Self Respect Paint Party Friday

Paint Party Friday

Show your face Friday

Summer of Color

  I made these icads (index card a day) way ahead of any thought of this post!  They were done completely separately at different times with different trains of thought! I had no idea how well they would marry with my words! A very interesting process!

Icad 26 Fitness

I was married young. I left my home with a brand new television as a wedding gift, and the clothes on my back. Later down the road I was given my piano!  Everything else I earned! 
As a child it was a privilege to have a second hand bike, each night it was carefully put away. We valued the little we had and nothing was left out! Every car I've owned I valued, keeping it clean inside and out!! Which got harder once a child came into the picture!!  Still I have always respected what I am blessed to have.

Icad 28 effortless style

I said a prayer of thanks everyday as I walked through the door of  dream kitchen in my former home! I revered it and kept it clean and tidy!  I felt so extremely fortunate that I could own something so beautiful! Many meals were prepared with love. Meals that were not always appreciated the way they should have been. To this day  I am sure to thank anyone who serves me several times, so they know how their love, thought, and hard work preparing is appreciated! 

 One of my least favourite Icads 23 Aura

I separated my laundry  so it was washed properly because I valued our clothing and how we looked. I kept my house and yard nice because I respected what I was so fortunate to own. Kept my clothes folded and hung up because I respected my space and my clothes! I valued the homes that  kept a roof over our heads... we were careful not to chip walls, or carelessly damage any part of it. However accidents do happen, and if so we'd repair and forgive ourselves because we knew our intention towards our dear home  was always good!

When I first bought this place as a single mom I sat in the living room for hours so grateful I had a nice place to finish raising my child. So many thoughts of gratitude abounded as I planned a colour for the walls! 

As things broke down that I couldn't  afford to fix I  was sure to feel grateful for what I did have! Keeping it the best I could. Daily we hear of people put out of their homes due to floods, fire, hurricanes. Each time I feel extreme sadness for them, I also feel extreme gratitude for what I  do have!

Surround yourself with good!! Summer of Color week #3

When friends visited  I put out my best. Cleaning and preparing to show it's best side before they arrived! It's always been a  joy to let my friends know how much I loved and respected them! To really feel the love of my space with my friends in it!

However the one thing I probably never respected enough was myself. Over the years I  often replaced work and serving others, with sleep. I developed early and was always a big looking kid even though I am only 5 feet 4 inches! I was never as big as I thought I was, until I was bigger than I thought I was!! For so many years my wear your feelings on your sleeve were anesthetized with a good meal, or  a doughnut.

Icad #24 escape your past

At ten the day after  I was molested by a distant relative,  I bought the biggest ice cream cone on the menu and ate it all!  When I didn't properly grieve my fathers death because my baby was only six weeks old a layer of bulge  went on!  When I didn't properly grieve the demise of my marriage because it was ugly and scary and my ten year old studied my face with  precision for constant cues that everything would be okay! Another layer was added! I didn't grieve the too many ugly incidents to count, when life was just a mess and my young daughter was at my side. Instead I pushed the pain down and looked to the positive! Layers upon layers of life I squished down now holds me captive. 

Icad 27 Conquer your own storm

I long for the days when I could carry around the weight and all the pressures of keeping up a home. I long for the old me who could still show my home how much I value it! I long for the girl with a strong hip that didn't hurt daily. I long for the young me who should have respected my body and my emotions as much as my house and my job! I should have got mad more, I should have refrained from rewarding my pain, and hard work with food. I should have felt my feelings head on, confronted them and respected them as okay..... 

For the last seven days of this really healthy eating cleanse some of the old greif is bubbling up.... I guess in order to properly release the toxins.... some of the pain will have to be felt too!  

Icad #29 escape shame!

I am not a compulsive eater that gorges, I have had to eat more food now than I have ever been used to. I just have terrible eating habits time wise. Sometimes I  never eat until mid afternoon...and grab whatever is closest in the fridge. Now I start  the morning with a green monster courtesy of Cupcake who makes us all one, and brings it to me.  I continue on with only healthy choices.  It's been great! This is not about weight, it's about health!  Any weight loss will be a bonus!! I am respecting the process...and my support team!

What drastic changes have you made in your life over the years? 



This is a hilarious video that proves art is sometimes 
more effective and powerful
than words!! You won't be disappointed!!
If Animals ate junk food!!