beach reboot

This year it was just us at Hilton Head Island beach going at my favorite time - late May.  The days were warm but not stifling; it is light very late in the evenings; the crowds haven't arrived - you can actually get a parking space at the Piggly Wiggly; you share the beach with older couples and families with cute toddlers.

Lenny spent most of his free time on his bike or napping.  I spent most of mine at the beach.  It is amazing how the consistent flow of waves and a cool breeze just wipes away everything else.  I walk a lot and think, dream, plan.  Often those plans don't go anywhere but it is fun to dream.  This year I kept a small notepad in my beach bag and jotted down ideas after my walks.  It was surprising how many things I would have forgotten just by the end of the week.  I know I won't do all these ideas but I liked having a record of some of my random thoughts.  I still remember one year a long, long time ago when I spent all week daydreaming about this catering business I wanted to start when I got home.  I didn't do that at all; eventually I started another business.  Yet, it was a fun creative exercise that was a wonderful break from the job I had at the time.

This year I thought about a lot more grounding things like getting back to the values that are most important to me and focusing on those each day.  Perhaps I'll art journal those later on.  For now, here is my page's journaling:

Sometimes I get up early and walk on the beach with Lenny.  We walk again in the evenings when the crowds have thinned and the sun is behind the trees.  I always spend most afternoons on the beach by myself.  I read, I walk, I think, I dream, I read some more, I plan I watch other people, I watch the children play in the surf.  I remember how I used to jump over the waves when I was a small child.  My feet love the feeling of firm sand underneath and cool water washing over them.  The breeze blows my hair carelessly.  My skin browns, my pains diminish, my life seems open with opportunity.  I feel no stress; I just am.  Walking by the ocean each year is essential.  It is how I

(reboot) 

"my life" is cut on the Cricut in Blackjack font.  The letters were painted and sponged with some Rose Red craft ink around the edges.  I love the possibilities of undressed chipboard!

To balance the bottom layering of Basic Grey's Sweet Threads papers, I used a stitches stamp set for a little extra above the journaling.  Some of the lace was gathered for this flower.  Finally, I'm putting those KI Memories brads I've had forever to use.  I bought them to go with the Sweet Pea paper collection from SU! but they go great with this paper too.

This layout was one of the things sketched in my little notebook.  I wanted  to arrange my photos a little differently and use some binder clips.  Twine connects everything together.  I also got to 'spritz' the upper right corner of the page.

Thanks for visiting today!  Where is your special place to 'reboot your life'?

Ingredients:  Stamps:  Stitches by Hot off the Press; Gerty Girlie by My Mind's Eye

Brads:  Enchanting by KI Memories

DSP:  Sweet Threads by Basic Grey; pink polka dot is from J'Amore collection by Making Memories

Binder Clips by Oriental Trading

Lace:  Webster's Pages and Fancy Pants Road Show