A Needed Affirmation

I've been a vendor at three shows so far this month, with one more to go at the end of the month! That's the most I've done so far in one month. The first two were what I'd call small, less than twenty vendors and the last one was medium sized. The first two shows I sold a few things and made my fees and expenses back, but not much more. It would be ok if I was just trying to pursue my jewelry making as a hobby, but since I'm trying to make a career out of it, the shows were dismal. I would be eating spaghetti w/ no meat every night if that's how it went at all my shows!! I sure hope the next show isn't dismal too!!!

The show last weekend was different story! Thank goodness!! It was another show at a church, but it had a track record of 11 successful years behind it...not to mention the fact that a friend of mine had done it for several years and said it was a good show. Well, my friend was absolutely right!! I was busy pretty much nonstop for the first few hrs. I even sold two necklaces where I normaly might sell only one! The sales were also multiple pieces bought by each customer, not just a single pair every time. Even with a 15% donation to the church's youth group, I had my best show ever! Not only that, a couple of women, who organize another event the third week of every November, were there and asked if I'd like to participate in their show. I of course said yes, especially since my friend and some customers had mentioned it to me and said that show was very, very busy and very, very packed. They are supposedly very selective about who they let in the show, so I felt great that they asked and I now have a show scheduled for November!

I guess this last church craft fair showed me that I do have real earning potential with my jewelry. It was an affirmation that I am doing the right thing by trying to pursue my dreams. I just have to find the right shows to attend where my art will be appreciated and that of course is the proverbial 'rub'! I know I'm just starting out so I think I've done a good job so far, but I want to do better! Much better!!

Gallery Debut

Tonight was the grand opening of the B&B Studios Gallery in downtown Seattle. I was priveleged to be a part of it by being selected to be a guest artist! The owner John does great photography and so did the other guest artist Lyle. The grand opening was scheduled to be part of Seattle's 1st Thursday Art Walk. It was an exciting experience for me to have found my first regular venue for selling my jewelry.

My mom and brother came, as well as a few Seattle friends I'd made in the past few months and I thank them dearly for their support! I sold a few pieces, but I think it was good just for the exposure alone and getting my name 'out there'. I was able to hand out quite a few business cards and point out that my website now has a show schedule, if not any pictures! Hopefully that will turn into some future sales.

I think it was a smashing success for the gallery and for myself! Alot of people showed up and really seemed to enjoy themselves. With John having more time to advertise for the next show and the gallery, I have even higher hopes for the next 1st Thursday Art Walk!

An East-West Connection (aka My Big Adventure)

I was lucky enough to have the chance to visit a few places back East last week. I was able to mix business w/ pleasure so that I didn't have to pay for plane fare or any hotel and I got a great deal on a rental car!! How did it happen? I was able to work for a bead dealer at a big show in Baltimore, Maryland. He paid for round trip plane fare, hotel, rental car, and for my help for the 3 days of the show and then I paid for rental car for 3 days. Pretty sweet deal if I do say so myself!

After the show, I went to Delaware to visit one of my oldest (and I don't mean age-wise!! LOL) and dearest friends who (or is it whom? I never know!) I've known since seventh grade! It was great to be able to visit with her and we crammed some sight seeing in too! Since it was my first trip back East (and I didn't really ahve much time there), we did the 'history' thing and visited the sights in downtown Philadelphia. Independence Hall, where they signed the Declaration of Independence, and most recently of the movie National Treasure fame, the Liberty Bell where they have a whole building of exhibits about the history of the bell, Betsy Ross' House where I learned that Betsy never actually owned a house, she was renter just like James and I are now, the Quaker meeting house where I learned or re-learned (I vaguely remember learning about him in elementary school) about William Penn and how instrumental the Quakers were in establishing that area, Benjamin Franklin's grave where everyone throws pennies apparently in homage to his saying, "A penny saved, is a penny earned.'. We also tried to visit the US Mint, but they had a rule that if you had a camera, you couldn't go inside the building! You couldn't just put it away...it couldn't be in your possession at all. So we took a pic outside and that had to do.

