~Noel~

Been away for a long time, haven't I? I have been busy crafting, crafting, crafting. This is what I made today... 'tis the Season!!!

Switched at Birth?

One Proud Mama.

That's me. A proud Mama. My 14-year old son never fails to amaze me. Last night was the 8th Grade Honors Program at his school and he finally received the long-awaited for All Star Award. This is an award given to students who maintain all A's or all A's and B's throughout the school year, have no absences or tardies, and no office referrals. Let me tell you the irony in his getting the award this year.

Every year from 1st through 7th grade, he has maintained all A's. No B's. Just all A's. And he has always received the President's Award for that achievement. But he has never gotten the All Star Award. (There has always been some illness or injury that has required missing a day or two from school.) So, in 8th grade, he earns his first B (two actually). And what does he receive? The coveted All Star Award. Imagine that. And he has now come to the conclusion that it is better to maintain A's and B's rather than all A's.

So during the awards ceremony, after he gets his President's Award, I kind of sit back, relax, start daydreaming about what's for dinner; just generally stop paying attention to the ceremony. And I'm half way paying attention to the teacher about to present the next award as she goes on about this wonderful kid and all of his wonderful attributes - his leadership skills, his dedication, blablabla.... - and then she ends with "...and I'm going to miss his smile." and I thought, hey, that could be John Allen. And guess what? It was!!! He was awarded the Fine Arts Award for Strings!!! And guess what else? The Strings teacher had wonderful things to say about him. But I don't exactly know what she said, as I missed it while daydreaming about dinner. But I didn't miss my son, walking across stage, beaming ear to ear with his adorable smile, receiving his Award. And there was one Mama in the audience with tears in her eyes.

Well, lo and behold, surprise again when at the end of the ceremony he received the All Star Award.

All I can say is I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments. He was so deserving of the awards he received.

I sometimes wonder if this child was switched at birth.

Relationships

Each relationshp you have with another person reflects the relationship you have with yourself. -Alice Deville

What's On the Beside Table

So, I've not posted anything in a while, but wanted to share what I've been reading. It is an older book by Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance (which I read years ago, and still periodically read passages from). The title is Excavating Your Authentic Self and it was published in 1998. Several times over the years I've browsed the book at the bookstore, but never bought it because it didn't apply to me. Didn't apply to my life. My authentic self was well and fine, thank you, and didn't need digging up. I mean, it wasn't buried. At least, I didn't think so.

When I picked this book up (from Goodwill) and started reading, I realized how wrong I had been. I completely fit the profile for an authentic self buried. And so. I think I'm going to need a big shovel.

Stay tuned.

This should be interesting.

the babies are here!!!

Look at these precious angels!! My great-nephew, Wallace, and my great-niece, Virginia, born on April 13, 2010, weighing in respectively at 5 lbs. 13 oz. and 5 lbs. 5 oz. Are these not the sweetest little ones you have ever seen????

think,think,think

People who don't think probably don't have brains; rather, they have grey fluff that's blown into their heads by mistake. ~Winnie the Pooh

Yup! Can relate to ole' Pooh Bear today as I dig my way through the grey fluff looking for something close to meaningful thought. So.... think, think, think, I was trying to think of something to wake my sleepy brain and remembered something profound I read (somewhere?). If you sit quietly and listen to your thoughts as they go by... just let them flow... don't judge them... don't get caught up in them... just listen and observe. Then realize that the real YOU is not the person thinking those thoughts... the real YOU, the soul of you, is the "thing" observing the person having the thoughts. I don't know; I tend to think it is just my brain multi-tasking. But performing this act reminds me much of trying to imagine the infiniteness of the universe; the frustration of not being able to clearly imagine infiniteness. I keep going back to "but what is outside the universe?" And my mind becomes boggled. And guess what? This brain exercise defeats the purpose. Because it is a dead end. And dead ends make me..... sleepy.

If the brain were so simple we could understand it, we would be so simple we couldn't. ~Lyall Watson

my name is Kathijane and I am an addict....

