Notes from A Cottage Industry

Seven things

Happy Leap day! I've been tagged by Tracy at Plumcute Designs for a game. Here are the rules:

The rules of this little adventure are as follows:
1. When tagged, place the name of the person and URL on your blog
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write 7 things about yourself
4. Name 7 of your favorite weblogs
5. Send an e-mail letting those bloggers know they have been tagged 

OK, now for the 7 things about myself...
1. I've wanted to be a writer since I was in elementary school.
2. I'm one of those people that strangers are drawn to talk to...in grocery store lines, at the fabric store, garage sales, thrift stores, the Post Office....
3. I am very messy in my workroom. I can (and often do) go through more than 30 pieces of paper when creating the template for a project,(like invitations, place cards, etc) trying to get things exactly the way I want them, before being able to actually do the project.
4. I hate to be late. To anything.
5.I sing, out loud, a lot, when I'm alone. In the car... At home. (I love to sing the old Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song ...it's kind of my own personal theme song)
6. I love, love, love Friday afternoons and evenings. About noon on Fridays I begin to feel buoyantly happy. Giddy almost. Seriously.
7. When I go to work and it's really cold outside, I leave my dogs inside the house, and I leave my TV on during the day for them. Not that I think they watch it, but, I think the background noise makes them feel like I'm home.(Although I do think Moose is partial to the food network)
As for the 7 of my favorite weblogs...
Can't do it. Waaaaay too many great ones. Consider yourself tagged, read the rules above, and play along if you like, by sharing in my comments area!

A second speech for the Toasties

    Today I am presenting my second speech at the Toastmaster meeting. (Actually, I am a back up speaker if someone scheduled to speak is a no show, so I have to be ready to speak.) I'm a wreck again, only not so bad as last time. The second speech is all about "Organizing your speech". I decided to write about my entering the workforce outside my home....here's my speech:

Second in the “My not so ordinary life” Series,

June Cleaver goes corporate

  Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests,

     Fashion can be a powerful thing.

      After staying home and raising babies for more than 2 decades it was time for me to get a job outside of my home. But, what kind of job?

    Oh, I had dabbled in a few stints as a retail clerk, one Christmas at Macy's in the holiday department, and at JCPenney’s for a year part time.
     Although I loved the socializing part of these jobs, and the store discounts, these jobs were really not what I was looking for…No. After soul searching and a long, deep talk with myself, I knew what I wanted.
     I wanted a job, no, I wanted a career, where I could work up the corporate step ladder. In short, a career I could dress in those sassy suits and separates I’d see each week in the Sunday paper. That’s right people; I wanted a job where I could wear cute shoes.
    I began combing the classifieds for “office jobs” although all I had going for me was that I had taught myself a few computer skills. (OK, I knew how to type a basic correspondence letter in word)
    I confided my plan to work in an office where I could wear cute shoes to my best friend. She said she was not sure, but she thought her husband’s organization was looking for a part-time receptionist.
    Oh. My. Gosh.
    Perfect! I was looking for a position where I could continue the nurturing and caregiving, like I had done for my children and husband for so many years, with that added perk of cute shoes, and this sounded like this was it.
     I put on my dressiest mom clothes and headed over to this organization. This place was called "EDAWN". For the life of me I had no idea what an EDAWN was, but no matter, that was a small detail I could figure out after they hired me.
     I burst into the office, and whisking my windblown hair out of my face, asked the receptionist for an application.
     “An application?” Asked the perky receptionist in the cute black suit. “Do you have a resume?”
Oh.
   A resume. Brilliant. (Why didn’t I think of that?) Well, no I didn’t have one, I told her. She rummaged around and thank you, sweet Jesus, she found some actual old school applications in a drawer. She came around the counter in her oh, so terribly cute shoes (of course) and handed me the form. I sat down right there and filled it in. I handed it back to her with a smile. “Here you go”, I said fluffing my hair again.
   “ Thanks so much, we’ll be in touch,” she replied.
    Huh? In touch?
Oh, ya. Sure. Gotcha. Obviously they needed a few hours to look at my app and call me back. Days went by. Ok, actually a week and a half. They finally called me to come in for an interview.
   OK. So, this would be the day they would hire me, I thought.
   At this interview, the CEO’s assistant explained to me what this part time receptionist job entailed. I tell you, it was a dream job. Welcome guests, set up for meetings, be warm and fuzzy. In general- be me! A June Cleaver of the corporate world, if you will.  I wanted that job so bad I could taste it.
    At the end of the 30 minute interview the exec assistant said, “We have several more candidates to interview. We’ll be in touch.” There was that damned “We’ll be in touch” thing again. Couldn’t she see I was the one for the job? Apparently not.
    Another week and half went by before I got a follow up call. Could I come for another interview? Why, yes, of course.
    “I get it”, I thought. They want to offer me the job in person. I googled EDAWN and discovered it meant Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. Ok, whatever. That’s a mouthful. Sheesh, no wonder they went by EDAWN…still slightly confused on what EDAWN did, I read on, and discovered that they worked with companies moving to the area and they had members…so it was like this kind of hip club of business people and they did good things for the community. Cool. I was jiggy with that.
     I put on the last daytime dressy-ish outfit I owned (For the record- Stay at home moms types do not usually have more than 3 dressy outfits, as they are usually cleaning, dining at Qdoba with other stay at home types or entertaining the dog.)
     This second interview was with the CEO and the exec assistant and it seemed to go well, at least from my perspective. Again, they said they’d be in touch.
     Right…
A week went by, and no word. I had to accept the cold reality. I was not what they wanted. Dejected, I decided I must be meant to sell appliances, or foundation garments for women or some such thing, without the benefits of a sassy suit or cute shoes and so... I began to look else ware.
      I got out of the shower to find I had a voice mail waiting for me from EDAWN.
     “Please give us a call,” said the woman’s monotone voice on my machine. I played it back 72 times trying to decipher the tone in her voice. Clearly they didn’t want me. Clearly they wanted to let me down easy, which explained the phone call. I was convinced that God was having a huge laugh at my expense, watching me struggle and now he was going to laugh again as I was denied by this organization filled with friendly people that dressed with such style. Obviously this was some sick character building episode in my life.
    It was 9 a.m. I called the office. To my surprise (shock really) I was told they wanted me. THEY wanted ME.  Could I start that very morning at 11? Yes!

