9 Moons Ago

I found the missing link! Well, of ginger bears… (pretty much like gummi bears, but flavored with fresh spicy ginger.) These were the last five bears in the package and no, they’ve not been altered to protect identities, they actually looked like this:

Been taking more walks these days. With the wet weather, it feels more like early Spring. The ground is damp and the breeze is brisk, so it’s refreshing to take a 20 minute hike. I want to work up to some hour long walks eventually. There’s a nice gravel path along one of the roads, used by several people, to walk, ride bikes, and ride horses.

Speaking of horses, the ones that used to eat our lawn are not being boarded here any more so it’s either time to get a lawnmower or possibly even a couple of sheep! The yard is getting scraggly around the edges, but most of it is still short, so there’s time to do something about it before it gets to be knee-high! I’m not exaggerating either, it grows so fast in the rainy seasons.

We’ll just add that to our list of equipment/appliances that are needed/would be useful around here, including a washing machine and a chain saw. At least the purchase of the washing machine is within sight.

And I’m thinking about setting a drawing challenge for myself, something to do with drawing in my sketchbook rather than puttering around on photoshop. Working more on balance and routine now and things seem to be shaping up, little by little. I felt like hibernating when the weather starting turning cold, but I’m over that now. I’m ready to get back to the goals I was working on at the start of the year: creating more art, home improvements/cleaning, and being healthier in general. Time flies when you’re hibernating! It’s time for some changes!

Did you ever see those little chicks given as gifts to children at Easter, dyed different colors? Yeah…I only think it’s cool if done in photoshop ….and maybe not even then.. but on Easter Sunday, Ebony broke out her pack of oil stick face paints and, well, I think the pictures say it all!:

I’ve got to hand it to my Father-in-Law, he’s a gem of a grandfather! While I started protesting as Eb began her work of art, he said that it was quite alright…it had washed out fine the last time. Well, at any rate, he’s got the perfect hair for it…she started with a nice white canvas! :-)

Things are quiet for the most part here. Cam and I are working on “behind the scenes” projects and the weather is cooling down quite a lot.. we’ve been switching on the heaters and gathering up wood for later in the season. I’ve gone on a couple of walks and Cam’s helping with my effort to get back on track…he’s gonna push me out the door when I make excuses. I’ve tried a few times to get back to walking, but it fizzles out for long periods, so I’m going to get back in the saddle again BEFORE the really cold weather settles in.. and that doesn’t mean I’ll stop walking in winter, it’s just easier to start before it hits.

I’ve got quite a lot of weight to lose, as I’ve gained an extra 30 to 40 pounds after my last manic episode. (I gained almost that much with the first one in 1995, and lost it gradually.) I also have another 30 to lose that I’ve been carrying since early college days, but I am definitely doing this at a realistic pace.

Not everyone who experiences a mental illness gains weight, but it is a high percentage, since most of the meds have that kind of side effect. I know that while it is possible to gain weight from medications, stress and emotional issues, it is also very possible to lose that weight. And for me, it doesn’t take much more than some gentle changes. So, walking, water, and more fruit/veggies is the first step!

Thought you might like an image fix in the meantime.

While those of you North of the equator are, or will be, enjoying this kind of thing,:

Those of us “Down South” are discovering these colours on our daily walks.:

Can’t believe it’s almost the last week of March!! Where does the time go?! Oh well, that means only 23 more days till I can enjoy a ginger beer! (Lent, you see..)

Never fear, it’s coming very soon to a 9 Moons Ago blog near you!!

I’ve just been ultra lazy with this blog. And away for the past few days playing games of Mad Libs and Rummikub, getting my face painted, taking walks to the park, and doing the hair of our super silly, excitable and wonderful niece Ebony, while she’s on school holidays. Cameron and I had lots of fun and I know she did too!

(Kathy, she loved the “makeup” box and said to say thanks!)