Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
I'm too old to to do this
My 5-year-old son, took a
few classes of gymnastics this summer. One of the things he learned
there was a handstand (with support). For the next few days, he was
constantly practicing his new skill, most of the time without anybody
to spot him, which didn't make me feel too comfortable, but there is
no stopping him. We settled on a couple of places where there was
more open space and floor was covered with a rug.
One day, with my husband
and I in the room, he started practicing again and I said that I used
to do that in my gym class. Hmm.. that would mean last time I did
that was about 19 years ago.. I should have expected he would ask me
to show it to him. My immediate response was “Well, it's been so
long ago, I don't think I can do that anymore” while picturing
myself falling on my head and hurting my neck or whatever else. My
husband smiled at me and said “Oh, come on, I'll spot you.”
Great.. Why did I say
anything about it? Now if I don't try, my husband will think I
don't trust him, and my son will be disappointed. That's not a
lesson I want to teach my child.
“OK, fine, I'll try it,
but I'm really not sure I can do that anymore.”
So the first time was a
failure. I did not push off hard enough.
I tried again. To my
greatest surprise, I did it! My husband caught my feet just in time
so I would not fall over. For a good few seconds, I was standing on
my hands.
Really? I was able to do
that? I was not too old to do that?
Ok, so I'm 36 and I don't
consider myself old-old. However, doesn't having 2 kids, a husband,
a house, a 9-5 job and all the responsibility that comes with it,
make you kind of old? If it was not for my son's asking me about
doing a handstand, I would never actually consider doing it. But
really, WHY NOT?
And it occurred to me,
that being “old” is a big excuse so many of us use because we are
afraid to try and fail.
What if I was not able to
do the handstand? Well, then I would have known that yeah, my skill
is gone, but at least I tried and now I know. It surly would not
mean that I am old.
Sure, there are still
things I do not try even when my son asks me to.
“Can you burp loud?” -
Maybe, but that's not the behavior I care to endorse.
“Can you lift this
couch?”. So my back is bad (I'm still not old), and the couch is
heavy. .. I know my limitations. If I want to stay active with the
kids, I better stay away from things like that.
So here's what my son
taught me:
“Never use your old age as
an excuse for not trying. Instead, use your years of life
experiences to be smart in what you are trying.”
So make a goal, try something different today - something you might not normally do. Maybe even a handstand***.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Get Inspired #2 - I know the sunshine is coming...
I know the sunshine is coming...
Collection inspired by Black and Silver Glass Pendant Necklace from SNLCreations.
Black White Baby Mobile by SweetDreamsBabyShop
Black and Silver Glass Pendant Necklace by SNLCreations
Black and Silver Fantasy Bookmark by WhispySnowAngel
Black Rose Cameo Pearl Necklace by BijouxEmmElle
Black Yellow Asymmetrical flower necklace by JoolaDesigns
Sunflower iPhone Case by SoulCenteredPhotography
Minimalist Photography, Butterfly by LongForgotten
Monster Pillow, Black and Yellow by WildRabbitsBurrow
Black and Yellow Cupcake liners by SugarFoxShop
Cherry Blossoms Pillow Cover by PookieandJack
Erin - Black & Yellow Satin Headband by BrittneyLeona
Goldfinch inspired black & yellow clip by VioletsBuds
Coin Purse Floral Change Purse by CreativeJenV
Yellow and Black 8x12 iron gate heart by PhotosOnTheRun
Yellow and Black Dot Birthday Pillowcase dress by DesignsByThem
Elegant Black and White Table Number by evelynne99
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Animals in The Handmade World
Animals are always a great inspiration in the world on handcrafting.
My selection of some of them from the great artists from FMNDDTeam on Etsy.
Needle Felted Rabbit by Stitchcrafts
Rainbow Snake Scarf by practicallyfrivolous
European Squirrel, original watercolor painting by ORIGINALONLY
Two Little Flowerpot Mice by QuernusCrafts
White Cat Button Ponytail Holders by WhispySnowAngel
Hand Hooked Rug - The Loon by SNLCreations
Cute fluffy owl hand knitted baby booties by fabiusmaximus
Ladybug Door Hanger Pillow by PookieandJack
Phone Case - Bald Eagle by SoulCenteredPhotoart
Butterfly Die Cuts by UniquesStashNStuff
Kitty Note Card - blank by PiecesOfMePaperCraft
Mini Oil Lamp no.1 by RFColorfulCreations
Kids Soaps - Cat and Mouse by LostRiverRags
Reusable Lunch Bag - Elephant by TheGreenHaven
Blank Notecard with Envelope - Lab by PalmerUnionDesign
Easter Bunny Basket Magnet by JansCraftShop
Sponsored by send bulk email from excel.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
I went biking and my head got clear
It was my day off from work. Kids were in school or day care. I decided that it's a great day to try out my new bike. I have not been on a true bike ride (without kids) for few years now. So I changed, got my water ready, cell in hand only to realize my bike does not have a water bottle holder and I have no pockets for cell phone. Sure, I could have taken a backpack, but that's not really comfortable... So, I drank as much water as I could, put the cell phone aside, and jumped on the bike (with my helmet on). No, I don't need a lecture on dehydration and what if I get into trouble and need to contact somebody. I was just set on going.
