Artful Wednesday Again

Welcome back to Artful Wednesday. I skipped last week because I simply had nothing to offer. And I'm still running a week behind on challenges here, but I'm hoping to have a link up for the Diva's Weekly Challenge either later today or tomorrow. Her theme this week is 'Home' and we're to use our home for inspiration. I have a sketch drawn up of what I hope to do-using both Pittsburgh and MA in one piece...and it will be a colored tile, so--fingers crossed and stay tuned!

But this is what I played with over the last two weeks...

Searching for a painting book that I believe to be packed up for the Great Move already, I found my old black paper notebook and tried out a tangle with a pink milky pen. Eh...I'll keep playing with these....and still didn't find the book I was looking for in the first place! Ugh!!

Last week's Diva Challenge was to use the pattern Cadent. It didn't have to be a mono-tangle (only using one pattern) but I went there anyway (except for a few pearls in the upper left corner...) I missed the cut off for the slideshow, but I'll still link up with the challenge. You can see more Cadent tangles here.

Below is the background for a Zia (Zentangle Inspired Art) journal challenge. The idea is to tape off your 'string', lay down some watercolor wash, then blow some paint drops around, let dry, remove tape and add tangles! So, I've managed to complete the background...stay tuned for the tangles!!

And this one was just for fun, ala Shelly Beach style. I LOVE her work and if you click on her name, you can see more amazing art at her website. She totally inspires me and, who knows, maybe someday I'll get to travel to Australia to take some tangle classes firsthand from her....I can dream, anyway, right?

So, there you have it...Thank you, thank you for stopping by and I do hope you'll come back again to see more Zentangle Inspiration!



And now for a bunch of buttons =0)

Still Thankful Tuesday

I'm realizing it takes me a good week or so to recover from these tremors. The brain seems to check out for a while and is reluctant to kick back in with what I really need it to do! Things I would ordinarily take for granted disappear-organizational skills, basic motivation, completing a single thought, even speaking sometimes is difficult. That's my excuse for not blogging much this past week, anyway...I just wasn't 'all there'. But, I'm finally beginning to feel more like myself again, at least much happier to have Bug home from camp! That certainly helps-he's my little anchor to sanity and I was honestly lost without him.

So, it's Thankful Tuesday once more, and I continue to count His generous gifts:

455. Family--specifically my uncle who came to my rescue when the garage door opener went kabloowie and (456.) got it working again then (457.) bought us lunch: white pizza with banana peppers at Natili's--oh so yum!!! And then, (458.) drove me past Camp Lutherlyn so I could (almost) be close to Bug for a minute and only made fun of me for crying until (459.) he got me laughing at myself again. And (460.) it was such a gorgeous day to be riding in his Audi TT with the top down. I am thankful for all of it.

461. Time to go pick up Bug!!!!!!!!! And hearing his crazy loud (paternally Italian influenced) voice for the first time all week!!!!!!

Camp Buddies heading home--yay!!

462. Kissing that sweet face and hugging tight
463. Camp stories and an amazing counselor

Time for one final prayer before heading home. Thank you Tim!!!

464. Celebrating birthdays, in spite of long distance and the promise to celebrate all over again when this is finally over
465. The comfort of getting back into simple routine
466. Singing camp songs in the car
467. Starting Vacation Bible School and swim lesson week craziness!
468. God sighting! Two hot air balloons flying over VBS (whose theme this week is Sky and the school is decorated in hot air balloons, kites, and hang gliders....His timing is SO amazing!!)

Then...
469. Chasing one of the balloons and getting to watch it be deflated, rolled up and packed away--too cool!

470. The incredible beauty and diversity of God's first gift--creation:

The Acraga Coa aka Jewel Caterpillar and the moth it grows into. Seriously--wow!!!

A tarsier--if this guy doesn't make you smile, you must be dead. And, I want one...just sayin'

471. Temperatures barely hitting seventy at the end of June--aaahhh!! A little chilly for swim lessons, perhaps, but I'm lovin' the break from the heat while we have it!!

