Baby Steps

Okay, So maybe I haven't been writing every day. But I don't want you to think that I haven't been working on the altered life project every day, because I most definately have. I think I am most proud of myself for letting go of the perfectionism thing that has frustrated me in the past and made me just want to give up. I've finally learned (after 40 years ) that baby steps will get me where I want to go faster then frantically trying to do as much as I can in as little time as I can and exhausting myself. So then I need to "take a break" and then I lose the momentum and then I can't get back on track and then I quit. So, what progress to date? I have developed some new good habits. I run the dishwasher every night and empty the trash. I empty the dishwasher every morning and make my bed. I do my "hoedown" excercise before I get in the shower. I wipe down the bathroom everymorning after getting dressed and doing hair and make-up. I pick up the living room everynight before going to bed. I know these are things that most everybody else does without having to think about it and I don't want a reward for doing what I'm supposed to do, but for me, these are the baby steps that will get me closer to the life that I want. I have made huge progress in the craft room. I still have a long way to go. But I'm not neglecting the rest of the house and I still find time to work on it frequently.

I did make a little art piece that I can't quite figure out how to capture on film. It's covered in wax and buffed so the reflections make it almost impossible to photograph. While cleaning my house, I discovered some older pieces that I've made and thought I like to share. The mermaid doll is an old Barbie. She was jointed so I could pose her. I duct taped the joints and wrapped her leggs together, then covered her with creative paper clay. She was fun. The Tree book was my very 1st venture into any kind of book art. Chelsea was in the 4th grade and came home with a beautiful poem she had written about trees. I wanted to showcase it and so I just made the book. For some reason I don't recall, I never put the date or her or my name anywhere on it. I will address that today.

I'm off to vacuum my floors, then get ready for work.

Day 2

Change makes me grumpy. I excersised, visited flylady.com, shined my sink and I'm posting. I did bring my camera to work, but much to my amazement I discovered that I am too embarassed to walk around the marketplace with my camera. What the hell is that about? I will not beat myself up about it, but I will keep bringing my camera to work and I will get over it and take some pictures on my lunch break. Tomorrow is creative wednesday. I will excersise again, visit flylady, declutter for 15 minutes (at least), work on my resume and for something creative, maybe I will decorate a binder for my "home journal". Two birds, one stone. Will post again tomorrow. With pictures!

Altered LIfe Project

What is the "altered life project"? I suppose it needs to be defined for my sake as much as for anyone elses. I like altering things. All kinds of things. Books, shoes, walls, tables, chairs, my hair, my relationships, my attitude, my life. Define "alter".

Alter (v.) 1. to change or make different; modify 2. to adjust for a better fit 3. to change or become different 4. to cause a transformation 5. to make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's former characteristics or essence.

It takes 21 days to form a new habit. Which habits would I like to have? Easy answers first. Same ones everyone else would say first I imagine. I'd like to be healthier, so excercise. I'd like to be more organized. I'd like my house to be clean. I'd like to make art everyday. Or at least do something creative everyday. I'd like to take more risks...no risk, no reward. I'd like to deepen my relationships with my family. I'd like to live a big and full life instead of getting through the day. Don't get me wrong. My life has loads of potential, the only thing really missing from my fabulous life is me. I forget to enjoy, live my life and become focused on the mundane, trivial crap. So...where to begin? First how to silence that nasty voice in my head thats asking me how I'm going to find time in a day to excercise, clean, make art, have deep and meaningful relations with my family, work, and find joy in all the "mundane" things that are part of life?

Just start. With what? What to do first? I feel like I should start one thing at a time, but I want to start in all parts of my life. I can go back to doing the "hoedown" excercise in the morning. Only takes 10 minutes. I can commit to writing here every day. That counts as a good habit. I could revisit "flylady" for some support in getting and keeping my house clean. And I can start carrying my camera around with me so I can feel like I'm getting some art in.

Okay, don't forget to breathe. Tomorrow is officially day 1 of The Altered Life Project. Excercise in the morning. Bring camera to work with me and take pictures on my lunch break. Visit Flylady.com after work and shine my kitchen sink and post here before I go to bed.

Jack-o-lanterns!!!

Okay! Breathe now. Breathing is good. Sister and the boys have come and gone. The visit was too short, but it was good to see them and it is good to have my stress level returned to somewhere below boiling point. Finished a couple more pumpkins before they arrived, but couldn't post pictures because in the flurry of housecleaning, I misplaced the charger for my camera. I tried to call canons 800 # to get another one, but they have it on back order and for some reason weren't able to order it for me at all. The customer service rep tried to help me as best he could and gave me the numbers of a couple of dealers. I had a feeling that as soon as I gave up trying to find it and tried to order a new one, I would find it. I should have done it weeks ago. Found it immediately after hanging up with canon.

So, back to the pumkins...I'm really happy with the way the concrete pumkins turned out. I don't know what got into me with the "punk"in but it cracks me up every time I look at it. The owl was supposed to go on a stand, but it didn't look right, so I have a new plan for the stand. You'll just have to wait and find out if it works or not. Have to get ready for work now.