Art Plunge

Remember staring at clouds as a kid and trying to make things out of their particular shapes..a bunny, a horse running with a hat on, etc? I took a moment to do that and it was very peaceful. I decided yesterday to grab a little slice of summer and picked up a big watermelon, hot dogs with REAL buns and some sherbet. I don't know when the last time was I enjoyed ANY of these things. I might be most excited about REAL buns that are not gluten free, tasteless dry things...and hot dogs that are not turkey. Not that I want to know what they really are. I don't eat these things any more but wanted to share a slice of Summer with my family. So today-social distance picnic at my Mom's pretending it's a normal Summer Day..sorta My blog yesterday alluded to "loose" fitting undies and I should have heeded the foreboding words and changed undies before my walk. Two minutes into my walk they just started falling off and I had to backtrack and change into tighter o...

Last weekend I had no weekend as I was fully engrossed in projects, work and work projects. Somehow I trooped through the week and survived. Lo and behold...a weekend appeared and as far as I can see- it's MINES. MY weekend. Much needed too. I forsee cat snuggling, naps and my usual house stuff... hopefully disc golf. Definitely need to start a painting. I signed a contract to a new virtual show in the Fall and need to get new work rolling. I have graduated from Phase 1 of Metabolic Renewal and start Phase 2 next week! Super proud of myself for not missing one workout and watching my strength increase. So far I've lost 3 lbs and inches just about everywhere. One of my favorite pairs of undies is loose 😳 and some drawstring pants I used to slip on- now need their drawstring tightened because they keep slipping down. Whaaa?  Last workout of Phase 1. It was a butt kicking. It's basically a 15 minute workout on M, W, F with walking done on all the days you ca...

 Needed this great reminder by my favorite monk. Thich is also referred to as Thay so if you see that name.... That's who I'm talking about. 🙃 Life is stacked with work right now and I needed a reminder to smile, breathe and go slowly...it will all get done and I needed to enjoy the process -not feel overwhelmed. Yesterday after a full day working at jobby I had just sat down to dinner when I got my payroll telephone call. (I do a payroll gig for a client on the side) Usually I groan, answer the phone and tiredly muddle through the call but I was SO EXHAUSTED and just needed a small nap. Like a fussy baby. So I decided to let the call go through to voicemail, took a 30 minutes snooze and then called them back and dealt with it. This may seem like no big deal but to me it's a reminder that I'm coming at life from a better place with a better perspective. My body wanted a nap and I attended to the body. I didn't put someone else's demands first and I felt no ...

It's Wednesday and time to go back to my part time jobby. I've spent all four of my days off working on freelance project for hotel, goldleafing and then I was called in to do an emergency varnishing project. Needless to say I'm a little pooped but it is what it is. I'm hoping this weekend is all ME TIME and my painting sessions for me, me,me. 😂 My body said no 10k steps today...I feel a lot of inflammation in my lower back and thighs/legs. That usually means it's time to CHILL on the walking sessions. Morning breakfasts have diligently been chocolate whey protein shakes with blueberry, kale and water with a splash of coconut milk and cinnamon and vanilla. And actually I love them and they keep me going till lunch. This was yesterdays walk... In the dark! It's hot and humid in Texas right now so you beat the sun by waking up before him to get your mileage. I'm actually missing my walk today but will be back on it tomorrow. Actual photo of m...

I have the Calm app on my phone and admittedly haven't even used it yet... However it sends me these emails daily and I rather like them. This one was yesterday's and it helped me set the tone yesterday as I sat down to work on a particularly complicated project on the computer. Then three hours later when the program crashed and took all my work with it and I was cursing the skies aka my ceiling...I remembered the little reminder and felt guilty I was unleashing my anger. But I was also finding joy in the process of cursing and shaking my fists... So there's that. Yesterday was nonstop computer work after I completed my Metabolic workout (yay me!). I have discovered that my studio chair is not a good option for desk work because my back was KILLING me despite walking and stretch breaks the whole time. It literally felt like I was in a car accident and I ended up finally having to stop and go soak in an Epsom bath. Remember how good and strong and peaceful I've been...

Just a little check in about my Metabolic Renewal progress! Today is weigh in day and measurement day. The program would rather you measure your progress with a measuring tape and what is called NON SCALE VICTORIES (or NSV)  that's what Im seeing because the scale isn't really moving yet but the measuring tape is. Lost 2"from my waist and will be measuring everything else later but 2"in 2 weeks-I'll take it 🙃 Other NSV... Better sleep, better energy, better mood, no cravings for food after dinner (from 6pm till 8am just not hungry), feeling strength returning to my body and muscles getting stronger, increased endurance, better mileage and I'm losing my desire for that second cup of coffee in the morning. Like just don't really want it... That's major because I was a caffiend. Before Covid I was drinking about 4 solid mugs of the brew. Now I'm cool with one.  Yesterday I intended to hit 4 miles on my "fast walk" and ended up sm...

It's the weekend and I don't know how to sleep "in" so I got up at 4am to have coffee and plan my morning walk/sprints. I'm shooting for my second 4 miler of the week! I have a ton of work to do over the next 4 days I'm off from my jobby. Finish gold leaf project and 3 designs for a hotel project..... Then I would really like to start my newest canvas. It's been way too hot to disc golf here in Texas so good excuse to knock out work. I've been playing with phone apps and trying to catch up with technology so I can start making fun art videos. I've been really good on my new eating plan but got attacked by a 7 layer dip yesterday after work. Don't you hate (love) when that happens? 😂 Now I feel like I need to do some extra pushups and burn sessions to pay penance.  I've been asked to participate in a pandemic project and answer some questions about my experience. More on that when it comes to fruition. Also got my contract in for ...