I thought taking Gwen's 2009 challenge would be a good way for me to start 2010 off to a better start on my blogging. I promise to do better in the new year. I have so many new things I want to do in 2010 but the things I learned and did in 2009 is going to give me the strength and a good start on my challenges for 2010.
I went to New York in July. WOW...something I always wanted to do was go to a Broadway show in New York and I went to 3. I took my granddaughter and we had a blast!!! We saw Wicked, which was wonderful and funny. Mama Mia, I love the music! And the last weekend for 9-5, funny, funny, funny! We stayed a block off Times Square with all the lights and sidewalk traffic it was a gas. We saw the Statue of Liberty and 9-11 rebuilding. That was very emotional. We went to Soho and Greenwich Village, that was so cool. I met Rico Fonseca, the 60's artist and was able to buy a couple of originals. Neat guy. Has been on the same corner for 30 years. What a trip.
My husband and I found a little restaurant in a little town close to our home that has the most wonderful honey pecan chicken. It is a nice get-away on a Sunday evening to end a weekend.
Article and Book is the same-Kelly Rae's Taking Flight was so inspiring to me. It made me realize that I had something in me that wanted out and that art of some kind was it's way...so in February I went to Utah for my first "art retreat" that led to another wonderful trip, new friends, a friends night out that I will not forget, and the retreat was more of a treat than a retreat...a treat to make new friends that have the same interests as I do and that feel the same way that I do about letting their feelings and emotions out by paper, paint, and anything they can get their hands into. When I came home I found myself making my own blog, which opened up a whole new world of socialization for me into the art world. So many blogs, so little time.
I also took a class in encaustic (hot wax)I never thought I could know ahead of time what I wanted to draw until that class. As soon as I saw the was transform in front of me I could see the picture I wanted. It is a fasinating process and I want to learn more about it to use in my mixed media pieces.
Norah Jones and Chai Tea came into my world this year. The smell of the tea and relaxed sounds of her voice are so comforting which also took me back to cooking. I have 4 children that I fed for many years but now that it is just my husband and I, I didn't think it was worth the time and work to cook so I gave it up but for the last 2 weeks for the Christmas holidays with all my kids with me I have become domestic again and found the enjoyment of cooking full meals, setting the table for 10 and enjoying my kids and grandkids eating. Funny how there is something about having all your kids back home again that gives you comfort.
I bought an old wonderful loveseat this year, the muted rose colors with big flowers from the 40's that I love. This is the first couch I have had in my house since our last son left home at least 15 years ago. Adding a couch to the living room again made it so cozy. Lexy, my big black lab lover dog, and I was able to take naps in the evening when I came home from work. It was so nice. So I re-arranged my furniture (which I never do) to make a smaller more or intiment room setting and I love it. I will have to post some pictures.
2009 was finding who I was again and giving time to myself to do it. 2009 was "ALL ABOUT ME" and I liked it. I bought myself a deep blue corvette this year just because I wanted one. How's that for "ALL ABOUT ME" so I have a fun ride everyday to work.
I am looking forward to 2010 to do more of what I started in 2009. Art, travel, relax, enjoy, give to myself. But I think the most important thing that I discovered about myself this year is that I am most happy when I am giving or helping others. I want to help in another country with sick children. I alway wanted to be a nurse and I was not able to become one but I still feel like I can spend time and give love and attention to children in need. Even though I know I have to take time for myself I also know that I have to have balance in my life and I believe that balance is giving or helping others all that I can and giving that time to myself too.
This is wishing everyone that might pass this way a Happy New Year and wishing you every opportunity to be or do what you need for yourself, not because it is "ALL ABOUT ME" but because giving to yourself you will find you are giving to others more.
