I'm supposed to be thankful for something, right?

As Thanksgiving Day is winding down for everyone, I'm sitting here thinking about what I should be thankful for. It's not necessarily the usual "family" answer. My definition of family is much more broad than most definitions. First, there are my parents, but that just always seems to be a rocky relationship and most times, I think it's better for my mental health to just leave it be.

Then there's what I consider my "immediate family" - Eric and Dakota. Yes, I'm including my dog (who right now is laying on the couch, drooling on it). Eric and I are going to have our 6 year anniversary in January, and some times it seems like we've been together forever, and some times it's like it was just yesterday. I'm also thankful that we all have roofs over our heads and food to eat.

I'm also thankful that I've gotten through the last few months. It feels like they just went by so fast, and I almost feel like I missed a lot. Things have been a blur, I did some stupid things, and I'm just still feeling behind with a bunch of things that I should do. I'm thankful for many friends that have been around, listened to me talk (sometimes about certain things, sometimes about random things), and just have been around to hang out. It makes Lansing not feel as lonely as it once did for me.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Before we know it, it'll be 2009!

Finally - something new!

It took me awhile last night, but I finally sat down and made something new - here's the unveiling!





Now, with today being my last day of work for the week (I love my boss!), how much reading, movie watching, other random things will I get done??

Learning Curves...

Have you ever had that feeling that you felt like you were going to do well at something, and then it happened, and you feel like you did horrible? That's the nagging feeling that I'm having today.

The last two weeks have been a sort of whirlwind for me. I had a lot going on this past week that I got sidetracked from planning the week before, so things kind of came together at the last minute for me this week. Work was extremely busy for me, even though I had anticipated it would be a quiet week. In the process, there were some mistakes made, and while I know it's part of the learning curve, it can be hard for me to take criticism. Especially when I really believe I did the right thing for the situation, regardless of how some people may have felt about it.

I just hope that people are willing to help me out, answer questions I may have, and understand that I'm going to be on quite the learning curve for the next year or so. I don't expect everyone to do everything right or a certain way, but I do hope that we can learn from things that may or may not have worked. So, please everyone, bear with me.

Things I haven't been doing lately...

As the holidays get closer, it's been more evident that my reading piles have gotten larger because I haven't been reading much, my apartment is a mess because I haven't been cleaning much, and I have a bunch of pictures I've already developed (this isn't even counting the ones I haven't) that still need to be scrapbooked.

So, I finally started reading a book I've been meaning to - the 2nd book in the Twilight series, New Moon. However, I also have to read The Daily Show and Philosophy for a book club, and I've also started Merle's Door about an owner and the dog he found on a trip. Of course, I haven't gotten far in any of them yet.

But of course, I've been thinking of taking up knitting or crocheting - neither of which I know how to do. But, do I really need another hobby?

What have you done for your community lately?

It's coming up to be the time of year when I start to get a little depressed. The holidays are not my favorite time of year, though I love winter. I'm not sure if I'm feeling a little more down this year because money is tight, but I've been thinking a lot lately about how things suck for me right now, but someone else always has it worse. I think that's what motivates me to be as involved in my community as I am.

Some of you know, some of you don't, but I'm a member of the Lansing Jaycees. I'm also a former AmeriCorps member (two years, Volunteer Muskegon!) I've tried to stay actively involved in my community, no matter where I've lived. I think it's important at all times of the year to help those in our community, no matter what their situation or your own personal situation. It keeps me busy, and a stronger community is good for EVERYONE.

Our next Jaycee community event is our Stuff the Bus event. We've adopted 20 children from the Salvation Army in the area, and will be collecting items to give them for the holidays. If you're in the area, and would like to help out, let me know.

If not, what are you doing in your community!?

I just can't part with it...yet

I just made a new necklace, and as I was taking pictures, and tried it on to see how it fit, I can't part with it...

It's sterling silver, Thai silver, and blue goldstone gemstones. The charm says says "Om". There is a swirl on the back of the charm too...

What do you think of it??

Things I want (need) for Christmas...

I'm being practical this year. My number one item I'd love to have is a new wool coat - a long one. My old one has gone through 4+ years and is breaking apart on the inside. It was a great coat (thank you JCrew), but it's time to move on.

The other thing is to get my ears pierced. I think I'm finally ready to do it. Not that I ever wasn't ready, just never really thought about it much until I started making earrings...lol.

Yup, I'm being simple this year. What do you want for Christmas?

What if there were no Mondays?

It's a question I'm asking today, and also the topic of something I ran across earlier today from whatifgear...

And keeping with a sushi theme (like the last blog I wrote) from soaprehab - wasabi ginger soap!

Mmmmm - great shopping on etsy right now, especially for the holidays!

When you thought things were going to get better...

After Election Day, I thought things were going to return to normal. Work had been really slow up until then, and everything else was really busy up until then. However, work has picked up, and nothing else has really gotten slower!

Regardless, I've been able to find time to make new things!!! Here's my newest pair of earrings!!!

And to feature a couple of other items:

From mittens - this beanie! I love the flower on it.

And for all you sushi lovers out there.....this print by FashionCandy!

I'm sure I'll post more over the weekend!

New feature...

I haven't been posting here a lot lately, because I've been pretty busy, and when I do have time, I just want to sleep.

However, now that I've been posting things to my store on Etsy, I figured I would spread the love around and show you all some of the items I'm loving...

Not only do I LOVE the name of this store, but omshanti has this tangerine vanilla lip balm I'm dying to try:

I fell in love with this mala from Healingstones when I saw it...

And last, but certainly not least, for tonight...this cute clipboard from Rista (also in MI like me!!!)

Eh, of course, I have to leave you with one of my newest creations...

I'm still alive...

And kicking!

I know you all were expecting a post from me yesterday about the election, but here's what I'll say about it. WOW.

And moving on - lately I've been putting a lot of my energy into positive use. I've been making jewelry and other various crafts, and posting on my website, www.clockrocks.etsy.com. There's also a listing on my blog. I've been quite the busy bee, but it's given me something to get back into, and instead of letting my mind wander, I've been productive!

So, check it out, and check out some other stores - there's some awesome stuff on there for holiday gifts!!