    Oh, and they were having a board retreat. Yes! (Whatever a board retreat was…count me in, baby!) I hurried on in and was baptized into the EDAWN culture that day, at the Peppermill Hotel, at a “board retreat”. They gave me an EDAWN issued men’s size extra large blue wrinkled chambray shirt, emblazoned with the EDAWN logo, that fit me like a paint smock to wear at the board retreat. I didn’t care. I was high on life. (So high in fact that I never even asked my pay rate until a full two weeks later.)

*sigh* I had a job. No, I had a career. And I was going to wear cute shoes. Every. day.

Thank you Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests.

Birds of a feather....

...kindred spirits. Whatever you want to call it. That would be me and Dawn. If it weren't for the Victoria magazine launch last fall, we might never have actually met face to face, but we'd have still been kindred spirits just the same.
    We met about a year ago actually, when I was lusting and drooling all over my keypad for some pillows she made and posted on her blog, which is called "The Feathered Nest". (Click on the lavender words to link or go to my blog roll on the right hand side bar to find her!) They're bark cloth. They're adorable. And so is Dawn.
     Anyway, we've been bloggy friends since then and,as I said, met in Dallas, where we shared a hotel room for the Victoria magazine launch, and now we email back and forth and whatnot.
     Last week Dawn became an online shopkeeper (oh, she sold stuff on her blog before that, but this is an official shop!) and I of course had to take a peek at it right away. Oh my. Those tags! Feathers and eggs. Well, you know I had to have 'em. I thought they'd be fabulous on someone special's gift.

And..they would be...but...
     They arrived and I took one look at them and I knew. I had to keep them. They were too wonderful to simply tie on a package! (Dawn, you out did yourself on these little gems, sweetie!)

     I decided to frame some of them so I can look at them anytime I please. I used old book pages for my matting. (Kind of my altered art done with Dawn's altered art.) I love it!

*sigh* Truely Dawn, these little tags are works of art. I will treasure them.

**Edited to add*** I linked to Dawn's Blog!!! Click on the light purple words!**

Little office corner with big style

     The current Maid-of-Honor's cottage is a very cozy size. This past weekend we added a little bit of personality to a corner of the living room, to warm up the space.(sorry, I meant to take a "Before" picture, but I forgot.)
Anyway.
They found a charming vintage desk on good ol' Craigslist a while back. (did you know that next to San Francisco, Portland Oregon has the most popular Craigslist? Yup, it's true.) You can't really see the desk in my picture, but,take my word for it, it's fabulous.
     The desk sits in the living room behind the sofa (because the desk is so deep it couldn't move through a bedroom door to become an office!)and it worked out for the best, really. It adds a nice, sophisticated touch to the room.      
     Until this past weekend, there was nothing on the wall behind the desk, and not much of interest on the desk. Well, we changed that. We had the fabulous son-in-law hang the brackets that my daughter has had for about five years. They were sage green and we quickly spray painted them black to better coordinate with the room. The board we had was a bit narrow, so they're replacing it with a wider board this week, and staining it to match the desk...it'll look like a million bucks!
     A few accent pieces from around the house, and a giant clock from Freddie Meyers filled in the spaces. We then topped it off with a perfect wedding photo in black and white and we were standing back admiring our handiwork in no. time. at. all. Too wonderful for words!

*sigh* There's just never enough time to do all the projects we want to do on these short little jaunts to PTown.

