Day 15: Vacation Suitcase

Although the 14 days have concluded, I wanted to continue the daily drawing. So I pondered what the next prompt could be. I guess because I'm craving travel, this one popped into my head.

Everything here is what I need to travel to a hot destination. Fingers crossed it will happen by 2022!

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 1 - student project Day 14: #Obsessed

My biggest obsession has definitely been a toy poodle. I'm on a waiting list, but it won't be until the end of June to find out if I've got one or not.

My mattress was the best purchase I made a year ago, expensive but oh so worth it.

Reading murder mysteries has always been an obsession for me, I can't get enough.

And of course SkillShare is my latest obsession. I joined at the beginning of March and have already completed 20 classes. SkillShare and retirement go hand in hand!

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 2 - student project Day 13: Reliable Recipe

I used to make mayonnaise in my big blender, pouring the oil oh so very slowly, but I always seemed to break the emulsion. Then I found this recipe online somewhere and my mayonnaise is tasty, quick, easy and successful every single time. Once you have all the ingredients ready and measured it truly does take less than 60 seconds.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 3 - student project

Day 12. Toiletry Favourites

I've never really been a makeup wearer. Used to be mascara and lipstick. I've since dropped the mascara. So exiting the shower I put on a face moisturizer, deodorant and lipstick. Then I spray the argon oil into my hair and brush it. That's it really, other than brushing my teeth I'm ready to go!

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 4 - student project

Day 11: Favourite Corner

This view has changed in the years I have lived here. I have been in this neighbourhood for 39 years and it has grown so much. Unfortunately I lost the view of the CN Tower a number of years ago and for the past year I've been watching a new condo going up just across the narrow street from me. I had to rearrange my livingroom, as all I could see was the build, and no city scape. Once I moved furniture around, it looked much better, as well as the view.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 5 - student project

Day 10: Grocery Run

I have a lot of food sensitivities due to IBS. No garlic or onions for me. I have to find olive oil infused with them instead. I tried a new Low FODMAP pasta prima vera that was very tasty, but today I have a swollen belly so I'm not sure what caused that. Eggs are that very important staple in my diet. I am a lifetime vegetarian and it's possibly the only source of protein I can eat safely. As of April first I plan on cutting out added sugars from my diet. I need to lose about 30lbs.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 6 - student project

Day 9: Self Care Necessities.

My most important self care necessity is sleep. I know this because last night I got only 3 hours of sleep.

I have recently started using my room diffuser again, and love all the good feels it brings. Right now my favourite essential oil is tea tree.

I exercise a few times a week with my online trainer, and although I complain in my head about how I hate to exercise, I know it's importance for both my physical health and mental health.

I was introduced to meditation quite some years ago, and was lucky enough to find a free place that did guided meditation. I stuck with it for 3 years and now I'm able to clear my thoughts on my own, mostly, but if I need guidance there are lots of apps out there that are available to me.

I hate taking medication, but recently I realised the importance of it's regular and proper use. I had cut back on a medication because I felt it wasn't necessary to take so much. Fast forward 6 months and I had a situation that proved it's necessity, and with the help of my doctor I'm now back on track. Also I've always eaten a good diet and never felt the need for vitamins, but now I'm older I've started taking them. It may be money flushed down the toilet, but better safe than sorry.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 7 - student project

Day 8: I Keep Wearing.

The bottom of my 65 year old feet are super sensitive these days, they've carried me through a lot. So wearing Crocs with their cushiony comfort is the only thing I wear on my feet at home. At my age I can do whatever the hell I want, but I still won't wear them outside of my home!

I've been a Toronto Blue Jays fan forever, and the fact I haven't been to a game in over a year makes me sad. I bought this material years ago and couldn't use it because nothing was good enough to cut into the fabric for. But when I started making masks back in April 2020, I knew it was time. The Blue Jays is the only Canadian team in the league.

I recently renewed my reading glasses prescription, but I kept the original Ray Ban frames. Since I'm no longer working, I can't afford new frames, and like the Crocs, I only wear them in my home.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 8 - student project

Day 7: Current Cravings.

Hugs are my biggest craving. Once we are told that we no longer need to socially distance I will be extremely happy.

Although I see my son for a couple of hours once a week, it's not enough. And once we can travel again I will be able to hug all those family members in England.

I'm happy that I took a year off from September 2017 - August 2018. I traveled to some of my bucket list countries. I went back home to England, visited a cousin in Australia, celebrated a birthday in Mexico, toured many cities in China, explored my province of Ontario and took a 4 day train trip from Toronto to Vancouver.

I have a gluten sensitivity, and I crave REAL bread so much. I don't care what anyone says, there really isn't a good tasting gluten free bread!

And chips are always my go to snack.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 9 - student project

Day 6: Daily Routine.

I have to have my tea first thing. And I'm one of those people who eats breakfast every day, maybe not dinner, but always breakfast. When I read, I always feel like I'm a kid sneaking a candy bar, it's always such a pleasure. I have a workout routine 3 days a week with my online trainer, and although I hate working out, it is a great social event. I create something every day. It could be painting, jewelry, drawing, woodwork or crafting. And finally I talk on the phone with a friend every day and on occasion I play trivia on Zoom. I'm still looking for other Zoom meetings, but don't really know where to look.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 10 - student project

Day 5: Ingredients to my Mess.

I had done a pretty big clean up just before this challenge, but my sink is always a mess. I hate going to bed with dishes in the sink, but lately it's becoming a bad habit. So here is my sink. I wish it only had these few dishes, but I'm reality it's a mess. As soon as I do the dishes, more appear and even though I live alone, I still end up with multiple mugs and teaspoons!

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 11 - student project

Day 4: Latest Reading Material.

During this Pandemic I've read lots of books. I'm a super slow reader so it takes longer than most to finish a book. I carry them all with me on my Kobo, which was a gift to me from my son.

I find non fiction difficult to read unless I'm super interested. The books that professionals recommended I read, show that I've only actually read about 6%. I don't like reading about mental illness, it depressed me.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 12 - student project

Day 3: Creating With.

I decided to go with the jewelry I'm presently making. Probably a mistake as I'm not great at drawing and this one included a lot of fiddly details. Anyway here it is. I chose red and grey since most of the jewelry I maker is silver.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 13 - student project

Day 2: Recently I Learned.

I've been feeling pretty ill in the last week, and yesterday I had a really bad episode, so much so that I decided to take myself to the ER. They took blood, did an EKG, and then I went off to see the Dr. All looked fine. After a ton of questions, (most of which I couldn't answer as I felt really confused) I was told that I had Panic Disorder. Now I told the Dr that I wasn't panicking, nothing triggered me, and I hadn't had a panic attack since last summer. I was informed that Panic Disorder isn't the same as Panic attacks! Nothing happens that would bring on panic. Anyway I can't believe that I have that, as I have been doing really well for months. In fact I don't like think that I have PTSD any more. But I will call my family Dr on Monday, and the ER doctor made a referral to the hospital's Mental Health unit.

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 14 - student project

Day 1: Currently Listening To.

My mother was a huge fan of The Rolling Stones, so I guess thats where my love comes from. I got a new appreciation when my partner took me on a first date to see them. We caught 2 concerts while he was alive; I'll always have joy thinking of those.

My printing is atrocious, it always has been. Every report from teachers mentioned it! Thank goodness for computers. I'm looking for classes that will help me improve, but can you teach an old dog (65) new tricks?

Illustrated Journaling, (Cos Who's Got Time To Write) - image 15 - student project

Mary Hicken

Considering Creativity

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