So here’s what I’ve been up to….

Designing! First and foremost, website and blog design takes up most of my time. It seems like the new year always gets every one in the mood to start fresh, or redesign a site. I am booked all the way through May right now, it’s crazy! But in a good way of course…

Second on the time consumption list has been shopping. (I know poor me, huh!) I try to get out twice a week for vintage finds for the Etsy shop. Then once I finish the shopping it’s all about photographing, measuring, and listing each find. The shopping is the fun part, trust me!

Then comes the shipping…. shipping orders is hectic around here to say the least. I usually feel overwhelmed and wait until Josh can make time to help me, and then ship a bunch of stuff at once rather than ones and twos here and there. But of course that makes for a mess of an office space in the off time. I’m amazed I haven’t had any major blunders as of yet. Knock on wood….

And then there’s what’s going on behind the scenes… Josh and I have been finishing up our paperwork to start our home study and adoption application. Just a few finishing touches and we can start the interview process! It’s amazing the stuff you have to do for this, including writing our own “life story” for the social worker.  Josh and I both are finished and now we just have to refine them and make sure we answered all of the questions they wanted addressed.

I have also started getting ready for a nursery! Something I have been dying to do for years!! I found an amazing old dresser that was just perfect for a gender neutral room, and now it’s on to finding a crib, bedding, and some “fluff” for the room. Does anyone have any great resources for me? We don’t have a ton to spend, but I would love to get some soft neutral linens with grain sack inspired motifs…. I can’t find that style anywhere?!!? Does it not exist for crib bedding? All you sewers get to work for me will ya? ;o)

The nursery is next to my office and has been a “catch all” for products and unused decor in our house. So it’s been a challenge to empty the room for a baby. I am having to get creative with my storage solutions and part with a few finds that I really wanted to keep! We had a big sale last week trying to move some products and down size what we keep on hand, and it helped a ton!

One of the things I noticed while trying to downsize is how many books I have! I seem to use vintage books in my decor quite a bit. I might have done ok if I stopped buying them, but somehow I can’t stop! My eye is just drawn to the worn edges and browned pages…  they just don’t make books as pretty as they used to.

Aren’t they lovely? Now head on over to my shop so you can take some home, and use them in your decor! Just think, you’ll be helping me make room for a baby. Now how’s that for a guilt trip! :o)

And I’m not kidding about the nursery decor tips! If you have any secret spots you think I might like, please let me know! I promise to share photos as it gets closer to being a “nursery”! Yay!!!

Then to top it off, I was lucky enough to get a invite to a private party hosted by these boys and their friends.  Read about that here: (in a prior post). Jo and Jermonne were two of the nicest, sweetest, and insanely talented men I have ever met. I was brimming with inspiration when I left them, and have been so sad each time I got notice of their Barn House event sales, that were a whole terrifying plane ride away. Then finally, a light appeared in the tunnel vision that was my desperate longing to shop with them… They announced the opening of an online shop!!!! I have been quietly stalking it ever since… I mean just look at my obsession:

They have the most amazing treasures! And if any of these items tickle your fancy, run, don’t walk, to their site, as this stuff seems to sell quicker than you can click the “add to cart” button. (All photos from the Barn House Boys new site).

Luckily, I managed to get a few good ones, and even had Josh snap a picture of me for sharing. (Keep in mind, that I had to setup the shot, stand where I wanted him to stand and give very specific instructions before I could get him to cooperate. Can you tell he is a little sick of my camera?).

It was gorgeous outside, and the perfect time of day for that soft light I adore in my photography. (Quite a stark contrast from the wet, cold rainy mess it is this weekend). At least I have these images to make me feel all warm and sun drenched.

I’m always a sucker for black birds against a blue sky. (Even if they are mean old crows). Besides, Hannah barked at these two and told them who was boss. (She loves to bark at the birds in our yard, who always seem to take up residence there. Somehow she thinks they are intruding on her space, even tough her space is actually inside on the sofa. I swear our dog wouldn’t step foot in the yard if she didn’t have to tinkle every now and then. Such a princess!)

Here’s to blue skies, and sunny day hikes in your weekend forecast!

