Time for a new book.

I have been toying with the idea that it is time to turn the page in my own book so to speak. Wondering if it was out of fear or excited about what it might be. A waning creative drive helped make the decision. No, last year was not a "great" year for me but it was my year and I have to own it. No amount of talking or tears will help me see something I need to do any clearer. 

The definition of me is first and foremost a mom.  I have three wonderful children that don't need any more hand holding. As they have grown older my definition hasn't changed, I remain a mom. While I have spent time out volunteering and sewing, a little bit of side work as a preschool teacher and a few other odd jobs, I haven't committed myself to anything because of the children. In someways I have lost the definition of myself. The girl that graduated college in 3 years..because she was driven and more importantly motivated somehow morphed into someone I don't recognize. 

All of this leads to a great deal of change and anxiety. Of course this economy is not conducive to taking my time and or my choice of career paths. Going back to school full time to pursue something I might like seems duly daunting. And so here I am realizing...its not only time to turn the page but probably time for a new book. My husband supporting me as I take each new step. My children needing a new role model for what their future may be. 

All of this being said, I wanted to take time to express my absolute gratitude to all of you who have supported me over the past two years. Your gentle words and packages in the mail have provided such sweet memories and kindness. I am truly thankful. 

On Monday, I open up the new book that has been placed before me and start training to become a medical assistant. Three full months of classroom work and study. Something I haven't done in years. To be fair, I am more than a little afraid but I am excited to be getting out of the old and learning to embrace the new. 

I know it is always a little bit sad when I finish a book, fear of missing time spent with the characters, but it is just as exciting to find another book and begin a new journey.

Thank you for this journey.

Interruptions

When your house if full of clutter and there is a mess of tinsel in every room. When all the minutes of the day are accounted for shuffling kids around. When finals are looming for your high school-er. What do you do? You drop everything. We have a standing rule at our house. When someone offers you tickets to a KU game you always take them.

This building is so rich with history you get goosebumps even before the players come on the court.

The entire Fieldhouse sways to the Alma Mater.

So many banners hang from the rafters you get dizzy from looking.

Because sometimes you have to drop everything...for the best interruptions.

I love basketball season.

Rock Chalk

A big mess...

Eight baseball games. 

One came in second the other came in first!

Ten Shrubs trimmed.

Fall mums planted.

Perennial garden winterized. 

Two trips to the gym to run out some stress.

Something had to give...

There is a giant mess on my sewing table. Lori's quilt along in progress.

Hexis sewn in the bleachers this weekend along with some amazing mail.

A new tool that has revolutionized my sewing.

Where has this tool been all my life?

I am itching to sew some of my newest fabrics.

A Spoonful...

After years and years of trying to work through an ulcer, my ulcer won. Foods that I have loved like tomatoes and oranges, pineapples, anything high in acid have had to be removed and replaced. Hello, bland banana. Decaf coffee, oh how I wish you had that zing. Most of all my once a day glass of Dr. Pepper. My only vice. I stopped drinking alcohol years ago but my love of Dr. P has been hard to break. On top of it all I broke out in a four day spree of migraines. Yeah me...head pain that can only be described as an old drill that someone manually churns into the corner of your eye socket for hours on end. 

A week later...I have found fantastic changes. My Dr. Pepper is being replaced with tea and natural honey decaf of course. I am loving my juicer with a bit more bland juice. Best of all my boys are joining me at the gym. Tonight its Racketball with my oldest. 

I haven't slept this well since I was a teen and I am slowly gaining energy. I have already dropped a medication under Dr. Dan's care. 

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. I love all the sweet comments. I am going to take this last weekend and heal to 100% and get back to blogging next week. 

The shop is open again.

Thank you...and more.

Thank you all for such lovely birthday wishes. I am so blessed. Unfortunately we have a family illness that requires me to take a small break from blogging. I will be back as soon as I can. 

Candles...