We also saw some lesser known historic sites in Wilmington, DE. Grace Church, which is marked on tourist maps, was by far the most beautiful church I had ever seen! It was a large building with tall spires, many intricate stained glass windows and doors that were a muted shade of red that I absolutely love! The building was built of some sort of stone brick that had a very light green or celadon cast to them. The whole effect was very striking and I had my friend take a pic of me in front of the church! We also visited Old Swedes Church, actually called Holy Trinity Church, the oldest church in the US with continuous services. It was built in 1698 by Swedes who settled near the Christiana river (named after the Queen of the time). A few years ago, when stripping paint off the church doors, they came across something which I think proves that human nature hasn't really changed that much over the past 300 years...graffiti! Yes...graffiti! People had carved names and years, the oldest being 1711, into the church doors and also into stones surrounding the entrance. Amazing!

Lest you think all we did was soak up history, we mixed it up by visiting two contemporary art venues! One was for local Philadelphia industrial design companies and individuals, and the other was exhibits for local Delaware artists as well as nationally known artists, The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. It was quite interesting.

One other happening of note during my visit to Delaware...I got to watch my friend 'break board' at her Tae Kwon Do class. It was exciting because it brought her one step away from earning her Black Belt!!! I am happy to say, the day after I left, she 'broke board' again, was presented with her black belt and is now a fully empowered, kick-ass, black belt baddie!!! I am soooo proud of her! Don't mess with her!! You can read about my buddy and her 'black belt' journey at: www.womanwarrior007.blogspot.com

All in all, it was a great trip, even though there were a few things I would have changed. It was nice to earn enough play money to visit my friend since most things were paid for through the job. I can't wait to make a return trip and get to Washington DC and more of Baltimore and who knows what else?

Some Comic Relief

I read this and I burst out laughing! It perfectly captures the nature of my dogs and cat. Hope you enjoy it too! (Not sure who the original writer is. If you know, please let me know, so I can give credit!)


"Excerpts from a Dog's Diary"

6:00am – At last! I Go Pee! My favorite thing!
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
6:00 pm - They're home! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


"Excerpts from a Cat's Diary"

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. ARRGG!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

Aaaa-choo!

So here I was, not two days ago, saying how great it was that I didn't have allergies in Seattle. After all, the city is on the water like San Francisco and I always got relief when there (in SF). Well, guess what? Of course I have them! Two sunny days in a row and BAM...ah-choos like there's no tomorrow!! Usually this time of year in Sacramento, I already have full blown allergies and I am a Benadryl junkie! I think I jinxed myself when I started telling everyone that I did not have to suffer this year. I guess an advantage of the rain was that it was washing away all the pollen before it had a chance to collect and bother anyone. Of course, the rain is also what makes everything green and to get green...pollen happens! Oh well, at least my allergies are not worse...hope I'm not daring the gods by saying that! So once again, I'll be singlehandedly keeping the Kleenex company in the black and sorry to anyone visiting or moving to Seattle and surrounding areas during spring...allergies are here to stay!

Just Checking In

Well, it's April! What a shocker! It seems like the past three months have gone by in a blur! I didn't even think about last Sunday being April Fool's day, and playing some sort of joke on my hubby! I guess I've been busier than I thought.....which is a very good thing. I've been busy meeting people and I've made several good friends with whom I'm on the way to becoming great lifelong, or rather 'half' lifelong friends (I am 41 you know)! :') I've been busy creating new jewelry designs and signing up for craft shows. I just ordered my canopy and some jewelry display items this week. Reading, emailing, researching, taking care of my doggies and kitty, and hubby, of course round out most of what I've been doing. Oh, and as always, I've been spending way too much money!

I used to work 40 hours a week, plus lunch and commute times. It's funny but I always wondered what it would be like to quit my job and now I know! I do miss the steady paychecks but as long as I have a handle on the money situation and the support of a very wondeful and understanding hubby who has a decent job...it's great! Well, that's just my situation. I love having the freedom to do what I want even though it's a change in lifestyle...meaning clamping down on spending. I also wondered if I had it in me to be self-motivated enough to follow my dream of becoming a jewelry artist and I have found that after a bit of a slow start, and a bit to my surprise, I do.

I'm excited to be doing my first show later this month. It's a small one that didn't cost very much and will probably only have moderate traffic but it'll be good practice for me. I hope to work out a routine and all the kinks of what to bring, setting up my tent, how to pack the car, etc before I do any really big shows. Hubby will be along too for heavy lifting and reaching high places for my displays. He's really looking forward to the show too! heheh NOT! But I can't say he isn't supportive!

