The Second Half

I can't believe it. I actually saw a tree today that had not only turned colors but had also dropped all its leaves. Didn't we just start 2009? This has been a big year for me in many different ways. My oldest son got married over Memorial Day, I bought my business in July and in December I'm turning 50.

I'm not the first of my friends to turn fifty and I won't be the last but I think it means something different to everyone. To some it's just another day on the calendar and another candle on the cake. To others it's a gigantic milestone that should be celebrated to the utmost. To me it falls somewhere in between.

As a little girl, I remember when the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" came out. I figured out that I'd be 41 in 2001. At the time it seemed a long way away and I had a lot of living to do before I reached it. Well 2001 came and went and I had certainly come a long way but I didn't feel any different than I had as a girl.

Now as I approach 50 I'm experiencing the same feelings again. I know I've come a long way from there, but inside I still feel the same. I still have the same hopes and dreams; although they’re tempered with age, as I had then. I still want to make a difference in the world and I still want to be important. Only now it's enough to make a difference in the lives of those around me and to be important to them too. Maybe that's what turning 50 is all about. Who knows? But I look forward to moving forward and finding out during the next decade and the one after that.

And now to completely different topic. If you haven't been to my store; MyIdeaCenter in a while then you might want to check out some of the new books I have. Some of my newest selections include Gran's Gallery by Ros Stallcup, Donna Dewberry's Essential One Stroke Painting Guide, Frivolous, Frosty Fellows by Kay Quist and Winter Beliefs by Laurie Speltz.

I found another great blog this week called Destination Handmade. Jamie loves to craft and is probably typical of most of us in that she's always doing more than one thing at a time. She blogs several times a week on subjects as diverse as her experience starting her own business to safety tips for college students. Take a few minutes to visit her blog.

The New Technology Blues

As many of you know, I'm new to this whole "Blogging" thing. As someone who started her working life on an IBM Selectric, I sometimes feel like my Grandparents must have felt when they were my age. I specifically remember asking my Grandmother about the first talking movies. I was amused when she told me that at first she didn't like them...they were too loud. She eventually learned to love movies, the radio and television but I wonder how long it took to get used to each new media?

My Grandmother died in 1993 and I wonder how she would feel about all the technological advances we've experienced in the last 2 decades. I wonder if she'd think that computers were "too loud." That's certainly how I feel sometimes when I'm zipping around from webpage to blog to ecommerce site. It seems like every other site has music and almost all of them have pop-ups that vie with everything else on the page.

I guess it's like all new technologies from electric lights to cell phones. In the beginning it's hard to get used to it. It's "Too Loud" or too confusing, but then you get used to it and even depend on it for all your information. I used to be annoyed by music on a page but I've learned to love the noise that other people make. And every once in awhile I even learn something new.

One new thing I've found this week is Sweet Little Memories, a delightful blog with many different crafts and craft ideas. She has a great post about home-made soap that will make you wish that you could smell through your computer too. Who knows that may be down the road eventually.

Fall is in the air and the days are getting shorter so now is the perfect time to get back into the painting and creating mode. I've recently added some new books to MyIdeaCenter so stop by for a visit and see what's new and exciting.

Have a safe and joyful week.

A Time To Reflect

This past Friday marked the eighth anniversary of 9/11. If you are like many people you spent at least part of your day remembering the events of that day. It is also a time to reflect on the amazing heroism and sacrifices made on that day. But for me, this day has been a reminder to be thankful for everything I have.

Many years ago I had only one child. For reasons unknown to my doctor at the time I was unable to conceive and carry a second child. This came as a complete surprise to me as my first one was so easy from beginning to end. As with many things in life; at the time I thought it was completely unfair. I was young and healthy. Why couldn't I have another child?

I ended up being angry and bitter about the whole situation until one day I saw "Forrest Gump". The scene where Lt. Dan sits on the mast and rails at God to come and get him during the hurricane was like a scene out of my own life. Only I had been silently railing at God about how unfair he was being…to me. At that moment I decided that I was lucky to have one healthy child when so many had none.

That fall I joined my church choir and decided to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church. All through the winter and early Spring I took classes to be confirmed. As I sat through that Saturday night liturgy I felt a tremendous sense of peace and community. I don’t remember the sermon that was given but I do remember I cried.

Several weeks later I found out I was pregnant again and months later I had my second son. And even more remarkably I had another son 22 months later. Who knows what caused this wonderful event to happen in my life but it taught me to be grateful for what I have. It's funny how one brief moment can change your life forever just like it did for many of us on 9/11. Lessons learned from that moment should make it easier to go through the inevitable ups and downs in life.

As the leaves start to turn in my neck of the woods and the nights get cooler it’s time to reflect on all that 9/11 has taught us; as a country and as individuals. It’s time to be thankful for what we have and look forward to the future with hope.

On a lighter note, I found this wonderful site run by a woman name Yana. She lives in Greece and has a fun blog called Handmade by Decoupage Art. Not only does she have great pieces but she writes and posts pictures from her life and just about anything else that interests her. I encourage you to check out her blog and see what delightful creations she has.

Have a safe and happy week.

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Fall Is Here But What's With The Weather

Where did the summer go? Okay, it's not technicall yFall until the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd but in my neck of the woods it's getting hotter instead of cooler. After a summer filled with rain and cold weather we've finally started to get into the high 70's. The good news is the leaves are starting to turn and it looks to be a wonderful display this year.

I've put some really great new books on my site http://www.myideacenter.com/ for the fall and winter holidays. It's never too early to start your holiday decorating and gift gathering. We have Laurie Speltz's newest book Winter Beliefs as well as Spooks Inn by Kay Quist.

These and many other great books are available now. And while you're at it don't forget to check our ever changing selection of sale books in our Clearance Center.

Hope your days are peaceful and filled with joy.



Nancy