A Thank You Email from My Niece

Dear Aunt Chris

Thank you for the look and find pictures Aunt Chris! I love coloring them. You are a good artist. I think the clown (drawing) is Uncle David. Thank you for the $25.00, too. I will use it in the future when I buy my pony or horse.

We're getting ice. My head hurts because the ice falls on it.

I love you very dearly.

Your friend,

Amelia

I love that seven year old munchkin. I am the luckiest Aunt ever! Savor the details.

A Christmas Ride

We flew home for Christmas. We always drive. The 12 hour trip is a time to unwind, relax and really talk. It's not unpleasant but it is long. I checked airfare prices a week before we were leaving. They were half of what I had expected so I booked the tickets.

We didn't do any shopping until we got home. We went to the local mall and wandered around. When we were sitting down eating lunch next to the carousel this is what I saw. An older man was helping an equally elderly man get onto a horse and take a ride. The man on the horse appeared to have some sort of disability. A woman was walking around the carousel with a big smile on her face, proudly taking photos. The sweet scene made me happy. Who says carousels are just for kids? Savor the details.

The 2011 Dogs of Poston Park Calendar Adventure

I designed a dog calendar with the photos I have taken of the dogs from the park. I had 100 of them printed up and have sold all but a few. It's been a fun project and I've learned a lot along the way.

1. People don't know how to tell you "no." As in, "No, thanks I don't want to buy a calendar." I hear "no" all day at my job so I'm used to it. I don't need an excuse - plllleeease people, it's just a calendar. I can take it.

2. People say they'll pay you - but they don't. You have to begin to nag. I hate nagging.

3. Some people I NEVER suspected ever wanting a dog calendar bought one... or four of them! Other's did not. People are unpredictable.

4. I'm not comfortable in the sales arena.

5. I had forgotten the joy of designing. Getting to do WHATEVER I want. Seriously, it's been since college days when I designed something without a client to please. For this reason alone, the project was completely worth the effort.

6. Non profits need design help. Big time. They also need more volunteers for their big ideas. Fabulous, fabulous people who volunteer thousands of hours who go on doing what they do because they are passionate about the cause. I've meet some really great people. I have formed a new set of friends. And I hope to continue to make a difference in some way by volunteering more.

So more to come on this new found adventure. I'm anticipating more projects like this one for 2011. Stay tuned.