Basement Decluttering Journey - Part One

I'm in the process of going through 10+ years of boxes. Mainly mementos, photos, past art work, ideas for art, journals/sketchbooks, old files, DIY projects waiting to be worked on/finished, art supplies, old school work, quotes written on misc pieces of paper, saved children's clothes/toys, CDs, extra office supplies, and oh so much more.

I'm about 15+ hours in and although progress has been made, there is so much more to do!! The basement still looks like a pig sty and I have spread the mess around another room creating piles while I go through all the boxes. It's a necessary evil.

So you may be asking what's motivating me? A couple things:

1) Find documents to help my son. My husband and I are having my son tested for Aspergers. The counselor has asked for any and all school/medical documents we think would provide more information on our son's development starting with my pregnancy. Mind you this was a little over 8 years ago!  Thus began my journey into the dreaded basement. With relief that I have saved a ton of my sons medical/school papers and panic that all the information was spread through out my many boxes, I began opening boxes and clearing and organizing the content. It felt great to have a mission and to start getting things under control. This has been nagging me for over 10 years. THIS stuff has made me feel less of a person because my internally organized self was embarrassed and ashamed of my "hoardish" behavior. Now, I'm facing it down and kicking it's butt.

2) Save money. In an attempt to save money and make the most of what we already have, I have started couponing. Something I've always been interested in but never dived into because of the time investment. That is until I found southernsavers.com. With a couple hours of exploring Jenny's website, free tools, and youtube videos, you can begin your journey to becoming a coupon queen. It feels soooo good to save money and have stock in household items I know I'm going to need later. I absolutely love it!

Through this process of saving money, I needed a little space for my 6 weeks worth of items that were on sale which brings me to the dreaded basement. We have a wire rack that hold extra office supplies, old technology, and random larger items. Well, that wasn't going to do so I moved some stuff around and found a corner for my 6 bags of chips I had just purchased (BOGO free thank your very much). That was fine for the time being but the stash will be growing so my need for space is increasing which is a great reason to finish attacking the basement clutter.

3) New baby coming! That's right. We will soon be outnumbered by our kiddos in the near future. With that in mind, I want to get as much cleaning and organizing done now so our home will be a well oiled machine when baby #3 joins our family.

(If you've stayed with me this long, yay!! You're a trooper. I know this is a long post, I just have so much to share. I'm almost done, I promise :))

4) Party NEXT WEEK! We're throwing a big bash for my husband next week and this will be the first time a lot of our friends will be seeing our house for the first time.

5) In-laws are visiting NEXT WEEK! Now that the basement looks like it's under construction, I have to step it up and finish it ASAP so it's spick and span before my husbands parents visit.

Reasons 4 and 5 are great motivators to finish this project fast. Follow through is a must!

Here's what I've learned from decluttering so far...

• Stop what you're doing when you become tired, grumpy, or stressed. It becomes more painful and I'm convinced you become less productive. Instead, take a break and confront the boxes when you have more energy.
• It feels awesome to make progress. I feel like a more responsible, organized, and self sufficient person. I have a vision of what my life is going to be like when the basement is 100% organized and it's so exciting. I'll have so much more free time to spend with the kids and I'll know what we have and where we have it. I can live and do more in the present rather than be bogged down with the past.
• I have been blessed with such wonderful family members, a great education, and fun experiences. It's so easy to feel stuck sometimes but when you stop and look back at what you've accomplished and where you've come from, it's beautiful and encouraging.

That's it for now. I'll be sure to check in and update you all on my status. Wish my luck!

Is anyone else working on a home organizing project? If so, what have you learned from the process?

Pushing Through Insecurities

On Sunday night I texted my aunt some photos of paintings I was working on. Later that night, I altered almost all of them. On Monday, I received a text back from her saying she loved the painting below and wanted to buy it! She liked the bright colors. Great news right!? Well, what she didn't know yet was that I painted over the back ground to calm it down after I sent her the photos. I too liked the contrast, but it didn't feel right. The new change felt right. Sooooo, I had to break the news to her that I was still working on it and it's no longer bright and contrasty (yes, i made that word up :) ). Those few text message exchanges sent me into a whirlwind of insecurity and doubt/confusion.

