Autumn, Art and "Awe" moments

The Leaves on the trees (at least other than the oaks, eucalyptus and redwoods) are changing color and promising that the cold and wet weather will be here soon. I am SO looking forward to it.

The cold and wet, for me, means lots of hot tea, books, crafts, art, cuddling with my kids and cat, and meditation/concentration of the what my imagination is always conjuring. 

Though I am always in "creative mode", when the cool and cold weather are here it oozes and pours out all over all that I am and what I am doing tenfold.

Lately I have been concentrating on what I call the "Elephant Project". 

The Elephant Project is actually something that a good friend of mine had the idea for and asked me to create. It starts with the fact that it is FOR a specific person who is going through cancer treatments. 

Cancer is unfortunately a huge part of many people's lives, nowadays, and the treatments are difficult and can make the sufferer feel tired and overwhelmed and actually sicker than before. But, my friend (who is a nurse and has helped so many people through this) came up with the idea that "cancer is like an elephant...you can't eat the whole thing up at once...you have to take it one bite at a time".

So, the project starts with an art piece that is unique and unlike any other. This art piece I usually pour out me imagination into. This is what the latest looked like that I completed...

The pink elephant is bright and colorful and an individual like no other. I created it in a boat moving along in a sea of the universe, and the pink elephant is spraying and playing with the universe water. I made this piece unique to the person with the cancer and put certain details in there that is only for her...like her dog that you see below.

An "up-close" of some of the galaxy water...

After the main piece is completed (later to be framed) I start on the second piece of the elephant project. This one is a double sided piece. I start with an elephant that is a bit more dull, kind of sad...not as exciting...

Then I paste affirmations and pictures of loved ones (that were printed onto photo paper and cut out) onto the back side of the "dull" elephant. 

Now, what I had done in the past was take the double sided piece to Fedex/Kinkos to have it laminated...it was an inexpensive way to have it done. BUT!!! The last time that I took it there this art piece they totally destroyed when they put it through the laminating machine!

I was totally upset and devastated. This meant that I had to have the little pictures reprinted, repasted and I had to re-do the entire 2nd piece...

Lesson learned...don't use Fedex/Kinkos for lamination anymore!

This is the second piece that I ended up making (sorry about the bad picture-the light was shining in bright through the window). I have a hard time re-drawing the same piece over and over due to the fact that I critic my work and usually get frustrated and don't like it the second time, so I made it a bit different. This time I added some wording...

But my daily life obviously doesn't consist of art ALL the time...

I still have my beautiful kiddos and husband, my home to attend and errands to run, and even my dedication to my health.

One of the things that I enjoy and thoroughly enjoy (especially since living in the magic forest) is hiking, running and trail running.

My husband got something called a "Poppy Pass" so that we could get into all the California State Parks in without additional cost. It is a one time fee, but since we love hiking and running at the State Parks it made total sense to invest in one of the passes.

I totally recommend getting one yourself. This way it's easy to get out and enjoy nature and the amazing things that the state park has to enjoy and learn. 

https://store.parks.ca.gov/golden-poppy-annual-day-use-pass/

One of the last hikes that I took the kids on was beautiful and magical!

Henry Cowell State Park has numerous hiking trails surrounded by redwoods. The one that I took the kids on was called the "Redwood Cathedral". Absolutely Amazing!

Here are some of the pictures that I took...

My son looked up and said "Hey mom! It's a Heart!"...

The pictures don't even come close to the actual beauty and peace that resonates here...it's like it is a Holy Ground.

Many times I go running throughout the week. I try to run anywhere from 14 to 21 miles a week. Now that it's autumn the weather is much more mild and cool, making my runs much more enjoyable. 

Not too long ago, though, we had an arson fire nearby that scared a lot of us, especially after the devastation that hit Sonoma and Santa Rosa just recently. Thankfully we had amazing fire-fighters and the weather was on our side. After a couple days of the blaze, God blessed us with rain! Yes, full on rain! Just one night of rain was what the fire-fighters needed to get a huge leg up on the fire! The next morning the mountains were Gorgeous! No longer was there a huge cloud of smoke, but rather a thick and beautiful smell of mist and cloud from the rain.

During my run I captured a picture of the gorgeous raindrops that collected on a nearby pine. I also took pictures of some of the seasonal trees starting to turn. The beauty of nature is beyond words.

Okay...totally different subject! 

STRANGER THINGS!!!!

When the first season came out I really had no idea what to expect about this show.

I am a huge fan of X-files (and many people who know me know this about me) and Stranger Things was recommended for me to check out.

Well, Let me just say that the Duffer Brothers are just brilliant, as are the actors and actresses! 

I was hooked and ended up binge watching the first series more than once.

