Wonderful Weekend

This week should be way less stressful. My boss will be back, so much of the weight of work should be moved back to his shoulders. I may even be able to take a day off this week, or at least a partial day!

The weekend was wonderful! Filled with water balloon fights, The Portland Saturday Market, visiting with good friends, playing with fused glass, and wonderful food. Life is good.

In the coming weeks, hopefully more of the same. Next weekend, I believe we are going to the hot springs. Ahhhh... the glory of the woods, hiking, and natural hot springs. I hope to continue to rejuvenate.

Crossroads

I feel like I'm at a crossroads in so many areas of my life. Job, relationships, business, creating... I'm approaching some forks in the road and need to decide which path to take.

I've written before about my wandering spirit... I'm feeling it again. I will see where it takes me...

Long Week

So I already find myself yearning for the weekend. Work this week is kicking my butt. Bosses on vacation... amazingly busy. My brain hurts. But it will be over soon. Today is the halfway mark.

This weekend will be one of play, pampering, sleeping in... ahhhh the glory of it!

I hope you are all having a wonderful week, and that you meet all of it's challenges head on.

Creating Plans to Learn and Grow

So. I'm thinking this morning about so many things that I'd like to learn. I'd like to learn more about Photoshop. I'd like to know how to budget time and money more effectively. I'd like to learn smarter marketing.

I would also like to learn to teach. I'd like to teach an e-course on bookbinding. I'd love to do an "Artist's Way" group. I'd love to have an e-course on creative journaling utilizing my friendship journals.

So many dreams I have. I need to make a list. I do well with lists. Putting things down, checking them off. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I think I will begin by editing some photos today, and by going through an online marketing course I have online (this will take a few days).

I have to begin somewhere, eh? The photo above was taken during my long road trip. I saw a sign that said 'Viewpoint 1/4 mile' and took the opportunity! I'm glad I did, it was quite a view!

Physically Exhausted, Mentally Refreshed

Camping was wonderful. The children had such a good time. On Saturday, we went into Astoria, Oregon and acted like tourists. We found the house that the kids lived in, in the movie "Goonies", and we climbed the Astoria Column. The view from the top of the column was amazing. I took many photos, from wooded areas, oceans, mountain views, ships, fireworks... tons of photos. I will be sharing some with you soon!

The Goonie house was a bit anti-climactic. The house is currently occupied, and they welcome you to look at it, but ask that you not disturb the residents.

I did a bit of thinking while on this trip. This will be a year of change, in so many ways. I will share the changes as I become comfortable with all that's going on.

The photo above, I took specifically for my dad. We shot off our fireworks in Long Beach, Washington. That was the sunset over the ocean.

I hope for a wonderful week for you all!

Camping

Tomorrow I go camping. I'll be armed with my journal and my camera. Plus, if we go to the same spot as last year, I know some nice rocks to sit and meditate on. I absolutely cannot wait to get away.

It's a Thursday at work before a holiday, so in reality, anything could happen. We could have no business, or we could be hopping all day. We shall see.

My boss and his wife (the only other 2 in the office with me) are going on vacation next week. So, me and a fill-in. Yay.

The spot where we are going is a lush, green, mossy wilderness. With a stream. I hope to get a ton of photos, so be watching out for new ones in my shop next week! Also, still working on some new items for etsy. Those are about a month off though.

I am having a really difficult time getting motivated this morning. It's like I'm awake but my brain is not... *sigh*

Sometimes in life, things just pay off. All those hours of non-stop marketing. I have gotten several sales in the last couple of days, two to people that I've never directly talked to before. What a good feeling that is!

I'll be trying to find a balance this summer. Trying to market some, but still fully enjoy summertime! I'm also teaching my middle son how to sew journals. I am pretty excited about that! Perhaps after this summer, he will never sew a journal again.... or maybe it'll start him on a journey that I never imagined. One never knows.

This weekend, if all goes well, we will be camping near the Nehalem river. No cell service or internet for the whole weekend. We camped there last summer, and it was amazing! I'll be sure to have my camera handy, there is no end to the amazing sights in that area!

I have the application to the art gallery. It's daunting. I've done no more than stare at it since I picked it up. I just need to decide if now is the right time to take a leap.