A few years back, I met someone that had some sick tattoos, I was so blown away, I asked about where they got them. I had one tattoo at the time, and had been wanting another, but wasn’t sure what I wanted, so I sat with the information about the artist, just waiting. In the meantime, Avery had wanted a tattoo, and I referred her to this artist. She was so happy with her first, she booked another appointment with the artist while still there. When the time came, she had another, non negotiable event, so Bill took the appointment. At the same time, I had a client looking for a new tattoo studio, and showed him Bill’s tattoo. He booked with this artist too, and now he and his wife have work done by her. Avery got back in, and got her second tattoo with the artist…then Bill rebooked and has added to his half sleeve, as well. I finally figured out what I wanted to get, and got my crow tattoo done by the artist too. Our good friend Ben, also has had an appointment with our artist booked for a while too. So you want to know who the artist is, and see our latest work done by her? Her name is Heidi, she is about an hour away, and she does amazing work!

This is Bill’s favorite tattoo so far, he said it was “way nice” when he first saw it. Lol! He gushed on and on about it the next day, which I relayed to a Heidi on how wordy he was with the compliments the day after.

I decided to do something that I have put off for years. I have wanted a forearm tattoo for a long time, and recently, so many things have been popping up in my life about what I want, how I have denied myself, been untrue to myself, and betrayed myself. I think we need to make tough choices at times, but how would a forearm tattoo hurt someone else? Yeah, it won’t, so I will make myself happy, for once, twice? Lol. I honestly didn’t want to be cliche, but I am like a Phoenix, I have finally risen to my truest form, and I should never compromise me for another, never again.

I love Heidi’s work, I think she is beyond amazing, and we will for sure keep her, keep her busy too! What inspires you and your tattoos? Do you have one planned or one that you have been wanting to get for a long time but haven’t? Drop me a line, let me know!

Today, many are being celebrated for their role as being a Father, biologically, adopted, or chosen. We did a little something different, but it will provide many good times ahead.

We started our day cooking breakfast together, something we love to do. Avery went to church and Brooke slept in from a late night of work, but Bill and I, we made breakfast, and it was delicious! A serious question, do you like your bacon crispy or flimsy? I like mine crisp! And do you have a designated bacon pan?

Around us, many people did varying different things to celebrate Dads, some hung out at the pool, some went on a trip, some rode golf carts, some shot guns, and some power washed their deck…

We have a beautiful deck out back, and haven’t enjoyed it nearly enough the last few years. Today was the day to change that, and not only return to enjoying our deck, but the beginning of revitalizing our back yard. Time has a way of slipping through your fingers if you let it, and we no longer are going to let it.

So, while today was kind of an atypical Father’s Day for Bill, it was the first day of many great days together, outside, enjoying our home inside and out! Thank you for caring and being here Bill, we love you! Happy Father’s Day!

Okay, so there are not 60 days of summer, but from tomorrow until August 18th when my youngest starts her senior year, we have 60 days to focus on what we want to do, become, embody, enjoy and soak up. For some reason, I do best with counting days in chunks, and while some may feel this kills time quickly, it helps me to make the days count!

Today is about getting rid of some things that were in the basement, clearing out old to have room, not for new in this case, but for less. Yes, we are still doing projects in the basement, with vacation and Bill traveling for work, we had to put things off until now. I cleared out all of these clothes, that I asked my children to not put in the basement some time back, and started to rearrange some of the storage. Why do we put things we no longer need in the basement? Well, that stuff will all be coming up and out soon enough!

Tomorrow is a new day, an important day…it will be a good day! I will see you all tomorrow, a bit lighter than I am today!😉 Drop me a line and let me know how your Saturday is going, I would love to know!

No matter how self aware we are, we can never overlook the natural progression of release, healing and progress. We may deal with a subject or issue in our lives, thinking that it is a one and done, or a multiple and complete, but sometimes our dealing with this specific thing will not fully reveal it’s encompassing theme in our life until we are truly good and ready to put the whole picture together, to accept it, to release it, and to move on from it. We are ever evolving on our journey, because of our journey, to further our journey. It is a very twisty, turning road, but you know what Robert Frost said about the road not taken, it made all the difference. Some things to consider…

And lastly…

Sometimes life has a way of wrapping things up nice and neat like. If you trust the journey, trust your source of guidance, trust yourself, it can and will be better than you ever imagined. If you fear that you will lose your grip, come on back and read my numbered posts, shoot me a line and let me know where you’re at, I will not only remind you that it is a season, but that there was a reason and lessons too. I will walk with you, and talk to you. Now, let’s do this, one foot in front of the other, the next step in the journey!

