Over the holiday break the kids and I got to spend a lot of time together but working retail hubs doesn’t get much off time. So on one of the few occasions he was home we all packed up in the car and took the kids on their first bowling trip! OMGosh were they super excited! We live in a tiny rural town and drove over to the next town that has a tiny bowling alley (8 lanes in all). 

Weirdly the kids fell in love with their bowling shoes and wanted to take them home. We compromised on a shoe pic.

Chick was actually pretty dang good for her first time out! She beat me the first game even… I totally duck at bowling Hubs on the other hand while rusty dusty was good. I think its his super long arms… the ball got set right on the lane rather than being “thrown.” From someone who was happy to have the bumpers, I find that pretty amazing.

My sweet son was too small to get a good throw like his sister found and just couldn’t get a good handle on the little kid between the legs push. He tried so hard! He sat like this after every throw. So cute.

I personally was happy I broke 100 one game. I give thanks to the bumpers for that momentous accomplishment   

What did you do with your family over the holidays?

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I’ve made Goals for 2013, I’ve learned some things from last year to bring into this… last year my One Little Word for the year was Flourish. I dare say that with everything that happened last year, in spite of some things really, that word really summed up 2012. 

We went to our first CHA

We grew as a company

I feel I grew as an artist

and as a mom

I’m learning to look at my faults

and my strengths

honestly. 

My kids are both on major behavioral turn arounds

my hubs job is secure

I feel like we Flourished. Even if we have a long way to go

This year my One Little Word is… Achieve. 

I mentioned how this year has the feeling that everything is going to come together… that the work and effort will pay off. I have so many things I want to Achieve and I finally feel like that this is the year that I’m finally in the position to do it. 

Now I just need to do it.

What is your OLW for 2013?

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I like to do this post every year too. I don’t like making “resolutions” for the new year as those always seem to be like if I don’t follow thru its not as important as it does if I set a Goal. Goals have a plan behind them to back them up (typically lol) though they can still fall short. 

So here are some of my goals, divided up into categories, for 2013:

Personal

- Get back on my diet! I was on a great diet in the first part of 2012 but I was suppose to go to the Clinic on this plan 3 times a week which after CHA, my grandfather passing then my car breaking down in the space of a month, I totally fell off the wagon. I am getting back on it (an at home version) and sticking to it! Its going to take me a long time to get where I want to be but I know I can do it as I did so well before. Hubs has already agreed to join me on it, which will be helpful!

- Take Lunches. Pretty self explanatory but I forget often then wonder why I’m cranky and have a headache during the day.

- Decide on a “Done for the Day” time. I’m horrible at this and it makes me tired. I plan on looking at the activities on a typical day then set a time. There’s always tomorrow even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.

- Bi-Weekly Date Nights and Weekly Game Nights. If its on the schedule it gets done so on the schedule it goes!

Business

- Do some reading. I have a few Biz books that are on my “to read” list in 2013, 2 of which I ordered on B&N with a gift card I got for Chrimbo. 

- Attend CHA Summer. We didn’t get to go to winter due to some complications but I plan on getting back on the horse and going regularly again with Summer. 

- Keep Some Odd Girl fresh with some new ideas and products. I already have some different types of stamps in the works for the first part of 2013 but I’d like to work on some printables and maybe some cut files.

- Set Goals/Plans in terms of Sales, Marketing, Content and Products. Put them down on paper and on the calendar then revisit often and measure the results. A couple of the books I’m going to be reading here right quick will help me with this and make them actionable.

Creative

- Do some “me time” pics. This kind of goes along with my Done for the Day Goal. I’d like to work on some more just for me art and by having a cut off time I should have some space to do that. Its satisfying and makes me feel total zen to draw with no point except fun.

- Explore more. In terms of color and expression. This is a repeat from last year but I want to take it further this year.

- Set aside some crafty time just for myself. I set aside Sundays for crafting but I always do my work assignments. I need to schedule work, no matter what it is, during work time and leave myself some personal creative time too.

This is my so far list for 2013? What goals/resolutions have you set for yourself this year?

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Continuing with this week of reminiscing of the year gone by I learned a few things that I want to pass along for 2013. 

Practice Patience and Consistency

Its so easy to get caught up in the thought train of instant gratification and impatience with the efforts you put in. Patience is hard. Consistency is hard. Both take practice to be able to realize that everything takes time and what you’re doing now may not bear the fruit you want tomorrow or in a month but giving it time to ripen is where you can reap the rewards and feel good about what you were able to accomplish. 

This is something I know I have to work on again in 2013 and probably 2014 and 2015… sensing a pattern coming?

