As 2007 Ends

My holidays were different this year. For the first time in 31 years I was away from Jim on Christmas Day. He was in Arizona and I was in Utah with children and grandchildren. Of course the one thing I didn't pack was a camera and I don't have any of the picture files that others took yet. Spending the day with the grandkids was fun but I did miss Jim.

I got home the day after Christmas and have spent the time reading constantly and trying to get over a cold and fever that I brought home with me. The fever has broken but the head cold is still there, better but still there. I am proud of the fact that I am coming up on my one year anniversary of not smoking. That means this cold so far has not turned into a cough and I really like that.

As the year ends I don't really have a lot to say. I am still turning over what kind of goals I will set for myself in the coming year. I want them to be realistic but I tend to get a bit grandiose and plan more than I could possibly do and then frustrate myself into doing nothing at all.

Thanks for reading. Comments are always welcome.
Kathy

Happy Birthday to Tammy

Shhhhhh.....don't tell her that I told the world she turns 31 today. She still claims 29, however I happened to be in the hospital 31 years ago today rather than at my sister's wedding so I should know.

This is Tammy. She is my oldest daughter, wife to Jason and mom to 2 great kids. (inserting shameless mother's plug here) She sells Avon products and if you are interested there is a link to her Avon shop in my left sidebar.

I get to go see them all in Utah along with the families of my son and youngest daughter very soon. It looks like it will be a white Christmas up there. That makes it a good thing that I saved some of my winter clothes when I moved to Arizona.

Starting a New Decade

Our oldest grandchild turns 10 today.

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Kaycee,
Happy birthday to you.

She and I have spent quite a bit of time together although not since I moved to Arizona. We both love to play card games, read a lot and create.

I knew she had the life of a crafter in the making a few years ago when we were in Joann's and she insisted on getting a bag of pompoms and glue. Like many with crafting ADD she has also tried watercolor painting, paper crafts, beading, crocheting and embroidery.

She doesn't know it yet but she has a surprise coming her way next week that I won't give away here.

A Handcrafted Life

A handcrafted life?
Why would you want one?
Why not?

In all parts of life, luxurious and basic, you can find handcrafted items to satisfy desires and fulfill needs.

Buying handcrafted things can put you in touch with the positive energy in the object that was created by someone who is proud of what they make. You can't get that with things from big box stores when you choose a new purse, shirt or set of dishes.

Many times working with an artist or crafter is the only way to get exactly what you want. The combination of their skill and your vision can be used to create an object just for you. You know you can't just walk into a store and say "I like the hat but I would prefer it in red." With a crafter you can and you can get it.

Buying handcrafted can now put you in touch with the world. Before internet days and online shopping was a reality you had to go to the local art shows, craft fairs and festivals. Now with venues like Etsy among a growing list of others you can buy from artisans around the world.

Take a look around your home and see where you can fit handcrafted things into your life and then go shopping.

Buy handcrafted and get something from someone who cares.



This post is part of the EtsyBloggers December 3rd carnival.