ArtsyBE On The Move

9/24/21 

On The Move was a a thought I had years ago, that came from being a mom, always doing something and then actually moving from our apartment into our house back in our home town.  Recently I had an aha moment when I was trying to create content to get my artsyBE blog active again.  On my 5oth birthday I was kayaking with my life long friends, Beth and Becky and Beth said that I was so "kayak-ey."  Honestly, I wasn't sure how to take the comment, if it was a compliment or an insult.  After a lot of thinking about "kayak-ey," I decided that she was complimenting me.  She was saying I'm so "kayak-ey" because I know a lot about kayaking safety, how to load the kayaks on my car, accessories for kayaking, and cool spots to go kayaking. (She also researched a really cool gift to take along with me kayaking, a monocular, a Celestron Nature Waterproof Monocular.Its the perfect size to take whatever I’m doing kayaking or hiking. I love it. )   My husband told me I should coin the term and start a blog called "kayak-ey." But I didn't want to just limit myself to one topic, and then I thought to use "On The Move" for my new blog name .  On The Move, is going to be about moving in nature, kayaking, hiking, taking pictures, traveling, going, seeing and doing things that interest me not limited to those listed above.  I'm also going to try to come out from behind the camera more than I usually do.  Another part of "On The Move" comes from being able to move more than before.  Since Jan. 2020 I have lost and kept off 40 pounds, which has enabled me to be more active again, and I'm proud of it. I still have more to loose so I'm going to try to keep moving.  Here it goes, my first post for, On The Move or artsyBE On The Move.

That's Me after kayaking on my 50th birthday at Mason Lake, just past Speculator, NY.

Fabulous 50 charcuterie board dinner after kayaking.  DELICOUS!

Near a Mural on a side street in Woodstock, NY.

I love going to Woodstock and being around artsy people.

Hike to Mud Lake, Mayfield, NY.  This is part of the Fulton County Five Hike Challenge 

I'm doing the challenge with my friend Chris.

Mushroom on the Stewart Lake and Indian Lake Hike another one in the five hike challenge.

So many cool mushrooms this year because of all the rain.

My girls exploring at Owen D. Young Nature Trail in Fort Plain, NY

My friend Chris on our hike to Nine Corners Lake part of the five hike challenge.

Happy Rd. on the way to Woodstock, NY

I love a road trips and exploring, this is the road for me.

Sunflower field at Karen's Produce and Ice Cream

Waterlily on the Kunjamuk.  My FAVORITE place to kayak.

Lake Durant through my photosphere

The Kunjamuk, in Speculator, NY  my happy place.

Update on Me and a Change of Plans

Update on Me and a Change of Plans

So, last February I started on a new life journey to find and live my Oola Life.  This isn't something that just happens after you read the 1st book, "Oola, Find Balance in an Unbalanced World" or after you read the 2nd book, "Oola for Women: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World- How to the 7 Key Areas of Life."    Life is an ever changing journey and adventure.  Living your Oola Life isn't always going to be easy, there will be many obstacles to overcome along the way.  Just like the saying goes, "don't put all your eggs in one basket,"  don't just focus on one area of your life.  You need balance in all 7 areas: faith, fitness, family, friends, fun, finance and field, in order to truly find Oola.

In early October I met the Oola Guys, Dr. Dave & Dr. Troy, (Click here to find out what Oola is) at a Young Living Rally, in Rochester, NY. (Click here to find out what Young Living is)
 My husband and I went away for the weekend with out the kids.  It was a much needed get away, just the two of us, and definitely not long enough.  Before we went to the Rally we walked along Lake Ontario.  Even though it was windy and a little over cast, when we got out of the car the skies cleared and it was beautiful.

When I met them I was totally freaking out with nerves and excitement.  Just thinking about it brings me back.  They are 2 awesome guys.  I got hugs, they signed my books and I got my picture with them.  I also gave them 100 dreams that I had collected for "The Heather Project."  You can see by my red face how nervous I was to meet them (Dr. Dave is holding the dream stickers in his hand in the picture below.)

