It's been too long!!!

I can't believe that so many days of come and gone and I haven't been able to write in my blog. Actually I had a little time....but when I sat down my thoughts would never slow down long enough for me to write in any way that may have made sense. Needless to say, since Artfest, things here at the Estes/Angie home have been exciting, crazy, nerve racking, sad, happy, exhausting...........

I know I haven't shared much about Artfest...but I find it so challenging to write about the experience and even begin to portray all the beautiful faces, colors, textures, feelings that went along with the event. The only down side of Artfest was that my entire art group didn't go. I missed the other four woman so much...and wished that I had found a pot of gold and huge amounts of time so that all of us could be together. I look forward to a time when we can all go to an event like this and all be together.....the place won't know what hit them...we're a very dynamic group!!!!

I have many highllights...but I meeting all the wonderful people was so exciting. I love the way the people in my dorm slowly got to know each other....by the end it felt like I had known some of them for years. Meeting all the teachers was awesome. I got to take classes from three women whose careers I have been followling and already thought they were wonderful....but to be with them in person, to watch them work, to listen to their stories....that was amazing. My teachers were Annahata Katkin, Traci Bautista, and Karen Michel. They were all so different but were tremendous instructors. They are three talented women artistically...but also three hard working business women who are living their dreams. I want to be just like them.

My other highlight was meeting Tracy Huskamp of The Red Door Studio. My friend Gail introduced me to Tracy's blog and I have grown to love her spirit. I'm actually pretty shy but on the night of the "Meeting the Teachers" event I made myself stop by her table and say Hi. It was an instant connection. Her energy, smile and kindness was so beautiful. I connected with her again on Vendor night. Both meetings were very hectic (there were crowds of folks trying to meet her and look at the beautiful things at her booth) but I felt something happen between us that was pretty special. Thank you Tracy!!!!

Now....since I've been home it has been amazingly busy getting ready for our move. This is huge for Richard and I....HUGE...and we are working so hard to make it go smoothly and with thought and caring. We both feel so confident that this is right for us but it is still scary moving from a huge house into a little, itty-bitty house. Also the money thing is absolutely frightening, but we are manifesting nothing but perfect success and know without a doubt that there are two families out there just waiting to buy both of our houses (at our asking prices:)!!!

I've always had such a hard time saying good-bye to anything. It's one of my life-long issues. Saying good-bye to this house is very difficult. It's been so good to us and we've loved living here. It took a while for me to nest here and I don't think I was ever totally comfortable living in this house. It's big, it's modern, it's in a swanky neighborhood, it's the house I always thought I wanted...it has everything...the view, the huge masterbedroom and ajoining huge bathroom with a jetted tub, a beautiful kitchen and great room, a media room, a study, two other bedrooms with a full bathroom, a big yard...but it isn't all of that that is important. It's what this house has taught me that is sososo important.

I have learned that it isn't the "outside" stuff that makes me who I am. That the house I live in doesn't matter at all. A home is all about what is inside. This house is too big for us and it has become a huge responsibility both financially and physically. Our new house is so much more congruent to who we really are. I know we will flourish there. It is a place where we will be able to continue practicing living, compassion, love, contentment.... It is going to be perfect. It truly can become our creative outlet as a couple and that will be so much fun. That's what I am focusing on.

Well....enough for today. Please breathe deeply and watch every moment carefully. We can live each one fully if we pay attention.

Blessings!