Good things are coming soon...

Until then take a look at some Etsy banners from the early days.

These were lovingly made by my husband with tons of cute sayings. The banner has come a long way since then but I still adore these.
Which one is your favorite?

Until next time, 

Froggy

Evening Guest

Yesterday after dinner the family and I got out of the house. Getting out of the house is just a fancy way of saying we bummed around at a couple of local stores due to the fact that we were bored at home. It was about 7pm when the journey started and about 8:30 pm when it ended. It was an abrupt ending with a small bit of a fuss with the boy. Sad.

Then we were home and the dog must be fed. After the dog is feed it is inevitable that she must go out. So out she went on her leash to the front yard. On the way back in I glanced at my potted plants on the porch. (Oh the story of trying to grow tomatoes in a back room. Trying only to find out there wasn't enough light and forcing you to stick them on the porch late in the summer.... oh the story.) Glancing away from the pots to open the door my eye spotted something in the dim porch light. 

Oh my, it looks like we have a temporary guest and we didn't even know it.

I wondered were the holes in the dirt were coming from. Silly me, I thought it was the neighborhood cats. Nope, not so. It was just a fellow froggy.

Smokey Joe

Our poor bunny passed away sometime between last night and this morning. It was quite sad to see him go as he was a real trooper. Smokey Joe was a Jersey Wooly who came to live with us on July 1, 2007 along with his two sisters Opal and Ladybird. They were all about 4 years old at the time. I 'm sure it was time for him to go but its always hard. Doubly so when you have to break it to your 10 year old son. He will be missed.

Movement

Sometimes brilliant thoughts strike at the least likely moment.
Today, I took my dog out to the yard to do her business as I often do (or as my husband often does... it seems often anyway.) I took a step off the porch and stopped to let her do her thing at which point I immediately noticed the post sunset chill that had crept into the air. Suddenly I was ready to go back inside and quickly. Since Ms. Pepper didn't seem to be ready to do anything I started to pull on her leash and make a motion toward the door. She wasn't ready though and so I stopped. (You can't rush a dog or you'll find yourself in the same spot five minutes later.) Funny thing was that I stopped mid-motion. I had literally just stepped forward to turn and that was how I stopped.

And it hit me.



How do you get anywhere? By placing one foot in front of the other.

What's so funny about this? Nothing.

So why are you telling me this dog goes poopy story?
It's because of what I learned (or realized or better yet remembered) in that moment. It's because movement is about taking one step and placing it in front of the other. That is such a hard concept sometimes but it is so very literal. I deal with this issue a lot right now. Whether it's dealing with family, friends, unemployment, "being froggy fibers" or even handling my issues with depression. I have to learn when to move. And it's hard. I mean really hard. Some issues are harder than others even.

When do you move forward? When do you stop? How do you change directions? I don't know the answer for me so I'm certainly not going to pretend that I can tell anyone else. I just know that it was a very light-bulb moment for me. As I stand there frozen one foot forward, arms mid-swing waiting for my dog to go. I realized that the only way I'm going to see some change in my life, in my online store, in my job/career choice is to start putting one foot in front of the other and create the movement I need. Sure, there will be bumps in the road that will set me back a few paces. But when they do, I'm going to make sure that I turn around and face those steps head on. Because even if I have to retrace some steps, once I turn around those steps are in front of me again. Now I will have the experience of having walked that path before and I can put one foot in front of the other and decide what my movement will be. I will know that a few steps back down a path I've already tread doesn't mean I lose control of what road I will take in the future.

See, I'll be thirty next month. I have my whole life ahead of me. Sometimes that seems like such a weight, sometimes a relief, sometimes like I am just really, really old and have accomplished nothing. Tonight, when I go to bed, I'll wonder how something as simple as taking the dog out to go poop can bring about inspiration. (Yes, there I said poop!) I'll probably giggle a little too. Cause, you know, I'm sooooo mature.

******

On a related note, not 5 minutes after having this epiphany I found myself reading Tingling Towards Progress over on Make & Meaning. It's good reads... even if it has to do with feet. Talking as someone who only likes to see feet on the floor and no where near me, it's kinda odd the inspiration they can prompt.

On the flip side

Sometimes I get amazed by the little things. Silly as it sounds, just the other day I was thinking about how cool business cards can be. Very multipurpose. You can get SO MUCH on the back of them.


