May Goals

April was so short! I spent the first 10 days in Dubai, and then I spent the next 5 days recovering from Dubai (jet lag is arlakgjsdhblarg!), and then all of a sudden April was half over! But boy oh boy, now that April is 100% over, have I ever learned some lessons let me tell you!

1. I want to feel relaxed on my trip to Dubai to visit my family! Yep yep yep.

2. I want to feel energy and work towards figuring out a good balance of diet, exercise, and mind work. This happened, but not purposefully, and not in the way I expected. I am dealing with long-term iron deficiency that is now significantly impacting my energy, my health, my strength...all these things that I already struggle with. I have been eating meat (gasp!), and going for slow walks, and being very gentle with myself. This is going to be a longer term work-in-progress and I'm still not sure how I feel about that. But I am glad I put it on this list, because even though I didn't "solve" it, it's in my face now and I can't ignore it.

3. I want to feel absorbed and work on a "100 Days of" project. Wheee yessiree! My project this year is unstructured and so relaxed and it's so different from past year's and yet also exactly what I need right now! I wrote more about it here, and already finished my first Project!

4. I want to feel triumphant and complete something that really challenges me. I left this as a TBD at the start of April, and while I didn't really consciously decide on it, after it happened I realized that I found my challenge this month.


APRIL (SNOW) SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS
1. I want to feel present and make a plan to celebrate Mother's Day my way. 2. I want to feel flow and make some changes to the way I'm living in my home. 3. I want to feel steady and make a schedule for Lucas' nights here. 4. I want to feel curious and do some deeper thinking about my word and my Big Life Goals.

May can sometimes be a strange month for me, as this is the month I got married all those years ago. And celebrating motherhood as a "single" mom is always deep-though-inducing. The Daily Habit I am adding this month is about finances, and with the plan to focus on more of my Big Life Goals I think this will be a month of slow and steady movement dotted with bursts of colour.

FURTHER READING
January 2019 Goals
February 2019 Goals
March 2019 Goals
April 2019 Goals
You can read about my overall plan for 2019 here.
I am tracking my Daily Practices with my favourite tool, created by Elise Cripe. You can download her "Habit Tracker" here.. (It will download automatically).

xo

April Goals

Ugh March. You can go suck a duck.

MARCH SUMMARY
1. I want to feel creative and do a daily ART practice. Aside from a couple of days where I just ran out of time, I had a great month of creativity! I learned a lot, grew a lot, and enjoyed the space to create with no rules, judgement, or expectations. I'll be posting the entire album here soon.

2. I want to feel purposeful and seek out knowledge that will help me further my big goals. I'm not sure how successful I was on this one, but I did appreciate the call out. I was able to find some library books that I think will help in this (for future months), and had some real talk moments with myself where I asked myself some questions about my goals. Why have big goals if you're not going to work on them? What does it take every day to be successful? What happens when your goals change?

3. I want to feel empowered and volunteer with a political party or action group. We're in an election cycle right now. The writ dropped in the middle of the month, and I put my name down for a lawn sign, asked them to call me so I could help out and now I'm leaving the country! I still ended up feeling empowered, as I've been reading up on election issues and doing my part in educating folks who pass by this little internet bubble of mine.

4. I want to feel trusted and help Lucas work on BIG LIFE stuff. This was a very big deal for me this month, and I see it connecting to so many other pieces of life, and life work. Thanks to the improvement in the weather, we have been going for more walks. I use every moment of those walks to connect with him. We have also started playing video games together. What a difference it has made to join in with his favourite activity!

HELLO APRIL. LET'S GET TO IT
1. I want to feel relaxed on my trip to Dubai to visit my family! 2. I want to feel energy and work towards figuring out a good balance of diet, exercise, and mind work. 3. I want to feel absorbed and work on a "100 Days of" project. 4. I want to feel triumphant and complete something that really challenges me (what exactly is TBD).

April is going to disappear so fast! I'm in Dubai for the first couple of weeks, a much needed vacation that I am going to use as a "reset" to Spring so I can hit the ground running once I'm back in Edmonton. I've got loads of plans, but I also need to plan some downtime so I can stop running myself into the ground. This month is all about balance.


