Heartfriend Originals

Wow

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:16:00 +0000

What can you say but wow? Life is just that way. It picks you up and runs along and there are times when you feel like you are sprinting along like a well seasoned marathoner and other times where you can barely hold on.....like a merry-go-round threatening to throw you off. It's hard to keep your grip sometimes. But, still, really, isn't it all just WOW? Watching children grow. Seeing seasons change. Creating new works of art. Or cleaning your house. Or whatever it is that causes you pleasure. Life is simply amazing. Take time to treasure the wow in this season of life. Enjoy those little moments. Whether you are holding on by a thread or running on ahead, life is for living. A journey not to be missed. The good. The bad. The messy. So move along at your own pace, but don't forget to take the time to enjoy it.

Change

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:57:00 +0000

Isn't it strange how times change without us really noticing it? I look back at the photos on this site and remember fondly those fun moments with friends at Rose Buds. And yet, things have moved on.

And the moving on has been good too. Deedee makes more wonderful signs than ever. I am working hard on getting back in the classroom. Deedee has moved again and is showing her designing/decorating talents in her new home.

I am enjoying being a grandma and a mom and settling into a writing routine as well.

Times do change. We do change. And memories remain. I'm trying to remember each day to make good memories for my tomorrows. For my future years. For my old lady times. One day just seems to follow the next until I come across photos or writing from the previous decade. Then it is more obvious how quickly and amazingly things change.

As you come off of the euphoria of Thanksgiving and enter into this Christmas season, cultivate a grateful heart. And from that heart will spring generosity. And from that generosity will grow good and satisfying memories for your future. Be purposeful in planning for the future. Not to stock up. Not to keep things. But stocking up of kind acts, encouragement and generosity to look back on and remember.

One day you will feel rich by the stored memories of good actions. So, don't hesitate. Act now. Your future will be more fulfilling if you do.

blessings.

Lovely Day

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:41:00 +0000

I got up this morning with a renewed vigor and excitement. I was excited about what is happening with heartfriend originals. I was jazzed to think of new ways to promote and build our website.

Some of you know that I have been looking for "real" work for quite some time. I am a teacher by trade, but I just can't seem to find a job. Strangely, I'm a very good teacher, but it's just not happening. You've heard the saying, "when God closes a door, He opens a window." Well, for me, heartfriend originals encompasses the things I love to do. I love to search the web and figure out how to promote. I love promoting Deedee's art. I desperately adore playing with furniture.

While I am impatient for a regular paycheck, I'm thinking that I'm doing exactly what I should be doing. Though it's a huge learning curve and takes me time, I find a passion in supporting something that I believe in and enjoy. I like being able to work late or early. I like the fact that nobody bosses me.........well, except for, as usual, Deedee.

Maybe I am looking for work in the wrong places. Maybe my livelihood is connected to this passion to see women connect and see people with dreams bring them to life.

I don't know the end of the story, but I do know that TODAY is a LOVELY DAY!!!

be blessed.

Celebrate the Journey

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 03:23:00 +0000

It is simply amazing to me to see how life works. The best roads are the back winding ones with surprises around every bend. That's how this last year and a half has been.

We closed Rose Buds and moved on thinking that we would create and go to shows. But honestly, we just didn't have it in us. Closing a store had changed us. Forever. So, we moved on and did other things. You know, "normal" jobs and work. But, honestly, our passion never really changed. It was just needing a nice long nap.

After some time had passed.....maybe nine months....we thought we could get going and be productive. But, it just wasn't happening. It was dreadful to try to force ourselves to be productive. So, we just waited. Then, finally, we got out our boxes. Do you remember how big Rose Buds was? We had a LOT of creating stuff. We set up Deedee's studio. And, she spent some time in it. And, she made some cute stuff. Each item one of a kind. But, it just wasn't time.

But, finally, after visiting Kim at Magic Fairy a few times. After hearing that she wanted some birds........of all things......well, the process began.

