HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hope you have a hoot...

TGIF

You know what I would like to do this weekend?

Good because I don't.

At my lunch meeting today, my friend/client asked me, "so what have you been up to? What you do last weekend?"

My mind went blank.

Of course, of course, it was our anniversary and we had a wonderful fancy dinner and I bought clothes and we watched football at the Pub. It was a great weekend. How much of that did I remember?

Nothing.

My mind is in overdrive and I need to get into neutral. If only for the weekend.

Hungry Bear

Hungry Bear
Originally uploaded by Kate Hamilton.

I had a dream the other night about a bear opening our kitchen window and sticking his nose inside. It's that time of year when the bears are fattening up for winter and their footprints are everywhere in the woods, and their stories of breaking and entering are all over the news. I'm hoping any bear that comes in my cabin is the friendly sort.... or friendlier than the scary bear in my dream.

In other news, I have been invited by the talented Jeff Andrews to join Sugar Frosted Goodness, a super spiffy illustrator's collective blog. I'm one of many contributors and I hope I can keep up with the fast pace of posting--so far I've been lagging due to other pending deadlines on all sides. Worky worky worky, busy busy bee. That's me. Tis that time of year... while the bears are fattening the ski resorts are preparing for snow in their own way. Result--Kate gets busy. Holy graphic design, Batman.

Betterment

This week I have decided to make some changes for the betterment of myself. Changes that will benefit my self-esteem and strength. A baby first step was to have my hair cut. I know it sounds kind of minor and trite but I believe there is a bit of secret symbolism behind it. Eight inches of old growth was cut from my head. That represents the last 12-16 years of my life snipped away, half an inch a year. Not that I feel like I need to let that much of my life go (or maybe I do), but the weight of it was keeping me down. I struggle with self-confidence and putting myself out there, me as I am, without apologies. I want to change this attitude and be a more self-loving Kate. There was a time when I could not even comprehend the concept of self-love. It sounded like selfishness, greed, not any kind of love. Over the past 6 years I have come to learn what it means. I am far from complete attainment but I think I can get there. I just need to make some changes.

So Step 1 is really improving my self-care. Taking care of my appearance. Shining myself up like a new penny. First the hair, next some new clothes, a massage, my fingers and toes... seemingly superficial things that make an immediate impact on how I feel about me.

Step 2 in my transformation is a bigger one--returning to therapy and not just for a few weeks like last time. To actually do some serious work on my psyche. Tackle the issues, new and old. Take power over my mind.

Step 3 is improving the health of my body. Making a commitment to physical activity that includes strength training. Walking the dogs and skiing do not count. They belong in their own category of stress-relief. Step 3 also includes drinking less alcohol, eating better, drinking more water. Breaking bad habits and forming healthier ones.

Step 4 is stress relief. A lot of 1-3 fall into this category, but there are other things I neglect to do. Spending time with friends and talking about my current stressors. Walking the dogs. Skiing as much as possible. Things that are beneficial treats.

Step 5 will be taking the benefits of steps 1-4 and applying them to my relationship with my husband. This will be ongoing and not necessarily chronological. I think the benefits of all steps will help nuture what is fragile. This month marks our 6th anniversary. I want it to be a celebration of who we are now, not 6 years ago.

And that's an awful lot of work, all that up there. Well, I could look at it that way and run the opposite direction. Or I could see it as a challenge, a set of goals to work at and start over and work at again. All I know is that the steps are imperative to my happiness and self-love.

Tagged (a little late)

I was tagged by Michele, oh you know, back in August! Sorry Michele...

Four jobs I've had:
1. Receptionist at a Catholic priest's rectory (counted a lot of Sunday collection money)
2. Waitress at a cheesesteak shop (one of two waitressing jobs, I will never do that again)
3. Senior Designer at FAO, Inc. (got laid off by those guys, then rehired--TWICE)
4. Sole proprietor of Kate Hamilton Creative (best job ever)

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Titanic (mainly for the costumes)
2. The Muppet Movie (love you Kermit!)
3. Winged Migration (makes me cry)
4. March of the Penguins (duh!)

Four countries I have been to:
1. England
2. Italy
3. Greece
4. Antigua

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Skiing
2. Painting in plein air
3. Florence--never did get to see David
4. On a plane on my way to somewhere I've never been

Four foods I like to eat:
1. Good, fresh sushi*
2. ...and other fresh seafood, especially if Thai*
3. Indian*
4. New York pizza*
*you can't find this in Winter Park, Colorado

Four places I have lived:
1. Norwood, PA
2. Clifton Heights, PA
3. Havertown, PA
4. Winter Park, CO*
*first place I've lived that is not located in Delaware County, PA

Four people I'm tagging:
1. Melanie
2. Stephanie
3. Gennine
4. Heather

Latest Works

Ski + Ride School Brochure (Cover)
Originally uploaded by Kate Hamilton.

I just finished Winter Park's Ski and Ride School brochure, and continue to design all the corresponding collateral to go with. I've also uploaded two Crankworx Colorado files in my "Resort Collateral" portfolio on Flickr. Eventually all this will see its way to my web site. All in good time. Hopefully sooner.

More Snow This Morning

Chilly Aspens
Originally uploaded by Kate Hamilton.

This photo is from a week ago, but it was the same scene this morning. 44 days until Winter Park Resort opens... :)