Old favorites

I've had quite a few local requests lately about my jewelry, if I'm going to sell at the market again this summer, if the jewelry can be found on my website, etc. etc. I used to rely on the market as an easy way to show my pieces without having to spend the hours it takes to photograph them halfway decently and then load them into my Etsy shop.

But I've decided not to sell at the market this summer and so my online shop becomes the central place to showcase my wares. The decision is bittersweet but most definitely the right one for me, for the family. And, the best part is I get to go to the market just for the fun of visiting and purchasing all the good stuff that it has to offer.

So I'm experiencing what a joy it is all over again to be model and photographer, editor and shop owner, copywriter. Taking also into account the fact that I hate (yes hate) having my picture taken the whole process is a laugh.

But here you have the first two, my little red raspberry



and cherry blossom.



So please enjoy and stay tuned for coming attractions. I may be auditioning new models soon, we'll see how much of myself I can take.

Yellow (quiet) riot

It's everywhere. Finally and thank goodness. It has me thinking about windows open, airing out, taking out the garbage and starting back at the beginning. One deep breath and a simple reminder and I'm making big plans to do nothing. To slow down, read a book, dig up some weeds. It couldn't come at a better time, but then Spring always does.

Blink

"Yes" I say when people ask if the time has gone by fast. Yes, I can hardly remember the early days but at the same time it feels like yesterday when I was waddling my way into the doctor's office for what would be my final pregnancy visit with her.

"Nothing's happening" I was assured, her due date was still 10 days out, but less that 12 hours later she was in my arms, my Spring baby, all 8 1/2 pounds of her. A bright, fun-loving dreamer with a penchant for storytelling, hamming it up and somehow enough empathy for the world. The best part is just watching her do her thing, the most important is not getting in her way.

Almost

It's coming. The snow has finally melted off the winter wheat revealing curved rows and black dirt. The cherry tree is showing signs of life,

and the lilacs,

daffodils,

the mystery bush I can never identify,

flowering quince,

and even the dog. If only I could start to unbundle my layers I'd really feel like Spring was coming.

It's all good

driving with the sunroof open wide
70 degree days
listening to favorite songs like
this one
and this one
and this
because it's that kind of day

the feeling of gratitude
of being watched over
led
protected

hearing my husband tell me to have a good day off
to slow down
not worry about getting it all done
to enjoy myself

thankful every day
that I'm involved in the human side of healthcare
holding a hand
sharing a tear
a laugh
a story

knowing that between all the good
and the bad
that I've landed in the right place
somehow.

Back in business

It was the kind of week where if one thing went wrong a thousand little other things went wrong as well. We've had a bit of technology overhaul around here and though I tend to cringe the whole way through and hope we're making the right decisions, it sure it nice when it's all said and done. From the computer to the cell phones, DVR box to the kitchen sink, kids research projects, school conferences, birthday parties, and even baby tooth pulling to make way for the adult ones coming in, it certainly hasn't been a dull week around here.

All the while I'm reeling thinking of how different our lives are now than just a few short years ago. Back then I was one of those people who didn't check email but once every week or two, used my cell phone only in cases of emergency, had no idea what a "text" was and had children who were happy playing in the dirt. Well, I guess they are still happy playing in the dirt, but they've become quickly aware of what itunes are, how to do anything and everything with a wii and can surf the web which is a scary thought especially when my son is looking up "how to make lego bricks" on youtube.com and "how to kiss" pops up in the search window. Great at age 9.

At any rate, we're slowly putting the necessary information from our old computer onto the new one and so my pictures are currently dormant in a little electronic box that sits next to the computer, ready to be transferred over. So please enjoy the little green shoots above from last Spring. I think we can all use a little visual prompting to really get us in the mood for Spring. Given that it's supposed to be in the 60's here today I know I'll be pining away for more nice weather and hopefully I'll be walking about with my camera in hand.

Time out

My computer is sick. It's been away for several days now and although we've missed it I've managed to survive and realize it isn't a necessity, but I've also come to realize how much we rely on it for the simplest of things.

Going to the library to print out my shipping labels for Etsy orders is a bit time consuming, so is helping the kids with school projects. I get my work assignment every evening by email so I've resorted to checking email on the wii which I never knew was possible but have come to be an expert at it. That it can be done at all this way is remarkable, I guess it's evident I'm still in the Atari mindset.

So you'll have to settle for a photo I took at the end of March last year, I hope it will suffice. I took it just before I bought my new camera and figured it was worth a second go around. It really should only be another day until the machine is fixed, barring any major issues (let's hope there are no major issues). The kids will be happy for me to leave the wii alone, typing emails on it is seriously laborious!