Creating Day #8 - I see you Free!

A beautiful garden as you go from the parking lot to the church

Dear friends,

Today was an AWESOME day!  This morning my friend +Ellen McCorkle came and helped me pack up my kitchen so I accomplished something on the house first thing!  Then I dashed off for an Interplay Improv Troupe Performance for the "I See you...Free" conference at the First Congregational Church in downtown Atlanta. 

The program from the event

 First Congregational church is one of the oldest African American churches in Atl and they played a big role in the Civil Rights Movement.  Today's conference was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

One of the oldest churches in ATL

This beautiful quilt hangs outside of the sanctuary

This beautiful artwork greeted us in the rehearsal room.

 

 

After the performance with the alter in the back - our stage!

Parking lot pic - showing our strength pose!

The Picture to the right was taken after warm up.  

Our role today was to do Interplay Improv dance as readers spoke an excerpt from Pearl Cleage's poem "We Speak Your Names"
The service was moving, inspiring and AMAZING!  Oh, the places that Interplay takes us!
We met Joan C. Browning, one of the freedom riders, and Mary Frances Early, the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Georgia.  This conference was about women speaking up and making a difference.  It was a spirit filled ceremony that I was honored to be a part of.

Their message was about equality, honoring the work done by women, and men, in the past and the work that continues to be done today.

It was a call to action that I am happy to respond too.  Today as I am filled with love and gratitude from this ceremony I am holding the vision of freedom for all people oppressed in our country and around the world and "I see you free."

Wrapping you around with infinite love and freedom,

Christine



 

Day #6 DCP summer challenge

 Dear friends,

This morning I jumped out of bed and snagged a cup of tea to go so I could meet the contractor at the new house.  He's repairing a few things so the inspector can inspect and we can close and move next week :)

It was nice to be in the new neighborhood early to here the sounds and soak in the atmosphere.  Several things were blooming since my last visit so I snapped a few pics for one of my DCP's today.

The blooming Hosta (guessing I won't have deer in this back yard)

The beautiful Hydrangea in my new back yard

a close up of the hosta flowers

The spot for the future Labrinth

Not sure if this lamp is staying but I hope so :)

 I'm really enjoying getting back into the swing of blogging and documenting my life.  I am filled with gratitude.
I've got a ton of house and moving related tasks to accomplish today so I'm going to call it good on my blog for the day - thanks for reading!

Wrapping you around with infinite love and gratitude,

Christine

Day #5 DCP Summer Creative Challenge

Dear friends,

Today I woke up in a foul mood!  I think it was the lack of sleep created by a restless kid, restless animals and going to sleep too late due to finishing a good book.  That and I didn't get diddly done yesterday on packing and I was feeling stuck!

So when I started my DCP it was no wonder that I was attracted to a pic of "Medusa." 

I tried to upload her 3 times different ways and she keeps popping in sideways - lol - kinda how I've been feeling lately.

 

The happy Medusa finished :)

I went to Zumba with Joe and about 1/2 way through the class my bad mood lifted and I was so thankful!

I dropped some friends off at the river for a Kayak float and got a call from another dear friend who wanted to come over and help me pack!  Hallelujah!!

 

 

 

 

We're making some progress!

Yesterday another dear friend took me to lunch for my Bday and we wandered around the shopping center afterwards we had a great time and I was dreaming of new fun things for my new house....

I'm thinking this rug will look great in my new master bath!

Making progress and feeling good as I wrap up the day.
 
I found some old photos today as I was packing and I wanted to share one...
 

Me at 2 and Katie my baby sister :)

Wrapping you around with infinite love and creativity,

Christine

Day #4 DCP summer challenge

Dear friends,

Yesterday evening I went up into the North Georgia mountains for a training for some upcoming volunteer work at a women's prison. +Jennifer Denning facilitated this as the Atlanta Interplay Regional Director and her collaboration with Reforming Arts.  This picture was our view when the training was over.
 

 I am really being called to this work and using Interplay to do it.  Just like Spirit called me to Interplay.  A song keeps popping in my mind that I love and feels appropriate to what's happening with me right now..."You Gotta Sing."  I found this video and I thought it fit since she was "teaching" you how to do the song...

 
As I pack up my house and am currently living in a level of chaos that makes me crazy, I kept this picture I created a while ago on my fridge (when I packed up the rest of the magnets and do-dads).  Today +Hallelujah Truth asked what was on our fridge alter and it made me smile and realize why I had left this Mandala.  Order, creativity and beauty in the midst of chaos.
 

