE MENARD..
he's pretty sweet to look at too!

hope you feel the love today

[ if ] ..choose..

illustration friday ..choose..

choose to be kind.
and choose to head over to if to see other choices.

new at etsy.

..funk.. print

new prints added at etsy. 5 new girls, full of spunk

and funk. [originals are available at nahcotta.

if you would like to check them out.....walk this way.

..thanks a bunch..

today.

peacock blue

today, a friend called me. today, they just needed
someone to listen. i am warm all over from the feeling
of happyness this person brings to me. knowing that we
used to rip on one another as kids, growing up together,
seeing the other go through bad spells and then seeing
each find their own spot in life....feeling happy for the others
stability. watching this person grow into what i knew they
could be. kind. caring. secure.

today someone trusted me enough to ask me to listen.
and in return they listened.

breath in. i calm my body.
breath out. i smile.
dwelling in this present moment.

i know this is a wonderful moment.

peace.

blank canvas awaits.

what a happy happy weekend. the best since summers
end. most days i feel like i am on a rollercoaster. this
weekend we had our taxes done....check. i finished up
another job on friday.....check. kids were with their
dad.....check. my work-a-holic "b" was game free....check.
we both snuck in two naps and went to dinner, chomped on
some delicious gourmet burgers. i feel so rested and caught
up. why oh why do we think running ourselves into the
ground is the way to live?

i have a sketch ready for my blank canvas, it will be for
a new dear friend who has tirelessy worked to help dawn
and i with our little caroline's fight against juvenile cancer.
she makes purses. oh and little pockets, each full of pattern,
vintage fabrics, ribbon and ties. there is a bit of a handbag
crusade here in this little middle indiana town. if you would like
to check them out....go here. she is part of an amazing, creative,
kind and beautiful family. we have fallen in love with them.

i am off to start my day....peace ya'll

eta iii LIVE tonight

enormous tiny artshow iii opening tonight!
Feb 8- March 9

support all the artists, there is such a great list!
if you are interested in any work, contact deb
or abbie at the gallery.

Nahcotta

there are new pictures up of all the pieces ready
to be hung for the show. quite a nice image. i only
wish i could be there in person.

FIVE really....REALLY good things.

sweet towels

here are my really REALLY good 5 things
so far this week....

some news hopefully coming soon - i will share if i get
a yes.

seeing "g" wearing his varsity jacket, and his constant "kip"
impressions that are straight on!
[Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online
with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training
to be a cage fighter.]

nahcotta opening this weekend! if you go to the opening,
email me all the details and i will drool.

phone calls about my artwork, new design job possiblities

taxes being done this weekend.

bonus goodness: the obama video below "yes we can"

what are five really good things in your world

peace....

Yes We Can

are you ready for a change?
hope = vote.....

a bit of sparkle

the rock star christine of sparkletopia, interviewed little
old me. if you haven't visited this inspiring site,
hop on over to get sprinkled with a daily dose of
inspiration.

redhead

"the redhead" - #7 eta iii

8x8 gallery wrapped canvas
original mixed media
number seven of the eta iii show

big box going out today.

last four pieces are now here too....

are you ready?

ready....enormous tiny artshow iii

six pieces sitting waiting to be mailed out for their cross
country journey to portsmouth, nh. hoping to finish the
last three today.

if you would like to see her two sisters and others

you can check them out here.

peace ya'll

five really good things

canvas - january 2008

miz liz elayne is so good about being thankful and reminding
me that i need to take each day and count my blessings.
this week has been filled with many busy hours. i had
become so complacent the end of 2007. but i hit the door
running this month. and even though it has been a frenzy,
it has been a productive, self-fulfilling month....so that is

my number one

1. month of january - self awareness

2. finishing "the accidental buddhist", it was so nice
sitting down each morning and reading for an hour.
breath in, breath out

3. six canvas waiting for a warm coat of varnish, three
blank ones waiting in the wings. each to be sent to the
nahcotta gallery for the enormous tiny artshow iii
[ paintings posted tomorrow - fingers crossed ]

4. finishing up two jobs, with several new ones coming
in - sweet surprises

5. getting rid of the little voice in the back of my head
that was saying.....are you good enough. i love putting
that voice out of its misery.

i bet you have 5 good things too, c'mon tell me.

enormous tiny artshow iii

hot damn!!!! i am so excited about this. here is the
enormous tiny art show iii postcard. just read those
names...i am drooling! and too see that i am sitting
next to rachel austin, and to get to be part of a show
that includes these chickies; christine, marisa, mati and
penelope. I am one lucky girl. one lucky girl who is
way behind.....hmmmm wonder if i am the only one????
one lucky girl who is so happy that i was invited
and one lucky girl who is counting her blessings and
having fun with all of this. you can look at the artists
and the work here.

enjoy....

moving on

.....here is what is going on in my neck of the woods

-working on several jobs
-getting my enormous tiny pieces together.
[of course, i am running behind!]
-spent saturday at the pool
-working on my studio only hours
-filling in my new momAgenda daily planner, this thing rocks!
-selling purses for caroline
-blonde is now my color [again]
-reading everyday....what a nice break
-catching up on many blogs...so much going on!
-finished an interview - coming soon.
-sketching on tracing paper [my favorite]
-digging sparkletopia...christine is a rockstar!
-just discover these poochcollars, this girl and
this new blog

what's going on in your neck of the woods.

mondo beyond part ii

ah.....peace.

in part two, andrea asks us to write out intentions for 2008.
twhat we'd want more of in our life, what we want to come
our way and our intent on bringing all of this into our lives

here are my intentions for 2008.....