Well, I certainly hate to paste this nasty, ugly photo of a burning cigarette into my pretty little blog, but here it is in all its filth (but without the stench). How ridiculous is this? I don't mind the nasty, ugly smoke going into my pretty little lungs, but don't want a picture of it on my blog? Yes, ridiculous! But then, no one has ever claimed addicts are totally rational people. Especially when it comes to their addictions. So, okay, as of now, I am an addict. But in 19 days I will be able to claim myself a "recovering addict." I'm preparing to quit the cigarette habit on May 1st. In doing so, I'm coming face to face with the reality that is "smoking". Facing those things which I've always known, but never wanted to hear. You know, like the fact that the stuff in cigarettes, well it is stuff that shouldn't be going into the human body: butane (think lighter fluid), cadmium (as in batteries), methane (that would be sewer gas), hexamine (barbeque lighter), ammonia (toilet cleaner), methanol (rocket fuel), among other nice things such as nicotine (and accompanying insecticides), arsenic, and carbon monoxide. I mean, I'm not an idiot, because I wouldn't drink lighter fluid, eat a battery, or stick my head in the sewer. But I am an idiot because.... well, smoking... I might as well be doing all those things and then some... downing some rocket fuel while washing my hair with the toilet cleaner. But, what can I say? other than.... I am an addict.

For now, I'm trying to focus on the positives of quitting:

After quitting:

20 minutes Blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature of hands and feet return to normal.

8 hours Nicotine level is now fallen to only 6.25% of normal peak during smoking.

12 hours Blood oxygen level returns to normal.

24 hours Anxieties peak but should normalize within 2 weeks - this is the most critical part, where success depends on this 2 weeks period.

48 hours Damaged nerve endings start to regrow while your smell and taste return to normal; anger and irritability peaks.

72 hours Breathing becomes easier and lungs functional abilities increase with 100% nicotine-free and almost 90% of its by products should have been passed down via urine; symptoms of chemical withdrawal syndrome like restlessness peak.

10 to 14 days Recovery is likely where addiction no longer in place; blood circulation to gum and teeth normalize.

2 weeks to 3 months The risk for heart attack starts to drop and lungs functional begins to improve.

3 weeks to 3 months Blood circulation improves substantially and any chronic cough would have disappear.

1 to 9 months No more fatigue and shortness of breath; cilia have regrow to help to keep your lungs clean and reducing risk of lung infection.

1 year Risk of coronary heart disease dropped to half of a smoker.

1 to 5 years Risk of stroke declined to half of a non-smoker.

10 years Risk of lung cancer declined by half of an average smoker

15 years Risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who never smoked.

brain pushups

From Wellsphere:

We all yawn when we're tired, but who knew that it was actually good for us? In fact, it is essential for maintaining optimal brain health, says neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, MD, director of the Center for Spirituality and the Mind at the University of Pennsylvania.

Yawning triggers neural activity in parts of the brain that control its temperature and metabolism.

Newberg recommends yawning 10 times in a row per day. He claims that combining this ritual with a healthy lifestyle will help you relax more effectively than meditation, stay focused on important ideas and concepts, and generate more compassion and empathy for others.

So here it is almost the middle of April and I have yet to post anything to my blog this month. And the reason is.... because.... because.... I've been, yAwn, exercising my brain. Yup. Incessant yawning as I find myself in one of those sleepyhead-foggy-brained-can't-wake-up periods, sleep walking through life, and all the energy I can muster goes to getting through the day. Nothing excites me, nothing makes me wonder, and there are no creative musings on the world around me. As a matter of fact, I don't think I can wring one ounce of creativity from this old brain.

Which, ironically, does make me wonder... what is creativity all about? That is a subject that has always intrigued me. Why can one be so full of it one day, and the next, it is gone. Poof. Just gone. And no matter what you do, you can't get it back. So you go on about your life, sleepwalking, until just as quickly as it left, poof, it is back! An uncreative dry spell, that is where I am.

But according to Elizabeth Gilbert (you know her - Eat, Pray, Love), creativity or no, you gotta keep showing up. Whether your creativity shows up or not, YOU have to show up. Because one never knows at what moment creativity might sneak back into your life.

So... here I am.... just showing up.

