I got up just after six this morning, which is just about right. It is good to feel like I am getting back to normal. I think six a.m. is a fine hour to wake up. Not too early whereas you would feel sleep deprived, yet early enough to get a jump on the day. It is just about right as far as I am concerned.
I feel refreshed and highly motivated after the last two days. Stepping away from things for a bit really does wonders. Even if it is a half-step and I am still working on projects, being the one making the choice gives me a sense of control of things and makes it quite stress free.
Yesterday was an incredibly pleasant day. I finished up my little projects and made my cards (I like making cards on my computer. That way I can personalize them the way I want.) and I packed up my little trinkets and we were on our way.
On the way over to Bernie and Ellen’s, I decided to stop in and see the friend that I talked about the other day. I hadn’t seen him and his wife for almost two years, since I moved from Digby. Their daughter and her husband were visiting with their (now two) children and it was busy, so we only stayed a few minutes. But it was wonderful to see them and we made plans for future visits and to reconnect soon. I don’t usually do things on a whim like that, as I like things planned out, but I was happy that I stopped by. They were really happy too. Sometimes it is a good thing to be impulsive.
We continued on to Bernie and Ellen’s for dinner, which proved to be another wonderful visit. Ellen actually toned things down a bit, serving ham with several salads and only four vegetables. Oh, and she also had three desserts – two pies and a cake. For her that is actually less than she normally has. I have learned through experience to pace myself when I eat over there. Just a small spoonful of each item, no matter how good it is. I don’t typically eat dessert, but I have come to expect it when eating there, so I was wise to save some room. I only had a piece of pie, but I did take some cake home for today. I will enjoy it as a treat later on.
While visiting, my mind began to wander to my new designs. I was describing the rocking reindeer that I made to them and I had a good idea as to a different, yet similar item I could develop for a pattern that I could sell myself. It is in the same flavor as the reindeer, yet different enough where it wouldn’t be a conflict with the project that I submitted to the magazine. I am truly excited about it and I plan on making it just as soon as I finish this candle tray that I am going to do this week.
I love feeling like this. I just can’t wait to making this come to life. I awoke this morning thinking about it and how I am going to put it together and planning. I am even thinking about the type of wood I will use for it. I can’t wait to get going on it.
As I was driving home last night, it was nearly 8:30 and the sun was just falling behind the hills on the ridge of Digby neck. We were driving along Rt. 101, as always with the ocean (St Mary’s Bay) to my right. The colors of the wispy clouds in the sky were blended in oranges and pinks with undertones of smoky purple and finally darkness to the left of the sky. There was a mist on the ocean, that rose in soft puffs up on the hills on the opposite shore and wove through the windmills of the small wind farm on Digby neck as the sun slipped behind the hills. I was amazed once again at how quickly it fell, and it was only minutes from when it kissed the top of the hills until it slipped out of sight. All the while, the ocean was calm and smooth, and the sky was mirrored on its glassy surface.
It was truly beautiful. I kept thinking what colors I would use if I were to paint that scene. And how I would layer them to achieve the effect. But I wasn’t quite able to figure it out in my head a way that would do it justice. Someday perhaps.
Today will be broken up because I need to take the car in this afternoon to get the brakes redone. So I need to make haste this morning if I am to accomplish anything. My goal is to have my next project drawn, and it is a good possibility that I can achieve it. It is mapped out in my head and that is more than half the battle, I believe. Implementing it is somewhat of a formality.
The rest seems to have done me some good. I feel refreshed and creative and ready to really get some work done. As I get older, I am learning the value of pacing myself. I find that recognizing when I am beginning to feel overdone and tired and respecting that and taking a breath once in a while, does a lot for overall productivity. Not to mention mental health and creativity. A couple of years ago I wasn’t like this.
I hope you all had a good weekend too. Whether you celebrated the holiday or not, I hope you had some time to take time to do the things you wanted to do instead of doing only what had to be done. You will be surprised at how rejuvenated it will make you feel.
Happy Monday everyone!