Thursday, September 20th~

Another bad night, but today was still excellent. I started it with my ladies group at church. That was great. Later Julian and I had a beach date. It was just the two of us and no time constraints so we had a nice dinner and just spent hours playing in the water. He's a water body, like me. =) I can tell the swim lessons he took this summer have helped his confidence in the water. He went out by himself a little and was nonplussed when he'd get a wave right in the face. It really was a nice relaxing afternoon and evening. I love that he's at an age to enjoy days like this too. 

I left the camera at home as I don't want it anywhere near sand! I have a thing for Asian watercolor prawn artwork. Maybe I associate it with the amazing giant prawns I had in Thailand at the best seafood restaurant I've ever been to. Or maybe it's how armored they look. Either way, it's not a theme you find all over the place. January, in St. Augustine, I found a small vintage bowl with a pair of prawns painted on it. I got it to use as shell bowl. Then this morning I spotted this set of 6 shallow bowls at a thrift store right around the corner to Juju's school. They're the perfect size for peel and eat shrimp or steamed clams. Best of all, the elderly lady pricing things, thought these were "ugly bugs" and had them priced at $1 apiece!!! She was pretty shocked when I snatched them up the moment she set them down.

Thursday, September 6, 2012~

   Feeling better today. The day started rough, I won't lie, but after Julian got over his snit this morning, things vastly improved. My Thursday morning group at church started up again. I'm part of a "guinea pig" group this time around. We're doing Warren Wiersbe's study on the book of John and that's not unusual. The part that's different is that it's a small group that requires each member to set a weekly personal goal and a goal that requires us to go above and beyond our usual habits. We're also committing to monthly service projects for our community. There's a high level of accountability within the group. I've mentioned before that I'm pretty burnt out on long book studies so this is a great fit for where I am and where my heart has always been.
   I left as soon as we'd finished so I could get up to Tampa. I do love seeing my former co-workers at Family First. It's been 4 years since I worked there and I still think about them and the programs all the time. I don't know when I'll go back to work full time, but it's a little dream of mine to be able to work there again. Anyway, I had lunch with my dear friend Amy. We had such encouraging conversation. It really made my week!
   Tomorrow I've got a fun morning and afternoon planned with another good friend. We're headed to St. Pete. I think Jason is craving Delco's so we may end up there too. What a good way to finish this week of ups and downs! 

Getting a better feel for the new camera. I'm excited to have a lot to list on eBay this weekend!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012~

Still figuring out the camera. It's shooting very dark, but if I turn on the flash, it totally washes everything out. I just need to play with it. Of course, when Juju was at school this morning I had a million and one errands to run.  So later when I'm trying to hang a backdrop and figure out the new camera, he's running around talking non-stop. It was a frustrating afternoon to say the least. I just have to keep in mind that he isn't always going to be here so I need to be more patient and willing to stop what I'm doing and give him a little attention.

Playing cat in the midst of chaos. My just-hung backdrop is in the foreground. His sea creature bedroom stuff is next to him. That has to happen soon!

September 3, 2012~ Yep, Labor Day. Pool, food, friends, other stuff, rest. Should have the new-to-me camera some time tomorrow!

Cute little monkey stand

Glass equestrian box

Italian Florentine gesso and gold vintage box

Vintage candlewick and embroidered Double Wedding Ring pattern pillow

Sunday, September 2, 2012~
    
   My most most lucrative business venture is my Etsy shop. I have to  be able to photograph my jewelry and vintage pieces so I can list them. The photos have to be clear and detailed, so it's vital that I have a decent camera. Last year, prior to heading to Asia, I got a little Nikon Coolpix from a pawn store. It was brand new and I felt that is was sufficient. You may have read that it broke this weekend. It's a lens error. I investigated having it repaired and that was going to cost almost what I paid for the camera. I admit to feeling some despair over that.

   I have quite a few photographer friends so I went on Facebook and just asked if anyone had a good camera they'd graduated from that they'd be willing to sell. Then the phone rang.... my brother-in-law had seen my post. My sister-in-law is a very good photographer and she'd been given an amazing camera for Christmas. Her old, but good, one was just sitting in a closet, so they offered it to me. They won't let me give them any money for it. I feel a little weird about that. I'm going to offer to let my SIL pick a piece of jewelry from my shop and, of course, I'll babysit anytime. My BIL loves food, so I'm also thinking I can make a nice dinner for them too.
    So once again God provides for me. It's only September, but in my journal, I already have an entire page just filled with how our needs have been met this year- most of the time in very unexpected ways! I know a lot of people find belief in God to be ignorance, but I look at just the last 9 months and how we've been crazy blessed and my heart just knows that God deserves all the credit and thanks.
   Here's a few more Etsy listings I just posted!

Tyn Llan Celtic box from Wales

Old metal sake decanter

Trimont ware pedestal bowl

 

Saturday, September 1st~

Camera is still broken, but here's a little something I snapped on my phone.

Fashionable young pirate

Friday, August 31, 2012~

Darn it, my camera broke. I had an excellent evening with girlfriends discussing politics and death whilst crafting. But you're not going to see photos of that. I've got no option but to post photos of the stuff I listed in my Etsy shop this morning. That's still good though, right? They're fun and kitschy!

All the cuteness of a poodle without the awful breath

Classic Disney souvenirs