Pssst...come with me!

Hello blogettes!

I've been working on a new space for my blog as I've been having so many problems posting pictures here. It may just be my new security system on the computer as others I know who have blogs here don't seem to be having similar problems, however, enough is enough! I'm a patient person, but I'm slowly beginning to fume when I click that little "image icon" and nothing happens!

Please join me at my new home www.chicchickbiz.wordpress.com. I'll keep the tea kettle on~milk and sugar?

What a Wonderful Year...

Well, this year is off to an exciting start~I often think of "my" new year beginning with my birthday which is January 10th. This year especially it felt like a new start with a new decade before me.

I had SUCH a wonderful birthday! We spent the night in a lovely little Bed & Breakfast and took a long, chilly walk in freshly falling snow the morning of my birthday. Then we returned to the sunroom for a breakfast of fresh baked cinnamon buns (yum!), lemon creme pancakes, soy sausage and fresh fruit. It was all so lovely. I spent a little time with my Somerset Studio magazine (incredibly beautiful creations in there!) then headed home after a brief visit to the local scrapbooking store for some new altered art supplies. (I'm attempting two of the upcoming "Call to Artists" in the Somerset magazine).

I spent a little quiet time when I got home, and unpacked~then it was time for my in-home massage in front of the warm fire. It was HEAVEN! After my massage I spent a little more time relaxing (with a cup of flavored coffee) and then hubby came home and gave me my "Big Gift" which was (dum dum dum dum~trumpet noises) a SCOOTER! I KNOW! I nearly fell over! It's so beautiful-shiny and lime green...I cannot wait to try it out, but have to wait for some warm weather. Wow~What a lucky girl I am! After a long time spent ooohing and ahhing over my gift we headed inside to get ready for dinner (tuna steak with wasabi and hoisen sauce and garlic mashed potatos YUM), then home for cupcakes and presents with one of my sister's and my mother-in-law. I took a pretty picture of my lovely cupcakes to share with you, but the problem has returned and I'm not having any luck posting photos yet again. (Sniff). I'm trying to be patient but I am really beginning to get frustrated!

Anyway, in all it was quite a perfect day an I feel SO grateful and happy that I could usher in my 30's in such a special way.

On Turning 30...

Well, it’s just about here. A new decade. New opportunities to do things a little differently, experiment, play, and return to myself. I’m excited about turning 30! So many people have told me (women especially) that their 30’s brought a new level of acceptance and self-love, along with more wisdom and independence.

I’ve learned a lot of important lessons in these past 29 years. Here are few of them:

~For the most part, people treat you as you allow them to. Being a victim isn’t pretty or healthy. If you want things to change-relationships to change, you must begin the work yourself.
~I’ve learned to try to listen to that still, small voice inside. It lets me know what’s right and what’s wrong, the next path to take, and when to say I’m sorry.
~I am way, way too hard on myself the majority of the time.
~I have to follow my own path. Other people may think I'm weird or crazy, but it’s essential to do what feels right to me. Let them think what they will, I'm being true to myself.
~Always remember where you came from, but don’t spend a lot of time wandering around back there. What’s done is done (old relationships, missed opportunities, mistakes). Learn from these lessons and move forward.
~Let your feelings out! Pushing down feelings and pretending they aren’t there doesn’t help anyone. Get those feelings, especially toxic ones out of your system. Don’t take them out on others, but get them out of your body. Hitting pillows or screaming in car work well!
~Find what makes YOU truly happy and add more of that to your life.
~Play isn’t just for children. Bored and stodgy people just think it is.
~Keep a dream list of things you want to do during your time here. Refer to it often and try to make as many of those dreams come true as you can.
~Help others.
~It’s impossible to be perfect. I’m focusing on being perfectly ME, imperfections and all.
~Learn to not care so much what “other people” think of you. (I’m still working on this one, it’s a biggie).
~Do things for the joy of it. Let your passion out, don’t hold it inside.
~Experience new things. Make life an adventure. When you look back on life what would you regret NOT doing? Do those things!
~No one can save you. No one can take perfect care of you. You have to give this gift to yourself.
~Challenge the negative, judging voice.
~Beauty is not frivolous, it is essential. Surround yourself with beauty and peace.
~Count your thousands of blessings whenever you can.
~Pray every day.
~I’ve learned to recognize that fear plays a major role in my life. I also have come to see that fear is what keeps me from the things I want. For a long time I thought if I kept my world “safe” by avoiding fear, it would go away. It doesn’t. It gets bigger and my world gets smaller every time I give into it. My motto for the next decade, and the rest of my life, is “Do What You Fear”.
~Love~yourself, others, nature, pets, simple pleasures, laughter, family, art, beauty, coffee, fresh baked bread, thunderstorms, starlight, a chorus of spring peepers, fresh sheets, trees, curtains blowing in the breeze, sunshine, moonbeams, snow, walks, ocean waves, flowers, words, music, books, hugs, chocolate, hot baths, freedom, memories, dreams, baking, movies, seasons, travel…and coming home.

