For Today, August 3rd

Wow, is it really August? Already? I just can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was taking down the Christmas decorations and making sure I had plenty of blankets out to buffer against the cold wind blowing in through the cracks in this old house. Summer seems to have flown right past me this year! Sure, it's still plenty warm enough outside here in Pennsylvania, but the way this year is flying by, it'll be cold again before I know it. I mean really...there are only four months until December! That sort of puts things into perspective...

So much has happened in the past few week, and I have definitely been super slack about getting around to my personal passions. I know life sometimes gets demanding, but I feel so out of touch lately with myself. I really can't wait for the tides of life to leave something new in the sand at my feet. I can feel things coming! My hubby graduated last month! It seemed so far away last year, when we picked up everything and moved to Pennsylvania for him to return to school. Now, I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. He's starting his internship in the coming days, and after that, we have the whole world ahead of us. There's no telling where we could end up since he will be looking for a position in his new field. It has been difficult not to hope that we can return to my beloved South Carolina. Pennsylvania is beautiful, but it certainly hasn't been home. One thing I learned from my first-ever huge move was that I am Southern to the core...and always will be. I know our future location will be up in the air, but I can't help but hope I land somewhere near home. Hopefully near the ocean.

It feels good to get back to writing for myself again. I have missed this outlet, and I am resolving right now to make more time for it, which means making more time for myself. The best way I could think of to start is by sharing a Daybook entry! I love The Simple Woman's Daybook. Doing an entry really helps you slow down, take a moment, and really be present in the here and now...

(To participate in the Daybook, just click here!)

Outside my window... the sun is coming and going. Mostly going. We certainly need some rain around here though, so bring on the showers!

I am thinking...about the future. Yeah I know, I should try not to do that so much since I tend to worry and freak out, but I can’t help it. Honestly, I am trying a new approach to it. I’m consciously making a choice to release strict plans and try to be more open to whatever the universe has coming to me.

I am thankful...for my supportive, loving husband. I don’t know how I got so lucky. He truly supports me and encourages me no matter what. If you look up perfect husband in the dictionary, you’ll find his picture. I am thankful for him every second of every day!

From the learning rooms…life is a learning room around here these days! My hubby graduated in July and I am so proud, I can’t find the words to express it. We are both learning daily that life only gets better when you are lucky enough to spend it with your best friend. I can’t imagine facing the future without him.


In the kitchen...blueberries, blueberries, and more blueberries! We can’t get enough of the amazingly huge blueberries from our local Conn’s Blueberry Farm. We’ve been three times this season to pick. It’s a good thing you aren’t literally what you eat, because we’d both have turned into giant blueberries by now! We’re going again Thursday and can’t wait!

I am wearing...yoga pants and a t-shirt. Hopefully, they will inspire me to work out more than being in jeans, hehe!

I am creating...a whole lotta nothing right now. Life got the best of me, but I plan to get back on my creative streak as soon as possible. Starting with writing, right?

I am going...to resolve to make more time for the things I love. Work, even if it is part time, feels like it has taken over around here! I have to make myself realize that my art isn’t just a hobby, it’s my passion. And, as my passion, it is just as important (if not more so) than things that might hold me back.

I am wondering...if I have the nerve to step out and risk it.

I am reading...Duma Key by Stephen King. You should be too.

I am hoping...that everything works out for the best.

I am looking forward to...what is ahead. I have a feeling September and October are going to be big around here!

I am hearing...three sleeping cats. I just love that one sort of snores and the other two purr on their exhales. A napping cat is the picture of perfect relaxation.

Around the house...chore have piled up again. Is it weird I miss doing them? I am so ready to dig in now that I have an afternoon or two free to actually spend time on our nest.

I am pondering...this quote from one of my go-to inspirational books, Fit from Within: “Forever and next weekend can take care of themselves. You take care of today.”

One of my favorite things...hearing my little Charlie Bug’s sing-song meow as she plays with her all time favorite toy - her pink milk jug ring. Yeah…she has loads of toys and her favorite is a free piece of plastic. She always gets a look of sheer bliss when she walks around the house with it in her mouth. Silly kitty…

A few plans for the rest of the week… Well, I am trying not to make too many. The general plan will be to get work done early so I can do at least one or two chores, then at least one thing for myself each day.

Picture for thought… I have had SO much going on! Here’s a storyboard of just a few things that happened in the past month!

I used an awesome Template by Allison Kimball for this layout!

Thanks for stopping by, and if you made it this far, thanks for sticking with me! I really appreciate your visit!

