Outside my comfort zone ...

      I've been taking classes at night for about a year now. When Mandy moved out, the nest was empty and it became oh so quiet around here. I thought that keeping busy would be the key to surviving the first year.

                       

     Being the Mother of three, parenting is something I did full time for over 21 years. I didn't receive a manual when I got my kids that explained all the requirements involved nor did I receive one that explained what you were supposed to do when you wake up one morning and they are all gone.

      So ... I decided busy had to be good, real busy. I work 6 days a week, take tons of photographs, write my journal, hang out with my friends and my sister and take classes at night.

                       

     Most of the classes I've taken so far are art related. Digital photography, Photoshop, Dream Weaver, painting ... mostly because this is naturally where my interests are and I wanted to catch up a bit where I left off with things before I met Brad and I became a Mom.

     So far so good ... you may have noticed that there have been no rocket science or brain surgery classes as of yet.  Maybe because I have no interest there or maybe because I've been playing it safe and choosing things that I knew I would do well in.

    I admit that I am somewhat accustomed to being near the top of my class at most anything I do. (Or at least being able to keep up with everyone else in a respectable manner), and yes ... I sometimes consider this a character flaw but, It's always been part of who I am. No doubt there is plenty of room for change and I am pretty open to change right about now... 

   I 've decided to move a little bit outside my comfort zone this go around. I have added a class that while equally as artsy as the rest, there is no real guarantee of success. So ... I'm actually feeling a bit nervous about starting tonight, and I don't know nervous.

     Anyway ... wish me luck, I'll let you know how it goes. 

BTW ... the sunflower in the two photos above is a volunteer in my back yard compliments of the birds. They stop by for a free meal and they spread the seeds around and every now and again the mess that they make will produce a magnificent surprise like the one above.

     When I took the photo yesterday, the sky was sort of overcast so ... with the magic of photo shop I turned the gray sky blue in the second image.