~Counting Blessings~

So what is that saying...?? "We make plans and God laughs." It's kind of the story~of~my~life! I had so looked forward to five weeks in Florida. No sweater. No coat. No hat & gloves. First week, I was fighting some kind of bug with a fever. Weather was rather chilly (for Florida) so no great loss. Second week started to warm up. Don't now how else to build up to this so I'll just tell you, 'I fell & broke my foot.' Actually, not only that...but as I was going down, I managed to hit my eye (lid area) & ended up with a HUGE black & blue (and PURPLE) bruise. I really looked AWFUL! So I ended up in a half~calf cast on crutches non-weight bearing...soooo, you know what that means, right? NO pool. NO ocean. Oh My Goodness...it was a HUGE bummer, to say the least!! So, in my misery (that's being a little dramatic, I admit it)...I reflected on what happiness is all about. For ME, it's about being with all the people I love! It's about realizing that 'it could have been worse'...like, I could have done damage to my hip implant which could have required surgery. Thankfully, I didn't. Happiness is about purely being thankful for what I have rather than focusing on what I DON't have. So on that note, I would like to tell you a little bit about the guy with whom I share my life. He is my husband of 17-1/2 years and is an awesome father and grandfather. So to simplify matters, I'll tell you "TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT HIM":
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1). He loves me.
2). He doesn't ever panic, he thinks things out thoroughly.
3). He takes care of business...& I mean ALL business that needs taking care of.
4). He doesn't make a big deal out of anything...ever.
5). He's organized.
6). He's funny.
7). He's loving & nurturing.
8). He is super~protective.
9). He's strong (like bull). :)
10). He treats me like a princess.
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I'm a lucky, lucky girl. I don't know why I deserve such a good man, but I'm thankful every single day. And I love him completely. He holds my life in his hands & NEVER makes me feel like a burden, even when I am one. So I just wanted everyone to know how important he is to me and why I love him more than anything in the world!

~ Happy, Happy New Year ~

I don't really make resolutions anymore. Oh yeah, I used to. Stop smoking, lose weight, be a better person. Well, the good news is I don't smoke anymore. Do I need to lose weight? Heck, yeah--but it's a constant struggle/challenge & I try not to wait for each new year to make the commitment. I eat healthy because it makes me feel better. And somehow, the weight seems to come off. SLOWLY, but at least it's going in the right direction! And I like to think that I'm a *good person* ... can I be a BETTER one? Of course, we all can. So again, I don't wait for the 'New Year' to make the commitment to improve on who I am. I'm always a work-in-progress and I ALWAYS strive to do the 'right' thing. I'll never stop doing so. So, on that note...I bid you all a very Happy & Healthy 2012! Be the best you can be. Always.

So speaking of a "work-in-progress", Etsy has been a real test of determination & stick-to-it-iveness! I've learned so many things over the past year...one of which is the fact that I REALLY didn't know what I was doing when I got started! I'm one of those 'jump-right-in' kind of people...not one who reads the instructions before jumping in. (THAT's my husband's job!) I can't help it, it's my style. That said, I feel I've come a LONG way...and I'm proud of the outcome. I'm pleased with my sales...although I hope to at least double, maybe even TRIPLE my sales from 2011. That would totally make my day!

Part of being an Etsy seller is getting to know OTHER Etsy sellers. I like to peek into other shops and see what people are into. What kinds of items are out there? How do the shop owners photograph their items? What catches my eye? (OR what doesn't?) Well, one shop that caught my eye is called "The Dorothy Days", where both vintage and handmade finds are showcased. My favorite items in the shop are the beautiful porcelain tea cups & saucers, which are sold as sets...some even in trios. I absolutely LOVE them! I've been fortunate enough to have "inherited" several from my husband grandparents, so I've always appreciated the vintage style...the graceful patterns...and the delicate bone china. Here are some examples:

There are also charming little handmade post earrings with designs like owls, birds and flowers...again with a sweet, vintage feel.

I hope you'll visit "The Dorothy Days" (www.thedorothydays.etsy.com) as well as other beautiful shops on Etsy. One of the things that makes handmade as special as it is...is that you get to know the seller (or the creator) behind the product. SO much nicer than a 'big-box store' with no knowledge of WHO is the face behind the item. It leaves me cold and empty. But Etsy sellers are there for you to experience. I can't think of anything cozier!!