La la...It's Wednesday!!!

Wednesday are my days at Stampadoodle and I LOVE seeing all the customers and the people I work with. I got my monthly medication on Tuesday and often I can't get going on the following day but today I was doing the demo....(a little class we do at noon for a hour) so I had to go. In the end it was good for me. Showing people one of my new favorite art techniques and getting to see everyone can make these "icky" days a little easier. Sometimes it doesn't work...but today was fun, fun, fun.

Here are some samples of what I did today for my demo:

All these techniques were done with magazine images that I cut into tiles. Some I scrunched up and some I just cut and "quilted" on the page. Then with a dry brush I put a little gesso over the collage. The top photo I colored with oil pastels and then collaged the flowers and doodled. The bottom two photos were the scrunched images. After the gesson I brushed ink over the surface. The first one I used versamark with platinum embossing powder and then a bordeaux and a green ink pad. The second one I just used the bordeaux ink pad. I got this technique from an on-line yahoo group....Art Techniques. I've played around with both techniques quite a bit and it is amazing the way the final products differ accoring to the magazine colors, the amount of gesso and then the inks that you use. Fun, fun, fun background techniques!!!

It feels awesome to be creating again!!! Moving has really seemed to make doing art difficult. My studio is all set up (thanks to my awesome friend Julie who is an organization guru) and everything is at my fingertips. Everyday, I think I feel stronger and more settled which I'm sure will lead me back to my usual rituals. Moving has been an amazing journey!

My goal for tomorrow is to take some photos of our new home. I want to share them with you! Our little house is truly becoming a home.

Time...Is it on my side?

Recently I've been continually reminded about how fast time can get away from you. Moving is such a huge life shift....add to that the added stress of selling our previous home and our rental property....and well....before I know it weeks have gone by and I am totally overwhelmed. Life provides so many opportunities for us to constantly practice the things that we are here to learn. For me...that is to remember to slow down and rejoice in the moments, be aware of how powerful my own thoughts are in creating my reality and to focus on gratitude, compassion and love. Of course there is much more I have to learn...but during this moving experience these seem to be the most important.

Since our move it's been challenging to get back to my daily rituals. I miss these routines and I'm trying to get settled enough so that I can resume them a.s.a.p!!! In Twyla Tharp's book, The Creative Habit (one that I highly recommend!!!), she talks alot about the importance of "ritual" especially at the beginning of your day. When I am disciplined about this idea I find that my entire day flows a little easier. Phew.....it is a huge challenge not to let distractions get in the way of the things that are so good for us!!!!

Everyday Richard and I are feeling more comfy in our new home. I'm excited about how it is all coming together. I'm really trying to make this a "home" and to remember that creating a home is a huge part of my own creative pallette. Our old house was way too huge and fancy for me to add my own personal "funk" to the decorating. The house that I owned before Richard and I got married was truly totally mine in terms or color and my own signature (lime green kitchen with shiny jewels around the window, fucsia, orange and purple art studio with paint splattered floors and a wonderful garden with special little things tucked everywhere!). I really missed that....the house we're selling was absolutely beautiful but it required a somewhat grown-up style. It was fun to pretend I was a grown up...especially when the kids were home...I think my eccentric decorating style sometimes embarrassed them....but I am sosososo ready to get back to "me". Poor Richard promised that he would let me "go wild". He's more of a earth tone guy....but so far he's hanging on and I think secretly loving it! My camera isn't working (horrors of all horrors) but I promise to include pictures as soon as it is up and running!!!

Well...these are my thoughts for a Monday morning. Blessings to all and thank you for being there!!!

Oh well.....I'm learning!!!!

OK??? What's up with the huge gap between the title and the writing? It looks stupid!

I'm all hooked up!!!!

Last night Richard got me all hooked up...entire computer, printer, camera....I'm back totally!!! Another step toward being settled in our new home. So............here are the pictures of our move!!! I'm so excited to share them with you. I think you'll be able to see how blessed my life is.

This is a picture of Richard and I on the first night that we had the key. We had a quick dinner at the new house and then went back to our old house for our last evening there!!! Even empty...the house felt warm and cozy. We truly felt like we were at home!

Moving day was absolutely beautiful. This picture was taken down by the creek at the bottom of our property.

Richard and Wes (a friend of ours....actually our "moving angel") are unloading yet another ton of our stuff. We've discovered that we have alot of stuff!!!

The Tiaras arrive. I was so excited to have them at my new house. This is Julie (an amazing, wonderful, fabulous artist.....she's helping me set up my studio in the house).

While we waited for the moving truck we just had to go visit the beautiful creek!!!! Of course Julie and Betsey had their shoes off and were in the water in no time. I loved watching them enjoy the new property. I'm sitting.....I had had my "icky" medicine (an infusion that I take monthly for my Rheumatoid Arthritis) and I was feeling a little queasy and tired. It was a horrible time to have my medication but I'm on this schedule that I can't deviate from. The Tiaras made sure that I rested throughout the day. Bless them!!!! They are my angels!!!!

The Tiaras have this total thing about taking pictures of our feet.....we usually have on our favorite colors and also the same type of shoes!!!! Most of us have Crocs and we love them!!! We could be an add for the comfort of Crocs!!!!

Finally the moving van arrived. The two movers were the cutest!!! We called the guy on the left Fonzie....he looked just like him. Everyone pitched in....Julie organized the pantry and cupboards...Betsey and Gail never left my side...lifting boxes, unpacking what they could, directing the movers and Wes. It was amazing. I did start panicking a little bit when the house began to fill up, but everyone was very reassuring about the fact that soon we would find places for everything!!!!

