Yup, 2 days in a row! I wasn’t planning on sitting down to blog cuz Spring 2013 is starring at me from the table and we are leaving Saturday to Shanghai to present it…BUT when I sat down to check my email my blog window was open, so what the heck! Plus Amy sent me the sweet pic above of her kids and it’s always fun to show photos. Speaking of, did I tell you we lost Joe’s camera in Peru? Sucks. I say we cuz I am not sure if he lost it or I lost it. I wish I could blame him but we are so much alike..our brains move faster than our actions and sometimes, just sometimes, we misplace things! Ha. And to top that, did I tell you I already broke my iPad? Yup. It was in the case and literally fell 2feet and shattered.

So my morning consisted of washing sheets, finishing laundry, walking Franklin and now I am off to work on Spring 2013. Oh, and we so desperately need to find a new building. We really wanted to add on, we have been planning on it for a year. We had all the plans drawn up, city approval but I’m just a tad nervous to make the leap. It is so expensive and there are so many warehouses spaces in Fort Wayne that are more than 75% cheaper. Ya, now that I look back on to last Spring when we started planning, I always hesitated to share it cuz maybe deep inside I knew it might not happen. I hate getting hopes up and then not fulfilling.  But man, it was going to be awesome, and so great for out little neck of the woods we call Bricktown. We’ll see. I have not totally cancelled it out, but exploring our options is always a good thing. On that same note, we are hiring a graphic designer if you live in the Fort Wayne area and have at least 2 years of experience. Just email samm@matildajaneclothing.com

And here is Shelly’s sweet daughter all the way from Japan. She just moved not to long ago. Gosh, I think I would love to visit Japan. Heck, I’m jealous of Kiara, Kayla and Alicia for going to Africa but truth is, I miss my family when I travel. China next week is going to be hard. I am always filled with guilt, which I shouldn’t be. David is so awesome and so supportive but I know it is hard being a single parent for a week. And Joe has been so emotional lately. My gosh, wow. And Gabe is Gabe, crazy and  just a goofball.

Whelp, I must get going so when Sam gets here it looks like I have been working for hours. We always design at my house. It is a funny thing but there is a comfort to being in your home, and sitting at the same table year after year!

Stay tuned for some fun 435 Art Fair contest coming up!!

I know it’s been about 2 weeks since I got back but it feels like yesterday. I mean since Peru we have had a wonderful Spring Break with my closest of friends and family.  I had all last week at home to get caught up and start planning Spring 2013.  I rarely brag, cuz I really don’t have much to brag about but I must brag about Peru.  I am telling you this is the one trip that dug the deepest into my heart and to be able to share it with Lynette, Sara Brown and Joe was amazing.  I can think of few other times my heart has been so full. Yes, we saw Machu Pichu, Cuzco and lots of Inca walls but nothing is better than sleeping in a dorm style room and waking up to the sound of girls giggling in the bedroom below. I would be selfish not to say THANK YOU for supporting Matilda Jane and allowing me to do such great things.

To hear Joe tell me playing with the girls was his favorite part of the trip just reminds me it is not about the things we have, the things we buy nor the places we were able to go. It is all about the company you keep, the friends you surround yourself with, the family who is always there and above all it’s the love and need for human interaction. (Does that make sense? I couldn’t think of a better word.)  I think traveling all the way to Peru and then 6 very slow hours up a mountain (only appr 170 miles) would have certainly been categorized in the same rating as a trip to China or our trip to France had it not been for all these giggly girls. The landscape was beautiful though it has quickly faded  yet I cannot get the smiles and sparkling eyes out of my mind.

Carla (our production gal who’s been with us since Homegrown) has an Aunt is who is in charge of the orphanage (I’m losing my train of thought. Joe is sitting next to me doing homework.) So Sister Doris is everything you’d imagine. She is warm, welcoming, her eyes just capture your soul and you want to hug her all day long. And what I love best (being me) is that little itty bit of her that you can see sneaking out, the spitfire side! ha, I love that! Oh, we loved her.

