Lisa Souers Designs

All Grown Up

Seriously.

Where did the time go?

She's actually graduating the week after The FarmChicks Show.

And I think she's actually pretty "okay" with it...

Thank Goodness it wasn't the SAME week or I would of been on the

CRAZY TRAIN

I look at these three amazing girls and realize the power of best friends.

Through thick and thin, girl drama, boy drama (really, not these girls, but you get the picture of most girls I swear), and just plain "growing up" and growing together for so many years.

 

They have taught me more than they will ever know.

Alot about what it means to be solid with each other. What they have built will stay with them forever.

And most of all.

Never, ever, forget to have fun.

A Little Decluttering

 

Well, that was a bit of a misleading title.

It's more of a big decluttering.

I don't know the last time I have actually "seen" this side of our garage.  I am still wondering about "a random hole in the wall actually got there", but I am sure it is somewhat due to sloffing around gads of furniture and "useless crap" in this garage.

And I have to say. 

The "little decluttering" is feeling magical.

Even though I would much rather be planting all of these

I feel like I'm a fork in my junking road where , mind you, I really never had an emotional connection to "junk".  A few pieces.  Yes.  A few remourseful sell offs where I say "crap, I wish I would of kept that piece"

Maybe this will be one of them this year at The Farmchicks Show"

But where would I really put it?

It's not going to fit anywhere.  And I have no plans on opening a store where it needs to truly be for a front counter.

So nope.  No emotional ties to getting it out of my driveway and onto the Big Show.

So decluttering this year has truly been about just "getting rid of it all" for the sake of I "don't need it, don't want it, don't want it around, and I am not holding on to it for a garage sale, and would rather donate it to those who could use it" philosophy.

 

But decluttering in a different way too.

And today was very interesting when my little "bestie" text me a "one minute speech" her daughter was presenting today on "character".

You see.  I think "decluttering" also is about myself, the way I live my life.  Not just junk, but my thoughts, the way I treat others, or random chance encounters, or how I allow others in my world to change my path that I want to be living.

And then I get this text of the "speech" a very "wise little 18 year old is giving today".

 

I wanted to share it with you all.

If you say the word “character” to me, I will think of my father.  He is wise,
strong, authentic… but most of all, he is steadfast.  He is consistent.  My dad
is the same person everywhere he goes.  Abraham Lincoln once described character
as being a tree, and our reputation as the shadow.  The shadow is people’s
perception of who we are, but the tree is the real thing.  We must be in reality
what we wish to appear to others.  We see many people in our society today that
are adapted to cutting corners – who can walk in their surroundings and be one
person, and look in the mirror to find another.  Those with character have the
authenticity and the consistency to follow through with their morals, just like
my dad strives to do.  Like we say before our softball games – we have to leave
everything out on the field the right way before God, because at the end of the
day we want to look into the mirror knowing we gave everything we had and
remained steadfast to who we are.

 

Something to ponder while decluttering today. 

 

 

 

 

Six Months of Happiness.

Six months ago I thought life would be completely changed.  You see. I was given a gift of being able to be free from the "daily grind" of being in charge of an incredible responsibility of a huge million dollar +  program, and responsible for lifes of others, budgets, grants, deadlines, hirings, firings, layoffs, squabbles, backtalking, people not happy with my decisions, people "happy" with my decisions, blah, blah, blah blah blah.  The fact is.  I really loved an amazing amount of what I did and acheived for 18 plus years but was so blessed to have the gift to move forward with my art and spend more time with those that I love, friends, family and more....

 

I have to say.  Its not all it's cracked up to be on some days. 

But. My Great Aunt taught me in her 93 plus years of amazing wisdom, "Life is what you create Lisa".  "And remember. That if those around you, or you are feeling that life isn't where it needs to be, than you are the one to create the happy by giving back to those around you, and not worry about what you cannot control as it won't really matter, will it? "  She was so wise.  So wise indeed, that she kept a "Happiness Calendar". 

Everyday. 

