Notes from A Cottage Industry

Words to live by - week 141

Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
                                   -- Author Unknown

Words to live by - week 140

Produce great pumpkins, the pies will follow later.

Words to live by - week 139

We most often find happiness right where we plant it.

Words to live by - week 138

Home is where your heart is,even if you can't remember which box you packed it in.

Words to live by - week 137

My friends are my estate.
-Emily Dickinson

Words to live by - week 136

The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

Words to live by - week 135

Now this is not the end.

It is not even the beginning of the end.

But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

                                                                            -Winston Churchill

I found this quote last week and I think it's perfect for my words to live by today. I am still walking on air and thanking God about every two and a half minutes for the huge blessings he has given me just within the past two weeks, let alone all the other weeks of my life. This latest blessing may seem to have come up suddenly, out of the blue, but, friends who know me well know that it has been a long, long time coming and why it all came together so shortly after opening 41 Taylor is something I see as a gift and not a challenge, for both me, and the other Tracey. (Let's all remember who's driving the bus.) I am struggling to help my dear friend see that the blessings are surely there for her as well.

While I don't take for granted the incredible support and encouragement I have from my family and close friends, I realize that I need to remember that not every one has such an amazing cheer leading section as I have been blessed with.

Take a nice long look at the photograph I am sharing today. It's just a tiny glimpse (more to come tomorrow!) of the spectacular event that the other Tracey came up with for her parents 50th Anniversary party at 41 Taylor. Such attention to detail! Using the colors from her parents wedding, she created an absolutely magical setting for a party to remember. She has the gift of hospitality.

I fear my comrade doesn't have a clue just how much talent she truly has; her capacity (A gift, really!) to stage a room, organize an party, or a fabulous platter of cheeses and fruits for that matter, rival any Martha episode I've ever seen.

Please, please, my friend, know that whatever project you are working on, I am cheering for you. I have the utmost faith in your ability to make. It. Happen. 

Like the quote says, this is not the end, but perhaps only the end of the beginning. (Oh! Think of the possibilities!)

Words to live by - week 134

Words to live by - week 133

The art of being happy lies in the power

of extracting happiness from common things.

 -Henry Ward Beecher

Words to live by - week 132

Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.

Words to live by - week 131

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.-oprah winfrey

Words to live by - week 130

A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.

                                                                                          Winnie the Pooh

I am so blessed to call all of you wonderful people in blogland my friends. I will never forget the kindness that has been shown to me this week.

Words to live by - week 129

There is no psychiatrist in the world

like a puppy licking your face.

-Bern Williams

**Moose and I appreciated all of the lovely comments from yesterday's post.

Words to live by - week 128

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Words to live by - week 127

Heaven is the place you meet every dog you ever loved.
One of my kind readers sent me this quote and I hope with all my heart it is true.

Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments, your thoughts and your prayers. I have read (and re-read) them all, and I am touched to have so much love pour out for Moose and me from all of our wonderful friends, both here and in blogland.

Words to live by - week 126

The true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure.      Francoise de Motteville

Words to live by - week 125

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.

                                                                         ~ Russel Baker

Words to live by - week 124

The Home does not have to be planned out in detail, just put together by pieces its inhabitants love.
                                                                                       ~ Josef Frank

Words to live by - week 123

Pursue what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.
                                                                                             unknown

Words to live by - week 122

Words to live by - Week 121

Dreams are free, so free your dreams.

                                                                         ~ Astrid Alauda

The little vignette in the picture today was the backdrop we set up for a photo shoot we were in for a Gannett Publishing owned local magazine. (aptly named Reno Magazine..!) The other Tracey and I were photographed here after we were interviewed for an article regarding the Tumbleweed Cotillion. (So exciting!) The story (and picture) will be in the August issue of Reno Magazine.

Oh ya, it's all about freeing your dreams.

Words to live by - week 120

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.
                                        ~ Salvador Dali

Guess who I got to spend the entire afternoon and evening with yesterday?

Words to live by - week 119

Words to live by - week 118

 

Sometimes the most urgent thing one can do is take a rest.

Words to live by - week 117

A bit later in the day than usual, but here is my Sunday Words to live by post. (Oh! And isn't it an incredibly true quote?)

   First of all...Happy Mothers Day to all the Mamas out there! Next...Thank you for all of the concerned emails about my absence from posting the past few days.(Such wonderful friends!) Not to worry, I am fine...just trying to search for different ways out of a rut of my own. Okay, not necessarily a rut, but...well, more of an unfulfilling, safe place. (Sheesh, I sound so deep and vague, you surely haven't a clue what I am trying to say...I'm not even sure myself.)

Anyway.

    For those of you with inquiring minds that have been wondering what I've been doing all week, I'll tell you. I've been debating. Make Pro/Con lists. Praying. Worrying and fretting. Trying not to worry or fret. I've been filling out forms for loan modifications, going to my Senator's office to waste my time look for assistance on another issue, and while trying to decide which financial-slash-career path to take, (The secure-but-barely-buys-my-groceries-and-yet-allows-me-time-to-follow-my bliss bank job, or the throw-caution-to-the-wind-and-shoot-for-the-moon-leaving-everything-behind-me idea I tossed around) two more doors were thrown wide open for me.(As if I weren't confused enough already...)
      First, I was recommended by a friend for a pretty good paying job at a huge non-profit organization, so I sent my resume to my daughter for some tweaking (Oh my gosh! She made me sound so fabulous even I wanted to hire me!) and hand delivered it to the Exec Director. Long story short, I was called in and interviewed, and have now made the short list for round two of the interview process. (Wow, I just may land this job opportunity.) Making a salary that would guarantee me being able to pay my monthly bills would be pretty sweet, to say the least, and working for such a good non profit would be right up my alley. (But, would there be enough time left for following my bliss? For my writing? My painted furniture?)
     In the meantime, a fabulous new shop in a charming little house is getting ready to open here in the biggest little city, and the other Tracey and I have been asked to teach some workshops there and put some of our merchandise in on consignment. (I know! Pretty cool, huh?) While chatting it up with the owners of the shop, we discovered they owned the house next door as well...and wouldn't we like to see it? Um, well...the rent is affordable?.....well...maybe just a peek...Oh-me-oh-my-oh. It looks to be a diamond in the rough, a perfect location for upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillions and also for hosting intimate events like showers and parties and bookclubs and...It could be a charming event venue..(but would there be enough income along with the bank job to support me?)
    So....with all of this being said, I am completely dazed and confused.(I think God needs to close some doors for me.) I look at my choices and I'm scared to death and thrilled at the same time, if that makes any sense.

After all, like M. Scott Peck says, this decision could just turn out to be one of my life's finest moments.

Words to live by - week 116

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway." ~ Emory Austin

Actually, I do think Moose always has a song in his heart, and my camera simply caught him in a pensive mood. (Or maybe he just wasn't happy being photographed with that screamingly pastel Easter egg themed 'neckerchief, even if it did compliment his blonde hair.)

Words to live by - week 115

 

"Use your precious moments to live life fully every single second of every single day."
             ~ Marcia Wieder 

Words to live by week 114

"Old times never come back and I suppose it's just as well. What comes back is a new morning every day in the year, and that's better.”
~ George E. Woodberry 

Becoming a Gramma changes your perspective on things.

Words to live by - week 113

Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.  ~Floyd W. Tomkins

I wish you all a wonderful Easter!

Words to live by - week 112

     There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.
                                              Douglas H.Everett

Words to live by - week 111

You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.                                                                  Andrew Jackson