FURTHER READING
January 2019 Goals
February 2019 Goals
March 2019 Goals
You can read about my overall plan for 2019 here.
I am tracking my Daily Practices with my favourite tool, created by Elise Cripe. You can download her "Habit Tracker" here.. (It will download automatically).
This podcast - Their Own Devices - is a tool I am using to help me be a more involved parent. I highly recommend the episode on smartphones.

xo

Summer Manifesto

Perhaps I have set my sights too high. Perhaps I am being too ambitious with my lists of goals. Don't get me wrong. I still like goals. But my track record for completion just isn't what it used to be. I am still playing catch up on my new schedule that came with my new life, and this is wreaking havoc on my regular to-do lists, forget my fun goals lists! Reality is a splash of cold water.

But that doesn't mean I can't dream...

Behold! The Summer Manifesto...

Celebrate Old Strathcona

Empress Ale House for live music, comedy nights and PBR on tap!

Brunch at the Hotel Selkirk in Fort Edmonton Park

See a movie at the Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park
MOVIES!

Street Performers Festival

Bollywood Crop
Project Life Crop

Jasper camping with BFF

Ride the street car

Ride the street car and see a show

Ride a tube down a river

Ride a horse

Get muddy

Get Rad!

ARCADE FIRE!
BEN SURES!

Zumba Drop-in at Bonnie Doon Community Hall

Take a class

Teach a class or two (or three...)
Pickle some beans

Beach Day with Candace!

Booze Day with Nadine!

Sit on my deck...and just sit

Have a BBQ
Celebrate my brother-in-law's wedding in Penticton (come hell or high water)
Take a fun day off from work...no plans...just me and Dude and the City

Pretty much anything from this list.

Have an amazing summer...

#redanddudelovesummer

Goals Shmoals...waitaminute...

I did okay on my goals this month. Fuck okay, I did amaze-balls on my goals this month! And I am only going to share the successes here, because that's how I roll. I was going to add some photos, but I am lazy. That is also how I roll. Instagram has it all folks...has it all....

hang twinkle lights

Discovery about my new house. There are NO plug-ins anywhere outside! So I have to move to Plan B for this little project. First, I must decide what Plan B looks like...

date night with my girlfriends!

I had people over to my house again! WHAT?! They brought food and alcohol, and we chatted long past all of our bedtimes. The success of my "party" was proven by the single car picked up the next morning!

find a playground near my house - where are all the playgrounds?!

Dude & I can walk to the closest playground. The day we went it was trying to snow, so less than ideal, but we still had fun!

play a ridiculous amount of drunk and/or sober Bocce (but probably drunk ;)
Hello Beer hidden in "I Heart Zombies" koozies!

invite people over to enjoy the above
Dan was kicking my ass until I decided that we weren't going to keep score anymore. He was probably still kicking my ass after that, but I didn't care!

SIGN UP FOR THE GYM - NO MORE EXCUSES
This one has to come off the list. I can't afford the gym, so I have to come up with some creative ways to get active without spending any money. Thankfully I live next door to an extensive trail system. And also Pinterest...so...yeah...

more running
If instead this read "more walking through the ravine, and up and down giant flights of stairs" then I'd say I definitely nailed this one! Since I am too poor to buy a gym membership, and with a 5k coming up in July (too soon!) I really need to get on this one...

more scrapbooking

I have had no desire to scrapbook this month. At all. I have to submit to the ebbs and flows of this hobby or else I will go crazy. I am trying not to get down on myself for it, but right now this is my truth. Fits and spurts.

more art

I finished my first commissioned piece! It's for BFF, but IT STILL TOTALLY COUNTS! He gave me an idea of what he wanted, and then free reign beyond that. I was nervous at first, and constantly second-guessing myself, but ended up really enjoying the process. The end result was totally amazing. It definitely inspired me to create more.

more reading
I feel like the combination of book at home, book at work, comics in between is really working for me. Still loving that library card!

organize a play date for Dude

Russ took care of this one, and it was with his cousin...but it still totally counts.

I also went to Free Comic Book Day, introduced BFF to Dude (#bigdeal), did yardwork like a boss, got a new smart phone (I can use the Internet in a field, yo!) bought a new (to me) car, went on the first street car show of the season (#fullcircle), walked to Muttart and had a picnic (with beer in mason jars!) and just generally was fucking awesome all month. ALL MONTH.