These past 3 months have really been a time of upheaval, change, and adjustments, but I think I can say it's been a very good experience thus far. Being new here really forced me to take stock of my life and think about what I've really wanted, made me consider how to achieve those things and then given me the time to really pursue those goals. The thought of leaving my job, hometown, and my friends struck fear into my heart before we moved, but looking back over the past 3 months, I realize how irrational that fear was and I remember that now when I'm in new situation. I'm learning alot about myself through the experience of this move and I'm liking it!

A New Attitude

Woo hoo! I got another special order of my jewelry and it's because I finally got up the courage to do something new...talk about myself!

I have always been the quiet sort, ever since junior high school. Before that I was a chatterbox...one of my elementary school teachers even wrote in my report card that "Susanna has a tendency to talk too much in class". It's funny, I guess at that age, I had alot to say and apparently said it. I spent my elementary school years in a nice lower middle class neighborhood. My best friend was African-American and I had a lot of Caucasian friends, there were just a few Asians. I had friends I'd known since I could talk in whole sentences, and the security of knowing my place in the universe, although probably on a subconcious level, I was young after all, so I felt ok to express myself. Of course none of us ever thought about race, that's just me writing it all down now. There were hardly any Asians in my neighborhood or school, but although I looked different, I never felt out of place. Also, I guess no self conciousness had worked it's way into my psyche yet and I felt perfectly at home talking to my teachers, classmates, friends and complete strangers.

The traumatic experience that changed that talkativeness and lack of self conciousness was moving in the middle of 6th grade to a new nicer middle class neighborhood that was about 20 miles away. It may as well have been 2000 miles away. I finished off 6th grade at my old school, but when 7th grade rolled around, I was on my own. I remember the long walk to the bus stop and being alone. Seeing kids who had known each other for as long as I'd known my elementary school friends chatting with one another and not me, and feeling sad and out of place. The first day of school, there was a big gathering in the gym for all students to attend...that was when I got the biggest shock of my life...I had never seen soooo many Asians gathered together in one place before! I had a rude awakening, I did not look different anymore and I certainly didn't know how to talk to 'Asians', other than my family. I also got an education in snobbery. I had heard whispered comments about my clothes and my 'highwater' pants and my mannerisms...things that were perfectly acceptable w/ my old elementary school buddies. Alot of these popular girls wore makeup and nicer, more fashionable clothes and came from 'rich' families, whatever 'rich' meant to a 7th grader. I came to a realization that if I could just be quiet, not call attention to myself, and pretend to ignore those comments, I'd feel better and these people would leave me alone. That was the first layer of the hard shell I spent a large part of my life building. Don't get me wrong, I did have a small group of very nice, good friends in junior high and high school who accepted me as I was and I am happy to say, some of whom have remained very good friends to this day. Quality, not quantity!

So enough of the deep, introspective stuff! Moving from my hometown of Sacramento has forced me to come out of my comfortable shell. I am happy that I've realized that in order to be happy up here, I must be open and non judgemental to all new experiences. My nature is still to be quiet and I have to make a very concerted effort to talk with people I don't know, but I'm finding that a little bit of my old elementary school self is making an appearance and that is a good thing! My attitude now is that strangers are just new friends I don't know yet! And if I just talk and share a bit, who knows what great places it will lead?

Counting on One Hand to Two!

I can't believe I've been here in Washington for two months and am into month three! Time has gone by so quickly that I'm wondering where it went. I've had many new experiences and my feelings about moving are slowly beginning to change. Everything is pretty new still, people and places, but it's feeling a bit more like home now that I'm getting familiar w/ the area. I can count on one hand still the number of times I've been most places, but that'll soon change to two hands! Woohoo! I've been to Seattle five times, West Seattle twice, Kirkland once, Tukwila countless times, Bonney Lake once, Auburn once, Federal Way twice, Seatac Airport three times, and tomorrow, I'll be going to Bellevue for the 1st time. There is just so much to do here and I'm learning about it from the people I've been meeting.

The weekend before last, I shared a booth at a bead show at the Seattle Center, very near where the Space Needle is. My buddy from Sac, Danielle, had her mom come up here and sell her dichroic glass at the show, and her mom, Vivian, who's a sweetie, came and stayed with James and I over the weekend. The show was interesting...didn't sell much jewelry since most people were looking for components, but I did make a few contacts and the important thing is that I'm getting out there and meeting others who are into the art and craft scene. So I guess I can say that I could also count the number of times I've met up with anyone up here on one hand too! I definitely am looking forward to the day when I run out of fingers and toes to count!

