Hi! Thanks for visiting with me as The Great ReMe Blog Hop continues. If you missed last weeks posts, do take time to read Jean’s approach to the first prong of The ReMe Way *Rest-Relax-Renew,* Rest. This week, I’ll share with you what it means for me to Relax.
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| All Aboard! What does it mean to you to Relax? |
I have to open by saying that, as a quasi-typical Type A, this whole
“relax” thing is not my natural state! *a running joke around here is that I have
two speeds: Stop and GO!* Rather, it has been a learned trait for me;
one that I appreciate having learned, and continue to fine-tune. As an artist with full time dreams on a part
time reality, I often find relaxation in ways that may look a whole lot like ‘work’
to other people.
Day to day, for me, involves working alongside my husband
and our business partner as we run a small company dedicated to providing
affordable technological solutions for county agencies throughout NC. Kevin (aka Resident Genius) designs access
control and video monitoring systems that are used by County Jails, Courthouses,
and Sheriff’s Offices. He and Bob are
the hands-on, front line fellas – performing installations and service calls
hither and yon. I am the ‘behind the
scenes’/Girl Friday of this outfit, manning the office, ordering equipment,
billing and paying bills, and assorted and sundry other tasks that keep the
wheels of commerce turning smoothly.
In my off hours, I enjoy the company of fellow creatives in
both a regional mixed media art guild (of which it is my privilege to serve as
a member of the Board), and a local art marketing discussion group. When not learning/growing/socializing with these
dynamic crowds, there are family and friends near and far with which to
correspond and connect.
Add to all of that my own artistic business venture (Arrowood
Paper Arts), and the newly established joint endeavor with fellow artists JeanSkipper and Jodi Ohl (ReMe Retreats); it becomes easier to see where the notion
of only having two speeds comes from, eh?
Fortunately, being actively involved in creative pursuits is its own
form of Zen for me! Quite often, the easiest
way to settle my rather active mind is to immerse myself in some sort of
creative activity: sketching out one of
the myriad ideas from the mind-tumbler, designing a new class/project, puzzling
out a new way to use an old thing, or romping around in colorful a painting/printing
session. Allowing myself to step away
from my various To-Dos and indulge in serious play is a fabulous way to
recharge my batteries!
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| Print, Cut & Fold, Print, Print Serious Play begets Beautiful Work |
Another, and perhaps the most long-held, means of relaxation
is to find a comfy spot and dive into a good book. For as long as I can remember, I have been an
avid reader. I thought the notion of a ‘limit’
on how many books one was allowed to check out of the library in school was
preposterous (!) From my teen years all
the way up to the present moment, the most totally indulgent thing I can think
of is to curl up with a book and read until falling asleep, only to rise in the
morning and return to reading, while still nestled snugly among the covers *preferably with grand mug of good coffee.*
This scenario can only be improved upon
if the weather is either (a) wickedly, frosty cold, or (b) dreary grey and
rainy – making such slothful behavior fully justifiable *unless the laundry is calling too loudly (?)* In the spirit of Full Disclosure, I will
confess that the former happens with a great deal more regularity than the
latter!
Before you head over to “the rest of the story” on the ReMeBlog, take a moment to tell me what ways are your favorite to embody “Relax” in
your day-to-day existence. Leave a
comment here, and you will be entered to win one of my handmade
FolioBooks. They make handy little project
workbooks, allowing you to keep track of all the details with pockets on the
front and back covers for
notes/receipts/ideas-scribbled-on-cocktail-napkins/etc. Winner to be chosen *in the tried and true
manner* by Wito the Wonderdog on Monday, February 17th (with video verification provided). Good luck!
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| FolioBook by PLA Enter a comment, here on the blog, for your chance to win! |
Continue to ReMe, for some of my favorite ways to Relax in
Ocracoke…
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| One down, one HOP to go... The Great ReMe Blog Hop continues! |
Onward & Upward,
- p
- p
Words of wisdom for today:
"It is nice finding that place
where you can just go and relax."
where you can just go and relax."
- Moises Arias
Photo Notes:
Destination taken with Samsung Galaxy S4 - edited in Pic MonkeyPrint, Cut... Samsung Galaxy S4 - collage created in Pic Monkey
FolioBook taken with Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS1 - collage created in Pic Monkey
ReMe Banner - created by yours truly
*All photos can be seen in a larger size by clicking on them*
I could not wait to hear what you call relaxing! I mostly see you as a blur.
ReplyDeleteI don't relax. I just sit down and ignore what needs to be done for a while.
I have a feeling you aren't the only one who sees me that way, Sandra!
Delete*don't tell anybody -- but occasionally, I do the 'sit down & ignore' thing, too!* ;-)
If there's another place to comment, then I'm lost. I was reading what you had to say about Ocracoke.
ReplyDeleteJust driving up to the ferry changes the way I feel. I'm there. The preparing, the packing, the drive. All done. Since we stay at the Anchorage Inn, we are really right there as soon as we leave the ferry, but the island is so small that you are "right there" anywhere you are.
At night we sit on the balcony, look at the water, watch the ferry unload, talk about what we didn't catch that day. And we don't care if we see a fish.