Deedee began to create. And we all know how fun it is to see that. Rhonda began to see what fun things could come from a worn out looking piece of furniture. The vibrancy and excitement mounted. We looked at doing shows. But, let me just say that it will be awhile before that much passion returns. ;) We LOVE being in Magic Fairy Candles' Cutest Shop Ever. We were privileged when Peggy at Details Boutique in Littleton gave us a second chance at selling signs at her beautiful shop. Then, we got to be a part of The Farmer's Daughter, a new shop up in Berthoud. Most recently, we have been asked to create art for Nest in Carbondale. It's all so exciting!!!

The road was not clearly marked. It wasn't what we expected. But it is an exciting, adventurous journey......full of surprises and things that surpass my expectations. So, come along with us, if you dare. We never know what lies around the bend, but what we do know is that our friends will be there.

Thank you for staying with us all the way.

I've got the summertime blues...........oh, no I don't

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:42:00 +0000

I love summer!!! And while it is true that this summer is a little hard with all of the emotional upheaval and the store closing and all of the money stuff........I still love summer!! I love to get up in the morning and have my kids at home. I love seeing them. I love that they are so relaxed and without a million things to do and amazing amounts of stress from homework. They are such a pleasure to be with. And this summer, I get to enjoy that again. I love that. They are so worth every moment. Every breath. I like my kids. And summer also means a vacation of some sort. Everybody needs to get away now and then. Whether it's to the backyard or another country. Something different needs to happen. Something that jolts us out of the rut and makes us experience something new and renew our spirits just a bit before fall comes and school and work take precedence again. Summer is like a gift of time. I hear some moms bemoaning their kids being home and
"what will I do with them for three months?" I can't believe it. Summer has never been long enough around our house. Of course, I've never been their soul entertainment either. That's what sticks and rocks and toys and bikes are for. Oh yes, and on particularly hot days, we hole up and watch tv and read books. Summer is bright and wonderful and open to adventures for all ages. Dont' let this one pass you by. Breathe it in. Enjoy the hot air. Enjoy the rain. Look at that full moon. Gaze at the stars from your roof or your trampoline. Get a blanket and go to a concert in the park. Go see a free family movie.......can you believe there are free movies/???Awesome. Make memories. If you are creative, make art. Make food. But not when it's hot. When it's hot, skip food and eat ice cream or fruit. Or both. Bend the rules. Be a little laid back. Laugh more. Dream Incessantly. And then, sadly, summer will come to an end.........but you will be refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to roll into the school year. You will have better relationships with family and friends. And your kids will know you better. Come on. Risk it. It might become habit forming. You might become a summer addict. I dare you.

