Exposure

Well, I did it. I finally broke down and joined facebook.

I kept getting requests from friends to join and when I would go there I couldn't see a thing - unless I joined of course. And for a long time I didn't want to join. I didn't want the exposure. But then again, that's exactly what this blog is all about - exposure. And maybe that's why I haven't been blogging lately, I wanted to stay hidden. I claimed that I didn't have the time like I used to and to some degree that's true but I could make time if I really wanted to.

So now I'm ready. Ready to be exposed and open up.

I've connected with so many people that I haven't seen in years - people I even forgot about. And it's been fun - almost addicting. I reconnected and went out for coffee with someone I haven't seen in 17 years! Sometimes it makes me feel old and admittedly outcasted since I don't have any children, but I know my life is exactly how it should be regardless of how I feel.

So, my suggestion is to sign up with facebook and just see who is out there - You'll be surprised.

J.

Still flying around

Moleskine project Moly X 19

Well, I'm still flying around busier than ever.
I miss blogging and I miss my blogger buddies but I don't have the free time like I used to. Even my art has become scarce lately. This kinda bums me out but on the other hand I really like working at the TanSpa.

Right now I just wanted to get my feet wet again by posting a little something from the Moly Exchange I'm involved in. Later when I have more time I will have to tell you all the crazy weirdness that goes on at the TanSpa and my theory of the kind of people who tan - which would now include myself!

Anyway, that's all for now.
J.

Moly Exchange - Alphabetica

This is a three page (Japanese fold) Moleskine that I did for my Moly_X_36 exchange. It's now headed off to Germany.

The owner of this Moleskine wanted a theme that was similar to the book Alphabetica. I've never actually seen the book but gauging by her entry and the cover of the book I was able to guesstimate how it should look.

I had a lot of fun doing this and it makes me want to get the Alphabetica book. Actually, I have a whole wish list at Amazon that has Collage type books that someday I will own.

So, I'm still finding time to do art, take care of the house, fur-babies, and work part-time. I've also gotten myself mixed up with a paranormal research group - The one that came to my house and looked for ghosts. We've just gotten together so there is a lot of meeting about what we want to accomplish and trial and error in using the equipment which has been fun and enlightening.

J.

Finding Balance

At the end of July I got a part-time job which is HUGE for me since I haven't worked outside of the house in 8 years. I've been finding time to work and still create art and art projects but it's been a new adventure. A good adventure at that.

One thing that I really like about working is that I've gotten myself back into the circulation of social-ness. Normally I tend to secret myself away from anyone and get wrapped up in projects and alone-time. Now I've been socializing and it really feels good.

Also, it has helped me get through the loss of my 14 year old cat Pete which I had to put to sleep on Aug 11. I'm still heart broken but I have plenty to keep my mind busy.

I know this is going to sound strange, but ever since July I've felt this shift of energy in my life - one for the good - Since the beginning of the year new things have been happening. I've been more social, I've made new friends and now am working. It seems that things just keep getting better.

And speaking of better, starting September 26, I am going to school for Reiki. By November 9th I will be a Reiki practioner! I can't wait - It's something I always wanted to do.

All this leaves me less time to Blog and be on the internet but I have not left it completely. Hopefully I will start to blog more and tell of my exciting adventures!

xox
Joy

Phoenix

Slowly but surely I still am creating art. I've been pretty busy now that summer is here and I have other projects going on like Moly_X, which is really interesting and a challenge.

The whole idea of the Moleskine exchange is that you have the Japanese fold Moleskine and each artist draws on two and a half pages making sure to blend into the previous drawing. Then the book is passed on to the next artist.

This drawing above is in my personal book but I was trying to get the feel for drawing a Phoenix for a Moly exchange.

It may see a little dark, and I think I am going to post it on ElizaDeath as well - But the over all message is being able to overcome mental illness.

I've been tagged by Caroline over at Caro's Lines and thought, 'why not'.
I haven't been blogging like I used to and have been horrible at leaving comments - It's as if I am just looking for an excuse to stop blogging. Instead, I have a reason to blog. And with no pressure, here goes:

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. I only had 3 months left wearing braces
2. I was planning a London vacation
3. I had a miserable full-time job
4. I just started taking anti-depressants
5. My weight was a lot lighter! boo-hoo!

What 5 things are on my 'to do' list:

1. Clean Litter Box
2. Go Grocery shopping
3. Make Reiki Art (above)
4. Do some laundry
5. Make dinner

5 Things I've done today:

1. Did some laundry
2. Made Reiki Art
3. Paid Bills
4. Meditated
5. Listened to the radio

5 Snacks I enjoy:

1. Kettle Corn Popcorn
2. Iced Coffee
3. Jello Sugar free Pudding cups
4. Ginger chews

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Travel
2. Embark on a spiritual quest
3. Embark on a mental health quest (a healthy quest) ha!
4. Adopt a baby
5. hmmm... still thinking...

