Updates on the ills of the great Mitcherson

After a few concerned friends, family and loved ones have called to ask how Mitch is, I realized we haven't updated everyone on his tummy situation.

So--for the last couple of months, he has been on a IV infused treatment of Remicade. Since the very first infusion, it has been nothing short of a miracle. He has had little to no issues since day one and has returned to the Mitch we all know and love.

We are helping with a Safe Spook, put on by the Sanger Area Chamber of Commerce on Halloween. If you are anywhere close to Sanger, bring your kids 4-6 pm on the 31st. There will be a costume contest for the kiddos with awesome prizes!

Since we closed the store in June, we've definitely recognized more time to see friends! Call us if we haven't had the opportunity to get together, we'd love to see you/your's!

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.

C. S. Lewis

Wow! Again??

Quick update - Mitch and I closed the store at the end of June. I can't say it was a decision we made easily, but it was such a good decision. It was sucking wind and closing it helped open the door and space for us to focus on things more productive. Turns out - we were right. We're seriously growing with our financial services work and nothing makes us happier than being able to help people plan for their futures! Busier than ever, a VERY different kind of busy, but super busy still. Not a stay-up-til-2am-schlepping-tables-and-antiques-around-back-breaking sort of busy, but like having to remember to eat because you've gone from one appointment to the next and getting home at night exhausted feeling great about what you've done in the world good kind of busy.  We have SO many crazy success stories and I feel like we're in the spot we're supposed to be!  Annnnd - we also now have more time to actually SEE some people now that we're not tied to our store 24/7. Hooray!

Last week we sold the house in North Richland Hills. We are closed and wipe the dust off our hands, D-O-N-E. Fini! Phew!

My sweet cousin, Carley, got married and once again, I was able to be a small part of her day. It was such an honor and pleasure to marry her to the man who absolutely deserves to walk with her through life. I can't describe the honor it is getting to officiate for people I love. Congrats Jacob and Carley and sweet Annalee. You are all amazing.

I ran into a woman in the restroom nursing her beautiful baby girl today. She was very apologetic (what? to me???) for being in my way, and it reminded me of the two babies I had the delight of raising. Not babies anymore definitely. But, I can honestly say, even though I was young and dumb, I truly enjoyed every single second and stage in their lives. Still do! Such a beautiful reminder.  

Tread lightly, don't sweat the small stuff, assume the best in others, be uplifting and you just might be the sunshine someone needed in their day.  You have your happiness to live for.

Happy Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring! We made it!!!  I don't know about you, but this winter was for real for me. Besides being a small business owner and having to close the store for a few extra days, it also brought more than it's share of blahs in other ways. Welcome to Spring.  Today's also give your friends a smile day (Well, I made that up.) I know this song may be over-played, and all the degrading things you can say about it, but I. Don't. Give. Two. Craps. It makes me happy. Simply hit stop if it doesn't do the same for you and shush your negativity.







A few truths today:



If you are somewhere you shouldn't be - don't be. Money is just money - a job that doesn't light your candle isn't all that. Get a new one. It will work out.



Although I am not fundamentally a believer in divorce (funny for a divorced chick to say, huh?), the place where I am today makes everything else worth it. Everyone deserves this kind of Happy. It's out there for everyone. I don't just believe it. I know it.  Life is finite. Don't waste one single second on someone who isn't giving you their everything. If they left you (emotionally or physically), let them. Mourn and move on. Not to sound contradicting, but the flipside of that is the ONLY way to have a really truly extraordinary partner is.....drum roll please....to be one.



If you're unhealthy - fix it as best you can. There may be a time when running and cutting out cookies won't make a difference and you'll be sorry you didn't take those simple steps when you had the chance.



Surround yourself by people who make you comfortable. Not always agreeable - most of my favorite people call me out on my BS so hard it will make your head spin - but they are also among the few that I trust because they care enough to go to bat, even with the ugly.



