Chasing Dreams ...

Most Americans when asked which day of the week they dislike most will say "Monday". When asked the reason, most would say "because I have to go back to work or school". If a person dislikes Monday because of school or work, maybe they are in the wrong job or studying the wrong courses and probably should look for something that enables them to enjoy Mondays - and every other day for that matter.

You can spend most of your life doing something you dislike to bring in the money which pays the bills which enables you to go back to work another day to bring in the money which pays the bills ... or maybe you can get off the treadmill and go another direction.

Recently I had a conversation with one of my friends about what she really wanted to do with her life. After she told me I asked "why don't you start doing that", she said "I'm waiting for the right time." I said "Life is short. And life is not just about being comfortable - its about living out your passions." I wish I could communicate this better, but it's something that I think is one of the most important reasons why we are all so uniquely gifted and have such different interests and personalities. God wants us to use our talents for his purposes and to find fulfillment and happiness. And its so sad that many people get stuck and never do connect with the thing that will give them the highest sense of purpose & passion.

I often use this analogy; Life is a puzzle and we need to find all the pieces to our jigsaw puzzle. We don't always know what's going to go where, you don't know where the pieces are but you do know that you need to keep looking for the pieces and try and figure out where they go.

I'm in my mid 40's and know that I could live a long life or a brief one, there are no guarantees for any of us. So whenever my time comes, I want to ensure that I lived a life doing what I love most and loving the people in my life to the fullest.

I was watching a tv talk show the other day, the guest was P. Diddy and he said; "If you are chasing your dreams ... RUN FASTER!" I thought that was pretty cool. But I don't think it means "do more," what I think what it means is do what matters or at the very least, we should make sure we are running in the right direction.

So that concludes my little reality check for where I'm at. And here's a little treat for you as you journey on towards your dreams; It's a clip from The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith from a few years back, I've posted a little snippet from one of my favorite scenes from the movie. Enjoy!



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Thrifty Treasures ...

I had a few minutes yesterday to stop by a roadside flea market, while I was there I picked up these cute little vintage treasures for only $1.75. The glass jar actually goes with a set I already have, so now I think I have all the sizes. The basket is in my favorite color of 70's avocado green and the crewel embroidery is dated on the back; circa 1974.

Now I have to decide what to put in the jar, maybe my loose cardamom tea leaves. Hmm, I think I'll go make myself a cup of tea now and think about how to spend the rest of my weekend. Hope you're having a good one too!

Thrifted Cashmere ...

I have a soft spot for old cashmere sweaters. I often find these gems in my local thrift store hangouts. I love them for their comfy-fuzzy goodness.

So when find them for cheap (when they are new they usually sell for over $75), I take them home and add my own twist to them and sell them with a new lease on life. Sometimes they remain as a sweater, but I've also started turning them into purses and slouchy hobo bags. I've been selling on Etsy for a while now, but I recently sub-leased some retail space at the amazing Citizen Video store in South Park and have been selling a variety of clothing, accessory and stationary items.

I just added these new goodies to my retail space yesterday. I just thought you might enjoying seeing what I made this week.

Let the dance begin ...

I read an interesting post on Jesus Manifesto today, the title is "The Global Crisis and the Violation of Beauty". I'm highly persuaded by this awesome perspective and call to action! Here's an excerpt from the ending ...

Let us invite beauty into our midst with parties. Let us give our most prized possessions away to the poor. Let us empty our homes of anything that remains unused and unstewarded. Let us repent when we merely consume but do not replace with something beautiful and precious. Let us be reckless in our gift giving. Let us envision a future where there is no lack because there is no hoarding.

Let us look for the beautiful in our enemies. Let us rename the flaw and the broken with magnanimous names of lavishness. Let our only debt be that of love and may we be reckless and wasteful in our welcoming of the stranger.

Let the dance begin!

Thrift Store Art ...

A few days ago I scored a huge collection of original watercolors and pastels in a portfolio I bought at the Salvation Army. I'm assuming that it belonged to a college student who decided not to become a starving artist. Most of the art was "OK" but not really my "cup-o-tea" so I decided to embellish it with some of my very kitchy collection of vintage children's book illustration art. To experiment I took one of the landscape scenes and added my two cents ... I'm quite pleased with the result. Natalie was at first appalled that I would deface someone's art, but now that it's finished she's thinking that I improved it. If you want to buy some of the originals and save them from my gluestick, send me an email and you can buy a 15" x 11" original and unadulterated version for $15 shipped. Otherwise, once I add my spin they are going into my Etsy shop for $24 shipped. Thanks for stopping by today and visiting with Heidi and her forest friends =)

Nothing That I've Done Remains ...

I wanted to share this song by one of my favorite Christian artists - Keith Green. I really needed this reminder today that I am completely loved by God - perhaps it's good timing for you too.

Keith had an amazing career as a Christian singer. His life, and those of his 2 small children, ended when his plane crashed in 1982, when he was only 28 years old.

How awesome, that although Keith is no longer on this earth, his music is still making a difference today!



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Craftastic! ...

This is a hilarious video by my favorite craft diva, Leslie Hall - she's the cheesiest! ... Enjoy =)





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Art Therapy ...

I'm feeling pretty crummy today - it's probably just a sinus infection, I'll be just fine after I get some drugs. So I thought I'd cheer myself up with a potent dose of cuteness with some original art by Natalie, my 10 yr old daughter and Emily who is 12. Natalie has been using Adobe Illustrator and she's getting really proficient, she made the kitty's and snail. Emily is really great at writing, she has a great blog at www.emilycarolina.blogspot.com and she is amazing with clay, she made the bunny and mini robot, the girls have shops on etsy, click here for Emily's and here for Natalie's, take a peek and maybe you would like to buy some of their creations, they are raising money to go to camp this summer.

The girls really inspire me with their creativity, so one day while they were "creating" I got in the mood to make something too.

I named my new doll "Mochi" and she's making me feel better already.

Do you need to get back home? ...

I found this on Jesus Manifesto today and found it interesting. I think it's good to reflect on where we are and the more important question, is it where you want to be?


A PIRATE LOST AT SEA

It is hard to use a star chart in the city,

As a pirate in the age of SUVs.

The bills stack up, the pipes back up,

Your ship is sinking under all the weight.

It is hard to be a mystic in the milieu,

You seek a path, and then you rush right past it.

From the shore your captain waves,

“Come ashore and rest,” he begs,

But you’re busy with the map, too dense to hear him.

It is hard to be still when each sinew

Within you wants to scream and cry and grasp.

To force your own solution, to demand a substitution

When all you really had to do was ask.

It is tricky when the Wind is trying to send you

Where you want to go, but you refuse to yield.

You are tacking instead,

Backing up, lost in your head,

Looking toward those greener pastures,

Serving way too many masters,

Out of earshot of the calling of a friend.

Hearth and home are far away, around the corner,

You come home each night, but never really live there.

For you’re still out on the seas –

Missed the forest for the trees –

You keep taking, but you’ve nothing left to offer.

Cast your fate upon the shore of severe mercy.

The only way to get back home is burn your map.

Sail on back and get your captain.

Let him be the peace you’re wrapped in.

Turn around now, you’ve sailed into a trap.