Gosh, I feel like I am not doing my experience justice. It is s hard to describe a happiness like this. All I know is I have to figure out a way to help my girl, Madilia (above in photo with Lynette, her little sister is in photo with Sara Brown)and her 2 sisters. I could never separate them but I really want to be certain they have a great education and a good life doing whatever they chose. I want them to have options. I want that for all the girls.  Sister Doris was telling us that they are running into the problem of once the girls graduate high school not all of them have the opportunity to go to college or a vocational school. So Carla and Matilda Jane brought them up some sewing machines and a ton of fabric. It was what we could do to help. Carla will send some girls on  her team up once a month to train them so they will have a skill they can use once they are ready to leave the orphanage after graduation.

I could go on and on with all the things fluttering in my brain.  I do know I am going back in July. I need to do more. I need to be sure I am doing my best to help them get food, sanitation and an education. Gabe is sitting next to me snacking on popcorn and all I can think is, “Has Madillia ever had a snack?” Oh, I love those girls.

He goes by the name of Mark. And he’s been around for 4 or 5 years. Ha, I should probably know this!! But we don’t really think a lot about time since we plan on this thing working forever. Oh, I’d be the luckiest if this plan works out! Seriously, I think my brain would be 100% filled with MJC if Mark wasn’t around. He keeps me balanced. Sometimes I can get really consumed by all things Matilda Jane and just forget to go home and be a girlfriend or friend to someone. Sometimes I find it difficult to be someone outside of Matilda Jane. Ha, who am I without MJC anyway?>!

And did I mention how nice he is? So often girls go for the bad boy, or the, well, jerk. Not me. Mark is the sweetest puppy around. He’s even good friends with my best friend Megan. (They go to family things together when I’m out of town..AWWW) Well that boy is my GOOD one. I bet he would have loved TGO when he was a kid. Actually he still loves it because he’s big time into skating and we all know Stuart from THE GOOD ONES loves to skateboard. Yep, Mark’s a skater boy, doesn’t that make him even cuter?

And what inspired all this ooey gooey lovey dovey stuff about Mark? The poor kid was up all last night getting sick from something. I think it’s food poisoning, but I have no idea what it could be because we ate all the same things yesterday?! Regardless I hope he feels better today because last night was the saddest sight to see. Cross your fingers I don’t get whatever it was… Because I want to cut Platinum tonight! Lol

And because I know you guys want me to stop talking about Mark and start showing you some color….

LOVE, SAM

Ps. Thanks to Michelle Huesgen for the breathtaking photos. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Is that even a word?  If not, it should be cuz I kinda like it. It’s all most time to tuck the boys in and tuck myself in but I wanted to do a quick blog cuz I hate when it sits empty for a few day.  Yup, I am going to bed at 8:30. I am still doing the Isogenix 9 day cleanse, which I think is GREAT. I did the cleanse for 2 days then added an extra cuz I was feeling the like I could tackle the world after Day 2.. Ha, Day 1 on the cleanse I swear I was going to die. My gosh it was so hard. I kept pretending I was on the cast of Survivor. But today, Day 4, I got to have a 2 shakes and a 500 calorie lunch. Oh, my goodness I feel so guilty now for just having that. It is crazy, crazy weird. No Diet Coke since Thursday and I’m not even craving it. But tonite I have to go to bed early cuz now that I actually ate I know I am going to want to bust those poptarts open. Yip, sleep is the answer. I love sleep. It refreshes your mood, cures hunger cravings, and just makes me happy.