Does this mean, my taste is bad? I really like the muted colors right now, they inspire me. Will I be the only one who enjoys them?? Am I too boring? Should I start making more bright and contrasty paintings? What it all boiled down to was why and for who am I making art? 

Am I making art to sell it or making it for me? The answer is that I'm making art for myself and that's ok.  It needs to be deeply personal and honest or else it will come off fake. Art should be personal and a full expression of the artist. It should excite you! Not an expression of what the artists thinks the customer would want to buy.

In the end, this short exchange with my aunt gave me more clarity on why I'm making art and I am very grateful for that. In the recent past, this simple insecurity would have paralyzed me for weeks maybe even months, but since I've committed to being creative for 2 hrs every day I was forced to confront my insecurity by making me push through it so that I could move on. As a result, I had a productive night in the studio.

Here's what I worked on once the kiddos were in bed.

The painting above has been a work in progress for a little while now. I can't seem to make it work yet. I thought I had a good plan to create more texture, by cutting a canvas border around the circles, but it didn't look as good as it did in my head so I tried another method...

I cut canvas circles out of my scraps and started to paint and sew them onto the painting. I need to leave it for a day or two and come back to it. Not sure I like this either.

I also added the stars to another unfinished painting. Excited to see what the end product will look like!

So now it's your turn to share. Why and for who do YOU make art for?

Giving Thanks

Today, I am thankful...

...for the driver who stopped to let me pass through in a crammed parking lot,

...for the gentleman who took my cart after I finished loading groceries into my car,

...for the big fluffy clouds that smoothly moved across the blue sky, bathing in the bright sun,

...for the woman needing me to back out of the bathroom hall to allow her to maneuver her cart with her 1yr old in it, reminding me that I'm not alone in awkward dances performed in public while caring for little ones and attempting to perform normal duties,

...for the warm smile of the grandma near the flowers in the hardware store, how I miss the love and company of my late grandparents,

...for the venus fly trap my oldest son was excited to find, and brave enough to ask the saleswoman for,

...for the little smiles and giggles my youngest son gave on a mostly cranky day,

...for the unconditional love and acceptance given to us by Emmas, my parents dog,

...for the must have books found at the local christian book store, pulling me back down to earth,

...for the creative ideas and clarity gained  through out the day,

...for my good friend Ashley who is joining me on a Love Dare adventure,

...for my brother and his family living on the same block as me,

...for my internet connection and computer, allowing me to share my gratitude.

I'd love to hear what you are thankful for today.  Leave a comment below and share the love :)

Spartan Up!

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 “Death is the price we pay for life, so make it worth it.”

I’m so excited to share a new book coming out May 17^th called Spartan Up! by Joe DeSena, founder of Spartan Race, with Jeff O’Connell, editor-in-chief at bodybuilding.com. 

About Joe

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Joe DeSena is the driving force behind and the living embodiment of the Spartan Race, the sports and fitness juggernaut described in this proposal. He built a number of successful businesses, starting in fireworks at 13, moving onto pool cleaning, and eventually landing on Wall Street. He also became a legend in endurance and adventure racing circles based on accomplishments he’s outlined in the book. Spartan Race merges those two obsessions of his life.

I had the privilege of previewing the book and I’m happy to report that it’s a worthwhile read no matter what stage you are at in life. Whether you have your life together or need a swift kick in the butt, this book will push you to your limits (in a good way) to get the results you desire. Joe DeSena will be your biggest supporter and worst nightmare-both at the same time.

 

Spartan Up! will walk you through what it takes to be “fitter, happier, healthier and more successful in business and life.” It is based on a series of concepts, but three of them trump everything: Question your Assumptions, Less is More, Discipline is Everything.

I had an opportunity to ask Joe a couple questions about life and his new book. Check out what he had to say :)

  

Do you believe anyone can pick up your book and change their life no matter what their circumstances or size?