Everyday she would write down "one thing that made her happy" that day. Even if it was the worst of days.  I never knew her worst days, because her "happiness calendar always said what "made her happy" that day.   Her worst days would consist of losing her husband days before Christmas in a car wreck.  (widowed years before anyone should of been). She could only think of making sure everyone had Christmas Gifts.  (she never got rid of any of his items.  She just "tucked them deep away")

I know she had many "worst days" after that.  But she always found "happy" to share with others.  I remember many times her friend would call her and "complain of all her ailments or attempt to gossip about their other friend".  Auntie Beth would "accidentally turn of her hearing aid".  She would always switch the subject about something happy.  Mind you.  She wasn't always a saint.  She did strike a mean water gun to the neighbors cats or if you "wrong'd her", she did let you know that you truly disapointed her, and it wasn't easily forgotten.  Forgiven.  Always. Forgotten was difficult.

Why  am I rambling?

My Six Months of Happiness. 

I have had check in with my late Auntie Beth and be reminded of her "Happiness Calendar" and start my own. And to forgive but not forget when I have been frustrated. And to remember why I have chosen my path of art.... And to share my Happiness with you all.  Because if I get stuck in the frustration of  as my Auntie Beth says "you can't change it, so why get frustrated about it?, I go back to my happiness of what is really important in my world.... and she reminds me everyday...

Updating

 

It's Spring.

 

a perfect day to update my blog, my website, my laundry room.  What else would one be doing on a Spring Day.

It's so stinking blustery out and I've been fighting a super fun cold so I thought "Spring Cleaning" indoors.

This whole working part time now has made me a wee bit more scattered so trying to acomplish anything worthy of  a finished project has been, let's say,

difficult. 

I don't know how those "stay at home Mom's" do it.  There jobs are hard. 

I said "jobs"

Because that is just what it is.  Just because it's not the same monthly dollar pay, it's such a different job and I am finding out, structuring a day is my most difficult challenge.

So Updating is what I am calling my Spring Day.  As I cough through it all.

 

Life has a funny way of "updating" it all for us.  And not allowing us to "update" it the way we think it all should work out.  I'm learning to allow things to "be as they are suppose to be" and am actually learning to love it".  Reading between those lines, letting go of all the control I use to have in my past life.  Not an easy task, but it's growing on me.  Letting go of those in the sandbox who can't play nice and surrounding myself with a world of fun, and creative energy. 

 

Updating.

That also has including my "work space".  Tearing out walls that were "in the way".

Even got Mr. Souers to hang a "ceiling tin" wall....

 

 

Useless.  Not of function.  Getting in the way. Creating a space that is creative and fun and less distracting.  Finally finishing the ENTIRE painting of the floor black.  That only took a few years.

And getting rid of clutter that I have never had the time to do.  (it will be a GREAT spring GARAGE sale you junker/hoarders won't want to miss...).

And feeling like I can really make "great coffee now" and not feel like a schmuck when I put on my green apron at work. (it only took 5 months)....

 

So updating on a cold Spring Day... working on a digital catelog because my PDF looks like crap. I finally realized my 3g iphone which I mourn the loss over really did "take crappy pictures" when I couldn't get a good picture of "Chumley" of Pawn Stars 150ft away at the Mountain West Championship Game in Vegas for my mother in law, I broke down and got the 4gs... the camera rocks....

But at least I got these great photos of My Mr. Souers and my Father in Law when his New Mexico Lobo's won the Mountain West Championship to make it into the NCAA tournament...

And updating my website for a section just for my wholesale accounts (when I can truly figure all that out)  and just a section for retail, and one of a kinds.  And letting you all know when and where I will be locally selling to get in on the goods....

 

I look forward to Spring and all that it holds. 

 

My Auntie Beth's Buttercups always lets me know it's so close. And that something fresh is always on the horizon.

 

Sweet Auntie Beth

Some people come into your lives and never leave

They become a part of you.

 

My Sweet Great Auntie Beth was that person.

 

Today would of been her 98th birthday.  We joked that we would see her picture on the Early Show announcing her 100th birthday by Willard Scott someday.

I'll just celebrate it every February 15th instead.

She always spoke the truth, said she could never "drink" because she was a "mean person when she did" and "being mean to others never served anyone well".  She always "gifted to others" before herself, believed in "random acts of kindness" and never believed of doing for others for the sake of "getting recogition for it". She always served for her God and church and those in need and believed in always putting others needs ahead of her own.  She had a sharp tongue when she thought others were spiteful or,  oh dear when it was a Presidential Election Year, watch out.  Never interrupt her during her nightly news where she obsessivly kept her weather stats or religiously watched Jeopardy.

