i did it!!

I finally figured out how to change the advanced layout of this lil' ol' blog! YAY! It actually is a great feeling of accomplishment! It's been bugging me for awhile now. NOW to just remember it - for if I want to change things up again?!

Would love some feedback. How's it look? Really. What I see here may or may not look that good elsewhere! I am such a lover of purples and greens and REALLY love damask - so thought this might work!

I have been a bit swamped lately with trying to get some 2011 projects finished. I will get better about updating and maybe get some more photos up here (now that I extended the storage a bit).
BUT the "i did it" title goes along with what I am trying to accomplish!
~ I took a day and just overhauled my bedroom.
Why does this room get pushed to be last ALL the time? The rest of my house has suffered for that day of just overhauling. But now I have a place of peace and tranquility to escape, rest, or just be - again.
~ "i did it" can also be applied to trying to get myself more organized... or rather 'i am doing it'.
~ And there's also getting all those hats crocheted by Christmas.
I think the last count was 24 by Christmas and I've finished up 3 more and almost done with another 3!! WOW!
~ I have also come out of my comfort zone:
   ~~"i did it" with starting an online store- mArrineR's monTage,
   ~~Doing our own "show"/craft fairs,
   ~~Last year saw us in our first physical store with our creations -MUSE GALLERIA,
   ~~And most recently trying to meet and start a new venture at another store with my earrings!

Thank you all who have supported me and our little shop mArrineR's monTage! It's been a whirlwind few months... but we are moving along!

This title means a lot.

Slowly but surely I am doing it... we are doing it...

Highs and Lows

From a real high... to a super low. That seems about my pace! I was so excited for my accomplishment - running an entire 5k...  Then I hurt my heel - or my shin which connects to my heel so I haven't been able to continue running and I feel like a blob.

Our new little company - mArrineRs monTage - is now in a store (have I mentioned that yet?). It is SUPER exciting - we are in a physical location in Sarasota, FL! It's called MUSE GALLERIA and it is the neatest of stores. We are about 50 artists in this store and she recently decided we should do some craft shows/festivals in the area...and wanted me to make more of my crochet hats. Hats that take awhile to finish. Hats that are adorable and a good popular sale - but don't go as quickly as I would like.

Then the thought of increased stock started to reaallly force itself on me. Then the thought of more earrings, more aprons, more, more, more, more, !!!!!mooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrre!!!!!! really started to stress me out.  We were doing three large shows/activities in one week, then a BIG craft sale - Hunsaders Pumpkin festival, and then the biggest one yet in December...

the ATOMIC BAZAAR 

(do you hear the crowd cheering?). 

Well that getting accepted in to that bazaar (and yes there's a waiting list) really has been my ultimate goal for mArrineRs monTage -yes it was to get in to Atomic. And if I could do it through MUSE - well then that's what I had to do... the only problem was I had signed up for almost all the others she was planning.

Something had to give. I hated to do it...but after talking with Chris and seeing what this past week did to me with the TWO craft shows... I cut Hunsaders - pumpkin festival.  It killed me to do it... but I am glad I did. Sanity may win out yet.


Sooo the two shows this past week - went ok!!
Wednesday mArrineRs monTage was at a private craft show at MUSE Galleria's table - where ritzy rich ladies were looking to buy. I did ok! I sold a few things...(I think I was the biggest seller of items. We didn't do all that great as a table...but at least I sold things and came away happy).
~ What was my high here? My high was that MY HATS brought most everyone to the table! They were an eye catcher!! HOW COOL IS THAT?! The MUSE owner was so right... GOTTA MAKE MORE HATS... I even got a paid in full - pre-order!!! YES!!!
~ The low? I stood ALL day long and it was THE. LONGEST. DAY. EVERRRRRRrrrrrr. So much so that the heel that was starting to feel better... got worse.
Some shots from Wednesday's La Petit Marche':

my hats on the right and my earrings in the frame on the left

When people first walked in... one of their views

our entire table

my aprons on the left and background

 Then Saturday we had an arts & crafts sale again at the MUSE Galleria's table. It was held at a local botanical garden. I worked longer than I had signed up for (5.5 hours instead of 4) - and we sold a few more things. I am not sure the total yet... but I think we did ok! And I think the majority of my hats SOLD!!!
~ The high?! Seeing people interested in my stuff. Oh and getting to know a few of the artists better

~ The low... again? A super long day that never ended it seemed, standing for so long, and not selling any aprons or skirts. But as I am known to say (or 'as they say'):  t'ant pis... c'est la vie... je m'en fou... it is was it is. I just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other!

