Monday, November 9, 2009

What do YOU do for your mental health?





Here are some photos from my photo adventure that I had with my friend Trudi and her girls yesterday.

Sometimes you need a "mental health" outing.  What do you do for your sanity?

I love to get out and explore.  I love looking at things from a creative perspective and just appreciating the beauty around.  This is one of my most favorite things to do - it's even better when I can capture it on film.


The nice thing about photography is that you can tell a story.  Your story.  Taking the images that mean something to you, you have something that is all yours.  No right.  No wrong.  Just YOUR interpretation of the world around.  


Cooking is something else I love to do.  I love to take recipes and make them my own.  Fortunately so far, my family has loved every dish.  With cooking you CAN go wrong.  It is not as forgiving as photography!  I plan to try my hand at some candy making for the holidays.  This year we will be making all our gifts.  Gifts from the heart.  They may not cost a lot but they will be rich in character and filled with love.


Going to the movies is another thing I use to escape my reality.  I have always loved going to the movies.  Being in the dark, the smell of popcorn, the giant screen.  I enjoy romantic movies or comedy.  It affords me the ability to escape into another world, another story, for just a little bit of time.  I feel mentally refreshed when I come out.  Fortunately Irvine has a $2.00 movie theater and on Tuesdays it is only $1.00!  Now this I can afford!  (well sometimes I can't - but it is easier to find a buck in change than a ten spot to go to the other theaters!)  The movies are ones that have been out a while - but that is fine by me!


Our Fall so far has been mild.  This morning I was in UGG boots and by noon I am in my flip flops.  If you know me you know that I am usually barefoot or in sandals.  My style is relaxed and not very fussy.  I love leggins and a swing top with flip flops.  Sadly - I think my favorite shoes have bitten the dust.  They don't look too bad - they are just worn out.  When I first got them, they were on clearance at the end of the season one Fall.  I was thrilled to find them for 50% off.  

Paying $26 for a pair of flip flops is kind of silly.  

BUT when they were hanging proudly on that rack with a bright red slash through the price I could not pass them up.  Slipping them on I was in heaven!  They were spongy and bouncy.  So, so comfortable.  Now they have lost their bounce and their sponginess is all compressed.  At the end of the day my legs and back hurt - so I think it is time to bid them a fond farewell.  

So, if you are a shopper and happen to find these flip flops - made by SANUK...Style Yoga Mat, on Clearance - LET ME KNOW!  They have lasted me 2 years - so I guess $6.50 a year is not bad for a comfy pair of shoes!





Off to check my Crock Pot Mac-And-Cheese.  Man!  I love my crockpot!  Easy meals in a flash!  I always double the recipe and freeze a batch.  Makes my life so much easier!
XoXo
Janean