Join in with your Thankful Tuesday here:

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part Six

101. Name 4 things you always have with you. My phone, my tablet, keys, and my purse.

102. How many SERIOUS exes do you have? Like, they were serious, the relationship? Four or five...

103. What causes you to you admire people?  Their kindness, intelligence, artistic ability, sense of humor.

104. Do you like sports? No, no, and nuh-uh. No.

105. Would you have sex after marriage? Why or why not? Really?

106. What is your favorite male name? Michael, hence my Bugga Bugga...

107. Do animals go to Heaven? It wouldn't be heaven if they weren't there.

108. Last time you had a great time with your dad? Celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, four months before he passed away.

109. What is your favorite hair style? I dunno--my hair makes me crazy, but I currently love Sonya Tayeh's mohawk. Were I only that brave or young to get away with it...

110. Do you like your name? Eh...

111. When was the last time that you quit your job? Over two years ago before we moved to PA

112. When you wake up, what is the first thing you think? Do I get to run today?

113. Have you ever pulled an all-niter? Many many many before I really truly learned to appreciate the wonderfulness of sleep

114. What is the perfect day for you? Doing something fun with my family.

115. Last time you cleaned the bathroom? Tuesday, I think?

116. Have you ever failed a grade? Why? Nope!

117. Have you met anyone online? Lots of people!

118. Have you ever smoked? Twenty-three of the stupidest years of my life.

119. Do you like celebrities? No.

120. Do you like traveling? I like the idea of traveling. I like being home more.

Thankful Tuesday

It's so quiet here this week. Bug is at Lutherlyn having the time of his life with his buddy, Bryce. I'm reassuring the dogs and birds he'll be back home again in a few more days. Myself, I slept twelve hours last night--that never happens! Normally I'd be freaking out that half my day is gone, but I don't have anywhere to be, just a few simple chores to check off the list, and mostly plan to tangle and answer a letter or two today. Nothing to panic over by any means. Hmmm....

Continuing counting His gracious gifts:

441. Peppermint tea to soothe a migraine
442. My pretty happy jacket (Missy knows what that means...)
443. Watching a Mama Cardinal feeding her baby in our weeping cherry

444. Four new Cup of Water letters to answer

445. Protein/Berry smoothies with whipped cream--my new latte?? Mmm...maybe not, but still yummy--and pretty!

446. Camp scholarship that made sending Bug much more affordable

All packed up and ready to go!



447. A day at the Carnival!

Such silly boys!

448. Staples fixing the computer...again!!
449. Missy keeping me sane...
450. Lattes, lattes, lattes....
451. Bug's first camp experience--so happy for him!

Dibs on the top bunk!!

452. Morning road run with Tucker
453. Pics posted online from camp!

Goin' schwimmin'!!

454. Computer finally back home at last!!

Count your thankfuls with us:

Thankful Tuesday

TSO7: Media Week, um, Not...

I was supposed to begin Week Three: Media this weekend but have decided to take a brief break. I've been having some medical issues this year that are playing havoc with my state of mind. Last week I had another pretty bad tremor (like a seizure but since I'm aware of what's happening, they won't call it a seizure--which means I get to keep my drivers license, at least--just doesn't make me feel any better physically or emotionally...) It knocks me off balance for a few days, and add to that I just dropped my baby boy off for a week at camp yesterday afternoon, my heart is just not in the challenge this week.

So I have this too quiet house all to myself (and the dogs and birds...) all week--*sigh*!! I just may high tail it outdoors and go for a road run or two, shake off some of these lonely blues...Hope to finish reading 7 and Storm of Swords. Truly hoping Staples will pronounce my PC virus free this morning!! Plenty of time to tangle and cook all the things that I love but a certain Bug seems to find unpalatable...Just gonna miss those morning tickles and hugs...And hopefully will be back in the game to carry on with our Summer of 7 next week!!

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part Five



It's me with a rainbow of zendoodles
flowing out of my brain...

81. What’s your favorite action movie? Not a big action movie fan...

82. Have (or are) you ever been involved someone much older than you? Hubby is eleven years older than me, which I don't consider 'much' older, but there have been a couple older than him along the way...I like men, not boys.

83. Do you believe in lust at first sight? Duh!

84. Favorite type of venomous snake? Favorite?? Are Emerald Tree Boas venomous? So pretty...

85. Do you drink alcohol? Very very very rarely 

86. If you wanted to talk to someone who'd lift your spirits, who'd you call? Missy

87. What do you wear to feel sexy? A long pretty maxi dress

88. Do you like to learn? Yes, love to learn! Always!

89. Have you ever been hit on by someone who really overestimated their attractiveness? Truly...

90. Where did you last go on vacation? Vacation....I used to know what that was...can't even remember the last time I went on vacation, though surely it was to visit the family in MA several summers ago...