Sittin On My Bed

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Progress has been made in my learning to not run Rose Buds as a way of life. This morning I am writing from the comfort of my own home........my own room. Looking around, I am rather looking forward to having some extended time to be here in my home. I like it here. I just don't like it when it becomes simply a place to clean....like to sit and enjoy it. Have time to savor the little nooks and places that our place offers. Time to do more than glance at the flowers that I labored to plant.:) They smell so good. Time to smell the roses is an apt phrase.:) What about you? You taking time to live or are you so busy planning the next thing that you are missing this thing? Life is to be truly lived. Savored. Like good food, it demands time and attention and not just wolfing down. I have to say that Deedee taught me best this idea. How to slow down even when the world is going out of control. How to rest when "I have so much to do." And you know, sometimes in doing that, I actually get more done than when trying to slog along and keep up. Putting my heart into life. My energy. And yet, knowing that life is not about the doing or accomplishing, but about the experience, the learning, the noticing, the cherishing. It's about taking time to think. And reflect. That looks different for everyone, but we are all made in the image of God. And in that image, we plan. We create. We think. Not just do. And sometimes, we need to just rest. You know the kind of rest I mean, right? The no guilt kind. Not the kind where you sit or lie or walk while thinking about all you have to do. I tend to worry about such things. Like to plan things out. That's not bad. Unless my plan is unrealistic. Unless my plan supercedes actually seeing the day that I'm walking through. I don't condone laziness. But I also don't condone busyness. Balance. Finding things we enjoy. Doing those well. Honoring who we were made to be by actually being that. Knowing that while everything is not always perfect, it's always just what it is. A dinner party is perfect for some if all looks luscious. For others if the house is immaculate. For others it's the people. For others it's the wine choices. And sometimes, we get so busy trying to please everyone that we forget that what people really need is to enjoy the who of who we are. So, my dinner party would be all about the people. It would be my priority to let them know to make themselves at home. To relax. To do what makes them comfortable. If I came to your house and you are a clean freak (oh, I'm sorry, was that derogatory?:)) then I can enjoy not just your clean house but how much pleasure that brought you. How you brought your personality to the party. So often we get lost trying to be everybody. Instead, it seems that we should take the time to be who we are and let others be who they are so that life is richer and more full. Just like in cooking, a variety of spices complement one another and make the food delicious. But using too much of one spice and none of the others makes it unbearable. So stop for a minute today and figure out what you bring to the world. Ok, it might take more than a minute........maybe a lifetime....and try to be that today......while enjoying who the people around you are as well. Life is a celebration. A gift to be opened each and every moment. You got up this morning. Maybe even showered. Made some breakfast. Did the routine. Don't forget to live. To smile. To think. To hope. To dream. To be vulnerable. To ask questions. To be curious. Inquisitive. Don't forget that in the midst of the most mundane tasks there can be great moments of inspiration and beauty. But if there's not, get it done fast and go to the next thing!!! The sun is shining here today. The trees are really green after the rain. My plants shot up from all of this moisture. As did the weeds. But there will be time for the weeds later. Right now I want to enjoy the flowers. They are so pretty. What are you enjoying? What takes your breath away? Everyone seems to think that I'm crazy to dream about going to the ocean this year with very little to no money. Hmm. Maybe I am. But I dream and hope anyway because frankly, it absolutely takes my breath away. It makes me feel more alive and closer to God. It makes me stop. It makes me see how small I am and yet still important. It gives me time. It is so dependable and yet so powerful. It changes things every day and yet remains somewhat the same. I am ready. I hope to go. I can almost hear it because I am hoping so desperately. Makes me feel like a child. How they want something with their whole being. How come we knock that out of people? I am going to start replanting it. Find a dream today too. Hope for it with great abandon.

blessings, rhonda

Thanks for the memories

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Goodness. Here I sit, on the floor. NO chairs around....oh, wait there's one, oh, but it has stuff in it since we are all out of flat surfaces. Well, I'll just lean here on the wall in the darkened store with clutter all around and reminisce a bit. Last night as we locked up, it felt very much like the first day 2 years and 10 months ago. But the lump wasn't in my throat then. Last night, as I locked the door and walked away I realized that in a very very short time I will walk out one evening and never walk back in. Ouch. Rose Buds is a haven. For some of you. For me. It has memories that have stuck themselves firmly in my mind. Dress up. Louella and Kim snuggled beside each other to play Scrabble with vintage hats on. The bonding of the Mah Jong group. The Bible Study girls making their own friendships. And, once upon a time, a lovely knitting group. I remember the Art Walks and the Festivals on Main. Oh, and, can't forget the Halloween Parade.....goodness, some of those kids came by four and five times. I remember these two crazy women who thought that they could run a business. We kind of suck at it I think. But it still was a blesing. It still has been a huge learning time. We love all of the nice people. Not so fond of the meany heads. But we included them too.:) Now, are you wondering which you are? Actually, if you are reading this, you are not one of the meany heads. They never stayed. They just passed through. Never use spray paint in the basement. Never use spray paint with the doors closed. Never use oil based paints with the doors closed. Unless you really have a project that you really really want to get done..then go ahead, because it's totally worth it. Give it your all. Work hard. Play hard. Share openly. Give your heart. Be willing to get hurt. Be willing to lose. Be willing to fail. Expect to succeed. Smile when the world looks darkest...it might help someone else. Face problems head on. Learn that no is a complete sentence. And does not need an explanation. Love extravagantly. Frolic Shamelessly. Give generously. And never ever forget that your girlfriends have your back when the world gets too hard. I have learned that women are incredibly strong in a very gentle and loving way. A fierce love. You don't mess with their friends or family. And if you mess with their kids.......well, lets just not even go there. You have all combined to teach me so many things. To give me so many snapshots in my mind. Your smiles radiate in my heart. And I hesitate. Stopping. Looking back. Pausing. Nervous. Oh God, is it time? Can it possibly, truly be time? Surely not. It was too short. "No, it was just long enough." Ok, well, I guess then it's time. Time to say good bye to Rose Buds Store. Time to say hello to a new plan. A new life goal. A new time. And that's ok. Every single time we say goodbye, we get to say hello. We get to grow. We get to learn and find new adventures. So, I'm going to step out of this reminiscing and into the next memory to be made. I'm going to be present in this moment so that one day when I look back, this moment will be one of my cherished memories. So, yes, thanks for the memories!!! And here's to the future!!! blessings, rhonda

