remembering the year that was

The newspapers and tv stations are full of end of year reviews-the biggest stories in weather, sports, entertainment, etc.  When I was younger, I would buy the yearend edition of People magazine, intending to save it for my kids to look at.  Wonder where those are...

Now with on-line blogs we no longer need to save all that paper, someday Charlie will be able to electronically access what our lives were like in 2010, through my blog archives.  Who knows what he will be doing to keep track of his life, at my age.

2010 was a quiet year for the Pohls, no big trips were taken, no new things added to our household (unless you count all of my vintage finds at yard sales, but I digress...)  Mike and Charlie had a great season of dirt biking, with Charlie improving each race, and Mike there photographing and recording each event. 

He has become quite the photog, and was published in nearly every edition of Cycle USA.  He is currently working on an amazing movie for his dirt bike club, I will be sure to showcase it here when it is finished.  Who knew I married a Spielberg?

Charlie survived his first year at Twin Cities Academy, and entered 7th grade this year much taller. 

I swear he grows half an inch in his sleep many nights. 

He is completely immersed in the video game world, but does pause now and then for bike riding, sledding, and now that winter is here, skiing. 

He is my helper around the house, and never says no if I ask him to make me a cup of tea or get the laundry out of the dryer.  (Okay, he does say no sometimes, but he does do it eventually....)

After many years of just dreaming, I finally took my art to the public, and opened my own Etsy shop in September.  I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received, and sales have been beyond my wildest dreams.  I have so many plans and ideas swirling in my head for the coming year, stay tuned!

Dear Claude is still with us, after a major health scare in August.  Like a newborn, he now wakes us a couple of times each night. 

He wants to snuggle in bed with us, but his arthritic legs prevent him from jumping that high anymore.  We groggily pick him up, and are glad he is still here.  He turns 20 this year, quite a milestone for a cat.

Speaking of milestones, Mike turns 50 in May.  I haven't decided yet how we will celebrate-what I would really like to do is surprise him with a new dirt bike.  I need to sell a LOT of bracelets...

All of our families and friends remain healthy, we are so very grateful for that.  My dear grandmother turns 90 this summer, and my parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  We are beyond blessed.

My heart is full of gratitude for my little life, and all that it holds.  May 2011 be a wonderful year on your calendar of memories.

persistence

Not exactly a holiday topic.  Unless you are referring to a child asking for the same thing from Santa every day.

I don't know about you, but sometimes writing helps me work through tough things.  So that is what I am going to do here.

Mike and I have owned our own business for almost 15 years.   As any small business owner will tell you, that means highs, lows, and a lot of hard work. 

For the last two years, we have been working (and I say 'we' loosely, as Mike has done all of the hard work) on a really incredible opportunity for our small business.  It has involved investing a lot of our own money and time, and heart.  It is an amazingly innovative product, that will really change the simulation world.

We found out the week before Christmas that we were not awarded the project.  And it has been really hard to take.

If you have ever experienced a major disappointment in your life, you will know how we feel right now.  I don't even want to use the word 'disappointment', as that doesn't begin to accurately describe it.

First, I felt anger.  Which is silly, but I'm just being honest.

Now I am just very sad, for what might have been.  This would have been a life changing deal for us, and in the tiny corners of our brain we would think of a bigger house, or being able to easily send Charlie to college, or doing amazing things for our store.  But we never planned on those things, because through the years we have learned that anything can happen, and there is no 'sure thing' until a contract is signed.

We will move forward.  We will  hold each other up.  We will come up with our next plan, and identify new opportunites.  But we will allow ourselves to feel a little bad, and eat some comfort food, and think about what might have been.

We know Charlie is watching, and seeing how we manage this. We are hoping to provide a good example to him, so that when life presents him with challenges, he will know how to stand tall, and not be defeated.

Mike is a really amazing man, and he was destined to be an entrepeneur.  I am so fortunate to have him for my husband, and my business partner.  In a note he sent to the other people we have been working with on this project, he included this quote:

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent

Calvin Coolidge

I'll be home for Christmas-

-and this year, not just in my dreams!

Since 2003, we have spent Christmas in the cities.  Having a store at the MOA made it impossible to leave. On Christmas Eve, Mike and Charlie and I would head out to the mall around noon and send our staff home to celebrate with their families, and we would run the store until our required closing time of 6 pm. 

Christmas day would be spent in our pajamas, reveling in the fact that our store was closed, we had no gift card orders to mail out, not a thing to worry about.  We would enjoy our Christmas gifts, and call our families, and try not to be sad.

We would begin to recuperate from working a million hours the rest of the month, and literally being too tired to even fathom the thought of a four hour drive on winter roads.

