Take an art class

For my 30 by 30 I wanted to take an art class because I wanted to reengage in finding my artistic side. I feel that the only creative side of me is writing, but sometimes I can be artsy and I proved it. On Saturday, August 21 I took part in an art class at Baker Hunt called Leaf Sand Casting. This class was awesome and I loved every minute of it. (What is pictured is not the actual finished product, I have to peel the leaf off but you get the idea).

For you individuals who are interested in taking an art class, I would recommend Baker Hunt. My class was only $30 and was 1.5 hours. It was so easy and fun that I actually want to look into more classes to enrich my life and rev up my creative juices.

Materials:
1 Large Leaf
Portland cement or Stucco Mix
Bag of fine sand
Bag of coarse sand
Coarse weave burlap
Large box that leaf will lay flat in

Directions:
1. Trace leaf on the burlap and cut it out. Trim all edges to make about 1/4 in. smaller than the leaf. Soak in water while mixing cement.
2. Fill bottom of box with coarse sand.
3. Place leaf upside down on coarse sand. Mold sand into shape you want the finished product to look like. Can leave flat if you want the leaf to lay flat.
4. If using Portland cement, use 1 measure of cement to 3 measures of fine sand. If using Stucco mix, use 1 measure of stucco to 2.5 measures of fine sand. Water as needed.
5. Mix dry ingredients in container until well blended. Add water a little at a time until mix makes a moist ball in your hand. (The mixture should resemble creamy peanut butter).
6. Apply wet burlap cut out, on top of cement. Smooth and lightly press into cement.
8. Mix another batch of cement and apply another 1/2 in. layer of cement on top of this.
9. Clean all edges. Let dry for about 24 hours.
10. Leaf may be painted with any out door paint. May be left outside all winter if you put a coat of cement sealer on it after it is thoroughly dry, about 1 month.

This is a fun project and I hope that I am able to continue on with finding my creative side. Until I write in you again....

A flower for the people I care about....

To all of the individuals in my life, this flower is for you :) Well, I intentionally put the people I care about on my 30 by 30 because I feel that we as a society do not take the time out to actually tell the people in our lives how we feel unless we are at a wedding, a funeral, birth, or drunk. I have so many people in my life who I care deeply for. But do you know that? Granted by my actions I would hope that you can tell, but is that enough, can you really tell? Does my actions leave you with the impression that La'Keyta loves you and cares about your well being?

I feel that I am a hard person to know. I believe that I am an pessimist playing the role of an optimist. Caleb told me that he doesn't believe that, he knows that I am a good and genuine person... but am I? Side note: for the individuals reading this, this is not a ploy to have you tell me that I am a great person, or that I suck, etc, this is just my ranting and ravings.

I keep myself hidden from people who love me because I am constantly afraid that they won't like the true me. The true La'Keyta Inez Rayford is moody, jealous, imperfect, envious, depressed, anxious, sometimes hateful, dependable, loyal, funny, caring, a friend, a sister, a daughter, co-worker, affectionate, insecure, honest, scared, impatient, weird, humble, spontaneous, adventurous, impish, calm and so much more. Can you love me knowing that? For the few individuals in my life who has seen this true vision of me and still love me, thank you for loving me.

My 30 by 30 is to tell the people that I care about how I feel about them. So here it goes: for every individual in my life, by fate and by the grace & love of God, just know that I hold you in my heart and wish nothing but the best for you. I pray that God blesses you in all of your endeavors, that he illustrates to you the goodness in others even when they frustrate you, and that you truly realize what you have and be thankful.

I love all of you who are in my life, of course in varying degrees but I love you nonetheless and am so happy that you are in my life. Because I have so many individuals in my life, this posting is for you. Even if you don't read my blog, I am showing you and the world that I love and care about you.

Granted some of my loved ones will get personalized letters (starting soon) but adhering to my list, I hope that by writing this blog and my little stunt on Facebook (which will be having a different posting each day on the groups of people in my life) will let the people in my life know that I care about them.

4 Months down 4 more to go

Oh my goodness, I can not even believe that 4 months ago I started my list and my first blog posting. So much has changed, and I feel that I have accomplished so much. I am super proud of myself and can't wait to see the progress with the rest of my list and what the remaining portion of the year will hold.

As for my list, I have accomplished 8 items. I went hiking, got my birthstone ring (aka Philippe), visited a different state (2 actually), stocked my wine bar, enjoyed 3 cultural events, took a road trip someplace new, did my crazy thing and I have not been letting my anxiety take over. I still have my anxiety moments, but overall I have been doing well.