My Knight in Shining Armor...

He fixed it! He fixed it! My darling husband...Perhaps I should make a fairy godfather pin for him? YAY!

It's good to be back fully, blogettes. I've missed you all...many times throughout the day I would think of something silly or pretty or inspiring to write about here, but then, with a huge sigh of disappointment would remember that there would be no photos to accompany my post...but he's a genius!



So, these are the fairy gomother pins I made for the fairy godmothers in my life this year for Christmas. The top three are my three older sisters and the one in the little yellow dress is a dear friend. I'm the "So Sweet" fairy with the polka dots...I had to try out one first to make sure it would work!

These are all pins on the back side, though made out of heavy cardstock I told the girls to be careful if they really did wear them out. They would look cute on a bulletin board too, or on one of those photo memory boards.

They were so much fun to make and the girls really seemed to like them! I got the idea from a Cloth, Paper Scissors magazine (I LOVE it!) and the article was created by Art Girlz, who make absolutely adorable little pewter arms, legs, boots, crowns, etc., for these tiny dolls. I nearly bought these extras, but time and money ran out before I had a chance. Next time!

Wow~I just can't believe how great it is to be back! I have so many creative inspirations to share. For instance have any of you read this book: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron? This is my third time borrowing it from the library, so I finally decided to buy it on Amazon. I'm on Chapter 2 so far (though I admit, I've already skimmed a few of the other chapters). It is so well written and there are these great ideas of projects to do each week. It does seem a little labor intensive (something I'm not sure I have time to tackle now with a spring college course coming up) but now that I've purchased it, I'm sure I can work on it more completely later on (hopefully, because procrastination does tend to be one my worst traits!). I also just finished reading The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. This was so inspiring, and of course as I'm sure you can imagine, not at all about dieting...just about adding more happiness, laughter and fun into your life. Finally, I ordered The New Creative Artist by Nita Leland...this looks GOOD! I can't wait until it gets here.

I'm rearranging my creative space as well...I'm really, really excited about this and hope that the changes will make it more appealing to me. There is something about having a room to myself that is on a floor other than the main floor; it makes it much harder to use!

Where, or where can my photos be?

Ugh~I cannot for the life of me, figure out how to post photos on this blog! What happened!?!?!? It was all going so smoothly and easily and now, this! Frustration, frustration! I can't get it to work! I have been purposely not posting because of this photo issue. I'm irritated beyone belief and am considering dumping my beautiful little blog all together...what is the point without the photos? It's like telling only half of a story. Like a brochure with only the words....(boring!).

I'm sorry to vent here ladies, but really. Can this be any more annoying? I have the sweetest little fairy pins (who look suspiciously like some real-life fairy godmothers in my life) to show you and I can't get the blasted pictures on here!!!! UGH! Sometimes technology makes me want to cry...

Happy Holidays to All!

Christmastree6
Originally uploaded by chicchickbiz.

Darling Blogettes~

I wish you peace filled holidays full of happy memories and love. Thank you all so much for being my blog friends...