YAwn.

today's Etsy find

I love this necklace by Lau from Hong Kong! Isn't it sweet? Visit her Etsy shop for this and other great jewelry pieces.

almost Easter.

They are hope.
Tiny feet, tiny hands, they are hope.
Naked littles, fuzzy, soft and gentle,
baby blue, baby pink, pink, pink.
To think of them, my heart sings and fills to burst,
tiny feet tiny hands naked babies.
Soft and gentle,
rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.
where have you been tiny ones?

So, it is almost Easter and with it, Springtime! Doesn't that always bring about thoughts of Easter baskets filled with sweetly colored eggs, and little fuzzy spring chicks freshly born? Easter, truly the time of renewal and rebirth, will be especially significant for our family this year as we await the arrival of our own little spring "chicks". My nephew and niece are expecting their first born. And their second born! A boy. And a girl. And our family, well, we keep peering into that Easter basket waiting for the first cracks to appear in the eggs. Waiting. Patiently. Patiently. Patiently waiting. And as the clock tick-tocks away the minutes, the hours, the days until their birth, I am sucked backward in time to the birth of another Spring baby, one who brought this same excitement and joy to our family nest - the birth of the father of these babies-yet-born. My sister's son. My nephew; the first baby who stole my heart. And it is only now that I find the significance in something written about him years ago:

M. M is Easter. I don't know why. He was the first born child of us children. He is sacred. He is an honor. He is Easter chicks and eggs and all pastel colors in a basket. He is softness and honesty and all that is right with the world and yellow ducks and hope. He is hope. And chirping birds, and springtime around the corner. Freshness. Winter is over and thank the Lord! here comes springtime. M.

beware of falling coconuts

Have you ever wondered exactly when, at what age, you begin to feel "grown up?" I mean, I behave like an adult (most of the time), am responsible like an adult (most of the time), live an adult life, but I just don't feel it. That adultness. That knowing, authoritative grace that comes with wisdom, or age, or whatever it is that makes you a real adult. And, oh my gosh!, when I give one of my children direction, or advice, (or a good scolding), I am so glad they don't know what a fake I am. That they don't know I'm not a grown up at all; they are really only talking to just another child person!

So, I've been trying to figure out exactly how you know when you are really an adult, and here is my conclusion:

To begin with, I've always been a little slow. I don't mean physically slow, I mean, slow as in it takes me getting hit in the head with a coconut 39 times before I realize I'm standing under a coconut tree. And realizing that if I will only move over an inch or two, I won't keep getting knots on the head. This doesn't happen because I'm totally ignorant, it's just that between bonks on the head I get so busy with important things, I forget to think about the falling coconuts. But finally, when that 39th coconut drops and my head has become sore enough, it comes to the forefront of my thought that, oh yeah, I need to move from under this tree. So, I move over and all is well. I can now get back to my important things. And I think.... I think.... that you know you are an adult when you don't have to get hit on the head 39 times to know it's time for action. You know after the first coconut, or maybe the second - depending on just how adult you are. And - here is the important part - you realize that those important things you are so busy doing under the coconut tree - well, the coconuts - they are just as important. They are those nagging problems and bad habits that interfere in our living fully; those things we mean to tend to, but don't. The weeds in our garden of life, I suppose. But it is through working out the kinks in our life - pulling the weeds - that we give ourselves room to expand. That we become more than who we were yesterday. That we eventually grow into our true selves. And we become..... a real adult.

in the vineyard

This bracelet, "In the Vineyard", is my latest jewelry creation! I have to declare it one of the prettiest things I have ever made in my entire life!! What do you think?

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.~ Joseph Campbell

making meatloaf

Today, on this beautiful Spring day, I'm cleaning house in preparation for my mother and sister coming for dinner. I'm excited for them to come, and am hoping to start a new "Wednesday dinner" tradition. It would replace a tradition I sorely miss with my family - "Sunday dinner" - something we haven't done since way back when my grandmother was living. Of course, that wasn't actually "dinner", it was "lunch", but us southerners really don't know the difference. And on the subject of southerners, tonight will be a purely simple southern meal: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cabbage, field peas, fried okra, and cornbread, of course. Let's hope I can pull it off without scorching anything!

