Did Its

It seems like forever since I was a Brownie leader. We had so many good times in that troop including the time we were able to attend a sleep over at the Sacramento Zoo. The other day, I remembered something one of those Brownies asked me.

Molly was one of my more precocious troop members and smart as a whip.

During our regular meetings we worked on earning badges, as most troops do. Brownie badges are called "try-its". After completing several activities in one area, they earn their try-it for that subject. One meeting, after going over where we were in getting to our next little embroidered triangle to add to their vest, Molly came up to me and sort of leaned in;

She looked up at me and said, "Megan, I think it is neat that we get get try-its and all, but.. when do we get our did-its?"

Trying new things is a healthy part of life, but, our accomplishments, the did-its, are what we hang our hats on. I'm not saying this is the most perfect of attitudes, because the trials are where the strength comes from to get to where you may be headed.

But, who doesn't want to shout from the rooftops; "I did it!!!!"?

And wouldn't it be lovely to have someone step in and hand you a badge for it?

In February, I tried something new. I loaded up my van and drove 1700 miles to a friend's house in Oklahoma. A friend I had not seen in about sixteen years. She was being deployed and I agreed to house sit for her while she was overseas. I wanted to try living by myself for a bit. I never had.

I did it!

Since my last post, I have put most of what I own into storage, put my house on the market, and moved from California to Oklahoma to start the next phase of my life. A phase that includes two grown daughters, who are both out on their own now, and a recent separation (amicable, but still a bit heartbreaking). A phase that leaves me responsible for me, and only me, for the first time since I was nineteen. I'll admit I am a bit lost right now. Excited, yes, but still so, so anxious about the future and where I am heading.

And I see something happening in my designs.

I find I am drawn to making pieces that have bold, colorful exteriors. Lots of texture and color like these cuffs,