Cupcake weekend

    

     As you most likely could tell from Saturday's post, I was up in Portland this past weekend. Wedding stuff. Decorating stuff. Birthday celebration with pedicures and cupcakes stuff.
    Way too short of a trip. I hate the trip home, leaving my girls.
     The weather on Saturday was fabulous. Sunday, it got cold and a little nasty outside. As I shared on Saturday's post, we went to the famous Saint Cupcake. Wow. A line all the way out the door. (They have their story painted on a wall so you have something to read while you are waiting in line)

OK, really, they're pretty ordinary cupcakes. Good. Not the prettiest I've ever seen, but tasty. We each got 2 "dots" which are the tiny cupcakes that, when I bake them, I call "babycakes".
     You people were crackin' me up with all the comments on Saturday's post about who, you wondered, ate a cupcake before I took the picture. No one! I only photographed the 4 because we had 6, but 2 kinds were duplicates (the chocolate fudge and the coconut)
      I was so amazed at the never ending line at this place that I had to photograph it. I mean, wow. What a market.
The atmosphere was...well, it kind of reminded me of an old Winchell's Donut place, except with pink hula skirt umbrella's for the outside tables. Do you remember Winchell's Donuts? Just go in, pick your donuts, sit at a table, or take 'em to go.

     Ya, that's how this was. Not sure what I was expecting. They do have a very cute website.
Anyway.
     I guess I'm sharing all of this because I share everything pretty much with you, and going here made me see that there's room for even more cupcake places everywhere, 'coz they're all gonna have different personalities and different qualities and different kinds of cupcakes. With that being said, I now feel even more passionate about following my dream about opening a Cupcakery.
     *sigh* we'll just have to wait and see what the big guy has planned for me.

Words to live by - week 56

Guess where I went today?

Can you guess?

I'll post more soon!...so much to tell!

More fabulous-ness from you-know-where

What can I say? I love me some TJ Maxx.

     Mmm hmm, I found this on my last expedition there with a friend on our lunch break from our grown up girl jobs. I've wanted one of these babies for, like, a year.
     Now that I have it, I don't really know what to do with it. It's tall, more than three feet high, and it's made from heavy rust colored metal wire. It could be a most incredible centerpiece outside on a buffet table this summer. Right now it's sitting in my workroom, and it's looking fabulous on the floor there,if I do say so myself, but if I am going to keep it, it has to pull it's weight around here, you know?
     Ideally, I picture it in my booth at the Tumbleweed Cotillion, full of adorable tags and such, or even better, in a corner of the boutique area of a Cupcakery, full of birthday candles, handmade gift tags and place cards for sale...but for now...for now...what shall I do with this masterpiece to justify the $39 purchase?

Puddings and cupcakes and tarts, oh my!

Oh.
My.
Ga.
Have you seen this cook book?

After spotting it on someone's Blog (does anyone know?! I'd really like to give credit and link my post here... Pam found it again for me here. Thanks Pam!) I knew I had to get it. I mean, those pictures! Wow. And those recipes! Butterscotch Buttercream frosting?! Chocolate Mousse Buttercream frosting?! (You know I'm gonna make that for my next batch of cuppy cakes!)
  This woman is a-mazing, that's all I'm sayin'.
Anyway.
I ordered the book. It came lickety split. And, you know what? It's even better in person, people. I sat all cozied up in my bed till midnight reading recipes and looking at the to-die-for photos of the treats.I wanted to get out of bed at 11:30 last night and bake something. (OK, maybe not bake right then, coz I had to get up for Toastmasters this morning, but if had been the weekend...) It's really that good.

*Sigh* When I get my cupcake parlor going, I'm gonna have to carry copies to sell of this gem of a cookbook.

Nesting...getting oh, so ready for spring!

    I've been busy with so many different projects in the last few weeks! I thought I'd share a little spring time love (we're hoping for spring weather here anyway...snow expected this weekend) from some things I've been working on.
     I made these nest place cards late last week for an order I was filling....they really truly are one of my favorite springtime designs...I made Menu Cards to coordinate...I never seem to make anything exactly the same twice..I liked the way these came out so well that I made 3 additional sets (6 place cards along with 2 menu cards and a nest with 3 faux bird eggs) and if any of you are interested you may purchase a set by simply emailing me, and I will invoice you via Paypal. Cost: $15 includes shipping.
Thanks everyone! All sold out.

*Sigh* It all just makes me want to get my Easter decorations out right now, but I've got to wait until this next busy week ends....

Breakfast at Tracey's

    That's the theme I'm going with. Pure romance and the whole black and white thing too. You see, the day before the wedding, when everyone is all here in town (even the bride and groom live out of town, you know!) I'm hosting a little breakfast soire' for the bridal party and the groom's parents.(You know that this wedding is now officially less than 4 weeks away!!!What am I going to do after that?!)

Anyway.

Where was I? Oh yes, the breakfast at Tracey's breakfast party.