91. Dallas (as in J.R. & Bobby) returns this week. What film or TV series would you loved to be resurrected? Fame!! I loved that show!

92. Explain your karma beliefs. You get what you give in life. If you're a jerk, you get treated like a jerk in return. If you want people to be nice to you, be nice yourself and be happy--no one likes a downer.

93. When do you think that you have a hard life? I don't have a hard life. I miss my husband but that doesn't make life hard.

94. Favorite comic strip? Ziggy--ooo, or the one with Opus and Bill the Cat--and Calvin and Hobbes

95. Have you ever broken a heart? A few maybe....

96. Should pot be legalized? NOOOOOO!!!

97. Have you ever gone skinny dipping with someone that you shouldn't have? No, but now I'm afraid to read other people's answers...

98. What do you do when you're down? Mope and eat (how many times are they gonna ask this question??)

99. Last time you were really angry? Friday, I think? Drove all over creation (aka town) looking for some computer game for Bug and when we couldn't find it, he gives me a bunch of lip and attitude like it was my fault...It'll be a long, long time before we go computer game shopping again...or at least until he comes home from camp...oh help me...

100. What is your favorite flavor in general? Coffee, chocolate, caramel...Caramel chocolate coffee...with whipped cream and caramel drizzled on top...I think I hear Sheetz calling....

Saturday 9: Hot Fun In the Summertime

1. What do you have planned for fun in the summertime? First is going to see Rusted Root play at the Big Butler Fair on my birthday--woot woot!! I had hoped to go on a Boston Dinner Cruise with my hubby in August, but unless we get an offer on the house pretty quick, that's not gonna happen--so much for the pretty purple dress I had bought...*sigh*

2. Who was the last celebrity that you thought was bright until you saw them interviewed? I don't watch celebrity interviews--seriously, so much better things to do with my time....

3. Do you think that the U.S. and our present war(s) seem to just ignore our history? Um, really, any war pretty much ignores history, don't you think???

4. Have you ever conformed just to "fit in"? Yeah, stupidly, and wasted five perfectly good years of my life with the biggest waste of a boyfriend to hit the earth...but I'm not bitter...

5. Do you feel that you at times do not enjoy the moment because you are worried about what will come next? That's pretty much my entire existence to date...

 

6. Does it seem that when you learn more about yourself, that others' opinions of you seem stupid? Um, caring about others' opinions of yourself is just stupid in general.

7. In rock & roll history, what bands or artists do you think made the biggest impact? The biggies: Beatles, Elvis, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones

8. Who do you blame for the state of the economy? Why? I'd like to say Obama, but you pretty much have to blame the entire government because they're all idiots.

9. Do you get upset and do you think you're being lazy when you do nothing? Sometimes, but considering my health issues this year, the times I take to do nothing are always for good reason. There's just that guilt factor, being a mom, like you ought to be doing 'something' but sometimes nothing is the best something you can do for yourself. Oooo, that's almost deep...

Count Me Accountable/TSO7-Week Two: Clothes

I'm not weighing in this week. After a three day migraine and no working out, I am not punishing myself by getting on the scale. There's always next week for that. So, instead, this morning I'll update Week Two of Summer of 7: Clothes.

Things were going along rather smoothly. The washing machine was running every other day, but that's not a big deal. Laundry is one of my more enjoyable chores. I'll give up weeding and bathroom scrubbing any day, but I don't mind the laundry at all. Then the weather cooled off (this is summer, right?) and a pair of capris was the longest, warmest clothing item I had chosen...so I added a pair of sweats to the wardrobe to wear the last couple of days. It's chilly!! But today it's supposed to warm back up again into the eighties, so I ought to be back into my shorts for the remainder of the week.

I'm still having daily mental battles over giving up the challenge, but that only makes me want to hold on more. I have something to learn here, otherwise the enemy wouldn't be so adamant about trying to convince me to cash in my chips and call it quits. So--hanging in. Media Week will begin Sunday. Maybe. It's going to be a long, lonely week with my Bug away at camp--I might need the sound of the TV and internet interaction to keep me company...Maybe I'll do Possessions Week instead and use that as a distraction to being home alone? I need to keep on the purge as it is for the move--whenever that might finally happen!

