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Yesterday, artists contributed to my other blog, Thursday Sweet Treat. The many talented artists that participated were asked to create something in response to the theme Sublime Sunset. I invite you to check it out because the creations were incredible. They make you want to shake off the winter and celebrate Spring and Summer. Here is the link: http://thursdaysweettreat.blogspot.com/2009/01/stellar-artists-capture-beauty-of.html

This week I was so inspired by the work I had seen in the last two weeks that I decided to take a baby step toward making one of my dreams come true. I am the proud owner of over 18 filled journals. Journal writing helps me to make sense of life and keep my favorite memories in one place. I have always dreamed of making my own and this week I did. It is a small step in the direction I want to go in but a step nonetheless. This picture is the cover of it. Here are the words…

As the day draws to a close, the sun slips quietly
from its perch and a parade of colors – pink, l
avender, and ice blue – follow. It is in this
moment that I recount the day’s events and
make an important choice.
For I will not hang my emotions upon the things
that went wrong, nor will I let my mood
sour thinking of the ways my life is lacking.
Instead, I will celebrate the people I
know– both new and old – who add color
to my life. I will drink in the beauty
of life all around me letting the
sunset set my imagination ablaze,
and allow each gorgeous moment that
passes to fill me with magical electricity
that even fireflies will admire.
Then, using my two hands, my heart and my
mind, I will gather what I learn and
create gifts for the world in celebration of
every dazzling moment I am given. I will dream
and I will create long after the sky has grown
dark, the moon has kept watch and the
colors begin to appear again.

Oh and one last thing…the “Life is too short…Framed Wall Art” that I shared with you last week was featured on two great blogs…I invite you to check out – Audrey’s Country Crafts and RipperArts.
Tell me…is there something you have always wanted to do? Is there one step you can take toward it?

I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to do and then making plans. I create goals for my daughter, things that she and I can work on such as reading more books or getting more comfortable with potty time. My husband and I have goals, things we want to accomplish for our home, our marriage and our daughter. Professionally I have goals- where I want to take my business and when I’d like to try new venues. And I have some personal ones however they are often pushed by the wayside, especially if things go nuts like everyone gets sick or projects pop up out of the blue.

“Me time,” – that’s what I need to schedule. I am beginning to realize that without it I get into a funk. I don’t want people to see me because then I feel like no fun or if I’m really low I want to hide out from myself.

Recently I’ve been working so hard that “Me time” has been out thrown right out the window. That’s going to change.

I am going to read more – and that means more than a few minutes hiding in the bathroom or riding the subway.

Journaling will happen more even if it means writing – “People suck” on the bad days and “I love the human race” on the good ones.  I need to put pen to paper or I get all out of whack.

I am going to exercise more than my brain. It’s easy to sit at the computer and eat M&M’s but I need a little bike time and some yoga…man, I love yoga.

A little bad TV time needs to happen – like Big Love, Flight of the Conchords or Brothers and Sisters.

A trip to Hawaii – no really maybe not today but I’m working on this one!

These are just a few of the things I am going to build into my daily routine. There’s nothing selfish about “Me time” either. It’s actually a benefit to your health because it reduces stress…not that any of us have that! (Insert wink and laughter here)

What about you? Do you have “Me time”? When was the last time you did something nice just for you? What are you longing to do?

My lovely, talented blogging buddy, Trish, who is working hard to make the dreams she once put away come to life now, just gave me this “fabulous” blog award. Isn’t it fun? I’m so honored to receive it. Thank you, Trish! I am required to share 5 addictions with you (that should be easy, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate hahaha) and choose 5 people to give award to. So here goes – my 5 addictions are:

1. M&M’s (I told my sister-in-law this weekend that my husband may soon have an intervention with me due to said M&M addiction. I can’t help myself!)

2.Cheese – honestly it’s almost impossible for me to have a sandwich without it and …I like it by itself sometimes…just a slice here and there.

3.Thursday Sweet Treat – I love meeting the people who are submitting and joining. I want to meet more and learn more!

4.Kisses and hugs – my daughter gets more kisses and hugs than anyone. I’m sure she’s like, “Mom enough. I know I’m awesome and all..” hahahaha

5.Books – I am 100% addicted to reading and I don’t get nearly enough time but I dream of days lying in bed reading books!

The 5 people I give this award to are:
1. Bookwormz  – http://bookwormzreader.blogspot.com/ is a fun new blog by a spunky, little lady who loves all things books and has created a “Book Worm”.

2. Curiousmess - http://www.curiousmess.com/ is a colorful, inspiring blog created by a woman who is creating from the heart.