Twelve of us in all... then, a bit later, we ladies will all go for pedicures (complete with shoe box lunches and champagne! I'll be sure to share pictures!) while the guys head on up to the lake for some quality time with the groom.
The bride-to-be loved the old time black and white movie couples in frames so much at her shower that we have decided to incorporate them into the tablescapes as center pieces at the reception. That made me think I should use the same theme at my little breakfast... (hence, the Breakfast at Tiffany's Tracey's theme!!) Here's a movie shot to give you the idea...

I even ordered some of these to add to that "Tiffany's" part of my breakfast party (Ya, I know. They're cute!)..not sure if we'll use them as napkin rings, or if I'll use them as part of the decorations by the photos, and maybe tie a couple of them on to the bride and grooms champagne glasses...
I made the invites yesterday (I had an extra day off from the grown up girl job 'coz of the holiday!) After I took this picture, I added some pearlecent glitter stick glue on the chandeliers in the photo to add some bling. Inside the cards is all the pertinent information. (Click on the top photo if you can't read the great quotaion well enough ad it will enlarge) They will go out in the mail today.
     I'm doing a buffet style set up. This way we can all mingle and move around, and we're gonna watch a  photo video the groom's Mom created for the reception! I am so looking forward to extending the fun throughout the entire long weekend we all have together.

Here is my tentative breakfast buffet menu: (I am actually trying to keep it kind of light since we have the lunch thing only 2 hours later!)
Creme' Brulee French toast (cut in cubesand kept hot in a chafing dish, with the creme brulee syrup in the fondue pot)
fruit yogurt, fresh fruit and granola (...served in martini glasses! So chic looking!)
scones and Devonshire cream
link sausage
Champagne bar (Peach Bellini's or mimosas or just plain champagne)
Orange Juice
Coffee, hot chocolate and tea

Anything I missed? Too much?

A place (card) for everything...

    Working on the Table and Place cards now....this wedding is going to be much more formal than the last. All in black and white...her dress is more ivory really (gorgeous...simply gorgeous!) and candle light everywhere.
     I was going to have to order the black and white brocade like fabric online, but yesterday when I was in the $2 Fabric store with a friend I found the exact fabric...not even inventoried off the delivery truck! Score!  
    The sewing queen of northern Nevada is going to begin making table scarves and toppers from it today for the reception... I love the look of it all together. (I found the fabulous candelabra at...TJ Maxx, of course!)

    I really got my money's worth out of this one fabulous little rubber stamp.You might remember that I used it on the shower invitations. *Sigh* So foofy-la-rue. I scanned it and edited in half in my photo editor (why stamp 150 or more cards when I can make them all perfect in a jiff on the computer?)
How do you like them? (Click on the pictures to  see the chandelier detailing...they area a bit blurry, so I will try and replace them later today with more clear shots.)

*sigh* I cannot put into words just how much fun this is, to create things out of simple black and white paper, and have it come out so dressy looking. It's all too much fun, that's what.

words to live by - week 55

I'm a believer.

Wanna see something adorable?

I was back in wedding planning overdrive last night and I want to share our latest adorable project.
     Churches (and any other wedding venues for that matter) don't let you throw rice or birdseed anymore. Nope. Well, we have little plan to still do something special for the new Mr. and Mrs. as they head out of the church....I found the idea on someone's wedding blog (Sorry!Can't find it now to link to it!)
    See? It's little flags. To wave and cheer in wild celebration for the happy newlyweds. Adorable, huh? These are just my prototypes. The Bride-to-be will see them on here today and give me a call and we'll discuss any changes or improvements or whatever. Then, we'll get them all made up and ready to go.
    Oh! One of the younger cousins is going to be in charge of handing these out at the church, and I'm thinking we'll put them in a vintage silver champagne bucket. Then the guests can simply pull them out of as they enter the church.
*sigh* Sweet, and elegant, no?
     I was going to use those little wooden skewers from the grocery store, but they just seemed to flimsy when I tried it out. Then, I lucked out! I found the perfect sized little dowels at Michaels, (they're made by Wilton for chandy making) spray painted them white and printed the flags on the computer...added some ribbon on each flag top... Voila'!

     We didn't let the groom in on this part of the decorations...it's gonna be our little surprise. Can you picture 120 little flags waving joyfully in the church when they turn to exit down the aisle? (Didn't I say they were adorable?) Just adorable.
*sigh* This wedding planning stuff is just too fun. (What am I gonna do when this is over?!)

