Kings Dominion

Yesterday I went with Fort Bragg BOSS Program to Kings Dominion Amusement Park in Virginia.  I had so much fun - I was exhausted by the time we left and this morning my whole body hurt, but it was so much fun that it was worth it!  Here are some pictures:

Group Photo before we left

Me - that coaster in the background was AWESOME!!

A picture with Uncle Sam

Lazy River

Lazy River again

I was the only one who got a flag with my dinner meal

Picture with Snoopy

Today I worked in the yard for about 3 1/2 hours - hard work and even harder since I was tired and sore from yesterday's adventures.  My awesome neighbor came over and helped me out though and together we got a lot done!  So, a few more weekends and I think it will be presentable.  Other than that I have cooked (dinner and I also made carrot soup to freeze) and done some laundry.  I also went to the store.  I am not up for doing anything else that may require energy!  Hope you guys had a great Memorial Day weekend and I hope you remembered to take a moment to give thanks to those who have given their lives for our great country! 

Give Love - A Community Art Project

A while back I participated in a community art project headed up by Phoenix Peacock, an art therapy student (who has since graduated!)  I made some art journal pages and I never showed them to you guys because I wanted her to have the reveal since they were part of her project.  Anyways - She up them up on her blog today!  So, go on over to Give Love - A Community Art Project and check them out.

Yardwork and Art

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a wonderful Friday.  This morning, since we had the day off, I went to gentle yoga class.  Then after I got home I worked on the back yard.  It is a huge mess and really I probably need someone else to help me out but I figure if I can do some of it then it will cost less to pay someone else to finish it.  Anyways... I filled these bags with pine straw:

Yes, those bags are large enough to fit a person.  My neighbor gave them to me - he works (or owns? I'm not sure) at a shipping (mailing) company and those are the bags that the packing peanuts come in.  Anyways.. I also cut down these limbs on one side of the house:

Still so much work to be done:

Limbs from back yard that were hanging over fence into front yard

Leaves, pine straw and limbs already raked and cut

Happy because I was done at this point hehe

Here is a pretty decent shot of the back yard - you can probably see 1/3 of it in this picture:

I also took a picture of the pretty blue flowers on the side of the house in the front:

See how big it is?  Next time I move I am moving into a condo or apartment that doesn't require me to do yard work!!

After the yard I did some art work.  I had a lot of fun.  I painted a canvas that I had gessoed a few weeks ago - but all I got done so far was the background color.  I am hoping to work on it some more tomorrow.  Then I also made an ABC card:

and an ATC:

And another art piece:

Open up the flap and that is where I wrote:

And then I worked on post cards.  I put the backgrounds on to some cards.  Now I have 15 cards with finished backgrounds that just need pictures or words on them!  I am hoping that I can work on those tomorrow too!

I don't think I told you guys but a few days ago I got confirmation that my meditative drawing class with the kids is set for the last 3 Wednesdays in July and I have 14 students which is a full class!  Now I have to get hot working on my visual aids - basically I am making super huge (11x14) step by step zentangles.  I am also going to make a huge mandala, a huge scribble tangle, and a huge hand tangle which are some projects I am going to have the kids do - they won't be doing the huge version but I want the big size to show them.

Well friends, I guess that is all for now.  Hope you all had a great Friday and have something fun planned for this wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!  "See" you tomorrow.

WOYWW 25 MAY

Hey, I know I am a day late but I still wanted to play along!!  So, here is what is on my workdesk shelf:

A better shot of the bottom shelf:

I am working on post cards for a swap and of course some art journal pages.

For other people's desks, go to stamping ground!

Busy Blogger

I have been super busy since I got off work.  I went to the commissary to get stir fry.  I've been thinking lately that I am tired of just eating green veggies (broccoli, spinach, green beans, etc.) and wanted some color.  I also had some fresh veggies that I wanted to cook before they went bad so I wanted to make stir fry and I like to start my stir fry with a stir fry packet from the frozen foods.  It just seems to come out better that way.  So, I made my huge skillet full of stir fry. I also steamed some zucchini, peeled and chopped 1 cucumber and 5 carrots, chopped celery and boiled eggs.