A New "Job": Eating for free!

Well, today has been interesting. I ate for free! I love the idea! And, how did I accomplish this feat? I became a mystery shopper (ooh-aah) and today was my first 'shop'. Of course I didn't really eat for free if you count the time and gas it took to get to the restaurant, and the time it took to fill out a freakin' 4 page long survey about the experience...I probably got paid less than minimum...but the food was covered! Well...sort of...I get reimbursed after I fill out the 'shop' survey...delayed gratification, I guess you could call it. :')

I've always wondered how mystery shopping works and now I know! Anyone who's new starts off w/ shops that don't pay much and a neutral shopper rating. The more shops completed satisfactorily, the more ratings...hopefully good ones...you are given. As your rating moves up, the opportunity for 'better' shops gets greater. Also, you have to apply for individual shops...they can be for all sorts of things, not just food. Then you are selected to do the shop...or not. Then there's all sorts of guidelines you need to familiarize yourself with once you get the shop. Luckily, these companies operate in the 21st century and most of this is done online! Then you can preview the actual survey you'll be filling out. Then you do the shop, then fill out the survey w/in 24 hrs. And I will say that it was definitely a test of my powers of observation and I definitely have to improve my memory! They get pretty in depth about employees, cleanliness, time everything took, etc.

I am looking forward to doing more mystery shopping and getting those 'better' jobs someday. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying my (almost) free food!!

Finally...a logo necklace I can live with!

SuStudio Jewelry Signature Logo Necklace
Wow, once again it's been longer than a week! I'm getting derelict in my duty to keep things updated. In my defense though, I have been busy making items...some old designs and some new.

Well, today I finally made my signature logo necklace! The name of my jewelry line is going to be SuStudio Jewelry. Please no jokes about a certain Phil Collins song! :') Anyways, for the last few weeks I've been experimenting on paper to come up with a nice simple logo that incorporates clean lines and an S, an S, and a J....and I finally did it! I've made leaf earrings before and I love the beautiful variety of leaf shapes found in nature. I'm so happy I was able to combine a leaf shape with the letters. Hopefully you can see it...the top line of the leaf is an S, the stem line is an S and the bottom line of the leaf is a J. The necklace is made entirely of sterling silver components handformed and soldered by me from wire, except for the chain. I'd go cross eyed if I tried to solder all those little rings! The pendant has a lovely hammered texture that catches the light from all angles...unfortunately my photography skills aren't very good so you can't really see the texture. (Sorry! I'm definitely working on it though!) I'm very happy with it and I hope you'll share a comment or two and let me know what you think.

It's been over a week!

New Work: 2-13-07
Happy day after Valentine's everyone! Hope you all had a good one. :') Well, my hubby James comes back tomorrow after being away for 12 days...but who's counting, eh?

Hard to believe it's also been over a week that I've posted here! What have I done with my time?? I finally set up my workroom in the other bedroom (YEAH!) and now I can create again. As a matter of fact I did create a new necklace that I'm very excited about! Sorry about the bad pic. It's entirely handmade of sterling silver, amazonite and rose quartz. I made each link, jump ring, pendant frame, clasp and soldered everything for extra security! I actually had a different pendant in mind, but as I worked, I was inspired to try something else. and it turned out great! Funny how that happens. I guess I just kinda went with the flow! I'll still try the original design later. Well it feels great to create...now if I can sell it, that'd be even better! If anyone's interested, leave a comment. Thanks!

DoubleTrouble!