Absolutely…It will be very hard work..anything good in life is..but if they read the book and really get into it..some big changes will take place..the biggest being they will have tools to change their frame of reference.

How is this book different than other motivational/fitness books?

This book is not selling a quick fix. This book is telling you as it is. There is no way around this: you have to work hard to achieve great things in life and this book explains how to do that. It also shows you how to make sure you nail your goals. 

What has been your biggest obstacle in life thus far? As a Spartan, how did you overcome it?

Building Spartan Race. I don't know…I just keep pushing forward but I don't know if there is a finish line :)

What’s next?

The Olympics!

Like what Joe is about?

You can preorder Spartan Up! on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound to get your own copy as soon as it is released.

You can learn more about Spartan Races and the amazing people who have been transformed by them, check out spartanrace.com and spartanrace.tv. You can download the FEE e-book "You'll Know At The Finish Line" here.

See Joe's Ted Talk  here. Very motivational!

Win a free entry into a Spartan Race near you!

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Answer this question below and you’ll be entered to win a free ticket into the Spartan Race.

If you were immune to obstacles, what would you dare to accomplish?

XO

Jennie

Hello Mr. Nolde

Thank you for picking up the paint brush every day, for pouring your heart out on canvas, for keeping on keeping on. 

 

 

Emil Nolde 1867 Nolde/Nordschleswig - 1956 Seebüll/Schleswig-Holstein Lithograph in colors. Schiefler/Mosel L 56. Signed and numbered "Aufl.

Landscare, North Friesland, 1920, oil on canvas, 86.5 x 106.5 cm, Nolde Stiftung Seebüll

Emil Nolde, Dark Sea (Green Sky)

Emil Nolde, The Sea at Dusk, watercolor on paper, Private Collection

A Happy Place

I was sorting though some old files this morning and came across this gorgeous photo. It brought me back to my happy place. I can't help but smile and take a deep breath every time I look at it. Ahhhh....is it summer yet?

I hope you all have have a great week.

Tootles,
Jennie

Photo Credit: I don't know :( I found it a couple years ago and didn't save the source. So sorry.

Look whose back :)

Hello again,

I've been on a self exploring journey these past few months. I have been reading a ton of business books, lifestyle podcasts, and planning how I want to jump into documenting my life, work, and inspiration. I have tried a couple different methods but keep wanting to come back to this site. My intention with this blog are the exact same as when I first started it. To soak up the beauty in everyday life and to share it with you all. There is something so gratifying about it that I'm choosing to come back to it and continue to ride the wave.

You know when you have one of those moments where you look around and think this is the life. For me it's at the beach where there's no firm plan for the day, no expectations, no to do lists except to have pure fun. It's in those moments, when I'm laying on a towel on the sand or in a chair reading a book, that I love to just soak up all the positive vibes. I don't want the way I'm feeling to go away. I brainstorm on new things I want to create, places I want to explore, and goals that I want to accomplish by next vacation. I'm excited at that moment and the future. But then I come home, faced with all the responsibilities and everyday tasks that I didn't have at vacation. Bummer.

What if it didn't have to be that way though? What if, we all created lives that work for us? Yes, we still have house hold chores, jobs to get back to and a pile of other stuff, BUT what if we invested a small amount of time to running a more efficient house hold and business so that we can spend a lot more time doing the things we love with our families? Makes sense right?

One of the things I'll be talking more about and sharing on this blog is how I'm making more time for priorities in my life and less time for the little stuff. My hope is that you that you can pull some gold nuggets out and apply it to your own life so that you too can live your best life.

So ladies, lets put our big girl panties on and kick some ass!!


Shine on,
Jennie

And the day came...

Photo Source

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

~Anais Nin

Relax. Refresh. Reflect

One of my favorite things about summer vacation is putting life back into focus.  Stress, commitments, and daily routines are stripped off and relaxation with a side of refection are added to create a refreshing look at the life we are leading and want to lead.