As I have been going about my health and fitness recently, I realized that isn’t a journey I am overly pumped at blogging about daily. How many days do you want to hear I did yoga and walked?? Because that is currently what I am doing until I work back up to speed, then adding gym trips in when I get up to it. Also, I had a Panera kitchen sink cookie today, that didn’t detract from my eggs, my oatmeal, or my chicken at dinner, but you see what I am saying.

I did wash and cut up these delicious, locally grown strawberries today, holy yum, y’all! I have some chicken, Brussels sprouts and potatoes planned for dinner tomorrow, for now anyhow, but depending on how hot it is, we may not want to cook in the house and heat it up. Where is a summer kitchen when you need one? Oh, grill you say?? I will be so glad to have these strawberries to cool us down and refresh us!

I recognize when something isn’t quite working for me, so I think it best to abort my physical wellness documentation. I will still focus on this in my life, but I think I am ready to do something different here at The Photographist Life. I will be doing some random weekly posting for the next couple of weeks while I gather some things to me. I hope you’ll still tune in and see what is happening! Until the next time, stay cool!

I did not post yesterday as I was feeling a bit under the weather. When I feel the ways I felt yesterday and Tuesday, and I don’t listen to my body, it gets worse for me and not better. So I choose to honor my body and listen. Today I feel much better, but still run down, so I took a rest day.

Today I have spent some time looking at parks, preserves and sanctuaries that I would like to visit this summer, and most likely some gardens too. By triangulating my research, I will see what is close in proximity, and visit places in clusters. There are a few places on my list that are musts, so I will prioritize those first.

If I am smart, I will plan my food and water needs in my usual grocery plan, maybe add some snacks, but that will justify paying for the gas to get there and back. Side note, anyone else feeling like this? That you have to justify your extra gas goings??? UGHHH. Moving on. I feel that this summer will be more about natural, lower priced happenings…except for the things that were planned and paid for before all of this gas madness.

Is there somewhere, gardens, park, preserve, or sanctuary that you would love to visit, or that you love visiting? I would love to know, drop me a line and let me know! Extra credit for pics!

People, it is rough. No coffee, day 1…dying. Okay maybe that is a tad dramatic, but seriously, it is rough being lethargic without coffee, but that should also tell me that I am dependent on it, and that is worse. On the plus side, I feel way better having not drank it, and I have less inflammation. I cannot wait until I am two weeks out from abstaining, though.

I got my 1 hour of yoga in today, and realize that I will have to start slow and gentle on my body, for all things. This yoga video was a great way to jump in, and I could feel the benefits immediately. I do love Timberlake Yoga on YouTube, and this is one I have done a few times to aid my achey self.

https://youtu.be/Q3o7ohHxSxQ

I also went for a 25 minute walk today, my target was 30 minutes, but with neuropathy making it feel like I have a tourniquet around my leg, and the excruciating pain that accompanies it, I pushed to the 25 and was okay with that. My intention will be to walk everyday with a 20 minute minimum, and if I can go 30-45, even better!

I think we often set goals that are not doable, or not sustainable, and I desperately need to sustain. I was internally cussing myself as I was in agony, wishing I had never stopped walking. Once upon a time, last year, I could walk 2 hours and not bat an eyelash. That is how quickly your body can change and decline. Don’t be me, do better for you.

Anyhow, tomorrow is still no coffee, lots of water, 1 hour yoga, and at least 20 minutes walking. What did you do physically today, and how was your water intake? Let me know!

