In the blink of an eye...

Lucas has always been the center in a group of girls and the above photo is justs one of many pictures I have proof of it. He went to Karen's house when I was working the lunch shift at Margo's in Pacific Grove, CA. He's between two and three in this photo; that's Katy (middle daughter of Karen's). Also in the photo, with her back to the camera, is his cousin and my niece, Maya. Lizzie was the youngest of Karen's and Maya, Lizzie, Katy, and Lucas all stay in touch via Facebook and email. Maya turns 28! this week, Lucas turns 26 in two weeks. They are real live adults now; they must be older than me because I think I'm still 26 or 28 or somewhere around there.

Here's my first born, Lucas, holding Maya's three year old, Ben. He's just about the age Lucas was in the first photo and just as full of energy (don't let the fact that Lucas was sitting in the previous photo fool you). In the blink of an eye, Lucas, Ben will be your age and you'll be mine. Enjoy every bit. I love you and miss you so.

Pink Friday

I hope y'all had a great Turkey Day; we did. Actually the holidays are not usually my favorite times and this year, unfortunately, this year was no exception. With my family living out west and my two older boys, one in Oregon and one in Texas, are usually elsewhere, it's not like holidays I have in mind. This year loosing Uncle Robbie made it harder. But we press on, the four of us. Paul and his dad take care of the turkey while I do all else (Deal or No Deal?) and we had a great meal. While all was cooking the boys started watching something that was boring to me but in the meantime I read the latest copy of Romantic Home with the cute Christmas stockings on the cover. I thought they were something that had to be order, but, alas, they were to be made. I was overcome with the need for a fun new project through their inspiration. I got out a big stack of fabric remnants and antique hankies and did my first stocking. Once I got my own way of doing it with the first one the others were a snap. By this afternoon I had 8 done. Creative therapy. I got through Thanksgiving and will be able to have turkey sandwiches for a few days-yeah!

As long as I'm being a bit of a buz-kill, I'm so like Seinfeld. Everwhere you go for days before folks are saying, "Happy Thanksgiving". Then for two weeks after they ask how your Thanksgiving was, "You have a good Thanksgiving?". Bah, there should be a one day allowance on each side of the day 'cause the same darn thing happens at Christmas and New Year's. I want to go to San Diego for Christmas-bet amoung yourselves.

Hate the shopping but love to offer gift items for the holidays, so good things do come out this time of the year.

Next Up and Not To Be Missed

In past years this has been a very popular event; loads of food, drink, and fun; see you there!!!

Check it out!

Here's an article that was in our local magazine last week!

Ups and Way Downs

I know there are a lot of photos of the world's smallest retail space but I felt such a need to catch up and fill my little space here after a long hiatus. The hiatus will be explained at the bottom. Until then please enjoy what has kept me as sane as possible these last three months!

I might have lightly mentioned in a previous post that Paul's Uncle Robbie had come to live with us in August after living his entire 82 years in NYC, 42 in the same apartment. We discovered that he had not been eating or drinking and he was severely dehydrated and malnourished. After a stay in the hospital to get him up and running at least somewhat he came to live with us. What a wonderful soul; what a wonderful person, just as sweet as a guy can be. We quickly discovered that he was suffering from dementia and that was part of his not eating or drinking-to him he was but in reality he wasn't. He had good days and bad and some of both. But his eyes lit up like it was Christmas when we walked into the room. More and more he depended on us to take care of him but he was always cheerful and easy. He was in and out of the hospital with infections which, after 3 months, his body could no longer fight. We lost him last Wednesday morning. During his quiet, peaceful times I worked on art and collages to keep myself sane during the really challenging parts and would run up to the shop when Paul got home at night to take over care. It was truly a blessing that we had these months to be with him (Matt and I'd only met him once before; Paul saw him more and kept in contact with him several times a week-his wife passed away 6 years ago and they had no children) and get to know and experience such grace and love unbound. I kept up with what I could during that time but the guys came first (we still have Paul's 91 year old dad living with us-in fine health, too), this blog seemed to come last. I just didn't want to share what we were going through and I didn't want to not acknowledge it so I didn't do much. Hopefully I'll get back into my overdoing it and keeping you coming back. Next up is a tour of how the shop is gearing up in a big way for the holidays. Blessings to you and your families and don't take one minute of health for granted.