Joe, Lynette, Sara Brown and I leave for Peru on Friday,  It’s going to be a trip of a lifetime. Lynette and I have been there many, many times but only for work. We’ve only seen the hotel and Carla’s office. This trip is all about experiencing Peru and visiting the orphanage that we donate to. And then we head to Florida where Spring Break starts. Spring Break is my most favorite time. I love all the time I get to spend with my family and friends. No shop talk allowed just life.  So I bet a ton of you will be there to? Who is going to Seaside or Rosemary Beach? We actually stay in Watersound, a small community between the 2 of them. It is so quite. I love it.

Oh, and you girls that scared me to death this weekend at Platinum…oh…I was so scared. Just saying.  But I did get a lot done.  I made a brand new dress. So excited to show you and a lot of tank dresses. We have so much fabric right now it is crazy. It is everywhere. I  love fabric but  when you feel like you can;t move cuz it is over taking your space, the love fades a bit. I guess we just better cut faster.

Ha, and lastly I finally convinced David  to let me get an iPad for the trip (plus I have been begging for months, ok a year). Problem is I go to Best Buy to get it and they are out of stock. Guess maybe it is meant to be but seriously, I really really want it.  Mainly I want to be able to download my pics and blog. I’ll try Target tomorrow.

Okay folks, Goodnight!

I am quite certain that Spring does this to all of us. Our brains in a whirlwind of what clothes still fit for the upcoming summer, the noticing of dust everywhere and urge to clean, kids wanting to stay up late and all I want to do is go to sleep early. The list goes on.

This week was filled with meetings full of brainstorming what can we do to make MJC better for you. There are so many thoughts and ideas that fly around the workshop through short conversations, texts and email and then comments on FB and the blog and things we read in emails.  Sam, Lynette, David and I have been really talking through these and actually soul searching on what we can do and how we can make all our dreams come true. MJC is our heart and soul. It is all our girl at 435 and all our Trunk Keepers hearts and souls. We put  love into everything we do and hope that you can feel it.  But when you are working with so many high energy driven girls the thought process of how to get better and better every day never stops.  So it has been quite enjoyable and quite intense this past week really just talking for hours amongst hours on what the next steps are to make it better, laying out a plan and making sure there is no heart lost, no culture disturbed and most importantly it is as fun and rewarding as it was on day one.

I can share my priority list with you, because it is mine to share. I really miss just designing and standing at the cutting table dreaming up new things. I love working with the fabrics and just dreaming. When I can make those dreams come true I love it as much as the process. Another favorite component of MJC is you and I miss you. I love blogging and reading FB.  I want more time to share our story.  You guys have been with us since the start and have watched and heard every heartbreak and every joy that comes our way and I want more time to share that with you. It seems as we grow I have less and less time to blog.  Yup, so what I brought to the table was probably the shortest list and to me, the most powerful list, YOU and ME.

Ya, so a side note to all that is I started the Isogenix Cleanse thing (thanks Anne) . Anne says I will truly thank her later but my head kills. Major Dt Coke withdrawal. I am on day 3 and I have absolutely no energy and a huge headache. Not a fun day but hey I am sitting here blogging so I have a smile on my face.

One more thing that is eating me up is Joe. As you all know, I am so excited about taking Joe up North in May for a summer full of speech. It is going to be hard but I feel it is important to do. It is a constant battle of “what? Huh? Joe can you talk more clearly? I don’t understand.” I know it sounds mean but it is the truth and it comes from everyone. I am confident that spending this summer with a therapist that has proven her passion and talent will totally help. Joe always said his name as “Doe” up until this past summer and after a week up north he could say Joe.  Imagine 8 weeks.  I know I am sounding like I am convincing myself of this but middle school is tough and he is my boy and I need to do what is best. Ok, so what am I getting at? I had a mom text me the other day saying “Joe doesn’t want to go and sometimes as parents we try so hard to do the right things that we lose sight of what our kids truly want.”  So now in back of my head, I wonder if I am being selfish trying to change him.  But he is 10 and when he is 16 he’s going to want be to understand him, right? Gosh, it’s tough being a parent, huh?

