I am working on GTD so that I am able to take care of all my responsibilities and enjoy life.

I think the hardest part is focus. There is a wide array of input in my life: 5 jobs, 2 teenagers, friends, companion animals, art and creativity. How do I focus with all this. I think I am getting to a point in my life when I MUST clear some clutter and I don’t mean just the physical stuff.

I think I’ll start with my closet. Purging clothing that I don’t wear or won’t wear is always healing. Really how do those clothes get in the closet any way? Do they sneak in when no one is looking? If they do, why can’t they hang themselves up after they get washed too?

Any whoo. In general, anything that gets purged goes straight to the thrift store. I have been playing with recycling clothing into other clothes and items so I need to be careful not to just move the unwanted clothes to the sewing supply bin. ö¿~

After the closets – yes more than one – I think I will need to spend some time organizing and dare I say, purging my creative supplies. Yeah don’t hold your breath on the purging of supplies. I cling to them like a drug. I have a vast array of supplies – half my basement is in nice neat tubs and messy boxes that I haven’t messed with for a year – grrr. If only there was more time in a day.

I just hope that the kids will follow suit. Perhaps my busyness and lack of focus has led to them being more messy than usual. My daughter has always been the less neat one. I had to tell her that her behavior worries me and I am concerned she is hoarding. My son on the other hand can be neater but still has a times hid things where he thought I wouldn’t find out.

My example hasn’t been great lately. Time to get back on track.

Jorie’s first day started with one of the high schools she goes to (yes she splits her days between 2 high schools) not having her registered and wouldn’t let her talk to the counselor to fix the situation. It is all fixed now but it was frustrating knowing that she had taken care of registering before school ended only to be lost in the system. She didn’t get one of the classes she wanted – American Sign Language – and instead is taking Physics. Crazy switch but she is thrilled. Her schedule this year includes Physics, Choir, Pre-Calculus, Geology, English, World Civilizations, Pro Chef. She is also signed up for swim team, Scriber Singers, Science team and Rainbow Warriors. Add on top of all this the field trips she will be taking for Geology and Choir. Her schedule is insane!!!

Stone’s schedule isn’t as crazy since he is still in middle school. Chef School, PE, English, History, Physical Science, Geometry. And FOOTBALL! That means practice everyday except Sundays and 6 games. He is looking forward already to next year when he starts high school.

My schedule is thick as always: CPR Training Center, SBDC, PTAC and Divine Movement Dance, take up a lot of my time. Add teaching 21st Century Business Planning at EDCC BTC and all the kids practices and games/ meets and I am going to be one crazy busy lady. I hope with the extra work to save up enough to take a vacation this winter and go visit family. We will see how that goes. PA is beautiful in the winter. And I really miss Mom and the boys and everyone else.

http://www.imagekind.com/Cougar-Quilt_art?IMID=03dcecbc-9f15-41d7-9812-20d6cc4d2eed

I was requested by a teacher in Bellevue, WA to purchase a print of my quilt for a display at her school. With the help of Vicki (www.veganme.com), it is now available for the teacher and anyone else to purchase prints. YAY!

I’m excited to post more of my work for prints and cards. Soon!

Here is the story of the quilt:

“In Memory of Her” Cougar Quilt

I first came to know the strong spirit of this inspiring cougar through a photograph. The picture was taken by wildlife rehabilitator, Peggy Faranda, who works at the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This cougar was brought to PAWS for care after being found weakened, dehydrated and one third of her normal body weight in the woods of southern King County Washington.

Upon seeing the photograph, I was compelled to immortalize her through a portrait. Even though outwardly, she appeared anxious in her temporary captivity, her eyes revealed her intrinsic strength and determination for survival.

Because of the dedicated and highly trained staff at the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, she made a full recovery after months of care and was released back into the wild to once again become an important part of the natural world.

Unfortunately, her second chance at life was cut tragically short when a hunter found her in his rifle’s sight just two weeks after her release. This quilt is a tribute to this amazing creature as well as to the commitment, passion and care the PAWS staff give to all the animals that pass through their doors. “In memory of Her…” was donated to the Progressive Animal Welfare Society’s gala benefit auction to help raise much needed funds for their important work.

“In Memory of Her…” was created with a variety of cotton fabrics, many of which had nature inspired prints such as river rocks and tree bark. The quilt measures 64″ h x 48″ w and is stitched to within 1/4 inch. Currently in private collection.