each day a new adventure

Oh, lordy. 

As I sit here typing, I am coloring my roots ( I started to go gray at 17) and trying to figure out what I was thinking when I decided to open a shop!  Don't get me wrong--I LOVE it--and I'm incredibly grateful for each and every order.  But I am so strapped for time that even multi-tasking isn't cutting it.  So please forgive me if your order takes just a bit longer to arrive than you might have imagined for the first little while...We are down to one car around here and it's with me--all day.  Trips to the post office may be limited to the weekends, but please do know:  I haven't forgotten!

Meanwhile, I'm so in love with these necklaces from Misako Momiko.  Which would you choose?

I think they are so beautiful and simple.  If I could, I think I would choose the little teapot.  As it is, I may have to try to make my own with some simple shrink plastic.  It won't be even close to as wonderful, but it will be in the same spirit, I think!  (And, believe me, I would order hers, if I could!)  Go see more of Eva's beautiful creations here, okay?

***

Plugging along around here.  Things are coming to a head, as they say, and the foreclosure is well under way.  Big changes ahead, and I desperately try to hold to the thought that they will be all for the good.  Each day is a new emotional adventure, some much worse than others.  To be honest, I wish I had done so much differently.  But we are healthy now, and love each other, and my girls do continue to amaze me with their spirit and grace.

I can hardly wrap my head around what my life has become, in both good ways and bad.  I struggle almost hourly with the thought that I have somehow failed my children, by not providing them with the picture-perfect life.  And I wonder if they would have been better off without me, or with some other mom?  But then I realize that all any child wants is to be loved and valued and treasured, and they are certainly that.  So they won't have the life I had envisioned for them, at least not yet...perhaps it wasn't the one they were meant to have.  Perhaps it's for the best.  I think so.  We'll see.

I hope your week continues lovely, my friends.  Breathe deeply, love freely. 

Cheers!

xoxox.

  

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Just who has the picture-perfect life? At the end of the day, when all is totaled up, no one does. Even those who "seem" to, those people that we measure ourselves by, don't have that life. I think that children grow up better if they have to work at something, and I'd rather have them experience those hard parts at home where I can help them, than far away where they are out of reach and out of touch (I've had both kinds).

I could list all my "ick" things in my life, but at one particularly bad juncture when I was worrying about my kids, my mother said to me: "They have you, and you love them. You'll all be fine."

She was right. You'll be fine too.

[Micaela]

I think you're right. I grew up incredibly envious of the seemingly perfect lives my friends had. I always wanted that suburban, picket-fence life with two shiny cars and white bread sandwiches. Once I moved out on my own though, I started to realize that less people actually had that serene, homogeonous life than I had imagined. Also, growing up the way I did enabled me to have a lot of experiences that many other people didn't have. My parents didn't wear suits to work, or drive new cars or cook family dinners. But they exposed me to all kinds of international cuisine, took me to concerts and foreign films and art openings, and showed me that I was more valuable than any material possession. I think that is the most important thing for any child.

[oonaballoona]

i've been repeating the beatles' "it's getting better all the ti-i-ime". just that one line over and over whenever i need it.

you may already know about this, but, some hopefully helpful advice for your etsy shop & shipping: if you have a few minutes (which you indeed might not!), set up a free account on usps.com. if you ship through their website, it's something like a 14% discount over going to the post office (yay!). you print a shipping label, and set up a time for the p.o to come right to your door and pick up the packages for you, all free. you can even have them send priority mail boxes of all sizes to your door, free. and when you ship online you get delivery confirmation added, free. yay for free!!!!!

i always ship this way, i can track packages online and the PO will send my customers tracking info as well if i give them their email addy.

here's a link to more info if you like:
http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb:USPSFAQ&search=click%20n%20ship&searchProperties=type:natural&naturalAdvance=false&varset(source)=sourceType:search

[amanda makes]

I love reading about you and your family, hearing and seeing what your kids are saying and doing. You have a loving and loved family and I've got a feeling that all will be well for you. You've got guts..'get up and go' and that's worth so much. I really admire your honesty and openness and I'm glad that gives us the chance to try to support you and send you our love. big hugs, Amanda xxx

[Amy Hanson]

Oonaballoona, thank you soooo much for the postal link! That is wonderful news and will be very, very much appreciated--JUST what I needed--Thank you!!!

