Friends...Real Friends..Hard to Find!

You have acquaintances..you have friends from work, and those are nice. But I'm talking about real friends.

The friends that stand by you. They stand by you even though you have flaws. They stand by you even though they really know you. That is called unconditional love. and it's hard to find. I have that for my children, and my husband, Bob...no matter what they do..I will always love them.

It's important to have people in your life like that. No matter what you do or say...they love you!

This picture..it portrays a wonderful friendship! This is my husband Bob and his cousin/best friend, "Frawley". Sometimes I forget he has a first name. It's John. But I call him Frawley and so does my husband Bob!

We went to a Cleveland State basketball game last night. Usually it's "Frawley", Bob, and Mark, my "almost-17-yr old", Mark. I had a wonderful time, and was almost jealous of the relationship that Bob and Frawley have! But I'm not...because I can see why my husband Bob has been friends with Frawley forever..he's a good guy, and more important, a good friend!

Be grateful for true friends...they're hard to come by!

By the way...I do have a best friend, and it happens to also be my daughter, Lindsey! She knows me...and stands by me, and is always there for me..thank you Lindsey! It's been quite a year...turned out to be a fabulous year, but when I thought things weren't so great, Lindsey drove from Columbus to Cleveland to be there for me!

Thanks Friend!

Love Your Mom/Jen

My Latest Purchase from Etsy! Kimberly Shaw!

I really still cannot believe all the talent on Etsy!

I am so glad I found Kimberly Shaw! I first found her on Flickr and loved her pictures of teacups and then found her shop at http://www.kimberlyshawgraphics.com/ ...I was then so happy to find out she opened a shop on Etsy! http://www.kimberlysteacottage.etsy.com/ !!!

Well, of course, I had to order from her shop! I am so glad I did! I not only received the 3 lovely teacup cards with a little teabag tucked in them, but also adorable teacup stickers, an extra card, and an extra tea for me to try!

I love tea, but my daughter and her boyfriend enjoy it even more, so I know I am sending them a card! My sister is also a tea lover so I will be sending one her way!

Check out both of Kimberly's shops! They're adorable and you'll be happy you stopped by!

Getting Organized

That's my goal, to get organized!

Oprah recently had a show about that same subject!

Ever since I started my Etsy shop http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com/ I have more clutter than ever! I have a large (and wonderful) inventory of vintage items. I have been able to keep the items that are already listed in a separate area from the items yet to be listed.

My husband has been great about making shelves for all my stuff!

I guess I should have thought about starting an Etsy shop where I wasn't selling fragile china, glass, etc. Not only is it tough to organize, but also tricky to pack!

But...not to complain! I love both of my Etsy shops and am so thankful that I'm doing so well!

Anyone have some great organization tips? I would love to hear them!

Jen

Been Shopping on Etsy!

Gotta splurge every once in a while, right!?

From FGMOriginals, I bought these beautiful dangle earrings, and they even came in a pretty little pouch! Check out her shop at http://www.fgmoriginals.etsy.com/!

Also, I just love these pretty pics from Matou...they came all the way from Australia, and I love them! I can't wait to mat and frame them for my dressing room! Check her shop out at http://www.matouenpeluche.etsy.com/!

Thanks you guys!!

Everyone..shop at Etsy for Christmas!

Gratitude

I started a thread last Sunday on gratitude. It's easy to forget how lucky we are!

It all started during spin class, it was an hour and half endurance class and I forgot my towel-and you sweat a lot! So I had to get by on paper towels, not so great.

But all I kept thinking about was how lucky I am...my worst problem for the day would be that I forgot my towel at spin class and had to use paper towels...boo hoo!!

So when I got home (after a shower, in case you're wondering!)...I started a thread on Etsy about gratitude. What a fantastic reponse I got! So many people jumped in with there stories of gratitude, most grateful for their families, of course. Some very touching and moving stories about someone who had just lost their grandmother and how she was worried about how her sister would cope, but she was grateful that her sister was doing ok. Another person was grateful her mom had come of of brain surgery and was doing better.

So...when you're upset about some little thing that has happened during the day, stop and think. What are you grateful for? You'll be surprised at how many things you can think of!

Jen