Us and Stuff

Random photos from the past few months.

Vegas road trip for cousin's wedding...but no photos of anything to do with the wedding.  Forgot Blake's suit pants, so we (he) took an H&M detour. Buffets are not so great.  I'd rather spend a lot of money on one really good plate of food.  The buffet churros and soft serve were good though.

That's a 50 lb. box of almonds in the back seat.  Blake's uncle is some sort of almond lord in California.

New art for the walls.

 Trip to see my sister and her baby.  Fall break!!! 

 Fabric stores in San Fransisco. Cheap.  Found some great spandex for Halloween costume.

We walked to get some frozen yogurt, and made some Andy Goldsworthy-ish art.

The town she lives in is so cute.  I really fell in love with it, and this horse.  But seriously, I'm crossing my fingers.  Hopefully Blake can land a job somewhere in the area when he graduates.

Not pictured: lots of cooking (some healthy, some really unhealthy), dinner and a great catch up with Shanna, the really outrageous bros who sat in front of me on the flight who (every 10 min.) called out "water cooler" to their friend sitting 15 rows back.

Sunday Goods

These videos were a good way to start my morning and a new week (epic music aside):
 

I have been working for a long time to piece together my understanding of what womanhood is- especially what womanhood in the church is supposed to look like for me. This is one of my greatest questions and struggles. Sometimes (a lot) I get so caught up in comparing myself with other women (and men), that I end up feeling really bitter, or resentful, or super prideful.

 Why not just be inspired and motivated by the great and varied examples of womanhood around me? I want to accept and support every individualized version of womanhood, because we are individuals...and hating on, or being jealous of one woman's reality of womanhood won't bring me any closer to realizing the truth for myself. I have so many wonderful friends and relatives. They are all different and they all have different paths and purposes.

 I'm so grateful for the examples of strength, creativity, ingenuity, generosity, determination, compassion, self-love, selflessness...

 I'm especially grateful for the ones that are brave enough to share their failures and insecurities, because that vulnerability is beautiful and honest and it helps me to be more accepting of myself as a whole, imperfect woman.

 

Word Bednar.  "Everything that invites and entices us to do good, and to be good is from God."  So, maybe stop worrying about where the thought comes from, and start acting on it?!

old work

My mom got me to finally move the rest of my stuff out of her house.  I found a pile of my old college artwork.

I've been thinking a lot about creating lately.  I've been thinking about opening myself to inspiration, and acting on inspiration.  Even though I teach art, I have made very little art since college.  I mean, very little of my art, or art for myself.

Mostly, I am scared to create art, but maybe part of it is that I am interested in too many media. I don't practice and work in one area. I sew and dabble in crafts, but it's hard to have the courage and focus to actually create something meaningful.

  It's hard for me to sit down and even practice creating art.  I get a new sketchbook and it stays blank.  I often use the excuse that I don't have inspiration, I don't know where to start.

I'm taking small steps toward practicing and working. Working as a way to invite inspiration.  Part of that is showing and sharing my work, because that can be really, really scary.  So, I'll be posting more of my work along with more of my ramblings.

I'm enjoying these

1. I've been waiting for this to hit Blockbuster Express, and it did not disappoint:



2.  Now that I finally have vision insurance, I got new glasses! It's been three years since I got a new pair.  I'm loving these.

3. FALL BREAK! It's like spring break, but better, because it's in the fall (which I looooove).  I get to go visit S.F. and Natty.  I was seriously giddy when the final bell rang.

10-7-12

As I listened (well, listened/graded artwork) to conference today, two things really stood out to me.

 1. Today I got decided to keep a record of the things I am grateful for.  Be it great or small, writing the things I am grateful for may come in handy on the days I'm being a butt-head and not feeling so grateful.  So here goes- some of the things I am grateful for right now:

2. Acting on inspiration. Details later, sleep now.