Happy New Year!
It came as no surprise to myself that I have been a little MIA entire month of December. The holidays ARE crazy. Lots and lots of fun building up to Christmas. And with my 5 year old son now, it was SO much fun. We watch holiday movies, sing holiday songs, went to Grinch on Christmas Day and saw Santa at Breakfast. We called Santa for requests for new shoes and a truck. Attended a lovely candlelight eve service to remind us of spirit of this holiday and sing carols. And watched Santa Christmas Eve deliver his gifts all over the globe. SO much fun.
But it was a whirlwind! Both my husband and I had to sub and work during the holidays so there was no “time off.” And our kids had a full month off from daycare/school (which is unique and annoying) so trying to balance who taking which kid, staying home a day, taking Grant to work during work etc. it was definitely “juggling with all the balls” in the air so-to-speak.
We have a very small family so Christmas has been a little tough in the past trying to figure out how to celebrate in a nice way that still means something. Now with our kids, I am figuring out the traditions and what to pass on. Christmas always reminds us of those who are no longer with us - my mother-in-law and my dad. It’s bittersweet to have space to remember during each year, but also sad to feel sense of loss.
But this year was unique in that the weekend after Christmas, we had my brother-in-law come into town with his wife to through all his family a gender-reveal party for their first expected in May. THAT was FUN. All the cousins were there for a full weekend so who knows when that will happen again. But it was a blast (exhausting but a blast for all of us). Ended up being 8 kiddos on Saturday and 6 throughout the weekend.
It’s also time of the Winter Solstice, trying to “pause.” Although I never feel ready to do so until after the hectic time of the holidays until now, January. I know I’m not alone in this, it’s our culture today.
Today & this weekend we have a rare treat for St. Louis - a snowstorm coming. Most of the predicted storms (even thunderstorms) are so hit or miss here. If you are weather person here in STL you don’t get much respect (LOL!) It’s very difficult to predict and so most of the dire predictions are met with a lot of skepticism. We shall see but it looks pretty legit that we will be dumped on tonight and tomorrow.
I am actually excited though. To get an excuse to hunker down and stay put for a full 24+ hours will feel . . . nice.
My agenda for January originally was to pull together a clearance sale of my older artwork. But of course it’s already middle of January and . . . nothing. So I’m now thinking of an early “Spring sale!”
I was supposed to do all the holiday offerings but it gets so wild and crazy in Nov/Dec and I feel like all I’m doing is jumping on the same bandwagon as everyone else. I am completely overwhelmed and bombarded by so much merchandise, I’m positive any of my audience is with me here too.
So I’ve decided to just sit quiet and start to think about how I would like to offer sales during this time. And it might just be concentrated on Black Friday and then that’s it. Nothing for December unless it’s last minute sales to ship.
I also have a few commissions to work on and one that I’ve been “working on” for months that I need to FINISH. This is about the time when I get very inspired and start to imagine all the possible series of works I could start/finish and there’s a newness and freshness about it.
This year I will complete the 100 day project again (last year I had to stop after Day 20 because of my son being born right at the beginning. I though perhaps I could “catch up” throughout the rest of the year but (LOL!) wishful thinking with taking care of an infant (who has had troubles sleeping) with a 5 year old.
Other than that, not much actually planned except a new possible project with my very talented sister but more on that later.
I will get back on track with blogs starting next week but wanting to check in and still confirm we are still alive! Just had to take a break.
Hope everyone had a lovely holiday season and New Year.