Anyhow, as I was multitasking - going over tonight's menu in my head, dusting the furniture, while halfway listening to the doom and gloom on FOX News - it occurred to me that, you know, our country is going to be okay. Even though Nancy Pelosi stomped her feet long enough and loud enough, and the dastardly democrats got their way with the health care bill, we're going to be all right. Because the politicians, republicans and democrats alike, well...they are just making meatloaf.

You see, some people put bell pepper into their meatloaf; others detest bell pepper, so they leave it out. But it doesn't matter - bell pepper or no - in the end you've got meatloaf. So, while the democrats want to toss a big pile of handouts into the mix, and the republicans want to leave them out; doesn't matter, it's all just another government loaf. One the U.S. citizenry will have to choke down, regardless of taste. The important thing is that the chefs in D.C. are always changing (many in November, yes!). And they are always going to be making meatloaf of one kind or another. And they can take away the bell pepper, even throw in some carrots, but they can't take away the recipe that is our constitution.

Well, you know. You can tell yourself anything on a beautiful Spring day.

did you know?

It is a law in the State of Georgia that donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs.

today's etsy find

Heather Knight has some awesome ceramics in her Etsy shop. This urchin bowl is one of my favorites!

because of him

I was thinking of my brother-in-law this morning when I awoke; missing him. Realizing how the world changed over a year ago with his death. Sometimes thinking of him causes melancholy to settle into my heart for the day, but not today. Today the thoughts of him are accompanied by joyful delight. And thankfulness. Because at one time, I had him in my life. at one time.

He was the big brother I never had. But did have. Because I had him in my life. And I try to imagine had that not been so, but can't. Can't imagine it. Because I learned so much from him, lessons indelibly tatooed in my soul; life lessons that will carry me through.

He was the person who annoyed the hell out of you by always saying exactly what he thought. Always, and exactly. No matter what. But then, he made you wish to have the courage to be more forthright in your own life. In your own relationships. And I am. Because of him.

He was the person who lived life on his own terms. He spent his hours and days doing exactly what made him happy. He didn't dawdle with the unnecessary. He built his job, one that he loved, around his life; not vice versa, like so many of us. Because of him, I was given that same opportunity, one that I could not have imagined existed for me. But he created it.

His family was his priority. His love. Perhaps most importantly to me, he took care of my sister. He made her happy - most of the time. He was her best friend. She was his. Their relationship one to envy - their togetherness; their oneness. Somehow they had melded and the two was bigger than the one plus one. Now she is learning to be one again. Or, half of two. But because of him, she is becoming much bigger than a half.

And his sons, my nephews, they are the living embodiment of his spirit. He took such joy and pride in his three boys, and he taught them well. Because of him they know how to live rightly. What more could you want from a father?

He gave to others who were less fortunate, and he always gave without want for return. Without any need to be recognized for it. Just because he wanted to. Because he could. And it brought him joy. If I were to guess, I would say that other than his family, doing for and giving to others was one of the biggest joys of his life. That, and golf, and friends. He knew what was important. Because of him, I do too.

And these, these are the things he taught me just by living.

His death? I learned from that too. Learned that life is short. Too short. You gotta' live today. Not next week, or next month, but today. And while you're doing it, love the people around you. That is really all there is.

etsy, chapter two

I'm baaaaaack! On Etsy, that is. My shop is design57 and this is the first item I've listed. Wish me luck with Etsy, Chapter Two.

one snoozin' little doggie

what becomes of beautiful fabric...

I'm just really loving this fabric right now (just like I did two years ago when I bought it). Unfortunately, it is no longer just fabric. It was transformed into pillow covers... two years ago. If only I had some pillows... if only I had a chair:)

pink, green, brown, create!

My craft room is taking shape (above)) and I'm getting a bit more organized. It is difficult to be creative in a plain white room (give me color!), so I'm plotting bringing some color in. These photos of beautiful, functional craft rooms are my inspiration, as are the office supplies purchased from Michael's. I'm hoping to find in my fabric stash enough fabric for curtains and a table skirt. Progress, little by little.


Can't wait to use these file folders! I'll be so organized I will never be able to find anything!

springtime, where are you?