Then I took the trash out and filled up the rest of the trash can with leaves that had been raked into piles yesterday.  I did not even make a dent in the leave/pine need pile but the trash people will only pick up what fits into the trash can so I am kinda stuck doing it a bit at a time unless I want to bag them - but today I didn't feel like bagging them. 

So, then I took a shower because its SOOO humid here today, and then that brings us to now - 1 hour before bed time.  Time freaking flies! 

Lastly, I wanted to share a link with you guys.  I found out that Web MD has a free fitness/food tracker thingy that will calculate your nutrition (calories, fat, protein, carbs, etc) and exercise and your stats in order to help you lose weight!  I started it today - going to give it a shot for a few days and see how I like it. In order to reach the web page, follow this link.

That's all for now friends.  "See" you tomorrow, I hope.

Art Experiments & Garlic Scape Pesto

Hey there!  This morning I worked in the yard for two hours fighting against massive amounts of pine needles and wild rose vines.  I counted 10 scratches on my right arm alone - and one is like 8 inches long!  Even though I was out there for 2 hours I hardly made a dent.  I was going to pay someone to do it but he quoted me $160 but the when he called back to confirm he said $260.  So, I said never mind.  I am going to devote my weekend to the yard from now on I guess.  Lesson learned: no houses with big yards from now on get a condo ; )


I also did a yoga workshop today.  It was tough!  A lot of army work - my arms were shaking several times.  I did my first ever headstand today!  I didn't expect to do it and so when I did I was said "woah!"  out loud!  I learned a lot today.

For dinner I just made the Garlic Scape Pesto.  It came out GREAT!  I will tell you how to make it so you can taste the yumminess too!  First of all, here is a picture of garlic scapes:

You can find more information about garlic scapes at this blog....it also has another recipe for pesto which is different from mine.

Garlic Scape Pesto
1) Chop 3-5 scapes and add to blender with juice from 1/2 a lemon and blend
2) Add 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese to the blender and blend some more
3) Add 1/4 cup olive oil to blend and keep on blending!
4) Add handful of fresh spinach and blend some more
5) Add more olive oil or some water (I suggest water so the pesto doesn't get too oily) if mixture is too thick.
6) Eat it - its yummy.  It comes out a great color - bright green:

I think if you are going to make this recipe you need to have a powerful blender or a food processor.  I have a good blender and I was kinda worried that it was going to burn out on me.

I do also have some art pics for you today!  I did some experimenting with the flower scraps.  Here are two pages:

The one of the left I wrote with a large brush Pitt pen and then glued the scraps down randomly.  The one on the right was the opposite - scraps first and then writing later.  On the right side I used a small brush Pitt pen.

And two post cards....one made with the flower scraps:

And one that I just made with other stuff:

I did the lines first.  They are something similar to quilling paper but I got them in Korea so I think its probably something else over there.  Then I thought the lady looked good on there so I added her.

I have several more postcards to make for the next swap - but I am glad I found another swap because they are so much fun - especially because you get random art in the mail!

All right friends, time for me to relax and watch some TV.  Have a great night!

Doggie Daze Festival

Yesterday I volunteered with BOSS at the Doggie Daze Festival on Fort Bragg.  It was a good time - lots of adorable dogs to pet and even a tiny kitten:

So, I worked at the BOSS booth, we were doing an income generating activity (haha...fundraising ) which was making "sand candy" (think pixie stix) for kids for 1$ each.

There was a show of world champion Frisbee dogs.  It was really cool.  I did my best to get pictures of it, but kinda a hard thing to do...I did get a few though:

There was a dog costume contest:

And dog art:

We also got out picture taken with the mascot from the local baseball team:

I asked what level the team was and I was told "its just a bunch of college kids that play during the summer."  Apparently the games are a lot of fun though and we are planning on going to one as a group.

It was a good time!