After watching the first season I had no idea what to expect. I wanted more, of course, and was weary that STs wasn't going to keep going...You never know anymore if a series will continue or not. Thankfully STs was greatly received and had wonderful reviews and awards! A second season was approved...then there was just the wait for release!

FINALLY the second season is out...and I am trying to be good to myself and not miss a night of sleep...I am trying to only watch one (or sometimes two) episodes at a time...

But it is hard. It's so good!!!

Then there is my creative side that I just can't seem to stop. It's either on my phone that I want to use an app to create things as such...

(This is the Portra App)My adorable King Kitty was the object of my art this time.

 Or..I'm working on my favorite expression of art nowadays...Watercolor.

I always have a few pieces that I am working on at a time. I'm always up for working on sea creatures and water themed inspiration. Here is a crab that I am working on!

The details of the crab are better seen up close.

Now...there are real-life happenings ALL The Time...one was a wonderful anniversary! 

My wonderful, hardworking husband and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. Yep...14 years!

Of course, its not like its a 50 year anniversary, but every year should be celebrated as something wonderful. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful man to work so hard and take care of us.

He also surprised me with a beautiful ring that I had expressed that I liked when we went by the window of a jewelry store. I love how observant he can be sometimes.

You're probably wondering why I have a photo of a dead (or actually it was still dying at the time)wasp on the leather chair in our place...Well, I just had to give attention to the creature that snuck into my hat during my run, went into my long and braided hair and stung me on the back of my head several times. I thought I was going nuts! I honestly had no idea what happened!

All of a sudden the back of my head hurt so bad...and for no reason! I was literally about halfway through my run and did not want to stop, but did twice to try to figure out why my head stung and hurt so badly. It wasn't until I got home and shook my hair out several times that this little bugger fell out and onto the leather chair. Thank God I'm not allergic! 

Last but not least, The maple in my front yard.

The sure sign of the season!

I love how the sun, at certain times of the day, shines through the yard and hits the maple and makes it glow.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

I hope and pray that you all are using your time for being grateful and pursuing the things that you were predestined and gifted to do!

God Bless!

Dreams do come true!

When all was still in motion and nothing had actually changed, there was a sense of "too good to be true" in my mind. 

It actually seemed that way for months after our move as well.

I mean, how could all these wonderful things actually happen?

How could my desires and dreams actually come true?!

For so many years I had dreamed of what I wanted. 

I am not the type of person who dreams of fame or fortune, but rather to create and to live in God's beautiful nature. 

Before we had lived a decent place (we were surrounded by good people and made many wonderful friends) but it was not what I loved. I disliked (to put it nicely) the heat, I disliked the drive of wanting more money by everyone around me, I hated the judgmental attitudes that seemed to be the majority of people that I encountered and it was not where I wanted to raise my children.

So I prayed.

For years I prayed the same prayer.

I prayed to be closer to the coast.

I prayed to be in redwoods.

I prayed to be closer to family.

I prayed to be able to be home with my children.

I prayed to be able to use my God given talents daily.

I prayed for my husband to have a secure and stable job that he enjoyed.

*Note that I prayed for these things for years.*

There were times that I prayed and I would cry wondering why God was not listening(or at least He seemed to not be listening).

But truth be told, He heard every word of every prayer every day. 

He felt my ache in my heart when I didn't understand His timing or when I thought He had forgotten about me and my desires.

But, He knew me more than I knew myself.

He knew that if He had given me what I wanted when I wanted it, I would not have been prepared and I may not have had the gratitude that I have now.

He had every small detail planned exactly as it should have been.

The thing that I, myself, needed to learn from all of this was not just patience and waiting on Him, but I needed to trust Him with all my heart and soul that He was going to provide my every desire while my heart 100% seeks Him and what His will for me is.

This whole process and the amazing changes that He has put into motion and the fact that He has given me these wonderful desires of my heart, I have learned, were when my desires and my heart are pure and I am seeking Him full heartedly.

HIS desire is to give me my desires, but when I am seeking Him full heartedly my desires ARE His desires. 

We are on the same page. 

There, in this, is so much joy.

Pure Holy Joy.

Now I'm here...the place I've prayed for for years.

He has given me so much.

My desires of my heart are fulfilled and I feel amazing.

With this act of Love that My creator has given me, I am in awe. 

I am so full of gratitude.

Now, I have the ability to be who I want to be, do what I have been desiring to do, create what I have been wanting to create...and I have no doubt in my mind or heart that all that I am doing, creating and being is exactly what He desires of me as well.

His Love Language is beyond this universe.

I encourage all of you to seek Him first...It's an amazing life if you do.

My backyard...

working on my artwork

My boy in the redwoods

BANANA SLUGS ARE AWESOME!!

