Fine Lines and Fat Rolls {New Year Blues}

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New Year Blues

As the new year dawns, I'm pondering fine line lines and fat rolls.

Sounds promising, doesn't it?

At this stage in life, I'm longing for fabulous 40 but am settling for frumpy 40.

Why?

Because chocolate. (And other stuff, too.)

September 2016 {Month in Review}

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Bloggy Bummer

This month wins the award for being the most stressful, emotional, and overwhelming! I began September with a website migration from Blogger to WordPress, and everything pretty much went downhill from there. Nothing like technology to make me feel no smarter than a rotten tree stump. Ugh. There's a reason someone came up with the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Well, through more tears than I care to admit and one too many teeth-gnashing episodes, this old dog is trying really hard to learn new tricks. And, I'm making sure to give myself plenty of rewards in the form of CHOCOLATE. Lots of chocolate.

 

My Publishing Backstory and Why I Settled on an eBook

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I was planning on illustrating my second book this summer, but three things have hindered my endeavor:

1. Homeschool prep
2. New puppy
3. Art Ignorance

Number 1 is an expected thing. It happens every single summer and has for the past 13 years or so. No big deal. It's just part of the life we've chosen as a family, and there are aspects of homeschool planning that I actually enjoy.

Number 2 is sort of an unexpected thing. Maybe an "unwanted thing" would be a better choice of words for me. The amount of time and work on my part was perhaps a tiny bit unexpected because after 15 years without a dog or any kind of pet, I'd forgotten just how TIME CONSUMING pets can be, especially if you're a clean freak like me! The good news is that now that our puppy is 6 months old things are getting easier, and we've fallen into a pretty good routine. Truly, our big ole mutt puppy is slowly winning my favor.

Number 3 is just what it is and probably the most influential of the three. Without the issues of numbers 1 and 2, I'd still be stuck with the issue of number 3. :(

Art (in the traditional sense) was one of my LEAST favorite subjects in school. It always centered around things I felt I wasn't very good at like drawing, shading, painting, etc. Anything that required precision and a steady hand.

I hate failure, and I always felt like a failure in art because I could never get things to look the way I saw them in my head or to look the way they did in real life. I like rules when I can follow them, but I could never seem to apply the "rules of art" and have a pleasant outcome. My art fit into the Picasso category, and I don't like Picasso. (Those last 3 words need to be read in Snape's voice.) ;)

Art (in the traditional sense) has been one of my LEAST favorite subjects to teach. When I started homeschooling, I didn't mind doing certain kinds of crafts, especially the food kind, but when it came to actual art curricula that involved drawing, shading, painting, etc., well, those really frustrated me. One, the amount of supplies needed for "art" was ridiculous, and I could never afford to provide everything on the list. Two, I don't care for messes, and I figured one could get through life without ever needing to use those dreaded oil pastels. I did buy a pack once. Um, no. Just no. 

After 40 years of life on this planet, I have come to the realization that there are many forms of "art," some of which I am pretty okay at. When my kids were younger, I was able to wing it and make some pretty cute, homemade birthday cakes. Nothing like what's out there now on all those food channels and stuff, though. I like making food look pretty when I have time. I scrapbooked our lives for several years until kid number 3 came along. I enjoyed designing graphics (even with my very limited techy skills) when I wrote reviews for The Old Schoolhouse magazine. I like doing certain kinds of crafty things. Overall, though, artsy probably wouldn't be an adjective that anyone would use to describe me.

And I've been okay with that up until recently when I realized I was going to have to take illustrating my own books into my own hands.

You see, I began writing my first children's book when my daughter was just a toddler. I can remember spending lots of time cuddling with her in her tiny toddler bed and being inspired by her charming little quilt when the beginnings of a story started to take shape in my mind.

I've always liked writing - now that was a favorite subject in school! I've fantasized about writing novels, and I have notebooks filled with characters and story ideas. As a homeschooling mom, I just haven't been able to find the time to focus on a novel. I'm amazed at the number of women who can and do!! Anyway, when I was struck with an idea for a children's story, I thought it would be a bit easier since it wouldn't take as much time to write.

