She's Crafty!

Yesterday, the house was quiet, the day was absolutely lovely, so I spent my time in my studio, in the company of beautiful glass, leather, solder, frit, and lots of cool tools.  I am IN LOVE with this piece, but it's on it's way up to http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Riverside-Studios-Artists-Kevin-and-Karen-Nichols/62119242312

We have a HUGE show coming up in October, so I'm really pushing creativity to the max, to make lots of art.  My art is usually functional, but this piece, it's just so beautiful, I hope someone loves this as much as me!   



Ugly Chair / Pretty Chair

One of the many lessons that I try to teach my children is that beautiful things do not come from the mall.  The most meaningful things are those that are given to us by others.  In this life lesson, we took an old chair, given to us by some great friends, and transformed it.  This was our project on Sunday.

This poor old chair needed some SERIOUS attention, so off we went to the fabric store, where we bought all the supplies needed to transform this little jewel into something beautiful.

An hour later, spent talking about "materialism", we ended up with a thing of beauty.  The time spent with my daughter on this project was absolutely priceless, as is this chair.

Hidden within it's new fancy upholstery, is a note, with our names and dates, to be discovered years from now by my daughter and HER son or daughter.  This is now an heirloom, and will be passed from generation to generation.

That's how it works.

Pam's Pantry Dip Mixes!

These are not your "ORDINARY" dip mixes!  We have them at the Lansing City Market, every day the Market is open.

Tues through Friday from 11am-7pm, and Saturday, 9am-5pm.

This is one of our very favorite mixes, called "Kara's Krazy Cukes"...just add the mix, some vinegar and some water, pour over your prepared veggies, and BAM...pickles, overnight.  Not mushy, crisp and fresh and YUMMY!

Come try a sample on your next trip to the Market!  At Bella Harvest! 

I love glass.

My latest creation, and I am so proud of it.  This is a fused glass, drop-ring bowl, made from "curious glass", by Bullseye.

It's in my boutique right now, but I'm not sure if it'll stay there.  I may have to gift this to someone I love, or, maybe even keep it.  I just love this!

Uhmmm. No.

Today begins a great adventure.  Last week, while at my doctor's office, I told my doctor of my excruciating ankle pain.  It's so bad, especially in the mornings, that I can barely walk.  Some days, I would happily consent to a bilateral amputation (no exaggeration).

So, she ran some tests.  Today, I visit to find out if it's Rheumatoid Arthritis, as the lab tests are indicating.

I'm not going to have that.  Nor, will I have Lupus, also a possibility.  I like "ankle pain" alot better.

Square Peg / Round Hole.

And, so, here we are, at the beginning of August, time for football season to begin.  My son wants to play football, which is a pretty big deal with someone with Autism. 

The simple act of picking up his gear was overwhelming and scary for him, the noises, the coaches, the kids running all about.  The sports physical sent him right into his shell.  He lost his papers.  I became frustrated.  He cried in the car.  I cried in my room.

So, here we go.  6th Grade.  A young adult, who, only a few months ago, learned how to tie his shoes.  BUT...he can solve math equations in his head,  he knows every baseball and football stat you can imagine.  He knows, and charted the weather for four consecutive years.  He wants to play football with his classmates.

Do they view him as a "classmate?"  I don't know, but he is MY SON. 

And, until I take my last breath, I will continue to advocate on his behalf, hold his sobbing body, smile and tell him it will all be ok, mama's right here...

...and, privately, I will sob.

Can he play football in an organized league?  We will try. 

A human BE-ing.

I have made an important decision.  Today, I was inspired (again) by my gardens, while watering them, I realized, they don't really need me.  Flowers have been around for millions of years before me, and will be here again, after I have left this earth.  Why?  They're just flowers.  They seek the Light.  They ask for nothing, they have nothing, but they render joy.

I am however, A Human Being.  A person.  With thoughts, emotions, love, pain, desires, wants, needs, and all types of other egotistical things that go along with it. 

So, I am going to concentate alot LESS on being a Human DO-ing...and MORE on being a human BE-ing.  I'm just going to be.  I shan't force anything.  I shall not yearn for more "things".  I will let my flowers grow, and feed them with Light, love, and spirit.   Feels better already.

"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me.  Speaking words of wisdom: Let it be, let it be.

NAMASTE.