But this year, due to sales trends and employees looking for more hours, and not minding working on Christmas Eve, we are going home.

It won't be a long visit, but we will be there for the important things.  Time with our families, moments shared over gifts and good food, and celebrating my sister's Christmas birthday.  I can hardly wait.

Each year when I would hear Doris Day singing that she would be home for Christmas, it always made me tear up.  But this year they are tears of joy.

Because I will be home for Christmas.

May your holiday be all that you wish for, and may you find peace in quiet moments spent with family and good friends.

Christmas is about miracles

I am typing this through tears, having just read this incredible post over here:  http://thebloggess.com/?p=9493

One person, starting something small, that snowballed into an amazing outpouring of love.  Here is a small line from what The Bloggess had to say about it:  "...this has been the most successful, unplanned, disorganized celebration of awesomeness that I’ve ever accidentally been in charge of."

Reading blogs has been way down on my list of things to do the last few weeks, and other than a couple of friend's blogs I have not been out there.  Tracy http://www.sellabitmum.com/ directed me to The Bloggess in her post today, she was one of the sweet people who helped out. 

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the human spirit, and the wonders of the blog world.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

snowmagedon

That is what it has been called.

The fifth biggest snowstorm in the cities, since they started keeping track of such things.  Even more than the Armistice Day blizzard of 1940.

I was grateful Mike flew home from Florida on Friday night, we picked him up at the Humphrey airport (excuse me, Terminal 2) just as snow was beginning to coat the roads.  We pulled up to a spot and as Mike was loading up his luggage "Let it Snow" came on the radio.  How prophetic.

I have tweaked the lyrics a bit, to coincide with our weekend adventure:

Oh the weather outside was frightful

inside, it was delightful

thank goodness we had no place to go

Let it snow let it snow let it snow.

It showed no signs of stopping,

so we made some corn for popping

candles were lit, lights were low

Let it Snow let it snow let it snow

The snow kept coming down

outside, it looked so very cold

the MOA was even shut down

those who ventured out were bold.

The snow, it came to a stop

There was stew in the crockpot

Out to shovel we did go

Let it snow let it snow let it snow!

The huge drifts and cold reminded me of the Halloween blizzard, when we lived in a little apartment in Bloomington and didn't have to worry about shoveling or plowing.  But I did have to drive our Miata to the airport to pick up Mike, an adventure in itself, and a story for another day...

Charlie is home from school for a second day, it has just been too difficult for the cities to get all of the streets plowed well enough for the buses to get through, and they are worried about kids standing waiting for late buses in the frigid temps.  He is in heaven.  I may have to put him to work today.

My favorite part about a storm like this?  It brings out the very best in us.  People helping strangers could be found throughout the city, whether they were helping a car get unstuck or shoveling someone's walk.  We were fortunate enough to have a friend with a snowblower (THANKS JED!) who loaned it to Mike, as our corner lot has way too much sidewalk, and this much snow was really daunting.

Snow is piled everywhere, on city streets the parking meters barely peak out the top, and it is hazardous at intersections to see what is coming.  And we have more snow in the forecast for the next couple of days....

let it snow, indeed.

Check back later, I will have photos!  Tracy has some great shots (and a really fun post) over here:  http://sellabitmum.com/?p=1212



holiday music for you!

The holiday cd's are pulled out the day after Thanksgiving, We have amassed quite a collection over the years, and I ADORE Christmas music.  The traditional:  Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song", the funky: The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping", to the less listened to "Hurry Home for Christmas" by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.



Deano gets put in regular rotation, along with the soundtrack from a Charlie Brown Christmas, and Ella and Louis combining for a rousing rendition of "Zat You, Santa Claus?"



I own not one, but THREE Harry Connick Jr. holiday cd's.  I love that man.



I adore my James Taylor holiday cd, picked up as a Hallmark special several years ago.  In recent years I have added Diana Krall and Mary Chapin Carpenter to my holiday collection.



And best of all, Mike's brother Bob (a MAJOR music aficianado) makes us a fun holiday collection nearly every year.




This year's addition? Last night I downloaded all of the fun holiday songs Target has in their commercials this year.  And being the hip retailer that they are, of course they are offering all of them as free downloads, you can get it for yourself here:  http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=sc_iw_2_0_Music/?node=2492229011

Yes, I used to work for Target, but that is not why I shamelessly promote them.  I just love the way they do business.

What is your favorite holiday soundtrack?

back to Holiday Shopping!

With all of the gadgets we have these days, it's nice to find a pretty way to protect them.

Today I share with you Dory Designs, you can find it at:  http://www.dorydesigns.etsy.com/



The shop opened in Nov. of 2006 and is located in New York, it offers great choices to protect you Ipod, laptop, phone, etc.



