Family before Blog~

I've been feeling a pull lately (for the last couple of months, really). A pull to take Everyday Occasions in a different direction. After reading this beautiful post by Darcy (who designed my blog, by the way) about her business bringing more exposure to her personal blog and, as a result, her family, I knew I had to share my feelings with you all.

With the advent of my business, Anna K. Originals, getting underway (just waiting for licenses to be approved) my contact information will be floating around for anyone to see. This leaves my boys and the Hubs vulnerable.

I, as a wife and a mom, have to think of their safety and dignity and, ultimately, their happiness.

The Hubs, who is going through some health problems right now, needs to be left some semblance of privacy and dignity. The Bubs, who is getting older, is becoming increasingly aware of what I post about him...with that awareness comes the very real potential for him to be uncomfortable or embarrassed. They are all so precious to me and nothing is worth them being made to feel uncomfortable or put on display just so I can have a blog post.

Does that mean Everyday Occasions is going away?

No.

It's just time to take it in a slightly different direction...maybe a photoblog, of sorts. I'm still working on ideas but, come what may in the next few months, I hope y'all will continue to stop by and share with me. I know you'll understand that this decision comes from a mother's prayerful heart.

My heart sings...of what is up to me!

I often wonder what my heart is singing out to those around me.
Am I singing out about love? Wisdom? Hope?
Or has my heart's song become one of anger, hurt or discord?
I'm hoping that the melody my heart is singing along with is one that is finely orchestrated by a loving and compassionate Heavenly Father...who is always patiently waiting for me to hand back His conductor's baton when, out of fear or a need to feel in control, I've snatched it out of His hands.

A boy and a camera...

It would have been a drooling lovefest between the E-man and my camera but for the fact that it was still in my hot little hands!  Well, at least he's not afraid of the camera anymore...in fact, I think the camera should watch its back.

 

P.S.  Been having publishing issues lately...if the blog post looks odd, my apologies!

From the Everyday Occasions Scrapbook~ The Snow Files

Apparently what the Hubs wants, the Hubs gets!  The man said he wanted to have snow and, by golly, he got some.  The most that we've seen in quite a while, in fact.  He wasn't the only one who was delighted by it, either.  Yep, I pretty much made an idiot of myself by running outside yelling, "Come look, Baby!  SNOW!"  I didn't realize that my neighbor across the street was standing on her front steps watching the whole show.  Whoops!

I'm dreaming of a white Valentine's Day...?

It's snowin' down here in the South!  Yes, we get all excited about the powdery precipitation down here...right after everyone goes a little crazy buying up all the milk, bread and Ramen Noodles they can get their mittens on.  We're silly like that, I guess.

The Hubs, who is from "up yonder", gets the biggest kick out of the way our area completely locks down if there's even the remote possibility of snow.  I love it, because I'd rather be home enjoying the rare occurance of snow rather than trying to drive in it. 

Even the Hubs, who hasn't seen snow in a long time, is having fun with the winter weather.  Of course, it's all fun and games until the power goes out...(Perish the thought!!)

Anna K. Originals

Forms, fees, paperwork and tax stuff - Oh, My!

That's right, y'all, I'm starting a business (insert nervous gulp here).

It will be called Anna K. Originals. I'll be selling original art pieces along with prints and stationery. I'll probably do some decor and accessory items, as well. Right now things are in the very early stages of start up. I know I'll be doing some local arts and crafts shows and I'm aiming to do some online business, too. In fact, if I can get my hands on some funds, there might be a few changes around the blog...who knows?

I'm very nervous yet I feel like I need to try. Honey, life is too short for me not to!

What I've been bobbin' my head to lately...

Like You Do

Angel Taylor. MySpace Music Videos

I stumbled across this lovely lady in one of my Amazon searches. Since then, her songs have been playing quite a bit on my Zune...especially when I'm painting. Right now my fave songs from her Love Travels album are Like You do and Maple Tree. What's hot on your playlist right now?

I'm on Kelly Rae Roberts' Blog!

The delightful Kelly Rae recently posted on her blog that she wanted to share some of the stories and artwork that people, inspired by her Taking Flight book, frequently sent her. She generously went on to invite her readers to join in....and I did.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting to be featured. I thought I'd get lost in the shuffle of the masses of submissions she'd most likely recieve after her open call. I checked in with her blog this evening and her feature post was up. I was enjoying the truly wonderful submissions and stories when -WHOA! Hey that's ME!

So, if you've got a moment go take a peek! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go pinch myself....OUCH!