And with that said I am off to have…a water because it seems the only thing I can have today. We are leaving for Peru next Friday than straight to Florida so I gotta start way ahead of time packing. Two crazy trips back to back

I DO think that’s right. We are so lucky at Matilda Jane to have each other when things feel like they’re moving a little too fast.

Do you know how great it feels to have someone to hug around every corner if needed? I’m such a sentimental gal, but seriously a hug can make me feel not so...alone. I got a hug from Lynette today and I feel even luckier because of it!

Big things are happening around here, but we are ALL in it together. Even you guys!!

LOVE, SAM

Meet my dearest gal pal, Renee. Actually many of you probably know her. Renee has been to one too many art fairs, helped me set up that tent many of times, she’s been to Trunk Keeper Conferences and 435. She is my girl! I love her. When things get crazy and beyond manageable just hearing her voice or a simple text puts things at ease. She gets me, she knows me and she expects nothing from me. Man, I love her.  And guess what? Renee had a baby yesterday!! A little boy named Nolan Walter!

And that is one reason I really wanted The Good Ones to launch yesterday! Nolan was gonna be The Good Ones baby!

And yes that photo is really old, but we were so cute and so fun and so young..ahh

David took the boys skiing today so I could run to 433 and cut for Art Fair.  From 10am till 8 pm I relished in fabrics galore as my mind wandered back to being at Fairfield Manor. I love that place. It was cozy and just felt right. Today, I missed those days. If you asked e what I miss about the early years, I’m not sure I could give you a straight answer. That’s something I gotta think about. I kinda feel like I worked different then. I would cut all day and iron or sew button all night. Now, I kinda feel like I sit in front of this computer a ton. Ha, and I’m not even sure what I do when I sit here all day! Hmmm… I’m gonna think about this one for a while.

So I am thinking these pics are from early 2004? And I truly believe Betsy King took this pic of my boys in what would have been her early years too. So Betsy, what do you think, 2004?

Wait, I am so wrong!! Gabe wasn’t even born in 2004.  Ha!!! Crazy I never realized that till I looked at the above pics Betsy took and they were dated 2007. Yup, my favorite shots of my boys EVER!! Thanks Betsy!!!Whoa, long day of too much deep thought. But I am gonna still say the 2 top pics are 2004. The one of all the clothes was when I had the great idea we would re-do our garage and i could work out of the garage. It worked out great till it rained and was freezing.2009

And if you want to see something real funny, here is what I was talking about in 2007 and  in 2008, and in 2009, and in 2010, and in 2011. Ya this could go on and on! But Franklin is scratching at the door and the boys are due home any second so I should go act like I am cleaning or something.

The boys and I have watched this countless times and I can hardly wait to share it with you. Check it out. The Good Ones

My best try at trying to make a Serendipity photo match up with my blog content.

I’m not even sure how much I have posted about our  new love of skiing/snowboarding.  It all started a couple weeks ago when my friend, Anne, asked us to run up to Kalamazoo and take the kids skiing. My kids have never been but heck, I love hanging out with Anne and Tom, so it was a go.  We put all 4 of our kids in ski school and they amazed us. Well, Gabe, Alex and Elizabeth but Joe struggled and pretty much was in pure frustration. And frustration is the last thing I wanted him to feel the first time.  We pulled him out of and he decided to go tubing the rest of the day.

We talked that night and Joe really wanted to try snowboarding, after all, he said we was an expert cuz he’s done it before on the little hill up the street. We signed him up for lessons with a guy named Drew. At the end of the 3 hours they both came back smiling, had a great time, lots of falls, and lots of laughs. Drew assured us Joe could totally be good at this, he just had to learn the rules. I was so excited to hear this, and Joe was beaming. On the way home that night, we started planning how soon we could get back so Joe would not forget what he learned.  We went back the following weekend Joe met up with Drew for 2 more days. On Sunday, after riding the chairlift all day, he was glowing brighter than the sun. His confidence could be felt a mile away. It was beautiful. I am so thankful to Drew for helping out, being so patient and believing in Joe.