She loved her Paul deeply and lost him to a car wreck soon after he returned from War.  She never married again, and I know she wepted for him many a night she missed him.  She always presented a "strong front" when we talked about him, but I could see it in her eyes that he was her soul mate and missed him so.

 

 

Summers with Auntie Beth were priceless.  Whether it be learning the value of a dollar by learning to "earn money with chores", walks to the local library for my ration of weekly story books" or the endless arts and crafts to sooth my creative soul", summers were the best with what "summers were suppose to be".

She always bragged about "Daddy's Store".  What I would of done to step 'back in time" to see inside of this store".  The General Mercantile.  She worked there growing up before she became a school teacher, working the "phone lines" in back. 

My greatest gift is that she lived a beautiful, relatively pain free life to the ripe old age of 96 and she got to know my daughter Hannah.  And Hannah her.  It was always my fear that this would never happen as she was a gift to share.

Happy Birthday My Auntie Beth. 

 Feb 15, 1914- Mar 10th, 2009

A turning point.

Life is funny. Sometimes it takes  a little nudge to "take a leap of faith".  In my life, it's that grinding voice in my head that kept kicking me and saying..."just do what you love and it will all come into place".  And then there are all those amazing girlfriends who keep giving you the inspiration and faith that , yes, one more little nudge will help. You know who you are...you are the ones that give me the little tidbits of wisdom, words of support, those little nudges I have been tucking away for awhile...keeping track, keeping tabs on when it would be time. ...

But sometimes, driving 1800 miles, I mean 1800 miles, "each way" to Ki's "Junk Bonanza" in September where I was so honored to be asked to be a part of, I can honestly say was my turning point.

It really wasn't sitting in a car and driving 24 hours straight through from Washington State to the great state of Minnesota with my Mr. Souers. Or the fun facebooking I did with my Little Red Shop friend Julie who was also making the road trip trek (mind you, a "whole lot slower that we were") . Or the fact that my Mr. Souers was taking a leap of faith with me that "yes honey, this is the bomb of a show and we really should drive to it because I want to bring a killer display for our gems".

Or the fact that I had been working at the same place for 17 years and my aching to "just be an artist" was really taking over.

 

Or the fact that when I am at places like the Bonanza...

I get to be me.

And I get to have friends hug and support "me being me".  Even if it means seeing if I "really can fit my little bootie in this washtub" (I later thought it could of been my "thinking tub", but I was laughing too hard wondering if I would ever get out)

Or friends that drive the distance and make sure to come find me to chat.

Or maybe it was to make me laugh some more as we stacked her finds super high

 

Or happy customers "so happy they were the one that one my "Lucky Friday" gift certificate....

 

Or make sure my Mr. Souers "isn't working too hard"

 

Or my Friend Jane. 

 

Who continues to support me.  See. My friend Jane and I met at another amazing supportive friend's show...you might know it...The Farm Chicks Show?

See my friend Jane is as wild as I am.  And when we are together... oh lordy.  It's part of my turning point that reminds me why I love being an artist and being me. She gets me laughing so hard I think I am going to pee my pants.  Being me, usually doesn't involve incontinence, but laughter is good for the soul and sometimes, well, you know..

And then Jane brings out the Midwest treasures.

And then I get to bring them home.

At least I didn't bring this home...I'm pretty sure it wouldn't of fit... but man...I really wanted it.

But see, it could be all of this, or the customers who support the little artist in me.

 

At the Bonanza, a little nervous, I am "different that these midwest gals"...What would they think?  And then my Mr Souers said as he tried to get back to the truck to get my missing pliers as the doors opened on Lucky Friday...

'Lisa, do you know what a Tsunami feels like?"  (um...no.)

"Well, they are coming"... just like one...

And they did. All weekend long.

 

 

My turning point. 

 

It had been the ache to become a fulltime artist for awhile... but my Mr. Souers (who still smiling after 2 hours sleep, traveling cross country, dragging him to "Hunt and Gather" in Minnesota and after a long selling weekend of one of the most amazing weekends...says....

