Where have I been?

In the time between my last REAL post (almost three and a half years) I have been on an amazing journey. I never stopped dyeing, selling and experimenting with silks, but my infant daughter became my life. My husband and I decided together to do everything we could to keep me home and her out of daycare, and at her recent 4 year well checkup, my daughter has overcome and surpassed any evidence of being born premature. She is healthy, taller than average, and well advanced developmentally for her age. I kept my business scaled down, gave up quite a bit of the time I used to dance, and had to adjust to the fact that I couldn't keep a "perfect" house like I wanted to.That being said, I never prescribed myself solely to the role of wife, mother and homemaker. My family was my first priority and I did sacrifice a great deal, but I was constantly working. 

I collaborated with many creative and talented people. I danced as a soloist, in three troupes, was the dance captain for one of these prestigious troupes and was in many fabulous shows. I grew as a person, and an artist. I was pushed to create more unique and creative dance silks. My business grew year by year. Although I kept it part time and it was not the primary income for our family, my husband and I never considered it a "side business" for extra cash, but an investment in the developing of my business which would allow us time for the most important investment of our lives - our daughter. We sacrificed quite a bit for our choice. Now that she is a little older and in preschool, I will be focusing more on Silkdancer and growing the business. I'll be telling the stories of the past four years, sharing my insights and educating my customers on the many marvels of silk and color. 

Talk to you soon! In the meantime - Happy Dancing!

Inspiration and good friends

Today I dyed four veils.

The photo to the left is my daughter Veronica at four months and myself. It was taken by Sarah Skinner, her work throughout my pregnancy and early months of Veronica's life has brought me much joy. I'm amazed at how she can capture fleeting instants of emotion on camera. Please visit her websites: http://www.shakemyday.com/ ; http://www.weclick.net/ .

I hate to say I have been fighting a little bit of a funk lately. With the exception of every time I look at my daughter I have had a mild case of sadness for about a month. I know it's not post-partum depression, but I don't know if it's my hormones still adjusting from the birth of my daughter six months ago, or the economy, or my hair falling out, or my (much too much) disappointment in myself for not having my body where I want it to be. I've had a hard time adjusting to Veronica's schedule. I was fully ready to give up my life as I knew it but I had no idea what was in store for me until this little girl graced my life.

I know the old expression, people come into your life for a reason may be old and overplayed, but I know booking Sarah to capture my pregnancy and the joy of my miracle child on film was one of the best decisions I made this past year. We met yesterday for Veronica's six month photo shoot. I was in my mild funk, and mad at myself for leaving a time-toiled wreath made specifically for the shoot in the car, which had been driven away by the valet at the parking garage. Good conversation, good people, and a nurturing atmosphere for even one afternoon can make all the difference. Sarah was very kind, patient and reassuring, and my little girl was an angel, even when she was fussy it didn't last long. She rolled and slept, smiled and creeped, grabbed my face and her toes and was a true champ. Sarah's creativity and amazing work with staging and lighting made me feel inspired for the first time in a looooong time. I am gleefully awaiting a peek at the pictures. I know Sarah will have done an incedible job. I also brought some silks to the studio in case she would want to use them in the pictures. Her encouragement at new techniques I am working on to set myself apart from other silk artists in my genre started to light the fire under my pot of dye.

I normally feel aggravated when I want to work and frustrated because I don't have enough time between baby naps to get anything done. I can't leave work instantly at a crucial moment to respond to a crying baby. Knowing my daughter is my biggest priority I of course give up on work. Well, I'm starting to get the hang of this mom thing lately, and feeling really good about it. I realized I'm getting my groove back.

Today I dyed four AMAZING veils. I feel inspired. It's a great start :)

Work Schedule

7:50 am - wake hit snooze
7:55 am - wake hit snooze
8:00 am - maybe get up - maybe hit snooze
8:05 - 8:10 am - get bottle ready
8:15 - wake baby
8:16 - change crying baby
8:20 - feed baby
8:45 - 9:00 am put sleepy full happy baby back to bed
9:00 am - have industrial strength coffee and try to fit 8 hours of dyeing, sewing, emailing, website updating, blogging, photography, cleaning the house (yeah right), laundry, shower, don't bother to do hair just put up in a knot with a clip into 3 hours

OR


9 am - noon - go back to bed (most likely)
12 noon - wake happy giggly baby, change baby
12:15 pm - feed baby
12:45 - 2 pm - play with baby until tired (baby that is - mom being tired is a given)
2:00 - baby nap - try to get some work done
2:20 - baby wakes, change baby diaper, play with baby, try to update website while baby is in exersaucer, pick up baby who wants mommy, walk around house soothing teething baby, desperate to get housework done put fussy baby in sling and work while carrying baby. Curse self for going back to bed after morning feeding.
3:45 - get bottle ready
4:00 - feed baby
4:45 - 8:00 (see schedule from 12 noon to 4 pm, repeat)
8:45 - MAYBE baby nap
9:15 - baby wakes, change diaper, occupy baby
10:30 - get bath ready
10:45 - give baby bath
11:00 - feed baby
11:45 - put baby in crib, if lucky she goes to bed
11:45 - ridiculous time at night try to get things done while baby sleeps
Some ridiculous time at night until 7:50 am - pass out

ALL NIGHT - thank the Lord in Heaven she sleeps through the night

Best job in the world!