Speed Dating

Good morning everyone!  I did not post last night because I was busy helping out with a BOSS Speed Dating Event.  I went about an hour and a half early to help them set up and then I helped register people.  Once the speed dating started, I did that too! 

It was my first speed dating event.  It was a lot of fun.  I had heard the girls talking about it before, about how much fun they had, so I wanted to check it out.  The girls were sitting at one table the entire time and the guys got up and moved one seat to the right every 3 min.  There was a couple of guys that I could have kept talking to longer, and certainly some that 3 min. was enough!  I typically go to bed by 9 since I get up at 4am but I stayed at the event until 11 - proof that I was having a good time. 

Mostly I go to the BOSS events because it gives me something fun to do and a way to meet other single soldiers.  I have nothing against married people, but their priorities are typically different than those of single people.  Since I am single, it is nice to meet some other single people occasionally - even if they are typically several years younger than me. 

This afternoon is another BOSS event.  We are volunteering at the Fort Bragg Doggie Days Festival.  Should be a lot of fun because of the dogs and we are going to be working with kids.  I will tell you guys all about it tonight, or tomorrow! 


This morning while I was still sleeping my CSA box got delivered:

It has strawberries, white sweet potato, regular sweet potatoes, zucchini, squash, broccoli, cucumber, and most exciting - garlic scapes.  I fully intend to make garlic scape pesto!  Woo.

Last, but not least, I wanted to show you this art journal page that I finished the other day:

Have a great day! "See" you later.

WOYWW 18 MAY

Hello and happy WOYWW.  My art table is a bit boring this week:

So, I thought I would show you another area where the art has spilled over too... the desk.  I've been making these flowers:

And as a result I have a lot of scraps:

I used one of them on this (not yet finished) journal page:

If you want to see more people's desk's then head over to Stamping Ground!
That's all for now, have a great day!

Acupuncture

Today was my first ever acupuncture appointment.  It was very interesting.  I expected lots of tiny needles but instead got 3 not tiny (not huge either) needles.  I got one in my wrist, one in my foot and one behind my knee.  I have a lot wrong with me so I am not quit sure what the pins were supposed to be doing other than helping my pain and nerve damage.  The doctor told me that she wanted me to come see her after work (she is a civilian that volunteers Tuesday morning to help the Soldiers) to get some herbs.

I went to see her this evening and we talked about all the tons of things wrong with me.  She thinks, due to getting heat hives, that I have digestion problems.  Also another sign of this is nausea almost every day.  So, she thinks that the pain medication I take for my leg is causing me to not really feel what is going on with my body.  She is trained in eastern medicine so she believes that the medicines are chemicals that are bad for my body.  She said once I start feeling better I should consider stopping all my medications.  Now, I have considered doing this before - wondered if it would ever be possible - but am scared that I will hurt really bad.  She gave me some herbs to make a tea with and said it will make me feel much better (nausea, migraines, etc), so if I do start to feel much better then I will consider weening myself off of the medications.  The reason I have considered doing a complete (even medication) detox before is that there is so much wrong with me that I figure something in my body has to be causing some problems, so I figure if I detoxed completely then I would feel much better.  That is just an idea though.  I have lots of wild ideas.

Of course I was raised here in the U.S. so I am most knowledgeable about western medicine practices, but this whole issues with my hip/leg has led me to search out other means of treating the issues that my body has.  So, I am doing my best to eat healthy foods that are good for me, to do yoga and other exercise, and now I will try these herbs.  You never know what will help, and when you have chronic pain you are willing to try almost anything at least one just to see.

Other things I was advised of today:
1) eat only 3 times a day (I will give this a shot but don't know how that will work out... I am Ravenous after all hehe)
2) Do not eat or drink cold things (this includes cold water.... sad face, no more smoothies)
3) Drink the herbal tea 30-40 min after I eat breakfast and dinner
4) If its not necessary, the doctor advises not taking birth control

I am supposed to go back and see her on Friday to get another acupuncture treatment and more herbs.  She is going out of town for 3 weeks so I wont be able to see her again mid June.  Either the 1st or 3rd of June though I get to see the other acupuncture doctor at the hospital.  He is the one who did my never damage evaluation last week.  He does a different type of acupuncture than the doctor I saw today.  She is more holistic and he is more spot treatment.

