{my beloved...heart} 26/365

“Small is the number of them 

that see with their own eyes 

and feel with their own hearts.”  

~ Albert Einstein

{my beloved...belly} 25/365

This belly has been the ultimate miracle by giving me three precious sons who I love with all my heart.  This belly has felt years of worry -- how will I make it as a single mother?  how will I provide a home for my family?  will I do it right?  As I look back on my life, I see how everything worked out...somehow I made it which has given me such faith that All is working for me, not against me.  Raising them has been a challenge for sure, but at the same time a blessing.  It has given me strength and perseverance, courage and determination - and most of all - the experience of unconditional love.

My boys are now grown (22, 20,17) but my belly still reminds me of my younger days of carrying them inside me.  They gave me strength to push through this life and not give up...for them, more than for me.  Now life is changing...they will soon make their owns lives and my life is changing course as we speak.  I look forward to these new chapters in my life...and look forward to witnessing theirs as well.  

One funny memory -- my youngest son asking me when he was probably 5 years old..."How did I get into your tummy?  Did you have to eat me?".  He has always been so inquisitive.

{my beloved...eyes} 24/365

{chin up} 23/365

{my beloved...skin} 17/365

{prompt: skin & a positive message}

Since I have a permanent positive message on my skin,

I choose to take a photo including my tattoo.

{five} things:

1.  beautiful sunrise again this morning

2.  spin class this morning

3.  making pizza tonight

4.  watching the playoffs with Mr. G

5.  another painting lesson in Bloom True

{my beloved...shoulders} 16/365

{a prompt from Beloved Body -- shoulders}

Our entire life … 

consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are.

~ Jean Anouih

{five} things:

1.  it's Monday...started off kinda crazy - but cool fog with the sunrise

2.  taking a nap after work (much needed)

3.  catching up on some photos

4.  using my artwork in my photos

5.  spending a relaxing night at home

{from above} 14/365

{shooting from above}

"Something amazing happens when we surrender and just love. 

We melt into another world, a realm of power already within us. 

The world changes when we change. the world softens when we soften. 

The world loves us when we choose to love the world."
~ Marianne Williamson

{five} things:

1.  worked on my paintings today

2.  a beautiful, beautiful autumn day!

3.  letting go more while painting

4.  bon fire while watching the Tigers outside

5.  hanging out with friends & making bbq chicken pizzas

{sun starting to set tonight}

{myself} 13/365

{our prompt was to shoot from below}

{five} things:

1.  it's Friday -- so that's always good :-)

2.  getting some paint on my canvases today

3.  him & me going out to dinner at Xiao

4.  getting him to try thai food

5.  red wine

{my beloved} profile 12/365

“Life is too short to waste any amount of time 

on wondering what other people think about you.

In the first place, if they had better things going on 

in their lives, they wouldn't have the time to sit

 around and talk about you. 

What's important to me is not others' opinions of me, 

but what's important to me is my opinion of myself.” 

~ C. JoyBell C.

{five} things:

1.  slept in a little longer this morning

2.  another beautiful autumn day

3.  starting a new project at work -- 

setting up a company's accounting from scratch -- a good challenge.

4.  watching the Tigers...just me & Mr. G

5.  Tigers WIN!  off to the AL playoffs

{my beloved...voice} 11/365

When I think of my voice, I'm overall a fairly quiet person...especially when you first meet me.  

I like to listen at first -- you can learn a lot listening!  Sometimes people take my quietness as me not being friendly, which bothers me.  With people who know me, I'm very open, but I do try to choose who I share things with on a personal level.  It's kind of interesting because some of you I've met here in the online world 

know I side of me not many get to see.  I am developing my courage to share more of this side of me, but you do open yourself up to judgment & criticism.  Being vulnerable...now that is true courage!

“Courage doesn't always roar. 

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice 

at the end of the day saying, 

‘I will try again tomorrow.’” 

~ Mary Anne Radmacher

{five} things:

1.  setting aside time to paint today

2.  taking some selfies for Beloved Body with Vivienne McMaster

3.  practicing & practicing letting go this week

4.  recognizing more than usual my thoughts & beliefs

5.  thankful for all this growth

{my beloved heart} 7/365

Starting a new workshop with Vivienne McMaster...exploring our bodies.

First -- our heart.

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, 

and you shall see that in truth 

you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” 

―~Kahlil Gibran

{five} things:

1.  having a get together with friends to watch the game & cook fish

2.  spending some him & me time

3.  another beautiful autumn day

4.  buying some mums for my yard

5.  getting a cute pic of him when he wasn't looking :-)

{don't you love the skeleton undies} :-)

{day 4:::light magic}

{day 3:::encircled by light}

“I wish I could show you

when you are lonely 

or in darkness 

the astonishing light 

of your own being.” 

~ Hafiz

{day 2:::light as art}

some lovely shadows forming it's own art.

{day 1:::stepping into the light}

finding light on a cloudy day.

{day 19:::savoring a moment}

I'm not sure if this is really "savoring" but I sure am looking forward to Spring as I look out the window trying to envision all my flowers in bloom where now there is just snow.  The photos on the left are of the same flower pot...winter & boots vs summer & bare feet!  I miss going bare foot outside. :-)  

{day 18:::shadow}

My shadow in the parking lot as I leave work.  

The pavement had  a lot of boot prints & tire tracks

 from all the salt after the snow melted 

-- thought it looked kinda cool.  

{day 15:::truth of today}

I know life is ever changing & I have had a few changes over the last year that have made me take a good look at myself.  Really, it's been a great thing!  I started a new relationship with a wonderful man & so much changed in life.  With all the good happening, there were other changes that I didn't understand.    

This photo is a look at how I over think -- always trying to figure something out!  I realized those questions I have been asking myself really needed to be looked at differently.  It was weighing on me.  I needed to look at them as who I am now, not who I was, which is why this quote is so perfect!  When I let go of my old views, I seemed to see it all in a new light!  I was able to let go and realize people change, I've changed...everything changes -- it's part of life.  I have begun a new chapter.

{day 13:::flirt}

I'm kinda shy & have never considered myself a good flirt!  :-)  

so I used the "hard to get" approach. 

{day 12:::rest}

Snuggled in my bed with my soft blanket & ruffle"y" pillow.

Being sick this past week, I have spent a lot of time snuggled up in bed.