I had a beautiful ride. This bike was seriously going almost by itself (at least on the flat surface and downhill). Finally, somebody came up with the handles that are comfortable for my hands without giving me carpall tunnel pain. It was worth the expense. For those curious, it's Cannondale Quick. I can't say the same about the seat.. need to get a gel seat cover or something.
So, I was zooming on the Dutchess Rail Trail. The weather was beautiful. Windy enough to cool me off, but not to bather me too much. Sure, my legs were hurting and I got a bug in my mouth (thank goodness for sunglasses though) but I felt great. I was afraid to stop in case my legs would give in and not let me go back on the bike (after all, I did not have a cell to call for help). I ended up doing about 18 miles, non-stop in about 1.5 hrs. Yes, I did walk at the very end, but seriously, who could bike up that steep hill that leads to my house. Well, my husband would, but let's get back to my story.
During my ride, I had lots of time to think about things that are going on in my life. One of them, of course had to be my crafting business. I'm really happy where I am right now. I started it at the end of year 2012, but really, didn't define what I want to do until just recently. From that point, I really think I made big progress. But I was thinking about this blog.
I created this blog to promote my business because this is what you do. You write clever posts to attract buyers, who see you have a shop and they fall in love with your things and you make lots of sales.. Arghm.. nope.. I realized, I have nothing to write to "attract" buyers. When I was on my bike, I had a big a-ha moment. I need to STOP thinking about this blog as a tool for promoting my business. I need to start having fun with it. I'm going to write about things that are interesting to me, things that are going on in my head and are asking to be typed up.
So what if nobody reads it. If somebody finds it interesting and/or helpful or whatever, woot! woot! Let me know and you'll make my day! But my main goal is to have an outlet for the many things going on in my head, and simply writing about things I love.
When I get a chance to take a picture of me on my new bike, I'll add it to this post!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Get Inspired - Sea Me Blue
Can you tell I really want to go on vacation? My summer vacation to Bermuda is getting closer and closer! If you're stuck in an office like me, here's what you can do when nobody is looking...
Sit down and get comfortable... close your eyes...
(wait, read this first, and then try to remember what this says, and then do it)
Forget the deadlines.. forget the email you have to answer... picture blue... hmm... so many shades.. sea blue.. sea...
I can see the movement, the waves... the waves gently stretching onto the sand... You can feel the warmth of the sun on your face.. Shhhhh... Shhhh...
The seagulls are squawking in the distance... Shhhh.. Shhhh... The warm water is reaching your feet...
One of the seagulls is getting closer, carried by the warm wind.. Shhhh... Shhhh... It's getting closer and closer... "What? What do you want?" you say to the seagull as it squeals loudly in your ear and pokes you hard with its beak on the shoulder.
Yep, that's really your boss shaking your arm and asking you to come and see him in his office.
On second thought, don't do this at work. I'm considering marking this post "not appropriate for viewing while at work".
"Sea Me Blue" by TwistedThreadAndHook - Inspired by Studio70Seven's necklace. (wait, read this first, and then try to remember what this says, and then do it)
Forget the deadlines.. forget the email you have to answer... picture blue... hmm... so many shades.. sea blue.. sea...
I can see the movement, the waves... the waves gently stretching onto the sand... You can feel the warmth of the sun on your face.. Shhhhh... Shhhh...
The seagulls are squawking in the distance... Shhhh.. Shhhh... The warm water is reaching your feet...
One of the seagulls is getting closer, carried by the warm wind.. Shhhh... Shhhh... It's getting closer and closer... "What? What do you want?" you say to the seagull as it squeals loudly in your ear and pokes you hard with its beak on the shoulder.
Yep, that's really your boss shaking your arm and asking you to come and see him in his office.
On second thought, don't do this at work. I'm considering marking this post "not appropriate for viewing while at work".
Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.
My Etsy teammates are also in the "vacation" mood as they put together beautiful sea and ocean inspired collections:
Here's one from Suzanne and Melissa
"Coastal Blue" by PookieandJack (Suzanne and Melissa)
Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.
And another sea inspired collection from my Etsy teammate, Rosy:
"Sea inspired blues" by Rosy B
Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.
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