The End of the Show Season

This Saturday is the Christmas Stroll in downtown Georgetown this Saturday. Mama Ds and Annarella Girl will be sharing a booth with Diva Chicks outside the store on 7th st.. We will have a smattering of items outside and the store will be fully stocked. This is it the last show of the Fall. Come see us. Wait until you see the baby cowboots from Mama Ds. They are adorable. What else could a Texas baby need? Diva Chicks has lots of stylish clothes. I love the flowy tops which are so comfortable. And outstanding accessories!

The sluggish economy is still impacting us. People are cautious with their purchases. They are sticking to their budgets. I understand since I am doing the same. So I really appreciate everyone who likes Annarella Girl enough to buy.  You've embraced the new corduroy jumpers and long sleeved onesies. Each purchase is an "ooh, you like me, you really like me." Thanks for the hugs and love.

I'm taking those warm hugs and indulging in a girls week in Florida. A very relaxing way to end my business season and mentally gear up for Christmas when my family gathers here. Somehow the house gets decorated, gifts get bought or made, and fudge appears in the kitchen. (Thanks to my husband who shares most of the work.) This is my favorite time of the year.

How is your holiday season progressing? Are you getting lots of warm hugs? Throwing you one from me.
See you.

Whimpy

Butler is looking at me askance (love being able to use that word.) because I declared that it was too cold for a morning walk. Brrrr! Maybe tomorrow. At least the dog park should have dried up enough to go this afternoon.

I know I have some readers out there, but you are all so silent. What can I do to get more feedback or comments? Do you ever forward my posts to friends? Sometimes I feel pretty lonely out there in cyber space. (whine, whine)

Latest onesie. Skirt is corduroy. I don't have many of the long sleeved ones left. They've been a huge success. Thanaks to all my Annarella Girl customers.

New! Cute Skirt

As promised yesterday, here is the cute corduroy skirt I made for Sofia.

I'm thinking I'll make more in this style with the narrow waistband and ruffled bottom. Watch for them come spring.

Days in Slow Motion

Computer is running slooooow. Seems like I'm spending great amounts of time watching the spinning ball. Or looking out the window at the falling leaves spiraling down. Bear with me, I'm working as fast as I can.

Today the outside lights and decorations are going up. My husband insists on a giant Santa inflatable. (tacky, tacky, tacky, but small kids and the ones who have never grown up, love it.) Butler is very watchful of this great red alien which has invaded his yard. Wait until he sees lighted wonderland in all its glory. It's interesting to observe the changing scene through his eyes.

As I wind my way through the last special orders, (wait til you see the cute, cute corduroy akirt for Sofia) my mind is moving into plans for next year. I'm getting excited to create new color palettes and 2 new spring designs - a jumper and a skirt. Don't you love the tingle of adrenaline as the creative juices flow?

Yesterday was my 45th wedding anniversary. Where has all the time gone? 3 children, 3 children-in-laws, 6 grandchildren, 8 places lived, countless laughs, and many adventures. Good times!

Slowly I'm going forth to enjoy the day. See you tomorrow.

Encouragement

Artist, fellow blogger, Judy Grupp recently posted about rejection. She put out one of her "babies, a manuscript, and had gotten a rejection letter. It happens to almost all creative people sometime in their ccareer and it hurts.

Several of her followers wrote notes of encouragement to her. That is the beauty of blogging. You can put your pain out there and some one is always there to return with a hug, warm words and inspiration to pick yourself up, remove the smarting barbs and try, try again.

Thanks for all my fellow bloggers and artists who keep me going. Stop by Judy Grupp's blog and enjoy her wise words and the supportive comments of her readers.

Thanks

Thanks to all my family and friends. Your support, encouragement and nudges truly keep me going. You are the wind under my wings as I trudge, skip, dance toward my dream.

Thanks to Butler, dog, to bringing a balance to my life. More walking, more fresh air, more loving you are a treasure. (Despite the muddy paw prints this morning.)

 Thanks to Annarella Girl and all who have bought this year. Your smiling faces and kind words are like a giant hug.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. Lots of good food, loving dinner companions and laughter!

(Apologies to those family members that didn't get in the pics. I just didn't have others to share. Love you guys, too!)

Daily Education

Grammy, gran, nana, paw paw, pap pap, grandma, mimi and granpa. we all came to spend a morning at the Providence Classical School in Spring, Texas.. We sat with our knees to our chests in the first grade chairs and listened to singing and recitations. At the end we were treated to excerpts from Handel's "Messiah." Proudly we gazed at the fresh, shiny faces with the shy smiles and inquisative eyes. There is hope for our future if we let these scholar students grow up expanding their learning, curiousity  and humanity. Lets not put any limitations on their potential to become real leaders.

Thanks to all the caring teachers for allowing us to disrupt their day and to enjoy our trip back to school. Yes, there is hope for a better world, and I caught a glimpse today.

and read a thoughtful comment to my Three Words post with wisdom about the IB school my other family of grandchildren attend in Round Rock, Texas. More good news about educating our future leaders.