Picking Up Chicks

Well, we did it. We got chickens. Well, they're just babies right now - technically, red pullets. I'm still figuring out what that really means.
 



Little Chickadees

Aren't they cute? I'm forbidden from naming them until they get bigger. Which is probably a good thing, because we've already lost one. I'm not going to lie - I was sad about it. I gave her a proper burial and it was solemn and quiet. And, I piled some rocks over her site, as kind of a grave marker. Harsh realities of this new farm life.

 

 

RIP Chickee

It may be silly, but I feel better showing a little respect. I really wished I could have saved her. But, I've heard this is quite common with new chicks.

 

 

 

Sticking together

 

Anyway, the rest of the chicks look healthy and seem to be thriving. I'm looking forward to watching them grow.

 

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Fabric Love

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about fabric...

 

The different colors, textures, weights...

 

  The endless possibilities.


Peace, Love and Chocolate

Hello 2012!

Wow! Is it 2012 already?

I'm playing catch-up, because as you can see, I spent the last week of 2011 in Florida with my family:

I so badly wanted to write a post while we were there, but I didn't have PC access to the Internet, just my phone. And truthfully, I was way too tired at the end of each day to write. But we had a blast! And the best part? Hearing my son say over and over again how "awesome" it was that we spent a whole week as a family. Yes, my ex-husband, my now hubby, my son and myself all went together. And we all got along (we do anyway). And my son loved it! It truly warmed my heart to see the joy on my boy's face. That was the best part of the trip for me!

And now, on to 2012!

I don't have much to say about the new year. I don't have a word or concrete resolutions. I chose a word last year and it was a total fail for me. (The word was 'discipline', like I would be more disciplined with my eating/exercise and disciplined in creating art, etc.)  I did lose some weight, but I took a break and went back to old habits. I've maintained the loss, but still have 30ish pounds to go.

But I don't want losing weight to be the main focus. I want to be healthier. I have a goal that I want to be fabulous by 40 (which is 2 1/2 years away). I want to look the best I've ever looked and FEEL the best I've ever felt. So that will be my focus for 2012.

And, I need to become more social. I spend the majority of time at home and I've really learned to isolate myself. SO, I've signed up for a local art class in January. It's an altered book class (as close to mixed media as I could find) and I'm nervous because I can't hide behind a computer. But I know this is good for me. And I'm really looking forward to meeting some local artists!

That's it for now. I love reading every one's take on the new year, so I think I will grab a cup of coffee and take in a few blogs this morning.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate



The Word for 2011

I don’t normally make New Year Resolutions. Typically, people never follow through with them, including me. But, with everything I want to accomplish in 2011, I feel the need to document it somehow. So, this year I’m stating what I want to accomplish in 2011 and then will try to sum that up with ONE word. This idea came to me when I started reading the blog {Words of Me Project}. What do I want for 2011?

~ I want to feel healthier – eat better, get regular exercise, drink water, etc. Hopefully this result in weight loss – but I’d be happy with just feeling more energetic.

~ I also want to put my all into a creative business which hopefully brings success, so that I can once again contribute monetarily to my family.

~ Lastly, I want to maintain my home so that it will remain organized and peaceful. Right now, when the clutter gets the best of me, my home feels very chaotic – and that’s not how I want my family to live.

So, I can only think of one word that will help me accomplish all of these things and that is:

Discipline.

And I’m approaching the idea of Discipline like I’m “mothering” myself. I don’t let my son eat bad things, so why should I? And when I worked full-time, I had set hours that were dedicated to what I needed to get done, so I should be able to apply the same time management to my creative business and things that need to be done around the house.

A Sketchbook Project page

I’m very optimistic about 2011! I’m ending 2010 a little under the weather, which means I’ll just have more incentive next week to get going on everything I want to accomplish. I can’t wait!

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Doubting Tuesday

I am at a stand-still. This is the time of the year when I should be thankful (and I am, believe me, for everything wonderful in my life), but as far as my art and blog, I’m frozen. I am having serious doubts about the future and how far I can take this “wanting to be an artist” thing. I know, this is the moment that separates the “men from the boys”, as my husband would say, or separates the artist from the wannabe. My husband (who is very wise, I must say), says that this why not everyone chooses to put themselves out there, why not everyone is an artist, because it’s lull’s like these that make or break you.

Right now I am nothing more than an artist in my head – with some wonderful friends and family who provide encouragement. I have plans for 2011, but not sure where they’ll take me. I’ve slowed down for the holidays, because everything I’ve read says that trying to build up cliental during the holidays is like trying to build a house in a tornado. So, I’m waiting.

I have to push through this doubt, because not trying is a crime. And, I don’t want to be a criminal...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

First Blog

I'm a little nervous. This is my first blogging experience. So, let me define what I hope to accomplish through this blog. I am searching for Pure Joy. Whether through my creation or through others' creations. I'm excited to see what I find and what I can create. Maybe, this will start, a Pure Joy revolution? I can only hope!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate
Joyce ;-)