I am back!!

And I have a ton of stories and pics to share with you all. I just need to sort them all out and download them! :D

Foot Henna, Tea, and My Nose

This is an adapted Lezard design that I did on a customer last week. She wanted something pretty on her foot.

Lately I have fallen into the embrace of tea. I love the ritual of heating the water, choosing my tea, and steeping it. I have a "one pot" with cup that sits neatly below the teapot when not in use. This is a good substitute for coffee for me. I've also taken to using Almond milk (a non dairy product) instead of milk or powdered creamer. Dairy seems to aggravate my allergies.

I'm getting excited about the trip to Seattle I'm taking. I spent 20 minutes on the phone with Delta yesterday regarding my CPAP. It's a carry on, and considered medical equipment so it doesn't count against my regular allowance of 2 items. However the gentleman I spoke with initially kept telling me that since it was for oxygen, I had to have my doctor fill out a form and fax it to Pittsburgh 48 hours in advance of my flight.

Looking over the form, it was clearly for machines that were not a CPAP, that had oxygen and gave oxygen (mine just takes in surrounding air and directs it to my nose) and had to be used in flight (I don't use mine in-flight). After questioning the reasoning twice of filling out a form that didn't pertain to my machine (it didn't even mention CPAP) or my situation, I explained I had no qualms with him, but was there a supervisor I could speak to?

The supervisor was knowledgeable and pleasant. A CPAP is considered an Assistive Device, not an Oxygen Machine, and yes I could carry it on. I asked, does it need to be noted on my reservation that I have it? She said yes and then did so. She also sent me to the TSA.gov website, and navigated me through some links to find the specific information on getting my CPAP through security and what I needed to know beforehand.

On another subject, Saturday night I did something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I've been saying I'd get it done for my 40th birthday - a nose piercing. But in talking to two different people in the same week, and they recommending the same place, Piercing Experience, I decided not to wait. It was meant to be. A friend went with me, and I was very pleased with the cleanliness and service I got. The first night the area hurt as if I had a pimple there, but since then it's been pain free. My biggest challenge is to keep my fingers away from it, or to use sterile gauze pads if I do touch the area.

The Pirate's Dilemma

An interesting look at something I'd never thought much about. Also learned the meaning of "Jankes."

Thanks Xavier!

Big Collage

This is a big collage piece that I did for a workshop. We were to take about 5 magazines, ones that we didn't normally get, and as quickly as possible flip through and tear out pages with images that caught our eye. This is my finished piece. I used gel medium to glue them onto a cardboard backing, and I keep this by my art desk.

If you'd like to use it as a desktop wallpaper, you have permission.

Henna and Yoga

My hand this afternoon. It's a Moroccan design by Lezard. I made a fresh batch of henna and decided it was time to decorate some of my blank skin. This is probably the best smelling, and best flowing henna paste I've ever made. Hopefully the stain will be great as well.

This morning I went to Yoga class again. This was my second time going. I'd seen from the schedule the instructor would be a guy. I was very prepared for a well muscled hottie to be instructor, or a wiry-thin older guy.

I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a guy with long hair (LOVE long hair, you know) and he was a bit overweight. This immediately made me comfortable because to me it said he wouldn't think I was a total fattie that should go jog on the treadmill instead of being in his class.

The class itself was different from the first one. He explained more about the postures, breathing, and really emphasized listening to your body and taking it from there. I had more trouble with some of the postures than in the previous class, but oddly enough it was from my feet getting achey and tired. My arms had to take a break or two as well, but I was fine with that. I felt like it was more work than the first one, but the first one left me feeling more relaxed. Also, I don't feel as sore after this class than the last one. Not sure what that means.

Altogether, I'm really hoping I can stay with the yoga. I like that it doesn't emphasize the heart pounding beat of cardio workouts, instead focusing on breathing and body positioning. I feel like I've had a workout, but I don't feel worn out by it- just good.

They don't offer night Yoga classes, so I'll have to find someplace else that does once school is back in.

In other art news, I'm not doing as much consistently as I'd like. I'm not sure why that is. Whether it's the workshop I'm in- not being sure what's expected at times, or whether it's making it feel like work to me. Regardless, I know that it's a boundary in me that I must cross.

Such a warm feeling

I went to the dog park this morning as is my usual routine. When I got back in the car to leave though, my car wouldn't start! Thinking it was the battery, I walked back down the hill to the park and let me friends there know while chewing over what to do.

I have AAA plus, so I can call a tow truck. I just didn't know where a good local place would be to have the car taken to, or - after getting a jump- drive to.

No one there had cables, but since I have a manual transmission, they said they could push it, and then pop the clutch to get it going. It worked! Took 3 people pushing but we got it to start. YAY for dog park friends!

I took it to a nearby place and waited and waited. I missed my yoga session that I'd been looking forward to. Rather than feel angry or impatient, or self-criticizing (I hadn't had a new battery in 8 years... just didn't know they're only supposed to last 4 or 5!) I realized I could only be in the *now*. Just wait, and appreciate the fact that I'd had such good people willing to help me.

It was $127 all told (lifetime battery replacement which I'd had no choice about) but I tried not to grouse about it. I didn't want to feel like all this money is flowing out from my account, because in reality, in the *law of attraction* reality, that's what'll continue to happen.

So I spent some time this morning trying to picture money coming in. Henna appointments, etc.

One of the things I could do was finally call my old life insurance agency to cancel my old policy. The woman I spoke to on the phone was so warm, and knowledgeable, and did her best to keep me as a customer. But I've had my new policy since April, and frankly, it's less money per month for a better payout.

It was such a welcome change to actually speak with a human, rather than bounce around automated menu systems for hours- I asked her if there was someone I could speak to regarding the excellent service I received from her. She got all happy and said that meant she got to go to the Treasure Trunk! I did a double take for a second, thinking she might be poking fun at me since I'm a teacher and all... and we have treasure boxes. But no- apparently the management goes to Dollar Tree and gets things for the box, and the service rep gets to go when they get a compliment! I spoke with the supervisor and gushed about the service I'd received.

Never have I left a phone conversation with such a good feeling. To think that here I was calling to cancel, and she could have been short with me, but instead took time to be a normal, sane human being. Her enthusiasm for me talking to her supervisor made me feel very warm.

Here's to you, Debbie.

It started out such a good day.

This post was going to be about what a great day I had.

The cop however, had other plans.

I was having a PERFECTLY good day.

Took Rose to the park this morning.

Went to my first Yoga class and left with a blissful feeling like I'd just had a good massage. (Thank you Vickie!)

Went to get some veggies from Farmer's Market.

Came back, and turned right on red. Granted, I didn't see the signs not to, but there weren't any cars coming and it was a bright and sunny day. I should have heeded my tingling spidey sense.

Cop on motorcycle came up behind me and gave me a ticket (didn't even ask to see my registration). In about 5 days I get to find out how much my bad decision cost me.

What is God trying to tell me?? I've gone years with no tickets, and now this is the 2nd one in 4 months. None of them even a respectable speeding ticket.