Settling In

Last night we had our first guests over for dinner. I made my Dad's sloppy joes and it was a very relaxing evening. My friend that was over kept commenting on how perfect our new apartment is for us, and how tranquil it is. She had only known me as the wife of the crazymaker. So to now see my environment so peaceful... so relaxed... that surprised her.

I have several deadlines coming up soon. I am hanging my work in April in a local coffee shop, in a pizza parlor in May. Next week is spring break and I had hoped to get some journals listed. But this week will be spent doing the final unpacking. You know, the unpacking of that ONE room where you've shoved everything? Ugh. But then that will be done. And life will move forward.

By Friday I will have all the prints ordered for my hangings. And I will be mentally ready to spend spring break with my boys... I want all of that off my mind before then so I can fully focus.

I hope you have enough... enough peace and quiet... enough stimulation... enough to look forward to... enough to be thankful for.

Just Stuff

I bought a special journal for my dad journal. It has a soft blue leather cover. I haven't bought a journal in so long, it was fun to go through the selection... I picked up so many and felt them. I have been toying with the idea of leather wrapped journals. That dream is getting closer and I think I will be learning how to do that soon.

I also ordered some supplies yesterday for new products for my shop, and will replenish the journal supply shortly after the move. However, in the meantime, check out the new photos I've added... many have a soft, feminine touch.

That reminds me. I'm still debating on whether or not to put my shop on vacation mode while I move. I've heard pros and cons. Any thoughts?

The past two nights, I've been unable to sleep well. Lots of weird dreams, tossing and turning. Waking several times throughout the night. So tonight, with no early alarm tomorrow, I'm taking melatonin and getting back on track with my sleep.

Sunday's the day we get our keys!!!

Forward

At the beginning of the year, many of my blogger friends chose a word to represent 2010 for them. Words such as Freedom, Trust, Faith.... and I just simply couldn't come up with one word for 2010. I felt that it would be limiting. But today, as I think about different aspects on my life, and my attitude about it, I realize that my word for 2010 is "forward".

I am no longer lamenting on the slow processes of life. As long as I am able to see/feel some sort of forward movement, I am ok. I'm sure you've seen me say before that I am not a patient person. It still applies, but I'm getting better. If I see a little forward progress, it helps me greatly. And if I see no forward progress, I make it happen.

This forward outlook is changing many of my relationships. If I see someone purposefully dragging their feet on a project (because of whatever reason, valid or not), if they are holding up progress, that gets addressed now. I used to hold all the anger and resentment in, yet them continue to hold up progress in my life. No longer. Now I *need* that forward progress, no matter how slow.

If you were to choose your word for 2010 what would it be? Tell me why.

Your Journey

I love to take photos of pathways, of stairs... to me it symbolizes the journey we are on. Always moving forward, always climbing. Each time we place one foot in front of the other is a glorious moment.

I have a photo in my shop with this quote: "Take the First step, no more, no less, and the next will be revealed" -- Ken Roberts. And I chose that quote because it mirrors everything I believe in.

I know someone who's always 'scared'. Always just on the verge of a panic attack-- any time there's a thought that he may have to move out of his comfort zone. There are times, plenty of times, that I am scared when doing something new. However, I don't listen to that voice, instead, I just begin. And more often than not, I'm thrilled at the result. Or at the very least, my curiosities have been answered and I've veered off onto another path. A path that I would not have found had I not taken that first step.

For Mother's Day one year, my oldest son memorized and recited my favorite poem to me. Let me share it with you here:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference...

Robert Frost

What an amazing Mother's Day present it was! Those words touch me. I hope they lend to your day as well.