Good Grief

Fri, 29 May 2009 22:36:00 +0000

I don't know where the saying "good grief" came from. I remember it from my earliest memories when reading the Peanuts comic strip with my grandpa. I never thought of it having any deeper meaning other than it was what Charlie Brown was told over and over. "Good grief, Charlie Brown." But these days, I am finding that it has meaning. Those of you "in the know", know that these last months have brought a multitude of griefs to Deedee's and my lives. From her father, Jack's, painful illness and eventual death, to my poor health, to the break up of her marriage and now, the closing of Rose Buds. So much in so little time. It has been heartbreaking. We don't have bad attitudes towards it. We are not overcome. However, we are hurting. And yet, strangely enough, we are excited. No, we have not lost our minds. We are very aware of the financial difficulties we will have to overcome even after closing Rose Buds. We know that her divorce will be difficult. And we know that not feeling good has been too hard for too long. Yet, in the grief, there is good. Continuing to walk, to get up and try again, to dream, to hope..........that is good. This is the end of one dream, one adventure and one phase of life. But what is coming is yet to be seen, a surprise, a gift, a challenge, a blessing. And I can't wait to see what God does. I have no illusions that the journey will be easy or lined with only clear paths and friendly roads. But I do know that it will be worth it. So many ask if I think that we failed. Maybe business wise we have. But in the ways that really matter we have had great success. Met people. Learned a tremendous amount to help us in future endeavors. Made lots of mistakes. Said lots of apologies. Hoped big. Pursued dreams. And though it's painful, it's totally worth it. I can't see around the bend, though I have the personality that I often crane my neck trying to. But I know that the journey is totally wonderful. Living is a gift. Each day. Give it your all. Give dreams a chance. Even if they don't look like you hoped, you get a lot more than if you never travel their roads at all. Give yourself grace to fail sometimes. And keep on trying. You will find joy. You will find grief. Intermingled. That's "good grief". blessings, rhonda

