Baby Got Bike...

I've been waiting to post about my latest fitness endeavor, because I wanted to make sure it was something I was going to like, therefore want to talk about. 

I have been spinning for years and decided that I wanted to try actually riding on the road.  I went on my first ride on Saturday with a veteran group that rides every Saturday about 26 miles.  I thought I had all of my bases covered; road bike, helmet, ugly bike shorts, etc.  Well, I had a flat tire on my first ride.  Yup!!  We stopped and members of the group proceeded to ask if I had a spare tire.  First thought that ran through my head, "Yeah, I have it slung on my back!  What?"  Anyway, what I did not know was that you should carry a small pack with an extra tube, tools, patch kit and small air pump.  Needless to say, I have been to the bike shop and now have all the things I need, or do I?  I will probably never get another flat tire now that I am prepared.

Once the flat was fixed, the rest of the ride was a dream.  Now, don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it was a good work-out!  The weather in Florida is perfect for being outside and I love the challenge of pushing myself beyond my usual work-out!

I am riding in a Bike-a-Thon on Saturday to raise money for the camp at which I volunteer in the summer.  It will be a good opportunity for me to ride with a larger group!  Maybe one day I will even enter a race!

Have a blessed day!

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Unwritten...

I am often inspired by the lyrics in songs and use them to work through journal pages.  My latest inspiration is "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield.  This song truly speaks to me and where I am right now in my life.  I hope you find it as inspiring.  I've posted the words here as well as an audio file.   

I love the line..."I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines.  We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way."

Don't be afraid in all things to be able to make mistakes and learn from them!  This is true in so many areas of our lives.  Wanting to try something new?  Wanting to get out of your comfort zone?  Wanting to be the real you?  What is holding you back; making mistakes, worried what others will think, lack of confidence, lack of knowledge?  "Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, but the rest is still unwritten!"

Be brave! Be confident! Have courage! Today!

Unwritten
Natasha Bedingfield

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you can not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you can not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
But the rest is still unwritten

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

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An Old Polaroid...

I was rummaging through some boxes of old photographs that I borrowed from my mom today.  I was certain that there was this one old polaroid photo of me as a child dressed in a yellow coat and hat, holding a purse.  It is one of my favorites and since I don't have a lot of photos of me as a child, it is a treasure.  I was so excited when I found it, but disheartened to find that the image had cracked and was peeling. Makes for great art, but certainly won't make it for the long haul! 

This picture was taken when we lived in Connecticut. I have to laugh because I am standing in front of one of those old record players that came in a unit the size of a deep freeze!  My parents owned it for years! 

I spent some time lingering in the past as I browsed through the boxes of old photos.  I laughed, smiled, remembered good and bad times as well as teared-up a little, especially when I saw pictures of my pop.  The anniversary of his untimely death is next month and it is always a sad time for me.  I did find a photo of him actually smiling and I stared at it a long time. Which brings me to this...I always heard it said that after someone dies we think about all the things we wish we had said. I believe this to be true.  Life is short.  Hug those you love, send a card or e-mail just to say hello and don't be afraid to share your feelings with those around you in a spirit of love and edification!

Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: our love to others, and others' love to us. ~ Thomas Trahern

Have a blessed day!

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A Full Moon...

..and I don't mean the one in the night's sky!  Okay, I realize that the women's locker room at the gym is meant for showering, changing, etc.  But, today I was just a little unprepared when I walked in and just around the corner was a woman in her early sixties bent over with her uncovered back-side in full view!  I stopped short and I know I must have gasped. I quickly dashed into the bathroom and I just had to laugh!  Call me modest, but locker room or not, I would be behind the curtain!

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Thoughts on Friendship...

Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief. ~ Joseph Addison

To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings. ~Unknown

Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of getting out of one's self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another. ~Thomas Hughes

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What We Give...

I ventured out to Barnes & Noble last night to search the shelves for whatever caught my eye.  Seems I was drawn to a book by Sark titled Eat Mangoes Naked: Finding Pleasure Everywhere (and dancing with the Pits).  I thumbed through the book this morning and this caught my eye:

"I want to learn the pleasures of conscious giving and receiving.  When we consciously receive, we give another the opportunity to be generous.  Receiving is a gift to the giver.  If we cannot receive, then we cannot truly give.  I want to gloriously and graciously receive, without count or measure.  I want to lose track of 'who gave' and 'who received.'"  I want to eagerly do both, with truth and integrity."

