{etsy finds: christmas cheer}

Hello friends! After my (not so) fun bout with a cold, I'm finally on the mend and feeling less like a zombie drugged with NyQuil. And not a moment too soon, because I started a new job this week!! This is big news for me, because as you know, I have been out of work since March. (Although I've been keeping myself busy... walking the country from end to end and all that.... but you know the story.)

Once my walking adventure was over, I was getting very antsy sitting at home every day. And though I loooooooved all that extra time to pay loving attention to my card shop and to spend time outside with a new group of hiking friends, it wasn't enough to keep me from getting bored in between. I'm the kind of person who needs to be constantly doing something, striving for something, and working for someone, so being without purpose wasn't my thing. Now that I'm gainfully employed again, I can feel my competitive "I'm gonna kick ass!" streak rising to the surface. I'm having fun making new friends, trying to be the best in the class (old habits die hard), and just letting life take me along for the ride. This job is my latest "adventure", and I will have fun with it until my next adventure calls me away.

Having a purpose every day also gives me the incentive to get moving and enjoy the city again. I was spending too much time cooped up in my house with my bum hiker knees and my PJs, and the downside of that (besides bed head) was that it didn't really feel like the holidays. I love going out and playing in the cold weather, bundling up, listening to Christmas music on the radio, and seeing holiday decor in store windows. Staying at home just made it feel like Christmas had already come and gone.

But now that I'm out and about, feeling the nip of winter and the start of something new, I'm in a festive mood. And though I haven't really been Christmas shopping (that whole "need a paycheck first" thing...) I can't help but browse Etsy for all its beautiful handmade gifts. I went to Portland's local "Crafty Wonderland" craft show last weekend (my favorite event of the year) and, as usual, it inspired me to keep creating for my own shop! So look for new products and designs hitting the shop early next year. :) In the meantime, drool over this lovely treasury I put together.... now it feels like Christmas, yes?