Well, I was right about the writing part. In fact, I've written 3 children's manuscripts so far, but I had no idea the publishing part would be so time consuming and so fruitless. With the amount of time I've spent on trying to publish my children's books, I could've written one of my novels! *sigh* (Well, probably not really, but . . .)

I guess I was a little naive when I began the publishing part of my writing journey. Armed with the 2009 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market: Where & How to Sell Your Children's Stories & Illustrations and the Internet, I figured there had to be at least one publishing company out there willing to publish my first story.

With excitement pulsing through my veins, I began devouring that publishing guide I mentioned above. Searching for companies who published picture books in my genre was exhausting. Finding ones who accepted unsolicited manuscripts was daunting. When I finally did find a few, I began researching how to write a query, and on March 7, 2009 (my 33rd birthday) I mailed my first children's manuscript, Lacy's Treasure, to Chronicle Books.

And I waited. 

And waited some more.

So the next couple of years were a tangle of mailing and waiting, writing and researching, and keeping my main job of homeschool mom my top priority. I also became a product reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse at the end of 2009 which took quite a bit of my time and writing energy.

However, during this time I wrote 2 more children's books, Little Moth and Mysterious Moon, and tried to keep up with my new novel ideas in notebooks - for later when I had more free time. (ha, ha) Eventually, though, I quit writing "for fun" and sending out manuscripts because NOTHING was happening for me where publishing was concerned. I focused my attention on product reviewing which turned into being able to blog my reviews through The Schoolhouse Review Crew.

That went well for about 5 years, but then it became clear that it was time to be done with that phase of life. While writing product reviews isn't as fun as writing fiction, it provided a real need for our family during that time. I learned a LOT for sure. :)

Even though I was super busy during those 5 years of homeschooling and writing reviews, I can't say that I never thought about stories and publishing. From time to time, I'd get bogged down with discouragement and that feeling of failure. I begged God to take away my desire to write books if it wasn't a worthy pursuit of my time. I begged Him to take away the new ideas and countless story scenarios that clogged my brain. That just didn't happen. It's like my brain is wired to think in story form. I may have written a few ideas down during that time, but I didn't focus on writing another story. I was determined NOT to pile up stories for the sake of nothing.

I told myself that I was NOT going to write another story until I published one that I'd already written.

When I was still sending out manuscripts, I really only sent out my first 2 books because I felt that Mysterious Moon was the least marketable of the three. Plus, it rhymes. And so many publishing companies shy away from rhyme. I didn't mean to make it rhyme. It just happened.

I kept Mysterious Moon tucked away in a folder on my computer. For what? I don't know. It was just something I'd written, so I kept it.

Well, a couple of years ago or so, I heard about this self publishing thing on Amazon. I thought, How cool is that? 

One problem: I still lacked illustrations.

And I can't draw.

Dilemma.

So, the next goal on my list was to find someone who'd be willing to illustrate for not a lot of money.

Yeah, tough.

I found a few people who showed some interest. One person even started the illustrating process, but eventually, nothing really panned out, and I was left once again with me, myself, and I.

Sigh.

I wanted to GIVE UP.

I wanted to RIP up all my manuscripts and DELETE every story I'd written right off the face of the whole earth.

I wanted to complain to God, "Why did you give me ideas for stories if You didn't give me the ability to bring them to life?"

(arms crossed) NO FAIR!

So, to make this long story a little longer, last fall I decided to put my big girl boots on and illustrate the book that I thought would be the easiest for me to do - Mysterious Moon - and self publish a children's eBook with Amazon.

I figured with a moon as the main character, I could handle painting a black sky and a circle on every page. The rest I could figure out later.

Having zero clue as to where I should begin, I bought some acrylic paint and some paintbrushes and got to work.