I still have so much that I need to do, 23 actually, but of that total only 10 of those I have not even started. I don't let it get me down because I have come so far in these 4 months. Besides coming so far, I can not even tell you how much fun this has been. Of everything that I have done, the best thing is that I am doing this list with people that I care about. My visiting a different state: for West Virginia I spent it with my best friend Kara & on my travel to Atlantic City with my other best friend Danae. Both are women that I truly enjoy being around and whose friendship continue to shape me into the person I am today. In addition, I have completed some list items with Caleb. He has been one of the bright spots of my year and in the completion of this list. :) I am truly happy and hope that he and I can do more things on this list and future endeavors. Well, I hope that the same can be said of my friends too.

I guess for now I can say that I am in a good place and that I am truly proud of my life and accomplishments. I am blessed to have people in my life who I love and who love and care about me. I will continue to make the best of this year, I will continue on and push myself and be the best person that I can be. I continue to thank God for each day that he gives me, the people in my life and the blessings he bestows on me. I love life and I am loving the end of my twenties (never thought I would say that-lol). Well, goodnight and until I write in you again.....

Let's get it started :)

About to head out to Atlantic City for my trip with Danae to see the Black Eyed Peas. I am super excited and can't wait. Pictures and a description of my trip will be addressed once I return. Until I write in you again....

Is my anxiety cured?!?!

So, one of my best friends from Alma is getting married. I am so happy for her and can't wait to attend. I told myself that since Michelle is getting married I will not only be at the wedding, but I will be smaller and have a date. I have been more outgoing and not letting my anxiety get the best of me so by dating Caleb I thought that he would definitely be the guy I go with. But it was so hard to ask him. I never knew if the timing was right, if he liked me, if he would even want to go.

Since knowing that I would ask him, since June, I have had vivid dreams of how I would ask him, in what setting, his possible reaction, etc. The reoccurring dream was him at my house watching a movie and the mail would come and one piece of mail being the invitation. That way it would just feel right and the invitation would have been the conversation starter.

As time progressed between Caleb and I my anxiety got more out of hand. I could not ask him yet the dreams kept coming and haunting me to just do it. So the Wednesday before our Saturday date the invitation came (timing a bit off in real life). For our date Caleb asked could we just stay at my place and watch movies (yikes part of the dream is coming true) and I had his birthday gift. That put more anxiety and pressure on me. I was so afraid that if he said no, how could I go on with the date without being humiliated? My friend Colleen told me he would say yes but it is so easy for an outsider to think he would.

Our date was going great, we watched movies, I gave him his birthday card and gift and after 20 minutes of freaking out (yes I really was freaking out and unfortunately it was externally) I asked him and he promptly said yes. There was no hesitation, no doubt just a yes. I immediately felt so much better. He did not even mind that it is an away wedding. Granted since we have been talking in March he knew that her wedding was in Michigan (it's like I was planting the seed all along). The only downside is that he may not be able to attend due to softball tournament. I would love if he can go, but if he can not I won't be too upset because he said yes originally. I'm so happy :)

Well this is my update on how I am not letting my anxiety take over. Life is going so well right now that I am just on cloud nine. I am very happy and can not complain. The next step in our relationship is having "the talk". We plan activities in the future and we can just enjoy each other's company without doing anything. I think, well I can only speak for myself, I consider him my boyfriend but until we have that talk I can not assume that we are (even though he gives me plenty of indicators that we are). Well, here is my posting for the week, and until I write in you again......

My pretty new birthstone ring...

So one of my 30 by 30 was to buy my birthstone jewel, be it a ring, bracelet, or necklace. I figured of the three the ring would be most optimal choice because if I got necklace, I would have needed to get the matching earrings which would make the total more expensive. I decided on the ring, because I don't wear rings and this list is to push me to do new things.


So my friend Danae sent me a text of a beautiful ring from Macy's. Originally $600 but on sale for $199. How the crap could I not take advantage of this offer. Initially when I made the list I went to Rogers Jewelers and priced rings and decided that based on their prices ( I figured of jewelry stores their prices would be higher), I was willing to pay up to $350 for a ring. With taxes and sizing the ring it was less than $250 (a $100 saved). I love the ring, it is just gorgeous and blue (one of my favorite colors).

Here is the ring description: Blue topaz and diamond ring in 14k white gold. This ring is beautiful and it compliments my finger so well :) Well I guess that is all for now, until I write is you again....