An Anniversary...

I didn't even realize that today is my five year anniversary of a major change in my life. I was reading about a challenge for Buried Treasure on Seth Apter's site and started perusing some of my old posts looking for what I would consider my favorite. I found the post below from July 11, 2008 and it dawned on me that today is July 11.

My 2008 post seems very appropriate as a reminder of some of the things I've accomplished from that list but a gentle nudge towards the ones I've neglected. It is also my favorite because I exposed a part of myself and I need to do more of that. I don't consider myself a terribly private person but I don't think I spend enough time on self examination these days and that is a vital part of inner growth. I wanted to find piece of artwork I did or a photograph I took that had special meaning and I did find a bit of that but being real is more important.

It is interesting to see my progression from scrapbooker to exploring mixed media but it is like reading an old diary when you find a tidbit that you really need to revisit and re-embrace.

Here is the post.
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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.

Another one finished...

I've had a lovely weekend.  My niece Natalie came late yesterday to hang and spend the night.  Our intentions were to start playing with paints and such then but it was fun to just visit and make a run to Home Goods with Mom.  Today we did spend some time playing and talking about ways to add texture.  My niece has just started painting and is having fun with exploring using paper towels for texture and even tried out alcohol inks for painting.  She's made some lovely pieces.

The piece below is 8x8 and I started it by challenging myself to use scraps I collected from the girls on one of our crafty days.  I layered in some pattern tissue and some other tidbits including rub-ons.  I found one that I though just fit in perfectly with the cheerful colors and flowers of 'laugh with me' and I'm calling this one done.  I think it will make it to my Etsy shop.  Once I have a group ready I think I'll put them on their all at once.

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend too.  Hugs!

 

Calling them done...

A couple of weekends ago the girls came over for a crafty day.  I was determined to work on my pile of unfinished projects so at least some of them could be called done.

This is a collage I've been working on.  I created the background and it took a bit to figure out what I wanted to add to it for a focal point and decided flowers fit with it.  Next, to figure out how I want to frame it.

 I finally added the last piece to these two with the numbers.  I toyed with adding some more dimension but I like them just the way they are.  I just love working with old papers.

 

 

This final one I started early last year and finally came back to it.  I think it is done unless I decide it needs some words but I need to find a frame for this one too.  I think it may make it to my Etsy shop which is sadly empty at the moment.

Today would have been a good to work on some more unfinished projects but it ended up being a day of rest.  I would really like to get back to doing more on the weekend and feeling more of a sense of accomplishment.  sigh.