When Physical Therapy Meets Retail Therapy

Having my knee replaced 5 weeks ago was a bit a shock to my system. It's not like I didn't expect it, after all, this is my second knee to get done. Physical therapy (starts the first day BTW), slowly gets the system back to whatever normal is (emphasis on the slowly).

I have diligently gone to my appointments and try to repeat exercises at home the appropriate number of times (I said try). So, when my recent assignment came up, I felt obligated to give it a real try.

So what was the assignment? Go shopping! Who knew? Apparently, Shopping carts are the perfect height for helping me walk (much better than a walker, let me tell you). Also, the slow pace of a thoughtful shopper is perfect as well. I can walk behind a cart practicing my heel toe/no limp technique, and if I find something on those shelves I absolutely need, then so much the better.

My first attempt was at the local Target store. Today was Trader Joe’s and TJ Maxx. Tomorrow? Well, I haven’t decided yet. I just know that when my husband asks me where I’m going, I can truthfully say “I’m going to physical therapy”!

Life Happens!

What can I say? Life goes on, life happens, life takes a turn… all of these apply. I have let myself get bogged down with all the things in life that have no meaning at all. What I’m trying to say is that I’ve let a lot of time go by without doing the things that make me happy (sigh). Instead, I’ve let work, the economy, etc., take me away from, well, me!

I’m not sure how it all starts, or how it gets momentum, but… well I guess it really doesn’t matter. What I do know is that I can make a change now, to get back to me:-)

Step one, is my studio. I know that getting to work in my studio always starts me in a good direction. But… during this “down time” I moved my studio around and let things pile up and it has become an un-inspiring place to be.

Time to organize, move around, clean out and get busy! I've decided to move my studio back to the dining room.

I've got a lot back packed in, but there's still stuff in the kitchen that need to be moved (I think). I'll see where it takes me. Perhaps I will have two work spaces (kitchen & dining room)? Hmmmmm, will anyone notice I'm taking over the whole house? Don't tell!

Bead Festival Time Again!

It's hard to believe that another year has past, but it's always fun when it's Bead Festival time. Anna and I attended together again and took the best class ever - PMC3 and Concrete with Sherry Eckhart! Working with concrete was really fun (who knew) and easy.

Sherry's instruction was great - easy to understand steps with lot of good information from her own "lessons learned". We will definitely be using this medium!

Then there was the shopping (sigh). So much to look at on our lunch break!
We didn't go too overboard, well for us anyway! Once again we need to get busy and make some stuff!

Weee'rrrrrreeee Back!

What can I say? Life happens - I know it's an understatement. It has been a LONG time since I was here and much has happen both sad and happy. But, life continues and we continue along with it.

Blissfollowers finally got to have their Summer Trunk Show! We had a blast seeing everyone and just getting together with each other.



We had a new "co-conspirator" this time - Bebe Cakery and Confectionary provided us with WONDERFUL eats! Carmen Goldsworthy is the mastermind behind the confectionery and it is absolute heaven (sigh)!That's Carmen and daughter Abby. You can follow Bebe Cakery and Confectionary on Facebook to find out what they're up to and see other wonderful creations.

Since we had so much fun, we're planning our fall truck show now. We will keep everyone informed on all the particulars!

There are times when I think I’m an over-protective mother. OK, that would be most of the time, I guess. Anyway, my daughter wanted to go visit her friend who lives near Bremerton – no big deal, it’s just a ferry ride away. After saying OK and that I would drop her off at the ferry terminal in Seattle and then pick her up in the evening, that little voice started talkin’. Should I worry about her being by herself on the ferry? At night? Well, I had already said she could go. The alternative would be to drive her there myself and find something to do there and then drive her back. I don’t have time for that! I’ve got waaaayyyyy too much to do…

Hmmmmm, the ferry would be fun. Could be kind of relaxing. Aren’t there bead stores in Bremerton??? Maybe I could take a day for fun. Maybe I could have a day out in the nice summer weather.

So that’s just what I did! Yes, there are indeed bead stores in Bremerton! Now I’d guess I’d better get busy making something with all of this…

Fun at the Festival!

The time finally came – the Puget Sound Bead Festival! Anna and I took a class on resin and had sooooooo much fun. We spent the day creating the most interesting pendants with pearls and glitter and word cutouts and lots of other bits and pieces. Then, of course we had to shop for beads and things (you can never have too many “things” when it comes to jewelry making:-)

Too Many Rules...

Life is predictably unpredictable! My father was in the hospital with some serious health issues and here we are 6 weeks later, he is home and trying to get back to his life routine and I find myself feeling like that too. So, after clearing away space on my worktable, I pushed myself to make something – anything! I started by thinking about summer colors and got out some mother of pearl. Pretty soon, I felt the tension that had built up in my shoulders start to fade. I was relaxing! Now why didn’t I do this during that six weeks when I really needed some de-stressing? I think I have these rules floating around in my head, like “you can’t do anything fun until all work is complete”. Or maybe in this situation, “no enjoyment will be had while others are having difficulty”. I’m not sure how this “rule” helps the situation. I think I need to work on replacing this rule with a new one, like “it’s OK to relax and de-stress”. At least with this rule, I would have more energy to help out and do what’s needed. Yes, I definitely have to work on this…