Icebreaker update

*sigh*I did it and I lived to tell you about it.
     Thanks for all of the well wishes and go-get-'ems for my Icebreaker speech. In the end, I did pretty darned good. I was however, so nervous beforehand, that I printed my speech out twice, once in about a 14 font, and then in giant 54 sized font. (so I could glance down to read it without my glasses) Um, ya. I was a spaz about preparing, which is probably why my neck got all red and blotchy, which I was expecting would happen...and it did. Because I was expecting this, I wore a turtleneck sweater...see? I was prepared for anything and everything.
I framed a photo of June Cleaver to use as a prop up on the table where the podium was. (My Toastmaster books told me props were a good thing...it worked.)
     Once I got to the club I decided to just wear my readers using the size 14 font print and look out at the audience with them on, which makes everything blurry, but I figured the people I was looking at wouldn't know that...then, I was so freaked out (not really sure why) that I read a lot of it, looking up, then back at the paper....I think it's OK to do that for a first speech, but my goal for the next speech is to take no notes up there. (maybe just some index cards with outlined notes will be a good way to ween me off reading)
    As for the content of my speech, they loved it! I even had 2 of the old timers (been in the club 25 years!) tell me it was the best Icebreaker they had ever heard. Ever. Can you believe it? I was so flattered.
    I can't believe I'm writing this, but I am actually anxious for my next speech now, to do it with no notes, to challenge myself, to improve, to be better. As scary as it is..it's kinda fun.

The sweetest dreams....

Happy Valentine's Day!
     Oh, how I love to bake. I have a nice cupcake order to drop off today for someone, so I decided to make some extras. Mmm hmm, I'm going to spread the Valentine love at work today with these goodies.
     Speaking of cupcakes...cupcakes remind me of love and love reminds me of the things I am passionate about and passion reminds me of Bliss...and my Bliss seems to be unfolding rather quickly these days. You remember the farm I am looking into, right? Well, if you read this Blog daily, you know another of my not-so-secret dream is to have a cupcakery.
     Well, apparently in my current state of positiveness, it now seems that there may be a competing wish my heart made that is coming to light. The current Bride-to-be called me to announce that she had discovered a possible future cupcakery location available in my little dream town of Stars Hollow  Camas!
     *sigh* Images of me, in a fabulous chef coat (all custom done up with fabric covered buttons and coordinating robin's egg blue mini polka dot print chef pants, made by the Sewing Queen of course!) be-bopping merrily up the street to go to work each day at Cupcake Heaven fill my mind. The Bride-to-be is going to further investigate the charming little place this weekend and is working on some number crunching. I on the other hand, have completely decorated the place, in my mind. (Robin's egg blue and white striped French roman shades on the windows, at least 3 matching crystal looking chandeliers casting romantic light on the French bistro tables and the vintage bakery case that I have already located, possibly some framed vintage sepia tone photographs of old bakeries from days gone by, and a giant vintage style chalk board on the wall behind the bakery case with our vast menu)
     I made a Pro/Con list for the cupcakery and for the farm. The farm does have some kind of scary zoning issues, and needs a whole lot of work. This all makes me wonder if the cupcakery is my stepping stone dream....

*sigh and a smile* I just can't wait to find out what God's plans are for me.

The Icebreaker

      You remember that I joined Toastmasters, right? It's been several weeks since I joined. It's not so much just a club, but also a bit like a class.
  They send you a massive packet of stuff to study and you have speech assignments. I have learned so much (Like the fact that I say "Um" a lot) and the people in my club are fabulous. Every age- Gen X'ers to old timers, and they're all good speakers.They're all working to get even better.
    I have a mentor in the group. Her name is Ruth. She's easy to talk to and gives me great tips and advice. I really like her.
     It's a fun club, and I look forward to Thursdays, even though I am terrified that they might call on me to give a " Table topics " quick thinking two minute speech.
     It's actually a lot of work, learning to stop saying "Um" between words, and to be concise and not get off topic, and speak in front of people you don't know from Adam.
    Tomorrow I am giving my first "real" speech at Toastmasters. It's called an "Ice breaker" speech and it it's 4 to 6 minutes long, telling about yourself. Sounds easy. It's not.
     Anyway, it occurred to me that you might like to know a bit more about me, yourself. I mean, my background, in a 4 to 6 minute nutshell, which, by the way, is no easy task. (I had no idea I was so long winded till I wrote the speech and then had to scale it back)
So, get yourself a cuppa and have a seat. Here is my "Icebreaker". Oh, and you must have a title for your speeches,so here is mine:

The first in the series of "My not so ordinary life" -
I used to be June Cleaver, but I'm not sure who I am now

Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests,

My drivers license says my name is Tracey Buxton.  I used to be June Cleaver, but I’m really not sure who I am now. I'd like to start off with a few trivial facts about myself-

