Starting something new....

I am attempting to embark on a new self teaching journey. A couple years ago, my sister in law bought me a drop spindle and some fiber for Christmas a few years ago. At the time I felt incredibly intimidated about the idea. I've been crocheting for well over 10 years now, but never put much thought into trying to spin my own yarn.
Fast forward to a few months ago, I had the thought that it might be kinda cool to give it a try. After all I did carry the supplies with me through 2 different moves. When ever I attempt something new, I go over it in my head for a few months about how I am gonna approach it and watch how to videos on you tube.
Well last weekend I took the plunge and got my supplies out and gave it a whirl, so to speak. I think for my first try, it didn't go horribly. I've already soaked and dried my first batch and hope to roll it up and see how well I did. I've already started spinning a new batch and I have already seen some improvement from my first spin. I can't wait to treat it and dry it, maybe I will have enough to make a scarf.  It's all very exciting, I will be sure to post updates as I continue to learn and get better!

RIP Oscar

The world lost a beautiful soul this week, by someone I could only call an acquaintance. I would have loved for the opportunity to become closer friends with him. He always made people laugh, and was a genuinely nice person to everyone. I knew him since middle school, and although I never really became close friends with him, our paths crossed so many times in this life. We were from the same neighborhood, so I went to middle school, high school, and some college with him. It was in college at Sac City, that I got to know him better. Our groups of friends would always be around each other in high school, but at Sac City, we all got along. One of my friends started a hacky sac game that we carried on for months. He even came to our house for a Halloween party, he pretty much fit in everywhere, because he was always a pleasure to be around. He was such a kind soul, I think that's what makes his passing so sad for me. I don't have very many acquaintances that I run into around town, but if I were to run into anyone I already know, it was Oscar. He was a social person so we ran into him at the bar. It's just really weird to me to try and get it out of my head, there is no chance I will run into his smiling always pleasant face again. It just goes to show you, we have no idea wheat this life has planned for us.

Starting over

I'm still new to this whole "blogging" idea, and I've decided to basically treat it like a mix mesh of different aspects of my life, but focusing mostly on my crochet adventures.
I opened my Etsy shop a little over 6 years ago. It was fairly successful probably really could have grown and gone somewhere with it but alas, life had other plans for me. I got a real job (not working for family) doing something else that I am also passionate about, flowers. While I kept up with my online shop and my full time job, it became really difficult to juggle everything once my son came into my life.
I'm not going to lie, that was a much bigger adjustment than I had anticipated. But here I am 4 years later, doing a pretty good job at it if I do say so myself. It has helped me grow as a person, and I've learned a lot about myself in the process. I have also learned that mom life doesn't define me, and I can become a master at juggling the many different "hats" wear from day to day.
I have also come to realize that taking care of myself is a more important priority than I have been making it. I have struggled my whole life with depression and anxiety, I've always just thought living with it was normal, I didn't know how else to be. Until last October, things finally came to a head and I reached out to my doctor about what I've been feeling and dealing with. So begins my journey with medication. There is a stigma that people on medication just use it as an easy fix or a crutch. I was one of those people, until a few months went by and I was seeing noticeable changes to my mental health. I was feeling more "normal" and functional than I had before. My energy was growing, and I was feeling more motivated to keep up with my house chores, and taking care of my family.
January came, and I was feeling really positive about myself and my abilities, I wrote a new years resolution for the first time in many years. Although I just call it my yearly goals, instead of a resolution.

1. To reopen my Etsy shop, with a new uniformed look, and new items I didn't have before. Along with this goal, I aim to keep up with my business Instagram page @jenns.crochet.corner, and this blog.
2. To practice yoga regularly as a form of exercise/meditation, and to actually become better at it.

Fast forward to this month, April. I have been able to successfully keep up with my household chores, take care of my husband and son, work full time, keep up with my yoga goals, and find some time to crochet and build up my inventory. I'm feeling pretty amazing about life. There are still ups and downs, nothing is perfect, but I'm okay with that and how things are going. I really feel like it's going to be a great year for me. I really hope to keep this updated regularly. Thanks for reading!