"It's time".

His only request?  In order for me to be as social as I love to be when I am not out and about doing shows, in my art studio basement, trunk shows, and more... I would have to get a part time "fun job".

So I did. 

Coffee and Art.  I walked into Starbucks and "asked them to hire me".  I think he thought I was crazy.  Mind you. I went in cold calling, with a Master's Degree, asking for 10-20 hours a week to be a Barista, not a Supervisor or Manager, just a barista so I could spend the rest of the time creating art.  Looking back.  Yep.  I would think I was a bit "cuckoo" too... 

He hired me 2 days later.

 

Today is my turning point.  Today is  my last day at my real job of 17 years.  There's a party in my  honor.  Not thrilled about it... I hate the commotion, attention... just give me a sweet hug and let me do what I am striving to do.... People ask if I am afraid of leaving...I tell them no, I would be afraid to stay and not take the chance to be everything I hope to be.....

So there you go...

Support "your local artists" this season... (there's my one and only plug!)

 

 

Milestones

 

 

I tell you.

 

There is something about

One Amazing Red Head

 
 

4 Best Friends

 

 

One Fabulous Hotel

Where Girls Think they are the Cat's Meow

 
  

And Greasy Fries

 

That make the best Birthday Party "eva"

 

You see...

 

My H said I couldn't be "emotional" when she turned 18.

 

But it's a milestone in my book.

 

But to her

It's being with her Forever Friends.  Doing what Forever Friends do.

 

They Play

 
 

They Shop

 

They Eat at High Class Restaurants with People that mean the world to them

 

And I get the Parents

Out on the Town

 

And I get to see

 

"My" Forever Friend whom we only know each other as "Cuz'ins"

 

And to this day she still thinks I am the one who taught her to swear in our "backyards" at the wee age of 4 on our swingsets.

This time we got to blame it on my Dad because we could "tag team him"in person

 

But I get this that makes it all worth while

 

 

So yes.  A bit emotional.

 

My H is 18 today.

 

And yes she got her stink'in boots

 

 

A wee bit early. 

 

We had a Party for Goodness Sake... What's a Party without gifts?

 

 

I Don't Remember Names

I remember people's stories

I remember the woman from Alabama who couldn't even speak of the devastation from the relentless storms and the loss that families have endured without crying

Or the amazing vendor who one month ago lost her soul mate to Pancreatic Cancer and was buying "G" vintage Key necklaces for family members because "his name started with a G and I want them to remember him"

Or bringing "my Hannah's" little friend Hannah (as she is now so named H2 to the Big Show and didn't know names as much as I did and saying "those women over there"?  I don't know who they are, but they are the nicest ladies I have met....they are so down to earth and very kind and just very normal" . 

They were Serena's special guests

H2 had no idea.

They were just amazingly sweet woman who talked softball with H1, chatted about stories

just with them

And even before that when I was laughing with a customer over her as she called it "ridiculously small wrists and fingers" as she chose some gems, realizing I didn't know her name either.

H2 pointed out later it was Jenny Doh, another amazing soul.

 

And the story of the H1 and H2 laughing about the "gynormous cake run with Serena's friend" and balancing the 2 salads on top of 12 huge cakes and how fun that was to race through Costco on a Farmchick Weekend.

 

I remember the story of appologizing to Serena and her amazing husband at the Saturday evening dinner, actually "eating crow" for scarring one of their sons... as I was jokingly "giving Mr. Souers the bird",  as one of her sons, whom I still get their names confused, was delivering me "extra ones".

 

I remember asking the most darling "table guest" her name after we were laughing about her stories of "driving in Spokane and all those one ways"and not having a car in NY, you forget how to drive,  and "what is the deal with the Safari Theme in the Vintage Davenport Hotel"?  I remember telling her that she "really needed to visit the "other tower" and hook herself up with more Butter Brickle before she left.

I remember saying...aww. That's the Country Living Editor.  Another sweet, soulful person, that didn't need to have a "name" attached to her...just a great, great person, with another story to remember this weekend.

 

I remember this girl. 

