Found on Facebook!

We've all heard the saying, "It's a small world." Well, the Internet makes it so much smaller. A childhood friend, Kristen, sent a friend request via Facebook last night. Honestly, I couldn't place her immediately. We lived across the street from each other, and I moved when I was 9 years old. Kristen has a baby, close to my youngest in age. She is a registered nurse, as am I. It sure is a small world!

I don't remember much in my early childhood. Both of my parents are alcoholics. My dad is recovering. Neither my sisters nor I have seen or heard from our mother in over 10 years. My parents divorced when I was 9. I do remember one of Kristen's sisters had a Spirograph that I enjoyed drawing with (at least I think I remember...). And I vaguely remember playing in Kristen's backyard. Maybe Kristen can help me remember more. I wonder how much of my dysfunctional family life they were aware of. Not that I am embarrassed. I once was, but through Al-Anon and therapy I realized that I was a mere child, who can't be held responsible for the actions of her parents. Sure, I suffered the consequences of their actions, but I did the best I could with what was given to me, considering...

Anyway, my new motto, which I have been reciting to my boys for the last several weeks here around the house is...

YOU are responsible for YOUR own actions.

Oh, and on a side note, I had to dig out the external hard drive to post this ADORABLE picture of me and my sisters. I am the oldest of three.

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Our Latest Purchase

Michael and I have made the commitment to buy handmade, to start supporting small businesses the AMERICAN economy. So, as we get low on shampoo, I am not running to Wal-Mart as I once did to pick up Suave or Herbal Essences shampoo. Instead, I ordered some handmade shampoo and conditioner today from Gudonya (pronounced good-on-ya). I have purchased some handmade soap already from Besem Natural Scents which I am still waiting to receive in the mail. {I got this as I was typing...}

We are making an honest effort to become smart consumers. We are not looking to buy cheap. Sure, buying handmade is more expensive. But we believe by supporting small business, buying quality products, we are being SMART. We hope WHERE we spend our money has a "trickle up" effect, then supporting the AMERICIAN economy as a whole. We want to live the American dream, and help others do the same. Oh, and not to mention, that what we are buying is all-natural, good for our family and good for our environment.

Why don't you support handmade?

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Two Eventful Weekends

Having four boys with ages ranging from 17 years old to 11 months, I live the cliche "They grow up so fast." I have not taken the time to introduce you to our family here on our blog. If you don't know us, let me take a moment to introduce ourselves.

We are Michael and Talina, two soul mates that found each other/fate brought together, {however you see it} via the Internet. Don't laugh, it's true. Ours is a blended family, with Seth (17) pictured with his girlfriend Megan, Aaron (8) and Jacob (7) being my three sons from my first marriage, and Quinn (11 mo) being my fourth son from this, my second, marriage. Michael had never been married before, nor did he have any biological children before Quinn. Michael and I have been married now for going on three years. Our storybook romance was closed and placed on the bookshelf for almost a year, but we have taken it down, dusted it off, and opened the book again re-writing our fairytale.

Our family minus me, as I am often photograhing. :)

We thoroughly enjoy our time together as a family, and prefer to be outdoors hiking, fishing, swimming, and enjoying nature. Indoors we like bowling, watching movies, and playing PS3. The three oldest are active in sports, so depending on the season you can find us indoors or out, cheering them on from the bleachers, whether it be football, basketball, track, or baseball. I am blessed to have an amazing husband that spends quality time with my children, our child, and helps in every way possible to make my life a little easier.

As far as work goes, Michael works full time in a gallery's wood shop making custom furniture. His pieces are either made for the floor of the gallery or are special commissions for customers. He has over an hour commute into the mountains of NC to work one way. I work full time as a registered nurse in a call center. I answer nurse calls for a free service provided by the health system I work for. I also facilitate transfers between hospitals, so patients can receive the care they need. Prior to this job, I had 11 years in women's and children's nursing working on the floor, unit, and as a charge nurse in pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive care, and LDRP(labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum).

So, onto the events! We celebrated Jacob's 7th birthday by going snow tubing at Hawksnest, the largest snow tubing venue on the East Coast. We also ate cake, had a special dinner, and Jacob even lost a tooth! This weekend, Quinn got the hang of walking. He has been cruising for months, and he had even taken a few steps now and then without holding on, but he preferred crawling as his main mode of transportation. Suddenly, yesterday, he was in the middle of the floor, went from crawling, onto his knees, placed his left foot forward and lunged into a standing position and took off! He was full of energy and excitement as Michael and I cheered him on... He fell down, got back up, walked, and repeated the cycle again and again until he was exhausted. We also turned his car seat forward facing, for a trip to NC to visit Grandma Jean (Michael's Mom}.

Of course, many other things have occurred , maybe not as noteworthy, but it is what makes a family a family, and life, well, just life: trips to the oral surgeon, a parent-teacher confernce, implementing a new rewards/punishment system {banning all electronic games, but allowing boys to "earn" time playing video games, reinforcing positive behavior}, juggling childcare because our usual sitter has been sick, basketball practices, basketball games, homework, etc.

Please support handmade. Help us to achieve our dream/goal of "living our art." Visit our Etsy shop. I hope you enjoy our blog.

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Affordable Handmade Solid Hardwood Cutting Boards

Perfectly priced! These cutting boards are only $20-25! Great as a housewarming gift or a wedding gift. Buy a cutting board, some cheese, crackers, fruit, wrap in cellophane add ribbon and voila!

Handmade by Michael, the first board in solid black walnut finished only with exotic nut oil, as are ALL of our boards, and is 100% food safe.
This second board is made from solid cherry hardwood. It has a lovely curved top edge and is very thick. Nice cutting area.
I saved my favorite for last. This wormy, solid maple cutting board has a unique ribbon of color through it left behind from the worm who used to reside in it.

Please read "Why Wood?" Support the arts! Buy handmade! Use functional art in your home!

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