getting the ball rolling.

around the beginning of the summer i decided i was going to take all the items i was creating and finally open an etsy shop. at that time i didn't have a job and needed some way to make money and also something to keep me busy.

so, i learned tons of new crafts and practiced sewing even more. i created bags, quilts, paintings, headbands, etc.

now, i'm finally doing it.

well, almost.

i know, 6 months should be long enough, right? wrong.

for months i was too scared. then i decided i didn't like some things and needed to sell better stuff. so i continued to practice. then i decided i hated the name of my original shop so i needed time to brainstorm new ideas. i'm bad with naming things.

now, i have a name. but i am sick of our apartment and cannot create in here anymore. i need windows. our apartment is a cave.

the shop is created and essentially open. however, there are no items.

my goal? jan 2012 will be the grand opening. maybe we'll have moved and i'll have created many more items. i have so many ideas i'm just bursting at the seams waiting to create.

not to worry, the shop will be linked here.

feeling thankful.

-that tomorrow is friday.

-an upcoming night out.

-that i have wonderful in-laws who i can call friends and family.

-a husband who makes me laugh everyday.

giving thanks.

from now until thanksgiving i'm going to post here what i'm thankful for on that day.

-smiling faces at a puppet show

-preschool kids who love hugs

-a pre-thanksgiving dinner

-a husband who makes me feel special

-a paid off debt

thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so i'm very excited!

shyness.

at one point in my life my father seriously asked me if i was "doing okay socially". he knew i had many friendships, but he was referring to my shyness. my family is all very loud and i am definitely the black sheep. i even walked around quietly.

it must be noted that being shy does not mean that i have no friends, never speak and spend all my time alone. i think there are a great many stereotypes about shyness and many are wrong.

i do in fact talk when i feel that i have something to say, or when i am comfortable enough to. i do have friends, though i would rather have few friends than many friends.

i find the quiet comforting. i don't mind sitting with someone and not talking.

i also feel uncomfortable in large social situations such as parties, church services, classes and large family gatherings. i tend to talk to one person during these events or stand quietly by myself.

one on one conversations are easiest for me.

i hate talking on the phone, ordering food, or asking questions. i feel nervous and awkward and most of the time i have my husband do these things for me if at all possible. thankfully i married a man who is willing to do all of this for me even if he finds it ridiculous sometimes.

facebook has made my life easier. i can "talk" a great deal without actually having to say a word. the same goes for this blog.

i can tell you about my shyness without having to talk to you face to face, especially if you're a stranger.

when i get dressed in the morning, i often change my clothes because i don't want anyone to notice me and i'd rather blend in. so, i don't dress with confidence. i stick to neutrals and solids. patterns are scary to me.

i came across this blog today, and i identify with a lot of the topics that she discusses on her blogs. however, i will not be starting my own shyness project anytime soon.

i'm an introvert who also happens to be shy. i'm not the shyest person i've ever met, but i'm definitely shy. i'm not friends with other shy people because we just bring out the awkwardness in each other.

i'm okay with being shy. i'm okay with also being introverted and needing time alone everyday otherwise i feel completely overwhelmed. errands are exhausting to me, and i'm sure the checkout person at the grocery store thinks i'm rude when i'm actually so nervous to talk to them.

shyness may be a weakness at times, but i'm okay with it. i know who i am. so kudos to the shyness project, but i'm happy being me.