Fat cat nappin' on the windowsill
baby blooms budding on the daffodils
March winds blustering
flitting, fluttering butterflys
bumblebee hums.



(I can dream, can't I)

stand up and be counted. or not.

The 2010 census form arrived in today's mail, only 3 days after receiving notification from the U.S. government that it was on its way. Do you wonder how much that first unnecessary notification cost us? Let's see... Approximately 113,567,967 U.S. households (according to Wiki) times, oh, what do you say? 10 cents each (time/staff to prepare; cost of paper; cost to mail)? Okay, that would be $1,135,676.70. In fact, according to US Infrastructure, the 2010 census will cost us a total of $46.93 per person or $14.5 billion dollars. I hope China has their checkbook ready.

But I have to hand it to the Census Bureau (no pun intended), they don't want to know much about us this year... just name, sex, age, and race. No questions about education, job and income, religious affiliation, or any other intrusive questions. Could it be they know a lot of us have no job? No income? No education? and they don't want to make us feel bad by asking about it? Or do you think they would rather not know? And religious affiliation, are you kidding? They can't even mutter the word "religion." They do, however, ask whether we rent or own our home, and whether or not we have a mortgage. You would think think they would ask how many of us had homes but lost them to foreclosure? (Haystack Commentary suggests the census form should contain a "living in van down by the river" checkbox.)

And once again, homeless people are not people, as reflected in Question 3, asking whether or not you own your home: "In this house, apartment, or mobile home..." So, what about - in this box? or in this car? or in this FEMA trailer?

They do this year seem a bit obsessed with those of Hispanic, Latino and Spanish origin. Question 8: "Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?" These people are instructed to answer both question 8, and question 9 asking for race because "For this census, Hispanic origins are not races." Hmmmm....... For this census??? And don't you wonder why they don't ask about us with European origin??

I was also a little perturbed that my race was defined only by color - "White". Not caucasian, not Anglo, just White. They could have a least defined it as "White American."

Question 10 is the most interesting question: "Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?" Several choice answers are provided for Person 1 including "In jail or prison." Not included is "at my girlfriend's house", "at a hotel", or "living in van down by the river." Interestingly enough, prior to Question 10 is the statement: "Do not count anyone in a jail, prison, detention facility, etc..."

Perhaps the most idiotic question asks "Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include..." Well, as it is March 16, 2010, I don't know. But there is not a checkbox for "I don't know."

Bless Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann's heart, she is refusing to fill out the census form... well, fully fill out the form, that is: According to CBS News:

Bachmann, a Republican, said her family will only be indicating the number of people in the household, because "the Constitution doesn't require any information beyond that."

I'm with Michele. I will stand up and be counted. But I won't answer question 4: "What is your telephone number? We may call you if we don't understand an answer."

where have all the artists gone?

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought. — Jonathan Swift

Having been away from Etsy for a year or so, I was surprised to find how things have changed... even though some things have stayed the same (forum bickering). I was a little disappointed that the merchandise seems to have become more ebayish, yet some of the real artists remain... theblackapple, littleput books (the original Scrabble pendant artist). Yes, Scrabble pendants are still around and being done to death!

I find it interesting that two years ago, Scrabble pendants were the big thing on Etsy, but nowhere to be found anywhere else. Now, I believe they are abundant. Also, Michaels and Hobby Lobby now carry jewelry parts like the original steampunk found on Etsy (ie, pieces that are manufactured to look like watch parts, etc.) And the retail stores carry manufactured resin pendants. I only now am realizing that jewelry design begins in the art world and works it way down, just like clothing begins with the designers, and gets copied, and copied, and copied. How I admire artists with imagination enough to create something new.

All in all, it is my opinion that Etsy has become the new online craft mall, Ebay style. Wonder where all the artists have gone?

did you know?

It is against the law to whale hunt in Oklahoma.
(imagine that)

friends

I hope the day will be a lighter highway
For friends are found on every road
Can you ever think of any better way
For the lost and weary travelers to go

Making friends for the world to see
Let the people know you got what you need
With a friend at hand you will see the light
If your friends are there then everything's all right

It seems to me a crime that we should age
These fragile times should never slip us by
A time you never can or shall erase
As friends together watch their childhood fly

(Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
From the soundtrack Friends)

Laura

I talked with my best friend, Laura, today on the phone. It was the first time we have spoken in two years, and I was afraid our friendship was waning. But as friendships go, we picked right up where we left off two years ago, and our friendship is intact. I indeed feel "everything's all right."