I have said many times, you just have to have one thing to shine at. Just one thing. Joe loves sports and plays them all like he is the star of the show but snowboarding is something where he can really shine. I wish I could find the right words. It is crazy how much this means to me. I saw his face last Sunday and the way he walked beaming with pride. I gotta make this happen. So this weekend we are heading up to Traverse City to give it another go. I’m a little nervous not to have Drew there, cuz he really “got” Joe, but I have my fingers crossed his new instructor will be just as awesome.

And Gabe? Well, he mastered skiing on Day One. It is so hard sometimes seeing the difference between the 2 of them especially as they get older. It’s tough to know how to act and where to put my focus. Gabe can pick up anything in 2 seconds. He is a natural. Joe is in love with everything but it takes a bit and the frustration he feels sometimes kills the love.

Tonite in the car Gabe says “Joe can’t ski. Joe fell and cried so he quit.” I had no clue what to say but I could see Joe’s eyes swell up with tears and knew I had to think fast. My response was ” Joe tried skiing.  He didn’t like it and didn’t want to waste an entire weekend doing something he didn’t love. Kinda like how I stopped painting cuz I didn’t love it anymore and wanted to spend my time doing something I loved. ” Man, I felt like I was encouraging quitting but geesh it is hard being a mom sometimes and knowing all the right answers. In the end, I convinced Joe and Gabe  that they are both great and they don’t have to be great nor love the same things.

So I set off to conquer what  was to be a breeze of a day. Just had a 1:00 meeting, grab a dress for tomorrow fundraiser, and the last details for Gabe’s Birthday. I was good to go.  As soon as David takes the kids to school, I sit down and work on emails. And as soon as David got home from dropping the kids off and walked into the office I looked up and said “I feel like I am drowning.” I don’t even know what it was but wow,  did it set the pace of my day. I hate that. I hate feeling like I’m bringing bad energy into a room.  I jumped into the shower only to have the hot water run out. YIKES and of course I blame David that our hot water sucks! Poor guy. Needless to say the remainder of the day pretty much continued on the same pace!

I hate these days and I just don’t know how to get rid of that feeling. The feeling of drowning in your work, in your life and just wondering what the heck am I doing?

But then I get a text from Sam, “What can I do to help?” and a text from Lynette “What can I take off your plate?” They know. They can tell when I start falling.  And then it hits me, it is okay to feel like you are drowning sometimes because I know I have great girls who will save me every time. Man, I am so lucky. I love these girls.  They have saved me more times than I can count.

A huge thank to Sam for letting me vent to her, to Matt for playing a song that totally made me crack up,  and Lynette for letting me vent again and then talking me through it all and coming up with a grand plan. Thanks to David for taking Joe to the movies so Gabe and I would have 20 minutes to run into Target to get his Birthday goods and just for being the sweetest husband in the planet. You have no idea! And once again to Lynette for going to lunch with me to help me re-focus and to Sam for inviting me to a great dinner that I had to nix on, but that’s ok, her dinner texts are always amusing from a far! Couldn’t ask for a better texting pal!

And now I end my day with a huge smile.  So many great things on the horizon; A Birthday party for Gabe tomorrow, a big fundraiser tomorrow night and a 6am drive to Detroit Sunday AM to see my favorite girls ever!

Friday night is our Matilda Jane Christmas party and  I can hardly wait. I love these girls.  They work so hard.  I mean my girls don’t only answer the phone and pack orders….. they SCHLEP with the best of them. They work hard. They pour their heart and soul into work everyday.  We are a pretty tight group and we pull for each other. It’s one of those job where you can’t t call in sick cuz you know the other girls will have to pull your weight. You know everyone matters everyday.  It’s a beautiful thing.  I know I am very fortunate to have found so many great girls. So fortunate. So I love this time of year, when I can really spoil them!