Sunday was filled with doing crafts for the girls, getting down decorations for the girls, helping the girls, breaking up fights between the girls, watching a movie with the girls (while I tried to start a project for myself), fixing food for the girls... you see my point. It was just the girls and me. But we had a really nice day. A nice day - just super busy and consumed in my girlies. I hope they remember I was there for them - even though my mind WARRED with itself on getting things done/working on hats/working on sewing/cleaning this mess of a house/ etc etc etc etc etc - but my heart won out and I spent a lot of time with my kiddos (until football at 4pm - when the Patriots played! ;) hehehe).
Here are two aprons I put up in our Etsy store today from what I started on Sunday!!(www.marrinersmontage.etsy.com):

So highs... and lows...that's what it is. I wish the highs would outweigh the lows for once - or at least stop the lows from overtaking the good feelings. I hate that. It seems a bit harder for me to keep them away or not concentrate on them.

Eh... maybe if I ignore them they'll go away... going to go squeeze my girls!

I leave you with Boo - overcoming her fear of skating this weekend!

Even through the exhaustion and what a long day it was already on Saturday... 

this was a high for me this weekend!!

I DID IT!!!! I met one of my goals!

{Ok this is really a different look for Blogger (can you tell I haven't been on for awhile)... so bare with me as I try this new format out.}

[Post Edit... I know I go in to a lot of explanation - but this way I can cement this beautiful experience in my brain! It was inspirational, truly]

I have to say... I am super proud.

I DID IT!!! 

I ran my first 5k and I didn't walk...not even one little step... I ran my heart out. I ran and ran and ran. I did it with our friend Captn Sue. She cracks me up... to prepare for our run - she ran with me only TWO times - one mile each!! And she walked part of those two miles. I, on the other hand have been running at least 3-4 times a week working myself up to 3 miles! And I finally did it... the day of the race.

Our view on our way to the race!

Just before our race... look at our view of the ocean

Race was just about to start-quick shot in front of the Start

I remember the first mile being exciting... We ran next to an ARMY battalion and Captn. Sue being an ARMY helicopter pilot herself... 'sounded off' with them! It was so cool. We also saw Batman running... he cracked me up. It was just WOW... looking at all the people running or walking for Breast Cancer, passing walkers, inspired by the women who are survivors... feeling an overwhelming sense of belonging there to show my support.

And they're off...

Can you see Batman?

Reading some of the signs people were wearing "I'm running for..." or "In memory of..." it really, really made me cherish what I have and those around me. I can't put in to words the feelings that were going through my brain when the start horn rang... I guess excitement, nervousness, honor (to be there doing a run for a wonderful cause), humbleness, and angst over reaching my goal.

I had such wonderful support. Captn Sue & I ran together until we saw my Mr Safety Man with FOUR girls with him... he was mock-babysitter of CS's dear daughter and one extra we were watching for the morning.

Spotting our family

Tearing up...seeing my Mr SafetyMan and the girls

Some treats for the kiddos

Loved seeing our support

 But as I spotted Dear Mr Safety Man right before mile marker one...
I then saw my girls and they each had made special signs for me...SO SPECIAL...

I will cherish that image in my heart...F.O.R.E.V.E.R!!!

It reads "9605 (my #) go Kiper (Kipper) Love BooBooBear" (long story)

"Go Momy love, Sweetpea" (love the 'momy')

Truly I will never forget it. It made me tear up and choke up. And crying while running is really hard!
After Mile Marker 1, I pulled ahead for awhile. Captn Sue was close behind and she didn't walk the entire course either!! SO PROUD OF BOTH OF US! I kept turning and clapping and encouraging her on... she'd give me a thumbs up that she was ok. The funniest part was when little kiddos would pass us and not even seem winded... oh the youth!