And it all started with 2 paintings and feedback from a few of my family members who had no clue about my intentions. I had secretly painted a moon over water and a moon over water with a sailboat.

Clearly on the wrong kind of paper, though. 

But that's for another story.

* So, to sum it all up, I settled on an eBook because that was and still is my only option at this time. I definitely don't have the funds to self-publish a physical book! *

In my next publishing backstory post, I will take you behind the scenes to explain how I went about illustrating my first children's eBook.

Stay tuned!

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Handmade Treasures and Where to Offer Your Support

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I haven't created very many handmade treasures. It's not because I don't like to. It's just that I've put my time and effort into other things during this mothering season. Homeschooling does take quite a bit of time, and I like a consistently clean house. Hopefully, I will have time one day for more handmade projects.

I did publish an eBook with illustrations that were painted by my hand. Does that count? I've made an autumn wreath, a wrapping paper Christmas tree, and this weird paper flower thing . . . hmmm, what else? Oh, I've made lots of scrapbooks. I think that counts. And I make lots and lots of homemade meals, too. I don't think that counts, though. At least not for this post. I do hope my family treasures some of these handmade/homemade things.

We know handmade items take time and love. That's probably why we like them so much.

Handmade things crafted by familiar hands can be some of our most treasured possessions.

I know that's certainly true for me . . .

the cross painted by my oldest son when he was little

the flower drawn and colored by my daughter years ago

the quilt made from my babies' clothes sewn and stitched together by friends

the rocking chair made by my mom to give to her very first grandchild

the blanket knitted by my husband's grandma

. . . just to name a few.


Handmade things crafted by unfamiliar hands can be special too. Especially when you know your purchase is helping a fellow mom or someone in need.

Fair Trade Friday

This has been my experience since joining Fair Trade Friday's Earring of the Month Club at the beginning of this year. I feel blessed to be able to help women provide for their children.

I'm actually wearing these earrings today. :) Fair Trade Friday (a Mercy House ministry) has other monthly clubs you can join to help mamas around the world. Be sure to check them out!

Noonday Collection

My friend, Emily, is an ambassador for Noonday Collection, a company who partners with artisan entrepreneurs to help communities in need. They design and sell jewelry and accessories hand made by women from 12 different countries. As an ambassador, Emily is trying to earn money to help families fund adoptions. She and her family know firsthand the blessing of adoption. I've known Emily for almost 2 decades - please support her if you can. :)

Montana Songbird Art Studio by MontanaArtStudio

My friend's daughter, Kiersten, owns Montana Songbird Art Studio and offers unique, handmade watercolor prints and greeting cards. Customization is also available. Kiersten is a young, single mom who sells her work to provide for her two boys. Here are a couple of her best selling pieces:

Be sure to check out her other works of art as well. I'm a bit partial to her fawns (especially the pink one) since my nickname used to be Autumn Fawn. :) I will be ordering a set soon!

And So She Said Creations

My mom's cousin, Cathy, owns And So She Said Creations where she offers handcrafted home decor, gifts, and apparel designed with YOU in mind. She is located in Arizona, and you can see her work and contact her by direct message on Instagram and Facebook.

Amazon

Guess who else is offering handmade products? Amazon! Yes, you can now buy handmade items from Amazon and even connect with the featured artisans who make them. You can search for artisans from your own state or from over 85 different countries. Customization for certain handmade items is also available. Start your Christmas shopping early and check out all of the handmade departments below.




I absolutely love this concept from Embie Design in Georgia! I have the perfect people in mind for customizing a gift like this. :) This is just one of the many items I've seen that I've loved. I could get lost looking at all of the handmade stuff!!



There's just something special about handmade.

By clicking and purchasing from any of the above links, know that you are helping some moms I do know and some moms I don't know provide for their families. It is much appreciated!

By clicking and purchasing from my amazon links, know you are helping me provide for mine in a small way. While I don't make much as an amazon affiliate, I am able to put what I do make toward homeschool supplies, essential oils for our health needs, and some supplements for some of my ongoing health issues. Thanks so much!!

