Wow...

January was an odd month! Lots of goings-on. Not all bad, mind you, but just a lot of...everything. Lots of trips (Jeremy went on two work-related trips which is generally more than he goes on in an entire year!) and lots of chaos (weird things with his work potentially striking--still a possibility!), and just general craziness. There are some things I need to schedule (dental appointments, a doctor's appointment that's overdue, etc), and things of that nature. I can't believe my parents found a house! Specifically, the house that they saw in October (2008) and kept having problems getting. Suddenly, the obstacles were removed this month and they were able to have their bid accepted. It's a foreclosure so they got a good deal. However, it has quite a bit of work that needs to be done and they're really nervous about the $$$ that will have to go into it. But I think that once that is underway and the see the progress, maybe the monetary part of it won't seem quite so painful. In any event, I am glad, at least, that they don't have to stay in those apartments. I know my mom in particular wasn't too fond of apartment living. Especially after that crazy incident with police officers mistakingly banging on their door in the wee hours to find some crazy vandals/criminals/etc. Not fun!

Artistically speaking, I didn't feel ultra-productive in January but I did lots of planning and brainstorming. I know that it was due in large part to the emotional and physical crash I had after the holidays and frenzy of the end of last year. Additionally, I finished a series for Suzy's site. A new series, based on vintage fabrics from the 40's-70's, should be finished by the end of this week. I'm excited about that one! I feel that my creative slump is ending for the most part, and I have to make room for creative ups and downs. It's going to happen! I think in general my momentum is still definitely there, even though my energy has not always been.

So, I wish whoever reads this a happy February, and I hope that you enjoy it with family, friends and loved ones. This is the month of love, whether you're partnered or not. I can tell you that self-care and friendship and family are definitely big things for everyone and should be celebrated on Valentine's Day just as romantic love is. I don't see why it has to be just romantic.  In fact, I think it might be a fun tradition to make valentines with Pele to give out to friends and family. Something from the heart, something homemade. Just a little trinket or token, reminding people that you think of them and want them to know it. Some of my fondest memories of valentine's day are the wonderful hand-drawn valentine's that my quirky and awesome grandma used to make for us. I really wish I had a scan of the snaggle-toothed Hannah-in-glasses valentine (in a cherub body!) that my grandma made for me as a teen. I think it's around here somewhere...

Love from Loveland,

Hannah

p.s. In honor of my Uncle love, I'm offering free priority mail shipping this entire month of February on my Etsy site.