Our son just moved away to college and I got his room!!!  North light exposure and a new full spectrum floor lamp with blue light technology (much better than OTT Lites) and I can see wonderful possibilities.  New curtains, cleaned the carpet, restained the older dressers to store supplies, new bookcases for all my books~I am finally out of the dining room.  It is amazing how nice it is to see the floor in my house again.

We spent the last three years taking care of my father-in-law, and now that he is no longer in pain and resting in peace we have time for us and our needs.  We are sorting through STUFF and purging the mess.  I had forgotten how freeing it is to have a less cluttered space.  Being a sanguine personality I love to have everything out where I can see it (if it's put away I can't find it). 

I am so proud of my husband for finally giving things up that he has been hanging on to for years.  After watching all the Clean House/Clean Sweep/Uncluttered/Neat type of programs I've gotten good at giving things up and letting go of STUFF but holding on to the memories instead.  Since 2001 we've cleaned three houses and an apartment, put a lot of it in storage units that we later had to go through again, three generations of STUFF and memories, and our son told us it was our turn to get rid of STUFF so he doesn't have to do it someday.  When I realized most of the things I think are important will go into a dumpster, I have been able to get rid of things more easily and am sharing them with others now.  And we are finding use for things we didn't have out before.

I spent some time tonight sorting patterns and dreaming of what I can paint on in my supplies of things to paint.  I will dream tonight of designs and painting.  I have been so busy cleaning house and rearranging rooms and stuff for company coming for alumni weekend that I haven't ahd time to enjoy my new space and my art.

How exciting to find new creative friends!  I have loved any form of art since my grandmother first shared being artistic with us growing up.  I remember my first wooden art box from her for a Christmas present, the smell of the wood, the pastels, the oil paint, the turpentine, the charcoal pencils.  We all learned how to sew, tat, embroider, garden, do flower arranging, paint and cook.  Anything was possible for us to explore and learn.  She taught us that to stop learning was to die (meaning never stop, keep on being creative all your life, and share with others how to do this).  I learned that to create was to recharge myself.  Working with any form of art and color is peaceful and relaxing.  Being around nature energizes my body and encourages me to replicate the intricacies of life into my designs.

I am blessed to have lots of loving family members and friends.  I hope you will explore your creative side and find happiness from sharing with others.