Are you a giver or a receiver? 

Have a blessed day!

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Do the Unexpected...

Today has been like most days.  See, I live quite well by the "routines" I have placed in my life!  I am a creature of habit, which includes holding "most" of my thoughts to myself. Today was a little different and I must say, that I felt a little liberated and left that Starbucks with a smile!  There have been many times that I have wanted to say something, but didn't.  I am referring to those times when you see someone with, say, their fly unzipped or maybe spinach in their teeth.  You know what I mean...you don't say anything because you don't know them or don't want them or yourself to be embarrased and on and on...  Today I decided I would change that! 

While waiting for my coffee at Starbucks a middle-aged gentleman walked up to the register dressed in a light t-shirt and Khaki pants.  His pants were unzipped and although I was not checking him out, I could not help but notice this as his underwear were a dark color.  Okay, here me out now!  The thought crossed my mind to tell him, and of course I just could not.  I thought about what I might say, and even how he might react.  I decided to do the "unexpected" for me and tell him.  I wandered over after I got my coffee, took a deep breath and said..."I would want someone to tell me, but your pants are unzipped.  I realize that I don't know you and this is embarrassing for both of us, afterall I am a woman and you are a man, but I thought you might like to know."  He laughed.  He zipped up his pants and then he threw up his arms and yelled that he was on medication!

Try doing or saying something today that is "unexpected" for you, but be kind!

Have a blessed day!

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I am strong!

I've been involved with a round robin group hosted by Celine Navarro since last year.  There are a lot of great artists in the group!  It is called PlayArt Journal and I just finished the journal page shown here as part of Donna Downey's journal.  After a "long" break from my art room this summer, it was nice to get back to "work" on something fun!  I titled this one STRONG. "Today I  learned I am strong. I can handle more than I thought of myself before now."  Are you strong?

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Priceless...

A new toe ring...$4 dollars!

An excellent pedicure...$25 dollars!

A new pair of supportive, comfortable and fashionable Reef  flip flops...$37 dollars!

A new pair of supportive and comfortable, but "un"fashionable Asics running shoes...$65 dollars!

A HAPPY pair of feet...Priceless !!!!

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The Nation's Oldest City...

When I lived in North Carolina a never did visit The Biltmore Mansion and when I lived in Orlando I seldom went to Disney World.  It is funny how when you live somewhere it is easy to have the mind-set that "one day I'll go" and then you either move or just never take the time.  Yesterday I spent the day visiting The Nation's Oldest City, or at least St. Augustine, Florida claims this title.  St. Augustine reminds me of Charleston, South Carolina, where I grew up and a little like Savannah, Georgia, too. 

My friend, Renee was up from Miami with her family and we decided to spend some time shopping and taking pictures. The biggest treasures, of course, were the ones we caught behind the camera lens.

We especially love all the old buildings.  On one corner we found an old pottery studio.  The building most certainly needed to be condemned.  The building itself looked like it was made of aluminum and the front door was wood along with the window's frame.  The whole building was leaning toward the road and the trees at the edge of the street had sprouted up around it, surrounding it with limbs and roots.  The trees really had "grown into and around" the small building. I thought for sure that this building must be on the city's Ghost Tours route!  I'll bet it is very spooky at night!

It was a beautiful day, although it is still pretty hot and humid here in Florida.  We are in peak hurricane season, so any day without a storm looming is a good one this time of year.

Another place we visited was the Huguenot Cemetery.  It is supposed to be haunted, along with a lot of other places in St. Augustine. Makes for good stories by the fire on cold winter nights!

Take the time some weekend this fall and visit a landmark or destination of some kind near you!

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Island's End

If you ever find yourself on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I highly recommend this quaint little place called Island's End Resort in Pass-a-Grille, Florida.  It is located south of St. Pete Beach.  If you are looking for a place to really "relax" and get away from it all, this is the place.  The beach is beautiful and the sunsets are priceless!

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A Yummy Souffle!