Change of Life

Tue, 26 May 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Seriously, I always thought that the change of life was simply a hormonal thing that occurs naturally and could be expected at a certain time with certain effects. Everyone talks about it like it's "the" change. What they don't tell you is that it's at a time in life when everything is changing and that the duration seems to be forever. Much like puberty.......everyone makes it sound like all that happens is that one night this little period fairy visits and then you are a woman. Yeah, right, they don't tell you how teen aged girls cry and fight and get their feelings hurt and say nasty things. They don't mention how your body not only goes through the pretty changes...i.e. getting boobs....but also that you get bloated and uncomfortable. These hormonal changes are huge and long lasting I'm thinking. And this change of life one, I'm only at the cusp, but I'm realizing that the problem is just like when I was a teen ager.......EVERYTHING is changing, not just my body. My kids are becoming people, my friends are going through similar hormonal rages, graduations and weddings and births and huge event planning are becoming a staple part of life. I laughed about hot flashes. I mean, "what could be so hard about that?", I thought. And mammograms are a piece of cake in comparison to what all of the comedians say........though not a choice for a girls night out. And the sagging boobs........well, that I am appalled by. I mean. what's the use if they can't stand on their own two feet so to speak? Bras cease to be frilly and sheer and take on the look of army gear.........but what's the point when it has to come off eventually and the truth be known that perky is out and pouty is in? I mean, yes, I can hide it under clothes, but out of clothes, no way.
Swim suits are especially a treasure at this season of life. I need an all over firming one.....they seem to think that it's either tummy, thighs or boobs, but what if I need it all? Basically I need swim armor now. But once I get myself squeezed into it I can still see the handles on the sides. And what to do about that special little little of arm flab that flops when wearing sleeveless. I mean seriously, no swim suit has sleeves. I hear that that is the part that tones of most quickly and a few push ups each day should get them right back in shape. But do they mean grape or orange flavored? Seriously, I keep hearing that exercise is the key at this stage of life. Obviously this advice is being written by some man who has no clue what a woman at this stage of life is doing. Her butt is the shape of her vehicle seat because that's where she spends every moment that she is not working or cooking. Everyone always needs to go somewhere. Sometimes I have an idea, but I refrain from telling because it would be wrong. So see, I still have self-control. Then there are the helpful hints of how to exercise when in the car. Are they completely insane? I mean, how do you put on your make up, talk on the phone, interact with your kids all while doing butt crunches??? Doesn't that seem a bit distracting? I mean, I used to have a friend who pumped breast milk while driving.........I thought she was a super hero. But over the years I have found that the car is just another place where I must multi task just to keep up with the day. Then there's that period that started the whole thing all these years ago. How can it still be shocking? I didn't know that it would change too......that the little cylinders would be completely inadequate and that super plus would seem without substance in the onslaught of later life menses. Don't you love that word??? Some months are a flood others drought. Nothing is predictable. That old 28 days thing goes completely out the window and any time anywhere becomes reality. No wonder some women get pregnant in their 50's. That is a whole different story. I can't imagine starting over. And in the midst of these huge body changes, our kids have dating drama, proms, homecomings, tests, learning to drive, getting jobs, graduations, weddings, babies, weird hair styles, piercings, tattoos, wrecks, relational trauma, AND they go through puberty while we go through this. Then there's the husband. He gets to have a simple mid-life crisis. I have tried to figure out why and what it means. I'm not certain yet, but so far all I get is that it has to do with disappointment. A reality check. I'm thinking maybe it has to do with the armored swim clothes and military issue brassieres. Maybe that's why so many men bail and find the younger, curvier, sexier women........the ones wearing the floss suits and the lace undergarments. But sexy is really being able to juggle it all with grace. It's learning how to deal with the huge upheavals with wisdom and kindness. It's knowing that we are more than the body which contains us. Experiences. Spirits. Hopes. Dreams. That we are loved for the who of who we are. Ok, so that's what people my age tell themselves because that's what makes them feel better. But the truth is that we wish we could look great, feel great and still have the wisdom and experiences and that just doesn't happen. But I do know this great surgeon.............just kidding. blessings, rhonda

New Plan Underway

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:24:00 +0000

So, this weekend has been the first of our store closing sale........and it has been bittersweet. Lots of goodbyes, but lots of fun seeing everybody and getting to talk about what the future holds. You know, you never really grow up.....you are always in the process of growing up and deciding what to be and what to do next. And that's how it is for us right now. I have the greatest business partner in the whole world. No matter how hard life seems, she is always able to bring me back to hope. To dreaming. It's fun to look back on all of the happy memories. All of the times we went shopping and didn't have room in the vehicle for what we bought. All of the times that we swore that we could be back by 1:00 or whenever but were completely overtaken by the thrill of the hunt. The great vacations with the kids where we went on the itty bitty roads and stopped to shop in every podunk town. Twas a hoot. The times when we were getting ready to open and so tired that we crashed right in the middle of the floor. I have a feeling closing will be very similar. So many ladies have been here laughing. So many games. So many friendly faces. I don't regret a moment. Don't regret it though there were also huge worries. Don't regret it although it was more work than we could have possibly imagined. This part of life has been a huge blessing to me. It has grown me. It has challenged me. It has made me learn. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity. Thanks to all of you. I love you lots. I am glad that you became a part of my family. Hope that the legacy of Rose Buds will be that you learn to open your homes and hearts to people......to sharing each others lives just a little bit more. Keep in touch. I'll still be living here on your computer. See ya soon.

Blessings,

rhonda