I’ve been wrapping all day and I started wrapping a few things for the neighbors too. Seriously, Judy knocked it WAY out of the ballpark with these little clothes for Elizabeth’s new American Girl doll. You have to check her out. They are gorgeous beyond words. I was so excited when I opened a box from a long ago art fair pal, Julie.  We had traded clothes for a painting back in the day.  So when I saw the coolest We Wish You a Merry Christmas show up I freaked. I love art. I love art even more when I know the artist. Check her out, you may recognize a few things from around my house.

And the top of my list of great gifts, especially for the hard to buy boy who only wants legos is SPEED.  Joe and David play this way too much. Gabe even tries to join in the fun. It is all about multiplication the fun way. Cool factor here is the family who created the game.  Remember me talking about going to Germany and going to visit David’s childhood friend Jeff?  It was so funny all the way there David warned Sam, Lynette and I how short Jeff was and not to stare. HE had us so thinking Jeff was 4 feet tall. Welp, umm Jeff may be be taller than David. Oh, the things you THINK you remember. Watching David and Jeff talk was the best part of the trip. Hands down. You know when you have known someone your entire life and you have that secret look, that secret language, just the way you “know” each other? Oh, that was so great to see.

I am getting way off track. Jeff and wife Julie home school their 3 children. And Julie, being the genius she is, came up with this game called SPEED to help teach multiplication to Jayla. You know when you believe in something so much cuz you know it works first hand? Well, you gotta share it. And so Julie is. I had David get a copy of it so I could really see if it was all it was cracked up to be. Yes, I gotta see it to believe it. Ha, I believe it. Joe loved it. David loved it. Gabe?  He tried to love it the best he could. Check it out here.

We have arrived in Shanghai and it is so warm here!! But the hotel room is freezing!

Gabe always gets so sad when I leave, like really sad. Man, he is the sweetest babe! He told me he was really sad we couldn’t cuddle up and get McDonald’s McFlurries after school. He is certainly quite the cuteness. I told David we should Skype cuz then we can at least see and talk to each other. We wouldn’t seem so far away.  It was awesome. Skype is so cool. Gabe and Joe were ultra goofy.  It was hilarious and totally got Gabe side tracked.

Well, at least I thought. David just told me Gabe sobbed for an hour afterwards. Like the kind of sobbing that you can’t catch your breath. Oh, that sweet little boy of mine. Gosh,  I love him! The countdown is on, 4 more days!

And Miss Lisa Beard……I pick you as my Happiness is Best Kept When Given Away winner. You can email Kiaraa@matildajaneclothing.com for your dresses!! I am so happy for you!!

Truth is I have been trying to blog for days.  A good thought rushes in…..and then Gabe rushes in too.  Thoughts are wiped clean. He’s a handful.  A handful of cuteness, gooey-ness and laughs, oh and the cuddliest thing ever. He’s so excited to bring his class to Matilda Jane for a field trip. His biggest concern is that they all get to use the pop and candy machine. According to him, this is what is going to be the show stopper. He doesn’t understand that the field trip is still7 months away!   Oh, love my Gabe.

I just took Franklin for a walk. It is so windy and perfect. I love Fall. I love being able to wear (and Gabe enters…) sweaters!! But I love how cozy Fall is. And I love that things are a bit slower and I can have some time to hang out with my friends. I have so any great friends. Problem is, they are great friends to me.  Me? Not so much. I am constantly saying, sorry I have to work or I’m exhausted! But this month…nope. I am gonna commit to hanging out at least 2x a week. Yup.

Geesh, I totally forgot what I was actually gonna blog about! (Here comes Gabe again)

So we just sent Spring 2012 to be photographed. I am almost speechless on this one. It is truly breathe taking. Ya, and I am bragging here.  I love it. I am so proud of it! Lynette, Kayla, Cindy and Carla will be heading to China in the next few weeks to check it before it ships. Sam is heading out to LA to help a bit with the shoot. Carla, Chris and I are are going to China in December to check the rest of production. So excited. I have not traveled with Chris since I don’t know when.  She has met Iris, Pan and Candy once in the states but I cannot wait for her to get to see them again. They are so……perfect.