 
 Every year

 

 Every year, she and her Mother trek to the Big Show, leave at 2am (did ditch the males of the clan this year) to come shop.  I remember her well.  And am always asking her name "every year".  They always stop at my booth first she says.  I feel like I am watching her grow up like my own daughter as I believe this is year 3? that they come to tell me stories, and be apart of my world.

Her name is Lily

(and I probably spelled it wrong as I remember asking her how to spell it and can't remember "one L or two?)

I remember my new friends from the show.  All of them.  They come back every year.  Wearing a piece of jewelry I "made last year" to show me, and "have to pick up a "new design" this year.

 

 I really remember my amazing "friend", who came this year without her husband ...  Right when I saw her I had to ask the question. 

 

 "How are you?" 

Because her story has carried with me for about 2 years. 

 

 "Cancer free for almost a year now"

 

I still have to fight to remember her name, but never her friendship or her story. 

 

I started crying as I met her at this show and consider her my friend.

 

I remember my Minnesota friend.  I still call her Jane at times. Because I don't remember names. She is not Jane. 

She is my "gut busting laugh out loud silly willy friend". She took over "selling for me" when I was trying to create a new chain for her necklace.

I remember her niece or grandaughter....my "friend" was so distracting with her "selling techniques" that I lost that part of the story. This darling girl was so excited to find one of my chunky rings with a Dictionary Piano image on it,

"because I am learning to play Piano"

I remember so many of you coming by and remembering you from past shows... I truely do not remember all of your names, but I do remember your stories, or pieces of them that are so impactful

I just remember, that if you just stop for a moment and "just listen", truly listen, everyone has a story. This is what the show is about for me.

 I don't have an emotional connection to "junk"

just to "people" that cross the path in my life

 

 Knowing that everyone has a story, I just love taking time to just listen

 

 So many of you made me smile this weekend, having you come up to me and laugh about "my silo story".... and your awe of "seeing it in person"

I loved hearing from all of you.

 

I just can't remember all of your names.

 

But I can remember your stories

 

Thank you for sharing them with me

Lisa

 

A Joyful Easter

 

 

Easter's long ago in the Souer's House consisted of

 

"The Easter Bunny up at the

"wee crack o dawn"

Hiding Eggs

 

 
 

And forgetting to count how many "she hid"

 

At least I didn't paint them in camouflage color like the paint commercial

 

I like using my humor for my 17 year old in a better way this year.

 

Her "Easter Bunny" this year left this for her

 

 
 

 

With a note stating

 

"17 Year Old Good Children get the Bunnies with their ears broken off because little children would be so sad if they got a broken bunny"

 

(It was really because I was late getting to the store to get her "spiral honey ham" for her favorite Easter Dinner")

(and Mr. Souers and I do love a good chuckle with our daughter)

 

No I did not eat the ear and "repackage" it before leaving it for her

It's hanging right at it's belly

 

The cashier was more than happy to discount the abandoned bunny that was tossed aside the destroyed  "Easter Section" at the store tonight

 

Knowing someone else would think it would be given a good home

(no really, the cashier didn't get the humor of it all)

 

And we did buy her a "secondary bunny" in case she thought our humor "wasn't so funny".

 

Just in case

 

Either way

 

In my Great Auntie's Happiness Book

 

listed and marked by her

 

 

Because  I remember many an Easter Dinner with her as just that

 

Happiness

 

Even a broken bunny and a Spiral Ham

 

A joyful Easter with my most favorite possessions

 

 

 

A True Running Start

 

Just paid for another quarter of Running Start

 

For My Hannah

 

 

Such a great Check to write in so many ways.

 

15 Credits

$102.50

 

Do The Math

 

$6.83 A Credit.

 

Close your mouth now.

 

Yep

 

$6.83 a credit

 

 

Hannah will have her AA degree before she graduates

from High School

 

And she's loving every bit of it.

 

And you can tell she's

"so unhappy"

 

 

Missing so much of her "highschool years"

as we have heard would happen.

 

Um.

 

Nope

 

She's enjoying her Junior and Senior years

more than she ever thought she would

 

Playing Varsity Softball

 

 

 

Hanging at the Junior College and learning much more

than she would of at the

 

"Regular Classes"

 

Yep

$6.83 a credit

 

And Happy as a Clam