Yesterday's walk was great.  I went out before it got too hot.  As I walked, I began to develop a character for my creative wrting class.  We are supposed to observe people and then write about them.  I have not noticed anyone particularly unusual lately but I did have a character in mind.  I enjoyed thinking about how this character would have a large part in the short story I am writing.  I also made sure that I took the time to notice all of the beautiful flowers that I passed along my way.  Being out in nature is one of the ways I like to spend my time. 

Today I am going to begin walking on a daily basis.  I thought if I blogged about it I might be more apt to do it.  I do yoga two to three times a week, lift weights two times a week but I know I need to add walking to my routine.  I have a beautiful place to walk so now I just need the determination to do it each day.  I know it will make me stronger so as of today, no more excuses. I will commit to walking at least three to five times a week. 

Today I was reading Jamie Ridler's blog and saw the statement, "You are the designer of your own life." That is really a very powerful statement.  Noone to blame, no excuses, just yourself and  the truth.  If you can design how you want your life to be just think how exciting that is.  Designing and creating take a lot of thought but once you begin it is really hard to stop.  So tonight I am going to think about how I want to design my life.  What do I want it to look like, feel like, and sound like?  Who is the star and who is the supporting cast?  It is fun letting the right side of your brain take control for awhile.  Finding the freedom to design and create your own life is really very exciting.  I'll let you know what I create as I go along. 

We had a great weekend.  Graham and Ethan spent Saturday and Sunday with us.  The weather cooperated and Saturday afternoon we went to the neighborhood park.  We were the only people there and the boys had so much fun.  Ethan loved the slides and Graham had a great time walking the plank and running into Poppa's arms.  On the way to get McDonald's Ethan began singing Cheeseburgers in Paradise and of course we all had to join in.  Graham thought it was very funny.  Spending time with our grandsons means a great deal to us.  Sharing time with them and creating childhood memories with the boys are definitely very special moments in time that we will never forget.

On Tuesday I went to the first session of a new writing class.  It was really great.  There were ten women there that I had never met  before but everyone had two things in common, a love of reading and a love of writing.  It was so interesting learning about everyone and what they had written in the past and what they want to write now.  One of the things I now  realize is that I should have been taking classes for me, as well as for my job, all throughout my career.   As a teacher I was always attending school and learning more.  I loved it but it would have been great to take a writing class or an art class just because I wanted to.  I have always loved to learn and it is so much fun learning all of these new things.  So Tuesday was full of special moments.  I can't wait for the next class.

This has been a great week.  I got to do lots of fun and creative things as well as meet with old friends.  Sunday I met with an image consultant.  As many of you know I love TV and especially like What Not To Wear.  Well, I had my own What Not To Wear experience except I wasn't turned  in by friends and I didn't get to spend $5,000 of someone else's money.  But I did get to learn a lot about myself and my choice of clothes.  It was a great learning experience and the next time I go shopping I will definitely be looking at clothes differently than I have in the past.

On Wednesday I met with a wonderful staff.  The day before school started everyone met in the library for an hour to create their own vision board.  I was a little worried about how things would go because I know how important time is to teachers but everyone got involved and talked and laughed and created awesome boards and it was truly a great experience.  The teachers were so positive and wrote great comments.  I am going to go back next month hopefully with my new friend and image consultant as a partner.  I think the teachers would really enjoy hearing her speak. 

Tuesday will be my first writing class.  I am really looking forward to learning more about the art of writing. 

Today is the first day of the month.  A new day, a new month and new things to think about.  I am going to begin taking painting classes again, start a writing class and begin facilitating a new workshop for and with teachers.  I am excited about all three but really excited about the workshop with the teachers.  This workshop is about and for teachers.  Hopefully, it will give the teachers one hour a month to reflect upon themself and what they want to accomplish either personally or professionally this school year.  Teachers give so much of themself to others so my goal is to create a professional learning experience that will help them find ways to take care of themself.  I hope that the teachers will be as excited about attending this class as I have been creating it.