Is It Too Late to Still Say Happy New Year?

Anyway, Happy New Year! I made a resolution to write at least one entry per week. We are now two weeks into the year and here's the first entry. A shaky start but so far I am sticking to my other two resolutions. No alcohol until I land in Vegas on March 1st and no dessert. This is the year I drop my 20 pounds of shiraz/ice cream weight. So far so good. However, we are going to a neighbour's house tonight and there will be temptation. I would rather just hole up and not go anywhere until I am off this "fast." Ah Vegas, March can't get here soon enough.

I haven't been working too much lately. Put everything away for Christmas so we could actually use the dining room. It was awful not working! I felt so restless - what was I supposed to do with all that free time? Clean the house? Not going to happen. However, as of today, I can no longer see the surface of the dining room table except for my small work area. I've got lots of sketches to work from, a shopping list of goodies and a full tank of propane.

I don't have much available stock right now. Just before Christmas, I met with Christine, the owner of My Best Friend's Closet in Vancouver at Cambie & 16th and she took a lot of pieces. Very exciting and I hope they all sell soon!

I was also interviewed for an article on local artisans for an online magazine, Entrepreneurial Woman, and I've attached the link for you. I think I say words like "cool" too much so I hope I don't end up sounding like a ditz when you read it. I really am educated and can use much bigger words!

What else? Max starts drum lessons this week so we'll have even more noise around the house. He's mastered the "banging the sticks over his head to count 1-2-3-4" before he whales on them so it's clear he's got natural talent. Lily admitted that the cute boy who has clearly had a crush on her for months finally told her he liked her "liked her." The feeling is apparently mutual though she is playing hard to get and hasn't told him. That's my girl!

Watched Julie and Julia again and still teared up at the end. Goes to show that the desire to accomplish something with one's life is strong in this one master yoda. We shall see, we shall see.

Older yes, Wiser? Not likely

So it's been nearly a month since my last entry. In that time, I have aged. Literally - I had my birthday. Ignoring the number, the day was very nice. My parents came in from out of town and we had a good time shopping and eating. There was Hallowe'en - around 550 kids. I don't even have to close the door between trick-or-treaters. They just keep coming. Managed to reduce a few little kids to tears with our decorations so I say it was a great success. Lily's boot is off and she's been going to physio for treatment of tendonitis. I think she is pretty much back to normal but she is still working it a little bit. I was pretty sick for a while in there too. It may have been H1N1. Hard to say. High fever, severe body aches, pressure on my chest. Took a solid week for the fever to break. I am going to get the kids vaccinated. My girlfriend disagrees with getting the shots. Then she says that she guesses she would feel bad if she didn't get them, and her kids got sick and died. Ya think? To each their own. I've just got a few more shows before I'm done for the year and then months of nothing. While it will give me an opportunity to work on all the designs I haven't had time to experiment with, it is like going through withdrawal without the constant pressure to produce. Anyway, this is just a short post. We're off to karate and I am supposed to be polishing some copper balls. I suppose there is some way to make that sound more dirty.

Live a Little, Learn a Little

So I resigned from my short-lived return to the workforce this morning. I tried to adapt, I really did. I approached each shift with the idea that it was going to be a good day but...I just couldn't get past the fact that I crave chaos. I like fixing problems and puzzling through. It was good job for many people, just not the right fit for me. I just think at my age, I don't want to settle, I want something that truly suits me. Spent the rest of the day working on rebuilding my stock, sending out emails to stores that expressed an interest in selling some of my pieces. Back on track to building this business. But still feeling tense, anxious. I do think this is the right decision, but I have to go back for one more shift tomorrow. Things always work out the way they're supposed to right? You just don't know it until you get there.

Actually got to go on a "date" yesterday. Lily had her first sewing lesson with her grandma, and Max just had a good day of playing. We went to see "Zombieland." Now, admittedly, I am a bit of a closet goth. I thought the movie was hysterical. Loved Bill Murray. Zombies are certainly hip right now. "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" had me laughing out loud within pages, and "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" looks just as promising. Hearkening back a few years, I was a big fan of "Fido" too. In a kinder and gentler vein, we are going to see "Where the Wild Things Are" this week. Even the music score is making me tear up, and reading the book always get me too. Can't wait to go.

The bone scan was done and we've got another week of waiting. Frankly, we are crossing our fingers that her ankle is broken. Then we have a clear idea of treatment and ETA for full healing. If it turns out to be a soft tissue injury, then I think my kitten is in for a long season of physio before her life can return to normal. I have to say though, I am so proud of her. Not once since this happened has she ever complained or felt sorry for herselft. She has taken this all in stride, and though she does hurt quite a bit by the end of the day, she continues to have an amazing attitude toward the whole experience. I think that this would be difficult for an adult to go through without bitching, but for a ten year old, highly strung little girl (gee, where do you think she gets it from?) her attitude just amazes me. I am truly blessed with awesome children.

So there it is. Still hoping to be discovered, still looking for work, and ready for my 5:00 vino!

Missing my Turkey Sandwiches

So what's new? Lily's moved from crutches to an aircast boot. She kept falling with the crutches so at least with the Frankenfoot she can move around pretty easily. Two xrays have shown nothing so the next stop is for a bone scan to see if there is a hidden fracture in her ankle. The poor thing. Me - I mean. She is just busting with energy and has no way to expend it except to chatter endlessly. Honestly, I love listening to her and she has some really cool ideas, but it's like she doesn't even take a breath. She is launching a business plan to make and sell handcrafted pillows. This does present some issues. I don't have a sewing machine. I don't sew. I barely iron. Anyway, it's great to see her ideas take shape and we will do what we can to make it happen. Look for the grand opening of "Cushy Lily" at a market near you.

