In the artsy mood.

Do you ever reflect on how different your life is from what you originally thought it would be? I've been doing that lately. Nothing like three days of a low-grade fever to give you some time for reflection.

When I think back to the days when my oldest was getting to "school age", I had visions of a household with no TV, music constantly playing (various types but plenty of classical of course) and a plethora of books laying about to be picked up at a whim. Let's not forget the availability of art supplies and the possibilities of creating at a moments notice.

That's not my reality. My house is cluttered well filled but with toys, dvds, and other miscellaneous objects. And for someone who is musically inclined, my home is rarely filled with music. What about all of the piano proteges I was going to give birth too? Or that family orchestra I was sure to have? Or the four part harmony I envisioned wafting throughout my house as we so joyfully did our chores? Where are the "Von Pevensie Family" singers?

At first glance, one could consider this a travesty and fall into a deep depression. The thing is, this current reality could change at a moments notice. It's about choices, right? Everything in life is. Just because a television actually resides in my home, it doesn't mean we have to turn it on. So we haven't done Art in a long time...we can start today...or rather tomorrow since it is 11pm at night. Tomorrow is a new day!

So I've decided to make a change tomorrow. It may last for just one day or perhaps for a week or longer. For sure we are going to "create" something new tomorrow. I have several projects in my mind but I think we will start simple. I will choose a card from the Usborne Activity Cards, 50 Things to Draw & Paint, that I dug out today and just "go for it". Nothing fancy, nothing exotic, simply a little painting activity. It's a start, it's a new beginning.

So is anyone out there reflecting on things they would like to change in their lives? It's not too late to make a change. Anyone want to join me in "moving in a new direction"? If so, leave me a comment. Tell me what it is you are changing for at least one day. I would love to encourage you!

Following through.

In light of the previous post, I wanted to post this...

Well here is one thing I am following through on. I am training for the Rock N Roll Seattle 1/2 Marathon. I am raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I need everyone's help. Please donate! I have a required donation limit. It's not that much in the big scheme of things. If everyone gives a little bit, then we will reach our goal!

I am running this with my sister. Training for an endurance event can be tough but our worst day is still better than the cancer patient's best day on chemo. I'm trying to get the word out about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's work. They do so much for the patients who have blood cancer. Although I am short on time today, I intend to come back and post more information so you can know why the Society's work is so important.

Please pass on the link to anyone and everyone. Here is the direct link so you can cut and paste it.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/tjensen

All donations collected are tax deductible.

Why does it have to be this way?

Please tell me why.

I've heard it said that people who have an allergy to something often "love" that something. For example, people who have an allergy to dairy products often love eating dairy products. That seems so unfair. Why would God make it that way?

I have two children who should avoid dairy. It's not a life threatening allergy but does cause some real intestinal problems. I've begun to guess that they got that DNA from me. I've never really noticed a problem with consuming dairy until recently. It's unfair. We live in a dairy saturated world! I have never been a real milk drinker but I love yogurt. And how about that taco thing I just made myself. The fried corn tortilla spread with refried beans and topped with cheese...oh yeah, and the sour cream. I totally made it before realizing what I had done. Humph. I was going to go dairy free again. Well I can't exactly throw it out now can I? If you are one of those smart people who are thinking, "Oh yes you can!" then just hush. By the time you read this it will have been consumed and there is no reason you should give me grief about it. I have enough guilt in my life.

I thought about starting a dairy free blog. Not like it hasn't been done before as I'm sure it has. I just thought if I did that then I would have to be accountable and actually go dairy free again. Not likely to happen soon (the blog that is) so I guess I don't need to worry about it. I also keep telling myself I should "go raw" again and blog on that. Right now, I haven't exactly been the regular blogger so I doubt I should start anything with that either. Of course I keep telling myself a lot of things that I think I should follow through on. I think that is part of my psychotic make up. At any rate, although I'm not exactly following through on any of those thoughts, I can still write about them, right?

You gotta check this out.

I know I haven't been keeping up on this blog, however if you happen to come here, you have to check out the latest thing I'm doing. Please check out this website. I am training for the Rock N Roll Seattle 1/2 Marathon. Check out that website to see why I would torture myself train for another endurance run!