People feel better when they've been useful. If you can't find work, volunteer, give back, do something outside yourself. Trust me, someone will take notice. The universe will recognize.



Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Take time out for walks, talks, dates, lunches, coffee (or tea) breaks, make time for that someone special. Do something silly. Do something naughty. Do something for no other reason than because it will make mad fun pictures. Take a friend. If not for you, for them. It's good for your soul.

empty nesters

It's official. Mitch and I are officially empty-nesters.

I no longer know when my kiddos are home safe in bed. I do, however, assume that when I go to bed at 9:00 pm, they are tucked safely in their own beds at their own homes. Reasonable, no?

I no longer get to share breakfasts every day or occasional late-night snacks accidentally. I do however, get to be intentional about when/how/if I see them regularly and make it count. I don't know when they have gotten up on time to be at school or at work.

I no longer have a multitude of clothing choices made possible by Ivey's shopping habit. I no  longer have my own personal in-house fashion advisor. I no longer have the option of throwing in the towel and having my in-house hair stylist finish the job on a bad hair day.

I'm glad that our new empty-nest status has come to be in a fancy new place, otherwise old sads from Hunter moving out would be there on top of new ones from his baby sister following in his footsteps.

Our dishwasher remains mostly empty, only needing to be run every few days. Our leftovers NEVER get eaten. I know when I put something somewhere if it isn't exactly who to blame. He can't even deny it, either.

My heart is full and my heart is torn around the edges, too, because although I want them to live with us forever, I get that's not a good idea. Not for anyone. I hate that they have flanked themselves all across Texas, but am grateful it's just Texas.

If you are reading this, call your Mom. She misses you. If you aren't blessed to have your mom still on the planet, feel free to call me. I'll mother you when you need it (or don't).   I know it's selfish, and I'll stop being so real soon. Or at least soonish.

Charlie, baby b, Little e, Ivey and our little one who is not.

This last week (well, actually year) has been a whirlwind. Mitch and I had the honor and pleasure of chaperoning the after-prom-all-night-party and being there with our kiddo. Then last week, all the getting-ready-for-graduation hysteria, and alas, Sunday's big hooplah. High School Graduation - Birdville Hawks, Class of 2013.

Ick. She did it. I drove her to the Convention Center and she got out to go inside and as she walked away from me with her cap and gown over her arm, with her little curls bouncing and her sweet dress blowing in the wind, I started crying because I instantly was reminded of when she was running off into her kindergarten class. I got it all together and only sniffled a few times at graduation, more proud than sad. We celebrated big for her and I think she felt loved in the way she deserves to feel loved. It's fun to see her parents, step-parents, grand-parents, on and on all the people I know love her surround her and be with her on these special milestones. As a mom, anyone who loves my kids is somewhat ok in my book. But what's really fun is getting to meet her people - the people she's adding to her own village and those who recognize who she is. As her mom, it makes me giddy and puffy-chested.

Then, in very whirlwind fashion, she was scheduled to take her Cosmetology State Board practical exam 36 hours later. In Austin. Now, I'm not whining about having to go visit Austin. At all. We took a little road trip together and it was not only a great memory, it was fun and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Sidenote - on the way to Austin, we stopped in West. Our hearts broke as we drove through the cute little town and saw the devastation left by the explosion. We knew, but seeing a woman in front of her house with no doors, windows, walls, etc., outside tending to her beautifully manicured flower garden was inspiring. She said with that act that she had no intention of being gone long. She has big plans to be right there and didn't want her roses, her petunias, her daffodils or her hydrangea to suffer because she missed a season of caring for them. Say a prayer for this town.

Now - Ivey and I stayed in a darling hotel, ventured out to Congress, 6th Street, and almost witnessed the bats, but settled for other adventures instead. I loved being by her side while she began her state board exam and sat outside on pins and needles waiting the three hours for her to come out after we models were done and had to leave. It was heart-wrenching watching her be so nervous, but I was equally as excited when she came out of the building grinning from ear to ear. So - we have a new hair stylist in the family, y'all!