The Terrible Two!
Well, I said goodbye to my hubby at 6:30 am (early!) this past Sunday morning. He was signed up by his new boss to go to a management conference in VA. It's 12 (freakin') days long including travel time...by plane of course. He'll be back the eve of the 16th...finally! So...can you tell how I feel about this trip? heheh

So...that means I'm home alone with our 2 problem dogs, Foxie and Max, and our cat, Ereshkigal, who's above it all. Max, our big-headed problem boy has a very bad case of separation anxiety. He whines and chews on things he's not supposed to chew on when left alone...like door trim. Yes you read that right! Door trim...that's wood. You'd think he'd get splinters in his mouth or something, but I guess he's talented at avoiding injury to himself. He's just your basic dumb, lovable mutt. Yet he's a hapless soul for whom life just seems to work out somehow. Know any people like that? I just can't help loving Max and forgiving him in spite of the stupid things he does. What are you supposed to do w/ a dog like that? *sigh*

Foxie is our pretty little 'tank' dog. She'll boldly go where Max is afraid to go...like right into the river...no hesitation at all...to chase ducks. She's a sweetheart as long as you're part of her 'pack'. She'll give lots and lots of kisses and lay her head on your lap once she gets to know you. Yet, she too has baggage that needs to be lost! (and never found!) Never reach for her when she's sleeping under the bed or she'll rip your hand off. She's fiercely protective of me, especially around men we don't know, and barks whenever there's footsteps she doesn't recognize or other dogs and/or people walking by.

Since the dogs have their problems, they are also my problems. If anyone didn't know we don't have any kids so the question is...is this what it's like to have kids? :') I can't go anywhere without thinking about how they are going to be taken care of. Can't leave them alone for long. Love'em to death and would never give them up. Clean up after them and their poop. Love watching them sleep. Get mad when they're bad, but always forgive them. Think they're the cutest things alive. Yep, they're definitely my 'babies'!

Ready...set...go!!!

Wow! I feel an overwelming sense of relief today. One more thing that was bothering me has been resolved. What was it? Well, we are finally in our 'newly remodeled' (read new fridge and range-from D quality to C quality and newly spray-textured countertops...woo-hoo), normal smelling, semi-permanent apartment home! Whew! The original apt we moved into was on the ground floor. The front half of the apt was built into the ground up to the window ledge so it had a very funky smell. Sort of a cross between mold, mildew, earth and mustiness. The dishwasher didn't work, all the outlets were loose (anything plugged in, fell out), well...you get the idea. It was basically the apt from hell! it was nothing like the model they showed my hubby and that I saw online. We complained (nicely, of course) and to the apt mgr's credit, she said we could move to another apt, but we had to wait almost 2 weeks while they 'remodeled' it. In the meantime, I had dishpan hands (my 41 yr old hands are getting that veiny look already, so this was worse!), and couldn't breathe too deeply. Well, it was worth the wait...we are 'home'!

Actually, another thing was taken care of today also. All in all, a good day. We got furniture!! All our stuff is still in our house that is up for sale. The plan is to move it all up here when the house is sold. Hopefully we can time it so that we can move everything into a newly purchased home. I'm tired of moving! Anyways, we are now going to sleep up off the floor...we have a bed frame!! Thank god...my knees were killing me! We also got a bar table, but the bar stools are on back order. Ugh! I guess it's not completely resolved. Oh well...wait...examine...can't do anything about it...don't stress. I feel better already!

So, now that we're home, we can set up my jewelrymaking stuff. I haven't made anything in a month and it feels strange. Before I found out we were moving, I was sort of on a roll. I had just gotten into an artist co-op gallery (for local artists only) in November (thanks to my buddy Danielle-please check out my fave links), I started to get repeat customers, I was selling a bunch of stuff (also thanks to my buddy Danielle), and I found that designing and making things was coming a lot easier. Now I'll have to start all over. Seems daunting w/out my buddy Danielle who makes and sells absolutely bee-yoo-tee-full dichroic glass jewelry full time! She's been gracious enough to share her expeiences and booth space with me many occasions. She's been my mentor and inspiration and I'll be eternally grateful. Not to mention, she's just a great person too!

I am ready to start setting up my space! Tomorrow, I will go get my tanks filled and try to buy a table to work on that I can still use (for craft shows) once I get my real workbench from Sacto. I can't wait! It's about time. I'm ready to go..go...go...!

Sweet catharsis

Is there such a thing as buddhism 'lite'? I don't want to offend anyone, so please let me know if I've made such a gaffe. To tell you the truth, I know barely anything about Buddhism. The reason I ask is that a dear friend of mine, (*shameless plug* Please visit her site for more!) whose blog address is: womanwarrior007.blogspot.com, shared a quote from a book the Dalai Lama wrote. Here it is:

"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."