I also have taken a part-time job. It's pleasant and the people are very nice. There is a dress code, and somewhat of a company-issued uniform. It's an interesting transition for me. I have found that while I thought having a simple job would be an easy change, it is actually proving otherwise. Apparently, I am hardwired to be the boss and work in a high-stress environment. I always did have a problem with authority and following rules. Hence, my corporate jobs evolved to allow me the freedom to work in the grey areas. Now things are pretty black and white and my day is dictated for me. It's still early in this for me. We'll see how things pan out.

I will be updating the pictures this week. I've done some really pretty sculptural pendants and I want to get them on the site.

Final note for today. Carrie - I don't know if you will see this but I hope you do. I know it's been 11 days since your surgery. I hope that you are home and starting on the road to recovery. You are in my thoughts. Please let me know how you are doing if you can. Take care of yourself and never lose hope.

Oh and Donna - if you're out there too - hope you are doing great! I love the way you have such a positive, exhuberent approach to life.

Fashionberry Feature

Just one more little thing to mention - my feature in the ezine Fashionberry came out last week, so here's the link: www.fashionberry.com

It's the September issue (#8) and just scroll along the bottom to change pages. My friend, Donnalin, took the great pictures and really helped me out in a bind.

The Crutches Are Out Again

So it seems to be a first sign of Fall in our family that Lily slowly makes her way to school on crutches. An annual tradition perhaps, first started last year, due to a bad knee injury at gymnastics that had her out of commission for a good three weeks. This time, we have a mystery injury. No one knows how or when she hurt her ankle but she can't put any weight on it and it's now been 10 days. We've had the xray done but no word back from the doctor. I think we're skipping gym today. For the record - last year, injuries included: sprained wrist, concussion, reinjured knee, and a veritable rainbow of bruises. Shall we try for the full-on cast this year? (oops, she just read this and is now having a cow).

I was out in Harrison last weekend for the Castle & Crafts Market. As the long-held sandcastle building competition was cancelled this year for financial reasons, the organizers are seeking a new name. I think "Handcrafted in Harrison" sounds pretty good. Anyway, I had a great time. Saw some familar faces, sold all my beautiful turquoise (sigh...it really was gorgeous), and was well-fed by Alyx. Thank you !

Been playing around with copper more. I'm quite liking it, and paired with silver and chocolate pearls, the look is pretty sweet. However, I am also a bit preoccupied with the prospect of job-hunting. The husband has decreed it is time for me to return to the workforce. While I have no intention of returning to a high pressure corporate job at this time, even the idea of part-time employment is a little nerve-wracking. Stage fright I guess. And honestly, I have nothing to wear. Really. I live in jeans, sold all my suits (though those would be so "What not to wear" now), but I do still have my stilettoes. I may just prance around in the bedroom in them (alone, it's not as dirty as it sounds), but you'll have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands before I give in and buy a pair of crocs. Umm...I am so off topic right now.

What else? Oh, I forgot to mention last time that I finally experienced a milestone of sorts. I was stung in Penticton. I have never been stung in my life and have spent a good deal of time making a fool of myself as I run away screaming from most flying insects. This experience has shown me that that was precisely the right action. Bugger, it really really hurts. I was stung on the top of my foot, right in the vein and had a nasty burning pain for about 3 days. Ugly, freaky little creatures that don't serve any purpose on this planet. Next topic....

I guess that's it for today. I'll be at Steveston Market on Sunday (sept 27) for my last market there of the season and the weather should be fabulous.

School's Back

Well, it's been a great summer. Busy markets and busy kids. Had a great trip to Seattle and blew a ton on money on fabulous pearls at Fusion Beads. Had lots of fun at the new pool in Kelown (H2O). Off to Summerland to stay at the gorgeous La Punta Norte with our gracious hosts. Pablo finished the Ironman and swears he's taking some time off. Of course, there are always shorter races to do....Big disappointment in Penticton - where did Piggy's go? We were so disappointed that it's not there anymore. Did find a fabulous restaurant at the Lakeside, and an absolutely horrible one on Lakeshore.
School's back in, Max is in grade 2 and Lily in grade 5. Both of them blew me off this morning for goodbye kisses. Oh well. Our endless round of afterschool activities kicks into high gear again this week too. No days off for anyone.
I've been invited to my high school renunion - 25 years. Way too scary. I've not been to the other reunions and have no plans to go to this one either. Frankly, high school was not the highlight of my life and I really don't have any interest in seeing former "friends" who dumped me so quickly after grad. Life moves on in much more interesting directions and I've got great friends who are sincere, fun and honest. I would never go back in time to be a teenager again. Very few good memories.
Working in copper and sterling now. Love hammering metal. Best way to work out stress.
Hugo the farting pug is sitting beside me, wafting his pungency in my direction. Makes me work faster so I can get out of this small room before I choke on the fumes. (was that more info that you needed to know?)
Saw some great movies - adult ones even - District 9, Inglorious Basterds, Julie & Julia. Oh, and finally saw Slumdog Millionaire. Still want to see the Time Travellers Wife. I know I'll cry. Getting too soft.
Anyway, I am supposed to be soldering right now, but I've updated the website and the Etsy site. As always, more pics to come.