This is a test, only a test

I'm testing to see how posts go up from my  phone. If I like this it will certainly curtail my wordiness.

In June I began Bible Journaling. What a joy this has been. My earliest entries are not on my phone, so here is my latest.

Romans 14:1-12

I use the Common Lectionary as the basis for my journaling and the workshop that I teach on the topic.

This came from the lectionary for September 17th. One of my favorite sayings is, who am I to judge?

Mixing it UP a bit

Sir Henry and I have taken on a new saying here at the Taj Mahal in the trailer park. "2014 is the year of....." We've filled in the blank with everything from paying off my medical bills to modest portions, to releasing clutter and remodeling the living room.

We don't think of these as resolutions as much as we consider them goals. We love it.

My small art-big impact wish for you today :)
Original artwork ATC copyright nachattin 2014

I've started some personal "2014 is the year of...." and wanted to share them here (some you have already seen, but now they are all in one place).

2014 is my year of.... (in no particular order since they all matter)

• whole life living
• value driven lifestyle (faith, family, calling)
• back to living debt free
• back to a more comfortable and healthy clothing size
• self-defense mission rolled into my calling
• spending no more than $20.00 per month on immediately consumable art supplies (like glue, ink refills, etc.) with the exception of crop fees
• smoothie making
• small art with big impact (ATCs, tiny canvas, small altered items, even tiny cards)
• my first experience with Project Life style scrapbooking ( I haven't scrapped traditional style since 2008)
• increased internet presence and (subtle yet consistent) affiliation marketing
• reminding myself that "It's that Easy" (including consistency :)
• renewed commitment to the release and receive standard
• keeping it simple and focused

Based on these goals, I commit myself to using this blog for art as well as whole life living topics. After all, I am by my own definition:

"The Artful Tourist---Norma Anne Chattin, one who moves in delightful observation living like she is on vacation in a world of colors, textures, scents, and tastes. I am not afraid to ask directions and willing to talk to strangers. I share, I create, and I make friends easily with fellow travelers."

Expect more posts and greater variety of posts which are inclusive of my goals. I look forward to your comments and subscriptions (which I've never really promoted before but I have decided to increase my internet presence).



One little $10 personal alarm can
provide a HUGE amount of noise.
Order from my web site
http://www.mydamselpro.net/LIVESAFELIVEWELL/
 

Slipper Camp Exercise One

Slipper Camp: A kinder, gentler boot camp designed to assist you in living well.

 

Camp Motto: Being kind to yourself makes you strong.

Instead of target practice and rope climbing we will educate, equip, and empower ourselves through a series of mini-workouts focusing on mind, body, and spirit. 

Today’s workout: Determine your core values.

 Many people believe you need to start a new year with resolutions and goals. We often approach these with stringent and tough tasks that focus on the physical aspects of our lives. Your assignment today:

List the three most important aspects of your life. What do you value most?

List no more or no less than three. Write them down or type them out, and make sure they are visible to you.

You may add or subtract from them for the next week. Once you have confirmed the exact three items, congratulate yourself. These are your core values. Ask yourself how your current goals and actions reflect your values. If they aren’t in line, change your goals and actions, not your values.

 Example:

Mary’s goals for the New Year were to lose 25 pounds, and workout three times per week. Mary’s three most important values were her family, her health, and her career. If Mary works her goal to lose 25 pounds she will be contributing to her physical health. Her mental health and her spirit also are vital to well-being and health. Mary changed her goals to include reading from a self-help book every week, setting up a family dinner and no TV night, and taking on an extra project at work to promote her value with her employer.

Today’s Task: Determine your core values. Begin repeating them to yourself every day. Move your actions and goals in line with your values.

 Follow along with the "short version" of Slipper camp tasks on the Live Safe, Live Well Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kNACkofit?ref=br_rs

Thankful

Every single day I express my gratitude for at least three of the many joys of my life. While I hesitate to make commitments like "I'm now going to blog these every day in 4-part harmony with flashing lights, glitter, footnotes and drum rolls." I am writing today and showing a digitally enhanced photo (credit designerdigitals.com) of one of my blessings:

I am grateful that I have amazing neighbors on my street. I am blessed to have the two sisters next door be frequent visitors in my home where we make crafts, cook food, watch movies, and launch adventures together. This is the photo taken before we left together for church on Halloween Sunday 2012.

Added bonus: I'm glad I have a church family that celebrates the wonder and fellowship of Halloween.


Update 5.19.2014 Jade turned 13 last week!

We celebrated her entry into the teenage years with a family night dinner. We prayed together over our meal with gratitude for family and neighbors and good food.

Decorations were my digi-art using www.deviantscrap.com designers along with the dolly's eye which Jade drew this year and I photo-shopped into the poster.

Resolved to Affirm

Instead of resolutions, I practice affirmations. If you have never done affirmations you can run an online search that will produce mountains of information. One of the most comprehensive places I found online is Vital Affirmations at http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/affirmations.htm
--I have no affiliation with this site other than reading it and appreciating their style.


The book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne inspires me a great deal as well. The web site is http://thesecret.tv/  which has a short but scenic video. If you have Netflix or other online video resource the entire book has been made into a great video too. The Secret is just the last in a long line of positive and motivational readings that I’ve done since the eighties. If this one doesn’t work for you there are loads of others.

Heartfelt Art (and other) Destinations that are calling to me in 2012:

As it is written

--Continuing with journaling my morning pages each and every day. There will be art in my journals and more fun with altered book journals, but the words will take precedent this year.

--Speaking of words, I set my “one little word” for the year as TRUST. (The one little word concept was developed and is taught by the amazing ALI at http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php  ) My word last year was wholly and I loved keeping this word alive in my life. My wonderful church, First Christian Disciples of Christ in West Palm Beach has a tradition of giving out words for the year on a star too. My star word is ACTION so I’m all set to put TRUST in ACTION or ACT on TRUST throughout the year. It seems like my “one little word” just grew to two little words. Nice.

Two Baby Grands in one week 2011

--Following some nudging from the fabulous Kandee Johnson, I am thinking this year about the last time I did something for the first time. Since I’m officially over 50 I decided to amend that to allow for first time in a long, long time too. (Long time defined by over 20 years). Whether it’s a recipe, a lifestyle change, or a new art technique—I’m doing something new multiple times per month in 2012. Join me in tracking “first time doings” on my blog and web site.

--Community activists are often thought of as people who stage protests or collect signatures requesting change. I choose to broaden the term to include community outreach as part of community activism. I am reaching out to those I know and those I’ve never met through traditional and non-traditional methods. I don’t have to leave a mark on the world to touch it. 

The family famous Burnett "plain cake"
not pound cake. Grandma's recipe says "plain
cake." Simplicity in abundance.

--I trust that I will have everything I need when I need it. I surround myself with the beautiful and the useful. From my artwork to my home to my work to my relationships—I focus on the simple and the meaningful.

I focus on the simple and the meaningful

Holiday Review 2011:

My Christmas celebrations were awesome this year as I approached the holiday with the spirit of Advent leading my heart and decisions. For the first time in my memory I gave most people on my list one gift.

Hand drawn Santa I used for gift
 ties and ornaments 2011.

We made time to visit with family and friends, we went to church, we volunteered in our community. This heartfelt approach has led me to renew my commitment to the heartfelt art process and the power of creativity as a gift from the Great Creator.


Wishing you peace, prosperity, and loads of sparkle in 2012.