December wrap up..

Hey guys! Where did December go? I have been busy with all the usual December activities..setting my personal bars too high as to what I felt I needed to "accomplish"...soaring high in some aspects and failing miserably in others..mostly pulling through in a half-assed "oh well..that is as good as it is getting!" December is always stressful to me as a mom and a self appointed "person in charge of the Christmas wonderfulness for the family". My loving husband tells me I am nuts and ever so logically "Just skip it if it stresses you out or get the kids to help" Ha! Such a "manswer"! Oh well..another Christmas passed and everyone seemed happy and I can get back to business as usual.

We had our last daughter get engaged just before Christmas making this year "The Year of Engagements" at our house as all 3 of our older kids got engaged this year..causing our 11 year old to comment, "They are dropping like flies!"

The new year brings the usual resolutions..to eat better..to exercise more..and mostly for me, "Just DO it"..to live with courage..to take a leap of faith and use my God given talents and see what happens! I remember in my 20's thinking I was too young for anyone to take me seriously and now, in the blink of an eye I am 50 and worrying about being too old! So This year I say screw it. I am going to make art for art's sake and not worry so much about it having a "purpose" or a use. Yes I will still make pillows and totes and whatnot, but I will also make "art"  instead of looking at other people's work and thinking, "I could do that" ..just DO it!

I also plan to be myself more often. Some days I look in the mirror and see glimpses of the "old me", but some days I do not recognize the person I see..Julie has been lost to Mom, Honey and Nina(Gramma). I had a mini "moment" (episode..meltdown..whatever) in Target while Christmas shopping with my husband and daughter and the boys. I saw a pair of red suede high heeled boots with nailhead studs that were totally the old/inner "me'...but I started justifying them to myself..where would I even wear them? I only go to the grocery store, the post office and church! What would I wear them with? I bet they would make my feet hurt..those are for young girls...So after some moments of "What has become of ME? I am old and chubby and now wearing granny panties instead of "fancy pants"because they looked comfy!" I put them back on the shelf. And Christmas Eve night when I opened a gift from my daughter..there they were! So I guess now I will be wearing them even if it IS only to the grocery store, post office or church! I also need to ditch the granny panties if, while they are comfy, they make me feel bad in other ways! (I also got some lovely Amy Butler yardage in 4 patterns that I am going to have to be brave enough to cut into and make something for ME!)

I plan to baby myself a bit more often..to try not to justify every purchase. I plan also to give more to charities because even though we don't have a lot, we are way better off than a lot of people in the world. I plan to work harder at my business and TRY to be a BIT more organized! When you have several irons in the fire, it is hard sometimes to juggle and keep all the balls in the air..I think I mixed metaphors there..

 These photos have been some wonderful vintage Christmas items I have sold this year....

 ..and some of my own pieces. So as the dust settles on 2013, I step bravely into year 2014..

With more courage, less procrastination, more productivity and more ME! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Holiday season and wishing you all health and happiness in 2014!