You're welcome May.

Some of my goals were definitely hindered by my limited finances, but that just means I have to get more creative next month.

June, feel free to bring it.
Lisa

June Goals

I always start writing out my next month's goals before the current month is done. Does that defeat the point? Am I not living in the moment enough? Am I not giving myself time to fully dedicate myself to completing one set of goals before I start planning the next?

These are all valid questions, but they are also poo-pooing on my good mood and enjoyment in creating goals for myself! Yay goals!

Doing this early also prompts me to take a peek at the goals I'm supposed to be doing and sometimes gives me just the kick in the sweet patootie that I need to finish more before the month is gone.

-Make a peg loom

- Make something on my peg loom!

- Finish my Hollywood mini album

- Do a couple more Hollywood layouts, or at least print some more photos

- Go shopping with Dude for a nice birthday/Father's Day present for Russel (I already have some ideas!)

- Have a damn picnic dammit!! BFF and I always make a mental note of all the picnic tables and fire pits we come across during our ravine explorations. And we say "we should definitely come back here to this spot and have a picnic". And to that I say: "no time like this month!" (*Spoiler Alert...we did it on Sunday!)

- Create a class for TM. Perhaps "ask TM if I can create a class for them" should precede this particular item. Hmmm.

- Devise an in-home workout plan and DO IT!
- Start some sort of budget-tracking thingy, and actually use it (history says this will be the hardest goal for me this month...)

Oh June...I do love thee. But why oh why don't you have a long weekend?!

Lisa

DON'T GET TOO EXCITED!

I have been thinking a lot about my blog lately, and I feel really good about not being here all the time. But I also miss some of the connections that I was making here - with others and with myself.

dammit. I'm back...

Lately, I've felt more and more like I am floundering. And I can't keep hoping it will go away. I must take concrete steps toward grounding myself, finding and living my best life, and making connections within myself and with yous guys "out there".

That means goals people! So I will be back here at least once a month (possibly twice, possibly thrice...) to post some goals for the month.

This keeps me somewhat accountable! This gets me thinking and planning and hoping for the future, and being purposeful about my action items instead of just plodding through each day as if it were the same and will always be the same.

April is pretty much done, but I have high hopes for May!

build some Adirondack chairs for my deck

hang twinkle lights

date night with my girlfriends!

date night with Mom & Amy

find a playground near my house - where are all the playgrounds?!

play a ridiculous amount of drunk and/or sober Bocce (but probably drunk ;)

invite people over to enjoy the above

SIGN UP FOR THE GYM - NO MORE EXCUSES

more running

more drawing

more scrapbooking 

more art

more reading

build epic Lego things with Dude

organize a play date for Dude

That is all...forgive me good intentions. I guess I needed my blog more than I thought.

lisa

March. A Verb.

It has been so bleepity bleeping COLD up here recently. We're talking breaking records, bare flesh freezing immediately, eyes & nostrils freeze shut kind of cold. It's hard to be optimistic about sunnier, warmer days to come. And make goals that might require leaving the house. Hell, it's hard just to get out of bed and get naked for the couple of minutes it takes to actually put on real clothes. Perhaps I should just start sleeping in my work clothes? Said crazy people everywhere.

Anyhoo, I have some goals this month! Yay goals! Yay me! These goals are designed to keep me moving and motivated and are totally in line with my 2014 Intentions! On track! Huzzah!

1. Get a damn gym membership dammit! Yep. This one is a no-brainer for me. I feel stupid for not doing this sooner. Geeze Lisa! C'mon!! 2. More dates with Dude. The other day he told me he misses me and that he needs to spend more time with me. (Heart break...) And I get it Dude! I totally get it. 3. Finish the Never-Ending Bathroom Renovation. This needs to happen this month. No matter what it takes. It has been a year since we started, and we are so close to being done! I really need to help Russel with this...since I was the one who's lofty plans started this whole thing! 4. Help BFF with his never-ending DIY project. He has been so flipping AWESOME helping me with all my random DIYs that usually start with a badly sketched wood-based item and a text along the lines of "can we do this?" And all he wants is a kitchen table. Let's do it! I know how glue works!!

And say it with me everyone! "Spring will come! Spring will come! Spring will come!" It's right around the corner really, right? I hope so...

later loves

February Goals

Keeping in mind my 2014 Intentions...