I found a souffle that is so very yummy, but it won't go to your waist line!  My friend, Kelly Kimer and I spent a little time together at Art Unraveled and she shared with me, once again, one of the coolest new art supplies:  Sakura Souffle 3-D Gel Pens! These incredible gel ink pens write, then dry to a 3-dimensional, opaque, matte pastel colour line! It is useable on light or dark materials.  The delicate, fluffy line requires only a few minutes to dry, but the results are very eye-catching!  These are a must have for art journaling!

~~~~~~~~~

My friend, Ronnie took several classes at Art Unraveled and in keeping with her every-developing talent for creating stunning jewelry, made several pieces last week. 

She made a bracelet in Sharilyn Miller's  Beaded Bangles class.

She also took a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer called Stick in In Your Ear.  She made two beautiful pair of metal earrings.

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A New Journal

I have to admit that I do get pretty excited about the feel, smell and beauty a new journal!  I have admired the work of an artist by the name of Bridgette Guerzon Mills for some time. Today I received one of her handmade coptic bound journals called "Texture of Life" in the mail and it is beautiful!  The journal was carefully wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a polka dotted ribbon.  I especially liked the handmade tag tied to the packaging which featured one of Bridgette's collages. She also included an ATC as well as one of her gift cards.

The journal is 5 x 7 and the covers are painted and collaged canvas boards.  Bridgette finished the front with a soft piece of fabric and a rectangular piece of copper mesh set off with eyelets. The coptic binding is done in an olive thread, which sets it off nicely from the ivory of the journal's pages.  I sense the pages calling to me and I feel the need to lightly sweep my pen over the them..... Okay, back to reality! 

Bridgette's work is lovely and she has a lot to offer.  Visit her shop at Amanobooks to see all she has to offer!  Visit her Blog also!

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The Line Ends There...

Sometimes things happen in life that make you laugh and truly believe that saying, "what goes around comes around" does indeed have some truth to it!

Background:  Ronnie and I flew Southwest Airlines to Phoenix and there is an open seating policy on Southwest.  Basically this means that you get your boarding pass with an A, B or C boarding order and then you just pick your seat once on the plane. 

Story:  Ronnie and I arrive at the Phoenix airport and head to the gate.  We notice, as there usually is, a long line for the "A" folks.  The line is a bit staggered and it is hard to tell where people are waiting or if they are just hanging out!  We head to what we think is the end of the line to be told very quickly by "Line Police Man" that the line ends..."back there!"  We move to the end and watch over the next thirty minutes as LPM makes sure he keeps everyone who comes up at bay and lets everyone know exactly where the line ends. 

Here is where the good part comes...Ronnie and I were two people behind LPM in line.  As we proceed to the gate LPM hands the gate agent his boarding pass and heads down the hallway to the plane.  An alarm sounds and the gate agent calls to LPM.  LPM comes back up and is told none other than "Sir, you are in the WRONG line.  This flight is going to Orlando and you are booked on the flight to Baltimore!"   Seems LPM spent all his energy to guarantee his cushy spot to Orlando to find himself at the end of the line for Baltimore. 

Needless to say, those of us around him could not help but chuckle.  The girl in line behind him was surly relieved that he would no longer have the opportunity to hit on her again!  Another funny to the story...LPM was wearing a shirt that read, Baltimore Fire and Rescue.  MMMM?

More later on Art Unraveled!

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Art Unraveled in Phoenix

Once again, I find myself in Phoenix enjoying a week of teaching at Art Unraveled.  Ronnie and I flew in on Monday and  quickly settled in after  hitting Whole Foods for those "specialty" items, the grocery store for  sustenance and soft toilet paper and, of course, Starbucks!

I will be teaching three evening classes and one full day class on Saturday. I've kept my days free to relax, socialize and enjoy a little downtime.  So far so good!  The weather is pleasant.  It is hot, but not as hot as last year!  Last night's class went well. Tonight is my biggest class with 22 students.  It is great to see familiar faces and catch up with old friends at these events! 

I hope to actually make some art while I am here as well.  I did sign up for an evening class Friday night. Should be fun!

More later on things in Phoenix!  Have a blessed day!

Think about this...

When you are compelled to ask yourself, "why me?" in times of trouble or despair, realize that you could easily ask  yourself the same question in times of peace, joy and comfort!

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