Happy news this morning: I received four Cup of Water Ministry letters to answer--two from new pen pals! These are all letters from inmates and it's such a blessing to get to know these men and share a little light in their lives. So I need to get busy answering all four--the service seems to run a little slow in getting letters to and from each other at times. They spend enough of their time waiting...learning a little of just what that feels like myself this year...

So carrying on with the Summer of 7--the blog hop linky isn't working this morning but you can click on over with the button below to read more of the insanity, er, I mean fun--yeah, fun!! Join us?

Artful Wednesday-Weekly Challenge #74

Well, the first week of summer vacation has given me a little less time to play with tangles than I'd like, plus I've been nursing a migraine for the past three days which isn't exactly conducive to creativity either. But Bug went off and spent the night at a friend's on Monday and left me all day yesterday in quiet solitude and I couldn't waste that time just laying on the couch. I pulled out my sketchbook and pens and got to tangling.

The Diva's challenge this week is to use eccentric (not at or in the center, not perfectly circular, an eccentric or elliptical orbit having a different center) circles for your string, or guideline. This is what I came up with:



My sister-in-law suggested a while back to use the peace symbol for a string, and I just had to throw a heart into the middle of it for Peace 'n Love:

I'd like to try this one again with different patterns.

And, the week wouldn't be complete without a spiral compilation:

Hoping today will be the last of this migraine misery so I can get more done around the house and in my sketchbook...Thanks for stopping by!

Thankful Tuesday

I'm honestly finding it hard to be thankful this morning after a mostly sleepless night riddled by a migraine. After the perfect house already having an accepted offer on it. Still not knowing when our family will be back together again...I'm still fighting the anger but the head hurts too much and I'm sad. But I woke to this lovely rain, cool, soft, soothing. My house is empty. Bug slept over at a friend's last night. Quiet. Good when enduring an awful headache. Still...the emptiness aches.

Then I get news from a friend, the doctor wants to biopsy a spot on her back. My heart breaks and what I'm facing seems so small, insignificant. She's walked this road before and I pray that her travel is done, that the biopsy will speak good news, relief. Please, Lord, at least hear this prayer...

But through the midst of these Summer of 7 challenges, I see His generous provisions: an overflowing pantry that fed us through Food Week. An abundant wardrobe, so many choices to pare down to seven simple pieces. Yes, He is good. He is faithful. And yet, I complain. I complain. And I want more and I want it now and why....why doesn't He hear me?

I keep praying. I keep thanking. Thankful I have this gift of prayer and a God who loves beyond measure. Because it's not about the here and now....it's about what is yet to come...in His time, not mine.

426. Free geocaching app that actually works!
427. Bounty of our pantry
428. Perfect attendance (the blessing of good health) and honor roll
429. Glorious groceries!
430. Pretty pink watermelon
431. An awesome day at the museum--so cool!
432. Baldinger's Candy Store--aaahhh!
433. Discovering Harmony
434. Horseback riding lessons for Bug
435. Swimming and an afternoon with friends
436. Season Two Game of Thrones
437. Beautiful sunrise
438. Bunnies in the yard
439. A happy Bug and pups who keep me company
440. Refreshing rain to wake up to

Join in on Thankful Tuesday here:

 

TSO7: Week Two-Clothes, Day Three

All right, I am a confessed obsessor (apparently that's not a word, so let me make it one. Obsessor-n. [uhb-ses-or] One who obsesses, worries, frets, carries on about obviously meaningless issues to the point of losing touch with reality. Orig: Dawn's kitchen, 2012. There, it's official. I am an obsessor and it's a real word. I'll send a note to Websters so they can include it in their next publication...

This is my biggest thing with these challenges: totally freaking out the week before about the upcoming challenge and losing sleep over it, then getting to the challenge and realizing, hmm, this isn't so bad, I can do this (really?? Imagine that!) But then realizing there's a challenge coming up next week and panic sets in once more and OH NO!! What am I supposed to do with THAT??? Sigh...I wonder if I'll settle down at all by the end of the seven weeks--highly unlikely, but one can always hope, right?