What do you think about it? My friend sent it to me because of difficulties I have been having with my hubby and my recent move. I've been stressed because of money and all things related. I am trying to be supportive of my hubby, but I really did not want to move away from 'home'. This quote she sent is now my personal goal. I need to learn to examine situations that normally cause stress (to me) and decide if anything can be done. Then I have my answer and don't need to worry. It's going to be alot easier said than done since I have 41 years of worry behind me! Old habits die hard! I will also try to read something from the Dalai Lama. At worst, I won't like or agree with any other philosophies, perhaps, I will find parts I like and others I dislike, or at best, I will be able to find more solace and peace in my life...catharsis...sweet catharsis. It's what I need! I will at least do some research and thinking on it.

I also wonder if someone who is Buddhist practices all the tenets, and agrees w/ all philosophies or beliefs set forth? Or do you pick and choose? Sort of a 'lighter version' if you will. I know that reincarnation is a belief, but I grew up in a Southern Baptist church. So that would be a hard thing to believe for me. But realize I need to keep an open mind and maybe, just maybe there's enough room for both Buddhism and my old religious beliefs to coexist. I guess we'll see.

ok...so I lied...

Ok...so I lied...sort of. My brother does live here, but he's very busy and I don't expect we'll get together much, although today was one of those rare occasions. I meant I don't have any "friends" here. He's lived here for several years now and knows the Seattle are pretty well. Today we went to a place called Spud's on Alki Ave. Kind of a cute area. There's a paved path around the area at the water's edge and even though today was rather grey (what else is new in Seattle?), there were lots of people walking with dogs, jogging and the like. It borders Elliot Bay and from a stretch of that path, you can get a very nice panorama of Downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. As a matter of fact, my brother had taken quite a lovely picture of all that at night and it was beautiful! Spud's is a fish and chip place...one of the oldest in Seattle from what I gathered. It was good except I was surprised that they charged separately for ketchup and for tartar sauce. I've never been to any fish and chip place anywhere that did that. Kinda weird if you ask me. Guess I'm used to Long John Silver's where you can get/use as much as you want! Well, I guess there's alot to explore around here, as well as lots of restaurants ( hope they don't charge for all the extras...like water!) and once I get used to it, I'll like the area as much as I did home in California.

another person w/ moving blues

I'm just starting this blog as late night therapy so thanks for reading on. Haven't really read many blogs so I hope this is OK. I just moved to WA with my husband. He applied for and was awarded a position in the same federal govt agency. However, because he had to apply and wasn't 'transferred', we had to take on all the costs and headaches of moving ourselves pretty quickly...in a month from the day he found out. It was an interstate move and we had to put our house up for sale. It is still for sale and there have been no bites. We will probably have to lower our asking price considerably since the housing market in CA has slowed down. And even then who knows when it'll sell? Right now, we're renting a small apt, but the cost of both the house and related bills, and the apt and related bills on just one income is giving me some serious stress. I could not transfer with my job and so I'm staying at home right now and feeling a bit useless. I wanted to see if I could make it as a full time craftsperson, but the money situation has got me worried. We have spent more than I was expecting and although we have some money in savings, I really don't want to tap into that. The prospect of looking for a job all over again is daunting. My hubby was in the military for many years so he is used to moving, but I have basically stayed in the same town for all my life. I've never made a move this big and I am not enjoying it at all. I know...I'm sure there are many people who have been in a situation like mine and I shouldn't throw my self a pity party, but I guess, I just want to be heard. My husband says not to worry...it'll all work itself out, I guess it will somehow.

Another thing is I guess I just wasn't mentally prepared for moving. it happened so fast that I never got the chance to get used to the idea. Maybe I'm just getting old or something. I'm in my 40's and change seems to be getting harder for me. I don't know anyone here either and my hubby is at work alot. He tries to keep me company as much as possible, but know he'd be at work more if I wasn't such an introvert. I am on the quiet side and a bit shy, so it's hard for me to meet people. Always has been. I am trying to look at this move as something positive and an opportunity to grow as a person, yet it's been hard. Even back home I never had that many friends. There are moments when I feel optimistic and full of energy and others where I just want to sit in a dark room. I guess I'm blue. I've always considered myself to be a pretty well-adjusted person so I am hoping these are normal feelings for a move. Writing down my feelings and knowing someone will read them helps too even if no one responds. Well, thanks for 'listening'. Hope this hasn't been too depressing.