The contractions have started!

Today I sent the final print for my book, together with the ISBN application.

The contractions have started!

This baby should be BIRTHED within the next weeks, and the first copy should be in my hot little hands!

Hallejulah!

You can sign up in that sweet little box to your right if you would like to receive a birth announcement :).

Salute!
(Heike, who is celebrating while she can, drinking Chianti, and dreaming of writing her next book in Tuscany with a nanny by her side.)

Black Friday, the Goddess way!

Celebrate Black Friday the Goddess way! I am giving thanks for my gifts, and think all women should have their own Goddess!

On November 23rd, from 12AM to 11:59PM, you can receive up to 20% off when you shop my Etsy store.

A great reason to buy a Goddess for yourself, and one for all the women/girls you love!

http://www.goddessinthegroove.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Women & Food

This afternoon, I spent 7 hours with a handful of women, making tamales.

None of us are of Latin heritage :).

None of us have ever made tamales.

We had a good fairy come to our rescue and show us how to roll the masa and fold that corn husk.

So we squished, rolled, patted, and folded our tamales, filling them with pork, chicken, pumpkin, cheese, and jalapenos. Separately, and all in that order. In the end, we had some excellent mystery tamales!

Aside from the great tamales that are now gracing my butt, and the fact that my children are sleeping rock hard from play exhaustion, I had the opportunity to meet 3 wonderful women, and reunite with 2 of my friends. We talked about everything from dogs, to kids, to business, to food, to us, to husbands, and back to us again while filling those tamales.

There is nothing better for the soul than good food, good women, and beer.

Wordless Friday

A concept adopted from my good friend DJKirkby.

PRADA, anyone??

Are you wondering where I am hiding?

Unfortunately, not in Italy as the title may suggest.

I am hiding in the mysterious depths of our various closets. Though most things are going on Freecycle, there are a few items I am selling.

For instance, these PRADA shoes:


Prada on Ebay

I am really a boot girl, the funkier, the better, but these shoes stole my heart. But my feet are too small :(....and I look like Pippi trying to pull it off and wear them anyways.

And we also have some Cowboy Boots for the smaller horse or dog wranglers:



Cowboys on Ebay

Yippee!! Let the rodeo begin!

How the Sharps clean house.

The Sharps vow to put in a whole house-de-cluttering day.
They wake up the next morning, and decide to put on clothes, grab the dog, and hit the freeway.



They are so excited that their "Sharp" ancestors have staked a claim near the beach!!

They rush down the path, the lure of the ocean is overwhelming!

My mama said if I bark at the waves, they will bark back!

Girls & dog.

It is so cool that we always get to cross the Golden Gate Bridge on our way home!

Another successful day of decluttering ends with a beautiful sunset on the freeway.

What happens when you just say "NO"?

I few months ago, a friend told me about a group that vows not to buy anything new for a year. I googled them, and found "The Compact". What an excellent idea! Nothing new, except toiletries, underwear, and food :). I joined one of the lists, and of course had tons of questions about exceptions. Though not celebrated, exceptions are tolerated (not by the hard core!).

I am a thrift store junkie by nature, so falling into this regime was not hard for me. My exceptions: Shoes. I don't buy used shoes. Also, I had to have to make exception for my goddess supplies...Other than that, I am the "Reuse, recycle, redecorate" Queen!

Since then, I always go to Freecycle.com first and ask for things I need. You know, one woman's trash could be this woman's treasure! I have graciously received 1002 Legos, a fabulous dumbek drum, and recently, a dryer! I have given away brand new ink cartridges, a video camera, books, and various other things that I would have hoarded for another 10 years if I had not received a "YES! I would LOVE it!" email, and a heartfelt thank you after pick up. I am in the process of emptying my house, and will list a bunch of treasure with the knowledge that they will get much deserved use.

The next positive side effect is that I could care less who is having a sale on what. Really, it has even effected my Sunday morning ritual of studying the ads in the paper for a good deal. I no longer have an urge to buy clothes that I don't need because they are FINALLY down to a price I can afford. I must admit, a good shoe or boot sale still makes me break out in a sweat. Hey, it took me over 30 years to get this way, it will not change over night!

My kids are a bit nervous because Christmas is coming. They are not sure how Santa will accommodate this "nothing new" household :). "I" believe he will be very proud of us, saving money AND the environment, and will leave us all something marvelous!

What's your favorite pre-loved treasure???