Sunday

A new craft store is opening next month - in Fairport!? Karen's Crafts - in the old Vix building. I can't imagine anyone thinks they can compete with Michael's and Jo-Ann's. But Fairport is without its own craft store, other than the craft thrift store, Bits & Pieces, which is cool in its own way. Otherwise, we have to travel to Michael's in Victor or Jo-Ann's in Penfield or the superstore in Webster. This should be interesting! I hope it works out for them and they carry a nice selection. Or even just the basics, for those craft emergencies we all have. You know I'll do my best to keep the Fairport economy healthy. (They have a website, www.KarensCraftsandThings.com - but it didn't connect for me today.)

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In retrospect, I should not have been surprised but I encountered burnout today. In fact it beat me over the head until I got it. Obviously, I've been very much focused on the craft show the last few weeks, particularly this last week. I fall behind in other things. There's been a bit of stress at work. Simon's been particularly Simon-ish the past few days. I think my menopausal hormones are fluctuating as well because I've been having one continuous warm flash for the last week, some days warmer than others. (I bought Remifemin today, the herbal menopause stuff. I'd done what I hate other people doing. I took it for a few months, and then stopped - because, I don't know - it was working so why continue?! It's not cheap, though not outrageous or anything, so I wanted to see if I could go without. Guess it's worth the price.)

I drove to the grocery store today around 11:30, saw that the parking lot was full, as if it was before a holiday or something, so I turned around and came home. I just couldn't face it. That should have been a clue that I was about to crash. I came home and dove into the paperwork mountain and went back to the store at 2:00. Much better. But this whole time, for days even, I've been having physical stress pains. I thought it was mostly the work stuff so I've been putting my mind right about that. Finally, I realized all of the above - how hard I've been working and thinking about the craft show and my business in general. On the drive home from the grocery store I decided to take the afternoon off - to be a big goof-off and not worry about getting anything done. As I told Steve my plan, my voice quivered and I got a little teary. Yep, then I knew I'd struck the right chord, I'd found my answer. Steve said weekends are for relaxing and I shouldn't work so hard, but as I've said before, I like everything I do. But I usually build a little more down time into my days and nights.

I put just the refrigerator & freezer groceries away, made myself a roast beef sandwich on soft, delicious potato bread and flopped on the couch to watch HGTV while eating that, with Baked Ruffles and a big glass of cold milk. Heaven! I finished it off with a Smart Ones chocolate ice cream sandwich.

I continued to watch HGTV until I'd relaxed so much I felt sleepy. So I took a 30 minute nap on the couch with Reggi by my feet and Verona on my shoulder. More heaven!

I felt so energized when I woke up, I put the rest of the groceries away, watered the plants and Dysoned the house. After writing this, I'm going to get out some fall decorations and place them here and there. That should take about five minutes.

I forgot to mention, this afternoon Simon has been working and Steve's been at his brother's house watching sports. So this has been a true Stefani Afternoon, just what the doctor ordered. I haven't felt a stress pain in hours! (It's weird, I've never felt pain due to stress until the last year or two. I don't like it because I sort of pride myself on having a simple, stress-free, joy-filled life. Shows what I know. The body always trumps the mind, I guess.)

I'll go to bed early tonight, as I like to do on Sunday nights, reading my new Family Circle magazine. I cannot believe I can't find this issue online to show you, so I scanned the cover. It's not a magazine I usually buy but it was my impulse item - because check out the cover. That wreath is made of paper! I skimmed the article before I bought it. They offer directions but no patterns or anything but I can fake that. It was only $1.99 so I bought it anyway. That just takes my breath away - paper, brads, beautiful colors, a wreath - what more could a girl ask for?

Woo-hoo - - more for the Pine Tree Designs to-do list

Oh - and more PTD news. I saw an ad in our local Pennysaver about an "antique, country home decor, craft and gift shop" re-opening under new ownership in November. It said rental space is available to "display and sell your items". So I emailed the contact for details. It's in Avon, which is what, maybe a 45-60 minute drive from here? But it doesn't hurt to get the details. I've been half-thinking my next step for PTD should be to get into another store. Just food for thought.