So, I went to church feeling a bit scroungy in my capris and Humane Society tie-dye T (I could've worn my Women of Faith T which is a little nicer and more church-friendly, if you will--but here's a peek into the twisted darkness that is my brain: it would've messed up the order of how I had laid out my T's--that, and I had just worn it Friday...so Humane Society it was. Pray for me.) And I am really thankful that it's summer because several families came wearing shorts and T-shirts yesterday, very casual, so I didn't stand out like some Summer of 7 sore thumb whackadoodle...The rest of the week only consists of staying home and Walmart, Summer Reading sign ups at the library, and the Saxonburg Carnival--all very shorts and T-shirt friendly occasions, so honestly, I should be good.

I imagine clothes week must be much harder for those that work outside the home, therefore requiring two different wardrobes (Alene's still in her closet eyeing that pretty pink skirt...Can anybody get her out of there? The cat's getting a little concerned...Does she have a cat??) My ever-green-concious concern is the laundry and more water consumption from washing fewer clothes more frequently. Nevermind my brandy new washing machine is a fancy-schmancy high-efficiency model that only uses wee bits of water for even the fullest loads, making my concern, once more, nil--but someone out there doing this clothes week challenge may NOT have a high-efficiency washer and is using tons of water washing their wee bits of clothes every other day!! There--point made.

I also imagine wearing only the same seven clothes for a full month would be a much bigger deal. Yes, I've already tried to convince myself that no one will really know or care if I wear THAT T-shirt instead of one of the ones I laid out for the week, or that other pair of shorts with pockets for my MP3 player...but, my conscience won out and I've stuck to the plan. But, having to face my argumentative brain for an entire month over what to wear? I'd honestly most likely cave, 'cuz I'm weak like that.

And, yes, I'm already obsessing over Media Week, which will begin Sunday (I know it's only Monday people, feel my twisted mental pain) I'm hurrying up watching the second season of Game of Thrones my friend Missy taped for me so I'll have it all in my head before the week is up--aaahhh!!! Thank you, Missy!! I'm thinking 'Social Media' week, rather than flat out media--unless Facebook releases the new Game of Thrones game, then I'm out. Just sayin'...I'll have to skip to Possessions week or something else--if you can pry me off the computer, that is. And, I repeat: Pray for me.

Join us, won't you??

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part Four (whew!! Gettin' there...)

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part Four

61. Ocean or pool? Ocean--just something about not being able to see the other side, gives you a little humility and perspective on just how you fit into this great big world

62. Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays? Neither--blech!!

63. Did you want to go to college? No, but I wish I did now.

64. What did you last time at a mall? Huh?

65. Which close friend have you known the longest? Emilie--my sista girl...been friends forever and always will be!!

66. Why do you like the music you do? It either lifts my spirit to God, makes me groove, or gives me the push I need for running.

67. Do you read much? Constantly--Book Addict!!!

68. Favorite country? USofA!!!! Of course, of course!!

69. What is something you wish you were better at? Teaching...I'm so not a good teacher. I'm either afraid of the students or I don't have patience for them. Yeah...definitely like to be better at that....

70. What’s your favorite album/CD? Right now, Adele's 21. Her voice is like buttuh

71. What's a good dinner order? Something with grilled salmon and asparagus-mmmm....

72. Planes or boats? Boats boats boats! Not so crazy about hurtling through the air millions of miles above the earth anymore...

73. One rumor that’s been spread about you: Nothing I can remember--probably nothing I'd want to remember...

74. Who is your newest friend? Missy--met last summer picking up our boys at camp. She's the bestest!!

75. Have you ever sat on a rooftop? Yeah--love it...quiet and serene...and like you can spy on the peoples down below

76. Was your last text useful? I told my hubby I loved him--I kinda hope that's useful...

77. Favorite soda? Root beer

78. Do you like yourself? Most days.

79. The worst weather: Hot or cold? Hot. Hate hot weather. Hate.

80. Do you play an instrument? I used to play the clarinet. Highly doubt I'd be able to play one now without making someone's ear drums burst...

TSO7: Week Two-Clothes, Day One

Alright--does it matter that I didn't sleep in clothes intended for the week? I seriously think I'm thinking too much about these challenges and missing the greater intended point...I was up half the night with my brain running again and again over just what I was going to wear this week--really?? Is it that much of an issue? OCD is an ugly plight. I often think I ought to be medicated...

