Beach Scenes...

Well, I had this grand idea to try my hand at doing a watercolor or collage of a beach for IMT's challenge from last Thursday. Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men... So I give you photos instead. At some point here I will pick up a paint brush again.

For me the beach embodies loveliness but it is fraught with dangers like donning a bathing suit. I'm also a little leery of encountering sea creatures but I manage to enjoy the water any way. Fight your fears and all that. I think my next visit to a beach will be nicer even though I still don't want to be seen in a swimsuit. I'm finding that I don't get as hot as I used to and I enjoy walking more and more. Now all I need to do is get protective gear for my camera so I don't have to worry about all that sand getting into it. I did love taking pictures of the sand and waves.

It stinks when you just have the short weekend to cram life into but it's best to enjoy what you can. This past weekend was a little more organizing, dinner with Mom and my friend Renee, along with a wee bit of shopping, and then on to working on a project plan for deploying software at the office. Oh, and Rebecca stopped by to pick up more clothes that no longer fit me (whoopee!). It was a nice weekend all in all but of course many things were left undone but what's life without some challenges. Maybe I will manage to do the next IMT challenge sooner than the night before the next challenge. ;-)

A study in leaves...

Well, playing with my macro lens again. I didn't pull out the tripod so this is all hand held. Next time I'm going to try some of the same subjects with the tripod to see what kind of difference that makes. I think maybe they will come out crisper. I just love the intricacy and delicateness of leaves.

This weekend was pleasant although I didn't get as much done as I'd like (as usual). Yesterday was a fun filled day scrapping with the girls. I call it scrapping because it's at a scrapbook store. The girls scrapbook and I ususally do something that uses paper. I didn't work on cards this time because I am actually starting on Christmas presents for the family. Can't say what because once in a very blue moon family members will read my blog so have to keep it under wraps until I give them away.

Today I wanted to do something for the IMT dot's theme and had something in mind. Went into my craft area to clear off a space to paint and it morphed into a reorganization session which involved going to the store and getting some bins. Found some cute striped ones at Bed Bath and Beyond and bought six. Filled them up and need at least three more. I didn't take any pictures since cupboards are a little boring but it's coming along. Maybe I will manage to paint tomorrow night.

Well, it is well past my bedtime so I'm off. Hope everyone has a lovely week!

For Bee Lovers...

Catching up on reading blogs and one of my new favorites is Beelieve who is an avid bee lover. So Karen, this little guy is for your enjoyment. He visited my garden last year and I managed to snap a picture before he flew off.

One year anniversary...

Well, one year ago today I had gastric bypass surgery and I am still so very glad I did it. One year ago I walked down a new path. Unless you've struggled with being overweight you will never understand the world of pain that goes along with it. Some of it is self inflicted and some of it comes from the world around us and the expectations that bombard us. There is a constant self consciousness that you can't seem to put a stop to. That is all in addition to the physical struggles with carrying around that weight. I'm already amazed at how much better I feel and how much more energy I have. Inside I feel like the same person but I also no longer feel like that fat person looking in from the outside at the skinny world. I don't have that tape playing in my head of "She'd be pretty if she wasn't so fat." I can walk up a hill and feel like a normal person who can still breath. I can shop in the regular sizes now. There is a new spring in my step. I no longer have high blood pressure or diabetes.

I am so blessed with family and friends who all love and support me and are happy for me and encourage me continually.

Last night I started listening to a Franklin Covey cd and pulled out an old notebook where I recorded some of my health goals and weight loss from previous attempts. At the time when I wrote them they seemed so far away but now I am partway there. Here is the list unedited:

1. To be able to bend over and tie my shoes easily.
2. To be able to move freely without the restrictions I have now because of my weight.
3. To be more physically active in my activity types.
4. To be able to hike up a mountain with the ease of a fit person.
5. To be able to ride a bike up and down hills.
6. To take my bike on trips and to ride it rather than drive every where.
7. To be healthy and fit.
8. To play tennis.
9. To do more creative things like pottery, painting and stained glass.
10. To stop spending more money than I make.
11. To pay off all my debt.
12. To pay cash for everything except for an occasional large purchase but to also pay that off quickly.
13. To spend more time seeking out God.
14. To learn how to hear God.
15. To learn how to obey God.
    

That last one is a doozy. I have accomplished some of those goals and am working on others and some I still need to address. It's funny that I started thinking about these last night because today I read my friend Rebecca's blog and she is examining some of her before 30 life goals and issued a challenge. So, Rebecca, consider the above list my contribution although I know there is more floating around in my head.

Another coincidence is that the theme for this week's Inspire Me Thursday is Healing. I wanted to contribute some sort of art that embodied that to me but my photography and spilling my guts will have to do. In my life God is healing and nature is what speaks to me the most about healing. The photograph above reminds me of God's healing in my life that enables me to open myself up more. I feel like a flower opening to His possibilities.

A nice holiday weekend...

It was a lovely long holiday weekend filled with barbeque, family, friends and fun. I'm afraid I wasn't terribly motivated even though I had a very long list of things I wanted to play with. I must have just needed some down time. Above is a birthday card I made for my friend Misti's birthday. Happy Birthday Misti! I had a lovely time Saturday at her house celebrating her birthday with all her friends and their lovely children. Rebecca and Lisa made her the most awesome Rice Crispy treat flowers in a pot. So very cute! It's not an accident that Misti's card matches her. She is fond of green and she has rosy cheeks. It was an accident that it matched her shirt though. I didn't plan that but it sure worked out. And it isn't an accident that I picked the picture with the bind-it-all that her special scrapbooking friends gave her. ;-)