One week. We weren’t sure we were going to make it this long at Myrtle Glen Farm. After some last minute scrambling to set up an Oregon farm, we confirmed our stay for 10 days believing we were headed toward an old family farm that was no longer doing business. I was looking forward to getting to know a wise old man as we helped out on his property that was now up for sale.
As we drove up to the house (a good 20+ minutes from the nearest small (read: miniscule) town), we were greeted by a small crowd eating dinner on the patio of the gorgeous custom built farmhouse. Hearing names, where people were from, and how long they’d been here, we learned that indeed this was no family farm but more of a make-shift (and relatively transient) intentional community.
I quickly adjusted my expectations and thought to myself how neat of an experience this might be; I’ve always been interested in living in such a community. But the more I began to settle in, the more uncomfortable I got.
At first, it was the shifty looks of which we were the object that bothered me most. It was clear, to be sure, that we were the most “mainstream,” what with our Honda Accord, actual luggage, and yes, clean clothes.
Each individual did warm up to us, and we got to know people better. It’s amazing how time and a willingness to be in uncomfortable situations can really make people learn to dwell with each other more harmoniously.
There was a mix of ultra self-consciousness on my part but also newfound space to fully embrace my quirks and failings more publicly. My self-consciousness was interestingly not about my body, which is often the case in the “real-world.” This time it was about what I believe or how my opinions might be different.
In one way I felt liberated from worries about being stinky, exposing cellulite, or temple grease in the hair. No instead I was worried that my anxiety about drinking raw milk would be discovered, or my opinion that the government can actually accomplish good things (everything was a conspiracy theory here). On the one hand, there was an affirming community that saw beauty and righteousness in each person. On the other hand, should one stray too far from shared values and beliefs, one would be considered misguided at best, evil at worst.
This made living here as a “mainstream-shower taking-leg shaving-I like my electronic coffee maker –and don’t hang out my aluminum foil to dry” individual challenging, to say the least. Yet, as I describe the community here, both the wholeness and brokenness of it, I realize it’s not that different from any other community that creates space for diversity in particular ways but also shuns others for particular ideas or practices. Every community makes choices about such categories and guidelines.
I think the more shocking thing perhaps, is that despite it's transience it was a community, something we sometimes fail to achieve in the so-called “mainstream” (I definitely lacked one while living in Boston). And yes, community is messy at best, but it is sometimes that messiness, the step you take deep into the shit and realize "damn this is hard," that you realize you are in fact truly, intentionally, communing with others.
Here's a closer look at the shiny rhinestones! Oops, forgot to mention that I used my eyelet border punch too. It was a fun card to make.
Thanks for spending a bit of your Saturday with me...I think I'll try to rest a little tomorrow, hopefully I'll be able to create some fun things to share with you next week! 
Here's the inside.
I'm so glad that it's Friday! It's been another busy week for me. Thanks for stopping by for a visit today and don't forget to stop by the garage sale if you are in the Kailua area.
Here's a closer view of the roses.
Speaking of relaxing...haven't posted photos of Mochiko in a while so thought I'd share some. I envy the fact that she can sleep all day. So sweet and peacful.
Aahh, the life of a cat...
Thanks for making a visit to my blog today! Hope to see you at the garage sale this weekend. 
.JPG)
Cardstock is the new Marina Mist. I also used soft suede and chocolate chip cardstock. The flower is from a new set called Printed Petals. When I first saw this flower, I thought it would work with our large flower punch but I didn't realize that this stamp has 6 petals and the punch only had 5 (sad face!) I had to hand cut this flower out, which wasn't too bad. I also used this cute doggie image from a set called Every Little Bit. This set comes with 28 images! Here's a closer look...
We now sell self-adhesive rhinestones, yay! I love these rhinestones! I also used a new punch called dotted scallop ribbon border.
This next card is a card I made for my sweet friend, Jodi who just celebrated her birthday. In fact, she is giving away some mega blog candy so go check it out! Jodi is such an inspiration to me! I love her work and just don't know how she can make so many cards in one week!! Check out her blog, Inked Inspirations...you won't be disappointed!
Got this super cute and fun card from my BFF Joy (aka Tamiko)...isn't it so cute?! I love this monkey...created from my favorite cricut cartridge - Create-a-Critter.
This sweet card I received from my friend, Allison...Allison's blog, Stampin When I Can is full of fun posts and lots of fun links to wonderful blogs through her...thanks for doing all the work for us!! I love this card and the tea bags too!
Thanks for stopping by today! 
.JPG)
.JPG)
Thought I'd give you a laugh...here is us 21 years ago...what is up with my puffy hair? I guess it was the style then, ha!
Happy Thursday! It's my end of the week, furlough tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by today!
Here's the inside of the card.
Thank goodness this is a short week for me. I'm still recouperating from cleaning the shed and I didn't mention that I weeded part of the garden that day too. What a gluten for punishment eh? Advil was on the menu to ease the pain! LOL! 
The flower and brad...
The inside of the card. The sentiment is from a new set called A Word For You #117032 (wood) #120528 (clear). I think this set will be one of my faves!
If you haven't gotten a new idea book & catalog and want to order one from me, send me an email! I'm loving all of the samples in this new catalog and will be featuring alot of them in my future classes!
Here's a side view of my project. I used another new punch, dotted scallop ribbon border, around the milk carton. I love this punch too! The DSP that I used for the border and the owl's tummy is called Sweet and Sour specialty #117390. The branch that the owl is standing on is from a punch called 2-step bird, XL #117191. Did you know that SU has self-adhesive rhinestones and pearls? I love it! I used a rhinestone for the center of the mini flower.
A close up of the owl. I'm excited to try out different color combos for the owl.
Well, here is some before and after photos of my cleaning adventure. I decided that last week that I needed to help Dad clean out his garden shed in the back yard. He's accumulated so much junk over the years and that junk kept piling up to the point where he didn't know what was in there and he couldn't even get in there! My goal was to straighten up the place, throw out the junk/rubbish and make room for him to be outside in the yard to do some planting even if there was some small rain outside. Are you ready to see the before photos?
and
It took me a few hours to accomplish, but I was happy with the results. There were so many empty, smashed up boxes stuffed everywhere...why??!! Oh, and I only came across two geckos, amazing! Here are the after photos...I cleared an area for him to do some planting...
kind of organized things...
My body kind of aches today, but hopefully the advil will help! I hope you all had a productive weekend too.