Now by Mile Marker 2 - I was ready for some water- in fact I couldn't wait thinking I was going to die without it.  I made the mistake of going for one of the first people holding water out - & so did

Every.Single.Walker.in.front.of.me.

I almost stopped running and started to walk to try and navigate and get through plus catch my breath... even though in my head I kept singing (think Dori from Nemo...) "JUST KEEP RUNNING! JUST KEEP RUNNING". 

I am so blessed I was running with Captn Sue- as she had gotten in front of me and was waiting - running in place and back to me, took one look at me and in the drill sergeant tone she has... demanded "COME ON KIDDO! You can do it! THROW DOWN THAT WATER, just swish it! COME ON! LET'S GO"!!!!! Now if she hadn't done that... I think I would have started to walk, but I didn't... I went... and then at another point when I thought I could not continue - she pointed out that we were on the last big turn... that I could do it! It was so good to have the support! 
From Mile Marker 2 until about half way to the end I was struggling a bit but I pushed myself on - giving little pep talks in my brain ("JUST KEEP RUNNING Kymmie JUST KEEP RUNNING JUST KEEP RUNNING").  We were lucky however that there was a FANTASTIC breeze, I wish it was pushing along like in the beginning of the race - but it helped to cool us off. And that sun hit hard when we rounded the last turn with about a 1/4mile left to the race.

I pushed hard to get to the left turn at the finish line. I could see the people turning and I knew it was close... Captn Sue and I picked up our pace a little and when we made that turn... I told her "COME ON...PUMP IT UP! SPRINT TO THE END" and we did... we pushed ourselves super hard and reached the finish line together (with Sue trying to get her hand in front of me!!! LOL).

We did the 5k in (I think) under 39 minutes. I had a slight malfunction with the stopwatch. We figure on average we did about an 11minute mile!! 

And then I felt very yucky. Like embarrassingly yucky- enough that I started to retch (sorry TMI). But there are all these people on the sidelines and a barricade in front of them so I couldn't get through. I couldn't believe I might hurl on these poor people. I stopped and bent over and there was Captn Sue in my ear again. COME ONE KIDDO DON'T STOP... you HAVE to keep walking" SO I did... and retched some more. BUT I am proud to say - I didn't boot. Oh thank goodness for small miracles... I didn't boot.

Cooling down after the race...a bit red-faced!

Mr Safety Man tried to get to the finish line before I did - but he had to drop off Captn Sue's dear daughter at her class and hike over with 3 other girls... but he was there so soon after I got there... I truly appreciated him being there. The girls were all so proud and supportive and most of all my sweet, dear, Mr Safety Man took some cute shots of us and told me he was proud of me.  I got such WONDERFUL support from my friends and family and it gave me such power as I was running. I truly felt them all there in my heart, and supporting me with their wonderful prayers and thoughts. It truly was inspiring and hard (again) to put in to words.

One of my BIGGEST fans!

I really did it!!

I TRIUMPHED!!

WEEeeee TRIUMPHED!

My fans with one taking the photo!

I . DID . IT !!!! I DID IT!

I did it EXACTLY 2 years after my life-changing HUGE spinal surgery... 

I did it when 2 years ago I could not even walk without a walker!

I did it with the grace of God, support from my loved ones, and hard work.

I met one of my life-long goals.

It feels really good.

School Prep...

Ugh... I did it. I bit the bullet and did the school shopping and uniform shopping. I am so not happy with doing it. I wanted to stay in my SUMMER mode. DENIAL  that summer was coming to a close. But I did it. I spent a gazillion dollars on Sweetpea's new (gulp) middle school uniform. And than I spent another beaucoup bucks on supplies and a few more uniform pieces for BooBooBear... OH BOY... it hurt. A lot.  Not just because we spent so much money (although - that wasn't fun)... but I realized summer was almost over and I wouldn't have my girls all to myself anymore. It's becoming acutely obvious that I cannot avoid the fact that my first baby girl is growing up faster than I wanted her to...