First, some quick breakfast, get in the car, drive out on the beach and "build our nest." Unless there's wind and it's sandblasting us we stay until the last bit of light. I read, crawl around on the beach after the tide does out looking for treasure--Ed says that's such a pretty sight--and don't you know it is. Go back, decide where our great meal is going to be and get up and do it again. No feeling of I'm here, I need to do something because there's not a lot to do. People shut down at night so they can get up and do it again the next day.
YES! You have beautifully captured the allure of Ocroacoke -- whether you want to "do it all" or do virtually nothing, it is so accommodating! I'll have to check out the Anchorage Inn on my next visit.
DeleteI'm with you on the relaxing with a good book...for me, adding a nice glass of "fizzy wine," and sinking down into a tub filled with aromatic bubbles completes the picture.....ahhhh!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the tub used to be my 'go-to' hideaway for an indulgent read -- until we moved into a house with the shallowest tub EVER :-\
DeleteReading a good book, listening to music without words while I sip hot tea and watch the leaves move in the trees, playing with the neighbor's dog, closing my eyes and listening to the sounds around me (which often leads to short tales I tell to myself), and catching up on my friends online...all of the above as often as possible amidst the chaos of life. That's how I relax :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, good ways all, Linda! I do love listening to the trees whisper their secrets ;-)
DeleteI'm with you, too, on the 'as often as possible' front!
Relaxing? Whatever I want to do at that particular time is relaxing! It does not matter if I want to do the ironing while I watch a documentary, straighten my studio, paint, twiddle my thumbs or scrub the floors. Scrubbing the floors and ironing aren't often on the relaxing schedule, but it is amazing how it works when I want to do something---even if to avoid doing what I should be doing---how relaxing that particular activity is. Before bedtime---always reading at least one magazine or two newspapers if I could not fit it in during the day.
ReplyDeleteI love it Jeanne! But, I have to admit, scrubbing ANYthing is rarely on the relaxation schedule ;-)
DeleteHi Penny! My favorite ways to relax are being creative at home, either painting or needle felting while snuggling on the couch with my dogs.
ReplyDeleteAren't our fur babies the perfect antidote for the stresses of the day-to-day grind, Brittany? Living and working from home, as I do, mine is my constant shadow ;-)
DeleteHi Penny, the ability to relax has escaped me for so long. However, I am re-learning just how to relax. One way I am learning to relax is by re-visiting things I used to love, like being creative, listening to classical music, and being amongst friends that make me laugh. These things truly do add to the quality of life. :0)
ReplyDeleteYes, they DO, Lola! Laughter really IS the best medicine :-D
DeleteYou had me at cozy covers and a good book:) This message is for Sandra and anyone else that may have missed it, our second stop is on the ReMe blog for another giveaway: http://remeretreats.blogspot.com/2014/02/let-hopping-continue-welcome-to-week-2.html#comment-form
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodi!
DeleteI so love the idea of actually relaxing.... it is something I rarely, if ever, do. I need to learn how! I am looking forward to Ocracoke!
ReplyDeleteLynn! I am so happy that you will be joining us there. It is truly a magical place, and our house for the week will only add to that magic. There's a rocking chair waiting for you ;-)
DeletePenny - I just received mail from you....beautiful mail! Thank you so very much! You called the folio book my winnings, but I totally missed that I had won anything! It is beautiful as are the bookmarks!!
DeleteI can't wait, Penny! And thank you so much for the beautiful folio! I received it the mail today and just learned I had won! I forgot to check the "notify me" block and just hadn't gotten back to check (I've been a bit distracted lately).
DeleteYou are quite welcome! I was fortunate in that I already HAD your address ;) I am so glad you are happy with your winnings. The book mark was just a little goodie for participating in the Hop. I feel ya'! *re: distracted :o * You've got a good, stress free zone to look forward to, tho'! Can't wait to meet you in October!
DeleteI find walking in my neighborhood to be soooooo relaxing, and I do go at a fairly good clip. I used to take my phone and earbuds to listen to a podcast, but I'm more "in the moment" if I leave the earbuds behind. Penny, I'm also Girl Friday for my husband and his business partner in a small education consulting partnership. I look forward to swapping stories in October!
ReplyDeleteWell, we've gotten a head start on the 'ice breakers' then, eh? The Man and I have had numerous discussions on the utter unconventionality of our lifestyle -- but he has ruined me, now!? I shudder at the thought of a public job, having worked out of my home for over 15 years, now... October will be here before we know it! Can't wait to swap stories with you :-)
DeletePenny, I am so glad I replied to this. Even after being with my DH for 20 years, he still does not often believe me when I say that whatever I want to do is not work! I was going to do ironing tonight and he said,---that's work! You need to learn to relax! After I showed him what I had written two days ago, he said---well, I can't argue with that!
ReplyDeleteThis made my day!
Perfect! I swear, you go at speeds that make me feel like I am standing still!? You are a good influence for me, too! Your love of doing whatever you are doing (and doing it well) is an admirable trait :-)
DeleteHi Penny, Your really good at this blogging thing. Relax? What is that? I have to say that going into my studio, turning on my 'Pure Moods' CD and painting is my favorite form of relaxing. I wish I could do more of it. Thanks for your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna! I'm working toward making it (blogging) a more regular part of the day-today *I think I can, I think I can...*
DeleteOooh! I have a couple of those "Pure Mood" CDs, too! They are great for setting the tone without being a distraction *great minds, eh?*