Honoring my dad on Veterans Day.

Today I am honoring the most important man in my life - my dad who was a Vietnam Veteran.  Although my dad is no longer physically with us I think of him and speak to him daily.  I feel his presence surrounding and protecting me.   He past away 6 1/2 years ago from Multiple Myeloma, which was likely developed from his exposure to Agent Orange.  My dad was super hilarious and could make light of any situation.  He was a simple man who was very much set in his ways - many of those ways learned in the military.  He grew up without a father most of his life so when he became a father he had to navigate these new waters through experience rather than by example.  He made his mistakes as a father and I made my mistakes as a daughter, but we were both able to learn from these mistakes and support each other the best way we knew how.  I learned several valuable lessons from my dad but there is one lesson that stands out the most.  I now know that aman's past cannot define his future and that there is always the possibility of change and eventually redemption.  I will continue to say that I am no where near perfect and will take ownership for each of the mistakes I make along my own journey.  He made be a better human being and my only regret is that I was not able to communicate this to him while he was alive, however, I am able to communicate this message for him to my readers and to every human I have the great fortune of coming into contact with.

On this Veterans Day I honor my dad and his service to the United States and most importantly
his service to his family.

Ivy

Shiny object syndrome, infertility and other musings...

I walked into work the other day and was super excited to share my new career aspirations...I was going to pursue a career as a farmer.  Yes, a farmer!  And not just any farmer, but a llama, alpaca, goat, sheep farmer.  On a recent trip to the New York Sheep and Wool Show I was hit by the textile bug.  It was incredibly inspirational to see all of these folks turn their passions into a business.  The love and happiness each vendor carried for each of their individual products was amazing.  Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on the circumstance) I have shiny object syndrome.  Each time I come across a new craft it becomes a potential career path for me.  So I am left with the questions...what passion can I turn into a business?  What would make me so happy?  This is a part of the journey that I will embark on.  Until then, I will continue to follow a path that may or may not lead me to becoming what for me is the elusive motherhood.

Infertility sucks!  It sucks not only when you get that big BFN (lingo for a negative pregnancy test), but it is absolutely crappy when you are going through fertility as a single woman who is paying for the medication and treatments out of pocket.  So far I have gone through two full cycles that included an IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination aka Artificial Insemination) and one cycle of meds where I ovulated early and was unable to complete the IUI process.  The last cycle was particularly painful because I went through $900 worth of meds without the possibility of a pregnancy.  The most recent incomplete cycle really took an emotional toll on me and resulted in some pretty wicked anxiety and depression. I felt as though my body had failed me and worst of all, I personally felt like a complete failure.  I am thinking about putting myself through one last attempt because I have to know that I tried everything in my power to pursue that dream of motherhood.  Believe me when I say that I never thought the possibility of never becoming a mother was an actual likelihood.  Enough of the woe is me...what really gets me through the most difficulty of times is immersing myself in anything that I consider crafty.

'Tis the season to be crafty and this really is the most wonderful time of the year for me, especially when being provided the opportunity to merge the holiday season with craftiness.  And so the season begins with Heidi Swapp's Glitter Tape and Marquee Love Christmas tree.  

 (Heidi Swapp Glitter Tape)

(Heidi Swapp Marquee Christmas Tree) 

This was an incredibly easy project and I was completely satisfied with the final product.  The HS Glitter Tape is a dream to use.  The glitter stays on and overall it is very good quality tape.  The project does not quite seem finished so I was thinking about adding some red glitter tape to its interior surface.  Why not?  It gives me a great reason to use that 50% off coupon today.  I recommend that anyone who has any opportunity to, participate in a handmade holiday project because there is a real sense of accomplishment once it is completed and it is always a treat to make it a part of the holiday decor.

I am going to begin putting some December Daily products together.  My mission is to follow the entire December Daily project through and the majority of the battle comes from adequate preparation and organization of the project.  I am looking forward to share it all with you.

From my extraordinary ordinary life,
Ivy

Spring Break Goals

It's the middle of Spring Break and I really have not done much of anything, well, nothing of what I intended.  My first order of  business was to just take it easy and minimize the driving, since I do a whole lot of that during the work week - this mission was accomplished!  Second, I intended to work on getting my scrapbooking business off of the ground - this task has been a complete dud.  Lastly, I needed to get some scrapbooking done.  I purchased the Cricut Explore Air and have been working on an Easter layout for over a week.  I am the most indecisive person I know...size...color...cut...I need to learn to commit.

Each year my mom plans an Easter egg hunt for my nephew.  He just turned 13 and is completely into it.  How?  Fill the eggs with a mixture of chocolate and money and it works like a charm. Although he is a teen, I think there is a part of him that participates for the thrill of the search.

As my return to work approaches my anxiety has increased.  I am thankful that I am employed and it allows me to have a roof over my head and food in the refrigerator.  It's just that it does not bring me joy.  I listen to many successful folks who proclaim that there job is not a job for them because it is what they love to do each day.  I must keep in mind that I do have a plan to one day make that proclamation as well.

In the interim, I leave you with a picture of the cutest pug ever...my fur-baby GiGi.

Happy scrappin',
Ivy

What to do after two failed IUIs?

Start a scrapbooking business called JuGi Paper Crafts LLC (not yet up and running) and cook, cook and cook some more.  Yup, so that's what I have been up to.  I wish this blog could detail my travels around the world as a reason for being MIA for all of this time, but in fact, sadness and disappointment took a strong hold.  So much so that I don't think I have crafted since my last post in June, nearly a year ago.  I don't want this post to sound like a pity party - just wanted an opportunity to talk.  I plan to one day share my experiences with infertility.  In the meantime, I am hoping to make a career out of scrapbooking/crafting because it is truly my passion.  Today is a new day and  I decided I would return to what brings me great joy - paper crafting.  

This has been a very tough winter and with the snow surrounding every inch of my home I feel as though I am contained in a freezer.  My precious puggy GiGi has been keeping me busy because she is unable to get out much due to the snow and salt covering the streets (burns paws).  It made it up to 40 degrees today and we decided to take advantage of the warmth by turning on the grill for the first time in 2015.  Hello grilled chicken wings!!!

I am looking forward to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2015 and look forward to spending it with anyone willing to accompany me on this journey.

Happy scrappin',

Ivy