September Already!

Wow! That got here fast. But it is what it is. I had a nice weekend. I was able to spend Sunday with family and it wasn't for a funeral. We laughed, discussed the world, and had lots to eat. I have discovered that there are a few family members who are not the outdoorsy type. It was hilarious and a wee bit sad at the same time but I now know who not to take on wood type excursions. Screams about bees, mosquitoes, moths, dragonflies, and spiders were interesting. And then when the two black squirrels were... doing... something with a lot of noise, that just freaked out two of my relatives. One squirrel chased the other into our yard. The squirrel that came into our yard, froze when it saw us and tried to hide in the grass. He didn't move for about a minute, then hightailed it to some bushes. It was kind of scary and amusing. The screaming from the humans. Anyway, it was fun being outside enjoying company and good eats.

I also had yesterday off. I enjoyed that day too. Totally relaxed and watched some Netflix. I also started getting my bullet journal together for this new month. And I worked on my project list for the rest of the year. Daunting? Sure. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't have some kind of creative challenge. So today it's back to business and new pics of work in progress and finished pieces coming soon.

I'm so glad the seasons are gearing up for a change. I'm not really a summer person, even though I was born in a summer month. I love the fall and it's change of colors and the crispness in the air. How the sun dips down in the sky as if things are about to go to sleep. I don't know if I'll make it to a cider mill this year but I will try. There's nothing like fresh apple cider and doughnuts. Yum! So have a wonderful day folks. September is revving up.

November

Well what do you know? It's another month. My, my, my. I'm a little shocked. A little saddened because this year has gone by so fast. A little relieved that it's getting a little better since the crash and burn a month ago. Do I get a little hopeful? Or do I stay in skeptical mode? Or do I say, whatever and work towards something new? The adventure is still on. I've hit a couple of bumps but nothing catastrophic. So I will take a deep breath and move forward.

I have a nice list for November and I'm a bit of a coward and probably won't show it. I won't say it's massive but there's a lot on it. If I stay focused and enjoy the process, I should get most of it done. I am not going to wait for the New Year to continue to make changes in my life. I will keep doing it starting today. I mean, why wait to make a change? Do it now. The thing I want to get back to is enjoying the process of creating. Yes, I want to make things to offer for sale but I want to have fun doing it. I will continue to work on being kind to me. Give myself time to grow, to learn something new. To finish off some old projects and to look forward to the future. Not dwell on the future. Live in the moment, think more about today. Take time to do one thing I like to do each day. It can be for five minutes or thirty. I deserve that.

Now that the weather is cooling down, I want to walk more. Wanting is good, doing is better. I went for a walk with my friend Kate. I got tanned. Really? It was beautiful. Blue skies, some puffy white clouds, a slight breeze, and the leaves are finally starting to change color. I want to walk more.

I will continue to do monthly challenges. I've done and pretty much completed four this year. Not bad. The challenge this month is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWrimo). I haven't made my goal of 50,000 words in the past two years but this time around, I will succeed. I'm working on an adult fantasy but have other stories in the wings in case I get stuck. The point of this challenge is to get a rough draft done. I met with my region's writers last night. At least some of them. They seem like a nice bunch and we will encourage each other to finish. There are a couple of write-ins scheduled too and I will try to go to most of them.

Last month I won a nice Jack 'o Lantern guy from an online giveaway. I was quite shocked. I normally don't win anything. He's cute and he lights up. He's made by wonderful Halloween artist Pat J. Gill.

I also got two preemie quilts longarmed. They might be my last two for awhile because I may have to give up my machine. I hope not and I'm working to keep it.

And I'm still working on my Cosmic Smashbook journal which is part of my adventure.

It's a brand new month. And today is a new day. I've got things to do and I will enjoy. I wish you all a wonderful day too.

The Adventure Continues

Yes, it continues and evolves. Life still wants to throw things at me and some things I can't control. So I work on things I can control. My artwork and my writing. I am ready to do NaNoWriMo this year, starting at midnight November 1st. I will probably meet with my local group for the kickoff. I've missed Halloween again. So I've decided that it is truly a year round thing and will continue making things and figure out an outfit for next year. I'm still working on turning around this year. Working on my own break. Scared to death about it but the end has not been written and I want it to be different than what I've got now. So here's what I've been doing.

I took a Cosmic Smashbook workshop and it's like a journal making class but for personal development. It was fun, like being in kindergarden again. Lots of paint and glue. In the center of the journal, we wrote what we wanted to accomplish, our dreams, etc and then painted our hands over to protect those dreams. We can add photos, poems, pictures from magazines, anything that will help us reach our goals.

My goofy pic. I will work more on my cover. Yes, that's a pirate. That's how I see my adventure.

My first page will be one of fear and good feel arrows being shot into it. To get rid of the fear that is holding me back. The fear of failure, success, just being.

Here is the center of my journal where I wrote my dreams and goals. I traced and painted my hands over those dreams and goals.

This is an in progress project. Just like I'm a work in progress. This whole process is interesting and I will update as often as I can.