For instance, I did my PhatFiber sample cards and added this info to the back. So if your front is catchy and creative enough, you have the back that could be filled with loads of useful info. I wouldn't do this all the time but its a great trick and reduces paper use too.

Things that make me happy

I went to my son's school yesterday to speak for black history/careers day presentation. I had actually done a career day for his school middle of January but I agreed to do it again. Last time I was supposed to present for my son's class but a "mix up" in communication caused them to be at the art teacher when the should have been at the presentation.

Yesterday I got the chance to speak to his class about spinning. He was very excited and wanted to talk about it all the way to school. I was less enthusiastic. I didn't want to do this. I felt ambushed by the teacher at the last minute and that morning my husband had tooth pain so bad he couldn't come to help. I dropped my kid off to school and grabbed breakfast at a local fast food chain. I felt pathetic as I sat eating my chicken biscuit. Still, I didn't chicken out. My son was expecting me.

Once I got to the school I walked in and realized the organization wasn't the greatest. Once most of the presenters got there we were given a tour by the student ambassadors (e.g. fifth graders.) Then we went to the class to present. There was already a presenter in the room when I arrived and I was in no rush to get in the room. Then another presenter showed up and walked in while I sat across from the door. Still, no rush to get in. But eventually she finished talking and I had to.

I went into the room carrying my wheel and the kids started to stare. They had gotten quite rowdy because their teacher was organizing the event and couldn't be in the room. I failed to get everyone's attention but the room mom had just gotten there and she could. I summed up all my courage, took a deep breath and talked about what I did.



When everything was said and done, all the kids seemed really interested. I spent all this time really nervous about talking. I felt like I was just another kid talking in front of the class and they would judge me. (Yes, the 4th graders who are 20 yrs younger than me...) In the end they all wrote really nice cards thanking me for coming and that just made my day. I know they did that for every person but they seemed to genuinely like hearing about what I did.

My Husbands New Years Resolutions

I love my husband and he is very silly sometimes. Here is his resolutions list he posted throughout the day on Facebook. Enjoy!

News Years Resolution...No more bottles of cheap red wine($3 - $5 bottle)....Now only the finest most expensive red wine($7 - $10 a bottle)!!

New Years Resolution #2...Losing weight ( I figure if I cut out fruits and veggies I can increase my cake/pies/sweets intake and still lose weight!!)

New Years Resolution #3...Better organization(This means taller neater piles and less small messy piles of things)

New Years Resolution #4...to be more manly this year and stop buying no tears shampoo and no pull hair scrunchies!!

New Years Resolution #5...Since we have spent the last 10 years rightfully accused of miscegenation this is the year to go all the way and have a kid!!

I wish everyone out there a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Christmas Tree 2009

I need a larger house/dedicated craft space

AKA... We started unpacking decorations for the impending holiday. Talk about stress, this picture is near the end of moving all my items out of the dining room so that we can set up the Christmas tree. In the back are the Christmas decorations, in the front of the picture are the bits and bobs left to move to the bedroom.
Said Christmas tree which has not been put up yet. That was Saturday, this is Tuesday. hmmm......

hi!

So, I haven't written over a month and there is almost no excuse for that. Several times I wanted to write but it just didn't happen...

Okay... to be honest there is an perfectly valid excuse. I lost my internet connection. It's not unknown... or at least I think its not unknown that I was laid off from my job in February 09. That said money is tight... it was before the job cut and it definitely is now. However, I try not to bore people to often with my trials and tribulations. I leave the earful to my husband (who in his own right is headed into crazy with all this.)

I just wanted to pop in to let everyone know that I now have a reliable internet connection and I will proceed to start making posts again. I've already got one in mind for the next couple of days it just depends on how this shopping trip goes tomorrow.

So... that being said, how are you? I missed talking to my friends via Etsy, Twitter and Facebook and would love to catch up. I hope all of you are doing well as we end this fabulous year. =D

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

On Saturday I got my super duper MailChimp shirt in the mail from the Twitter giveaways. I know it was random what design I would get but this one is absolutely perfect!



