Wake Me When It’s Over

I know- I’m supposed to blog every day. Well, tell that to the never ending tangle of shopping with nearly no money and trying to run a shop during the worst holiday season I’ve ever seen. Basically, I’ve been pulling the covers over my head and wishing that a magic fairy princess would grant me enough wishes to make as many people happy as possible. The snag in my plan is of course – it’s an impossible wish.

I can’t take the pain away from those who miss my beloved Ed as much as I. I can’t fix years of hurt for others in my life who are now facing some harsh realities. I have no way to give my children half of what they want (even though they’ve really not asked for anything) *I just – can’t. It’s a word I hate. Can’t. I’m not used to admitting it or even entertaiing such a thing but alas, I just can’t.

My world is in fact a good one. I have a roof over my head, my kids are the happiest they’ve been in two years and, I have hope for the year ahead.

I know I have it better than many and for that I am so grateful. I know all of this. Today though – I’ve had enough and I don’t feel very strong. No, not strong at all.

Humpty Dumpty Dumb

I don’t know if it’s the weather that’s got me down or this time of year but man am I feeling extra-crunchy this week. I’ve got a lot to do and nearly zero ,motivation to do it all with. My Etsy shop was just opened and I’ve yet to make a banner or to upload more than two products – both of which have not the best labels. My cafe press shop is in stasis and I can’t for the life of me get a handle on how to make efficient and eco-friendly labels that are also professional looking. To top it off – the new jelly soaps are not jelling!

IT DOES NOT HELP THAT DOWNTOWN IS AS SLOW AS MOLASSES -For the love of gravy people please, shop local. Just a little? I too love to shop a variety of places – online as well as out of town but, I try very hard to spend my money where it’s earned.

Okay, throwing my hands in the air, taking a breather and hoping inspiration and energy strike all at once.

P.S. The one cool and shining star of my day was finding Suki -my shop cat- using the toilet all by herself like a big girl. She’s never been trained to do this but lo and behold decided to copy mommy (I guess) and today I heard a noise only to find her very lady like perched on the commode. She is awesome.

With Soapy love,
Carrie

Pass The Ladle Please

In typical Georgia fashion the weather can’t figure out what it wants to do. One second we’re wet and cool – the next gray and hot. There’s no wonder as to why our allergies are on overdrive. Sniff – Cough – Sneeze.

This weekend was the first I’ve managed to get any shopping done for my girl’s Santa. Both are at an age where toys are no longer on the request list. More like new hand bags and treats form Sephora. They get so much from their extended family that I usually ask outright what they really want and get that among a few other simple items. They are some pretty fab little people though and are always grateful for anything they receive. Which of course makes me want to give them the world even if I can’t.

I’m in a soup mood but not motivated enough to make any from scratch so tonight – Nate and I will be going old school with a bowl of doctored up tomato soup and grill cheese sammiches.

I’m working on a new scarf and we’ve got some new brit-coms to snuggle up with. Seems like a good way to ease into a week like this one.

With Sopay Love,
Carrie

Two Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

Due to my poor timing – the girls ended up with a day off today in order to go to their check up with the amazing Dr. Spoon.

Side note: I don’t feel too guilty about their absence at this time of year anyways. Not much is going on education wise due to the fact that the school in it’s extra push to move into the new building and the whiff of a twenty three day vacation is in the air.

Anyhoo, the kiddos got some at home cozy time after getting the all good from their angel of a physician.

Once I got to the shop I was serenaded by saws and nail guns thanks to the crew working their butts off to get the other side ready to rent. It made my head feel ever so craptastic inside but- I was much soothed when I found out that I wi;ll finally be getting hot water. Hot. Water. OMG!

My big accomplishment was to design an ever so cute monkey face logo for the shop:

She is cute, yes?

Technical Glee

I had to finally give in and admit that old sparky was dead. He’d done me two year’s worth of good but the battery life was too dim to bear. From surviving a fourteen pound Himalayan resting his fuzzy paws on the keyboard to my kid’s sticky fingers gunking up the screen the service was well honored and I’m grateful for our time together. Today though – it’s all ’bout the new girl in town.
She’s purple(not my choice) and she’s sparkly(still not my choice) and the price was very right. so, this little petite thing is mine all mine. Seriously I have books bigger than my new laptop. As I’ve proven before – big things come in small packages.
Here she is at her first photo op:

A Long Beginning

We had a nice quiet weekend spent mainly cozying up in our nest of hibernation and watching lots of Brit comedy. Nate and I are both still feeling slight effects from the flu bug and the rain here isn’t making anyone feel energized. So, we grabbed a couple discs of “Are You Being Served’ and I picked up a few new skeens of yarn to play with. Add in some homemade brocolli cheese soup and we were all set to do a bunch of nothing. That of course means this week will be spent playing catch up but the downtime was well worth it.
He’re a pic of the new blankie I’m working on for our bed:
It’s a biggun – hopefully I’ll have it done by next winter.;)

With Soapy Love,
Carrie

Dust & Fridays

The awesome crew is putting a door in my building where a door doesn’t belong. My week has been one of concrete dust and loud air compresors. My guys do sucha good job though that it makes me much more proud than annoyed. Break baby break:)

Shadows Become Light

I turned thirty-five on the fourteenth of November. My biggest surprise came I the form of a very important branch of my family searching for and finding me after thrity two years apart.
Surprised does not even come close to my reaction upon receiving the first email from an aunt I’ve never known. In fact, the first few days of percolating such wieght of this news was heavy in a way that I haven’t felt since my husband Ed died. It was as if I was suddenly plunged under water and had to remember how to swim an resurface. My heart led me to comfort that I was so loved and wanted by not just once side of family but, by many. Now, I am embarking on an adventure that will answer many questions and hopefully heal long seeping wounds.
All that matters to me at this moment is- I am loved and the dinner table just got a hell of a lot bigger.

Soup, Fresh Brew & Etsy

It’s a nice grey day here but the weather is still is usual lukewarm that is the norm for this time of year on the coast of Georgia. I started out the day by making my mom and I some blackbean soup using some of the stock that I made from the huge turkey Nate brought home from work. A little celery, onion and some fresh garlic croutons and we were energized for what lay ahead in the day. It’s a super easy recipe and is ready in less than half an hour:

2 cups of fresh turkey stock
1 can (drained) black beans
1/4th of an onion chopped
1 stalk of celery chopped

Bring to a boil then turn down for a simmer until the celery and onion are tender. Divide into soup bowls and garnish with whatever you like.

I’ve spent my day at the shop getting my Etsy shop in order. So far, I’ve only listed a couple of items but I should have the whole catalog up by the end of the week. You can feel free to brows here:Dirty Monkey Soap Co. Etsy

Now a special treat has come my in the form of a visit from Nashi from BODY Coffee Co. who is now brewing up some of his fresh roasted Harrar blend for us to cup. So, my friends – if coffee break time for yours truly.

With Soapy Love,
Carrie

Warm Where Cold Once Lived

After much talking, a lot of thinking on my part and a huge leap of faith – Nate, the kids and I, along with my mom decided to combine households. So, around early September of this year we all moved into a spacious three bedroom apartment in the complex where Nathan had lived for quite awhile.

I didn’t think that we would have trouble all living together but my main concern is always my children. Any major decision is made with them in mind first. Come to find out – both girls had been wanting us to for awhile. Well, it’s been three months and we are all the happiest we’ve been in the two years since their father, my beloved husband died. Who knew that a bunch of broken hearts could come together and form something that now radiates with warmth, love and understanding.

I’m proud of us all and I somehow know that my Ed would wholeheartedly approve.