But! I do know what I'll be wearing for the week, so I can get it out of my head and down on, well, not on paper, but up on the computer screen...Here it is: It's supposed to be miserably hot all week--so not a fan of summer...have I said that already? Okay--well, expect me to whine about it every chance I get 'cuz I'm so not a fan of summer...weh...Anyways, so I'm going with a pair of capris for those 'dressy' occasions (aka Walmart excursions....and church...) then three pairs of shorts-one specifically for running to be handwashed after the morning runs and line dried because I sweat a whole bunch and they'll be smelling something fierce come next weekend...oh my. And three Tshirts: my WOF T, Lutherlyn Stables, and my purple tie-dye Humane Society T 'cuz you just can't go a week without something purple and/or tie-dyed. Unders not counting, I'll be wearing sports bras for running (inside on my treadmill so I'm not out running through the neighborhood in just a bra...not that I have anything to show off in that department anyway--still I'm sure the neighbors are appreciative of not having to see me out running in my underwear...) Ta-da!! That's the Wardrobe Grand List for Week Two!

And, okay, I lied...I went to layout all my clothes to take a picture to post with this then realized, I am indeed wearing clothes intended for the week already! So looky there--I'm so ahead of the game (for once...My husband would say, "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while..." Yeah, it's true love-don't be hatin'.) So here is a pic of the remainder of the week's wardrobe:

Yeah, fashion maven I am not....

Care to join in on the insanity? Hop on over to The Poorganic Life to read more about the crazies immersed in our Summer of 7!

Saturday 9: Changes

Saturday 9: Changes

1. Do you believe people can truly change? Absolutely--there's so much that can happen in anyone's life to make good people change to bad or reverse from bad to good.

2. Do you think there is anything wrong with being average? Aren't most of us there, really?

3. Do you believe in fairy tale love? No--life is just too crazy for something that sweet.

4. Has anyone ever spread something malicious about you? I don't think anybody ever thought about me that much. I know stupid things have been said about me, but malicious? Nah.

5. Have you ever done something at a party that you've ever regretted? Oh heavens, yes....

6. How do you go about setting your goals? Break the big ones into baby steps and take it one step at a time.

7. Do you believe you deserve everything you want? No.

8. Do you have people in your life you could always count on? YES!!

9. Did you ever make a close friend from someone that you've dated? Not that I can think of...friends, yes, but not close friends.

Taking the Next Right Step: TSO7

So, okay, I was seriously considering abandoning the Summer of 7 ship yesterday. I mean, who was I kidding--staying out of Walmart for (not even) a week, just how was that significant in the scheme of, well, everything? But, a couple of the ladies participating in the blog hop and our Facebook group, said some poignant words that have convinced me to stay the course.

Kim's response to my post yesterday that she felt the challenge was helping its intended audience, herself, struck home. When I got off the scale and realized I had bypassed my next weight loss reward goal, I was immediately stoked by the thought that I would get to buy a new book! I waited for SO LONG for those numbers to drop below 168 and finally--there it was, 167, bright, bold, and beautiful across the LED readout on my scale--yay me!! Then...then...I realized, whoa--I did just buy a new book last week. 7. That was my reward already. Now--had this happened before I'd started this challenge, and I'd bought a book before I'd hit my weight loss mark, I still would've hopped lickety split onto Amazon and ordered me up the book I'd been waiting on all month...not so much as a second thought that, really, I'd already gotten my reward early. What about that book I'd bought? No matter--I earned another book! I deserved that book!! No, no, no...I'd earned a new book--not another new book. Hmmmph. Well, doesn't that just take the cake? My conscience has a voice after all...

Then, another blogger simply said, "Take the next right step." I so wanted to slough off the challenge. Quit like I always do in Lent. But, dang it--they've got me!! My conscience is wide awake and taking it all in--and I'm all in...Saturday I begin Week Two-Clothes. *Sigh* Thanks Jen Hatmaker--and, you too, Katrina, and Amy Dane, and Alene--and all the other bloggers who've taken this summer seven plunge...Just couldn't let me go...At least the food's gotten a lot better the past couple of days!! Time to go figure out what seven pieces of clothes is gonna look like for the next week...

My 300th Post! Really?? Wow....And Day 6-Food: TSO7

Three hundred--whew!! It'll be a year at the end of July...I should plan a give-away for my 'Blog-iversary'--whaddya' think?? Maybe a framed Zentagle? Hmmm...at least I'll have a good month or so to come up with a really cool tangle to offer up to my follower friends! Are ya' in??

