re-thinking/re-planning/re-scheduling

Lately (the past few months)...Tara has completely stopped taking her afternoon naps!!! This has forced me to re-think/re-plan/re-schedule...everything!!! Before, we would both take a little nap (it was the best!!). Then...even though I would be exhausted in the evenings after I put her to sleep...I could still come into my studio and paint until 1 in the morning. But now...it's a completely different story!! Our days are full of driving her to "school", classes and play dates. In between...we manage to make time for science experiments, reading and writing, arts and crafts and going to the park. Plus there's b-day parties, celebrations + Xmas coming up. Keeping up with a toddler is exhausting ...ahem...at my age, that is:) So...a brand new schedule is in order over here.

I have deliberated...should I put off my art for a little while?? But I came to a resounding...NO!!! Besides keeping me (relatively) sane...it's an absolute necessity to me. I'm going to be an old lady one day (maybe with a hundred books + cats all around) ...sipping pots of tea...painting away. It makes me happy. So...alternatively...I have decided to cut back on some other things...uh...like housework:) Seriously though...I just squeeze in painting time when I can these days. A little bit here and there add up. Plus...I spread some of my stuff on the kitchen counter to give me easy access throughout the day. every small step counts! And because i crash right after getting Tara to sleep at night, I am able to get up pretty early in the morning now...like 4:30 to 5!!

Life is all about adjustments + changes...growth. At the end of the day...this is what's truly important to Tim and I...this beautiful smiling girl right here. I want her to know that I am there for her...while also being there for mySELF. As I send her off into the world...I know that right now she is looking to me...for the answers on how best to be herSELF. This is  a pic of her today before she went to school...happy + bubbly!

Our mission these next few days...to find some Xmas tree lights!!! Everywhere we've been..they are all sold out!!! Hope you all have a great weekend. xxx

Thoughts for 2010 (Hopes/Promises/Wishes)

The start of a brand new year and I am just starting to catch my breath! I have so much hope for this year-full of possibilities, providence, change and growth. This is the year where I make NO resolutions...rather, this is  a year where I will focus on living in the moment. Being mindfull of this space and time-sitting with silence (or noise!)-just being present. Of course I will still make lists (it's a compulsion with me!) but  I will learn to let go too. My art is taking  a new direction and I am pretty excited! More stepping outside of my comfort zone, much smaller pieces, combining different elements, meaningful, authentic...I am much more vulnerable and ...it feels good.
I HOPE that I continue to grow as a person, to stretch myself far beyond what I ever thought possible.
I PROMISE to be true to myself in everything I do.
I WISH ...to be present in all moments.