Growth is a strange thing. Half the time I still feel so young, and at the same time, I am wise beyond my years. But, I am human. I grew up in households chock full of conflict, and found myself the peacekeeper much of the time. As an adult, it has taken me years to shake away the

It has taken me a while. I have flitted and flapped, gone this way and that. Finally, I rested on something. I rested on just being myself.  Doing what I know works. The Etsy shop is back up and running, with more items and photos to appear in the coming weeks (as I make them). Finding time in

 The last month has been interesting. I, honestly, have been all over the map. Reaching a year since Sonya passed was strange, and I found myself in a bit of an emotional slump. Those anniversaries kind of make you re-live everything, right down to the feelings of disbelief and responsibility. At the same time, though, I was working

My dear SS, Today marks one year since you left us. One year since you made a conscious choice to take your own life. Somehow that time has gone so slowly, and impossibly fast at the same time. Those first few months were the roughest--wrestling with the guilt, the sense of failed responsibility, the unanswered questions, and the

Once upon a time, my great grandparents built a cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake in California. There, along with many other families, they built a community. My grandmother, Virginia Chandler, helped to start the Fire Department, which still celebrates her each year with a wine tasting. My grandparents spent many summers there, and a few winters, as did

I went to meditation today for the first time in over two years. When I stopped my practice (over two years ago), I was broken inside--my heart was shattered--and the ashram reminded me of what I saw as failures. I've 'planned' to go back many times, but always begged out. Tonight, after a blip of doubt, I buckled

It has been a wild month.  One full of gnashing teeth, fur, and claws. Transition and change. I think many people feel like at some point, life should feel "normal." Things should even out. I wish that were the case, but it seems that we are always in transition--always opening and closing, changing and shifting. Some shifts are

It has been many years since I've worked full time. Well, worked a job full time. Going to school was definitely full time, plus some. But there was flexibility. There were mornings, afternoons, and weekends. Now, my weekends fall on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and every other Sunday. This means that blissfully, I have the whole house to myself

  One of my favorite things about making and selling jewelry is when it finds a new home.  There is a certain joy that comes with someone finding that "perfect" piece of jewelry to add to their collection/wardrobe.  Summer is here, and a lot of my work fits in great with this time of year--big earrings, long necklaces,

Life moves so quickly. Suddenly, that week you thought you had to do x, y, and z is gone. I can't really remember when time didn't move so fast, though. Time has always been a strange thing for me--one week often feels like two or three. Perhaps it is based on how much I experience/do/absorb in that time

Whew! I tell you, it has been a time. The past two months have seen some big changes in my life. I have been working 6-7 day weeks for two months straight, and by last week, my ability to filter or process much was just gone. I was exhausted. Luckily, I was also dog-sitting so I was able

Life has been full of ups and downs lately. There are so many transitions lately that all I can do is stick my elbows out and get carried along with the flow. I got a new job at a jewelry store--it's very fun, eclectic, and my co-workers are wonderful. I finally, finally, retired from nannying. When I got

I have some new and wonderful wares in the Etsy Shop! Head over to check them out and be on the lookout for more, coming soon....