From Chaos Comes Happiness

We had some pretty rainy days here in Chicago last week. A whole bunch of drops fell, as many of us ran from store to store preparing for our Thanksgiving gatherings. Yes, I found myself in the middle of some pretty cold and damp days that left me chilled to the bone. And thinking . . . . about rain . . . and heaven. I'm not an umbrella sort of person. I think I'm actually umbrella-challenged. Many a times I have found myself the unfortunate soul whose umbrella flips inside out, or with spokes that have cracked and left half of my umbrella collapsed and hitting me in the face. Not a pretty picture, I tell you. And I find it almost impossible to get my car, open the door, sit down, close the umbrella, and pull it into the car with me . . . without getting myself absolutely soaked in the process. Yes, I am what you would call "umbrella-challenged", and I am not afraid to admit. While driving around last week, I started to think...

Wow . . . can it be that I was away from the computer all.week.long?  Where did the time go? I unplugged. Big time. But, I'm back! BIG TIME. And  JUST  IN  TIME!!! ANNOUNCING A BIG CYBER MONDAY SALE in my Etsy Shop . . . Tomorrow, November 28th, 2011, click the "SHOP" tab above, or the shop to the right of this post, or THIS LINK to get to my shop. Add the coupon code CYBERMONDAY at check out, and save 15%! 15% OFF OF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE! Now is the time to start shopping for the holidays, my friends! Pick up something unique and special for those in your life ! PLUS . . . Purchase something on MONDAY, 11/28, and receive a free item. It could be a book mark, a magnet, or a set of cards. It will be FREE, and it can be another gift off of your list (or something special for YOU!) And here is my special addition SUNDAY VLOG with a challenge for the week. . . . ...

Holy Guacamole!!! I'm LATE!!! For those of you who enjoy your first sip of Monday morning coffee while watching the lively entertainment of my Magnificent Monday Vlogs . . . I apologize! I missed our Monday Morning date, and for that I am so very sorry!!! But, better late than never, right? Perhaps a mid-afternoon coffee will work today! Enjoy!!! Will be back soon with more delightful tales! Wishing you Peace, and a happy life, my dears!

I'm participating in a heART exchange art swap this week, and I'm so very excited about it. It has been coordinated by the amazing Louise Gale, from  yourheARTmakesadifference .com. If you take a few moments and read a little about this swap, you'll probably agree that it is definitely a "win-win" sort of thing. One of those opportunities when you can share something special with someone, and receive something special in return. So, the swap is something you have made . . . from the heart. And after a few moments of brain-storming, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was stuck, however, when coming up with the words to put on my piece. . . . what to write . . . what to write . . . I sat at the dinner table Monday evening throwing sayings out for PG's input. Nothing worked. Then, HE (Mr. Phil Guy himself) came up with it. "Follow Your Heart," he said. As simple as that. I stopped and thought about it. ...

Oh, what a week! So glad to be here, and so happy to show you a few new items I've been working on. Hope you enjoy! Hope you are having a wonderful day! Have a Magnificent Monday!

I'm like that mad scientist (and my hair even looks the part this morning), up all hours . . . in my lab . . . with fits of sleepless laughter over the creations I am pouring myself into. It's not a pretty picture . . . but that's been me this week. I feel like I'm rushing against the clock. But there is really no clock. Just my own internal creativity trying to get out. I can't hold it any longer. Here is a sneak peek of what I've been mulling over . . . I mean . . . really . . . MY work . . . MY art . . . in a beautiful little pendant tray that you can wear and have with you all day long. I swear . . . it's a dream, I tell you. A dream. and a few more . . . But that's not all. ANNALEE at the holidays! All made by these very two hands typing right here. Seriously. When I think about what I am doing, I could cry. Seriously. A dream. I still have a little work to do on the ornaments (must add the met...

Oh, dear . . . those little ears that hear. I've got four of them in my house, you know. Two belong to Katie and two belong to Ella. And I am often very aware of those little ears during the day. It has always been really important to me that those ears only hear things that will build them up and make them happy. That is what they deserve . And I work hard at that. Those little ears are the reason I stopped watching the news about eight years ago . . . children don't need to hear about the dangers in the world right now. If the TV is on when I am home, it is always set to either the PBS children's channel, or Disney (and I've been known to turn off both of those from time to time.) I'm aware of those ears when PG and I talk, too, as the laundry room has turned into our meeting place for serious conversations about life and family. However, every once in a while we must slip and have one of those grown up talks in a place where little ears dwell. Especially la...

Oh, dear friends! This was a very exciting week for me! And what a MAGNIFICENT MONDAY it will be . . . for ONE LUCKY WINNER! Watch the Vlog to find out WHO will win one of my original canvas art pieces!! CONGRATULATIONS to our WINNER!!! Thank you ALL for entering the give-away! Before I leave, here is a picture of the table I set up for the Vendor Fair on Friday night (this is the one I talked about in the video.) I'm pretty happy with how it looked . . . Remember . . . this can be YOURS! Visit my Etsy shop (click on the SHOP tab above . . . or click on the "Chaostohappiness" Etsy images at the right of this post. Lots of good things coming this week . . . will be introducing a monthly email newsletter that you can sign up, along with making some new products (can you say . . . JEWELRY!!! WAHOOOOO!!!!) and CARDS, CARDS, CARDS GALORE!!! It's a pretty great time to bring some of this happiness into your life! Peace, my friends!

I love coffee . . . (yes, I AM using my Christmas mug!) I love cake . . .   Together, they make a lovely pair. Don't you think? Wishing you a delightful Sunday full of all your favorite lovelies, my friend! p.s. Don't forget to leave a comment on THIS POST to be entered to win an ORIGINAL canvas piece of my artwork! The winner will be announced in tomorrow's Magnificent Monday Vlog!!! Oh, and it's going to be a wonderful Vlog, my friends. I have a few great stories to share! See you then!

I haven't been enjoying the little moments lately. You might be surprised by that. If you know me, you know that I am usually ALL ABOUT the little moments . . . taking notice of the birds, the leaves, dirty feet and lollipops. All things I have caught a glimpse of in the past and have written of here. But lately, I'm trying to just get by. Trying. Trying to raise my daughters. Trying to keep my house going. Trying to balance the national debt ( our debt, that it). Trying to start a business. Trying to be a friend. Trying to be a daughter, a daughter-in-law, a wife, a mother. Trying to be me. And the little moments? They are getting lost in the middle of all of the chaos. They are being overlooked and swept aside for something more pressing. Like, laundry. Or, groceries. Or . . . you know. Life. And I miss them . . . the little moments. I feel the difference in my soul. Because those little moments make up the person I am. And when I am without them, I feel empty. ...