My daughter, Clara, shared this video with me last week and I was moved…
not just by the message of the video…
but even more by the fact that she…as a teenager…was moved by it as well.

I hope you'll take the time to watch this...
it falls right into play with the Hands Free Mama book I've been reading.  I'm fully aware of how social media can suck the life right out of our lives. So the message of this video isn't something new and profound for me.  BUT…I really appreciated the poetry and the visual this video conveys. I think we need constant reminding to put down our phones, iPads and any techy toy to play with WHO really matters.

Here's one of my favorite excerpts:

When I was a child, I'd never be home.
I'd be out with my friends on our bikes we would roam.
I'd wear holes in my trainers and graze up my knees…
We'd build our own clubhouse high up in the trees.

Now the parks are so quiet, it gives me a chill
See no children outside and the swings hanging still.
There's no skipping or hopscotch, no church and no steeple.
We're a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people.

So LOOK UP from your phone…
shut down the display…
Take in your surroundings - make the most of today

There's even more good stuff to listen to and see in the video…
I really hope you are moved…and inspired to LOOK UP!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I was pretty much "unplugged" for the last 4 days.
I'd like to say it was by choice but honestly it was because my daughter lost her phone and I let her use mine because she was doing some overnight dog-sitting. I needed to be able to get a hold of her as well as provide a way for her to be able to reach out in case of an emergency. I have to say though…I thoroughly enjoyed not having it on me.

iNSPiRE | Hands Free Mama

I've been doing a bit more of this lately… investing time in the people I love.
Library visits and field trips with Ella…

Saturday lunches with Clara…

and some occasional outside time with Ema.

Inspired by my desire to find ways to stay connected to what matters most, I bought a book called Hands Free Mama. It's all about finding ways to "unplug" from the devices that seem to be glued to our hips, purses, hands, eyes…you get what I mean…and instead, being engaged in what matters most - our LIFE! (and of course, the lives of those we love).

My efforts are not perfect by any means. Nor do I think they are supposed to be.

FUNNY STORY
One night after dinner, Ema asked if I would come outside with her and Ella to toss the ball around.
I, however, was exhausted and did NOT want to do anything after having made dinner and was just finishing the dishes. After telling her "No…I'm too tired" and watching her and Ella head outside disappointed I was overcome with guilt. Excerpts from the Hands Free Mama book flashed through my brain so I changed my mind and surprised them by showing up in the backyard ready to "play".

Ema had the baseball gloves ready and challenged me to a friendly competition while Ella was swinging.
Em likes to throw a racquetball against the side of the house and catch it so she thought it would be fun to turn it into a competition; whoever had the most consecutive catches would be the winner.

I still wasn't feeling completely "into" it at that point but there I was…outside…doing what I knew was right...so it was game on. When it was my turn, I was determined to beat Ema's 10 or 12 consecutive catches and after the first throw the ball bounced back and hit me...right. in. the. eye. Seriously!? I was so angry I wanted to cuss (but didn't) and then I wanted to throw down my glove and go inside and pout (or cry) like a baby…but I didn't. I immediately thought, "Here's what I get for trying to do the right thing!? This is so freaking awesome!" Once I breathed a few deep breaths after realizing my eye didn't get poked out and was able to come to terms with the fact I may end up with a black eye, I soon lost myself in Ema and Ella's laughter and allowed the humor of the situation to sink in. I mean really. It was funny. And honestly, it was exactly what I needed to kick my butt in gear and get rid of the "ho-hum" attitude I had and just loosen up and be in the moment. Black eye and all. *wink*

By the way…I ended up with high score for the night! (52 catches) BAM!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The shoppe has been busy this past week and I've had lots of requests for the Art Prints I've been sharing on my Instagram Feed - like this one:

I'm going back and forth about just opening my own shoppe (through Shopify or some place similar) or if I should just keep everything in Etsy. Or maybe I should just do both? Not sure.  Any of you have any suggestions? Are there specific E-commerce Platforms you really like or recommend? I could use your feedback and suggestions.

I've also been dealing with the "ugly side" of manufacturing…again!
Will be making some tough decisions with regards to all of that soon!