You Can’t Do It All

I find it very hard to ask for help, I want to be very self sufficient and motivated and as SOG has been growing I’ve had to ask for help. First from my DT Coor, which she took over with flying colors and does a better job than I would I think. Then this fall my hubs stepped into a consistent roll fulfilling orders and taking over the Wholesale end of things… that was so hard! It was a transition with a few bumps in the road but he was right, it ended up being for the best and its already letting me focus on other projects that have been getting put off just for lack of time. That one was being told I needed the help rather than asking for it… which almost made it harder to accept. 

But I’m less stressed and less tired… less ;)

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like asking for help is admitting failure. That’s how it is each time I do it, and I know I should probably do it more often but I don’t. Its one vicious cycle… and a lesson I’m sure to relearn more than once this year.

Take Care of Everyone… Including Yourself

This is something I’ve definitely learned but the lesson will continually need to be relearned. Eat a proper diet, take breaks (there’s such a thing? I wonder sometimes), exercise, do things for fun, snuggle your kids… if you have to schedule it in to make it happen, DO IT. I didn’t take a real vaca all year… maybe all last year too, I can’t remember which is concerning… and the few days I took off due to being sick, then with the holiday were SO refreshing that it reminds me to do it more often. Not just when you are ready to explode and pull out your hair. 

I’ve learned the lesson but I’m definitely not a great student of it yet, I hope I can improve my grade this year.

I just have this feeling that 2013 is going to be a turning point year for me and my family. The year to put every thing on a better track and turn a corner. The year we can prosper and see the season change and bring in the harvest. I’m not sure why it feels like that but it does.

We’ll see what happens.

What did you learn in 2012?

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I finally have a wreath that I LOVE that goes with my white tree All I had to do was make it but I wanted to do that anyway lol

Michael’s this year had WHITE wreaths and garland! I’ve only been wanting that for about 10 years! We’re all coordinated now and its just perfect. I got the wreath at M’s for 50% off a couple weeks or so ago then finally got the ornaments to go with it from Target. The little JOY ornament was just too perfect to pass up, esp for $1. 

(click to see it bigger)

I didn’t use all the ornaments I got on the wreath but the rest went on the garland so it wasn’t wasted I put the ornaments on with the wire hooks but instead of just hooking I twisted them tight onto the wreath so I could position them bulb out. Then the star ornaments I tied on with white string as I wanted them to lay flat. Then I ended up gluing the JOY sentiment on as I couldn’t figure out how to put it on with wire without it showing. 

I’m excited! DH thinks I’m silly bc I’m that geeked over a wreath lol. 

What decor items have you made this year? What’s still on your list?

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With Thanksgiving tomorrow I get to spend time with my kids, hubs and family at the same time which really makes me reflect on what I’m Thankful for. This year I’m thankful for so many things but one thing very much stands out to me and has touched on everything I do on a daily basis. Also events around Facebook and blogland have really made me thankful for how lucky I am to get to be doing what I do for a living. 

I’m thankful that I get to actually spend time with my family, when I worked at my previous job I always had to work holidays and worked opposite shifts from my hubs and missed out on alot. I feel very lucky that I now get that time with my loved ones and enjoy it. 

I’m thankful that if my kids get sick that we aren’t scrambling to figure out how to take care of them, that I can take care of them (or myself when they give me their sick) and help them feel better.

I’m thankful that I can be there for all their school sings and programs and “look what I learned” breakfasts, I can be a really good mom to them while still providing for my family.

I feel so very thankful that my job is to create art that others enjoy and that bring them fun and happiness in their own crafting. All I’ve ever wanted to do is something creative for a living and I’ve finally found my niche. I put a lot of time and effort and love into Some Odd Girl and I try everyday to do the very best I can for all of my customers and am very grateful for each and every one of them. 

Speaking of customers, I also want to say that over the last week especially I’ve heard about some things that have happened that really made me upset and sad for people who I call friends who are the artist behind other stamp companies. Big incidents of image swapping, file sharing and down right disrespect for the people who create the art and the art that we all enjoy. It makes me sad that people think that when they purchase a digi or a stamp that they own the art and can willy nilly do what they want with it. That sharing it freely is ok. Its one thing when they are just ignorant, we all make mistakes, but when they purposefully do it with full knowledge and say “why pay for it when I can get it for free? “

I’m thankful that my dear customers respect me and my work and this isn’t a problem I’ve been dealing with because I’m sorry disrespectful user nothing is “free.” Artists spend their time to create things for you to use personally (and a PERSONAL use license is what you get when you buy, person meaning you only) and it takes alot of guts to put something that so much of you goes into out there for others to judge. 