SeaShells by the Seashore

💞

I'm finally near the ocean!

Me near our swimming hole

My babies in the magic forest

Incomplete, but another watercolor...

The view of my runs...

Working on a piece that is for a cancer patient (some of my favorite pieces are for those going through hardships)

working on more watercolor...

And...more watercolor

God has given me talents and a mission that I can't ignore.

Though He much to reveal to me, and I will continue to seek what it is that He wants for me and my life, I will take each day and greet it with gratitude and excitement.

God Bless!

Moving to "The Magic Forest"

I can't sleep.
There is just so much on my mind.
There is SO MUCH CHANGE in my life, it's almost too much to wrap my mind around it all!
I'm not sure if I mentioned before, but over a year ago I started praying for my husband.
He had been so unhappy at his job (the morale, the lack of support from co-workers and leaders and the fact that there was no hope for advancement or evolvement in the company) and his unhappiness with his circumstances at home were effecting his attitude and our home life.
He realized, though with lots of persuasion on my end, that if he were to look for another job the present time was THE TIME to do it.
I remember putting an ear worm in his ear about a particular company (an AWESOME up and coming company that is so far beyond and advanced in the spectrum of all the other like companies) and that he should look into it.
Well, he ended up pursuing and getting the job at that company!
It's a very physically demanding job, but it is totally KICK @$$!!!!!
The major hardship for my husband was the commute.
The days are long (mandatory 12 hour shifts) and then he faces 2.25 to 2.5 hours of a commute home...every day.
But, the VERY good news was that the company would pay for us to move closer!!
Did I say that his job kicks @$$?
So, we put our home for sale, sold it in half the time we thought we would and have found an adorable converted cabin to rent in "the magic forest"!!!!
Yes, this magic forest is Santa Cruz Mountains. Believe it or not, but the commute for my husband will be half the time AND he'll be able to carpool with a couple other guys!

The fact that I have wanted to live in that area for the majority of my life is a complete understatement! I literally want to cry tears of joy just thinking that I am going to live amongst the lush green mountains, with the magical redwoods and the fresh air. I will be 30 mins from city and 20 mins from the beach...THE BEACH!!!! LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!! I have been praying to live closer to the ocean for over a decade.
Lesson: Never Stop Praying! God will answer your prayers *note:sometimes He says no, or you may even have to wait a while-cause His timing is a little different than ours.

The bummer part of this whole deal was that I had to leave my job. My only source of money for the moment. But, even though I face having to find another source of income, I'm truly not worried about it. I know that God has great things in store for me.
I know that I can always find another dental assisting job...that's the easy part, but I think that God is actually creating wonderful circumstances for me to work on my books and my art. Oh, how I have longed to just have the time and ability to work on my writing. While I was working, there was no time. I had a daily 2+hour commute along with my motherly chores. There was no time to think or gather my thoughts long enough and uninterrupted to sit and write.
Now is the time...
Now is the time to create and fulfill the dreams and hopes and desires that I have wanted so badly for so long.
So...as I am sitting up, not able to sleep because my house is being packed up and everything looks like a hurricane came through, because I have to figure out when the movers are going to be able to move all our stuff to our new place, because I have a list of places and people that I need to call to cancel or begin services...etc., I will share just a few photos of my new backyard! 

Now I just have a few days until this magic land is mine. I'm going to hug all the trees I can!!!

Leaning on Faith and Imagination

I just had a conversation with my dad on the phone as I was commuting to work this morning, expressing my thoughts on how things in life seem harder and harder as I have gotten older.
I asked him if it was this hard for him when he was my age.
He didn't hesitate to say "yes", but also explained that it was solely due to the fact that we are aware of more as we get older.

'More Aware' I thought...Hmm...

That is why 'ignorance is bliss'...

That's why it's easier for people to hide their heads in the sand, or have someone else or some formed group to make the decisions for them, sometimes even when it's uncomfortable or within the boundaries of abuse.
That's why we have problems with gangs, cults and close-minded groups.

Its easier to not think.
It's easier to allow others to make the decisions for us.

But "why", may I ask, do we give over our decisions and choices to other humans.
When did we tell ourselves that we shouldn't think for ourselves any longer?
I think that this is the mistake that we have made since the beginning.
That's the first sin...the first reason for our separation from God.
We were so eager, as a human race to have the knowledge of the world by taking the fruit from the forbidden tree only to realize later that the reason that God forbid it was because He was trying to protect us.
We longed for this knowledge that was too much for us. We wanted to be

The knowledge of good and evil, the more I learn, is hard on my heart.
There is SO MUCH EVIL in this world!
To counter it, there is SO MUCH GOOD as well.