3. 365 Letters – http://365lettersblog.blogspot.com/ is an awesome blog that gets you back to that more intimate form of communication, letter writing. How can you not love that?

4. Persistent Green – http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/ is a thought-provoking, creative blog created by a super talented artist and writer looking to build her creative dreams.

5. Irish O’Connor – http://irisoconnor.blogspot.com/ is a new blog filled with interesting tidbits by a ridiculously witty, and talented woman living in Ireland who loves art and books alike.

Ok, I’ve shared mine. Now tell me your addictions!?!

Not share this with you. This was the “Explosive Celebration” piece that I created for the Thursday Sweet Treat. Please check out the other work that was submitted.

It’s the little things in life that make me happy. I know it’s cliché but it’s so true. This idea was called to attention when my daughter got excited about this new card. She applauded as she looked at it saying, “Flowers” although it comes out more like “Fowers”. She wanted to pick them!

I love the flowers on this but I also love a ton of little things like:

-when the toilet paper is hung up right (you know how some people like to pull it off the roll over the top and some like it under? I’m an under.)

-when you are craving a piece of chocolate and there is one M&M left in the bag

-when you are thirsty and there’s a little bit of your favorite drink left in the fridge – enough for one glass.

-warm, knitted socks

-the scarf that protects you when Jack Frost is nippin’ at your tush

-that last scrap of wrapping paper that just fits that box

-that perfectly timed smile on the day when everything is going wrong

-the right words when you needed a sign to let you know you are going in the right direction

These are just some of the things that make me happy.

What little things make your life better?

As we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the eve of a new President taking office, I find I am inspired. These men, like many men and women throughout history, had a dream of where they wanted to be and, no matter what the cost, they let nothing stand in their way as they pursued it. In that, I find inspiration.

There are many people who are willing to compromise their beliefs for the right price or the right amount of power. Those who do such things are willing to let the white noise of Washington or naysayer’s anywhere drown out their voices. And there are those, like the two men we will celebrate this week, who will not.

I had a dream of stepping out on my own and pursing my dream for far longer than I care to admit and what held me back was fear. I stood in my own way. Today, I am working harder than I have ever worked either personally (raising my daughter and maintaining my family) or professionally (starting my business) at anything and the main reasons for that are my daughter and our little family. Everyday that I watch my little one repeat a word or learn how to put something together I am reminded of the hard work takes just to grow and become who we will become. I am reminded of the sheer determination it takes to walk, talk, eat, etc. I want her to know that she can do anything in this lifetime.

I watched my husband build his dream and everyday he continues to do so. As I he learns, grows and moves forward I am reminded of the power of passion. When you are passionate about what you do, you will work harder to give your dream wings.

As my friends raise their children, I marvel at the love it takes to bring your dream to life and tackle all of the hurdles that come with it. I am inspired by the willpower it takes to battle through the days when you feel like you’re just not cut out for anything and the joy – the overwhelming joy – that’s shared on the days that life reminds you that the most important thing we have is one another.

The artists and writers that I have met over the course of the last year in life and in the blogging world and those I recently met who are challenging themselves to create new works of art using new mediums as part of Thursday Sweet Treat have inspired me to try and to be ok if I fail. The strength it takes to go out on a limb and try and try and try is incredible.

These are just some of the people who inspire me every single day. They remind me to keep going, keep trying, keep loving, keep dreaming and above all else no matter what challenges may come – never, ever give up.

Are you living your dream? Who inspires you and keeps you motivated to keep going time and again?

I don’t watch a ton of TV. I’ll admit that I have my nights like Thursday when I watch shows like Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy and Sunday when I tune in for a little Desperate and Brothers & Sisters. I am also addicted to various HBO original series. Aside from that, I don’t watch much however, I do crave TV the way I crave comfort food. I crave it like a friend I invite over and then hold hostage – not that I do that often or ever.

When I am working, I will keep the TV on but it’s on mute. It’s not in my line of sight and yet I have to have a specific channel on – NY1 during the day. Then at 7pm, regardless of whether I am watching it or not I have to put on The Simpsons and Seinfeld. Oh and if my brother stops by for lunch I always turn on All My Children – the soap our grandmother watched religiously. Granted now when we watch we might substitute the actor’s dialogue for something else, something naughty and laugh about what would happen if for one day this soap was on cable but either way, it has to be on.

Some people listen to music (and dance around to it like a mad woman when alone – is that just me?) but I keep the TV on – on mute. Crazy?? Don’t answer that.

What rituals or quirky habits do you have when you work or when you are simply home alone?

