And what do YOU do?

"And what do you do, Leanne?" she asked . . . as I stood over a counter munching on some fresh broccoli and delicious dip.

"Me?" I answered, "well . . . I'm an Artist."

I said it. To a complete stranger. And then I smiled. A great big smile.

I've never done that before, you know? I've never said that I was an artist. But last Friday (the very day I felt in a gloomy state and wrote that "The Pits" post on this very blog), I said I was an artist. Yes, I did. At a home demonstration, over the broccoli dip. I said, "I am an Artist!" And I've been smiling ever since.

I put it out there, friends. In the great big universe. And since then, I've been making it happen. After claiming my position in the universe, and after a heart-to-heart with both PG and my sister, I am moving forward. I am surrounded by love and support. From family, friends, and blogsouls (that would be you!) and I am forever grateful. Really. Big hugs to you.

Yes, mailing boxes have been ordered, Etsy descriptions are being written, calls made, really cool work table bought at a local resale shop, product created. All of it.

Today I talked about some "business" stuff with my Mom. After she took in all of my mumble jumble, she asked, "How did you get so smart?" . . . and my heart did a flip. Yep, I think Mom even believes I can do this. And my friends . . . that makes me feel really really good.

So, I'm hoping to have Etsy open by the end of the week (or over the weekend.) I've got some awesome products that I'll be selling, and I'll probably be asking my dear blog friends (eh-hem) to throw a few shout outs for me. I'm asking for all the traffic I can get, friends. This isn't just a business to me . . . this is a new life. And it's a bit of a miracle, too.

Yes, I am an artist.

:)

Lock your Doors

A few weeks ago, Katie was getting ready for school and had a few minutes to spare before her bus was expected, so she asked if she could ride her scooter on the sidewalk while we waited for her school bus.

"Sure," I said, "but be careful, honey. Don't hurt yourself." I called out, as she headed toward the door. The minute I said, "don't hurt yourself", I started thinking. Why do I do that? Why do I always have to warn her, or say something like, "don't hurt yourself", "don't fall down", "don't do this or that"? It's not like she is the type of kid who heads outside and purposefully tries to fall down and hurt herself. Why can't I just let her be a kid and go and run and have fun, and not have to throw some sort of negative idea in to the air? Is that just a mother thing? Something that all mothers just have to do when their child is about to leave from their protective arms?

Hmmmm . . . I then had a flashback to my own youth, and growing up in my parents home. When I was a young woman, each and every time I left the house, my father would remind me to "lock your doors!" of the car I was either driving or riding in. I could be heading out with a sibling, or with a friend, or just with myself running an errand, and as I said good-bye to my father, he'd always always say "lock your doors!"

So, I called back for Katie to come back in the kitchen so I could explain this to her.

"Honey," I started, "I am so sorry that every time you ask me to do something, I always tell you to be careful, or not to fall, or not to get hurt. I think I do that because Grandpa Joe used to always tell me to 'lock my doors' whenever I was leaving the house, and I think I just feel like I should say something to you when you are about to leave me. I'm sorry I always do that."


"That's ok, Mom," she replied. "If saying that to me makes you feel closer to Grandpa Joe, then I am o.k. with that. So, it's ok. You call tell me whatever you want when I leave. Love you, Mom," she said.

And off she went.

Dear Lord.

He sure gives you what you need, when you need it. Doesn't He?

Here was a little doodle Katie made for me yesterday. She sure gives me what I need, when I need it, too.



Yes, it is my time to shine.

And I'm working on it, my friends. Working very hard.

Peace.

And lock your doors!

The Pits

Fear.

Ugh.

Go away.

I have a pit in my stomach today. A pit that hurts inside. A pit that wonders what the heck I am doing. A pit that has me thinking it's time to get back into the "real world" and leave this dreamy state behind. A pit that took a good long look at the bank account and said, "Ok . . . seriously . . . get moving, honey. You need a job. NOW."

