Blogging-Not-Jogging-Sitting-Comfortably-On-My-Bed

This is my third blogging-not-jogging-sitting-comfortably-on-my-bed post. And I have already learned a few things. 

1. Never copy the blog site from mobile version onto Facebook. It posts the mobile version of the blog. And that version looks Terrible! I haven't found an alternative that suits my needs better than what I've got. ... SO-- Always post links through Web Version.

2. Never post when I have a headache. All the words blur and blend together. Good ideas seem Great! When in fact, they might just be mediocre. 

3. Blogging takes Time! Seriously! Who knew? Not me! But I sure do love it. Because I love sharing ideas, thoughts, feelings, momentous and minute occasions, etc. Besides, time stands still for no man- so why not blog? --that should be stitched on a pillow! Then sold on Etsy. Haha! Once again, I crack myself up! Even if no one else laughs- I am laughing out loud in my apartment at my own corny joke. Sigh. 

4. It is OK- and is in fact an excellent idea- to keep a running list of topics that I'd like to discuss on my blog. If I don't make a list- I am sure to forget some of them. I know I already have forgotten some; I hope I remember them soon. They were awesome ideas. Very entertaining, brilliant, spectacular, amazing, wonderful, delightful, etc. At least I can only assume they were because I cannot remember them exactly (not at all) But if I came up with the ideas than they must be so. 

5. Put the computer down when I feel overwhelmed. My following that consists of roughly 3 people- my mom and i'm hoping 2 friends- would rather have me whole and happy rather than in pieces freaking out because I can't finish my blog. 

6. It is just a blog. Maybe I really should go out and jog every once in awhile. ... Maybe.

'Til next time!

Arla

it was a Simple Night of Basic Pinecones, Black Powder, and Nature's Spirals

Pinecones-- Charcoal Style!!

My two pinecone examples for the girls

Yesterday evening I had the immense pleasure to teach Art to the the girls for our Wednesday night church activity. It was a quick decision to do art-- luckily I always have a few things in mind in case we need a last minute Art Class. So last night was Charcoal Pinecones. Of course, when I do Art, the girls know we get dirty. We do new and exciting things. And we always learn. I love teaching Art!

Our supplies for the night

I adore charcoal. Getting messy-- hands, arms, face, clothes- they all seem to get messy. There's something so satisfying about getting a near black soot-like substance on you while you scrape, smudge, rub, scratch, smooth or whiff it on or away from the paper!

Kneaded erasers don’t actually erase everything off the paper every time- but they do clean your hands, clean the table, and absorb an enormous amount of charcoal with no detriment to the eraser or the papers. I always wonder at how the substance can absorb so much residue and still function perfectly

The Most Amazing Eraser Ever!

I love using charcoal to draw pinecones because you can really see the changing of the deep inset darkness of the cavity of the pinecone while the lightness of the far-outreaching spindles bring back a delicate balance. --- Because of the nature of the internet and the safety of children's privacy, none of their beautiful works are displayed. However, I have the work of my partner in crime last night, Alison, here to show off! I love her pinecones! One quite literal- so detailed and exact. Another abstract- jokingly said by she that it was a dragonfruit instead of a pinecone! Another is the hint of a shadow of a cone- and then a spindel of a cone. Have I told you how much I love teaching Art?!!

Alison Ashley's Pinecone Party!

The beauty and simplicity of the pinecone is quite marvelous. Pinecones are mathematically correct. They are spirals. All of them. It's amazing! Have you ever heard of the Fibonacci Sequence? It’s all about the growth sequence found in nature. This is a short video The Fibonacci Sequence showing just how intricate this nature’s sequence really is!

Well, it was a simple night of basic pinecones, black powder, and nature's spirals. An incredible Delight!

'Til next time!

Arla

And So It Begins

Hello! and Welcome! After six years, my blog is finally coming to life! It’s incredibly exciting and quite terrifying as well. Because seriously- we all know that bloggers are REAL with the readers! The blogger is “just sayin’ it how it is people!” And the blogger is Definitely Connecting with You- the actively fascinated onlooker into the blogger’s life. It’s true-- all of it!

So why am I now a blogger? I’d rather blog than jog. Hahaha- that just made me crack up! Seriously though. the world is filled with Amazing things! Great things! Wondrous and delightful things! Not all are of the positive nature. Not all are of the negative nature. I believe that life is about finding those Amazing, Great, Wondrous, Delightful things and figuring out what to do with them in order to continue having a happy joyful life.

A little bit about me then we’re done for the day:

I was born at an early age. Today I am 35 years old. My birthday is in August and I celebrate it the entire month-- August 2016 is only 7 months away. But who’s counting? Me. An entire month of celebrations? Yes. I am counting. .. As of today, I am writing in my 37th journal. I adore my journals. One day I may write a book with them.

I am an artist. My favorite is painting with oils. But I do all sorts of things. You’ll see my works in the future. I have a bachelors of Science in Nursing. I practiced for several years as a psychiatric nurse but set it aside to practice artistry.

There are many more things about me, but just two more things are of great importance. The previously written of were a taste of the “incredibly exciting” part of my blog. These are the “quite terrifying” part. The first I am somewhat guarded with. The second I have not spoken of but for the most rare occasion.

#1. I am a Mormon. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have always been guarded for fear of ridicule and ill treatment. Such concerns had foundation. Yet, that can be true for many things. And I am proud, grateful and blessed to be a Mormon. AND it will be a complete necessity to know for future blog posts.

#2. I have bipolar. Ah. Now this “little tidbit” brings it back full circle to the point of this blog. All Things Amazing! Great Wonder and Delight. I was born with the gene. I will live with the gene. I will die with the gene. And this particular gene- this bipolar o’ mine- has, does, and will bring many Amazing, Great, Wondrous, and Delightful things into my life.

‘Til next time!

Arla

#itjustgotrealpeople #blognotjog #art #artist #nursing #changingcareersinmythirties #iamamormon #mormon #LDS #bipolar #twopolarskeepingitreal