Congrats to you and all that you are and all that you will be, Ivey Michelle. I'm proud to know you and prouder to be your mama and friend.

Today

Thank you to all who have come out, sent friends, liked us on Facebook, sent love, done countless favors for and generally supported us with our little shop's opening.  The love and support has been overwhelming. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and have it be super successful. It is crazy fun being here every day and people seem to be responding. We already have regular customers and friendships are growing every day. That said, we spend countless hours doing it. The thing is, we love it. It's our hobby and passion and we're together and yes, I realize that that sounds a little like a junky rationalizing the overworking, but whatev. It feels good and it's only temporary while things get off the ground. I think.

Last night, I was invited to try a week of turning off the tv, phone, computer, ipad, basically any and every electronic device (besides work of course) and spend that time "being" with family and friends. After considering overnight, I have decided to take the challenge, not that that by itself would be much, if any, challenge. The reason - almost 100% of my electronic energy is spent doing "work" things. So I will easily be able to eliminate all for-funzies time. But I am going to up the ante. I know that at least one person will be super glad, one person might be scared and no one else will probably care. Ivey, for one week, we will not work past 7:00 and will be home for dinner. Every night. Mitch, yes, that "we" includes you, sir. What I would also like is for friends and family to jump in and let's make dinner dates that week so we can be sure to catch up like we all keep meaning to.

This morning on Facebook (ok, this was purely personal and for no work at all), a friend posted a link to a young woman (under 30) who died this morning from breast cancer after a long battle. Her blog is here, which I had never read before -
http://mybiggirlpants.blogspot.com/. After scrolling through her eloquent words, I feel even more compelled to do this. Please let me know what night the week of April 28th you would like in on dinner. If that doesn't work, what does? With yet another death two weeks ago of an uncle of mine, another reminder of our precious time, relationships and nurturing those. None of us have a guarantee for tomorrow, and let's make today count. Together.

Peace, love and unlimited hugs!
Erika

Whirlwinds!

One of my worst pet peeves, that REALLY gets under my skin, is when people make marriage jokes. Especially at weddings. It makes me want to punch them in the face. Not joking. To say anything like "you just sold your soul to the devil", or "life's over now!", or anything like that to me is comparable to a fat joke. Not funny. Ever. It is usually men making said jokes. I'm not being sexist. In my experience, it has been. How does this make their spouse feel? Yikes! Besides being completely inappropriate (at a wedding or anytime), it is obviously a symptom of how taken for granted the idea of marriage is. For some people. Not all. Today, my thoughts are with lawmakers that they put an end to this idiotic argument that is decades past needing to be settled. Please let them do the right thing. #offsoapbox



Johnny and his wife, Janice, at Nanny's funeral 4 yrs. ago
 

My uncle, Johnny Lee Rickards, passed away last week. His viewing is tonight and his services are tomorrow. Please say a prayer, send love, and good thoughts to his daughter, Wendy and his wife Janice, stepdaughter Chanum, his siblings Daddy and Cindy and all the rest of our family and other people in the world that knew, loved and care about him. Yet another reminder to not take a single breath for granted, tell those you love that you love them and appreciate what you have while you have it.



Friday we will be celebrating our Grand Opening and are silly busy trying to ready the store (and ourselves) for this event. If you are available, please come!It will be fun - we will have a photobooth and some yummy treats. Our friend, Javier (What's CookN Chef) is bringing his fancy new food truck - not only is it crazy cool and a MUST SEE, he will be serving his latin-infused yummy goodness for our guests this weekend. Come out! We will try hard to make sure you aren't sorry! :)

It is exciting. And fun. And not going to lie - Owning your own business is glamorous, right up until you spend your third or fourth or fifth week in a row out until after midnight schlepping and bad delivery pizza for dinner. Even still, wouldn't change it for the world! Peace and love to you all.