Our December Getaway

This past weekend we continued our tradition of our December family getaway by going to the Poconos. We started this tradition years ago. Due to Dave's busyness at work during the first three months of the year, we wanted to make a time for us to connect before so much time apart. With Dave still being out of work, we decided to do a trip as we are unsure when he does get a job how much vacation time he will get and it is something the kids look forward too.

We had a very full but relaxing weekend. The best part was the place we stayed at had a recreation center with a pool, arcade games, mini golf course and a gym where they have organized activities led by the staff at the center. It was no surprise when Dave came back from the first day at the rec center and advised that Emily made a friend - that girl makes a friend everywhere we go.

One thing that always amazes me is the quiet. I find it funny that most of our vacation spots tend to be places where you could hear a pin drop. Living in the most populated county of Northern New Jersey you get use to the noise of your surroundings and it isn't until you go to places like these that you hear the quiet.

It was hard to come back home.....mainly because the next few weeks are a little crazy with activity and if you are like me it is always full steam ahead and everything must get done which can be exhausting.

As always our December getaway was a nice time to recharge and be together as it always is.

Emily Takes 3rd Place

Last Wednesday night, Awana had a talent show for the TNT boys and girls. For weeks, Emily has been talking about this talent show and how her talent was going to be designing. I wasn't quite sure how she planned on doing this but her mind was set as she intends to be a designer living in Paris some day.

I bought Emily this designing sketchbook, that comes with templates, over a year ago. Emily made two design groupings one is "God Girl Fashions" which has crosses and "I Heart Jesus" as its embellishments. The other group was "The Princess Gowns" because Emily still has not lost her love for princesses. We tried to prepare her that she may not place as there are a lot of kids and lets face it, it is a church talent show which would probably have more "God" themed talents like singing and verse memorization. We also wanted to prepare her because we know how disappointed she gets when she doesn't win...she's 9, the age where you think you should always win.

Imagine my surprise when she walked in the door and showed me her 3rd place trophy. Woohoo! I was so happy for her.

Now the hope is that she continues this designer frame of mind so mommy can have someone making custom clothes for her in her old age. :)

My First Craft Show

This past Saturday was the craft show where I was publicly selling for the first time the photo cubes, frames, letters and words I handcraft. The show was at the kid's school and served as a fundraiser so I was glad to be able to help their school.

In the end, I only sold 2 frames and 1 photo cube. Yes, it was a little disappointing but I know that the "trick" to these craft fairs is having the right market and I didn't feel that this was in my favor. So, I am okay with the outcome. Doing this first show helped me get the "first time" jitters out of the way and it helped me see things I need to do for future shows. Also, I've learned that I need to research and find where my items are the most marketable. That being said, I am thinking of making items available for sale via a Facebook page starting in January (wanting to keep the holidays sane so it is a first of the year "opening").

The best part of the whole event was how much time we spent together as a family. Dave and the kids help me set up. Dave came home for a bit to make some business cards for me and pick up a few things while the kids stayed with me. Then for a few hours in the morning (the show was from 10 -4), Dave took Matt home while Emily stayed with me and a few of her friends. The boys came back around 1 and we spent the rest of the time together. It was so wonderful to have their support for this new venture. Emily was quiet a little salesperson!! She was so proud of the fact that "she made all these beautiful things". Truly she is my biggest fan!!

Thank you for all your prayers and support! I will keep you informed on how this new venture proceeds :)

Ahhhhh....Vermont

It is hard to believe that last year at this time Dave and I were finishing up our getaway to Vermont. Vermont it truly my "if I could live anywhere it would be" state. There is something about the beauty of the snow and the quaint nature of each town. I can see myself in a house with a big craft room and a fire in a fireplace burning while I work. There is just an allure there I cannot explain. The time we spent with the kids there this fall opened up a whole new thought of how wonderful Vermont is for family too. So, if I ever got a chance, yes, I would move to Vermont in a heartbeat - even with all the snow.....after all why do you think we got a Subaru as a replacement for Dave's car. :)

Getting Ready

Hey everyone. I've been a little quiet the last few days one because the kids are back in school after Thanksgiving break and life gets a little "boring" and normal when we are in school routine. Also, I have been in major crafting mode as I am prepping for the first sale of my crafted items at the kid's school "holiday boutique" this weekend. I have photo cubes and frames for sale and will be taking custom orders for those along with letters and words. Being this is the first time I've done this I really don't know what to expect and how people will respond to the crafts. I am hoping well but am a little worried I will get overloaded too. Thankfully I have friends who are willing to help and come paint for me if needed. The timing is not the best as Christmas is a short time away and people will be looking to get items for Christmas but my friend, Debbie, and I have some up with a solution for that too. Pray all goes well and bear with the silence for a few more days.