....walk more use less gas. get a recycling station

for the house. not be so wasteful

....focus on my studio hours, put forth a better effort
to stick to those hours so that i can be present on
weekends evenings and holidays

....to exercise, meditate and read more. sit down and
do creative projects that are fun but not necessary.
this will keep my creative juices flowing rather than
when i am on a deadline and it takes all the fun out of it.

to play more games with my kids, entertain more and
this summer sit out on our deck listening to some
great music and sipping a beer with my feet up.


....here is what andrea says about the final piece of the
puzzle.

"After you list your intentions, let's do the list that is
truly Mondo Beyondo status. What are the things
you are wanting to manifest that are almost too
scary to even write down? The ones that elicit a
gremlin response of "You can't have that!" or "Who are
you to ask for that?" or "Fat chance. That will never
happen. You're not a good enough....(fill in the blank)"
Are you nervous? You should be. This list should be a
bit dangerous. It should make you feel a little shy and
excited.Butterflies abound."

....here is my mondo beyond [holy crap!]

to find a gallery who is interested in hanging my work.
i will find this gallery all by myself, write up the show
guidelines, name it and sell it. [if this is what you have
to do to get it]

to sell more on my website, bringing in new items
on a regular basis, not feeling afraid that it won't
sell or other wont like - because they will like it.

we will take a vacation with out 17 others, someplace
warm and sunny and sand and palm trees

to keep my little clean and organized, so that next year
and tax season i am not scrambling and wanting to cry.

i will learn to meditate so that i can be the person i
know that i am .....peaceful, kind and caring. i will
give up anger and resentment - regardless of what
others think of this. allowing myself to feel content
and not buying into what those around me think makes
us happy - because it doesn't make me happy.

i will buy a old schwinn to toodled around this itty bitty
town and it will have a basket and a bell....because i
have always wanted one and i have never allowed
myself to buy one because bryce thinks it is silly and
would be embarrassed - but that is his dark cloud
not mine.

peace ya'll

mondo beyondo

"i shall not" ....december 2007

love wide #2
4ft x 4ft canvas
mixed media
acrylics, paper and silver leaf.
text...."i shall not walk alone" ben harper

this is the first year for me to participate in MONDO BEYONDO
superhero andrea scher posted this on her site. it is a ritual

that allows you to start fresh, move forward and find peace
with what came before....paraphrasing there! i don't know
about you-but i am happy to give it a try. lord knows i need
to try. so here goes....feel free to leave yours here or on
your own blog.

1. what do you want to acknowledge yourself for in
regard to 2007?

...so many things happen with each year bringing joy
and pain. i didn't get a job that would have made a huge
difference in our family's income, my kids cost of education
and one large opportunity for me as a designer. I hate
interviews, hate the process - but i did it. I am proud that i
did it I made it to the final rounds and when i didn't get it, i
was devastated. i was bummed out. but, i didn't get it and
because i didn't get the job.....i got to paint more. i made it
through two series, the girl and h.o.m.e. in october i was
selected to be part of our local art show which is juried and
a regional show. november i had my first solo showing...i am
proud of those steps i took to continue to put myself out there.

our family grew closer and i have watched my kids grow and
work hard at school....i am proud that my kids love me, that
even after hairy days they hug me and say "goodnite mom"

i am SO proud that i made it through another year of freelancing
and my little company indigosoul and mostly that even on days
of doubt, i continue to paint my little creations - they make me
smile inside and out.

oh and the highlight of my year was sitting next to miss cand
listening to the words of the dalai lama....namaste

2. what is there to grieve about 2007

I forgive myself for not getting that design job. i forgive myself
for not bringing in more income and allowing myself to sit in front
of the computer and surf art sites rather than going out for a walk
or doing pilates. and because i didn't exercise - i have to let go
of the fact that i made myself even chubbier. i hate that i am the
heaviest i have ever been - so i say to hell with the weight, i am
going to let it go so that i don't cry when istand in front of the
mirror and i am on my 4th old outfit and it doesn't' even fit! and
mostly i forgive myself for allowing a specific someone to put their
lack of responsibility on me. to feel bad because they don't think
they should have to help, unless it is on their terms. i forgive myself

for allowing this negative force to suck my energy to so many low
points.

3. what else do you need to say about the year to
declare it complete?

the year was like any other....high and low, but it just slides into
the next.i learned what i will take with me and what i will change
and that through it all, what matters most are those i cherish who
are sleeping soundly as i type this and another one who is, i am
sure, up and studying south of here.

self challenge, create, peace and forgiveness are my 2008.

oh and when you are done with this one she has part ii posted too!

mondo beyond part ii: where are you going? [thanks andrea]