Okay, so how can you NOT talk to your best friend in two years? How can you remain best friends when you have not talked in two years??? Well, all I know is I don't think either of us has had much free time on our hands. And shit happens. And before you know it, shit has taken over your life. I honestly have not had (made) time for friends in the past couple of years. And it sounded very much as though she hadn't either. But I'm vowing to renew our friendship. Because, remember? My word for the year is smile:)

Tomorrow I will post something I wrote about Laura several years ago. I have to dig it up... until then... go hug a friend!

(Photo: Friends Terri, Kathy, Laura, Lynn - bestest buds since childhood)

birds

This is today's Etsy find, original watercolor by artist, Christine Lindstrom. I love her watercolors! You can find her work at mai Autumn at etsy.com. Flitter on over. And take your paypal card:)

Another of her watercolor birds:

tossing and turning...

After having a vanilla latte at 10:00 last night, unable to sleep, my thoughts got caught up on my many imperfections and I was especially drawn to the fact that I have never mastered anything in my life. I have gone down a lot of streets, both career-wise, and hobby-wise, trying this and trying that, but never stuck with any one thing long enough to declare myself a "master" of anything. On the other hand, the few things I have stuck with - marriage, parenting, friendships - I haven't truly mastered. I do believe that as a wife, a parent, a friend, I will always be learning and adapting in these ever-changing life relationships, and will never feel as though I have completely conquered them, nor do I want to. So, I suppose that is the way it is with anything, be it a job, a craft, or a relationship.

It's like this: On day one of my marriage I didn't know much about what it meant to be a wife. I had some ideas, of course, but looking back on it, you could say the ideas weren't exactly on target - actually, they were way off target. Way, way. And after getting over the disappointment of not being treated to a candlelight dinner every night and learning that yes, sex can become a chore, I had to learn how to wife. And I didn't, after 10 or 15 years into my marriage, decide I had mastered the wife thing and declare myself an expert wife. No, I am constantly learning and relearning how to be a wife. And I will continue this until the day I die. So it is with a job/craft - you don't learn it, become good at it, then sit back and declare yourself a master. You continue to learn and become adept; it is a process; it is continuous and infinite. Which leads me to the conclusion that to master anything, you must continue it your entire life. If that is the case, I will never master a career, will probably never master a hobby; but when I die I will have mastered wiving, parenting, and friendship - the only things that are important anyway.

So I can stop judging myself so harshly about starting things and never "finishing". Because, I do finish. I just think that it doesn't appear so to others. The key is that I do something (job, hobby) long enough to learn all I want to learn about it. Then I go on to the next thing that intriques me. My philosophy is "life's too short", and I don't want to die never having tried the things I want to try. So, ultimately, my concerns all lead back to relationships - not jobs, not crafts - but concern over "what others think". And I really should not care what others think. No, I'll just stay true to myself, thank you.

morbid news

New York Daily News (as reported by Yahoo News):

NEW YORK – A police tow truck removed a minivan parked outside a New York City funeral home, giving its dearly departed passenger an unexpected side trip. NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said there was "nothing to indicate it was more than just an illegally parked car." Redden's Funeral Home director Paul DeNigris said a windshield placard had fallen flat. The van's tinted windows helped obscure the white cardboard box that held the remains.

DeNigris said he was "a wreck" after discovering the van missing Monday in Manhattan. He rushed to the tow pound, where he discreetly explained the circumstances and got the van back. He also got body to an airport in time for a scheduled flight to Miami.

He plans to fight the $115 parking ticket.

Do you find it a little obnoxious.... that the body was in a "white cardboard box"???!!! inside a minivan? I mean, whatever happened to caskets and hearses? Or am I being a little old-fashioned to believe that our dearly departed deserve a little more respect than being tossed into a cardboard box and thrown into a minivan like groceries or something? For heavens sake, ice cream gets more respect. At least we do make the effort to rush it to its destination and make sure it arrives safely.