My husband, brothers, and I started setting yearly goals last year and believe it or not they were all accomplished.  My husband John started teaching again (yay!), Chris, my oldest brother, moved to another town (he now lives one block away from my house, yipee!!);  Nick, my second oldest brother, found the woman of his dreams (and we love her too!) and I welcomed our second child into this world (Hi Miles!).

Sometimes, it can feels like we are running around non-stop without accomplishing anything, but after looking back, we accomplished a lot!

Beauty is Embarrassing

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“Follow your heart and pleasure in art.  Don’t do what you think will be making you money or what you’re parents want you to do or what that beautiful girl or guy thinks you should be doing. Do what you love.  It’s going to lead to where you want to go. Go out there and make the world more beautiful. I know you can” 

~Wayne White from Beauty is Embarrassing: The Wayne White Story

 *****

Meet John Baldessari

Learn more here. :)

Who knew George W. Bush painted??

Read more here: 

George W. Bush's Paintings Revealed

The Secret Art of George W. Bush

Wave of Birds

Photo taken on my iPhone

On my way to work this morning, I stopped by our local coffee shop and heard a hundred or so birds flying and cawing above me.  Besides a slight paranoia of getting pooped on, the site and sounds were beautiful. Listening to the birds fly back and forth above my head was as relaxing as listening to waves at the beach. That made my morning :) 

 

Sketch Book Heaven

I’ve been daydreaming about sketchbooks these past few days and thought I would share some finds that I really liked...

Edward Hopper's Sketchbook
Source Here

What do you all like to sketch? 

Blog Love: Little Paper Planes

Today, I rediscovered Little Paper Planes' Blog.  What an inspirational site! It has so much to offer artists to include other artist's work, interviews, and studio visits. This is a great source of inspiration and community. 

Debt be gone

Stephanie and Rob

Here's a great example of why creativity is not just for artist.  Stephanie (above) paid off $90,000.00 of debt in almost three years by thinking outside the box. Now, that's impressive!! If she's able to pay off $90,000.00 in just three years imagine the cuts we can make to reach our own goals. This article is proof that if you focus on a challenge and are open to an answer (may not be the answer you're looking for) there will always be a solution!

To read how Stephanie paid off her debt, visit the Forbes.com article here.

“Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

Quote of the day

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"The author makes a tacit deal with the reader. You hand them a backpack. You ask them to place certain things in it — to remember, to keep in mind — as they make their way up the hill. If you hand them a yellow Volkswagen and they have to haul this to the top of the mountain — to the end of the story — and they find that this Volkswagen has nothing whatsoever to do with your story, you're going to have a very irritated reader on your hands." ~ Frank Conroy

Book Recommendation #1: Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Art Making by David Bayles & Ted Orland

Read a few pages here.

  

Every artist should have "Art & Fear" in their home library. It's a classic book on the trials and tribulations of the art making process. When you're feeling blocked, this is the book you want to go to to get unstuck. 

If you like this book, you will definitely like the sequel "The View From The Studio Door: How Artists Find Their Way In An Uncertain World" by Ted Orland.

  

Meet Sophie Calle

Sophie Calle
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Sophie Calle. Take Care of Yourself, 2007
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Sophie Calle (born 1953) is a French writer, photographer, installation artist, and conceptual artist.^[1] Calle's work is distinguished by its use of arbitrary sets of constraints, and evokes the French literary movement of the 1960s known as Oulipo. Her work frequently depicts human vulnerability, and examines identity and intimacy. She is recognized for her detective-like ability to follow strangers and investigate their private lives. Her photographic work often includes panels of text of her own writing. source 

I love Sophie's work. I was telling my husband that she does work that I would come up with but never execute on. I would think "this is a crazy idea. It's not "art" it's research or me being a little nutty. But nope, I have been proven wrong. Sophie rocks her ideas out with no remorse and in return, has a portfolio of gems.  Her work provides freedom to artist to explore art and life. You don't have to do art a certain way. Do what feels right to you and follow through. Chances are, if you think it's a great idea, other will too. 

Our Deepest Fear

Susan Boyle (Source)
Susan's story can be found here.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~by Marianne Williamson