Hi all–I expected to have a new post WAAAAY before now, but here we are! I have been keeping busy in different ways this summer.  My youngest son graduated from high school and this is the first time in over 26 years that I don’t have a child going off to school each day! It is a new phase of life, for sure.

In May, my mom passed away. Adam graduated in June. My mom wanted to make it to his graduation so badly, but it just didn’t happen. She had congestive heart failure and it took her. We had many wonderful conversations in the last few months of her life and I am so grateful for that time.

We both had a love of the beach. Long Beach Island, NJ to be exact and we had been going there since I was a teenager. We would talk of having a place down there and my mom encouraged me to do it if it could. Even though she was gone, she helped make the dream come true of having a little slice of paradise of my own. I got a small place 10 miles off the island so I can enjoy the beach as much as possible and share it with my friends and family. It’s been a wonderful summer. It’s small enough to be easy to take care of, yet big enough for my kids to come and enjoy being together. We’ve made wonderful memories so far with many more to come! Beach time with my grand kids is priceless!

I have also been busy designing punch needle patterns and crafting with rug hooking techniques and needle felting. I have made my own paper making kits for many years and they are still popular on my Etsy site! I think recycling paper in a creative way will always be in style. click on my Etsy site link to see what’s in my shop and more is coming soon!

I hope you’re enjoying the last week of official summer and I look forward to enjoying more beach time before we put away the chairs and towels!

Never stop dreaming. Keep your dreams and aspirations close to your heart and you’ll find a way to make them come true. Life is good and I am forever grateful for so much.