With much love,

-Joy

Feeling Charlie-Brown-y...

Hmmm, I must say I have a bit of Charlie Brown attitude going on tonight. My day went well...lots of laughs at work, a nice brisk walk after with hubby and Peeka...but now I feel, sad. My husband told me the other day he is planning a big birthday party for my 30th. I thought he meant with all our families and was worried it would be just one more "thing" that everyone has to get through. I wouldn't blame them, not one little bit. I am already feeling the strain of the holidays, I certainly wouldn't feel like going to yet another party the second week in January.

Anway, Serge said that no, he meant a "friends" party. Drinks, music, hanging out, whatever. Yes, well that would be wonderful if I had friends I suppose. You know, I never really notice that I don't have friends until occasions such as this arise. I have two very excellent friends and one of them lives very far away (North Carolina). I suppose I could invite my one friend to party down with us...hey three's a crowd right?

But, not to worry. Serge, being ever kind and generous, offered me his friends for the evening! It's like a rent-a-friend-party! I said that this would be very cool with me, but only if one would jump out of my cake singing "Foxy Lady" in a Jimmi Hendricks impersonation.

Anyway, I do have lots of aquaintances and some friends who I just am starting to socialize with...friendships are so much like romances at times. Is it too soon to invite X to a 30th birthday party? Would she think I'm being presumptuous? Would she think I'm too forward? Moving to fast? On and on the worries go...

Oh for pity's sake. One of my "resolutions" for the next decade is to do more things that scare me: Here we go!

I will contact every single person I know who shows any sort of friendly interest in me (yes, that includes you, new post office woman!) to my party. If I ask 50 people, 5 may show up...Regardless, I will be here with a tiara on my head, red on my lips and a drink in hand if you want to stop by.

Bring it on 30's, I'm not scared of you (much).

PS

Fat Boy is A-Okay...urinary tract infection, treated with antibiotics (he's thrilled having me stick my finger halfway down his throat with his pill each morning!). I'm SOOOOOOO happy! It is now the perfect Christmas...my babies all warm and safe and snuggled in on a cold night...bliss.

Decisions, decisions...

Oh my; what a lot of decisions to make lately. Is it really that I have a lot of them to make, or just that I'm procrastinating making any so that it seems like more than there really are?

Not sure...but here is one decision that is made (I hope!)

The 30th birthday ring...drat! I'm not allowed to post a picture here tonight it seems. Well, you will all have to wait with bated breath to see if I win it tonight as I'm sleeping...what suspense! How will I make it until morning?

Now...I have other decisions to make:
1) What do I want to be when I grow up?
2) What classes should I take this spring to get to that career?
3) Should I sign up for a dance class? If so, which type? Will I have time to take a dance class if I take a class to get me toward my (unknown) dream career?
4) What shall I bring for lunch tomorrow?
5) Should I teach paper arts classes this spring? Will I be over-extended if I do (on and on it goes...)

Just finished watching the Devil Wears Prada...pretty good but (sigh) as usual, not as good as the book. But I do LOVE Meryl Strep! She's so fabulous...love her!

Nighty-night blogette's...hopefully I can show you my ring tomorrow! :)

A Big Sigh...

One huge sigh of relief (Fat Boy is just fine, so my Christmas wish has come true!) and another of overwhelm...

This photo is from my husband's work party, an annual gala which is held in a hotel ballroom...isn't the decorating fabulous? Not sure whose arm that is in the picture, but the decorations look nearly as pretty as they did in real life. The party was last weekend...a treat to get away for an overnight and let loose a little...on the other hand I feel like I cannot catch up lately, no matter what I do; even one 24-hour period "wasted" on something as frivolous as a party seems to make me feel guilty these days.

For the past few years I have to admit that I've felt well, a bit disenchanted with the holidays. I prepare (love the decorating!); usually starting early so that I can really savor the season...but somehow admist the frantic shopping, stressing about money, worrying everything I bought or made for everyone is just completely wrong I lose track of the season. This is what my "perfect" Christmas would look like.

