Exhaustion, an interrupted schedule...

This morning I have to go in for a fasting blood draw... just for a thyroid level check and cholesterol screen. That means no coffee for me this morning. Ugh!!

Life has been stressful lately. You know, even change that will end up being good is hard on a person! There's been lots of drama. And I don't like drama!

On a good note, business has been good. I'm now at 67 sales and am enjoying making quite a few custom journals. Today I'm working on one with my Daisy Duet photo on the cover. This weekend I'll be working on another with thick green paper as the cover and my Blue Tree photo on it. I even sold one of my jellyfish photos last night! I love having my etsy shop! It gives me such a wonderful outlet and I have made lots of new friends.

A long weekend is definitely in order. I will try to get caught up on everything etsy-wise, and have time to relax.

My blood draw is about 8 my time (that's when the lab opens)... so, Dad, I'll be calling you around that time.

There's a Long Weekend Coming up

I am beyond thrilled at the prospect of a 3-day weekend! Ideally, I would stay home and create journals. I'm trying to build up stock to free up more time for my children this summer. However, there is most likely a road trip in the plans. I love road trips! My camera battery is charged... I am ready!

I took the above photo while visiting a friend. He has these all along the pathway leading to his backyard. In life, it's so nice to have a light to guide you....

That tutorial I promised is underway, and I will be posting it soon.

You know, that's a lesson that is taking me the longest. I have self-imposed deadlines and I get all stressed out over them. In a way, that's good... it leads to getting things done. But oftentimes life gets in the way, and the deadline becomes impossible. I need to learn that life happens and it's ok. So... let me try that. Life right now, for several reasons, is very hectic. I am working on the Etsy Account Tutorial, but will finish when I once again have a big block of time that I can dedicate to it.

I have a million thoughts zipping through my head... I'm sure they will form themselves into something cohesive soon. Happy Wednesday to you all!

Just photos today....

Coming down off a Glorious Weekend

The weather this weekend was amazing. Sunny all weekend, yesterday the temps were in the 80's. Saturday we cleaned. Moved some stuff out... made 5 trips to the dumpster. Organized. Just one area really, but every little bit helps. During the week, I'll be cleaning my craft area, and cutting paper for more journals. Trying to get enough ahead that I can basically pack away my creating area prior to the summer. But still being able to create this summer, you know?

Yesterday we went to the Portland Saturday Market. I love this town! There was so much going on down there... people milling about everywhere, everyone enjoying the sunshine! And there are amazing items for sale there too! I bought a small piece of art for my walls... not that I needed it, it was just so beautiful!

Today I should be listing 2 new journals. One is a special order for a friend who wanted graph paper instead of the white paper, so she can write straight in her journal. The other is an 8X10 dragonfly journal. I've been on a paper buying spree lately, so there are many more to come! I'll be creating throughout the week.

I'm working up my tutorial on creating an etsy account. If there are any questions, or things you'd like me to make sure I cover, please list them in the comments! I hope for the most wonderful week for all of you!

Creating an Etsy Account... the Preamble

I have been browsing the shops on Etsy quite a bit lately, and there is some astounding talent out there! I find so many treasures every single day. Someone asked the other day if I had a 'normal' website to purchase from. You see, Etsy requires you to login in order to purchase. All you have to do is input an email address, a login and a password, plus paypal or other payment info. It's not difficult. But apparently that deters some people. Those people will miss out on so many treasures.

I think I will have a friend create an Etsy account over the weekend and put a step-by-step tutorial on here, in case any of you need help creating an etsy account. Before doing that though, what have you thought or heard? What is holding people back from creating an account even though they want stuff on Etsy? I'd like my tutorial to be as thorough as possible, so any and all questions and concerns will be researched prior to posting the tutorial.

Please leave comments about the account setup process, or why any of it would deter people. What you've thought, what you've heard...

Another Poem... I wrote for a friend.

I think about how it seems
that our lives parallel.
How often we must be thinking the same thing,
or doing the same thing.

And I think…maybe it’s not just us.
Maybe it’s every woman,
always the same pusuits—
love
family
friends
a career.

With each endeavor,
we hope beyond all other hope
to not have to sell our soul
like we’ve been asked to do
so many times before.

We’ve sold our souls
for men
for jobs
for our children
and each time that our soul
is the price, things end badly.

Perhaps all of those times
only strengthen us—
get us to the point
where we know exactly what we want
because we now know everything
we don’t want,
everything we will no longer do.

Once we meet
people worthy of us,
who don’t demand a sacrifice,
who will accept who we are
only then can our fractured soul fully repair.

A poem I wrote

I wrote this poem a few years ago. It's titled "They Learn"

I think of the children,
three amazing boys.

I wish I could sit them down
and tell them how to live.
Be true to yourself,
always do the right thing.

I wish I could build a dam
against any pain that might come their way.
But I know better,
everything happens for a reason.

Sometimes pain is a catalyst for growth.
I know that any pain they feel,
we will also feel,
that can’t be helped.

We will continue to feel pride in their growth,
we will hold them when they stumble,
worry when they are faced with difficult times
and always we will teach them,
teach them to own up to their mistakes
and to right their wrongs.

We will show them how to find the good in others
and support them when they realize
that sometimes the best thing is to give someone space.

We will continue to show them how to love,
because we know that even when no words are spoken,
perhaps especially then,
they see and they learn.