Well last year I was really working on balancing my life.  I was loving exercising for the first time ever in my life. I loved it so much so that when I was working on fitness, I was also working on friends, family and fun.  I tried kickboxing last year and loved it, I still do.  This has now become an obstacle I need to overcome.  In late October I began having bad pain behind my knee, and calf.  I was back and forth to the doctors, with an ultrasound, an x-ray, MRI and getting physical therapy.  First they checked to see if I had blood clot, NOPE.  Then I was diagnosis with a Baker's Cyst behind my knee.  Well the pain and swelling got worse and I went back to the doctor.  This time they said that they cyst probably ruptured and that was causing the pain and the swelling.  I was told to rest, ice, use compression and elevate.  Because of the pain my blood pressure was elevated over all of these appointments and they told me I needed to go on medication for high blood pressure.  Needless to say I can't do kickboxing anymore.  I felt awful and was depressed, which turned me back to bad habits of not healthy snacks.  Eventually when my leg started feeling better I tried a few times going back to kickboxing with alternative exercises, only to be in pain the next few days.  One step forward, two steps back.  I gained more than half of what I lost back.  But thru it all there is one thing I haven't gone back to and that is coffee.  So the weight I lost from giving up coffee and switching to tea with nothing in it, has stayed off.
About a month ago I tried kickboxing again and ended up at urgent care the next day, in excruciating pain and not able to put weight on my leg.  The doctor went over my last MRI with me but this time he told me something that the doctor in November never mentioned.  In addition to a minor meniscus tear and arthritis, I have NO CARTILAGE left in my knee.  He said the only thing he could offer me was a cortisone shot, so I took it.   I am feeling better than I was but I still have days of pain and stiffness and probably always will.  I don't know what the future holds for my knee exactly but I will not let it take over, I will overcome.  Today is the first day to turn things around, the winds of change have blown into my life, my adventure is just going to make a slight turn and adjustment.  I will keep working on getting my Oola Life, because I am worth it.  As the Oola Guys say, "I am designed by God for greatness and a purpose."

So my wheel is off balance right now, and I have to slow down a little but it will not stop me.  I will keep trying new things to find balance in my life.  I will continue watching the Oola Guys videos.  I signed up to be part of the focus group to review their next book coming out in July, "Oola for Christians."  And even though the doctor said I can't do kickboxing any more, I'm not giving up on me.  I did it before I can do it again.  I will loose weight and get feeling better.  #oolalife #liveoola

Time for Change - Time for Me

"Taking care of yourself is not selfish, it's selfless.  A better you is more capable to serve others." Live Oola

This is something that is very hard to me to do.  I take care of everyone and everything else before I take care of me.  It's time for a change.  It's time for me.  Sometimes it takes things going on in other peoples lives to put things into perspective for your own life.  That is happening right now.  Someone I know has just been diagnosed with cancer.  If something like that happened to me have I done all that I was supposed to do with my life...Have I lived my purpose?

All I ever wanted to be was a wife and mother, being an art teacher was my back up plan.  So for 19 years I have focused on my children.  They are needing me less and less now that they are 19, 16 and almost 12.  Knowing that and knowing that I want to be there for their children someday and to travel the country with Ken when they are all out of the house, I need to focus on me now and get in shape.  "To be in  your children's memories tomorrow, you need to be in their lives today." Live Oola

I know that what has held me back is being so busy doing things for everyone else that I don't have time for me, and then at the end of the day I'm so tired that I don't want to do anything.  But most of all it's fear.  Fear of being judged by others and fear of failing. About 5 years ago I was exercising with a personal trainer.  I don't like exercising in front of other people, or in front of mirrors.  I feel like I am being judged and I HATE going on the treadmill.  But when I was working out with the personal trainer I felt comfortable.  Until one day he forgot and scheduled an open circuit at my time slot.  That day I had my first anxiety attack.  It was awful.  My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest, I was sweating, crying and couldn't catch my breath.  The way I felt in that moment stopped me from exercising, until now.  For the past year I have been wanting to try something new, a kickboxing class for women, but fear and financial reasons stopped me from joining.  Well last week I did it.  I went to my first class.  OMG it was hard.  It wasn't a kickboxing class, it was a kettle bell class.  I am so grateful to my good friend for coming with me and being my security blanket.  I am looking forward to going trying kickboxing.  I have now gone to 3 classes and have exercised at home twice. 

The other thing that has given me the motivation I need is Oola.  I have been reading "Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World," and following OolaLife on Facebook.  Watching their Facebook live's and getting motivation and direction.  I love the quotes they post on FB and on Pinterest.  Year after year things stay the same and I have become content with that, that's not good.  There is one thing that kept changing and that's a number.  I don't want to say the number out loud or even type it because I don't like it.  But I have come to a point that I have to change it.  I don't want to be afraid any more.  I don't want to stand on the sidelines watching, I want to participate.  This change is not going to be easy, no thing worth it is.  I am finally ready to start.

"Don't fear failure. Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today." Live Oola

"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start being excited about what could go right." Live Oola

Autum Poem by ME

Autum Poem

By Laura L. Brittain

Autumn colors all around

Leaves of beauty on the ground

Watching them as they fall

Wind blowing leaves

Autumn colors all around



BEing Healthy Take 2

<Oops!  Let's try again, I can't believe I didn't catch that.  I know why spell check didn't because tan is a word, just not the word I wanted.  So, I'm re-posting this for myself.  I'm not perfect but I'm trying to BE better.>

What is really in my head right now is skinny, but I know I will never BE Skinny.  So I just want to BE Smaller tan than I am today and in doing so BEcome healthier doing it. 
This is going to BE my first step to BEing ME.

I'm going to try journal what I eat for a while.  I'm going to do this right along with my other journal so they BEcome one.

August 18, 2010

Happy 14th Anniversary!

Enjoyed my daybreak coffee with a banana and a mini bagel with pb&j, while watching the Today Show.
Did the usual morning tasks laundry and beds. 