I am so Grateful for my life - my morning doodle :)

 I will miss my neighborhood and neighbors when we move next week.  Today I took a moment as I drank my tea to give gratitude for all the wonderful blessings this home has brought to me and my family.  A little brown thrasher came twice and pecked at the window to say hi (didn't catch it in the photo).

My view this morning as I drank my tea

 I had a wonderful Interplay Skype session with Ruth this morning and out of it came my DCP creative piece for the day.  She asked the question, "Who are you as you do the work of packing up your house?"  In response....

Wrapping you around with infinite love and grace today,

Christine

Day #3 DCP creative challenge

Dear Friends,

I started out my day with a fun and quick creative haiku and simple drawing for the DCP challenge....

On Monday's I have my Manifesting Monday group at the local coffee shop and meet with a small yet mighty group of women.

After a delightful and focusing meeting I was off to River Running, my absolute favorite water class of all times :)
We get in the outdoor lazy river and warm up by running with the current and then we switch and run, lunge, jump etc. against the current for 45+ minutes.

Love! Love! Love me some river running!

Today I had the treat of going to lunch with a dear friend to celebrate my birthday and that's also on the agenda for tomorrow too with another friend!  I feel so loved and supported.

Yesterday I posted a second, picture blog here:
Creating a Second Birthday Blog :)

One of the pictures that didn't get uploaded was this one:

I wanted to share the story that goes with it.  Yesterday when I was walking the labyrinth it was a warm and beautiful sunny summer day.  Right when I stepped into the middle and looked up at the sun the wind started blowing hard enough to cause the wooden wind chimes to start singing.  It made me grin.  It was like the universe affirming my walk, my journey and me :)

Today I'm off to an orientation at a North Georgia prison with some of my friends from Atlanta Interplay.  In the fall we will be doing some incredible work with them through Reforming Arts using Interplay. 

The beautiful fire my sweetheart built last night for my bday!

The first day of 44 has been fun, friend-filled and fantastic so far!

My beautiful geraniums

Wrapping you around with infinite love and joy,

Christine 

Creating a Second Birthday blog :)

Dear Friends,

Two blogs in one day!

Today after I did my DCP and blogged I headed off for an Interplay rehearsal in Decatur and lunch with a couple of dear friends.

After lunch I stopped by a friend's Labyrinth as it was calling me for a birthday walk.  Things I was reminded of:

I am excited about building a Labyrinth at my new house :)

Turtles carry their home with them and this guy toted 3 others too!

Trust your wings!

Shine!

Angels can be found everywhere

Nature brings me peace

Harmony can be found in unlikely places

Sometimes there will be obstacles - just step right over them....

Obstacles can be made into art

At the center is home

4 for 44 and a sense of balance

This little bit of love was tucked under a turtle

Whimsey is always welcome in my life :)

Relax and...

have faith

and remember to take time to play (and swing)

Remember to Grow!

Love surrounds me

and so does beauty

 My heart is so full after a delightful day and am am so grateful that it began and ended with creativity :)  

Wrapping you around with infinite love and gratitude,

Christine

Creating a Birthday Blog :)

Dear friends,

Today is my 44th birthday.  As I type those numbers I have a big smile on my face.  Something tickles me about 44.  I like the repetition of the numbers, I like the way I feel about myself and in my body as I age, and I am filled with gratitude for my life. 

This morning I did a creative project for the 10 day summer challenge on the Daily Creative practice.  Usually I journal on my birthday but this morning I drew a picture to illustrate where I am in my life and things I want to create.

Creatively giving thanks and manifesting today

 I started this morning with a wonderful cup of tea and opening birthday cards from my family in TX.  I am so grateful for all my friends and family - my heart is full.

I feel so loved by my family - my heart is full

I love getting snail mail and my family is so great about sending bday cards!

 
I wasn't sure how today would be since we are in the middle of chaos which is packing and preparing for moving our household of 7 years.  When I woke up this morning I came into the kitchen for my morning elixir (Bigelow English Breakfast tea with Raw NC Mountain Honey) and found that some delightful fairy has already cleaned the kitchen and the dishwasher was running.  My family knows what makes me smile.  Between that and Joe's thoughtfulness on Friday when he bought me new smudge sticks for the move, my favorite ginger-berry Kombucha and beautiful flowers my heart is overflowing with happiness.  

Today I get to Interplay with friends and talk with family and enjoy this beautiful day.  Life is Good.

Wrapping you around with infinite love and gratitude,

Christine