I feel that the problem in our society now is the lack of gratitude and the overwhelming idea that we need to take control over all aspects of our lives.
This recipe is only going to cook up stress, anxiety, a feeling of loss and lack of purpose, depression and doubt.

When did we stop loosing faith?
When did we forget that "yes, life is tough...but, we don't have to take it all on...we have a helper"?

I am totally and completely guilty of doing just this.
There are many times that I have thought that I am strong enough, clever enough, smart enough (and so on) to take on the stresses of life to myself. But in the end, I find myself myself emotionally drained and stressed out.
Every time I conclude that I just can not control it all...
I can not make things happen just as I want or imagine.
And actually, if you think about it...Nothing I have ever imagined has ever actually ended up just as I imagined it.

As a child I imagined what my life would be like as an adult...as I am sure that we all have; but, so far, not one thing has turned out as I imagined. That doesn't mean that I haven't enjoyed my life...not at all! There have been many things in life that have pleasantly surprised me, or turned out more beautiful and thrilling than I have imagined. There have also been some pretty horrible things that have happened to me, but nothing my imagination could have created, as my mind has seen worse than I have experienced, and thankfully so.

You see, I am "gifted"with an overactive imagination.
Some days it seems a gift and others a curse.
My imaginations sometimes seems to be what God has given me to cope with life, to help me get through the hard parts of life.
It has also helped me create and envision the things that make me who I am.
My heart and my mind are interlinked by my creativity and my imagination,
Just as my destiny and soul entwined with the faith and spirit world.

 Even so, it's my imagination that has helped me be happy and content.
It has boosted my empathy and helped me have the ability to place myself in other's shoes.
It has helped me speak up when words needed to be heard, and the wisdom to be silent when words would go on deaf ears (even when those words need to said).
It has helped me become who I am and who I will be.
I am who I am because of the gifts (or curses) that have been bestowed upon me in this life.

But the great thing about having this over-active imagination is that I think constantly. 
I think for myself. 
My mind is constantly thinking about all that I take in. 
I am philosophical and a deep thinker. 
I take all knowledge handed to me and dissect it and analyze it; 
And though I don't always know what it all means or what will come of it...I am slowly learning to pray about it all.
I yearn to know more, but I also am not rushing it. I know that knowledge come with specific burdens. The burden of knowledge what stated as such in the book of Ecclesiates 1:17-18 when it said
17And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. 18Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.
but also, "Knowledge is Power" Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)
AND "If a man empties his purse into his head no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest" Benjamin Franklin

There is no better wisdom than the wisdom of He who created us.
Be strong. Stay imaginative. Think for yourself. Always give into Faith.

Has it really been that long?

I had been yearning to write another post, and I knew that it had been a long time since I have written anything, but when I looked back to see when it was that I had written last, I was slightly shocked that it had been over 6 months!!!
Wow, time flies!
And MUCH has happened since then!
I signed up for my first 15K race-The Hot Chocolate Run in San Fransisco -but the storm during the race was so severe that the race was actually down-graded to a 10K...slightly disappointing, but totally fun still. I went with my boss and some other awesome doctors and dental professionals.

 I also lost one of the most special beasts in my life. My sweet kitty, Trixie, AKA Ms.Princess.
She left us quickly due to organ failure. She was so special to me. I had her since she was about 9 months old...she'd been with me during a break-up, marriage, children, moving 3 times, in health and happiness and sickness and sadness. She was the kindest animal that I have ever met, showing her sweet demeanor to humans and other animals alike. I think of her and miss her daily still.

On a happy note, my beautiful nephew was born. He was born healthy and happy to my sister and my brother in law. He's quite adorable!!

I got a new pair of bottle caps!!! Totally fun, trendy and bold!

 I went to my best friend from childhood's daughters first birthday and played "kid" as I was the only adult there who actually got their face painted! I was very proud!

 I found my new favorite drink!!! Coconut flavored sparkling water!!! It's like summer in a can!!!

Finally enjoyed some sunshine at the beach after months and months of storms and rain! I'm the last person in the world who will complain about cloud cover and rain-as I thrive and love cloudy and stormy weather, but I do have to admit that it was nice to have the sun warm my incredibly white body!

 I am learning more and more daily of the wonderful things of my God. The more I let go of and let Him take on, the more joy and peace I am experiencing! PTL

 I started another mermaid drawing! Here is a quick clip of the scales...

 And here is a quick clip of her as she is unfinished...

 My wonderful little boy (who is not so little anymore) and his awesomely kind heart knows just how to warm his mama's heart too... Bringing me handpicked bouquets and setting them in a honey jar...

When I get more time (hahaha! like that is possible), I will be more diligent in updating the world in what is new in the life of this Mermom!