I managed to get myself out for a shopping trip to boot, and I have stocked the Etsy shop full of new finds! Just take a gander at these lovelies:

1. Filigree Plaque $20

2. Sugar Creamer Set $20

3. Silver Plate Salt and Pepper Shakers $18

4. Large Creamer $18

5. Engraved Pitcher $32

6. Vintage Vanity Mirror $30

7. Silver Plate Card Holder $19.50

8. Covered Dish $45

9. Wire Basket with Original Label $98

All are in the shop now, so if you have your eye on anything, act now, or you may be too late! I also added a few goodies from last weeks trip, so there should be plenty new inventory to see. Happy shopping!

Start Shopping >>>>

In other news, I was able to get my sales tax return filed, and I feel like a weight has been lifted so that is getting me inspired again! I am dying to grab my camera and start shooting, so I hope to have much more to share soon. Josh and I are still going to foster care classes, and we have about four or five weeks to go, so I will update you all with that as news-worthy events happen. (There are none to speak of as of yet).

I will be out shopping again tomorrow for the shop, and am spending the weekend celebrating two of my brother in laws birthdays, so I will be enjoying my time away from the computer! I hope you all get a chance to stray from yours as well! Enjoy the weekend!

The rain has passed for the day, but they say tomorrow’s storm is going to be worse, so hopefully my luck won’t change. Hannah, the kitties and I are prepared to run for the tub if we need to! :o)

In baby news; I want to thank all of you for your support, encouragement, and kind words both on my blog, and in the emails I received. I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love you all showed us.

Josh and I took our first foster parent class last week, and learned a bit more about the process. It was a little intimidating since they really like to lower your expectations and give you some worse case scenario type stories. I know they do that so you don’t go into it with false expectations, but it is tough to listen to. Both Josh and I left with some second thoughts about choosing the path we are on, but we intend to stick with it, and see where it takes us. Unfortunately we have to miss a class this week, so we won’t learn any more until next Wednesday.

We have looked into adoption quite a bit, and it is still high on our wish list, but the financial part is our biggest hurdle. I have been working for over a year now to get some debt paid off and stay away from credit cards, but I have a few more years to go before I see any major improvements there.

I do have a few more last ditch efforts I am working on, to get pregnant on my own as well, so maybe that will pay off… you never know. A friend of mine was told by her doctor to cut out preservatives in her diet and eat all natural foods… meats, fruits, and veggies. Supposedly it gets your body working the way it should (like a machine) and increases your chances of pregnancy. I’ve been struggling with the diet for a little over a week now, and I think it’s getting easier. (I have no will power when it comes to food, and I live for Dr. Pepper, so it’s been a challenge to say the least!)

Josh’s birthday was last week, and he is now 38. We celebrated with family on both Saturday and Sunday, so it made for a fun weekend. (No the donkey wasn’t part of it, although my husband would have LOVED that!).

Now that the holidays are over, estate sales are back in full swing, so I have been adding to the shop as often as I can. This last week, I sold almost everything I listed on the same day it was listed, so that was exciting!

This week (and next) I am focused on getting my books in order, and filling my taxes. This is the most I have ever procrastinated on that, so I am a bit stressed about making my January 31st deadline. And I have to deal with Jury duty next week, so that is never any fun!

Wish me luck!

2009 was great for me. I am thankful I was able to continue to work from home, grew closer to my husbands side of the family, welcomed a new nephew, and honed some of my photography skills. I love my family, my sisters are still my best friends, and I continue to love what I am doing.

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This brings me to my “excuse” for being absent lately. My mind is elsewhere… I don’t feel like my whole heart has been into any of the normally fulfilling hobbies I have of late. I feel distant. I feel distracted. I feel sad.

The holidays always get me a little down when it comes to the family I hope to someday have. It seems like everyone is announcing a new arrival, celebrating a pregnancy, or planning a family of their own. Of course it never helps that every television show has a new pregnancy to dangle at us before the season break. Babies are every where this time of year! Of course I love being around them, but it is a painful reminder of what I still haven’t been able to achieve this year.

I’m now 33 and that feels very old. (Even though logically, I know it doesn’t sound old). Clocks are a ticking and time is flying by… Josh is going to be 38 in January and I can’t help but think about that “40″ year milestone that is rapidly approaching for the both of us. It feels like a deadline. (I know, I know… Charlie Chaplin had a baby in his seventies… but am I selfish if I don’t want to think about birthing a baby from my wrinkly old husband at that point? Besides I’ll be 65 when Josh is 70 and I’m pretty sure I’ll have even less of a chance conceiving then…lol.)