5 places I've lived:

1. Rolling Meadows, Illinois
2. Crystal Lake, Illinois
3. Woodstock, Illinois - And that's it! How boring!

Well, that's it for today - I still have that 'to do' list to work on.

:)

Michigan

I'm back from Michigan. (actually for a week)

I never realized how "woodsy" Michigan is - Or at least in the U.P.
I kept worrying about ticks and spiders although I don't think they have poisonous spiders up there. I loved all the nature and believe me, there was a lot!

We spent hours watching and taking pictures of the humming birds. They were buzzing us before we could get the feeder out - They must have been hungry!

Then there was Lake Michigan which went past the horizon. On Sunday night there was a huge storm where lightening fingered out - we tried to take pictures of that but were too slow.



We did all sorts of out-door things like walk in the woods and combed the beach for shells and at night we built camp fires and watched the sky.

I completely ate like crap yet only gained one pound, which is not too bad.
The only thing now is that I want to continue to eat donuts for breakfast and s'mores right before I go to bed.

Alas, 'yummy-time' is over.

Look at me now.

Wow, look at me now. For someone who is usually a 'stay-home' kind of person, I sure have been out and about!

This picture is at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, where Lisa Williams was performing live. Luckily, it is the same driving time to either Milwaukee or Chicago from where I live. This was a treat because I have never been to the Pabst Theater. It is absolutely gorgeous.

I love Lisa Williams but I have to say I had way more fun at the Oak Brook book signing than at the actual show. At the book signing there were little 'magic' things that happened that night that were really lucky and felt 'wooOOooo'. Where as the live show was exactly like watching her 'Life Time' show except without the editing, so, we sat through a lot!

No more news about the ghosties in my garage and most of the time when I go out there I don't even think about it - And the funny thing is that I'm usually taking out the garbage and have to walk all the way through to the front - it's always dark because I don't bother turning on the light but I'm never scared - I am more than positive they're nice ghosts.

So, I'm off again - This weekend I'm going to Michigan with my friend to her parent's lake-house for a really nice and relaxing time. I must remember to bring my camera and take pictures.
Note to self: remember to charge the battery!

With all this social-ness that's been going on, I think my social anxiety has been getting better. Who knows maybe I will actually get over this whole social-phobia someday.

:)

Back to normal...

I still feel like I'm reeling from last week - Even though everything is back to normal except me. I still want to go out and do exciting things, I want to drink iced lattes, and have someone else make dinner while I relax on the couch. God, I'm spoiled!

After my parents left I had to go back to my normal life. I've finally am caught up with all the postcards and letters I like to send and return. And I finally had the chance to go over to my friends house and hear the EVP that was recorded in my garage.

There were four distinct sounds that they heard and couldn't explain - And I agree, but my mind keeps telling me that there has to be some kind of explanation.

1. Two chimes of a Cuckoo clock is the best description although the last note is one pitch higher.
2. What sounds like someone blowing on the top of a bottle.
3. A man saying something or someone "said". This one was very hard to make out.
4. A mans laugh.

The sounds are very clear and distinct. I do not own nor have I ever owned a cuckoo clock. And the man's voice is very low and hard to make out.

It's strange because these sounds are very distinct from the other sounds like when the Ghost Busters were talking or walking and moving about.

I keep thinking what could have made those noises and come up blank.

On a side note, my garage is separate from the house and is not the original garage. The original garage was in the back-yard and more like a mini barn. This garage doesn't even sit on where the old one was. But... The land that the house is on used to be a garbage dump. As it is now we constantly have broken bits of old glass and strange metal bits coming up to the surface in my garden.

The Voice

Since we left off, I had met Lisa Williams the Clairvoyant Psychic, got the very last copy of her book in Borders and then was having the Ghost Busters come check out my house the day before my parents were coming for a week visit. Whew! Talk about cutting it close.

I suspected that the Ghost Hunters wouldn't really find anything - Whether it real or made up, I seem to think that a lot of this paranormal activity is going on inside my mind.

Well, they came over none the less and did several readings with an EMF gauge, temperature gauge and EVP recorder. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I decided to tell them about my creepy garage and how I think someone was killed in my car. (I can't explain why I think someone died in my car I just get a 'feeling'. ) So they did the same tests out in the garage.

A few days ago my friend called me with the news - All was normal except... there is a disembodied voice in the garage which came through on the EVP recorder!!!

The sad news... I haven't heard it yet.

Being that my parents were in town and my friend now has a cold I have to wait to hear what is exactly on the tape. My hopes are high but I can't make any claims until I hear it myself.

I will keep you posted.