What To Do or It Never Ends...

Actually, I do know what to do but it gives me agita!!! Being a parent never ends. We birth and parent our children until they leave the nest and become parents themselves. Then, unless asked, we should keep our mouths shut when we see behaviors or actions that we might have done differently but sometimes.....

First I must say how fortunate I am to not only have a close emotional and intellectual relationship with my son but physically he lives 3/10 of a mile away. No long distance between us.
I am about to confront my son regarding his children. Grandson #1 stands tall and unintentionally casts a huge shadow upon grandson #2. My son is aware of their differences and is 'usually' tuned in and responsive to the vastly different needs of the boys but he blew it last Thursday and I must tell him. I was witness to an unintended diminishing of #2 because of his Dad. Blew it big time. His wife was not witness but knows what happened and she also knows on this point he's liable to listen to me first and it will be 1 less battle she has to wage.

So always trying NOT to be a meddling mother or mother-in-law I will confront my child - 6'3",age 38, tomorrow and tell him he blew it! Agita!!!!

Yikes!

We, yes YOU, and I are so wired to be connected electronically that disaster ensues when one or more devices fail. No electric = no internet = no social interaction = kerfluie!!!!
Today, Zibbet's site has been down and multiple tailspins could be felt in the cyber universe. Really? We're all in the habit of checking our shops at least once a day (well, YOU should!) and possibly more times...tweaking, arranging, listing, etc. and today that privilege was taken away.
I,for one, was a bit thrown at first BUT it's not only Sunday but the middle of a holiday weekend. Will there be much business lost? I don't think so.
And what is wrong with walking away from the shop for a few hours, a day? I still accomplished many shop related things. I took photos of about 8-9 items and tweaked them after I uploaded (like the cowl below). I made 6 new tape measures and finished 1/2 of a new crochet head band. I printed several sheets of labels and made some mailing envelopes. I straightened up some supplies and pulled others to list on Facebook...a full business day out of the online shop!
Sometimes it's good to walk away. Now if it's still down tomorrow I may have to be creative again with my time and be a bit concerned but it's out of my hands. It is what it is. Chill!

Time for a Decision....

Sometimes we make things that we and our friends and family think are the best, the latest, the greatest. And they're wrong!
I love clocks and have a small collection & many years ago decided to make and sell some. I thought they were pretty and clever, made from plates and boxes, books and discarded CDs.  Some 'strangers' have agreed and I've sold over 100 in the past few years. Custom requests were numerous and one even appeared in a published book. Reactions to them have always been so positive or has everyone lied to me?!
But they have come to a screaming standstill. They are on the expensive side to make with the cost of the clock works tripling over the years. I love the creative process when I make a clock and that satisfaction is over.
I'm done! It doesn't make sense to keep making something that takes up a fair amount of space, are awful hassles to take to shows and don't sell. I believe they make great little art pieces and are a wonderful house gift or any kind of present but the world does not agree.
Below are some of my current favorites and check All About The Buttons this week....drastic reductions. Think future gifts, Christmas, etc. If you agree with my family and friends, buy one for a great price! I'm kind of sad but the hand writing on the wall says STOP!!!

N.Truro,Cape Cod

Our escape destination was guessed correctly on Facebook. Just want to share a few fun photos from a great trip, extremely long ride and fabulously fattening vacation!

And yes, I bought buttons...11 to be exact!

Away and back...

Long time between posts!!! We were planning for and going on an adventure and I'm not telling you where we went!!!! You have to guess by my picture clues. A right answer gets a 15% discount when you shop in All About The Buttons .
Here are the first 2 photos and an answer like "the beach" is not acceptable! More pix and clues will follow if no one gets it now.
Sorry, JoJo, but I have to eliminate a guess from you because I think you know!

Yay!!!

Subscription copies are out and the public can buy on news stands and book stores July 24...the fall issue of Knit Simple magazine!!!

Focus

Is it better to be terribly busy and have a multiple focus or be moderately active and zoom in on the tasks at hand? Under which scenario do you function better?

I have realized I'm better off busy. These past few weeks have been filled with the usual....work, baseball,home stuff, gardening, crafting,online promoting, etc. but additionally I've been watching the kid's house and their cats, getting out the wholesale order, anticipating what 'may' happen when the magazine hits, preparing for a getaway and dealing with DH's chorus issues....a fuller plate. And guess what? It is all getting done in a timely manner. My focus can go in many directions and I can still achieve a goal. Meals have still been prepared and the house is clean (moderately!).

While we're busy we daydream about doing nothing, just relaxing and zoning out. But too much of that and we get antsy and start creating our own personal busy-ness. At least I do! Somehow doing nothing is not satisfying. I'm not saying that resting isn't valuable but the mind starts wandering into the "Gee, I could..." mode. So I welcome the busy-ness and enjoy the satisfaction of tending to all the aspects of life! The alternative is not good!

Gotta go....stuff to do!