I need to put my art out there. But I still have much to do before I am ready for that.

Do I really? Or is it just the scared me who is procrastinating.



Bowl of peach pits image from
google image search. Original source unknown.



I'm a big procrastinator.

Sometimes . . . life is the pits, you know?

Sometimes . . . I just need a day like this to bring me down to reality a little.

Sometimes . . . I want to crawl up under the covers and let the day go by without having to get up.

But I can't do that today. Or tomorrow. I have things going on that require my presence. But I'd rather just stay home . . . me and the pit in my stomach.

What do you do when you have the pits? Just wondering. How do you keep going?

Coming SOON!

Just a little peek . . .

I'm so very excited!

And don't forget,

Christmas is right around the corner.

I'll have lots of goodies for all of those on your list.

My ETSY SHOP

is

COMING SOON!!!!

YIPPPIEEEEE!!!

Me, Myself and I

I had a business meeting with myself on Monday.

At my local Starbucks Office.

I decided it was time to develop

my mission statement, 

my business plan,

my hopes

and

my dreams.

It went really well.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

- Lao Tzu

I'm taking steps, my friends,

each and every day.

A DIY that I actually did . . . myself!

Did I tell you that I went to a jewelry show a couple of weeks ago? And, that I am obsessed with Pinterest? They don't really have anything to do with each other . . . well, not really, but maybe just a little.

Yes, I went to a friends home jewelry show, and bought myself some GORgeous jewels. Nothing too fancy, but all lots of cool fun.

And I'm loving Pinterest. Have you been there yet? It's an awesome sight were one can "pin" and save some of their favorite images from the web, and I LOVE IT! I can spend HOURS there, pinning and repinning things that I love . . . (I said I can spend hours, not that I do actually spend hours there . . . although, if I could . . . I certainly would.) If you want to see some of the things I've pinned on my boards - click the red bar on the right that says "Follow Me on Pinterest."

Anyway, I am sure that I was inspired by a pin somewhere for this awesome DIY project that I did today. Although, when going back through my pins today I couldn't find any reference to it. But, since I had just recently bought some lovely necklaces at this friends jewelry party, I was searching for a creative and clever way to display them (and a way to have them out so I would remember them, as I have that bad "out of sight, out of mind" problem when it comes to my jewelry.)

So, today, I found my solution. It started with a trip to our local resale shop where I picked up an old framed picture for $3.50. I wasn't looking for a cool picture, mind you. I was looking for a specific frame that had a little character, and was the right size. The one I bought was about 14" x 18" (give or take a few inches.) Then, I gathered some paint, a sanding block, some corkboard, adhesive, and scrapbook paper that matches our bedroom (where I decided I would hang the piece)

Once I took the picture apart, Ella helped me sand down the wood . . .

Then, we painted a base coat . . .

While the base coat dried, I measured and fit the corkboard backing . . . .

Then, once the base coat was dry, I sprayed the frame with a top coat of dark brown . . .

 . . . and adhered the scrapbook paper on top of the cork, along with a little ribbon and some extra bling . . .

After a little sanding and some cool edging with ink on the corners, it was time to add the jewelry . . . and I have to tell you, I was SO excited with how it turned out. (I am SO SORRY these next two pictures are blurry . . . I was rushing before dinner to try and take these for this post, and I thought they were focused. But as I uploaded them tonight, I see that they are SO badly out of focus! I promise to take some more tomorrow that are a little clearer for you.) But, you still get the picture . . . .

Here is the final look, on the wall in our master bedroom. It's a work of art . . .and my favorite jewelry pieces are right there just waiting for me.

Contrary to what you might think, I am not much of a DIY girl . . . so this project was a REALLY COOL one for me to try out, and I think I might be up to stretching my wings and try something else just like it.

Thanks for letting me share my little jewelry hanger!! Like it? YOU can easily do it, too!

Yes, they DID!

"Did they like you, Momma? Did they like your art?"