I hesitate to post this. To put my heart out on my sleeve and admit my vulnerabilities. I don’t want a pity party, or a pep talk, but I need to get this out. My heart is hurting.

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So, I am trying to be proactive about this. I’m tired of feeling sorry for myself, tired of having a mini funeral each month when my hopes are dashed by that monthly visitor that brings it’s bad news… I’m taking a new route, and clearing a new path.

Staring in January, Josh and I will be attending class to become foster parents. It isn’t a decision we came to lightly, and it’s not one I ever want to consider a “settled on” plan when telling my future son or daughter about how he or she came to live with us. It feels good. It feels right. At least for now it does.

I’m a bit scared about how challenging it may be, and I certainly don’t know how quickly any of this will happen for us, but I have to pray that it’s “the plan” God has for us.

I will be making it my goal in 2010 to let this plan unfold as it may. Whether that means a temporary child, a permanent one, a challenging one, or none at all.

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I promise to keep you all posted, when I can, about the process, and how it’s going. I’m sure it will be both wonderful and scary all at the same time. I’m counting on it. And so I leave you with a “hope-filled” collage of all the babies I was lucky enough to photograph this year!

I picked up these pink, pinstriped velvet love seats on a recent treasure hunt. I thought they were the perfect scale for my narrow living room. I wasn’t quite sold on the color once I got them home, but I just love them with the Christmas decor. (Josh on the other hand HATES them). But what do men know???

St Francis is out to watch over us, and I thought he fit right in with the holiday hoopla.

That sweet little santa bucket is one of my favorite items.

I got out the bottle drying rack for all the wine we will be drinking this December. (Ok, well I don’t particularly like wine… but everyone else in the family does, and those bottles have to look pretty somewhere!).

Oh, did I mention that I managed to sneak a few more great pictures of Hannah in while I was snapping away?

Here is the lovely new tree I made. What do you think?

A couple more with my pretty “daughter”.

A close up of the tree…. I think this is the earliest we have ever had a tree up!

And the last of Hannah pictures for today… I promise.

I’ll have more pictures to share in the next few days. Mondays are always hectic for me with design work and it being the last day of my sale. I’ll chat more soon! Happy holidays!

For all the people inquiring about Hannah’s dog bed… I purchased it about four years ago from Anthropologie. It’s made by “Two Simmons Studio”. I dd a search online and found this cute shop who carries some:  JZ Rose

BLACK FRIDAY THROUGH CYBER MONDAY SALE!!! Any item PURCHASED AND PAID FOR starting Friday November 27th and ending Monday November 30th, on our ETSY SITE over $30, will get a $5 refund through paypal. That means buy one item over $30, get $5 back, buy 3 items (EACH over $30) get $15 back… The $5 credit will apply to each item you pay for that is priced over $30, there is no limit to the number of items you can buy. (Items under $30 do not apply). Orders must be BOTH placed and paid for on these days, no exceptions.

Sale starts NOW, and ends Monday November 30th at 11:59PM PST. Happy Shopping!

(Sale applies to etsy site only, which is at, www.sadieolive.etsy.com)

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope to get the house decorated for Christmas, and share some of the projects I’ve been working on very soon! Enjoy your weekend!

As we turn the corner into the holiday season, we have done a bit of prioritizing. Much of our focus now seems to be on the new vintage shop, as well as our line of postcards, notecards, and design work. Many of the items in the main shop, will be priced to clear as we attempt to reduce our inventory. Not all items will be reduced, but many have already been lowered and you will see this reflected in your shopping carts (sale price will not show on product page until the item is added to your cart). In addition, we have also lowered shipping costs on many of our items shipping to destinations within the U.S. We hope that this sale comes just in time for the holidays and saves you some pennies while you are in the spirit of giving. Seasons greetings to all of you! Start shopping the main site now:

www.sadieolive.com

We also have a few close out items in the outlet:  www.sadieolive.net

And for the vintage lovers on your gift list, you are sure to find something special for them (and maybe something extra for you!) in our new shop. We add items at least once weekly and things go fast! If you haven’t already visited our new shop, which only stocks vintage items, take a peek now!

www.sadieolive.etsy.com