Thoughtful Thursday – Crafting Blues

I am not going to lie – the end of last year was rough. Lots of sickness, we lost my dad, my uncle, and our family dog, and an all-around transitional period of life kind of melded together to create a big ball of sadness and stress. So, as we make our way into the new year, we’re trying to focus on the business and just being creative again. It’s hard to be inspired when you feel blue, but sometimes just making something, not related to gift giving, or putting up on Etsy, but just about making something that you like for fun, can sometimes lead to more creativity.

Today, it’s eyeball earrings. I’ve been wondering what to do with these round, white, retro, blank canvas earrings since I got them (a couple of years ago …?) They’ve been sitting in one of my many jewelry supply boxes, and I’d pick them up occasionally, turn them over, then put them back. It dawned on me today that they’d make perfect eyeballs, so I decoupaged some pupil/iris printouts on them today just for fun, and I like the way they turned out so much that I think I’ll keep this pair for myself, and list the rest in JuJu Eyeball!

Reason number 4,231 why working from home is awesome is that you don’t have to put on makeup or style your hair all the time. 🙂

So, today I’m wishing you happiness and creativity – get a little messy, and nourish your soul at the same time!

Share the Love,

Chels

Thoughtful Thursday – We have a new furever friend!

My mom and I had to put her sweet baby dog, Jewel, to sleep a few weeks ago. She was really a member of our little family, and was a wonderful Yorkie. Though she was initially supposed to be mine, I was gone for the first few days after she came home with us, so she bonded with my mom, and became hers. She was sassy, funny, and fiercely protective. She showed her gratitude for being rescued in every way imaginable, and we will miss her so much!

Today, though, we brought home a new dog for Mom! His name (right now) is Sam/Sammy/Samson (he was called Sammy at the shelter,) and he’s a Shiba Inu/Terrier mix. He’s very handsome, well behaved, curious, strong-willed, and so sweet. He seems to be right at home with her, and likes me, too, which is kind of a requirement.

It’s so wonderful to have such awesome animals in our lives. From iguanas to rodents to dogs, my mom, my husband, and I have all experienced lots of joy, better emotional and physical health, and extra love because of it. I hope our little man, Bee, and Sam get along well as playmates. We’ll introduce them soon, after Sam recuperates from his operation. Just in time for Christmas – I can’t wait!

If you’re looking for a pet, please consider adoption as your first choice. Take a look at your city’s shelter website – they’re often updated daily with new dogs and cats. We found Sam at Arlington Animal Services, and there were other dogs we liked as well. So the hard part won’t be finding an animal, it’ll be resisting the urge to take more than one home.

What kind of pets have added joy to your life?

Share the Love,

Chelsea

Thoughtful Thursday – Here Comes The Rain Again

Snuggle Bunnies Rabbits In The Rain by lulufroot

Today is a cloudy, thunderstormy spring day in Texas. Minus the hail (and the occasional tornadoes) we get in May, I love the spring weather here. It’s not the depressingly cold rain we get in late fall and winter. It’s either cool and refreshing or warm, sticky, and humid. It’s the kind of rain you can dance around in comfortably, as long as you’re not worried about your hair or anything.

When I was little, Mom and I used to dance in the rain. It’s one cheap form of entertainment, let me tell ya. Do people do that kind of thing with their kids anymore? It’s one thing to reluctantly say,” Okay, you can go play in the rain … but be sure to take off your shoes before you come in the house. I don’t want you tracking mud all over my {insert expensive flooring or rug here.}” But do people actually grab their kids’ hands and run outside to enjoy the feeling of raindrops collecting on their eylashes?

I guess what I’m saying here is that, inevitably, you’re going to get wet. So, why not enjoy it? Why not make it memorable? I cherish the times Mom and I danced in the rain, or had water gun fights … come to think of it, lots of our activities involved water. – Tap water is cheap and rain water is free! – We got our hands dirty in the garden, we took wrong turns on purpose, we made things together (and still do.) I hope that I still approach life with the same hands-on, rather than hands up, attitude. I want to be the woman who harnesses the fearless spirit of a child. I never want to be afraid of the rain.

Share the Love,

Chelsea