Those were the first words I heard on the phone from Katie, my dream catcher, when I called to check in from The Creative Connection Event this weekend.

I am home, my friends. And let me tell you . . . the past three days have been life changing for me. Truly. Life changing. I can't wait to tell you about it.

You know, my Katie is my very own dream catcher . . . the one who has stood by me the past 8 weeks when I lost my job, the one who has watched as her Mom threw herself into her art, the one who has heard me say to her time and time again how important it is for her to follow her dreams in life . . . Yes, my little dream catcher. She was SO supportive of me as I made some pretty tough decisions the past few months . . . and she was still supporting me. Even when I was in Minnesota and she spoke to me on the phone. My girl. *sigh*

As you know, I went to Minnesota for The Creative Connection Event, where I gathered with 700 other female artists. It was one of the most incredibly creative experiences I've ever had, and I am pretty sure I walked around the conference with a grin that stretched from ear to ear all weekend long. I am certain that everyone else thought I was crazy. But that's ok. When you are around a bunch of creative people, there is bound to be one or two crazies in the bunch.

Here are a few of the moments to share with you . . . first and foremost . . . KIKI!!! I FINALLY met my dear blog friend, Kiki, who picked me up from the airport and took me to dinner on Wednesday night. Kiki was awesome - and exactly as I always imagined her to be. From the second I walked out of the airport, I felt reunited with an old friend . . . we hugged, and I think I cried. Then we talked. And the talking didn't stop until she left on Thursday night. Seriously. LOVE Kiki!

Thursday afternoon . . . I did this . . .

Yep, I sure did.

My friends, I had an opportunity to PITCH MY CREATIVE LINE to THE BIG GUNS. We're talking . . . BIG!!!

I met face to face with four directors and product developers for four of the top gift companies out there, and it was FANTASTIC! I have to be honest - I wasn't nervous at all. There is something about starting something new that might make some people nervous - but for me, it was a dream come true. Did I get a licensing agreement? Nope. Did I get a job out of it? Nope. Was I seen? You betcha. Was I noticed? Most definitely. Were they engaged? Absolutely. Do I think they believe in me? Heck yeah! Would I do it again? In a HEARTBEAT!  Let me tell you - it was thrilling. And I was given some fantastic feedback and suggestions from these wonderful people. But most importantly, I was given what I needed most . . . . I was told, "You've GOT something here. Don't give up. Keep working at it. Keep going." And my friends, that was the MOST VALUABLE thing I could ever have been told.

It would be so easy for me to give up my dreams right now and take the safe road back in health care. It really would be. But I was told exactly what I needed, and I am so very grateful for that (thank you Margo, Ingrid, Beth and Chris!)

After the pitch slam, I met . . . KELLY RAE ROBERTS!!!!

And I cried. Yep. I'm a dork. I cried. If you have followed me for any length of time, you already know that Kelly Rae Roberts is my creative hero. I am honored to own her "Taking Flight" book, a number of her prints and a few of her home decor items. But more importantly, I have received renewed feelings of strength and peace from the messages in her artwork, and that is the biggest blessing. Kelly Rae came along in my life during a time when I desperately needed to be lifted up . . . when I was a young mom feeling lost between the role of wife, mom and employee. I didn't know who I was . . . and her work found me. When I met her, I just held my chest to help calm my beating heart. Really. And she was just as amazing and kind hearted and thoughtful and humble as I have imagined her to be. Really. Just a dear dear soul.

Every meal was spent sharing creative and engaging conversation with new friends. And the LOOT! So many generous sponsors shared so much with the attendees. I was blown away by the goodies I got to take home (and had to do some fancy shuffling of goodies at the airport, as my luggage was OVER the 50lb. limit) But here are just a few photos of some of the great stuff I now have . . . .

 

 

I took the Brave Girls Soulbook class with Melody Ross and her sister Kathy Wilkins (Brave Girls Club co-founder). Melody Ross . . . do you know her? If you don't, you should. Click her link. Get to know her. Three hours in her class have changed my life . . . seriously. LOVE her. Seriously.