I was born in San Francisco and raised in the bay area. According to the pictures of me, I don’t think I was the cutest baby on the block, but I do remember that I was a happy child.
I always did well in school, and was seriously the most sought after babysitter in east San Jose in the late 60’s.
I never had a date or a kiss till I was 17 and a half.
     High school graduation day came, and as was typical of the times, all of my girlfriends hoped and planned for jobs like teachers and legal secretaries or nurses. I not-so-secretly longed to get married, to “do crafts” and raise a massive brood of babies.
     Fast forward 2 years, during which time I dabbled in a few college classes, went to Beauty College to become a hairdresser, and finally, married my high school sweet heart.
     Fast forward another 6 years and 3 babies later. We couldn’t afford to buy a home in California, because every time we thought we had some down payment money we’d have another baby.
     My husband at the time was offered a transfer to Reno Nev-ah-da. "Absolutely not!" I said. I hadn’t been to Reno, but from what I knew, it was riddled with gambling casinos, and cat houses; certainly no place to raise our children. Well, my husband insisted that we simply must come take a look-see, after all it was a free weekend get away, and believe me, when you have 3 children under 4 and the words "free weekend getaway" are about as exciting as winning the lottery. So, we came and took a look.
     Wow. Real families lived here. Not a cathouse in sight. Heck, this place was as close to Mayberry as you could get! We returned home, he took the transfer, we bundled up our little family and moved away from the by now unaffordable bay area to Reno. We quickly learned to pronounce Nev-aaa-da and began life in paradise..
     *sigh* I was in my glory, living out my fantasy life as the June Cleaver of the biggest little city. I had it all, and I knew it. I was married to the man of my dreams. I had a house with 2 car garage a yard, 3 kids and a dog. I was the head room mother, decorating the house and having couple’s dinner parties. Aah, life was good.
    The years catapulted into decades and before I could blink twice, we were shopping for colleges for our third and last babe to leave the nest.
     I remember vividly, one morning in November of 2002, when that third baby was a senior in high school, it suddenly hit me. I was being forced into a mandatory retirement. Not retirement from motherhood entirely, because I think that’s actually illegal, but certainly from packing lunches and monitoring curfew times.
    I was headed for the proverbial empty nest stage of my life. It became clear to me that soon, it would be my dear hubby and I headed into the golden twilight years to sit on the porch in dueling rockers, and travel around all the national parks in a slow moving RV during summertime.
    I had a light bulb moment that day.. Clearly, it was time for me to get a j-o-b. A job OUTSIDE of my home.
    By the end of January 2003, I ended up after a long and painfully drawn out process with a real grown up girl job at EDAWN, the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (but that’s a whole other speech for another time)
    At the same time, I began a little home based craft business and later, a Blog online named "A cottage Industry", where I was able to dabble in a longtime passion of mine, creative writing, and share my crafty projects, along with entertaining, how to's and decorating tips.
    You know, they say things happen for a reason and it's true.
    Fast forward once again- A year ago on the last day of September, I came home to find myself suddenly single. Literally. Suddenly.
    Single, after nearly 30 years of what I had gravely mistaken for wedded bliss.
    Time stopped.
    After slowly coming to the realization that I wouldn’t be spending my golden years with that guy I thought was the man of my dreams, I found myself, along with my dogs, starting over at the mid century mark. Not at all how I had pictured myself spending my 50th birthday. After this shock wore off a bit, I realized just how grateful I was for this job.  I was also grateful for my family and friends, both here and throughout my Blog readership. They were my lifesavers, they encouraged me to move forward.
    It took a long while, but gradually I found my footing. Life returned. Slowly at first. Yes, it is different. Not better, not worse, just different.
    In the year that has past since then, I have had celebrated my five year anniversary at EDAWN (I celebrated with a pair of Jessica Simpson stiletto heels and lunch out with my coworkers)
    I've planned 3 weddings for my 3 children within the past 12 months. I continue to paint vintage furniture, recreate a home within my little cottage where I now live with my dogs and have coordinated a successful vintage craft fair.
    These days, I’m not sure if I am June Clever, Martha Stewart, Erma Bombeck, or possibly Bob Villa. What I am sure of is life goes on whether we’re having fun or not, and we’re all about as happy as we make up our minds to be.
    Thank you Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests.

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Ok, that's the speech. I hope you feel like you know me just a little bit better!

personal words to live by

     Do you have a word, or a quotation...a motto that you live by? This one is mine. It says it all. In love, in life, at work or play. Never settle. Always give your best and always expect the best.
     I know some folks do a word of the year to live by. She does.
And she has a friend that does. (Is she a sewing creative genius or what?! I adore her handiwork!)
     I like the idea so much that I may start doing a word for my year...of course, this year it would have to be "Bliss"!
I'd love to hear any of your words or quotes that you live by, always, or for a year!

I SO heart Jessica Simpson

    Yes, people, I have a girl crush on my most recent favorite shoe designer..Jessica Simpson. OK, her name is on the shoes...and the shoe box, but I am not exactly sure she does the designing. No matter. I have to say, the woman makes the sexiest shoes I have ever seen. Evah. You've gotta love 'em.
    Click on the picture. Look at them close up. Ooooh. That's black patent leather with little polka dot holes overlaid on white, people! Adorable. About a three and a half inch heel. (Did I mention that I'm less than 5'4" and my boss at my grown up girl job is 6'8"?) Stunning, sexy, fabulous shoes.
   Ifound them Saturday and I had to have 'em. I decided I'd cut back on groceries and turn the heat way down this month so I could buy them. Right then.
*sigh* Sooo worth having Progresso soup for dinner 15 nights in a row and wearing my sweatshirt over my PJ's this month.