For Today...May 27th

It has been far too long since I blogged. I can't believe it, and I am going to strive to make it not be this long ever again! I have got to start taking time for me! So, the perfect way to focus and be present in the moment is the Simple Woman's Daybook. Make sure you visit the blog to participate yourself!

Outside my window...the rain has stopped, but I think it may return.

I am thinking... that being positive is the hardest thing on Earth to do most of the time. Why is that?

I am thankful for...my home and family. A lot of people have lost it all in the last few weeks and I know how blessed I am to have a roof, my family, and the things I love around me.

From the learning rooms...the end of school is drawing ever closer for my hubby. I'll be glad when he finishes because he works so hard at school and work. It's like having two full time jobs. He's burned out most of the time and I don't know how to help. I'll be very happy for the change and the new things (hopefully) coming after graduation.

From the kitchen...more coffee. Yes, that addition is hard to break! It's like a warm hug from a friend -something I could really use right now.

I am wearing...jeans and a sweatshirt. No matter how it tries, the weather can't quite shack off the cool temperatures around here! Get with the program PA weather...it is almost June!

I am creating...well, that's a loaded question! I have been painting and drawing, but I have also been working on the behind-the-scenes efforts of opening an Etsy shop. Why must fun things be made so difficult by taxes and licenses. So discouraging!

I am going... to take it minute by minute and one day at a time. It's all I can do.

I am reading... Duma Key by Stephen King. Wonderful so far, but it is making me more and more aware of how much I miss the ocean.

I am hoping... things won't stay this hard for much longer.

I am hearing...my new kittens making thunder upstairs. So full of energy!

Around the house...same old stuff, different day. So many chores but I put my personal stuff behind other business. Sigh...

One of my favorite things... how soft and warm Charlie and Bean (my new little girl and little boy) are when they beg to be cuddled. They've only been here a month and already I'm wrapped around their little paws.♥

A few plans for the rest of the week... see "I am going..."! I'm going to breathe and take things one day at a time.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... my sweet babies, Charlie and Bean. the story behind Charlie's name is this: we were told she was a boy, but upon further investigation when we made it home...she was definitely a girl. Charlie really has a rambunctious, tom-boy like personality, so the name still fits her very well! Bean is the sweetest momma's boy ever, with a curious streak a mile wide! They make me laugh when nothing else can. ♥

Charlie and Bean, our brand new babies...11 weeks old now!

For Today...April 7th

To participate in the daybook, click here!

Outside my window...the day has faded to night and the traffic light is blinking at me from the corner.

I am wearing... torn up jeans and a tee, did more painting today!

I am thinking... how wonderful it is to have family and friends that support your dream. You know who you are, and I love you!

I am thankful for... well, see above!!

From the kitchen... hmm. Wasn't thinking about it until I read that! Now I'm hungry.

I am creating... every day. I don't have to finish the project or painting, it's the process. Creating makes me feel alive and happy. It's my drug and I love it!

I am reading... Duma Key by Stephen King. It's really making me miss the beach.

From the learning rooms...my hubby had a speech today in class! I wish I could have seen him, but I know that would make him nervous. I am SO proud of him, especially for his speech class. I can not tell you enough how much I fear/loath/avoid-at-all-costs speaking in public...or large groups of people. Ok, pretty much any social situation.

I am hoping...I can keep this train on the tracks!

I am hearing... the TV, both my and my hubby's typing. Yeah, we're that couple.

I am going...to take this one day at a time. I deserve this!

Around the house...laundry,dishes,general tidying...and creating, though I wouldn't call that a chore! 

I am remembering...to tell myself that I AM worth it, I AM valuable, and I DO deserve good things. I shouldn't be so hard to believe that stuff, right?

Quote to commit to memory... "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." ~Gandhi   ....and I am SO working on that!

A few plans for the week... getting some necessary things out of the way so I can get more paint on my hands and in my hair!

One of my favorite things...spending a lazy afternoon with my hubby ♥

Photo for Thought... Today was beautiful, and warm enough to go check out the lake, post-winter. Since the weather is warming up, but the water hasn't, there was an odd ring of fog surrounding town all day. It was clear and beautiful right in town, but by the lake, a defined wall of fog. We walked along the water, so I decided to take a shot or two. 

     Also, I finished a mixed media piece today that I was pretty excited about., so I'll share that too! Thanks for stopping by my blog, have a great night!

You can usually see for miles and miles, but today, you couldn't see the water until you were right up on the edge!

There's still some 'burgs in the lake, and the birds were taking advantage!

Find Magic, original mixed media (by me!) on 5x7 art board.