Today is our first day of physical wellness, how is it going for you? I weighed myself this morning, good news? I weigh one pound less than I thought. Bad news? I weigh what I thought. Shaming myself over my weight is not helpful, as I learned oh so long ago, so, back to My Fitness Pal app to track that, and track what I am consuming. This will help me see what is not of benefit, what is habitually consumed, and where I can make better choices to get me where I want to go.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/myfitnesspal-calorie-counter/id341232718

I think I have mentioned many times before, but having coffee first thing in the morning is a problem for me, it goes down hill from there it seems. I avoided coffee for the first few hours today, and caved later in the morning because I was tired. What this tells me is that I need to change my habits, right from the beginning of my day. Drinking 2 cups of water first thing helps to get my day started in water consumption, and in movement. I feel lighter, and that is the feeling I am chasing, less, lighter, better, more movement, less pain, etc.

https://a.co/d/8l7GZ2k

Today, I anticipated doing some yoga and taking a walk, I took a nap instead. Last week on vacation, I slept super poorly and got little rest, so today when my body said I was going down, I went with it. I feel much better, feel ready to do those things tomorrow, and I am ready to get on with improving my physical health!

Let’s recap:

• Weigh yourself, but don’t shame you
• Stop drinking coffee, AGAIN
• Start the day off by drinking water, this will help daily water consumption momentum
• Move early in the day, this helps to keep moving throughout the day
• Rest when you need to

What did your first day look like, was it what you thought it would be? Do you see how your daily habits right from waking can help you succeed, or cause you to derail? Are you changing anything for tomorrow to help you start on the best foot, to gain momentum? I know I sure am, and I am looking forward to it!

Good day, friends! Can you believe that we have made it through 70 days of TAP??? I am in amazement and awe of the fact that I have now completed 115 consecutive days of blogging. I truly did not realize that I was capable of that kind of commitment to myself, but find that these chunks of time are designated to focus on what calls for it, needs it, and is relieved/released by it.

The first 45 days showed me that I knew it was time for a different direction, a different viewpoint, and a different life. It was in those days, that I came to terms with the fact that I had by and large been suppressed by others, and suppressing myself, my wants, my needs, my personality, ME, for my husband’s misplaced preconceived notions from his childhood of what adults/parents/individuals should be. I have consistently told him my ideas about it all from the beginning, and he is just now not only starting to understand it, but to get it and choose those same things for himself. If you’d like to know, why my way is seemingly better, you first need to know the truth. It isn’t my way. It is God’s way, and the way of Christianity. We can delve in to that another day, another way…but that is the honest truth, and we are finally at a place to both know that. Those first 45 were the revealing of the truth.

The next 70 days were for me to deal with all of the issues revealed by the first 45. Ironically, where I am working my way to, is where I thought the first 45 would get me, and I thought the exact same about these last 70 days. I am even laughing at myself right now in my lack of vision, that is not how the journey of life is, we must remove the bad, in order to progress to the good…and if you have been paying attention, I have had a major purge. I can attest to these last 115 days being very tumultuous, very cathartic and revealing to me, my husband, and even my children.

I can also tell you, that I had to venture backwards in my life, at times I had to go back to the beginning too. If you aren’t aware, all things tie together, you just have to figure out how, unravel them, then release them. I have said this before, I will keep saying it, it is also true.

“ I am going to count backwards on this phase. I will designate it as TAP, as I will be gearing to tap in to my next potential, my next journey, my next…whatever comes next. I will also be tapping in to my heart’s desires of what I want to create in my life, for my life, and how I want things to be for me. TAP.”

I have been very cognizant this 70 day segment, about what I want, what makes me happy, what I don’t want to live with, and who I need to let in to my space. I still need to work on choosing me in certain ways, and I think this next segment of time, will be about that, me choosing my physical wellness. After all, I have covered mental and emotional wellness, this would round things out nicely!

Would you like to join me tomorrow for 60 days of physical wellness? I will talk about movement, food, rest/peace in activity, and how to make a start and build upon that. Let’s call this segment RE-ME, it will be a time for rebirth, renewal, regeneration, reemergence, and relaunch, all things we have already done, but on a new journey! I hope you will join me!

Sometimes you leave home to go on vacation, you blink, then you drive back home. It be like that sometimes.

Despite some crazy happenings, we had a great trip, enjoyed our time at the beach and our time together. We talked to a lot of different people, even met a lady from Chillicothe while waiting for a restaurant to open! You never know how close home really is, lol.

We are home, resting, but will be ready for more adventures this summer. We have spent plenty of time talking about some things we’d like to do, visiting state parks is high on our list, but hanging out and investing in more quality time is also high priority in any fashion, and any location.

Do you have individual or family plans this summer? Drop me a line, let me know, I love to hear about others’ adventures!