Still Kickin'.....But from a new location!

Hello my friends.  I have missed you all.  But this has been one of the busiest, most hectic times of my entire life.  The last time I posted, it was February.  I had a brand new car, had just completed a show, and was fat and happy in snowy Colorado.  Then, like one of those Colorado avalanches, things began to change, and change fast.  For those of you who don't know, we have had a few really horrendous years.  In September of 2009, my mom took a fall on her patio and broke her shoulder.  She never came home from the hospital.  My daughter, Brandi, had been fighting melanoma and was too sick to attend the funeral.  She passed away in December of that same year.  We ended up losing everything.  Two people that I dearly loved, our business, and our home.  We suffered financially, emotionally, and physically.  I started working at my shows, Etsy shop, and blog.  My husband went to work for different companies.  We declared bankruptcy and for the grace of God, we were able to find a small place to rent.  We were there for 7 years.  My husband was diagnosed with several health issues including bladder and prostrate cancer.  Then, in the beginning of this year, our landlord, who had always been so good to us, raised our rent.....significantly.  So, we decided, it was time to take our meager savings and find a place where we could live within our budget, our forever home.



In March, Randy and I set out on an adventure.  We had looked at some homes on line in Missouri that we thought we could afford.  And we found a small home with 5 acres and made an offer.  Because of some issues on both our side and the seller's, plus the fact that our mortgage broker quit in the middle of the process, we were unable to close until the end of June.  But that was fine, since we made 6, yes, I said six, trips from Colorado to Missouri moving our hoard.  Each trip was nearly 800 miles one way.  So 12 hours, each way.  And we had so much help.  My son towed a trailer.  My sister and brother in law towed two trailers, and two of my brothers in  law came to help with unloading.  We stayed in our camper until the furniture was moved.

One week before the close, we were driving back from Kansas City and we were hit by an impaired driver.  We were uninjured, but my beautiful new car has severe rear end damage.

We had a nice visit with my daughter and her family over the 4th.  I miss them so much!

Then, just when things were starting to get routine, my husband got sick and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.  He was in CCU after being diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis, a tick borne illness, a strain of Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick fever.  He is doing much better now.  

So now I have caught you up all my sordid story.  But there is good news ahead!  I am booking shows and am starting on working on several projects.  Stay tuned to see my new studio and all of the home improvements that we are doing to our fixer upper!

February is the month of Love....

Yep, it is...the month of Valentines Day and of course, my birthday!  My daughter, Brandi, used to celebrate my birthday week.  It was so much fun!  She would surprise me with a card, a Diet Coke, a bouquet of flowers, etc. for the entire week leading up to my birthday.  I kinda miss that special feeling that she gave me.  But this year, hubs took the reins and presented me with my early present:

Yes, siree, a brand spankin' new Jeep.  I have not had a new car in over 18 years so it has been a real treat.  A heated steering wheel!  OMG, beyond my wildest dreams.  I love, love, love, it!

In January, I did the Simply Vintage Winter Market.  I have done their markets before but none so close after the holidays.  But let me tell you, it rocked!  My sis helped me and that was a true lifesaver.  The weather was horrid, but my old 97 minivan did its job.  My favorite and most cherished pieces were a trash find, my son got them out of the dumpster.  The frames were in excellent condition but the upholstery was worn and stained.

   

So this is how they turned out!  My first attempt at upholstery work.  I loved how they turned out.  And they sold 15 minutes after the show opened!

I also had several child's school chairs.  I only got around to finishing one of them, but it found a happy owner.  (Note the Chalk Couture on the seat!)

A little peek at my booth:

And of course, I brought along some farmhouse inspired Chalk Couture signs:

And speaking of Chalk Couture, they just released their new Spring/Summer collection!  OMG, it is fabulous! My first order arrives tomorrow.  If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here.

I hope to put a video on my facebook page next week with some of the new exciting items.  Have a great week ahead, my friends.  Now.....go create!