I finally found someone

March 30th will be my 9th anniversary.

I dreamed of him.. Always knew he was out there somewhere. I can't believe the difference in my life. I have never been so happy before. Don't get me wrong we have our problems, but they seem to slip away when he holds me tight. I feel safe with him. Like one of my favorite songs, he is the sun in my darkness. He gives me all the love I could ever ask for, he encourages me to try new things to go beyond my world. He gives me the courage to go out in the world and sell my candles, to try and make new things.

Yet he understands that at times I live in my own world, and he doesn't laugh at my ideas. I truly think I can do anything with Jeff by my side.

So sweetheart happy anniversary... May you know how much I love you and how much you have brought to my life.

I feel alive with you. My life started the day you said "I love you".

What is real??

Do you ever feel like this life just isn't real? Sometimes I feel like I'm walking in a cloud. The mundane world just at times holds no appeal for me. Does it really matter how fast you can drive? Does it really matter if people in the office know more things than you do? I try to remind myself time after time what really is important in my life. It's my family and friends. All the rest is just stuff I have to go through.

I long for the quiet life, where things move at a slower pace. Where making my candles mean something.

I had a woman buy a candle from me this weekend and her attitude toward the candle bother me. It was a large shamrock I wasn't going to sell any way but had it on display. She walked over to the display and asked if the shamrock were on sale because it was after the fact anyway. I told her no they weren't on sale. She walked away. First of all just because it was past St. Paddys day doesn't mean the candles are worth less.... .Any way.... She came back later and asked about the large one. I told her it was $10, now that is a lot less than I normally would ask, but thought I would let it go. She picked it up, brought it over to me and started to point out a few lines in the candle. She asked me about the lines and was it still $10.00. I was starting to get a bit upset about this, but told her it was just the way the wax settled, it would still burn the same. She said well it's for a present. I did at that time advise her it was handmade and it would have a few flaws, it's not like buying from the store.. She took it anyway... I almost didn't want to sell it to her at that point. I felt she didn't appreciate the fact that it was handmade. Yes you can buy candles cheaper in Walmart, or Target, but they are not handmade. They won't burn as nice as the ones I make.

Was I taking this too personal??? I don't know... It's like she was saying it wasn't good enough to pay full price.... Sigh.. It still cost money to make.. It still takes time to make....

Why do people not appreciate handmade items??? The world needs to slow down a bit and enjoy the nicer things in life.

Scotland

Well it's about 7 weeks till we leave for Scotland. I can't wait. I have done a lot of research but know once I am over there I'll be lost in another world. I hope to write once a week on my blog, but it seems as if time always gets away from me. I also know once I step foot in Scotland it will be like time just stopped. On my last several trips to Ireland that is they way I felt. It was so peaceful and no one was in a hurry... well maybe the American tourist were.

I want my life to be unhurried. After all why rush? Everything will still be there when I get there.

I guess I'm thinking about when I drive to work in the morning. Why would anyone in their right mind be in a hurry to get to work? I'll get there when I get there. If I left in plenty of time I have no worries. I can't stand people who much ride my tail all the way on the 417 even when I'm going at least the speed limit if not a bit more. Their crazy.......

It's the same on the way home. Don't get me wrong I would love to be home in a hurry, but why try to kill myself on the way there????

People get a grip...... you don't need to ride someone's butt to get where you want to go.

ahhh.. I can't wait to get to Scotland where things will be a little slower.

Candle and Soap Convention

March 4th was the first Florida Suds and Light convention. What a fun time I had. I learned a lot about making soap, and it gives me a whole new appreciation of handmade soap. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be buying soap from the store anymore.. It might cost less but the handmade stuff is great. I'm not sure I want to tackle making soap with lye, it looked pretty intense, think I'll stick with candles and incense. They had some workshops on soy candles and I picked up a few good hints that I am going to try. It was nice talking to other candle makers and seeing what they sell and the marketing they use. I brought my catalog with me and was really surprised how many people loved my set up and candles. It made me want to go right home and make more. I bought some new wax to try. Palm wax is a vegetable wax and has a very nice snowflake effect. Look for some pictures coming soon. I made one candle this weekend took it to work and sold it right away.. Yes I LOVE making candles.