Now, I am wondering...When I am a farm owner can I still wear cute shoes?

Kindred spirits and a theme song (second post for Sunday...)

If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse. Walt Disney

If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a house. Tracey Buxton

Umm, ya.
     I'm starting to think ol' Walt and I are long lost kindred spirits. I have gone so far as to choose a theme song for myself.(again, from Disney) It really hit home for me with where I am in my life.

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish really will come true

Disney's Cinderella:
Music and Lyrics by Al Hoffman, Mack David and Jerry Livingston

Sweet Jesus, maybe I have gone off the deep end.

     It's just that you people have inspired me so. I mean, I just meant to share one of my many little dreams with you, and you made me see that I need to investigate it, not just keep it as a pipe dream. For real, not just in my head, or on a blog. You made me see that maybe..yes, maybe it is possible. I won't know until I check it out all the way. Only then will I know for sure. You made me see that I have to keep the faith.

Thank you all for this.

     I spoke with the listing Realtor and yes, the farm is still available. Yes, it has been reduced once again! Yes, she'll keep me informed of any activity, and yes, she'll get me the information I'm requesting.   
     I spent most of today on the SBA website, studying and copying templates for business plans, googling barn venues for other event ideas, and got things really rolling. I created a time line and an inspiration board.
     I got myself so excited and motivated that I had to take an extra long bubble bath to unwind myself. Now, I'm all ready to hop into my bed with the freshly changed sheets in my favorite jammies... and dream the wish my heart is making.

Words to live by - week 54

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." Walt Disney

Another little post for Friday....

My, oh my!!!! Thanks soooooooo much for all the Bloggy support and love thrown my way today! I am overwhelmed. Truly!
I also want to thank Deann for giving me this "You make my Day" award. You people all make my day!
Finally, I meant to share this sooner, but, better late than never...my sweet, sweet friend Dawn (The feathered Nest!) has entered the most charming piece of her altered art in a contest.
      Please, hop on over and take a peek (it's got a darling vintage feel!)...then vote!

(one of) My secrets behind the secret

     Who watched Oprah this past Wednesday?! Oh. my. gosh. I am so totally working on developing my power of positive thinking, the law of attraction and all that good karma stuff. In a word, FAITH.
Remember "The Secret"? Did you see the movie, or read the book? If you missed Oprah, it was about just that...it was called "the Secret behind the Secret", and it focused especially on the power of list making, and inspiration boards (putting things in writing or verbalizing them reinforces your ideas and desires basically.) Kind of a Dr. Phil, "You've got to name it to claim it" attitude.You know, thoughts become things.
    Anyhoo, I decided to take the leap, to bear my soul and share with you one of my (many) desires for my life. (besides owning the cutest  cupcakery slash home accessories boutique in the free world, writing lifestyle books about living a charmed life on a shoestring, and being on the Oprah show myself...)

    See it up above? And there again, from up in the sky?
    Um, ya. It's a fabulous old Victorian that's for sale people! Pure heaven, that's what that is. (Can you picture it at Christmas time?!) It's perfectly located, just outside of my favorite spot, Portland, Oregon...and it's just outside of my budget. (although it has been reduced just recently!)

    The house is so charming, so quaint. Sure, it needs some "Foofifying" here and there, but all in all, it's in amazingly great shape. Oh, but that's now why I want it. Oh no. I want it for this...

*sigh* Picture this spectacular old barn, all rustic and romantic (why yes, I do it see it that way) with a new wooden floor, a prep kitchen and restrooms added, with oodles and toodles of twinkle lights at night...to be used as the most wonderful event venue for weddings, meetings, family reunions, Tumbleweed Cotillions...you name it.(too bad all my kids will already be married!) The guy with the massive property behind this gem has some kind of rodeo racing business, and I can see him needing to throw some big awards shindigs in this wonderful barn....My mind reels at the endless possibilities. Really, it does. The barn is enormous inside, and it has a huge upper loft area (That's where the band would be!)
    I'd live in the oh, so charming house, with three porches no less! (I would decorate these babies for sure!)

...and the clawfoot tub I've always dreamed of in the bathroom...

*sigh* Built in 1900, it's only ever had 2 owners, and the history is so very romantic all in itself. It has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I could use one bedroom for when the future grandbabies come over to stay, and 1 for brides to use as a changing room when they are renting the property for their weddings. (see? I have it all planned out)

The pictures don't do it any justice, because the property...the property (over 6 acres!) is to-die-for as well..I just can't say it enough. It's beautiful...Oh! Did I mention it was getting a new roof last fall when we looked at it?.... it's all located on a huge corner lot with a great space for parking on opposite side of the barn...) and plenty of room for outdoor events in summertime as well (have ya been to Portland in the summer? So many flowers!)

