Thanksgiving - LIterally

This has been a crazy month and I can't believe it's almost over! Where does the time go? I've had a good month on Esty and pray it continues for a newbie!!

I've had 4 sick kids back and forth and back to back. I am so thankful for good medical insurance because I realize many do not have this luxury. I find it hard to divide myself in fourths but I'm learning along the road that it's impossible to make everyone happy. I find at the end of the day that as long as my kids are clean, healthy, full and happy - that's all the matters. God is good and he's blessed me with four of the most wonderful, different and beautiful children.

When I do have some down time, nothing makes me happier than making jewelry. It's an escape to the land of creativity and I so LOVE IT!

I hope everyone has a blessed holiday and remembers what's truly important. Life goes by so quickly and the little things out way the BIG things. All the best!!

Becky

Stockpiling...

I have a new attitude lately. I was the type who would go to the grocery store every other day to pick up the odds and ends. Basically, I got tired of doing it and picking up odds and ends here and there. SO, I've adopted a new rule of thumb... a huge list and waiting for at least 7 days to go back to the store. I have to admit, it's been painful. Why is that? It's because I was shopping emotionally and not thinking things through. So, it's been almost 2 weeks and I have to say I'm doing pretty well and saving a LOT of money. Obviously the stapled need to be replenished more often than that; bread, milk, cereal and beer. :) Happy trails!

As always, please visit my etsy site:

www.cocobellecreations.etsy.com

If you had a hammer...

what would YOU create?? I'm always looking for new ideas, inspirations, etc. I've had several requests for encouraging dog tags for our military friends. They can't wear them but it would be nice for them to hand on their bunk or on their suitcase. I love to hear feedback from others so please... BRING IT!! I aim to please. God bless AMERICA!

Life in the FAST LANE

As I've stated before I have four wonderful children. Lilly (9), 4th grade and Sophie (8) , 3rd grade are both in elementary school. Lilly has started to become more involved in school activities, student council and Spanish club. Therefore, our "normal" schedule has changed a bit. She needs to be at StuCo every Tuesday @ 7:45 and stays after school every other Thursday until 4:30. So, that means daddy or grandpa need to take or pick her up for these activities. She's decided that she needs to shower before StuCo, which means she gets up a lot earlier than normal and interrupts my schedule as well. Emery, our 3 1/2 year old started preschool this fall and has to be at school at 9am. The bus comes for the older girls at 8:20 which means it's a mad dash from the bus stop home to wake up Maddox our 15 month old so we can take Emery to school. It's a crazy schedule but I'm getting used to it. I wonder what it will be like in another 5 years or so when the schedules, bus arrivals and activities increase. Oh, life in the fast lane. I would trade it for the world but it does cause a few gray hairs. Now, when will I schedule my hair appointment? I'm only 37 but feel like I'm 73! :)

DOGS!

We have two wonderful weimaraners dogs. We rescued both of them from death and/or an owner surrender. Well, our first dog, Lexus was treated horribly by her previous owner. She was rescued from a shelter with a cauliflower ear. Basically, it looks like someone slipped 100 bbs under her skin. She had major ear infections that were never treated which caused hematomas to form and it makes her left ear about 250 times heavier than her right ear. Therefore, she has horrible ear infections, yeast infections, you name it. She's learned to live with it but it still sucks for all of us. We've thought about putting her down because the surgery to repair it is beyond our means. She's the best dog ever and lets all of our kids crawl, lay, ride her etc. I love her beyond words. Our second dog, Bama is a little over a year. She's a good girl but has a bad habit of chewing up everything in site when we're gone. It's called separation anxiety. Let me give you a "few" (understatement) of the things she's destroyed;

3 remote controls
2 cell phones
2 home phones
2 blue tooth ear pieces
a billion toys, stuffed animals, etc.
10 pillows at least
Holiday decorations
a chair
pens, pencils, sharpies
she likes to surf the counter for any food
two remote key rings
brushes
combs
Do I need to continue?

She reminds of the dog Marley. Why do we tolerate her behavior? We've taken her to several obedience classes, bought countless chew toys, rawhide bones, etc. Nothing works! However, we continue to love her (well I do anyway, my husband - not so much).

Why are we so tolerant? Perhaps it's because we are responsible for who she is, alas, she's a dog but she's part of the family and we have to take her good and bad. One good thing, she's never bothered or hurt my jewelry supplies!!

cocobellecreations.etsy.com

I often wonder...

Life is crazy with 4 kids and two weims and a husband to boot! What if we took a different path along the way? What if we went to a different school, took a different job, moved to a new city? It all sounds simple but where would we be? Would we have the same spouses, kids, homes, etc.? I believe in destiny 100%. I also believe in a higher power. Some do, some don't and that's fine with me. I just find it fascinating to think about all the "what-ifs". I am so thankful for my life, family and where I am at this point. Obviously, there have been struggles but isn't that what life's all about? How do you learn if life is simple? Just food for thought...

Little Fish - Big Pond

I'm still working on my etsy site. I enjoy reading the forums for new ideas, techniques, etc. I've learned quickly that there are many people with many ideas to help. There are people who think you need at least 35 items to post and some who believe you must have at least 100! Whatever!

I'm choosing to go at my own rate and not worry about what others say. I've done plenty of research on my own and I know that things will start to work out. I will not obsess about the number of visitors, etc. I enjoy what I do and it only takes a few buyers to figure out that my jewelry is the best of the best.

Being a SAHM is awesome. I would love to supplement my husband's income to have a few extra dollars. More importantly, I'm enjoying what I do and in my opinion, that's all the matters! :) I would love to hear from others who have etsy, ebay etc. shops to get your philosophy and what works for you! Thanks for reading and I can't wait to talk to more of the hard-working, fun-loving, jewelry makers!

All the best for the upcoming week!