50 days...

...not that I'm counting or anything. Those of you who even remotely know me know that this is a HUGE deal. No coffee (not just the bucks, although it's my fav) for the last 5o days. You all thought it couldn't be done (and I agreed) but I'm well on my way! And on top of that, I've been surprisingly productive....who knew! Happy Thursday!

Join My Book Club.

Oprah has one, so why can't I? I think the main problem is that I am the type of person who is reading a dozen books at once. (ok, maybe a baker's dozen) Anywho, one of the grandest things about being done with school, which I have been for a while now, is the rediscovery of reading for pleasure...and maybe even learning. So I've been reading...a lot. I will only share with you a few of my current picks. (There are far too many going at the moment to list) As you will see the subject matter is a bit strange. More of the learning reading than pleasure at the moment, although I will admit that the more I learn the more pleasure I am finding in this new world of mine.

MAD COWBOY by Howard F. Lyman

Mandy gave me this book the week I started down this crazy path of natural medicine and operation Get Melissa Healthy. It's subtitle says it all: Plain truth from the cattle rancher who won't eat meat. He doesn't eat it folks. No big shock from this book that meat is not the best for you, but it is still shocking stuff. What amazes me is the amount of truth that we as a society ignore about what we put in our bodies everyday, and those who know the truth don't share it. Well, I'm learning and I must share. Read it...but only if you don't have an extreme love for beef. It just might change your mind.

FAST FOOD NATION by Eric Scholsser

So I'm only half way through this one but I can't put it down! I watched the movie first and much to my delight the book is nothing like the movie. Although the movie inspired me to go veg the book has helped reinforce my decision in a different way. It focuses on the fast food industry as a business and also the food that we all know and love. I can't wait to see what's next, but I will admit that fries still sound really good....most of the time. Read the book, watch the movie...whatever you need to do, just get it!

12 SECRETS OF HIGHLY CREATIVE WOMEN by Gail McMeeken

I would love to someday say with confidence that I am highly creative. It is one of my greatest goals. But I think that one thing about being creative is that you can never get enough. This book has been great to help me focus my "creative energy" (how dorky am I?) and I actually came up with the "She" line of cards while reading this book in a random Starbucks in Spokangeles. There's nothing a girl can't do with a venti non-fat vanilla latte, a note book, and a little Jack on the ipod.

So, a look into my library, as random as it is, I'd have it no other way! I'd love to add to it so let me know if you've had any good reads....

GOOD NIGHT!

She's Here!

PROGRESS! I love it!

“She….” has entered the building. My newest line of cards called “She…” helps honor women in my life and all their amazing qualities. These are women, and girls, who continue to inspire me to bigger things and whose characteristics I hope to, in some small way, pick up on. They are mothers, sisters, friends, cousins, grandmothers, professionals and stay at home moms, students and entrepreneurs….they continue to amaze me.

Here's a peek but head over to http://www.simplespiel.etsy.com/ to fully check it out. To the ladies of "She..." you know who you are...keep rockin'!

What the!?!

I know two posts in one day....crazy! But just a quick memo: I just posted my first two products on the etsy site! EXCITING! Much more to come. My new line, "She..." is on it's way and should be up by the end of the week so check it out! Thanks! www.simplespiel.etsy.com

Oh, to be fully self employed.....

It is amazing what I have been able to do in these few weeks without a job (outside home)! Surprise, I love it! Sometimes, ok most of the time, I wonder what the Lord is doing with all of this. I'm ready to jump and then cancer, a need for health insurance comes my way...now? Really? Here's my request...prayer for clarity, finances, energy and faith. He is bigger than the bad cells in my body and for that I'm thankful! So I have been working, on what I love! Simple Spiel is getting really close to being set to go online...hang in there. But here's a few pics to wet your appetite! enjoy!

Time Flies!

Here I am back in the land of the living…I know it has been far too long. Today was a great day, the Comcast guy came by and got us all set up. Now you can bet your little bottom dollar that you will be hearing a lot more about what is going on in my fascinating little world here in Oregon.

Yeah, Oregon….man, do we have a ton to catch up on or what? May just flew by, seriously! Summer? What? When did that happen? Here is a peek at why May was so crazy...

So there you have it....summer, let's get on with it!