Elizabeth, Amanda, and Michaela, I thank you too, from the bottom of my heart. Your words make a great deal of sense to me, and I carry them with me. xoxox!

[Sara]

Amy, I just wanted to say I think you are giving your girls a great example of standing up to challenges in life, facing them head-on, and with grace. That is NO small thing. Good luck to you guys.
xoxoxo
Sara

[kat]

amy, unfortunately so many of us are affected by this economy, i keep reminding myself that the last time our country was in this bad of shape was in the 1930's. i am so sorry that you guys are going through a foreclosure, i have had several friends deal with that as well, and one friend had her car repossessed while she was at work at a school. she said the relief of not worrying about it any more was the best part. i guess what i am saying is, you are not alone. we've been pawning things and listing stuff on craigslist to get gas and food this week. i told the kids we're on an adventure to have fun without spending money. we'll all get through, you're in my thoughts. as stressful as it is for you, your girls will remember this time and your good attitude with awe! hugs to mama! ~kat

[kat]

sorry, that was supposed to say hugs to you ;)

[Thais]

we're all pulling for you and your family.
sending even more hugs and positive thoughts your way... - thais

[[email protected]]

I think there is nothing better that you can do as a parent than to show your children how to struggle through adversity. I'm not saying that it's fun or comfortable, but it's hugely valuable. Think of it this way: your struggle is your greatest gift to your children. Hang in there!

[deb]

Amy I started going grey at about the same time as you, as did my younger sister, so I'll think of you next time I do my roots :)
I can but echo everyone's wise words here. The most important thing is that you're all healthy, together and love each other. You will all get through this and I think your two beautiful,sunny girls are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful mum.
Big hugs to you all :)

[oonaballoona]

you are most welcome, and thank YOU for the beautiful posts.

[Sonja]

Amy, my heart and thoughts are with you and we fight this battle together. I have been/am in the same boat for some time. Lost my job, home, had surgeries, struggling to make ends meet. BUT- my children know they are loved, they are content with simple things, and that we will make it through this- as yours do too. Much love.

[Jen S]

Just so inspired by your honesty and bravery (even tho it maybe doesn't feel like that right now). You are living a sweet life--the sweetest--because you're moving you and your family through this bit of tragedy right now with love and dignity and transparency. I haven't been exactly where you are, but in my own pits (we all have them) and I draw strength from yours. Mama love to you...

[Holly]

Courage--you have it in spades and I would agree with others that what you are teaching your children through this experience is invaluable. And please do not forget that your worth as their mother-pr as person--are not predicated upon what sorts of material things you can provide to them. Maybe you need a new sign over your bed: All you need is love...(and that you do have in abundance!).

[Nancy Krampf]

go grey.

i took a work shop at ghost ranch in new mexico, ya know georgia okeefe and all.

about the 3rd day all the women in the class had abandoned the fluff, the makeup the nice outfits and we all got down to really doing our art.

i looked up and every woman who had gone grey had halos. it seemed the light from all their wisdom just radiated on top of their heads.

from that day forward i let my hair go grey
i wear my halo with the wisdom i garnered from that profound moment.

next time u see a grey haird woman look a little closer and u will see . :)

[Amy]

Nancy, that is a beautiful story! I will attempt to work up the courage...with your beautiful words to guide me...xoxox! Thank you for that.

[Misakomimoko]

I know what you say, sometimes is so hard to find enough time for doing things, or just for doing them properly or well done.
Anyway, hope you'll enjoy summertime :)
and thanks-thanks again. Happy to know you like them!
eva x