I'm grateful for the small things...

    Though we should be thankful year round for what we have, the Thanksgiving holiday tends to make some people reflect on the past year.  I have many blessings I am grateful for...I was broadsided on October 13th and my car was totaled.  Whiplash is not something I would wish on anyone, but at least that was the worst of my injuries.  Then about 10 days ago, I missed a step in my house and took a hard fall on my right hip, but thankfully it was just deeply bruised.  Other than that, I'm still kicking (though not that high 😆)

    May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with family, friends, love and food.  Always be grateful for the little things in your life.

Better late than never...

     I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever remember to post anything here.  Life can be busy sometimes and dragging others.  

    I had shut down one of my Etsy stores several weeks ago and decided to reopen it to see if it would do any good this time.  If you're interested, you can visit us at A Family Affair Boutique and check out the mugs we have listed.  My other Etsy store, The Purple Gnome Studio, offers PNG files I have created.

    I have a close family member who has been diagnosed with epilepsy and depression.  Helping this family member with visits to various doctors' appointments and other places (not cleared to drive yet) keeps me busy.  If you or a loved one is dealing with either of these issues, you are not alone.  If you haven't sought help, please don't hesitate to seek help.  Talk to your minister, doctor, anybody to help you find the help you need.

    My youngest grandson is on our local All-Star Baseball Team for 10 and under.  The team is in a tournament for a chance to go to the state tournament.  Though they lost last night, they're still in the running due to the tourney being a double-elimination.  They got to go to the state tournament last year and we're cheering them on for a repeat.

Where has the time gone?

I am so sorry that it's been so long since my last posting.  I didn't realize how time had gotten away from me.  Life in my world has been really busy, some of which has been beyond my control. I'm not going to make any promises I can't keep, but I hope to try and do better.

I am still doing sublimation and photography.  I had several requests for sublimated Christmas ornaments during the holidays, as well as several orders for shirts with special vinyl designs.  I was asked yesterday if I would photograph a mother-son dance, which is in the planning stages at this time.  

May 2024 be a great year for you!

We are now offering sublimated mugs on our Etsy store, A Family Affair Boutique.  These 15 oz. mugs make great gifts for mom, dad, spouse, birthday, Christmas, retirement, co-worker, etc.  

On our sister site, Sharry's Place Photography, we have uploaded over 40 new photographs, including photos taken of the Kentucky Renaissance Festival we attended on June 12.

We hope you will visit both of these sites soon.  Please feel free to contact with any questions.

I apologize for not being a more frequent poster, but I've been busy with trying to work on graphics for my 2 Etsy stores, A Family Affair Boutique and The Purple Gnome Studio.  I've also been working on a new product line for A Family Affair Boutique, but haven't uploaded it yet.  It is my aim to upload the new product asap, so please be on the look out for an announcement.

Life seems to be headed towards a sense of normalcy after being shut down from the COVID pandemic.  Though my family hasn't had it, I know several who have lost loved ones to it.  To them I am deeply sorry and pray for you every day.   Though life may never get back to the normal we knew at the beginning of 2020, I look forward to things opening up where we don't have to wear the masks and businesses can open up to full capacity. 

As Lester Holt says every night when he ends his news broadcast..."Please take care of yourself and each other!"

2020 is one for the books...

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say this year has sure been a doozy; the Covid 19 virus has really played havoc on everything.  It's sad to think that everyone's lives have been turned up-side-down and to know that things will probably never be back to like it was at the beginning of the year.  And at the present time there doesn't seem to be an end in site.  

2020 was hard on conventions of all kinds.  There are 2 annual pop culture conventions I attend each year:  Lexington ComicCon in the spring and ScareFest in the fall.  However, this year the coronavirus caused the ComicCon to be rescheduled twice then completely canceled.  Then in August it was announced that ScareFest had to be canceled because of the convention center it was to be held at was no where near completion due to said virus.

Like most places, school was very much affected.  The started date for our local school district was delayed, then the school system came up with a "hybrid" schedule with parents being given the choice of either sending the kids in-person 2 days a week or letting them do virtual classes.  My daughter chose to send the boys in-person.  Then on September 28, kids were allowed to attend full-time.  For those who homeschool full-time, I have admire and respect you very much; I have no idea how you do it, much less have the patience for it.  The husband and I babysit the grandkids and had to help with their NTI work and it was a pain to get the kids to do it.

And to the families who have lost loved ones to this virus, I am so sorry.  My family, so far, has not been affected by it and I am thankful.  I pray each night for those suffering from all illnesses, their families and the caretakers who look after them. 

Each of us should pray that this virus ends soon so that our lives can get back to some type of normalcy soon.  I can only imagine what this year has done to those who are suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental issues.  Hang in there, please...there are people like myself who are praying for you daily.  Please seek help if you need it.

ScareFest CyberCon...

 

2020 has really played havoc on conventions of all kinds, with most having to cancel this year.  One convention I try to attend each March had to postpone twice this year, then ultimately had to completely cancel altogether.  These cancellations can be hard on vendors who depend on conventions for a big portion of their income.  This is one of the many advantages of a virtual convention.  Plus, convention goes can still get their convention "fix" by interacting online with both their favorite stars and the vendors.

On Saturday, August 29, 2020, ScareFest will launch its inaugural virtual convention, CyberCon with more dates planned in the future.  CyberCon will start at 12 noon and last until 7 p.m.  Not only will there be super guest stars, but awesome vendors and artists, Q&As and other panels and a virtual ghost hunt with none other than Patti Starr, the founder of ScareFest.

Some of the guest stars include Kristina Klebe (Halloween, Hellboy), Lar Park-Lincoln (Friday the 13th Part 7) and Paul T. Taylor (Hellraiser Judgment).  Vendors include The Phoenix Quill and Izzy's Little Creatures.  Some of the speakers are Richard Estep, John & Stacy Edwards and Kyl Cobb.  Terrance Muncy and Eric Puckett are among the artists attending.

 

Tickets are on sale for $5 each at ScareFest.AntFarm.tv.  You can also keep up with info by watching ScareFest Television on Friday nights at 9:00 pm.