Theme Thursday - Black & Pink

I discovered a "Theme Thursday" blog that issues challenges. This week's challenge was to create something using pink and black as the primary colors. It could be an ATC, a 4 x 4, tag or anything you wanted.

Here's my entry:



To find out more about this challenge site... please visit them: http://themethursday.wordpress.com/

A thought on a snowy Saturday Morning

I found this quote the other day and wanted to share it here which will remind me to write it down in my journal. I found this quote from Frank Outlaw that really struck a cord in me.... however, in researching the below quote... I actually discovered that it originally came from the novelist Charles Reade. First I give you Frank's version:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.


Watch your words, for they become actions.


Watch your actions, for they become habits.


Watch your habits, for they become character.


Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

And now Charles' version:

We sow a thought and reap an act;

We sow an act and reap a habit;

We sow a habit and reap a character;

We sow a character and reap a destiny.

And then I further discovered that this was a popular saying in the 19th century and no one knows for sure where it came from. But most people do believe it was written to expand a thought that was expressed at Proverbs XXIII:7 ("For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he").

Anyway....... I love the quote, I believe it's very true and I hope you have enjoyed it. Now I'm off to enjoy a snowbound Saturday and I have my day filled with things I don't normally do because I don't make the time.

A Nightmare

The other night I had a very strange dream. I worked in a very large building, and the Dayton office and the Cincinnati office were now in the same building, but across the hall from each other.

I had to use the bathroom, and there were people waiting in line to use the bathroom on the Dayton section of the building, so I went across the hall to the Cincinnati office.

I was unfamiliar with their office and I couldn't find the bathroom. I was sort of confused finding that they had stalls with circus vendors inside them... selling all those circus foods.

I went over to a group of people that were gathered around a printer and started to ask them where the restroom was. But I turned as I heard a sound, a sound that seemed to be an engine. As I turned I was surprised to see a red truck driving down the aisle of cubicles. The truck stopped in front of me and I gasped "hello!". The driver, a young man with shaved blonde hair, smiled back at me and replied "Hello" as he raised his arm. He fired a gun at me before I realized what was happening.

I remember opening my mouth to scream but no sound came out and I fell forward, stunned and dazed and bleeding. I saw my fingers but couldn't move them. And then I heard the door of the truck opening and I saw the driver's feet hit the floor and he began to walk around the truck and I tried to crawl away but I was rooted to the ground. Everyone else took off running but I couldn't.

Then I woke up.... gasping!

What was that about? And the weird thing this dream has stuck with me, still very vivid... so tonight I made a collage of it so the damn thing can now leave my mind.

Week 2 in 52 Projects and Full Moon Dreamboards: The Full Wolf Moon

Once again the moon reveals itself full and smiling down on us. As we lift our face to capture a glimpse of this wondrous orb, it reminds us that we are not alone, that we are connected.

And once again I'm participating in the creation of full moon dreamboards. I didn't find out about this project until late 2009, so I'm looking forward to an entire year of dreamboards and more importantly what they will reveal to me. If you are interested in creating a moonboard, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios

Jamie asks us, "What are you seeking under this full moon, at the beginning of this new year, as you launch into this new decade? What is your heart yearning for? What is stirring in your heart and soul? What is ready to come into your life, here under the full moon? Howl your desire. We will hear you!"

Those are pretty powerful questions and for me the answer that keeps playing over and over in my head is: Be True to who you Are. Lately I look at myself in the mirror and I don't recognize who I have become. I forgot who I was and stopped being me. So my heart and soul is howling at the top of my lungs to let myself loose from this prison I've created... where I bottled so many emotions and opinions up. I stopped doing things I really enjoyed. I worried how others viewed me and slowly, over time, became someone else.

Below is my dreamboard for this Full Wolf Moon. And please stop over to Jamie's site to view all the other dreamboards. I would love to see yours.



I'm also tying this to week 2 of 52 projects. Last year I discovered the Full Moon Dreamboard around October. I'm committing myself to create a dreamboard for each month's cycle. I'm really looking forward to the process. To find out more about 52 Projects, please visit Jane's site at: http://52paintedhouseprojects.blogspot.com/

Day 23 of the 28-Day Meditation Challenge.

The last five days I've been more focused on my meditation practice, mainly due to Winter Training that is now going on at the Buddhist training center that I attend.

This time has allowed me to begin to set goals for this year's spiritual practice. Gratitude, compassion and gaining a global perspective keeps popping up in my mind and I'm looking forward to seeing how these items will play out this year.

This time has also allowed me to get quiet and to focus my awareness. It's amazing things we can discover about ourselves when she just get quiet and listen.

I'm getting so many good vibes from this experience, I plan to make this 28-day Meditation Challenge an annual event. What a great way to start a new year.

Thanks so much for Janice Lundy for hosting this wonderful experience over at: Awake is Good . It's not too late to begin your challenge... please drop over to Jan's site and check it out.

Project 1 of 52 Projects

Jane from The Painted House launches a new challenge at her new blog: 52 Projects. In Jane's words: 52 Projects is an adventure in discovery. Every week, for 52 weeks, do something. Something you’ve never done before. Something you’ve always wanted to do. Something that scares you. Something that inspires you. Something that inspires others. Something that tickles your fancy. Something that caught your eye. Something that just popped into your head. It can be big. It can be small. It can be whatever you want it to be. Find out how doing something can lead you to discover things about yourself, your world, your God. Then, come here on Sundays and share it with others.

