Peace on Earth

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New year.  Enjoy your family and friends tomorrow.  Lynne

Change is good...isn't it?

Today is one of those days when I struggle to remind myself why we moved away from our family and friends.  I think it's probably because my family is all gathering for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges and we're not there to join the fun.   I miss watching the Grandkids open their gifts and miss the smells of dinner preparations.  I miss hearing the guys yelling at the missed plays on TV football games and seeing friends that we don't often see during the rest of the year.

BUT, and this is where I give myself a reality check.  They're all stressed to the max trying to get everything done; they're madly cleaning house and putting out holiday silver and dishes; they're making sure they have enough chairs and tables for everyone.   They're balancing their checkbooks, making sure they aren't overspending and worrying they'll forget someone.  They're groaning at having to attend another work party with people they wouldn't necessarily associate with outside the workplace.

So, although I miss them terribly and could cry easily today, the rational part of me knows that I don't really want to be in the middle of the chaos.  Working full time while trying to get everything done in time for Christmas wasn't fun, especially the last few years.   I was tired all the time and couldn't wait for the time when I was living in sunny AZ and not having to do all that work.   My shopping was done early and packages were shipped.  I'm working on my new favorite piece of jewelry instead of worrying if I have enough plates for Christmas dinner.  So the adjustment continues...

New Etsy Treasury

Check out this Etsy Treasury created by Meredith Dada at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/meredithdada?ref=pr_shop.  She makes beautiful french beaded flowers and gifts. She has graciously included my Hammered Sterling Earrings in the treasury below.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d0ba110239a6d91b0405b16/beads-and-wire?index=25

Reconnecting

I reconnected with a friend last week.  Carey is one of my Weight Watchers buddies.  A couple of years ago we spent hours on the WW boards, comiserating on gains and cheering each other's losses.  I haven't visited the boards for a long time and I'm so glad she found me again.  She popped into my Etsy shop and went crazy, buying some of my favorite pieces (I know, I always say that.  But they ARE!) and contacting me with a request.

Carey inherited a boatload of stones and cabochons that her Grandfather had spent years cutting and polishing into beautiful pieces.  Carey asked me to wrap a few of them so she could give them to the Great Grandkids of her Grandfather.  What a great idea!  I felt very honored (and a little intimidated) to do it.  Here are the results.   Thanks for the great opportunity Carey and I'm glad we reconnected.

16th Annual Olde Fashioned Christmas

Had a great time today at the show over in Needles.  Met some awesome people and made some new friends.  Sold some of my favorite pieces.  I'm glad they're going to people who will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Contest Coming Soon!!!

Stay tuned.  I'll be having a contest soon.  You could win this necklace & earring set or one of my other pieces!   

Organizing for Craft Shows

Okay, so I'm doing a craft show this weekend.  I never think I have much inventory until I start packing it all up.  Geesh!!!  There must be a better way to organize all of my jewelry.  I did read somewhere that a good way to pack display items is to leave them on the display and wrap them with that plastic shrink wrap like you'd use for your furniture when you move. 

Any other ideas?

On Being Far Away

A year ago, we moved from Washington State to Arizona.  We had planned for it, dreamed about it, talked it to death for years.  Most of the time, we feel as if it was the best decision we ever made.  But there are times we question the wisdom of our decision.  Like yesterday.

My Daughter called to say she was taking our 13 year old Grandson to urgent care because he was in terrible pain with a stomach ache.  Since he's a tough kid, just the fact that he was doubled over and gasping, was reason enough to take him in.  Within hours, he was in surgery to have his appendix removed.  Luckily, it hadn't burst and he's home again tonight, eating his favorite mac and cheese, but for Papa and I, the harsh reality that we are 3 states away, hit hard .   We wanted to rush to help, but we're so far away that it wasn't reasonable to jump in the car and head out.

I still believe that moving here was the best thing for us...but it isn't always easy.