13.1. Done!

I've been in sunny San Diego the past few days.

Before the race. We look happy and ready to go.

Oh it was so nice. We ate food and hung out with my friend Kim. Oh, and both Kim and I ran a half marathon! Woot! It was great. It was a lot of fun and we didn't hurt ourselves. I had a pretty serious migraine afterwards, but it didn't last too long...

I finished in 2 hours and 5 min. I think that's pretty good! I didn't start to get too tired until about mile 11. I did push myself a little too hard at the end. I really wanted to get under 2 hours and I really wanted to beat these twin 12 year old boys. I did neither. In fact, according to Nate, a blind woman beat me to the finish. That blind woman is awesome.

After the race. Kim looks good. I look like I need an aspirin and a hot shower.

I know this might sound a little crazy, especially since it hurt to walk the following two days, but I already signed up for another one. It's the Portland Marathon. Today was the last day to sign up, so I went ahead and did it! I really wanted to sign up for the full marathon, but I feel like I need just a few half marathons under my belt first.

I'm excited! I'm excited to train in nicer weather! This winter has been hard and I'm looking forward to a training program that doesn't always include rain. And will almost guarantee I'm not running in snow or ice.

The pretty view from the apartment we rented.

It's nice to be back home, but I already miss my friend and the sunshine... Maybe we can retire in Southern California. If it doesn't fall into the ocean first.

Printing

I've been doing a lot of thinking about my Etsy shop, and about my art this past week. This summer has been a bit of a struggle as far as sales go.

I look back on past years and I'm amazed that I made so many sales. I truly wasn't greateful for all the business I was doing. I took it for granted. This has been my worst year on Etsy since I started. I've thought about just not doing it anymore. I've thought about giving up. I've thought that it's my work. That it's just not a good fit for Etsy. It's been discouraging to say the least.

In all that thinking I've thought that it is impossible for me to give up. This is what I want to do forever. I decided that a shop update is much needed. a total over haul. I need to change my thinking and I need to completely revamp things over here.

Working on a new plate.

Last week I was reunited with my etching press. I had it in a community studio that I used rent from. I left it for other artists in the building to use if they wished. Well, the artists were recently asked to vacate this studio space in order for the building owners to renovate and create better studio spaces for double the amount of money. It's a sad situation for many, and I'm afraid more of this is going to happen to artists in our lovely city...

It's hard to see now, but this is a little bird sitting on a branch. 

anyway, this also meant I needed to fetch my press before it was sold in a studio move out sale. So, now it's sitting my garage waiting for me to create art. I ordered ink, paper and copper plates today! I'm excited about this. I feel like it's all pat of the big picture of my revamping.

I feel like this is going to be a wonderful change for me artistically, financially and mentally. It's time for new. It's time for letting go. I'm excited.


also, I signed up for my first ever half marathon today. It's in San Diego and I'll be running with my good friend of 17 years. I've been afraid to do this forever, but it's too late now. I've paid and now I'm doing it and it feels good :)