We would pare our activities down to 3 meaningful adventures: A sleigh ride with hot cocoa, a special and magical church service, and time spent in nature, walking and gathering natural decorations for our home.

You might notice that I don't have any volunteer activities in my list...I feel that this is something to spend the rest of the year working on. Many agencies find they are overwhelmed with help over the holidays (which is a wonderful problem to have) so I prefer to help at other, less busy times.

And of course, Christmas wouldn't be complete without time with family. But I wish we could take one whole day just to spend with each family and make it meaningful~start with a light brunch and then sing carols and walk outside, later returning to savor the experience of opening a few choice gifts and then maybe all preparing a dinner together. Time...that is what is missing from my holidays I think. Time to savor. Time to really capture what is going on around me; it's what memories are made of...

Here's Looking at You, Peeka-Choo...

This is Peeka-Choo...who answers to several nicknames, if said in the right tone of voice. Isn't she the cutiest?

Last week we had quite a scare. I found a lump on her side. It was hard and instantly I was thinking "cancer" and imagining the doctor telling us she had only weeks to live. I spent most of the long Thanksgiving weekend praying and trying to think positively and alternately running to the bathroom to cry when I thought about losing her.

We have two cats too, Spazzi and Magoo (aka Fat Boy). We had a beautiful, sweet adopted greyhound named Paca too. Paca did not have a mean bone in her body, as my Dad likes to say (and it's true). She was such a loving and sweet girl. We lost her to a freak accident last summer and my heart is still quite broken.

Needless to say, when I brought Peeka to the vets last week my stomach was sick. I was so scared...but guess what? The doctor aspirated the lump and it was NOT cancerous! Actually, we think now (as it's disappeared) that it was a reaction to her vaccination from the week before. I spent the entire time between then and now thanking God that she is ok and praying that she has a long, healthy life with us.

Now our poor Fat Boy is not feeling well. He seems to have a blockage or infection of some kind. I'm really worried. Why is everyone getting sick? Please, please, please let him be ok. Please let it be just some indigestion or something else that will be easily cured...please?

My furry kids-if having all of you healthy is all I get for Christmas, I will be completely happy. Promise.

Presents for a Vintage Swap...

Wow~I can't wait! My presents are all ready to go...my swap partner has been emailed to me...will she like what I send? I hope so! What do you think about this paper? I love it! I'm really into blues and reds this holiday season. Maybe I should have added some pretty ribbon? The box isn't quite sealed up yet...maybe I will toss on some bling before the final taping. I can't wait!

Thankfulness List...

As promised, here is my Thankfulness List:

I'm grateful for:

• A fabulous and sexy husband who still makes me weak in the knees sometimes, makes me laugh hard and listens to me like I'm the only person in his world
• A wonderful family, including 3 older sisters who have the best sense of humor and fabulous taste in everything
• Friends who always know when to ask "Is everything ok?" when it definitely is not
• Pets who are cuddly and snuggly and sweet without even trying
• All 5 of my senses
• A healthy body and an often creative mind
• Our home for which I have a renovation list 1 mile long, and which honestly looks just fine the way that it is
• Music
• Snow
• Hot showers and baths
• Nature and fresh, cold air
• All the agencies and people who are out there, doing good things for causes I believe in like the Humane Society, the Greyhound Rescues, Homeless Shelters, Soup Kitchens, Adoption Agencies, and organizations trying to stop injustices all over the world
• A job in which I feel appreciated and that is close to home with generous bosses
• The realization that I'm fine the way I am (still working on this one)
• A soft, warm bed
• The ability to express parts of myself through writing, creating, drawing/painting, and playing
• The happiness that simple things still, and will always bring
• Hot coffee or tea
• The beauty that is all around me
• Toes and fingers
• Sunshine
• My spirit~which always fights for the underdog
• Fresh bread warm from the oven
• Holidays

What are some of yours?

Happy, happy Thanksgiving!

Grateful for Apples & Cakes &...