1. Celebrate LOVE on Valentine's Day. We have a Kercher Family Tradition of getting sushi and just hanging out. Sounds good to me, but I think I want to make things a little more special somehow. I also want to share LOVE with my girlfriends. I'm thinking Valentine's brunch, but that may be too optimistic! Ha! 2. Put my money where my mouth is. I wrote up a lot of great savings goals and reminders in January, and did a little research about some financial matters. I want to put those into play this month. And I've got some posts planned along these lines as well. 3. Finish my ongoing/never ending carpentry DIY project. BFF...I'm coming over, and I'm not leaving until it's done. (note: I finished it on Sunday! More to come...) 4. I don't have a fourth goal this month...and that's okay!

I took a BIG STEP over the weekend, and I want to share more of it with you in time. For now I've just got to get this damn post published and get back to work! I'm supervising some movers today...#ilovemyjob!

Never mind...the computer won't read my SD card. I'll be back this afternoon. After I supervise our tech guys as well. Sigh. On the weekend, someone asked me what I do. And I told them I have the most boring sounding job ever. And it's true! Most people's eye just glaze over when I tell them what I do. Perhaps I am not describing it properly. I need to come up with some better adjectives. Wink!

Found this nice picture online instead because instead of fight with my computer I want to eat my soup.

Mmmmm...soup...
later loves

2014 Intentions...Silly And Serious!

Well, this post is coming a little later than I wanted, but I got busy yo! I was accomplishing some goals or whatever!

Setting goals has become super important to me in my "old age". This year I want to focus on creating a world that makes me feel the way I want (and need) to feel, instead of on accomplishing specific things. And then I went ahead and made a list of specific things...HA!

Some random Instagrams for your enjoyment...wink.

I really like this format for goal-making! What lovely, simple, VISUAL items. I might have to print these puppies out, yessiree. Crap! I forgot to add "learn how to make meat pie and gluten/dairy free mac & cheese"! Well...yep, those as well.

There are some "it goes without saying" goals that I always keep in the back of my mind when planning activities, and just living life. And, as always, I want to be the BEST MOM I can be.

Otherwise, I just want to live a simple, lovely life. And 2014 is going to be my year. I can feel it.

later loves

December Reflections

December is a month of busy week nights and weekends. Of pressure and obligations. I need to remember to take time to recharge and relax and take time for myself. And not sweat the small stuff. And smile! And have fun!

I took some time last weekend to head out to Jasper to visit my best blog pal! We had a super low key weekend, and it was truly the perfect start to the month.

I have come to love my solo road trips out to visit Nicole & Ian. The roads were surprisingly clear and the drive uneventful. I cranked my classic rock, ate my road trip snacks, and enjoyed the time by myself. Watching the sun set behind the mountains was breathtaking.

I had to pull over as soon as I hit town, because four of my favourite things in the Universe were in the same frame. I had to stop and catch my breath...

1. Mount Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier // 2. The moon! // 3. Venus...a tiny little dot here, but blazing bright and beautiful in my mind. // 4. Whistlers' Tea House.

I don't have any goals or aspirations for December, but I am sure they will come. I hope they will come. I have been feeling very uninspired these past couple of weeks and, well, my writers block is coming on something fierce! Eek! But right now I want to focus less on creating more pressure and more on enjoying the moments and people that are right in front of me.

December, you have reminded me of all that is awesome in my life.

Thanks.

later loves

Settle In, Get Cozy, and Enjoy This Time

Hello November...

I will look at the stars.

I will make more soup.

I will walk in the trees.

I will play in the snow.

I will tile my bathroom.

I will do what makes me happy.

I will be confident in my choices.

I will keep working on me.

I LOVE the first snow fall of the year! It always comes too soon for me in terms of getting my yard cleaned up and ready (oops!), but never soon enough in terms of I LOVE SNOW! We got a small sampling of it on the 27th, and then the real stuff came the first weekend of November. And now it's here to stay. I can't wait to get out on the toboggan hill with Dude, who has already been out a couple of times with Grandma and she thinks he is getting tired of it already. But he can't! We've got at least four more months of this!

later loves

October is for...

