day 4

I honestly do not have time to do this today!  And I doubt anyone is following, so does it matter?  Not in the grand scheme I suppose.  It's just that I have been really trying to finish what I start.  There is something to be said for finishing at all.  And it's a good feeling to finish well.  Not all things will finish well.  But I think that quitting is worse than ever starting.  And once started, it is good for the character to finish.  Don't hold me to it! 
So, that said, I have nothing creative to do today.  Let me rephrase-I have creative things I could do-but the tyranny of the urgent demands my attentions.  This is where I usually get frustrated.  The tedious and mundane.  In a perfect world, scrubbing the toilet would have as much excitement as painting a masterpiece.  In the real world I only do it because somebody has to and if I get it out of the way I can move on to the fun stuff.  And if I am honest, can be put off at least for a time to do the something, anything else! 
I've read all kinds of organizing books and home keeping books (from Sidetracked Home Executives in the 80's to It's All Too Much this decade).  I've put in place systems I no longer use, feeling bad that I do not have what it takes to keep it up. I will probably always struggle with organization. At my age, you either make piece with who you are, or you live with all kinds of angst!  I'm kinda done beating myself up for my flaws.  We all have them, let's get over and on with it!
This translates into my creative life as well.  I've struggled with the disciplines I need to become better at my craft.  I am not very single minded and lack focus.  But I think there is a way to turn weakness into strength.  So the creative me is finding the joy in little victories.  Trying to move forward after the hard hit of defeat! 
Today I post, to continue in what I have started.  Today I take up the mundane and tedious to make room for less chaos and more order to my Thanksgiving.  Today I will try to find joy in cleaning a toilet and vacuuming the floor, paying the bills and grooming the little dog so people will pet her again! 
Today, even though it is so boring and you are thinking "what is she writing this for?" I write because I said I would.  People need to do what they say they will.  Even if no one notices or cares.  Builds character.  So does cleaning toilets.  (picture me with a toilet bowl brush held high in victory!)

Day 3

Hey there!  Yes, I try to get to this before noon, but life being what it is...
Yesterday I planned the photo albums of our trip, downloaded 254 photos to Walgreen's and had them printed.  The albums will be too small, so I'm off today to find bigger ones.
I also gathered from my yard these dried hydrangea blooms.  You cant tell because of the flash, but they are the most beautiful shade of burnt sienna!  I plan to use the absolutely gorgeous phthalo green (light shade-tube paint names!) colored pumpkin as the vessel and arrange the blossoms in it.  I will be out today on my walk gathering bittersweet to add color to the arrangement.  If you cant guess, I have a natural theme to the holidays this year. 
I also painted and decided on the design for my cards this year.  Stay tuned for more on that. 
I was busy making gravy ahead and my special meat balls to freeze so I have stuff done and can hang out more instead of work.  In case you are wondering, I am not teaching this month, so I have time to do all this fluffy stuff! 
I think that's all I have to share today.  I have a list a mile long, but I only use the list as a jumping off point. I try to pick 2 or 3 things I feel will add flavor to the festivities without too much fuss.  There are other things I am going to add, but right now I'm in plan and execute mode!  See you tomorrow!

day 2

Well, all you get today is the brainstorm list.  It's not that long, because my brain didn't storm to well at the time.  There will be additions I'm sure!

Think up a new dish, drink or game to play at Thanksgiving-video this
watch vacation DVD
Centerpiece for table
hand make gifts - albums, scarves??, ornaments?
cards-pine cones, ornaments, flowers, birds, snowmen, lights, candles, nutcrackers
change up indoor dec for Christmas
outdoor Christmas decorations-planters, window boxes, new wreath?
Gifts that keep on giving-?
cookies-
hostess gifts ??
Test new recipes for Christmas-get pear/onion tart recipes from Paula

Here are the rough ideas I will start from.  I have already made a map and a plan for some of them.  Tomorrow you can see what comes from these ideas and the rambling I do in my head!  Lets have some fun-

Creating the Holidays!