Thanksgiving is almost upon us~this time of year (as we are told over and over again) is the perfect time to spend some time thinking about what we are grateful for. I try hard to always count my blessings and say prayers of thanks whenever I think of something I'm grateful for, especially when it's something I've never thought of before...like fingernails. When is the last time you thought how grateful you are about something that is so useful but maybe gets taken a little bit for granted? I mean, how else can you pop out a wayward staple quickly, scratch the delicate skin by your eye or those nasty summer bug bites?

Now it's time for bed and I'm extremely grateful that I have a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in and a warm house around me and a husband and pets to share it with. Tomorrow I will start my Thankfulness List...will you join me?

PS The Apple Walnut cake is yummier than it looks-and this one is headed to work tomorrow to be shared with my new coworkers who are quickly becoming kind friends.

A Treat Today (and One in 51 Days)...

This was as delicious as it looks. I've found myself eating a lot of "junk" chocolate lately and am renewing my pledge to decadent, delicious chocolates, preferably individually wrapped with pretty foils like this little guy. I stopped by Lindt this weekend while my husband and I were checking out the gorgeous Christmas displays in on the Church Street Marketplace. Soon Church Street will be lit up with with millions of twinkling white lights dripping from trees...it's so beautiful. We always try to make it down for a walk along the magically lit street on Christmas Eve; sometimes it's very late and we are nearly the only people out. I absolutely love it; every icy breathful of air, every scent of snow and most of all the feeling of my hand snuggled into my husband's coat pocket. We might not make it more than a few blocks some years (I remember one in particular when the wind was whipping off the lake so strongly, it took our breath away and made our clothes feel like tissue paper!).

Church Street at this time of year holds another special memory for us as it's just one short block to the park where my husband proposed, sometime in December, 6 years ago. (Is it awful that I don't remember the date?). I remember the whole thing, I swear. Just not the date.

I've decided that along with decadent chocolate, it's time to treat myself to something else. Something really, really special that I would normally turn my frugal and practical nose up at (I tried to convince my then-fiance that I didn't need or want a diamond engagement ring...but he won). I'm turning 30 in January and I've decided to buy a beautiful ring to commemorate the new decade. Now, I have to tell you, I don't feel 30! Not that 30 is old by any means, it's just that I still see myself somewhere around 21 or 22. And even though I know that 30 isn't OLD, it's older. I mean, one can't be quite as reckless at 30 as one was at 20. Then it was expected and tolerated; now it would just be weird...and sad in a way.

So, when we were on Church Street this weekend, I checked out some jewelry shops. Nothing really stood. There were some beautiful rings, but nothing particuarly piqued my interest (except one gorgeous delicate silver vined piece with a brown diamond which was over $2800!) I put it down very quickly and thanked the nice lady. The last shop we came to was IT, I knew soon after stepping foot inside. It was a tiny little shop tucked away from the hubub of the busy street and noisy pedestrians. There was folk-y music playing an older gentleman working on a piece in the back. I didn't see anything at once that caught my eye, but I had a brilliant idea. Why buy a piece already made when one could have one made, especially for her? I talked with kind gentleman and set up an appiontment for later this week. Let me tell you, I have been sketching like there is no tomorrow! I've also found some beatiful vintage rings on Ebay which might be able to be used for inspiration. I want something simple and elegant and classy and lovely....do you think that's too tall an order?

Something from Christmas Past...

FINALLY! The Christmas mobile. Now, first I should apologize for these photos...they aren't the best I've ever taken...however, have you ever tried to make a mobile stop moving? It's nearly impossible! And just when I thought I finally got it to stay still for one tiny second, I realized that Santa was showing us his backside or that the ugly white back of the tiny stocking filled with presents was showing, instead of the right side. Whew! It was a process let me tell you!