So project #1 for me is a 4 x 4 Swap that I'm participating in over at Danielle's The Vintage Dragonfly Studio



I love to participate in swaps... but after I sign-up I begin to worry that my craft won't be as nice as all the other participants... and I worry that the person that receives my 4 x 4 won't like it. I think those worries then makes me very indecisive and I normally wait until the very, very last minute to send my item off.

But today I decided to tackle my indecision head-on and just "do it". So while my sisters were here crafting today, I created my 4x4. And the end results are here:



I'm looking forward to the "52 Projects" Challenge. And I'm looking forward to seeing all your completed projects too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Postcard Challenge - Time

Here is my entry:

Day 16 -- 28 Day Meditation Challenge

I hope you find this video helpful . I'm hoping the technique for the cooling breath helps when a hot flash pops up.

Day 5 - Meditation Challenge

The meditation challenge is going great. I'm not beating myself up by setting up unrealistic demands on myself. I just let myself be. If that day's challenge leads me to 5 minutes... that is what I use. Another day it may be 15. I just know that whatever time appears... that's enough for that moment.

So today I'm home from work. I'll be home tomorrow too. And around 8:30 I peeked outside and realized it had started to snow. I was just like a child and ran off to the shower, going through my morning routine in record time so I could get outside.

This is the first major snowfall for 2010. Depending on what TV or radio station you listen to, they are predicting 2 to 8 inches. At the moment there is probably 3 to 4 inches... so I set off to a local park with both my camera and my FLIP to capture this first snowfall.



There were only a few cars in the parking lot, but I was the only person taking a walk along the frozen ponds. It was so quiet, only the snow on the wind could be heard. It was a great opportunity to focus on your breathing, inhaling and exhaling, sending positive thoughts out to the Universe. I came across this little guy who didn't seem to mind the bitter cold or the snow.



I took a few moments to clear my mind, breathing deeply, the snow hitting my smiling face and just enjoyed those moments. It was almost like I was a child again, so excited about the first snowfall and wanting to play in it.

There were large clumps of ornamental grass dancing and swaying to the wind. If I close my eyes I can so hear the sound of that grass as it danced before me.



Taking time in nature can be very restorative. And I'm so happy that I was able to be there today, the only person seeing the first inches of snow falling so quietly.



When my world is blanketed in white, I want to snuggle up inside with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. Other times I just want to watch the snow fall, each little snowflake so unique and magical.

I'm happy I ventured out to greet the snow's arrival. And the snow enchanted me with it's beauty.

Guided Meditation - Deep Relaxation ©

Day 3 of my Meditation Challenge. I used this guided meditation tonight when I came home from work and before dinner. I must say I enjoyed the results.

Hubby is also making our evening meal which will actually be pancakes and bacon and all those breakfast fixings (which we never get to eat as we rush off to work and school).

Have a super evening everyone!

Day 1 - 28 Day Meditation Challenge

I discovered a new blog the other day. It's called: awake is good . The weird thing is I don't know how I ended up there... what series of clicks I used to get there... but when I got there I bookmarked the page... and then this morning I happened to look through my bookmarks and found it again. And today is the first day of the challenge that Jan is conducting. Merely coincidence? I don't think so.

So.. today I began. Being a newbie to meditation... I actually used a "chanting om" that I found at youtube. It was 6 1/2 minutes long...and I thought for my first day... it would be a great start.

I've been meaning to practice meditation on a daily basis... but something always seems to come up and the only time I meditate is when I attend my Shinnyo-en Buddhist service which is only one weekend a month in the Dayton area. And since I'm new to that group, and all the chanting is in Japanese, it has taken me some time to learn the chants, and then remember what chants I'm suppose to use at what time.

So I want to do daily meditation aside from what I'm learning in my Shinnyo-en group. I need to gain focus and a sense of quiet. As my mentor constantly tells me "be still and listen".

So thanks so much Jan for hosting this challenge. I look forward to this challenge and to discover new insights about myself and to meet some meditation buddies.

London Fireworks on New Year's Day 2010 - New Year Live - BBC One

Now... I think this would be a spectular display in person. The fireworks exploding highlighting Big Ben is just amazing. I'm assuming that no one was hiding out on the ferris wheel because that would have been a pretty thrilling seat.

Full Blue Moon Dream Board

As I created my magical Blue Moon Dream Board, the words “winds of change” kept blowing in and out of my mind. I want to throw off this cocoon that has enslaved me and ride the “winds of change” to where it may lead me.

My arms are stretched wide and I’m so willing to embrace whatever comes my way. But to also keep a watchful eye on myself. Sometimes life gets so hectic that I forget about taking care of me.

I’m so filled with hope for 2010. I know this year will be filled with love, creativity, family, friends, health, abundance and openness (is that a word).

This year is going to be a blast... and I can’t wait to enjoy every moment of it.

December 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Money Origami Kit: Make the Most of Your Dollar

I know it's a little too late to give you a gift giving idea... but in these hard economic times... why not have some fun with your money.



And you can find this amazing kit on Amazon.com.... and it only costs $11.53