Oh, I almost forgot the best part!  After she put the pins in she told me a breathing exercise to do and left the room.  So I did the exercise and just lay there waiting for her to come back.  I totally fell asleep!  Then I woke up and tried to stay awake and she came back a few min later and asked  me "did you take a nap?" and I said "yes" and she said "good!"  So, I am totally down for acupuncture on a weekly basis if it means I get to get out of work and take a nap!  Well, that is it for now, hope to "see" you tomorrow.

Just Another Manic Monday

Hi there!  So today was a stressful day.  My boss told me my hair was "streaky" and on the verge of being out of regulation.  On top of that they were so loud in the office today - there is 6 of us in one small room - too many people.  I feel like sometimes the thing that stress me out make other people think I'm just too wimpy but I was not always like this - I was actually VERY good at putting up with things (physically, mentally and emotionally) that bothered me.  Now, however, I have trouble with some things.  I also think it has something to do with the fact that I really am just so mentally finished with the Army - that I am ready to be free.

Anyways, I made some more flowers when I got home:

A purple-ish color scheme this time. 

Some good news today, too!  The Medical Board Doctor called me and asked me to come in tomorrow to review my VA Exam.  I think that also means reviewing my NARSUM.  Woo!  I am one teeny tiny step closer! 

I've been thinking a lot about what to do during my almost-year off if I miss school.  I've decided that I need to do things that nurture me - I need to do things that make me happy and bring me peace and are good for my body and my spirit.  A major thing I want to do is take a vacation to Costa Rica!  So, one thing I need to do is to quit spending money on un-necessary things and to save $$ so I will have more for fun things! 

I guess that is all for now, friends!  Hopefully I will have some good news tomorrow after seeing the medical board doc & I can give you my review of my first ever acupuncture appointment!

Tic Toc

Good evening!  Today was a rough day - I went all over the place and I am exhausted.  First, I went to the hair salon and got my hair cut and highlighted. 

A Few Days Ago

Today.

What do you think?  (**Now that I put the pictures in you can't really tell a difference in the color...but its lighter, trust me.)  Now, just FYI I had her cut it a bit short on purpose so that I can go longer between cuts and also because our HAWAII trip fall right at about hair cut time so I was trying to extend it.

After that I shopped around JCPenny.  I got a new swim suit:

That top with a bottom that is a black skirt. 

And 2 pairs of sun glasses.  I was going to show them to you but they are not turning out well in photo graphs! 

Next I went to Hobby Lobby - I love that place.  I got some primer spray paint and this stuff:

Outdoor chair cover, bath fizzy, fancy brads, and glitter brads

And I also got the stuff to make this clock:

Every single part of that clock was purchased at HL...total cost $10.97 plus tax - not too bad, right?  Plus if I ever desire a change I can always change out the face for a whole new look!  I already hung up the clock in the art room:

Looks good, huh?

After that I went to Target where I tried on a lot of clothes that made me feel really fat - thanks Target!  I also purchased a shirt which I thought matched my yellow workout socks and later realized it didn't.  Guess I will be going back there soon.

Dick's Sporting Goods was next.  I needed to find some Teva shoes to try on to check my size... size 9!... Anyways, I checked it out because I am going to order Teva Tierras for Hawaii.  I LOVE that they come in hot pink!

Lastly, I went to Food Lion which is right next to Dick's Sporting Goods, because I needed to get an Avocado for my dinner salad.

Did I tell you guys that my boss lent me his Jack Lalanne Juicer?  Its in the dishwasher right now (he had it in storage) and I plan on making my first juice with it tomorrow!  Bot, now, its time for me to rest...its been a long day!  Have a great night and thanks for visiting!!