Since I'm looking for work maybe I can get on at MailChimp by sporting the shirt around. I might just get lucky being not far south of the MailChimp Headquarters . One can dream anyway. =D

August 1st Market and Blog Interview

This weekend I will be participating in the local Market at Wesleyan College. This will be my second time there and I am very excited. Luckily TheBoy is going to his grandparents for a few days so We have plenty of last minute prep time. =D Let's hope this day is not as insufferable hot and the previous one... If your in the Middle Georgia area please stop by Wesleyan from 10-2 on August 1st. Its a market of plants, fresh vegetables and crafters and artists!

***************************

So lately I am no good at transitions so I am just drawing a line (literally) and jumping to the next subject. I had a chance to do a blog interview with a fellow Etsy seller on her blog. It was tons of fun and I feel like I opened up quite a bit. Pop on over to FiberArtistToo and have a look!
One of the pictures I sent that didn't make it on the blog is of my first handspun yarn. Okay, loosely its handspun yarn.... I have come a long way from where I was.
Take a look:

This is why I tell people that it takes patience and persistence to spin. If I had stopped here I wouldnt have any of my beautiful yarns to show for it. So for all those newbie spinners who think it should be just so that first time.... relax. It just takes time.

ALL FIXED... kinda.

So I don't want to bore anyone with the details of getting stitches pulled out after carpal tunnel surgery. I will say... yes, you can feel them being removed... and it stings!
However, since I didn't bore you with those details, I will instead gross you out with up close images of the surgeried area. Is that a word, no... well pretend it is.

Here is a how my wrist look immediately after having the stitch removed. (Well, after we got home....) That my friend is the extent of the cleaning they did. Apparently those moist towelettes you get at the chicken wing joint is cleaning enough err... just add alcohol.








This is how my hand looks now that I have been able to wash it (first time since the surgery) and let it air dry.






I have to go back in 4 weeks to make sure the tenderness has gone away and that I will not have to do any physical therapy. Until then all I have to do is use it like normal typing, knitting, sewing etc as long as I don't lift anything over 1b and massage the area at the crook of the hand to relieve swelling.
So... I guess that's it. I promise not to have anymore gross out photos of scars in the future. Mostly cause I don't plan to have anymore.

Look at my scars, I'm really really brave!

Isn't that generally what warriors consider marks of pride? Well, I don't know what type of scar I will have but I thought I would show off the initial battle damage.



I had surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist. I am predominantly right handed, used the mouse with my right hand and regularly used a ten key calculator at my former place of employment. Due to all the factors, regardless of being laid off, my former employer is responsible for my pain (and suffering.. but that's another story and they actually aren't responsible for the mental suffering but sometimes I think they should be... =P)

So, after months and months of waiting to find out what can be done to correct this.... the workers comp people finally approved my surgery.
Typing is tiresome because I am back to pecking the way I did before I had two corporate, manual entry style jobs. Also, the problem with this blogging is that I tend to go with stream of thought and my hands can't keep up. Well, I always thought quicker than my fingers can type but this is almost painful. (Thank goodness times two for spell check.) Here is a side ways view of my arm. I'll have to keep this short... maybe stick to Twitter for a few days, I dunno. Luckily, the percentage of improvement is high statistically and once the initial pain goes away I should be able to do just about everything I normally do even with the bandage wrapping still on. I mean everything from knitting to crocheting to sewing. Okay, I can't dye any since my wrist can't get wet but its only a few days till I can. Wish me lots of patience that I don't try to over extend my wrist/hand the next couple of days. Once I'm healed though.. watch out, I'm taking this hand for a workout. (Get yer minds outta the gutter!)

Writing and Working

Sometimes I find it difficult to find topics that I believe others will find interesting. Even though that is not necessarily the point of a blog I have difficulties writing about things if I think no one would be interested. That's the primary reason this blog will go 7-10 days without a post. It's a crap reason, but its a reason. I try to break myself of this habit as I am at the computer everyday without fail. I chat in the Etsy forums, I stare at my Etsy shop, I tweet away on twitter. I mean I am literally and without fail on the computer but for the most part it is a time suck. Productivity is a far and distant place in my life right now but totally something that needs to come visit and stay for a long time real soon.