Well, it's Count Me Accountable Thursday--again. I had fleetingly hoped to abandon the scale for good, but where would that leave me? Fat and scarfing snacks on the couch, vegging to Greys reruns...Yeah--pass. It is officially SUMMER!!! Bug is home, no more school--we have things to DO! And getting this flabby bod back into shape is high on the priority list. So, I obediently, however hesitantly, pulled out the scale this morning and was quite happily surprised to see I actually lost two pounds!! Apparently paring down your fridge and pantry works with weight loss! Woot woot!! And I was so excited to think I'd finally earned my next reward, which was a book--but then I remembered I did already buy 7 last week for the Summer of 7 challenge and so have pre-rewarded myself...Next up is either sandals for my purple dress or Sakura Micron pens for my Zentangles...Hopefully it won't take me another month to get there!!

The past week's food challenge for the Summer of Seven put a little wrench into my usual Spark meal plans, but not that bad. Fresh veggies ran out quickly and the remainder of the week we were existing on canned beans, pasta and lentils...and my digestive tract rebelled by Tuesday night. I could certainly feel it, too--my energy level plunged and I barely made it through a two mile run yesterday morning. Oh, for a gorgeous green salad or a heaping pile of steamed asparagus!! I miss you Produce Department of Walmart!!!  And, yes, I confess-I gave in early and grabbed groceries yesterday morning while Bug was finishing up his last half day of school and, truth be told, you bet your bootie I was eating some of the fresh new goods!! Aaahhh...food, my fine friend, how I love thee....let me nom nom nom....Beautiful revelry! Seriously, I should weigh like 360 or somewhere thereabouts...thank goodness to be running again!!

So, I didn't quite make a full week out of the first challenge. Maybe if I'd gone the other route and chose the seven specific foods and bought only the super healthy organic items that others in the challenge are trying, rather than only existing on the processed remnants of the pantry, my body wouldn't have rebelled as much and I wouldn't have felt as drained and miserable...Next week's challenge is clothes. We're supposed to only wear seven items of clothes for the week--not including unders and footwear. I'm pausing for a few days before I decide to begin. This past week reading other's posts in the food challenge, how one interviewed a homeless man about how he planned for his next meals, and another was helping strippers quit their jobs in night clubs, I feel infinitely insignificant with staying out of Walmart for a week--like, how does that even compare?? What difference is it really going to make if I only wear seven items of clothes for a week? Who's going to care and how is that going to impact anything? Perhaps I need to keep reading the book before I dive back in...

Day Five-Food: TSO7

Okay, I'm giving in and going to the grocery store today. I have a bunch of stuff that needs restocked so my list is a mile long and if I wait until tomorrow or later, Bug will be with me and add another dozen items to what I already have to buy. My meals for the day are planned out solely on what's on hand right now--nothing from the grocery list. I can't promise I won't indulge once I see all that new food though!! It's been a crazy week and my stomach is aching for something FRESH!!!

This week has brought to mind the following passage from Matthew about not worrying what we will eat or wear (since I've already been obsessing over just what I'm wearing for clothes week coming up next!):

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
~ Matthew 6:25-34

God had certainly provided all we needed and more to see us through our first week of Seven-my pantry still has some goodies therein. But, it's also been great paring down and emptying out some of the excess, especially with moving (eventually!!!) coming--less to drag with us to MA. But once I did stop obsessing over whether or not the food would last, it was a wonderful comfort to know He had it all in hand...and that there was plenty...Jehovah Jireh--the Lord will provide.

Artful Wednesday Again

It seems I was a little more productive than I thought last week (which is a good thing, right??) The Diva's Challenge this week is to use Bridgen-this chain of bridges tangle. Simple enough, right? Here's my first shot:

I don't know the difference between Hollibaugh and Spaanders, really--looks like one big tangled up Bridgen...

And my second go at Bridgen went like this:

Bridgen, Golven, Fish Net, and Florz

Then these are the other things I played around with all last week-in a bit of a spiral mood:

Spiral Crescent Moon

Inapod and Pais

Onamato Spiral and Finery M-not crazy about the Inapod center section

Crescent Moon Spiral, Sez, Floatfest and Fengle

There were a couple other horribly gone wrong tangles--but I've learned from them all, which is the whole point--that and having fun and 'escaping a while'...Anyway, thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you next week!