One of my favorites (if only I had an Ipad to put in it...):



Here is a snippet from the shop profile:  "My priority is to pay attention to the details and quality of my work. All of the items that I offer have been designed and hand made by me. All laptop sleeves and gadget cases are lined with water resistant nylon. "




Great gift ideas to be found here!  Remember to shop early when shopping handmade so you can have your find in time for the holidays.

order soon!

Time is flying by, and if you want great handmade gifts for the holiday this is no time to sit back and have another cup of coffee!  go here! www.thecraftpantry.etsy.com



Today I share with you The Craft Pantry.  How FUN are these cards?



The shop is located North of Seattle, and has been in business since Sept. of 2007.



(I may need to order those cards for Mike, shhhh, don't tell!)



Here is a snippet from the bio:  "HANDMADE TO ORDER - I carefully make every item myself, one at a time, with love & care!"



You will need to order by Dec. 10th if you want it in time for Christmas, so get shopping!

Christmas redux

Today I share a post I made exactly two years ago today.

sigh.

http://ohfercute.blogspot.com/2008/12/time-flies-part-viii.html

We are digging out from many inches of fluffy white snow this morning.  It is light and sparkles in the sun, unlike the heavy water filled stuff we got a few weeks ago.  Charlie can hardly wait to go skiing.

How will you spend your weekend?  Searching for that perfect gift?  Doing a little holiday baking?  Finding a tree that is just right?  Make sure to take time for a cup of tea (or whatever beverage makes you happy) and fully enjoy a moment of the season.  They fly by so fast.

Today's Etsy Find

First, don't forget to head on over to The Snyder 5 for a chance to win one of my bracelets!

http://www.thesnyder5reviews.com/2010/12/button-button-who-lost-button-new.html

Now back to regularly scheduled programming:

I love to knit.  I taught myself how when I was flat on my back with disc troubles four years ago.  God forbid I could just read, or watch tv.  It is my therapy, my stress reduction, my zen.  Feeling the yarn slip through my fingers just makes me happy.

Each year for Christmas, my great grandma Ethel made everyone slippers.  We loved those slippers, even though my teenage brain eventually became horrified with her random variegated color choices.  But I grew up, and remembered those slippers with fond memories.  And every time I sit down to knit, I think of her.

Because I know the time and patience involved, I love hand knit goods.  Look what I found at The Stitchery Boutique:



This is a small shop, just opened in January.  How CUTE is that hat?


I made myself some fingerless gloves last winter (nowhere near as adorable as these) and I wear them when I am working away on my laptop all day in our drafty house.  I need more.



I have a pattern to make a pin cushion similar to this, perhaps I should just buy one instead!

The owners of this Etsy shop are from Idaho, here is a snippet from their profile:

"We are a mother-daughter team of crafters! We both live in North Idaho. Mother likes to knit baby items and use recycled wool sweaters in different projects. Baby garments are made with only the fibers she would put on her own grandbabies! My latest hobby is making wall hanging quilts in an outdoor theme, and I am a stay at home mom. "



 
Oh for crying out loud, I need someone to have a baby so I can order this.
 
Happy shopping!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheStitcheryBoutique

So Pretty

Today's Etsy shop is 'lonkoosh'.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/lonkoosh  How gorgeous is this bracelet?



She crafts her pieces from vintage jewelry finds, check out this necklace:



Just stunning.  This speaks to things I love, vintage and memories.

Look at this one:



So pretty!  She opened her shop in November of 2009, here is a snippet from her profile:

"I love creating new beautiful pieces of jewelry from vintage pieces I collect. Here you can find lovely statement pieces in any color and texture."

I see she offers gift certificates, what a great idea!  Something I may need to add to my own little Etsy shop.

More to come!

order now (and look at the end for a new maybaby giveaway!)

..if you want it in time for Christmas.

If you have a chef in your life, check out this Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/AHeirloom

You can order a fun cutting board in the shape of their favorite state:



and the shop owners will put a heart or star over you favorite city!  A Heirloom is located in Brooklyn, and has been selling on Etsy since October of 2009.  Here is a snippet from their profile (you can see why I like them, they are a husband and wife team!):   "We are a husband and wife (amy+bill) design duo who are into digital fabrication. Trained as architects..we enjoy designing housewares for ourselves and now for our etsy friends."


Personally?  I want Michigan, because then I would get two!



They are made from bamboo, and speaking from personal experience, bamboo is an excellent material for cutting boards.



In order to get your cutting board in time for Christmas, you will need to order by December 5th.  Get going!

Just added-check out a Maybaby bracelet giveaway over on Molly's blog!  http://www.thesnyder5.com/

Good luck!