People are put off by talking about this topic and terms like “Copyright Infringement” and “Terms of Use” but I respect the work and effort people put into their jobs when I buy things online or go to the store for groceries or whatever goods and services I may use and the thing is I PAY FOR IT. I pay for those items because that money pays those workers who then take that home and provide for their families. 

Families like mine.

So when you are offered something for free, and you know better, be it stamped images, digi files, music or whatever I want you to think of the families who are not getting supported because you can’t be bothered to spend the $1, or $3 or $10. If I need/want something and can’t pay for it now I save for it until I can, because its the right thing to do. 

While this sad epidemic out there in craftland right now hasn’t touched my family (that I’m aware of) I want to implore each and every one of you to respect the work of myself and all the other artists out there who you enjoy by respecting their Terms of Use and their Copyrights. Those things are in place for a reason and the reason might be tiny smiling faces who need love and support. 

I want you to have fun with your digis and stamps and yes, if your friend comes over for a crafty day I don’t care if she uses your stamps but sending her home with 10 stamped images is not the same. In a digital age the idea of honor and respect has far more reach and responsibility than it used to and its being forgotten more and more. 

I am thankful for the people who can see right from wrong.

I am thankful for customers who respect my heart and soul on paper.

I am thankful to be able to supporting my family joyfully.

All I ask is that you respect others as they have respected you. Your opinion is not law.

*I will delete comments that are hurtful or disrespectful, fyi*

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I’m still nit picking away at my new blog make over and I’ve FINALLY found a gallery plugin that I like! I’m slowly adding some stuff to it and trying to link back projects to their posts. Its going to take a while but its finally up! YAY! If this one had front end loading capabilities I’d use it for SOG too but alas it doesn’t (maybe I’ll email the developer hmmm) 

So if you click the Gallery link up top you’ll have some choices You can’t leave comments (another thing on my email wishlist) but I still like having it there. If you click on a pic and I’ve got it linked to its post you’ll see a clickable link in the bottom left hand corner. 

Its my own little online portfolio

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Its was 80s fest here this year for Halloween apparently. My 7 year old was rockin the 80s fashion in neon, blue eyeshadow, big hair, and leg warmers. She said it was her most fav costume yet! Which is awesome because except for the black portion of the costume (target costume) the rest I pieced together and she can wear again… like to school  

My 5 year old Dude was all dolled up as Bumblebee from the Transformers, back in now but a total 80s throw back. His costume mainly consisted of this awesome hoodie I found on ebay so he can keep wearing that over and over too! I try not to buy costumes they can reuse somehow. He ended up being the warmest of all of us, it was only in the mid 30s here and rainy. 

2 staples of our Trick or Treating here in small town USA are …

Going in the Funeral home for candy (heh, love) and the Kingsley house that my DD wants to own once day she says. 

If you celebrated the spooky holiday, what did you/your kids dress up as?

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Yesterday I got the kids (BOTH!) off to school on the bus. It was my son’s first day riding the school bus to go to all day school. The weather for an important picture day was sooo not cooperating. It was rainy and dark (gorg this morning… dang the luck!) but that didn’t dampen spirits at all! I was so totally excited about my first day since having kids that they would both be in school all day, he was excited to be going and so was she. 

But after the bus pulled up and I watched his little feets get on the bus, and they found a seat and didn’t wave goodbye… then I was sad. SO BIG  but I’m happy that they were both that comfortable heading to school. 

At least they were happy to see me when they got home 

and let me take a much better picture lol.

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This weekend DH and I took a little time away and went to our local monthly Antique Fair, it happens the last Sunday of the month April – September. I like going and seeing if I can find any treasures  I only ended up buying a funky yellow and white necklace this go but I did see some weird and funny things that I have to share. 

An old Rickshaw! I’ve never seen the like at the fair… or the 2 peddle bike ice cream wagons that were parked along with this. I can’t help kinda wanting it.

Rocking horse? No no no, if you want to be fashionable, buy your child a rocking goat! Complete with tin can for chewing and horns that might be in the perfect position to poke eyes.

Have to have the token attempt at commercialism with tin lawn decor. My son would go gaga if I brought home yellow bird, black bird or 1 of the pigs that was available.

These were all over the fair and I hadn’t seen them before! Click the pic to see it bigger and read the signs. They were funny! I have probably 4 more pics of some of those lol.

and the pièce de résistance…

a life size wood carving of an ostrich. Yes, an ostrich. I couldn’t get a full shot it was so big and indoors in a narrow aisle but I tried. It got me a weird look from the booth owner who I told “its really cool! Though I have no idea what I’d do with it” and she raised an eye brow and said “you don’t ‘do’ anything with it, just admire it.”

Touché booth owner, touché.

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