1. Do more crafty things. I put some paint on pinecones the other day, and it was messy and terrible and helluva lot of fun. 2. Re-arrange my living room. Because I need to do this. 3. Build a coffee table. I've got the design and the supplies, and a friend with the tools and the know-how. So...yeah...seems like a no-brainer, right? 4. Create a space for Dude. I was Googling Lego storage solutions the other night before bed, and I had a flash of inspiration. I started setting up a desk space for him in my studio so he can draw or do homework with me while I scrapbook. But now I think it will be an art/Lego/homework combination station. I have a lot of my crap to get out of there still, but I think this is the inspiration I need to really pare down my stash to make space for his! On a related note, I thought I had a lot of Lego, but I was living in a crazy dream world. Google "Lego storage solutions" one day for fun, and you will understand. Or you won't, but either way it's amusing!

hello good looking!

I want to enjoy the sun in the mornings and the frost on the grass.

I want to keep working on my Summer Manifesto

I want to read so many books!

I will be grateful and express my gratitude.

I will enjoy every moment for what it is and not worry about what it isn't.

What does October look like in your life?
later loves

The Year So Far

I thought I would write up a little "retrospective" on my goals and my accomplishments so far. See how far I have come, and where I still want to go.

I made FOUR BIG GOALS at the beginning of the year. I am trying to use them to guide my goal-setting each month, and as a "big picture" for what I want my year to look like. Learning new things, finding my passion, being more comfortable in my home & in my creative space, these are the things I really wanted to focus on.

And while I only took one class right at the beginning of the year, and didn't get much out of it, I have tried to learn new things on my own time. In April I pushed myself creatively with some homemade birthday presents, I started doodling in my journal and posting my creations to Instagram, I am taking part in The August Break and I signed up for 30 Days of Lists for September. I learned that an online, self-paced course isn't really my thing. I would like to sign up for a course or class in the fall, where the teaching is "in person." We'll see how that goes!

I also started making some "mini goals" for myself every month. These were more like to-do lists, filled with fun, interesting, and special items I wanted to tackle each month.

February: clothes & renos             March                 April                    May

June                   July                 August

Some months (May...for example) were definitely more successful than others! But I'm not too worried about all of that. I enjoy making these lists for myself, and seeing where my month takes me. Even if it is in a totally different direction from where I thought it would!

My Summer Manifesto is something I have been working towards these past couple of months, and will see it into September. This is a big long list of fun summer activities I want to try this year! I will update how I did on September 30th.

My word of the year is BRAVE. It took a lot of bravery to even say it out loud, and put it on the blog. But I got it out there, and boy howdy was this ever the right word for me!

One of my biggest BRAVE things to-date was leaving my job downtown for something completely different. It was a huge step for me, but one that I don't think was risky. I wanted a change and a challenge. There is always an element of the unknown when you leave the security and familiarity of a job - even one you hate - for something in which you have no experience. But everyday I recognize that it was the right choice!

My other big brave item is ongoing and completely personal. I have not wanted to share it openly on the blog because I'm still working through things, and it will take a long time before I am comfortable putting it out there in the world. But everyday I am thinking brave thoughts...I have never believed in a word so much as I have this past month.

And that is that! What an amazing year it has been so far! September is my favourite month, and I am hoping we get a beautiful Indian Summer before the leaves start to change and Autumn blows in. And then I can enjoy all the activities that come with fall! Raking, jumping in leaves, pulling out my sweaters and tights....but I'm getting ahead of myself.

I think an important aspect of setting goals is looking back at your achievements. Don't focus on what went wrong, or what didn't get accomplished or what you missed out on. Instead, look at all the amazing times and adventures and learning opportunities you took advantage of and how setting simple goals and putting them out there in the world made your life a little bit rosier!

Geeze man. Mushy much...

I hope everyone had a great holiday Monday, and that not too many tears were shed today on the first day back to school!

