A few words on a quite morning...

I have found myself with a few extra minutes of time this morning and thought I'd pop in to say hello! I feel like it has been ages since I've talked to you, though I know it has really only been a week. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments you have been leaving me here. I don't have much time to comment back, but please know that I read everyone and love to hear your words. It makes my work during the day so merry and bright as I wonder what your thoughts will be when I share what ever it is that I'm working on at that moment. Yep, you all are always there with me in the studio, did you know that?

I am creating up a storm in my little creative space. And as of this moment, ideas are still flowing. I haven't fit that road block yet of not knowing what to make next. It feels good, but it's exhausting. I went 12 straight days before my insane hours caught up with me and I was forced to send myself home sick with a fever. I sent myself to bed early and slept in late and felt worlds better.

I am working as hard on finding and maintaining balance as I am on the jewelry I'm creating right now. It can't be all show prep all the time, right? Ron and I went out to an adult Halloween party on Saturday night, I taught Lauren a crochet chain stitch last night, Jacob went trick or treating with a girl (I was devastated!), and I downloaded the Incredibooth app for my iPod. Lots of fun with the frenzy of things going on. This weekend there are plans for a little Alabama vs LSU football party here at the house and maybe a load or two of laundry might work into the fold too.

I am working out all the little details of my booth re-design as well. I can't wait to share it with you!! I think a video will be in order when that time comes. There was a time earlier this year when I told myself I probably would never do another show, and I had let the dream of this booth design go. It feels incredible to see it coming to life. Though, it is a HUGE investment, which means I *will* have to do more shows now to warrant that price tag. I think I will always have the internal struggle of do I show or do I teach. I'm finding that balancing act the most difficult of all. I put so much time and energy into both or either that it makes me feel like I should commit to one or the other. But I don't want to!

Any way, there is just 28 more days until I will be driving myself to Chicago for this amazing show. And that means even less days for actual creating. Somewhere in those 28 days we will celebrate Jacob turning 14 and my sister turning 31, we will sit down and give thanks for all our many blessings, we will make a list of goodies we want to sneak out at 5 am on a black Friday to buy, I will need to pack my vehicle and wash a few outfits... and make sure I take the time to savor this wild adventure I'm on. I am probably going to skip reading the book club book for this month. I'm sure the ladies will understand.

And how quickly my few quite moments have passed. It is time to wake Lauren for the bus, then drop my car off to be inspected, followed by a good 6 or so hours in the studio, then home for car pooling kids at the high school, a meeting with a new parent advocate we've been working with, and then figure something out for dinner.

Zonks, it sounds like it'll be a long day.