I also took a class with Stacy Julian, and this lady . . . oh, dear . . . she made me laugh till I couldn't laugh any more, she made me cry (from laughing), she doesn't stop . . . not a single second of any day, I'm sure of it.  She makes the energizer bunny rabbit look slow . . . but it's ALL good.  I ADORE this lady. And I met a wonderful woman (Kathy) in this class, who I will tell you about later this week. She really was just a gem, and I can't wait to share a bit of her with you.

Yesterday morning I sat for the Woman's Entrepreneurs VIP Breakfast Panel (click the link to see who was on the panel.) It was exactly what I needed to end this amazing weekend.

SO, my friends, there you have it. A quick glimpse of the weekend.

What did I learn? SO so much. I am heading in the right direction, I CAN do this. And most importantly, I need to put my self (and my ART) . . . OUT THERE. So, I have MUCH to do in the days and weeks ahead. Step one - my business plan. Step two - set up Etsy shop. Step three  . . . . oh, I could go on and on. For now, I'll leave it with those two steps.

And, I'll leave you with one more picture of Kelly Rae and me. Because . . . I just want to.

"Did they like you, Momma? Did they like your art?" asked my little dream catcher.

"Yes, honey, they did. They liked me, and my art, very very much."

Here We Go!!!!!

You might be wondering what I am doing here, when I said I wouldn't be back for a week. Well, I've got 15 more minutes until the coloring in my hair is set (seriously), and 1 hour and 30 minutes until I have to leave the house (seriously, again), and 5 hours until my flight (yep . . . for real) . . . so, what else should this girl do with her time?

Yep . . . I'm blogging.

I know. I'm also nuts.

I also wanted to share just a few pics with you . . . you see, this is what it looks like when you put your dream wings on and fly . . . 

 . . . . when those wings help you accomplish it all . . .

 . . . . and what it looks like when there is nothing stopping you  . . . .

It's pretty great, huh?

Hugs to you all. I'll be back soon with lots of fun pics, I'm sure.

Until then, I wish you all much peace and happiness in your days!

:)

Living!

Well, dear friends. I hope each of you had a lovely day yesterday and hugged those near you, remembered those far, and shared moments filled with hope and great inspiration. I know that I did.

I'm just stopping in for a quick post to let you know that I'll be absent from blogland for the next week, or so . . . getting prepared for that amazing adventure I am taking to The Creative Connection Event in two days, and I still have SO MUCH to do. I have been crazy busy this weekend, staying up until 1AM and then being woken just a couple of hours later by Ella (who has been under the weather.) I'm running on very little sleep, but the adrenaline has kept me painting, writing, dreaming . . . and accomplishing it all. Soon, I'll be packing. And then . . . sharing my dreams with complete and total strangers. Sounds scary, doesn't it?

But I'm not scared. . . AT ALL. I'm EXCITED. I'm THRILLED. I'm READY. I'm INSPIRED. I'm MOTIVATED. And I haven't even left the house.

COOOOOL!

Again, I'm asking for a favor . . . another one?? you ask?

Yep.

Thursday, at 3:30 PM cst, I'm going to be sharing some of my ideas with some pretty amazing people. If you could keep me in your thoughts. I know how selfish this may be - to ask you to remember me. I guess I'm just hoping all the extra energy in the universe would set off some sort of rhythmic wave that would have these people cheering and applauding at the mere mention of my art. Sigh. How cool would that be?

So, I'm off . . . to follow my dreams.

Here is a little piece of my new collection . . . which I will be proud to have available for you in the very near future! (Details will be available end of the month!!! STAY TUNED!!!)

Until then . . . remember to LIVE it, my friend!!!! We've only got one life . . . let's make it a good one!

A Letter to a Hero

Dear Hero,

It seems so strange writing this to you today. I just felt like I had to. Because, it's been 10 years. And I can't stop thinking about you.