Did you set any goals at the start of the year? And how has that been going for you...?!

later loves

My Favourite Month

1. Birthday Celebrations! My birthday weekend last year was beyond amazing! See here, here and here if you've forgotten! And this year I want to make magical memories again. So many things in my life lately have felt so bittersweet. I want to banish the blues and make my birthday all about connections and having fun with the people I love. No demands. No worries for what will come tomorrow. No pressure. 2. 30 Days of Lists Be the best damn Lister I can be! Good intentions, check. Lists prepped and ready to go, check. Pressure OFF, check! 3. Buy white paint and paint everything. Not that I am sick of my creamy yellow walls, but I am kind of sick of my creamy yellow walls. I need a change! A refreshing change. Who can recommend for me the "perfect" white. I might also tackle my kitchen cabinets while I'm at it! Wish me luck! 4. Make a plan and say goodbye. This is my "Be Brave" goal of the month. Even typing this I am getting nervous and I'm worried that I can't do it! Deep breaths Lisa, deep breaths.

September is my favourite month because it's my birthday month! I am not asking for much this year, except a little peace of mind.

I am going to a movie this afternoon at the Garneau theatre. I love a good western, and I am super excited to see a young Clint Eastwood on the big screen. Other than that, I want to breathe out the stress, and breath in peace and calm. And bravery...this month is all about the bravery. I really need to stop putting things off and procrastinating out of fear. I am a big girl. I can do this.

Ack! Too many deep thoughts for this Happy Holiday Monday!

later loves

August Goals

I say this every month, but I can't believe it's August already!

I've only got two goals this month. I want to focus on my Summer Manifesto, but these ones are easy!

1. Plan a spectacular birthday party for Dude. He is just like me, and pretty low-key in his birthday desires. So I want to create a party for him that is just his style. Last year we went camping at a lake, and had some family join us for cake and fun. We really enjoyed that, so I think something along those lines might be the way to go again. He doesn't really have "friends"... 2. Go to the Heritage Festival AND WATCH SOME SHOWS! We go to Heritage Days every year. We eat some food, I feel like crap, I feel rushed, it's busy, it's hot out, we go home. This year I would like to sit and enjoy some of the entertainment. And relax and enjoy the park. And not make it so much about the food, because that seems more and more silly every year.

Oh, and more nights like this. Yes please.

later loves

Summer Manifesto

Let's see how this goes...

go to the mountains

complete a large painting

make a summer mini album

take Jacob out for an Auntie-Nephew date

finish bathroom renovation

have a sleepover/make a blanket fort in the living room and sleep in it

go camping

Farmer's Market, lots and lots

eat deep fried pickles on a patio

have friends over for BBQ and games

wienie roast in a city park

go for walks in some of our old Orienteering stomping grounds

studio clean up! for reals!!

ride the High Level Streetcar...again

go to the Garneau/Metro for movie night

take the training wheels off Dude's bike

visit as many city festivals as possible!

Taste of Edmonton
Street Performers

Heritage Days

The Fringe

Folk Fest

Shakespeare in the Park

K-Days

etc.

waterslides!

swim in a lake

one new beer "cocktail" recipe (beergaritas are already in full rotation!)

run a 5k

girls night out!

take a Friday off and go to an outdoor pool with Dude

or take Candace up on her Summerside Beach offer!

watch for shooting stars & the Northern Lights

drink beer on a deck, listen to the birds, watch the sunset.....

etc.

later loves

(as inspired by Nadine...)

July (Get Outta Here!) Goals

Yes people. There are more. There are lists and lists and lists of more goals to get done this year! And I'm getting this one out late late late...eek! So late in fact, that I already had the chance to complete at least one of the items on my list! HA!

Nadine did up a "Summer Manifesto", which I absolutely adore and think I might try to replicate in some way as well. But for the sake of continuity, let's focus on my four goals tradition at least for today,

1. Go on a mini road trip. I realize that we already have plans to head to Whitefish, Montana for a destination wedding this month week, tomorrow WE JUST GOT BACK! But I want to go somewhere a little closer to home. Maybe stay the night. Maybe just make it a day trip. Take a lunch, put on some good tunes, and just drive. 2. Be a tourist in my own town! Some fricken amazing, awesome, lovely and gorgeous relatives from Texas are coming up at the end of the month, and my 80-year-old Grandma has kindly drawn up a list of some things she wants to do to "keep them entertained" while they're here. And some of them are teenagers. Oh dear. Wink! 3. Swim in a lake. This might go hand in hand with Goal #1 and/or the destination wedding we're attending! (It didn't...I did stick my feet in a couple of lakes, but that's about it...more on that to come!) Most Alberta lakes are notoriously terrible. But I bet I can find one that doesn't feel too skeevy or full of goose poop! 4. Be Brave....... I had something else for #4, but I felt that I needed to take it out and replace it with something more appropriate, but then I couldn't think of anything. I am having a tough month so far, but "survive July" seems like a cop out. As Jill says "every little ting gonna be a'right". Well, Jill & Bob Marley.