Okay this is also on my mind, now that I am rambling (here comes Joe, he now wants to be Jerry McGuire for Halloween instead of Justin Beiber)…okay so…wow, that’s funny Joe walked in right as I was gonna talk about him.  I was going to ask if any of you knew anyone who lives in Bayview, Michigan! Ha, I know….akward. But anyways, might as well ask. We want to buy a cottage up there but need 2 references from members. Tough. I have one, but need one more. I am totally willing to call, meet in person or whatever I can do to get a reference.  David’s grandparents used to have a cottage in Bayview…who then passed it on to David’s parents.  David spent many summers up there when he was young, but when he and his brother got older, their parents sold it.  Anyway, we took Joe to speech last year in Petoskey. The therapist is amazing and got him saying his “J’s” in  a week. So I’m committing next summer to a summer full of speech. I thought about it and Dr. Laura asked us to stay longer last year. I said no I had too much work to do and couldn’t leave that long. But you know what, that was so the wrong answer.  I shocked myself. I was actually putting work before Joe. Oh…so on May 21 I am committed to as much speech as we can get all summer. (Side note, yes Joe does get speech 3x a week here, so I am not neglecting him!!)

Alright then, I just babbled all over the moon and Gabe is still yelling my name.

Yup, with that thought, I am going to go wake them both up and see what they think.  Ha..never..they can sleep and tomorrow we will discuss this.  And I know exactly what Joe will say, “Pokemon.”  Gabe? He’ll say, ….hmm I am not sure..something smart and to do with zombies.

But we gotta figure it out before this summer cuz I surely want to have your entire family at 435!  Oh, it would be so fun to decorate the boys tent. My mind is going crazy now. Pinterest here I come!

What can I say?  I am smitten. Yup, it’s me and Sam (the cat) up against the 4 boys of the house. Sam? Well, she hasn’t quite fallen in love yet, but I’m holding out for some hope. I am wondering if the idea of me taking Franklin to work has any effect on her jealousy?  Hmm..quite possibly. Though she had no problem curling up to Gabe last night and he spent a good 2 hours at 433 helping me pick out Joe’s Turn  bags.

It’s about time we start getting a good inventory of Joe’s Turn bags. Do you remember he raised just over 10k, with YOUR help for Turnstone.  I have shared the story of Joe many times over, but I gotta link it again for all you who have not read it. It really hold strong to the core of what we are trying to do at Matilda Jane Clothing.  Wow, going off on a tangent here…sorry. But I do have to say Joe has opened my eyes too so many things I was never exposed to. Without the help of Turnstone chances are there’d be no “us”.  Heck, I’d be crying in the corner of how the heck would I be able to afford therapy, pay all my bills and give Joe everything he needed.  What they did for us and so many others is one of the reasons it is so important for us to give back.  So hold on tight, we are in full  throttle making bags.

Alrighty back on track….

You got it!! I placed 2 pics of Franklin into the Matilda Jane collage.

and cuz I can’t get a girls name I went to high school with out of my mind, Tammy Taylor’s,  you are Lucky #7. Just email Kiara.

And this is for Sam.

I have told her one too many times she must visit Northern Michigan so she can understand the beauty of it, how laid back the folks are, but mostly I want her to see how clear the water is!! Once you have been in Lake Michigan or Lake Huron our Indiana lakes just seem a little less clear!

I have been so MIA this past month, and probably will be throughout this month. I’m one of those who know how to work hard yet have no problem disappearing for weeks. I think I have always been like that. I use up all my energy on a project and then have to get it all back! So I guess that does not make me a hermit, but a energy builder? Maybe? Possibly?