What are some of your most treasured handmade possessions? Let me know in the comments!!

This post may be linked to one or more of these fabulous link-up parties!

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Cami Secret: A Little Modesty Goes A Long Way

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While this isn't going to be a post about what modesty is or isn't, it is my personal opinion that letting one's cleavage hang out all over the place isn't modest at all. (And by the way, I think modesty is SO much more than the clothes we wear.) Anyway, for those who may be interested, I'm just sharing how I found a cleavage-covering alternative to tank tops. :)

My budget typically doesn't allow for spontaneous purchases, but when I saw these, I KNEW I had to have them! It just gets too hot in the part of Arizona that I live in to always have to wear tank tops underneath shirts. Plus, it seems that most tank tops these days are cut too low anyway and don't quite do the job I want them to do.

Cami Secret has been a life saver for those shirts and dresses that are just a tad too low cut.

What exactly is Cami Secret then? Basically, like it says on the cover of the package, Cami Secret contains clip-on mock camisoles. They clip on to your bra straps, and the height of the cami can even be adjusted a little bit. 

I found 2 photos of myself wearing the black and white mock camisoles. Hopefully this gives you a better idea of how they look while being worn.

Now, just so you know, Cami Secret doesn't work with every shirt. If the top you're wearing is made of thin or partially see-through fabric, the mock camisoles will show through. I still sometimes have to go with a tank top, but that's okay. Sometimes the layers look nice. 

I really think these little pieces of fabric go a long way in the modesty department! They've worked for me quite well. I've included links below to the exact ones that I have which came in a package of 3 in black, white, and beige. I've also included a link to some that don't have lace, and I even think I'd like those better.

Cami Secret works for me!

Cami Secret Set of 3 Clip-on Camisole, Black/Beige/White, One Size

Snappy Cami (804) - White, Creme and Nude - Neutral Set - NO LACE (Solid)


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May ~ So Much to Love About Spring (and other stuff)

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Fairy garden love

My daughter and I started a fairy garden several years ago. It's so fun to make it different each spring and fall.

Regular garden love

Love the bench my hubby brought home from his outing at Merchant Square in Chandler. :)

Mother's Day celebrations

Breakfast and shopping with my mom and sister.

Flowers and chocolate from my sweet kids.

Celebrating our 19th anniversary

Peach picking and peach cooking

Apple picking from my own trees

Son officially taller than dad

Oh, this dog!

Going to the dog park has become a regular part of our lives. We go several times a week. It's nice to have a place where Kylo can run and sniff and play without constantly being told "No!" for something or other.

For the most part, Kylo plays nice, but he's still so young and can be annoying at times. ;) Here, though, these 2 dogs are having bunches of good fun.

One thing I just don't get is when people bring their small dogs to the big/active dog side and then get upset because your big/active dog is acting like a big/active dog. Hmmmmm.

I dared to try the pool again, and this time it was a success! Kylo didn't drink gallons of water and played a little less crazy.

Poor thing just plain tuckered out on one of his longer walks with Shiloh and me. We let him rest for a bit, and I even tried carrying him. That boy's gotten heavy!!!

Goodness, the sweetness of this girl and her doggie make me melt. :)

Memorial Day weekend Sunday drive to Sedona

The drive was beautiful.

But there was lots of traffic!

So green and peaceful and lovely in this spot.

I know. A silly car selfie + a cute little photo bomber.

Kylo is such an awesome car rider, thank goodness. :)

When he wasn't sleeping, he was enjoying the car ride. The only times he was a bit difficult were when we had to take bathroom breaks or get food. We'd take turns staying in the jeep with him, but he'd still whine and try to pace a bit waiting for whoever was gone to get back.

Too bad we weren't able to hike any trails due to overcrowding and no parking. Memories: trying to find somewhere to eat our subway lunch and ending up in a Wal-greens parking lot; Venti frappuchinos + one puppuchino. ;)