Swinging into Life

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Spring has sprung and so have I! Even though I am feeling the slight symptoms of a flu coming on (tickly throat, coughity cough, sniffles), I refuse to give in to it! Sorry, I don't have time for you! Go plague another body!

The sun is nurturing my soul and my spirit has been lifted right out of last week's doldrums. I know a lot of this has also to do with the fact that I am not in the pressure cooker that is my place of employment. It's really quite alarming what an awful effect it has on my state of being. I really need to reinforce my barriers so that it does not get to me as much! Or I really need to get out.

Yesterday, I had a meeting with two of the most awesome women I know and have the pleasure and honor of calling friends. They are helping me with my project to infuse the tired education system here with some creativity! It needs this transfusion desperately as it has been languishing in Intensive Care for eons! I will write more on this once it has been solidified. :)

I
am
excited!
!
!

:)

I have also been working on the textbook(s) I have been commissioned to write. I must admit, I was not very enthusiastic when this first fell into my lap, but... I am making lemon cake with it! I have been researching like mad, and have put together an outline that pops! It's chock full of fun and interesting activities! I will actually enjoy writing this :) The theme is Habitats and I have discovered such amazing projects in the works all over the world which gives me hope for humanity. More on this for sure!

Today, I am going to meet up with a friend of mine and her one-year old daughter, Maria! I am so looking forward to squishing, I mean holding, this new human! :) The sun is shining and so am I!

Brilliant!

I hope you are all well, and happy! My prayers are with those of you who need them. I have not forgotten about you, darlings!

Blessed be :)

List, Lust, Last

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This is another "mixed media" digital piece. I painted the background and the goddess. Then I went hunting for Egyptian brushes that are compatible with my PS dinosaur, but they were humongous so I had to do a lot of recrafting. I am beginning to miss Paint Shop Pro (Corel). It was so much more versatile. I can't for the life of me figure out how to make my own brushes on PS! Anyway, I added a collage piece (the necklace). Et voila! Egyptian goddess. You might notice I have been using blue and yellow combinations a lot lately. These make me happy. :)

Yesterday, I was reminded that, really, all you need to do is ask. As many of you know, we got bombarded by the white stuff, AGAIN. The person that was doing our snow had told us (my neighbor and I) that he no longer had the time to do it. I sat here, working from home all day, and wondered what the hell I was going to do. I decided I would worry about it later. Then, shortly after dinner, someone knocked on my door. Two boys with shovels! One of them a student at the school. You can imagine my glee! Ten bucks later, and the snow was cleared. Thank you Universe! :)

This morning I woke up with a new sense of purpose, a list of goals and a lust for life! Almost ready made, these plans, really, were simmering in the noggin for a while.

I have been pondering what I want to do to maximize my home space. I need to position the living arrangements in order for every room in my house (not that many) to be used to its best capacity. At minimum cost. So here is my home to-do list. I am recording it for myself mostly.

This requires minimum spending: new track lights, energy efficient front door, square table (thrift/garage sale) and folding doors/curtain (thanks Molly!) to separate the front porch from the room for warmth.

This is the first floor plan now:

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This is after:

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The back of the house where the bedroom is now, faces my garden. Wouldn't it be so much better to look out into the garden when I am working or creating than a street? It also faces west, which has the most light. Tada! My super duper economical way of maximizing my space.

Oh. And I am sorry to say, that as much as I adore Mac, I am going to have to go with PC laptop because I simply cannot afford the 500 buck difference.

Tomorrow I will tackle the basement plans! This is fun! Brings me back to the time I wanted to be an architect, interior decorator.

And last, but not least, I am also making plans for my Tarot deck and book, and how to pay off my line of credit. My goal is to retire at 50. Yes, you heard it first here. 50! :)