We've never met. But I have prayed for you a thousand times, at least. I've watched as your family held up pictures of you as they searched for any sign of hope. I've prayed as rescue efforts took place, in a hopeless pile of dust. I've thought of you, and dreamt of you. I've cried for you, over and over and over.

Tomorrow, I will cry again.

I know that you didn't know what was going to happen that day, 10 years ago. I know that as you dressed for work, ate your breakfast, and headed into the city, or as you packed your bag and took your seat in the airplane that morning, or as you sat at your desk to start your days work, you had no idea that your life was going to change forever.

I will never know what you went through that morning. I will never know the things you saw, the things you heard, the things that happened to you. I just want to tell you that I am sorry. I am sorry that your life was taken. Sorry that your family was left without you. Sorry that you were forced to make decisions no human being should ever have to make. Sorry that your children have had to grow up without a parent, your parents have to grow old without their child, your spouse has had to live their life without you. I am so sorry . . . for all of it.

You are my hero. I know you didn't ask to be a hero - and probably would have rather not been a hero -  I'm sure you would have rather just returned home safely at the end of that horrific day. But to me, you will always be my hero. And I will never, not tomorrow or any day after, forget what happened. I will never lose sight of the fact that we are all one people . . . one human race. I pray that some day, ALL people can love and I pray that the hate will end. I pray for our country. For our servicemen. For our freedoms. For humanity. And I pray that you will be united with your loved ones in the afterlife . . . that they will see you again. It's what I pray most for, surprisingly. I have to. Because if there wasn't that . . . then what is it really all for?

I'm doing something for a friend tomorrow. For a neighbor. Tomorrow is her birthday (what a hard day to celebrate life), and she deserves to have a wonderful day, so I am going to try and do something special for her. I'm doing it . . . in your honor. Mostly because I think it's important, not only to honor the lives taken on this day 10 years ago, but to do something nice for someone living. To show compassion. To care. Just as we did the days following September 11th of 2001. So, I'm going to do something nice for my neighbor. And, I will think of you.

You know, I've been to the World Trade Center a number of times in the past 10 years. Each time I visit, I feel your presence. It's so strong . . . the feeling. Almost indescribable. It grabs hold of my heart and doesn't let go until I turn my back and head uptown. Even now . . . 10 years later.

10 years is such a long time. Yet, it still feels like yesterday.

Please know that you are forever in my heart.

I pray that you have found Peace.

God Bless you, my hero.

Note to Self: I am not Italian

If the Good Lord wanted me to try and pull the hot, just melted mozzarella cheese (sticking so perfectly to the piece of foil that I just pulled off of the steaming hot zucchini lasagna that my mother-in-law made us for dinner), he certainly would have made me Italian.

I am not Italian.

The Italians would have certainly let the cheese sit there . . . for just a little bit . . . until it cooled down. yes, the Italians would have known that.

Not Me.

But I do realize I have a good life. I am unemployed. My mother-in-law made us dinner. I am able to focus 100% on starting a creative biz. I have the luxury of sleeping well after the 5:30AM that I used to wake up at just 8 short weeks ago. I am taking myself on a creative adventure next week . . . alone . . . and will be spending 4 days thinking about nothing but my creative life. Today Ella and I ate lunch outside on a picnic bench, because we could. Just her and me. And because of all of this, I was able to sign up as HEAD room parent for Katie's class this year.

Yes. I have an incredibly good life.

I know it.

I am so blessed.

And the Good Lord just reminded me . . . as I burned the top of my tongue on that melted, gooey, savory cheese that was calling my name . . . . you heard it, right? "Pssssst . . . Leanne . . . shhhhhhhh . . . come here . . . a little closer . . . see this cheese . . . you can take just a bit off the top . . . no one will know . . . and it won't hurt a bit . . . "

Ah, well. . .

It was totally worth it.

Peace, my friends. Peace.

One Day at a Time

Wow . . .