If you read the original news story, the funeral director said he almost "died" when he walked outside and saw the van was gone; hell, I would have been mortified!!!!

new hobby

Okay, I have a new hobby, and I am trying, trying so hard not to become obsessive about it. But I'm having so much fun!

So, what is this latest hobby, you ask (because you can't think of one I haven't tried before)...

I'm learning to make jewelry. Picture on the left, one of the first of my creations. Not very good, but I'm only learning!

So let me ask you this: in this bleak economy where we're struggling to buy groceries, and pay the light bill, what makes more sense than to have a hobby that you can't justify??? You're probably thinking what I was thinking when starting this new pastime - wouldn't this be a great time to learn to do something useful? You know, something that would actually contribute to saving money - like canning food, or sewing, or basket weaving (I do spend a lot of money on baskets). But no, that would be no fun. That wouldn't be a hobby, it would be a chore. Something I had to do. And that isn't what hobbies are about. No, hobbies are about doing something creative and learning a new craft. Hobbies are about engaging in an activity that gives you pleasure. An activity that makes you smile. And if you enjoy it, you continue doing it. And you stop doing it when you stop enjoying it. Or run out of hobby money, whichever comes first.

It's like this... I was talking to an unknown kooky lady in Walmart today. She was shopping for Easter window clingies and they were SO CUTE. And she drew me into her clingie world by telling me all about the Christmas clingies she had and how she had put them on her car windows, and they had done just fine, and how the gel clingies don't do as well on car windows as the regular clingies, and, anyway (did I tell you she was kooky?), I started looking at the clingies with her and thought, you know, I need some of these clingies for my kitchen windows. So after she and I decided just which clingies were the cutest, I bought two sets. One with a bunny rabbit holding an Easter basket, and one with lots of cute, brightly colored, Springy Easter eggs (my kitchen windows look so adorable - even the neighbors' cat thinks so, but that's another story). But the point is this - as the lady and I discussed while clingie-shopping - it is especially important during this time when the nation is on the brink of a depression, that we continue to live our lives normally. That we don't give up everything that makes us smile just for the sake of a few extra groceries. That we spend $2.00 on clingies.

And so, that is how I justify a new hobby.

And I don't know who that lady was, but she is probably at this very moment blogging about the kooky lady she shopped with in Walmart today.

Today's Bargain

Determined to this year save money and live below budget, today I went grocery shopping armed with coupons and grocery lists for three different chains - just the specials please! Today's bargain was hamburger helper - six boxes for under $2.00! (99 cents a box, BOGO, plus $1.00 coupon off three.) Mi amour, hamburger helper.

Now I realize that I spent all day grocery shopping - the morning spent clipping and organizing coupons, scanning the online grocery ads, making lists for three different stores. Then making the trip to three stores, loading up the groceries, dragging them home and putting them away. Now, as I look at the full pantry shelves, I wonder what I'm stockpiling for. I mean, who really needs four boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, or six boxes of Hamburger Helper? In this lifetime? So what was today's shopping really all about?

I have a theory. Shopping for groceries (a legitimate need) would allow me to get started right away with saving money. You know, I'm like that. I want to do something, I want to do it NOW. So ridiculous as it is, I spent $100 so I could get started with saving money. Madness.

Herd it Through the Grapevine

Old, but intriquing news:

Last March, "60 Minutes" traveled to the Central African Republic to report on research into the "secret language of elephants." Scientists are monitoring and recording the sound and behavior of rare forest elephants to try to piece together a dictionary.

Don't you wonder what the name of that dictionary will be???

Today's Weather

Winter has swept in with a high today in the 30's. Spent most of the day trying to stay warm. We have a nice little fire going in the woodburning stove and the family is snug in the "cottage". What could be more cozy?

Smile, It's a New Year

What better way to start the new year than with a new blog, resolving to share more of my self this year. My word for the year is Smile - setting the tone for 2010 to have more fun, play a little, and stop taking life so seriously. I hope to continue the journey begun last year of simplifying my life , finding joy and beauty in the every day, and being mindful of it all. For you, a smile, and a Happy New Year!