Blog hopping and old dreams

My mom's computer was having issues, so we packed it up and took it to be looked at. Which meant I brought out my laptop, which has been packed since August. On it, amongst other things, I found all of my favorite bookmarked blogs.

I spent a good portion of today and yesterday getting caught up. Plowing through tons of posts and photos. Ooooing and ahhhhing at the homes and crafts and art. I sighed a BIG sigh.

A few years ago Tammy and I started an Etsy shop and a blog. I had big dreams of a great online following, selling treasures I found, and having a blog with a 1000 readers. Tammy and I hit the Farm Chicks show and our dreams got even bigger. But, selling on Etsy was hard then (even harder now with the RIDICULOUS number of resellers on there- not even vintage or remotely handmade). I scoured flea markets and thrift stores, got a stock pile together, planned on a website, an LLC... and then... life got in the way. Things that I loved didn't sell. We moved to Maine. There wasn't as much time or energy to really get anything off the ground. I closed the Etsy shop. I sold some stuff, other stuff went to Good Will before the recent move back to Pennsylvania.

SIGH.

Looking through these blogs gives me the urge again. Sort of. I acknowledge that getting an internet business off the ground takes a lot of work. Daily posts, connecting, networking, giveaways and all that stuff. Branding yourself, finding a niche. I don't know what mine would be these days... I am so OVER the white trend, the "French is better than everything" theme, the blogs that do nothing but repost other people's photos (and get tons of attention and comments). I don't get it.

SIGH.

But, and there is a but, the urge is there. To go thrifting and searching and hoarding. I love old stuff, old bits of metal and paper and books. Buttons and ribbons and old photos. I still have visions of a general store, with boxes and jars filled with all kinds of mixed media junk. Ack!! it's a sickness!!

So tell me, what kind of shop would you start? What kind of shop do you wish you could find? What would you buy and sell? Do tell.

Merry Christmas

I hope you and your family enjoy the season!

 

 

 Our annual gingerbread house.

My Irish twin, celebrating her birthday on 12/23. We are the same age until Feb 12!

 

What did Santa bring you?

Love and Despair

I didn't know what to title this post. I'm not sure what to say. With yet another school shooting, there is much grief this season.

So much grief in the time of year when we celebrate the amazing gift our Lord gave to us, his only begotten Son. And yet, in Connecticut, there are parents suffering the most horrendous loss one can imagine. Or can't imagine, really. I can't even wrap my head around it. I can't watch it. It makes me cry.

I am sad for those kids and adults who were shot down. I am sad for the shooter, such a sad and lost soul. It seems like just another example of mental health issues that could not be treated. Or were not addressed for lack of funding or availability.

And yet, imagine all those souls, bathing in the glory of God! I imagine their guardian angels, lined up, waiting to embrace their souls. I imagine God welcoming them home. Not just the victims, but the shooter also. In my heart of hearts, I know this is what happened. I know these children and adults are just fine. I can only hope that someday their parents and families will know this too. In this great sea of despair, I know God can bring them comfort.

I will hug my bristly, shaved head boys today. I will kiss my husband. I will tell my parents and siblings how much I love them.

I will continue to pray for all those involved in the shooting. The children, the adults, their families. I pray for the soul of the shooter too. For his father and brother. They all need it. We all do.

I will pray for an intelligent and tolerant discourse on gun control. The right to bear arms doesn't neccesarily need to be a free-for-all. It can be intelligently and thoughtfully done.

Hugs, Lee

Woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Where the heck has the time gone??

Well, let me fill you in. First, I have been seriously going through creative withdrawal! I had all of these idea for Christmas gifts, ornaments, etc.... Whoooooooooosh- right out the window they went. Nothing accomplished. Nada.

The reality is, I won't do much until we buy a house. It's just I need quiet time and the ability to spread out to get anything done. So, I'll keep reading my Somerset Studio and drool.

The kids are adjusting. Jason may have ADD. He tends to wander around in class during free time. He does just fine one on one and in small groups, though. I'm not sure what to do to help him. I'm just glad he's in a small charter school.

Adam is doing well, except suffice it to say we're having bathroom issues... like holding issues. KWIM?? Add that to a fever and cold = one ugly picture. Miralax daily anyone??

Everyone in the household is sick, which landed my Mom is the hospital until about 10 minutes ago. COPD is unforgiving. So, if you smoke, try to quit. And keep trying. Over and Over. Because Miss COPD will bite you in the proverbial @ss one day.

Best of all- the boys have lice. Seriously. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. We have never had this issue, and I wouldn't have even had known to look except that last week, when I picked up son #2 with a fever from school, I heard the school nurse talking to a parent on the phone about it. I looked online for images and info, then when looking in the boys' hair. Yup. Lice. Oh- and that was Sunday. Monday I spent the day in the ER with Mom (see above), waited until she was admitted, then had a job interview at 1 p.m. at the same place. In my barn clothes. With no makeup on. SIGHHHHHHHHHHHH.

So, two shaved heads  and two doses of Nix, we still have live ones every day. I had to go out and buy a magnifying lamp so I can see the damned things. And then I nit-pick- literally.

The good news is, while I may be going blind trying to see lice, I will have a cool lamp to use when I make something crafty. Someday. Maybe.