You know that feeling you get when your mind can't stop thinking . . . the thoughts, the ideas, the dreams, the plans, the "to-do's" just keep adding up, and you wonder if the ride will ever stop?

I'm feeling that this month.

But it's a really really good feeling.

We are having a busy month in this home of mine. School is in full force and activities are taking up many of our hours after school. Dentist visits are schedule, business trips are scheduled, oh . . . and me? I'm following a dream.

Yep.

A BIG one.

Won't go into much detail right now . . . but I just wondered if you could throw some EXTRA POSITIVE energy out into the universe for me this month (specifically, mid-month, if you don't mind). Oooooo . . . it's so good, that I'm feeling giddy.

So, think positive with me, will you.

Right now.

Ommmm. Shanti shanti shanti. Ommmmm. Shanti shanti shanti. (Shanti means "peace", in case you weren't quite sure what I was doing.) Anyway, did you think positive with me? Yes?  I knew it. I felt it. Thanks.

Oooo, did I tell you? I am also going to meet a blog friend this month . . . my dearest friend Kiki. I know I have spoken about Kiki before . . . do you know that Kiki was the very first non-family, non-friend (and non-obligated soul) to leave me a comment on my blog? Yep . . . she sure was. I just looked it up, and August 25th was our anniversary! ;) Anyway . . . I am delighted that we will finally meet and gather for fun and laughs (and if I know me, probably a few tears) at The Creative Connection conference I am attending. So excited about that.

So, that's a brief update on the happy chaos taking place here, my friends.

I hope this finds you all doing well . . . and enjoying each and every day. By the way . . . how are you? Leave me a comment and let me know what is filling up your days. I'd love to know.

Believe

We are all capable of becoming more
and doing more than we ever thought we could.

I am busy, busy, busy

believing in myself,

doing more than I thought I could,

and becoming

. . .

something.

Follow your dreams, my friend,

as far as they will go.

Peace

Love this Universe

Well, that was a gloomy day yesterday, wasn't it?

After writing "Melancholy Me", I did what any self-deprecating individual would do . . . I left the house, and walked. A long long walk. The kind of walk where you never look back, never look ahead, you just keep on walking. It was the kind of walk that allows oneself to soak in the sights and sounds of nature. The kind where you can close your eyes and feel the soft gravel crunch under your feet with each step, and soon the sounds of the insects around you sound like the most peaceful symphony you've ever heard.

Yes, it was a wonderful walk. PG and Ella were with me. And they allowed me to just be in the moment without much distraction or bother. I was so glad to have this time with them. With myself. With the universe.

When we returned home, we hopped in our little donut-ring paradise (our pool) and let all our worries out. PG listened as I shared my recent obstacles in my creative life, and he was so supportive and caring, it reminded me why I love this man so. He listened and offered suggestions to my dilemma, and encouraged me to keep going. It was just what I needed to hear . . . coming from the one person I really needed to hear it from.

Then he suggested I just let it go for a while. Give it some time to rest. And he was right. I leaned back in the pool, closed my eyes, and let that Vitamin D work its magic. Sometimes the sun can feel so good.

Today . . . these arrived.

Yes, I ordered them. And I knew they were coming. But I was not expecting them until 9/4. Today . . . they came. Almost as if the universe itself knew if it gave me too much of a break, I'd hide away all of those creative dreams for another 40 years.

Nope, not this time.

Yes, my business cards have arrived. I'll be passing them out at The Creative Connection event. Handing them to other creative souls. Sharing my story, my passion, my energy, my art. And receiving the very same in return.

So, we move forward. I mean, I have these business cards now. A whole 250 to hand out . . . so I might as well keep moving forward, right? ; ) What in the world would I do with 250 business cards if I didn't? (Actual, I have 450 business cards, but I'm not counting the first 200 that I ordered WITHOUT my name on them. Nope, not counting those AT ALL.)

So much to learn.

No better time than the present.

Thank you, Universe!