Friday Gratitude

Using the letter K for my gratitude list tonight...

karma - I believe in karma and am thankful for karma because it at times is the only thing that keeps me on the higher path when I am faced with a hard situation that has made me sometimes so emotional that rational thought seems to lag behind.
kindness - I am thankful for all those who have shown me kindness. I am thankful for the opportunity to be kind also. I like being able to help people out and show them kindness that has been shown to me.
Kevin Smith - I am grateful to Kevin Smith for making me laugh and just being so wonderfully real.

Kurt Halsey

- His art always makes me smile so I am grateful that he shares his works that make me feel all warm. (use quite a few of his works as icons/images here - such as the one on this entry)
kisses - I am very grateful for kisses...Michael gives me weak in the knees type kisses that make me melt into a puddle. I very grateful for his kisses. I also am thankful for just the act of kissing....it is a beautiful passionate act showing so much affection in it. It is something that can be done full of emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other.
kitchen - I think of the kitchen in my Grandma's farmhouse...it was the center of the house...the biggest room as it had the eating area attached to it...and everyone hung out there. It was warm and smelled so good. The kitchen was the heart of her home. And the love that came from there was apparent in all the people hanging out there. And that is something I feel my Grandma passed to my Mom as her kitchen has been the same way. As I grew up it always seemed to be the place to gather as she made it such a warm inviting personal space. I hope that the kitchen in our home is just as warm and loving as my Grandma and Mom's kitchens.

(little icon - is art by Kurt Halsey)

Pushing Art Aside....

I want to create but it never seems that I have the energy for it when I have the time for it. It is very frustrating. I was thinking about all the art I have seen in some friends studio as a stock pile ready for showings and such. And I just am not sure I have that time to get that together. I have a ton of stuff started. I just don't get the time to finish them or when I do have the time - my desire is to work on something new.

So I think about getting a stock pile up and making the time for it. And so I think oh in a month things will be better. I will make the time then. And a month comes and goes....2 months come and go...and nothing. And then I think about it again and it is in the midst of several work projects and or life just happens and my art aside is the first thing I put aside. Something that is so good for me, that I have such passion for and it is the thing I push aside. Really not very healthy of me.

But then of course I really examine my time....and see many times I could have done art and don't. And sometimes it is just energy. I just don't have the energy for it. But there are other times that I do and I don't create. Why? Because of fear still. I let that fear of creating stop me. And all the things that come with that.

A vicious circle.

Friday Gratitude

1. Daily OM - they really do remind me important lessons in my life
2. Notes from the Universe - they are quirky, fun and thoughtful
3. Ideal Bite - an email that I get daily giving little tips about living a more green lifestyle
4. Emails from friends that make me smile, cry, laugh and just be thankful to have so many wonderful friends in my life
5. Blogs - thankful for all the wonderful blogs I read out there that inspire, make me think and laugh.

(cropped image of an atc - Buddha Cat)

Day Trip

So tired. We left at noon for a little trip. It was only going to be the afternoon but at the last part of it we added on another little jog and it meant that we got home at 9:45pm. We had a really nice day though!

We saw snow and iced over lakes up at 10,839 feet. We had pretty spring weather in the lower altitudes. We had gravel back roads. We had lunch on top of Powderhorn overlooking the grand valley. And then we stopped at Gateway Caynon Resort for dinner at The Paradox Grill on the way home.

It was very nice day!

The photos are taken by Michael.

Friday Gratitude

So this week I am grateful for...and it has been a bad week so I do need to take a moment to look at the positives.

1) Migraine finally on the end cycle - almost not noticeable at the moment (crossing my fingers)
2) Grilled hotdogs so that they get all burnt and crisp are yummy! (Thank you Jessica for giving me that craving --- finally had 2 tonight instead of tuna fish sandwich!)
3) Kitty Cats actually slept in bed with me most of the night last night even though Michael wasn't home (usually they don't - they are his cats and you can tell when you see him with them)
4) Once Again with Feeling - the Buffy musical makes me sing with it because it is so good! Which is a good thing if you are me but maybe not a good thing for anyone listening....only the cats today.
5) No more snow!
6) No laundry to wash! (still need to fold a couple of loads)
7) Dishes done!
8) Emails from friends today (I hope I will get back to them all tonight.)
9) Warm fun cloud socks (Thank you Angie)!
10)My Micky mouse blanket. I have had it since college and I still sleep with it every night. It keeps me warm and comforts me when I am not feeling well...and missing Michael.
11) And since I listed my blanket I should list my Teddy Bear Fitz. He is SO loved that he look a little scraggly. Yes I am 39 years old and sleep with a Teddy Bear!
12) Feeling creative and hopefully now that migraine is lifting I can do some art...finish a few pieces I started last week.
13) Michael is working hard but sounds like everything is going very good...that is a very good thing! I miss him lots though...so will be glad when he is home!

(cropped image of an atc - Bottled Hope)

Snow?

I think someone forgot to tell Mother Nature it is April. We don't even get that much snow in the winter and right now it is snowing...huge huge snow flakes. Michael is leaving today to get to Denver for work. So I am little nervous about him driving over the mountains. I am staying behind. It is just so weird to look outside though and see snow and then remember it is April....April....not December...April.

Friday Gratitude

Doing a GRATITUDE with the letter J as my inspiration....

Jessica - is a very very good friend....who I love and adore! She has this sense of spirit radiates kindness, love and just a realness that is hard to find in this world. I have cried, vented, laughed, and been thoughtful with her...and appreciate her friendship more then I can put into words. I am very grateful to have Jessica in my life.
Jumbo Shrimp - I love seafood but especially shrimp and especially big jumbo shrimp: broiled, sauteed, fried, in a sauce, alone, or however I really like shrimp.
Just a girl - just a girl in the world....I am just a girl in the world doing what I do...trying to make the best of it.
Jelly Beans - It is almost time for Jelly Beans to hit the store. Yummy!
Jif Peanut Butter - creamy, smooth peanuty goodness! yum!
John William Waterhouse - Always enjoyed his works...can get lost in them. They have amazing colors and spirit coming from them
Joss Whedon - brilliant man - very grateful for the many wonderful hours of entertainment he has brought to me through Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Angel.
Journal - be it paper or online my journal has helped me grow as a person and so I am very grateful for the years of journaling.

(image: atc - life in a jar)