This pattern, I think I mentioned, is from 1956. Reading the directions initially I thought it would be a breeze to make. "No problem! I can pump out 5 of these in varying shades and motifs before the holidays!" Well, not quite. First, women of that time must have been patient; much, much more patient than I. There was all this intricate folding and cutting and measuring and drawing to make the tiny canopy tent, which, as you might notice, is missing from the photo because it looks terrible! Needless to say taking the quick route in this particular instance, may not have been my best bet! I'm dreaming of a paper dessert plate, heavily decorated for future mobiles...

And poor Santa! As you can see he's had a bit of a stressful time already...his tiny cuff is coming unattached and his smile is looking a little strained. Doesn't he remind you of the Santa from Rudolph though? Only not so mean. I never liked that Rudolph Santa, he was such a jerk! He only liked the reindeer that could serve his purposes in some way and were "perfect", not marred with strange noses or other physical flaws.

How many days till Christmas? Perhaps if I started cutting and pasting now, I could finish one more just in time...

Everyone Needs a Cheerleader...

Do any of you watch "Ugly Betty"? I absolutely love this show! It puts such a positive spin on just being yourself and accepting yourself, flaws and all.

Last week, at the end of a disasterous day for Betty ending in her review for a posh hotel being rejected by her editor, Betty is hiding out in the bathroom. Who comes in but Sophia the hard-nosed author (played by Salma Hayek) who encourages Betty to stand up straight, push her shoulders back and smile. AND most importantly, not to let other people's opinions get to you. Don't we all need a Sophia in our lives on those days when nothing seems to go our way?

Goals & Dreams...

"Goals are dreams with deadlines."

I'm not sure who created that phrase, but it's probably very true. I really, truly should work on goals...I spend a lot of time in "dream mode" where I fantasize about all these wonderful projects, and the stellar reviews they will someday garnish...my time would be much better spent in the here and now, dealing with the day-to-day stuff and trying to fit in my dream work between, right?

Yesterday I went to a training for work...I expected it to be boring and touch on topics I have heard over and over again. It wasn't! We talked about goals and dreams and where we are heading and how to get there. It was very inspiring and made me feel more excited about the possibilities out there.



This is a photo from my morning commute. Someday, when I'm self-employed and working in my jammies all day, I will look back at this photo and laugh, while sipping coffee; a pet in my lap.

Sugar Plums are Dancing in my Head...

"The children were nestled, all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads..."

I don't know about the children, but I am certainly dreaming of sugar plums and pretty blue packages wrapped in white and red ribbons and pink santas and sugared cookies and cinnamon scented rooms and clove studded oranges...

I know. I was trying to fight the feelings, trying hard to hold out until the Friday after Thanksgiving...THAT is supposed to be decorating day. But I just couldn't! On the plus side I found this gorgeous "candy" garland this weekend and while pulling out my silver Christmas tree today, unearthed these darling little crocheted cupcakes that I bought on clearance after Christmas last year. That is simply the BEST time to buy Christmas items, but hard to do~by the time Christmas is over (perhaps because I start so prematurely?) I'm sick to death of decorations and sweets and carols and the clutter and the messiness that always seem to accompany the holidays. Plus, I'm truly wiped out from holiday parties and family get-togethers (not that I want to miss any of them!).



This is a photo of my silver Christmas tree that I put up in our bedroom. I'm sorry it's a bit blurry...also I seem to have cut off the tippy top which I finished off with an easter bonnet (continuing with the pink/blue theme). I'm pretty happy with it. This tree is actually closer to 6 feet high, but you can use just the top as I did here, and make it much more manageable for a small space (and our bedroom is SMALL!).


PS I finished the Christmas mobile but haven't taken pictures yet...I'll try to do that tomorrow...

A Vintage Christmas Swap...

I have heard so much about swaps: People are swapping ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), quilt blocks, dollhouse furniture and miniatures, etc., etc. Finally, I found a swap for me!

Yes, it's a VINTAGE CHRISTMAS SWAP!!! Find out all about this swap which is being organized by Tanya at "Prints Charming". There are also lots of great vintage sites listed on this link (other participants in the Vintage Christmas swap).

Won't you join me? I'm so excited...I'm off to brainstorm ideas!