There's a gazebo (of course) and 2 more outbuildings...the bride-to-be pointed out that one could be used as a cigar bar for events (can ya picture that?!)
    Then, there are two large (I mean ginormous) old garage type buildings. One could house all the table rounds and wooden folding chairs for events. (mmm hmmm,you're thinking it too, right? You're thinking, " It's like it was meant for this"...)I'd have a multitude of cutwork tablecloths and fabulous color coordinated fabric napkins for renting out, along with wonderful candelabras and votive candle holders. The other old garage has been redone inside with a nice long counter and a sink...so beyond perfect for me to teach classes in (cupcakes...furniture painting...crafting...)

and it has a charming bathroom too!

Now do you see just how perfect this is for me? When I am not running a Cotillion or an event, I will be found sitting in a sunny upstairs bedroom window (think Jo from little women here...) with my computer, and my pups, writing books on creating a charmed life on a shoestring, or posting on my blog.
   Oh, my I almost forgot to share, and then I'll quit, I promise...out on the back of the property, it has the original 3 seater outhouse, people!

Now, that's history. So cool.
As if this isn't all too perfect for me, I was given another sign..there is a Christmas tree lot across the street (you can see parts of it from the arial photo above)...named..are you ready for this? Tracy's Christmas Tree farm. Now, does that give you goosebumps?! (I am going to overlook the fact that they spell Tracey differently than I do. That's just a technicality)

*huge sigh*
Ya, so that's one of my secret dreams...now, I'd love to hear yours!

Ever evolving chairs make over...

   

So many of you have asked about the chair in my daughter's cottage that I thought I'd better share it with you. I used the same technique as always...like in Furniture re-do 101, except the paint color is a darker wheat for the base color. (Sorry, I don't have the Behr recipe, so just pick one you like!)
     I found 4 of these chairs on craigslist well over a year ago. They were so cute, but they are reproductions, not antiques and a couple of them were scuffed up.

     I primed one, then painted it a light yellow-ish wheat color. After that, I glazed the chair frame in a tobacco color and slid some fabric I had over the cushion to get an idea of how we'd like it.
   The newest maid-of-honor wasn't sure of what colorway she wanted to go, so the chairs have been there, in transition.   As her cottage has taken shape, we have chosen a color palate at last. We are set to paint all 4 chairs black, along with the drop leaf round kitchen table very soon, and add new cushion fabric...oh yes, you know I'll be sharing the results with you!

a cozy corner

Here is a peek into the little area off of the kitchen in my newlywed daughter's cottage. A perfect spot for reading, or sunning, or sitting with a cup of chai tea, reflecting on the day.

     We had every intention of finishing up the area with new shabby drapes like one of these this past weekend, but time got away from us.
     Um ya, I think that means I need to hurry back up there, don't you?

An early Easter bunny sighting...

   Psych!
OK, so it's not the "real" Easter bunny, it's Mona Fleasa in her Easter bunny suit. All three and a half pounds of her. (I found it at TJ Maxx, and was so surprised to find a suit small enough that I had to buy it)
     I think she looks a little "wall-eyed" as we call it, in these photos, and I'm not quite sure why, 'coz she doesn't seem to look that way to me in person....but she's a cutie patootie anyhow.

I am thinking this can be her Halloween costume as well, huh?

Happy days

     The shower was fabulous. The bride-to-be was completely surprised, and everyone had such a good time!The color theme was hot pink, black and white.We even jazzed up a make shift veil for the bride-to-be to wear through out the party. Tooo cute!

     The sewing queen made monogrammed napkins and the most adorable apron anyone's ever seen, which the bride-to-be promptly modeled for the huge crowd at the shower.

     All the details were perfect. After the shower, we girls met up with the guys and had a pizza party at the bride-to-be's home.
*sigh* It's so much fun, being in Portland with family. Gosh, I love these kids, and this town.

words to live by - week 53

Happiness pulses with every beat of my heart.

~Emily Logan

Shhhhh!

    I couldn't tell you this till now, (and I was just sure I was going to burst!) but today is the shower for the bride-to-be. It's a surprise!!
     She's detail minded and likes to know everything that's going on, so that made her big sis even more determined to make every detail special...and secret! The bride thinks the shower is March first.....but we're all set to surprise her here, at our favorite place (oh, you know I'll share pictures later!)
This wedding and the shower for that matter are all about the love. The maid-of-honor made these fabulous CD's of love songs and I made the labels and packaging.I used a photo of them that the bride-to-be's friend took of them kissing by a pool on a vacation. Wow, what a difference turning a color photo to black and white makes. Too cute, huh? And so easy to make. These will be the party favors for the guests at the shower...and they carry out the black and white theme oh, so nicely. The bride-to-be is gonna love 'em. I just know it.

Onesies

     Someone ordered cookies for a baby shower from me.(I must be nuts.I'm sure of it. This was the busiest week I've had in months at my grown up job, and then I was up till I-won't-even-tell-you-when, decorating these.)

     I bought the cutter here. They wanted pale yellow, white and pale green..not too much I could think of to jazz them up besides hearts and roses.... but they did turn out kinda sweet, don'tcha think?