There are a lot of things I'm thankful for.  And I love the holiday's for the family, friends and celebrations.  One thing that really gets my juices flowing is all the creative things I can do for the holiday's.  There are the decorations which I like to change up each year.  There is the cooking that I also like to change up, although the family does not!  (I think they have stories...)  There is the gift giving, which can be very personal and very creative.  There are cards which I usually design and paint myself.  And the list goes on.

Sometimes I dont have the time to get it all done, but I think part of what is energizing are the endless possiblities.  My right brain can spiral out of control!  I become giddy and money is no object.  SCREECH!  No wait, my bad!  Huge budget constraints here-and guess what??  A lack of funds makes me more creative-and I feel better about making do.  I mean, do I really need eight boxes of teal ornaments I will never use again?  This is not the White House after all! 

So, how will I make the holiday's special this year?  I dont know yet, I've been so busy working and doing I havent had time to slow down and let the right brain run through the possiblities-or the impossible yet fantastic-ideas yet!  But stay tuned.  I intend to infuse this blog with my own special creative crazy thoughts.  Each day until Christmas, I'd like to blog about how to make this Thanksgiving and Christmas creative and joy filled.  Who knows where this will go, but it will be fun to think out loud. 

So today I start by making a list and checking it twice!  This is called brain storming.  Or mapping.  It is a creative process, and if you are not familiar with it, check out http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/1_StudySkills/study_pdf/mindmap.pdf.     My brain is really stormy, so check back tomorrow for the crazy list of possible and impossible options for the Holidays.

The Art of Healing

Ballroom Dancer - Arnold
Sport Festival '10

I have an ongoing class with the most wonderful group of women in it.  They come and talk, laugh, sometimes cry and create art.  We call it art therapy.  Because, in a way, I think it has ministered to each of us at one time or another.  There is some great wisdom in a room full of women!  We have solved the worlds problems and helped each other with our own. Do we bare our souls each week?  No, but there is a time and a space if someone has a need.  
It is so much more than a teaching opportunity for me.  I have tried to create a place of encouragement and acceptance for their art.  Along the way it has become a place of encouragement and acceptance to our whole selves. 
I've written before about my mothers illness and her death.  She died the week before Christmas.  The following year we grieved each event as a first without her.  Its all part of the grieving process.  But I wasn't sure I would ever really find joy again and that Christmas I just could not celebrate with my usual enthusiasm.  It just fell flat. I remember telling my husband that I just didn't know if I'd ever feel the same about Christmas.  My class members were there for me through it all. 
Why be so public with my grief?  Everyone goes through it, don't they?  Yes, of course.  I'm not special.  Hardly.  One reason, I am not a with-holder.  Ask my husband!  I try, but I don't swallow things well at this age.  I'm not sure it's healthy to keep things in.  Its not healthy to let everything out either.  Again, balance! 
But it was interesting to me the first time I realized I felt a real sense of joy again.  A friend had recommended me for an art competition at the Arnold Sports Festival.  I was apprehensive, since I don't like competitions much.  But my friends would be there and I wanted to take a peek at the sports festival just once.  So I entered.
There were 40 artists from all over central Ohio.  Several fine artists I recognized.  I was in the company of some pretty exceptional artists.  We worked from live models the first day and took photos and worked from those the next.  The creative energy was palpable!  I remember being buzzed with the combined energy of all that talent in one space! 
On the second day, a surprise visit to the art area by Sylvester Stalone held another type of energy.  Not just the star power, though it was really cool!  Stalone is an artist and spoke to each artist about their work.  It was energizing.  That was the day I realized I could have a day where grief would not creep in.  I was enjoying myself in this amazing place with these amazing people! 
This November, again through an artist friend, I will participate in a charity event for the Columbus Fresh A.I.R. Gallery.  Fresh A.I.R. Gallery exhibits the works of individuals affected by mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. Through art, they educate the community and work to break down the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse by bringing focus to the artistic vision.  I will be painting from a live model with several other area artists.  We are part of the entertainment for the evening.  I hope I do well!  (for more information go to:  Invitation to Art of Recovery)
So I've used creative energy to nurture others to be creative and to heal and I've been nurtured by others and their creative energy and have been healed.  I know many of you have the same stories to share.  Let me know how using your talent has led to a better place!