Another year...another candle. I remember each day my children were born and how magical it was to have them in my arms. My mother tells a very different story. I was born in the heat of summer over due by days and in order for me to come into this world my mother packed her bags and arrived at the hospital demanding my removal. I have always been a daddy's girl. 

My best friend, a baker extraordinaire bakes me what ever I want every year. Thank you Amy the spritz cookies are disappearing very fast.

My birthday gals have taken their places.

And the nicest surprises arrived in the mail.

Charming tissue flowers.

With beautiful details.

A huge surprise.

From a favorite artist and friend. I am in awe of the beauty and thought that each little stitch holds.

Heather's shoppe

Miss Heather of Vintage Grey has gifted me the most beautiful friendship and gifts.

Handmade to perfection.

Thank you Heather.

I find that my children have to stand in my doorway and demand my removal from said sewing room every now and then in the event of dinner, practices and more. Full circle?

School days...

The first day of school. Early mornings. Quiet afternoons. Busy evenings. This first week can be exhausting, exciting and...overrated. 

Jotting down a few notes and happy to have a schedule again.

The water is calling...

The water is calling like no other year before. It has been two very long years since we last visited our favorite state away from home. This will be our first time to visit the great Lake Michigan. We have been so fond of Lake Superior. 

Miles of sandy beaches with cool breezes I can feel already.

Every day is Mother's Day in Michigan....say no more.

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I have plotted out the beach path for beach glass.

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My wonderful friend from Michigan, Kim of Musings of Kim K. has helped me plot out the antique stores.

The packing commences tomorrow morning. 

Our animal and house sitter arrives early next week. 

It is a good thing KU basketball keeps me coming home to Kansas or might just have to stay in Michigan.

See you all on August 7th.

Remember

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The National WWI Memorial Museum in our hometown of Kansas City.

Upon entering the museum you cross a glass bridge that hangs above a field of poppies.

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Mending Monday continues tomorrow.

Saving for a Vacation

September means we truly are not going to get away for a family vacation this year.  Sure there have been mini vacations here and there between the boys and Claire but nothing like we are used to taking.  I am feeling a bit sad for the time we usually share together.  Our oldest is two short years from leaving the nest for college.  I am left revisiting some of last years mementos.  A good excuse to get them dusted and cleaned.  

We have a large built in shelf in the family room that my kids love to fill with their collection of sand and rocks from places we visit.  Turning these former dirt clods into decorator items is a challenge I am willing to take on.

Pickle jars filled with Lake Superior agates help to contain a collection and display them at the same time.  Each one hand picked form various beaches we visited.  I can usually find a kid proudly proclaiming which one they found.

Nesting among dime store jars these collections are more of I spy jars than storage.

Ball jars in the color of sea glass are perfect for sand.  Carefully poured as to show which beach it was scooped from this is a treasure jar we all favor.  Each beach we recall by the color of sand.

Copper dog tag from Etsy stamped with the date and destination make this jar more than it was intended.  This is our vacation in a jar.  

During our vacation a few years ago to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we took the kids copper hunting.   Using metal detectors and old fashioned shovels.  Rock hounding has never been so much fun.  We have several budding geologist in our house. It is hard to leave anywhere without a rock...even a parking lot.

This is our biggest copper find.  In its natural form.  (I am a little proud that I found that before anyone else!)

My most favorite treasures...sea glass and pottery.  All found on Lake Superiors shore with a few French pebbles from my dear friend Amy's travels abroad.  I could hunt for these treasures day in and day out.  Always excited over the next piece no matter how small.  Some in pink.  Some in lavender.  Others green.  Most are white.  Tumbled for years in the great lake of Superior.  Now nestled in a vintage depression dish for my memories....I am now saving for a vacation!

I am now saving for a vacation!

Thank you all so much for your kind words about my mending room.  The doors are always open.

Another fabulous door that is always open and now offering a fabulous giveaway is Imagimeri.  Pop over and enter to win one of her wonderful vintage sculpture creations.  She is an amazing artist.