later loves

p.s.  I ended June with the biggest bang of my life! Then topped it all off with an amazing July 1st long weekend. I donated blood, fainted, had some handsome officers and lovely First Aid ladies come to my rescue, made an inappropriate joke about a frozen banana on a stick, had a much-needed chat with my mother, ate dinner outside, and went to bed early. A long weekend friends...I think I made the most of it!

June is a good month!

I like June. Russel's birthday and Father's Day. Dude is done school. The weather is beautiful, the days are longer. There is a giant full moon on the schedule. June is a good month. And in addition to the fact that we ARE IN MEXICO THIS WEEK there are some little things I would like to get done this month.

1. Go camping in the mountains. It has been years and years since we camped in the mountains. Pre-Lucas I think, actually! And I used to go all the time, so it is definitely something that I miss. Really, just "go to the mountains" is on the list. 2. Start an Summer Journal. I made an Instagram Blurb book of my entire (more-or-less) summer last year (that I still have to journal in....oops!) and it is an amazing book! I want to do something similar this year to celebrate my summer moments, both large and small.  3. Celebrate Russel's birthday in style. I feel kind of bad that I have loads of plans for the weekend after Russel's birthday (final symphony of the season, TEDx, Ben Sures concert), so I need to make it up to him. I don't think "but I took you to Mexico for my brother's wedding" is a good compromise! 4. Take off the training wheels! This is more of a goal for Dude, but it is important to me too. I know that I need to be more present and more focused on helping him grow and learn and stuff. The "being a Mom" stuff that I am hit or miss on. Training wheels and learning to ride his bike is important, so I have to step it up and make time for him! He is so close! And I am so excited for him...

I also want to register for my 5k, consider the possibility of running a 10k in the fall (?!), go to the park as much as humanly possible, eat dinner in the backyard, plant some things and keep them alive, go to the Farmer's Market, and keep doing brave things.

June, be prepared to have your butt kicked with awesomeness.

later loves

Paint and Paper

I have been playing lately and crossing off a goal from my May list.

The previous two photos show the covers, front, back & insides.

I don't use any special foot or technique when I do machine stitching on my paper. I keep it on the same settings no matter what I sew, and unless the paper is getting ripped I just push on through.

The previous three images show details of some of the pages.

I have LOADS more that I could share, but that's probably good for now. Here's some of the specifics, for those of you who are interested.

Binding // hand-stitched with embroidery floss
Pages // embossed cardstock (gessoed, then painted), patterned paper, sewn back-to-back
Wet Media // gesso, spray ink that I apply with a paintbrush cause none of the sprayers work anymore...poot
Pens // Sharpie, Pigma Micron (now those are sweet pens...)
Other Crap // various ribbons & papers from my stash, hand-stitching with more embroidery floss, machine stitching,  words cut out from an old issue of Vue Weekly.

Text // You will see a lot of song lyrics in my art journals. Sometimes it represents the music I was listening to when I made the page. And some represent a song that is stuck in my head, usually because the words are completely relevant to something I am trying to work through and work out in my journal. I also include my own words, but I didn't feel like sharing those this time!

It's not quite finished, but it's finished enough. And that's enough. It's not my best or most favourite art-journal-mini I have ever made, but I enjoyed it, and that's definitely enough.
later loves

May Goals DONE! Well...almost...

It looks like I just needed a break from the blog to get things done. Yay me.

Clean Up Yard > I still need to move some pots to the front and get some new plants in there, but we are getting a new fence this year so I don't know if I want to risk having a bunch of handymen trampling on them. Poot.

Make a Mini Album > It's coming along nicely. Messy, artsy, just the way I like it.

New Clothes Shopping > Target Grand Opening...a couple days later. Note to Self: The boys think "give me one hour" means "give me 32 minutes then start texting me to see if I'm done yet". So next time, no boys tagging along.

Be Brave > I'm working on it. Truthfully, it feels more "completely idiotic" than brave...but....

What's special-lovely-wonderful in your life lately? Do share!

later loves