Plans…what happens to them when LIFE HAPPENS.

So, it has now been about NINE months since we moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania. N-I-N-E. The economy has put a bit of a kink in our original plans, but we keep plugging along.

In those nine months, my job has changed, our house plans have changed, and the weather has changed. I loved my job at Alfred Angelo Bridal, but it consumed most of my time and I had little left for my faith, family or my friends, so I made a difficult decision to find other work. So, I am back to mental health — something I did for 7.5 years before I left Pennsylvania for Maryland. I’m counseling and it’s nice. I have lots of time for the things I was missing out on and I even have time for me. I still miss my Afred Angelo job…think of it a lot, and sometimes it even brings me to tears — I know, I’m a sap. But, I truly enjoyed the work, the people, and I did well at it. I just didn’t like the whole, “eat, sleep, breathe work” part. So, I’m still accepting it and I’m working on moving on. I think that will only come in time. I’ve never had a job I enjoyed that much before, so this is very different for me.

On other matters, our house plans have changed a bit. The floor plans anyway. We are still planning to build, but as we have time to explore our options and different builders, our plans have evolved. It’s frustrating to watch our house sit on the market, and it’s frustrating to feel a bit “stuck” in limbo with our living arrangements too, but I am hopeful that it will all work out. I am happy to see the mortgage rates are dropping…one benefit for us. Also, it gives us lots of time to make a calculated decision and to prepare without rushing into anything. I’m doing my best to look on the bright side, because it is easy to fall victim to the negatives and I don’t like how I get when I go there.

The weather is finally warming up here, which is really nice to see. We were outside this past weekend. I planted some flower seeds on a bank across the road from the house. It will be interesting to see if they turn into anything. The seeds were mostly from a near ancient collection that my mother had put together. Heh, heh. I planted a multitude of flowers…now it’s just a waiting game…hmmmm – sounds familiar!

Also a new mention since my last entry, I have started working as an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics. So far, it’s going really well and I’m looking forward to using the money for a down payment on the house when we finally build.

Well, until next time…I’ll be enjoying the weather…It’s supposed to get warmer as the week progresses! WooHoo!!!

Two home plans we are considering at this point in time. are below:

Cape With Wrap-Around Porch

Log Cabin

Breaking Through

ahhh…a wonderful morning! Lucky me…I get to work SIX days this week. On the only day that I get to sleep in during that SIX day work week, my husband texts, and calls, and texts me some more — disrupting my only opportunity to get some quiet rest. I’m greeted with requests to go online and pay bills, to make phone calls and he also wants to know if I can cut his hair for him. I love my hubby, but this morning, he wasn’t my favorite person. So, since I was on the computer, I thougt I’d take the opportunity to reach out to my blogging friends and drop a line.

We have a new president! My analytical side is loving it as I watch society react to the first African American president. I read the paper this morning. There was an article talking about Obama as our first African American president, and it was followed with a statement from a “multiracial woman.” Isn’t that what Obama is? It makes me sick to hear all of the racial jokes that are coming about. I work with a woman who told me we were going to wake up this morning to a phone call to report to the cotton fields. Crap like that makes me angry. It reminds me of how much more progress we really have to make as a nation.

Anthony and I still do not have a house, but Spring is around the corner, so I’m hopeful that we will sell soon! We have finally chosen a house plan that we agree on and we are currently talking to different builders to get prices for comparison shopping. It’s exciting!

Work is going alright. The economy is definitely making its impact — it’s small now, but who knows what’s to come. Right now, we are not permitted to buy stamps and we are recycling boxes — SENT A DRESS TO A CUSTOMER THE OTHER DAY IN A TOILET PAPER BOX. That’s nice, don’t ya think? I’d of loved to be there when she got that package. Hee hee.

Well, coffee is getting cold and I need to get to work. Hope all is well in the blog world! Perhaps I’ll drop by again soon.

Trying out Something New

While I was visiting Sophie’s blog, she had a mix of music (great selection!) and I thought the way it was shared was super cute.  It is done through a site called, “MixWit.”  How cute is that?!  After investigating a little further, I found that it’s really easy to make your own playlists and along with projectplaylist.com, it will be another favorite of mine.  In fact, Sophie borrowed the idea from a friend of hers and I am going to borrow the idea from Sophie!  Every once in a while, I’ll share a new playlist with you.  I have so many moods, that I’m sure you’ll get a nice selection over time.    Let me know if you like my choices! 

Creative Ideas! Earth’s Trash is These Womens’ Treasure:

I got an email from my sister in law today and thought I’d share. I LOVE seeing people recycling to make art! I have been wanting to come up with an orginal idea of my own, but nothing has REALLY struck me yet.  Are you doing any kind of creative recycling? If so, let me know! Maybe you’ll be my next featured artist.

I don’t know where these ladies are, who they are, or anything about their story, but they build horse sculptures out of driftwood and it’s amazing!

ALL I’VE GOT TO SAY IS, “WOW!”

Awe-Struck…

So, yesterday, I was visiting blogs and came across this video that razorberries posted in hers.  I thought I’d borrow it and share it on mine because it just left me in emotional conflict.  I’m not sure whether I should be excited about the talent, happy because the artist is enjoying himself (which I’m not sure we can be SURE of), sad because the artist is on display, or amazed because it opens your eyes. 

 I am TOTALLY an animal lover and I completely feel that animals experience emotions and that they have more intelligence than we sometimes give them credit for.  THIS video is astounding…and YES – the artist IS an elephant.  He IS PAINTING, and he’s very CAREFULLY painting!  The attention to detail, the care in his brush strokes, and the movement to manipulate the brush and paint literally leave me astounded.  WATCH:

Just so you know, per youtube, this elephant was rescued from abusive treatment in Burma, and ExoticWorldGifts.com supports him and other, “Starving Elephant Artisans” by selling their paintings so they can continue to have a new life in Thailand.  The Asian Elephant Conservation Project also has a web site where you can learn more about their non-profit organization that is dedicated to saving the diminishing number of Asian elephants through its work with domesticated elephants. The AEACP raises funds through donations and the sale of artwork created by elephants in order to fulfill its mission. That makes me feel happier about the whole thing.  Your thoughts?

And to top it off…

I just got some lovely news from my very first friend EVER on Etsy – marie fly fly.  She said she has seen me “ALL OVER” Etsy!  It was totally news to me, but she said that she’s seen me in the gift guides, in treasuries, and in the Etsy finds news (not sure what that is yet, but I’m gonna find out!)  Oh!  It made me happy and even got a big “high five” from the hubby!    I went to the gift guides and, low and behold…there I am!  I’m actually on the first page of the “Everyday $15.00 and under” gift guide! 

So, as I like to do, I’ve saved the image for posterity and here it is:
Good Night All!    Sweetest dreams!