I am a Mom, wife, writer, artist, small business owner, daughter, sister, friend and nutcase, among many other things. As such, I try to find balance in my life. It is a continual struggle. Often times I find myself feeling as though someone or something is not getting the time or attention it needs and deserves – not enough play time with my daughter, not enough quality time with my husband, not enough time with family and friends, not enough time promoting my business and so on. Does that mean that I don’t know how to balance things or is it like that quote, “Life is what’s happening while you’re planning for it”?

Several fabulous people used the word “balance” when talking about their hopes for the New Year and that made sense to me. To my mind, part of balancing is planning and yet the things that we plan sometimes have this way of going awry. Recently, my life has felt like nothing I plan happens the way I anticipated thus I am left juggling more than I bargained for. I will be working on an order when my daughter decides she needs me right now. Or I will plan to call a friend when a family member calls or drops by and needs a chat. And let’s not even mention getting sick! I mean does that screw things up or what?

I’m still not great at it but I’m working on being kind to myself and rolling with it when things get crazy. However, I would LOVE to know if you ever feel overwhelmed by all there is to do or by the curveballs life throws your way. I’m learning to look at those curveballs as little gifts that have the potential to lead to big adventures but it’s a work in progress.

Whether you are balancing raising a family with working, starting a new business, planning a wedding, dealing with family and trying to save money or some other situation, we are all balancing something. With that in mind, I’d love to hear any tips, ideas, or advice you have on how you balance the main aspects of your lives and stay sane.

So far I have:

1. Plan

2. Be kind and make time for you

3. When all else fails, drink …hahaha just kiddin’….kinda hahahaha

I truly look forward to hearing from you!

My daughter’s artwork November 2008

In the middle of working on a new project this weekend, I stopped to take a break. As I leaned back, I found myself focusing on a piece of artwork made by my daughter. These may look like simple scribbles but to me these lines make up a piece of artwork that is and always will be priceless.

My daughter made this in November 2008. It was not the first time she colored on a piece of paper but it was the first time she finished her coloring and then handed it to me like a gift. It was such a big gesture from a little person who was only 19 months at the time. I immediately hung it up and found myself thinking about the gifts I used to make for my Mom.

There was the eyeglass case I made for her that was big enough to hold a toaster. I wanted her to have it despite the fact that she did not wear glasses. Or the ceramic ashtray I brought home from after school art class despite the fact that she did not smoke. There were many others but my favorite gift to my Mom was a seashell necklace. It was a gorgeous desert colored shell and it had the most perfect hole right at the top through which I strung a piece of string that my Dad had given to me.

My Mom kept all the things I made but years later when she pulled out that necklace I felt the same sense of pride and happiness as I did that day. There is something incredible about sharing a gift that you made with someone else. When you take the time to create something with them in mind, it makes it that much more special. It is truly a gift from the heart.

With all this talk of corporate giants, too much money and, in some cases, greed, it feels more important than ever to share the warmth of ourselves with others.  You don’t need to be a professional crafter, artist or writer to do so either. Anything you create, be it little trinkets or handmade notes, will be considered unforgettable tokens of our affection by those you love.

When is the last time you made a gift for someone? Or what is your favorite gift from your child? Do you remember making things for your parents? If so, what was your favorite gift?

 This frame design was originally part of a custom order. I took the design, changed it and made it with my daughter in mind this time

Every year during the month of November, we spend the month or a week or maybe just Thanksgiving Day giving thanks. But what about the rest of the year? Today, I started  thinking about how much I enjoyed sharing what I was thankful for and hearing what you were thankful for this past November. I realized that I was thinking about it as though it were something I had to wait another year to experience. However, we can all give thanks at any time of the year and right now, I’m feeling thankful so I’d like to share.

I am thankful for all of the amazing people I have in my life. From family to friends to you, I am thankful that I met all of you. I love each person for a different reason. Some are wickedly funny while others are fantastic listeners and advice givers but all are so generous with their heart. That’s what I was thinking about as I created this card. The fact that family, friends and even you see all of my fabulousness (hahaha) as well as my faults and still share with me…well, that’s amazing.

Who are the special souls in your life? Why are they amazing? Have you told them you think they are amazing?

The second thing I am thankful for are the students in Kat’s grammar school class who have recently been visiting. Kat reads them this blog from time to time and then they discuss what’s here. The insight and heart that these young souls have to share is inspiring. Just read some of their thoughts on hope:

Ryan: “my family fills me with hope with the way they love me”

Kaii: “my baby sister fills me with hope when she plays with me when i get home from school”

Elizabeth: “god fills me with hope, because he watches over us”

Jasmine: “my friends fill me with hope because they care about me”

What beautiful contributions they have made…just like the ones all of you make. I’m so thankful for all of it.

So tell me, what are you thankful for today?