I thought about sharing something she wanted to buy at the store - that just clinched it for me that she was getting so big - too fast. (But I think that one I'll just keep in the memory banks suffice it to say that she'd kill me if I wrote it out... hahaha).

I really wanted to do some more "learning" this summer with them, to keep them fresh. I know I am talking like the summer is completely over... and it's not.  I still want to have a lot more fun with my baby girls... and maybe do some reading and a little math... possibly some French in there as well! But if it doesn't get done... well I am deciding that I am still ok with it. Kiddos should be kiddos during the summer and I don't want them to lose that. We will still continue our reading and a little math etc here and there BUT...the last few weeks of summer  we're going to have fun just hanging out, playing, and doing fun things together.  We have our family vacation coming soon... that is ALWAYS the best time together as a family.

Hello August... I won't be sad of your arrival and what it means. 

I will embrace you and celebrate that it means to have the best 3 weeks before school.

I want to be with my girls for the rest of the summer and enjoy them.

Bittersweet

It's been a week of bittersweet feelings... I don't like it.

I've been doing pretty well. We've made it almost through our year of "firsts". I've had so many people call and write offering such sweet support! I truly appreciate all the support. The year anniversary date of losing my nephew Andrew has come and gone - along with my 16yr wedding anniversary and my parents 44th. I thought it would be a lot harder... but actually the days before were the hardest & saddest.
I focused on my Mr Safety Man! I cannot believe it's been 16yrs married! It's been a blink!!

So this weekend was not a fun weekend... but it was a necessary one. We've been sorting, organizing, cleaning, throwing out, trying on, giving to Goodwill, etc etc etc. It feels good to get my life back in order. But for some reason I just don't feel like I have.

This summer is supposed to be about fun, spending time with my girls, and just make up for last summer. And I just don't think I'm there. I feel horrible that I'm always cleaning this place, always have something that needs to be done.

I see people and they are getting so much done, they're reading every day, doing fun crafts, just doing awesome stuff... and I feel like I haven't... But I guess maybe we have. Perhaps I am just whining...

I dunno you tell me - here's what we've been up to...

The first 10 days we were on vacation in Maine. We did get to do a lot of fun things...Like

Dedicating an important bench in Grammy San's name, spending time with Pam, Linda, & Sandy - we love you!

Special lady!

Installing Grammy San's granite bench in the woods on MORSE MT

Finding beautiful spots, spying Fairy Houses

Reflecting upon quiet moments

Investigating tide pools

Writing in the sand special to Mommy

Planning our new home (someday) Isn't this color the BEST?

Cuddling with my boy! Love this kiddo!

Loving the ocean!

Quality time with my nephew

Flirting with Mr Safety Man

Getting stuck with abyss below me... Watching beautiful waves coming in and out

Playing in the Buttercups

Smelling intoxicating Lupins

Sneaking some snuggles

Tiptoeing in the grass (boy I miss New England grass)

Being goofy

Rolling down REAL hills

Visiting old towers (sorry too tired to turn it)

Remembering our engagement on Mt Battie - admiring the CAMDEN harbo

Making bubbbbbles!

Sneaking some quality time with my sweeties

Stealing quiet moments by the Atlantic on a ROCKY beach

Finding fun spots to explore

Sharing family time

Loving our family

Standing up to my NEMESIS - Verona Island Bridge (over huge gorge) bleck!

Supporting, visiting, and loving three generations of family

Climbing like I couldn't 2 yrs before

Visiting Bath Maritime Museum and being in AWE of history

Becoming a fish...(visiting LL BEAN)

Celebrating Daddy's Day - and being GOOFY with 'said' Daddy!

Actually SWIMMING in sub zero water

Hunting for seashells after

And saying some hard goodbyes... LOVING spending time with our family

 And the rest of our time... well let's hit that tomorrow...