Sending Out Happy Thoughts

I've had better days.

The funny thing is, when I'm by myself, I feel like I can handle Justin being away. I really do try to look on the positive side, and think about all the new experiences he'll have, and all the time I have to devote to creative things while he's away. I treat myself a bit... yes, two banana splits at 4 o'clock might have been a bit too much of a treat, but I also forgive myself! I write, I play music, I give Bella lots of attention. We're doing okay.

The hard part, it seems, is being around others. I don't really understand how that works. I was so looking forward to dinner with friends tonight, but I came out of the evening feeling so much more isolated. The whole time, I wanted to excuse myself and shake off the negativity that was settling in, but I didn't; I stayed and ate and talked, thinking that's what people are supposed to do when their spouse is away, that's what's supposed to cheer people up.

Well, apparently, it's not what cheers me up, and so I'm spending a bit of time this evening reconnecting with the positive energy I've got all by myself.

I'm writing a few little cards to send to friends, family and a few new Unraveller friends who I think might appreciate a bit of happiness in their post boxes. There's nothing like sending some happy thoughts out into the Universe to make me feel a bit better about a could-have-been-better day.

Hope your Monday's been a bit easier! xx

Things I Hate Monday

"Wait... hate?" you ask. "What happened to heart?"

Well, this week, I thought I'd share some things I naturally don't like, and a couple of ways to turn them into fun, good things!

1. Laundry. Doesn't this look familiar?

Solution 1:

Get this laundry lamp, so even if you can't be bothered to put the clothes away, it'll look like you meant to leave them out.

(Yes, even your racy undies, apparently!)

Solution 2:

Keep a stash of treats on the washing machine which you only get to eat if you do a load of laundry.

2. Ironing. Yes, one shirt isn't so bad, but I put it off and put it off until monster towers form.

Solution 1:

Round up some friends, buy rainbow-coloured Spandex suits, and iron on the go.

(I call the red one!)

Solution 2:

Download the New Yorker podcasts from iTunes (free!) and listen to a story while you iron.

It's like nap time... but things get done!

3. Sick people. Yep, Justin's been down with the flu this week, and it can be less than lovely.

sniffle sniffle

cough

ahhhh-choo

snifffffffle

Solution 1:

Wear a flu mask around the house, and decorate it like this stylish chappy in Mexico.

Solution 2:

Make him hot honey and lemon drinks, and since they're so yummy, make one for yourself, too!

Have a nice Monday!

x0

Things I Heart Monday

Happy Labor Day to you! Wasn't it lovely to sleep late on a Monday?

I'm really hearting waking up slowly with a nice cuppa hot choccie... with about half a pint of cream mixed in. (Shhhhh!)

I'm also hearting this awesome little yarn shop I found just across town in College Station, The Hook and Needle. They have the most beautiful colours of yarn, and I came away with these four lovelies:

They are supposed to be for making Christmas gifts, but they look so pretty piled up up my desk, it'll be hard to unravel them!

And when I got home, I found that the Hook and Needles ladies had stuffed my bag with extra goodies! Colouring pens? Yes, please! I'm thinking about taking a sweater-making class with them in a few weeks which sounds hard, but very interesting.

And lastly, I'm hearting trading. I'd never traded with another shop before, but the lovely Punkscrapper contacted me and asked if I'd be open to it. Yes, yes, completely yes! I've put together a little package of prints for her, plus my first ever listing, Mr. Embroidered Cardinal...

...and a little painting of a barn that I made after falling in love with Georgia O'Keefe's watercolours. Both are things I was sure would sell, but they never really even got looked at, so I'm very happy they've found a home at last!

In return, I'm getting lots of awesome felty fun, like this sweet like branch-like coffee cozy! Yay for trading!

I hope you've all got lots of be happy about, too!

xo