One thing I have made progress on is applying for employment. Problem is most of it is out of state and I just don't believe people are taking me seriously. Seriously, you can send all the resumes you want but when unemployment is at an all time high since the Great Depression (or whereabouts) I'm less likely to convince an employer to higher me from way across the country. My current state is 1 - 1.5% higher than the unemployment rate for the nation. The state I'm looking at moving to is about 1% lower than the national average. The rate of new (legitimate) job postings for my state is maybe 15 a day, none in a reasonable range of my experience. The rate of postings for my possible future state is like 35-40 per day at least 5-6 of which includes positions utilitzing my most recent work experience.

The odd things you realize...

...when you go to a spinning group meeting. I had an epiphany today.

We were all enjoying a late spinning group this month due to the Easter holiday and luckily one of our regular spinning buddies was able to make the meeting this month. Catching up on past events I mentioned the accident we had and the fact that I got laid off from my last job in a pretty nonchalant sort of manner. I hadn't put much thought into it but November to January happened very quickly. Of course, anyone who knows me can tell you I was more shaken up by the car accident then the job situation. Sure, the economy is lousy and we don't have a bundle saved up... but really whatcha gonna do? A little later I was talking with the same spinning friend and mentioned that my birthday had just past and that I was really excited this year. Seriously, this has been the first year in several that I have truly and honestly been excited about my birthday. (I'm really looking forward to 30 next year!)

That's when it hit me... staring me right in the face for the last 3 months. I am 100% happy more than I have been in years. Those two jobs that were a bad fit just sucked the life from me and I don't want that to happen again! I recently started looking for a job again... somewhat seriously anyway and found myself immediately sucked back into applying for the same type of job I just left. How crappy is that. Its like this great fall back but in 2 years or less I will be unhappy again. So now I am running wild in my head trying to figure out just how I can possible keep this feeling. How can I make it last longer. I'm happier (and by proxy my husband and son are happier. =P) The only problem is that life doesn't run on happiness, we need funds to make it go. So... now to brainstorm!



For the fiber folks, I have spent the last 3-4 days spinning the roving below. Its coming along well but now I am stuck. When I made the roving my idea was for it to be a semi-striping single to knit or crochet. Now I'm thinking I should ply it... then I saw the lovely coils on the Ravelry forum and thought... this will make great coils. ARGHHHH! I can't decide. So, lets take a poll, what do you think?

This is brilliant!

I was trolling twitter, as I often do when I wake up and someone posted the greatest thing ever!

Visit now to see a lamb nursery!

(The area isn't visible at night.) If you like fiber animals then this is just the most adorable thing.
Courtesy Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm and Hudson Valley Fiber Farm.

You know you want to do this...

My husband stumbled upon the cutest YouTube video the other day and I just had to share.



Bet you thought you had to much time on your hands. =D

Just a little laugh to keep you going...

I walked into my bedroom yesterday and saw this:

According to my husband he has .... are you ready






"Sheep Apnea"



I admit, I laughed... it was funny. But wait, there is more. As my husband left the house a little while later he said "If he doesn't wear the mask at night he Baaaaaaaaaaaaaa's the whole time." My husband had just stepped outside so I did what any logical wife would do.... I closed the door. =P
Yes, I know I married a nut!

Updates, Updates...

Well my wonderful squishy baby blanket from previous posting was rejected. Apparently the baby really will be GINORMOUS! Seriously, no one else thought it was two small to be a receiving blanket. In fact, complement of all compliments... my mom LURVED it! Seriously, that is huge. My mom may not know it but she has a comment for everything... and I mean everything. For instance almost five years ago, while we were working on wedding shopping, she made a statement about my face being "round." She also didn't see how this was deemed hurtful since (when called on it) she stated "Well it is round you want to work with what you have not make it look bad."
So uh, yea.... I have one of those momma knows best, has a comment for and opinion about everything sort of mothers. However, after all was said and done and my near nine year old has his birthday party I showed my mom the blanket. She loved it. Which is nice because later that night I realized that I can't think of a time my mom has seen one of my projects FO or UFO and damned it with faint praise. That makes me feel good. It's nice to know there are some things that she'll step back and just say, "you did a good job." Not everyone has that.
Besides the blanket we had our Angora bunny, Ladybird, pass away last weekend. Just really sad. My son was really upset but I think it was easier this time around since Opal had gone while we were still in the apartment. He was at his grandparents for the night so we waited till he came home. Some things are hard enough. We'll miss you Ladybird!