Eating Healthy!  Tuna on a small roll with grapes and almonds on the side and a glass of Ovalteen.  After lunch Ken and I talked about my BE List and he thinks it's a GREAT IDEA.  He said he would help me set up this blog.  I left the room and came back to find a Pandora bag on the bed.  Ken got me Pandora earrings with interchangeable danglers, pearls and peridot.  BEAUTIFUL!

We actually had an anniversary date at Russo's tonight.  Tried a Grape Cosmo, yum sort of.  It was like  grape koolaid with a kick. French Fries with Gravy for an appetizer and antipasto to share.  Ken ordered stuffed shells with meatballs and I had vodka penne with sausage.  Everything was delicious! 

Real comfort food in a great hometown restaurant. 

.

Then we had to go home and pick up the kids

ME I WANT TO BE

Wife-Mother-Daughter-Sister-Friend-Niece-Granddaughter

Healthy-Smaller-Organized-Clean-Patient-Saver

Faithful-Strong-Giver-Patient-Relaxed

Passionate-Fun-Courageous-Explorer

Dreamer-Believer-Thinker-Maker-Doer

Artist-Singer-Photographer

Remembered

ME NOW

Wife-Mother-Daughter-Sister

Friend-Listener-Talker-Conservative

Artsy-Dreamer-Thinker-Armature Photographer

Caregiver-Worrier

Niece-Granddaughter

BIG-Cluttered-Messy-Procrastinator

Thrifty

"Hyper" or Red "HOT" Headed

My BE List Idea

It's 12:25 am on August 18, 2010,  I tried to go to bed 25 minutes ago and could not fall asleep suddenly this idea came to me to make a BE LIST, so I got up and started writing.

Everyone talks about their "Bucket List," the things they want to do before they die.  Tonight while going to bed late as I often do, I kiss my husband goodnight and looked at the clock, it was 11:57, I realized that in 3 min's it would be our anniversary, 14 years.  14 years of BEing lucky in love with the boy I always thought was cute.  But also 365 days away from 15 years.  15 seams like such a milestone, just like 40, of which I will be in 360 days.  360 days who thinks of their next birthday in days?  Well, I think I finally figured out that's the way to do it, like they always say "take it one day at a time."  So one day at a time I will take it.  I'm going to LIVE my life and BE!  I'm going to BE all the thinks I dream of BEing and sometimes I might BE Happy, sometimes I might BE Sad, sometimes I might even BE Angry.  But I'm always going to BE ME! 

I keep talking about how when the kids go back to school I'm going to take care of myself for a change, well I realized I have started already.  This summer has been so much fun and so relaxing.  I have been laying low and taking it slow for the mornings and then getting things done in the afternoon.  I realized just now at 12:37 am that's because I am preparing myself for the 360 days ahead of me to BE ME!  The me I dream of and want to BE.  So I decided I'm going to make a BE LIST, something Ken has always wanted me to do just never called it that before.  I always just said, I was what I wanted to BE and that I was happy.  What more could I ask for...I am a wife and a mother of 3 great children Alex, Emily and Amy.  I get to stay home and nurture and guide them, and hug them and kiss them.  Thankfully the diaper days are over.  In just a few weeks Amy our youngest will be starting pre-K for 1/2 day all week.  Friends have been asking me if I'm going to cry and I say no.  Then they ask,"what are you going to do with all that time?"  First I say, "it's not that much time, it's only 2 1/2 hours a day."  Then I say, "I'm going to take care of ME."  WOW 2 1/2 hours a day to myself!  What ever will I do with daylight hours to myself?  And then it dawned on me tonight while trying to fall asleep.  I'm going to BE!  For the next 360 days until I turn 40 I'm going to BE ME!

I'm going to take care of me while still being ME the wife and mother.  I'm going to document my journey here.  I'm going to come up with my BE List of the things I want to do while I am BEing ALIVE and LIVING my life before it's too late.  Life is too short not to BE yourself and the person you should BE. 

So here it goes...
Making up the list is going to take time and then trying to accomplish them is going to BE hard.  But for once in my life I feel passionate about something I think I can do.  The list I have in my mind will consist of different things, some are places to go, some are feelings but all will get me closer to BEing ME.  SO lets start this journey together 1 day at a time.  Let's BE!

I need to add that the whole reason I'm  doing this is because of loosing people too young and to many young people I know are getting sick right now. My childhood friend Stacy died 2 years ago to breast cancer, leaving behind 5 kids and her husband alone.  Now my friend Deb is fighting cancer for the second time.  Also another Deb that I went to High School with is fighting cancer.  Two other firnds have had cancer scared in the last few months.  And now my uncle is being tested for cancer.  And yet my grandmother is 97 years youn and has out lived 3 husbands raising 5 children on her own.  My other grandmother lived to be 93.  If I only knew thier secrets to a long life.  It's too late to ask Granny but it's not to late to ask Grandma, so I will ad that to my list.

I'm going to start from day 1 tomorrow, which is really today since it's 1:43 AM.  I better get to bed, tomorrow is a BIG day!