Well, where to begin? Introductions? Okreadygo:
I'm Jess. I'm a Michigander, a wife, a teacher, a fur-baby mom, and a CRAFTER. Not necessarily in that order, of course.
I'm the type of person that has a passion for humor. Awkward lull in conversation, you say? Why yes, I think I can force a dumb comment on the weather for a chuckle. Cest la'vie.
I'm the type of writer that will overuse ellipses, parentheses, and probably exclamation marks. What Grammar-Nazi decided it's a crime to be excited anyway?!
There has got to be - and I don't think I exaggerate here - a MILLION others that do what I do when it comes to being 'crafty'. I can't say (as yet) my projects are fantastically unique or that I'm wildly gifted and talented. Let's be honest here - I like a free idea from Pinterest as much as the next gal (or guy. You do you.).
My top-of-the-list favorites (at the moment) are crochet and painting. My resolution this year was to start writing more; cue the blog.
About a year ago, I decided to learn to crochet. It was winter, there was approximately a s#*%-ton of snow outside my door, and I wanted something to keep my hands busy and away from extra snacks (anybody feel me here?)*
But I also decided to learn crochet because it's in my blood. I mean that quite literally - there's at least three generations before me that were crafting sorcerers. I grew up watching my mom churn out Halloween costumes, Christmas dresses, prom dresses, play costumes, curtains, table runners, doll clothes... that woman could sew anything. My mom is endlessly creative, and I owe my skills to her.
But my Grandma Young? My Grandma was the Grand Master of skills (you can't spell Grand Master without Grand-ma right - right? See, terrible jokes). She sewed, she knitted, she crocheted, she embroidered, she cooked, she baked, she canned, she gardened, she hunted, she fished... and she was AMAZING. AT. IT. ALL. I swear, there was nothing she couldn't make (I know, I know, there's a giant angry hoard of people with torches and pitch forks out there yelling at me that their grandmas are amazing too, but you know, Grandma-bias). It's hard to put into words just how wonderful a woman she was, even beyond her talents. She was so patient. She was hard-working. She was a beautiful mother, wife, and grandmother.
And she was taken away from us too soon.
It wasn't that she passed away at a young age (she has passed now, but I'll get to that). She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2001. If you don't know someone that has had that disease, then you have one more lucky star to count. That disease - like so many others - is pure evil. Over the past 15 years, we sat by as my grandma's memory, her talents, her cognitive function slipped away. If I knew then what I know now I would have taken the time to sit and listen, ask questions, watch her at her work, and gleaned just a fraction of her knowledge. But as they say, hindsight blah blah blah. Some people will say, but you had another 15 years with her! She lived for quite a long time with that diagnosis, some people aren't so lucky! You shake your head in agreement, but what you're thinking is that you've been mourning the loss of that loved one while they sit in a chair right next to you. Even when they're physically and spiritually still on this earth, living and breathing and eating and talking, that loved one has mentally perished. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful thing to be able to hug them and sit with them, but it's simultaneously devastating to hear them speak, yet say nothing; amazing to hug them and touch them, but disheartening to have to ask for a hug first, because they don't know who you are anymore. She made it 84 long years, most of which were fruitful, all of which were full of love.
Okay, I'm putting away my podium/soap box. I'm sure ya'll get it - Alzheimer's sucks. It sucks for the person, for the family, for the friends. Pulling myself up by the bootstraps here...
Fast-forward to today. In the past year, I've been expanding on my inherited talents. If you haven't tried a hobby like crocheting, knitting, painting, etc., I suggest you try it (it's pretty therapeutic, if you don't mind the Old Lady comments). I loved doing it so much and got enough ego-boosting compliments that I started doing craft shows and selling online- you can check us out on Facebook and Etsy. A few months in, I convinced my mom to throw her talent in the mix, and together we've been
When we chose the name for our little mom-and-daughter shop, I played around with some ideas for a couple days, but then it came to me - Young at Heart. A mantra and my Grandparent's last name.
To be a little extra cliche: it fit like a glove.
Okay, there you have it. A little laughter (Lord, fingers crossed), a few tears (okay, probably just me), a lesson we can all learn from. Damn, action-packed!
I hope you stay tuned for my updates; probably won't be this lengthy in the future, but who knows? Really I'd just like a chance to share patterns, projects, etc. with you fine people (all 3 of you - ha).
'Til next time!
Jess
*I may or may not have also been binge-watching New Girl and was inspired to pick up the new hobby (so thanks Jess Day, where ever you are).
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