Shed

I recently started reading the book, SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life by Julie Morgenstern. Well, reading is sort of an understatement, with my schedule and short attention span, perusing is a better word. I've been scanning the pages, trying to find little pearls of wisdom that I can use.

From what I gather her plan involves four steps;
 1. Separate the treasures
 2. Heave the trash
 3. Embrace your identity
 4. Drive yourself forward. 

It is more than just a simple, straightforward 'get rid of clutter, organize your life' book.  I know how to declutter. I call it "trash bag cleaning" and do it with gusto. But I do hold on to a lot of stuff. And...most importantly and the reason why I picked up this book is that I am a little stuck. Lots of good things going on in my life. Loads of opportunity and potential....but I am NOT SLEEPING. I am TOO BUSY. The STRESS is catching up to me in spades.  I need a better focus and a plan.

Hence trying to squeeze a self-help book into the mix.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau.

Okay, I am living the dream so to speak. Years ago I wrote in my journal that I wanted to be a writer, artist and teacher.....I am all three. This is fabulous....but be careful for what you ask for!  I am unfocused and trying to do too much in all three areas. Basically I have two full-time jobs, demanding hobbies and four active children. Full-time freelance writer, full-time teacher, artist, roller derby, running...and never ending mom duties.

Writing- NEED to pare down my themes. I make a good income, but have numerous topics that I am trying to juggle. I might be able to do a better job if I was keeping on top of one or two subjects.
Teaching- Love it, but it is exhausting! Too many classes, too many big projects, and art shows galore. Will be paring this down next year. I won't quit....but I need to create a saner schedule.
Personal Art *This is where I SHED first- much to my son's dismay, I heaved a large amount of art that was just sitting in storage cabinets. I like empty shelves and the paintings were never going to hang in a museum. I pictured myself deciding what to do with them when I am 90...and out they went.

If the book shines a light on my life and helps me release some of the load...I will update.  Crossing fingers!

Mumford & Sons- Another New Folksy Favorite

Talk about being 'out of the loop'  I just "discovered" the popular Mumford & Sons when they played alongside the Avett brothers and the iconic Bob Dylan at the 2011 Grammy's.  Loved their style, their sound and the song "The Cave"

I listen to alternative radio stations, cruise college radio and consider myself fairly up to date with new bands, especially folksy or soulful types, but completely missed these boys.  Their Grammy performance was cool,  they looked like happy muppets in my opinion.  Each one of them completely immersed in playing their instruments with crazy intensity...and a smile on their faces.  Love happy people.

Adele- Sassy, Soulful Music

Ahhh, real music. Adele was born the year I graduated high school...May 5th, 1988...pretty close to the actual graduation date actually. 
This singer/songwriter has a musical style that is described as "heartbroken soul."
Perfect sound to just let play in the background while I paint, or write. It's sassy, soulful and real music. 

Adele 21 includes: 
1. Rolling in the Deep
2. Rumour Has It
3. Turning Tables
4. Don’t You Remember
5. Set the Fire to Rain
6. He Won’t Go
7. Take It All
8. I’ll Be Waiting
9. One and Only
10. Lovesong
11. Someone Like You

If the only song you've heard from Adelle is her often played, "Rolling in the Deep" you need to check out the rest of the album. 

Greetings from Cleveland!

Greetings from Cleveland 

Dear StyleList,
Cleveland is the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a fact that makes our town proud. Maybe that's why we Clevelanders tilt toward independent styles - just like the rockers inside.
..........click link to continue....

I've mentioned this before, but getting published on StyleList makes me giddy....they purchased it, published it and I am giddy today!
The article is nothing much, just a few thoughts, pictures and quotes....but Wooo Hooo!  

thought i'd share...

Freelance Writing Turned Me Into a Compulsive Gambler

Freelance writing has turned me into a compulsive gambler. It's true. I recently wrote an article highlighting a few contests and favorite contest websites of mine. It only scratched the surface.

The very process of crafting a story and then throwing it out to the wolves ( er,  editors) is really just a gamble. Some companies are riskier than others, but I keep going back, since the "prizes" (translated, pay)  they offer are so more attractive than the less risky sites.  If they never bought a 'big' article, I could walk away, (I think)....but since the ratio is more like one in five, I continue to test my luck.

Lately I've been running across slogan, logo, essay and photo contests that are too "easy" to pass up. What's five minutes when I could win *insert prize here*  So far I've won several gift certificates to Amazon, a funky piece of jewelry and a DVD that will be re-gifted. These little gifts keep my hopes up on the trips to Spain, New York City, Bahamas, shoes, toys and electronics....someone has to win, right?

It's pathetic, I've never been one to use coupons, or turn in a Publisher's Clearing House. I don't watch game shows, have no desire to go gamble in Las Vegas or any casino really...but will spend precious brain power on crafting a new slogan in order to 'win the big one'

Aside from the possible wins, here is how I justify my newest obsession....it's keeping my brain strong. Suduko and crossword puzzles are not the only brain gymnastics on the block, baby. Alright...mama needs a new pair of shoes.... : )  Wish me luck!

 

 

Art News

Something finally clicked yesterday. It's been literally months since I picked up a paintbrush, my wire tools or anything remotely close to artwork. Sure, I've painted a bedroom and made little graduation cap centerpieces for my son's school ceremony...Martha Stewart would be proud....but no real art.  In fact there is a 3/4 mural done in my hallway that I've completely abandoned. It is obviously not done....and I have no desire to continue. (in fact it's all going under a dark layer of paint soon)

Writing took center stage for a long while. The instant gratification of paychecks and visual proof that I am in fact working, really sucked the life out of my art. BUT, at the same time writing drew me back. I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning sketching and planning and scheming how I'll put aside time...and put my studio back together. As a writer for eHow I write on a lot of art related topics, that's how I landed the job I think. My years of experience creating and teaching gave me a background they were looking for. Art articles go through with minimal to no edits, while other articles are full of rewrites and second tries. For months now I've put my blinders on and worked, unfazed, until yesterday.

Yesterday I wrote an assignment on oil pastels. Nothing fancy, I'm actually not fond of the medium, but while adding research notes at the bottom I came across a piece of art that reminded me of something....it reminded me of the backgrounds I love to paint and that did it. 

After my head finally hit the pillow last night, I remembered my scribbled goals the very first time I worked through the Artist's Way book....'to be an artist, to be a teacher and to be a writer'. At the time I was none of them, only a big dreamer. Now I'm officially a freelance writer, officially a teacher and the spark has finally returned to create. Wow, too bad I didn't add 'to be independently wealthy'    

This will be interesting to see how it all fits together.  Stay tuned.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl......

New writing assignment.

I am unreasonably excited about my new gig.  Huge fan of Roald Dahl, the author who introduced the world to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Fantastic Mr.Fox and many many MANY more interesting characters and their nemisis....and I, little ol me, gets to write up lesson plans for this mans fascinating books.

I've decided that coming up with lesson plans and writing tests are so much better suited for me than the actual teaching. While I love teaching, this is the best part, reading childrens books and coming up with creative ways to present it......without actually having to speak or discipline...how cool.