Oh my gosh....look at these happy gurls. Karen, Gail, Sherri, Betsey and Julie. My life wouldn't be the same without them. Notice the orange wall.....I love it!!!! The picture above is of my new neighbor, May. She is the cutest thing. I can't wait to get to know her!!!

The Tiaras brought a basket of wonderful goodies including these cupcakes! Isn't that perfect! They brought champagne, salad, flowers, paper plates, napkins. After the truck was unloaded Karen gave a beautiful champagne toast and then we munched down on some wonderful pizza, salad, and cupcakes. It was absolutely perfect!!!!

Ahhhhh....a toast to our new house. It was amazing...even at this point we both felt like we were home.

Right before the boys left (after I had paid them:)) we posed for a picture. They were great and fit right in. The giggling Tiaras didn't scare them one bit. They may have been puzzled at times but they smiled and chuckled alot....I think they had a great time!!!! Who couldn't when your around us?!!!!!

I think everyone stayed until around 8 o'clock. It was exhausting but a total blast. I've thought alot about this time with my friends. It's hard for me to accept help....I'm just not good at it. Through my illness I think I've learned to be pretty self-sufficient. When they told me that they wanted to help...at first I was hesitant. I LOVE doing for others but letting others do for me can be difficult. I knew it was important to let this happen...for all of us!

I LOVE these women. I know that what we have is very special. I feel badly for people who don't have this level of friendship in their lives. I know its unique...at least it is a new experience for me. I've had amazing friends throughout my life....AMAZING....but I've never had a group of women who are so close with one another. We are all very different...yet we "work" together. All of our colors, textures, gifts...come together to make a beautiful quilt of love and committment. I can get pretty gushy about all of this...so I'll stop.

Thank you Tiaras!!! You are all wonderful and add so much to my life. Richard and I can't tell you how much it meant to have you all around us on our big day!!!!

A special note.....the 6th Tiara...Suzie....couldn't be with us and we missed her horribly. She was having some medical stuff happening that day and was being a wonderful Grandma taking care of her precious Grandson. She is as special as the others.......

It's been too long!!!

Oh my gosh!!! It has been way too long since I have written.....but I've been a little "busy" to say the least. I wanted to wait until I could find my camera attachment for my computer so that I could include pictures....but I may be waiting a long time before it surfaces given the state of affairs here in our new home....and so this will just be a check-in....and pictures will come later.

No matter how you do a move....it is HORRIBLE and so disruptive I just can't believe it!!! I knew it on some level (since my last move was just two years ago) but I really was totally caught off guard regarding how overwhelming the entire thing can be. Every day I'm feeling a little more sane....but let me tell you....there have been times where I really didn't know who I was.....I've had a couple of episodes where I literally have become the "monster from the deep, scrudgy lagoon.....roaring my mighty head off!!!" It's amazing!!!! Someday....it may be funny but right now it feels horrifying!

There are many miracles that have occurred over the past couple of weeks.... The main one is that the minute we walked into our new house, when we got the key, we both knew we were home. We love it here! It is cozy and charming. We can see future projects...however, right now.....it is just perfect.

Another miracle is that Richard and I are still laughing and deeply loving one another. There's been moments where the tension is thick....but we've dealt with it....and mostly have laughed our heads off...and it's been wonderful! That is totally amazing. There have been times where we've both been so exhausted that we couldn't even talk....touching was impossible....even little winks seemed challenging....but we were in it together and it was very special.

My friends have been another total miracle. They have supported us in ways that at times have brought me to tears. They were with me on moving day....and they've been with me ever since.
My family has been wonderful too...so positive and affirming. I am so blessed. I can't even begin to express my gratitude....I will talk more about this when I post the pictures......it's all caught on film!!!

And finally.....the most awesome thing happened. Our house that we moved out of went on the market on Saturday. We had an Open House on Sunday. Monday evening....yes, Monday evening....we were in our realtors office signing a full price offer!!!!!!! Is that amazing or what??? Those of you who know me know that I believe in the concept of "creating your own reality". Well this totally reaffirms my belief in this idea. The realtor, Richard and I have always talked about a specific time-line....house on the market on Saturday, Open House on Sunday and a meeting at the realtor's office on Monday evening to sign an offer. Throughout this whole thing that has been our plan. If one of us strayed....the other two would repeat the plan. When I became doubtful in my head....which happened alot....I switched to being grateful for anything and everything in my life....hoping that that authentic gratefulness would attract more things to be grateful for. I must admit.....eventhough I'm a strong believer...I'm totally in awe!!!! We are sosososo thankful!!!!

So...........this has been a very quick summary. We still can't find anything and we're still surrounded by cardboard....but everyday it gets better. Up until last night I've been sleeping like a log and have woken up the next morning....rested and ready to begin again. I'm not surprised, however, that my sleeping troubles are beginning to return....since things are a little more like normal.......but believe it or not....my wierd sleeping patterns have been part of my life for so long....I find it comforting that on some nights I get extra hours to putter around and live in the quiet. Things are heavenly!!!

Thank you to everyone who have been so supportive and who have been sending us positive thoughts and prayers. I felt all of you in my pocket! I can't wait to share the pictures of our new little slice of paradise!!!

Blessings to all!

Update on the move!!!

Two posts in one day!!! Oh well!!!

Richard just got home from work and he has the key to our new house in his pocket. We're taking a load of kitchen stuff over and having our first meal there (take out...)!!! I can't wait. It's all coming together for us just like I envisioned!

Thanks for all your support!