Thank you, Kate! I think I fixed it...had it down as "blogger" not "blogspot" in the address. So sorry! xoxoxo.

Oonaballoona, thank you soooo much for the postal link! That is wonderful news and will be very, very much appreciated--JUST what I needed--Thank you!!! Elizabeth, Amanda, and Michaela, I thank you too, from the bottom of my heart. Your words make a great deal of sense to me, and I carry them with me. xoxox!

Alicia, that's what I was thinking, and I even have the perfect ring to make a mold from, but I just don't know how to make a mold, so I'm going to do some research...I would imagine that polymer clay is not rugged enough, but crayons melt at a very low heat, so it wouldn't take anything too industrial, right? I'll let you know...! :o)

Hello, Carole! Lovely to meet you. I'm so honored to be on Lucy's blogroll--Lucky, lucky me, that she is introducing me to a few of her friends! Thank you so much for stopping by...Oh! and I should mention that I didn't make any of the blankets in the post (would that I could)...the one I believe you are referencing is from Pickles, and the link is right up there in the post...do check them out--just lovely each and every day. xoxox!

Jenny, here is the link! You can't beat the price, I don't think, and it arrived within 2 days...http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Cat-Money-Bank-ceramic/dp/B000YBBAF4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1273937958&sr=1-5 xoxo!

Hi, Cindy! The store is on Balboa Ave. just west of highway 163. It's not called Daiso (just to make it more confusing) it's called Marukai Value Plus (there are 3 related Japanese stores in the one parking lot, on the south side of Balboa)...Down the street there is also a store called Mitsuwa, which is where I have purchased all my Japanese craft books...there's a bookstore, a market and a resteraunt in there--total Japanese shopping heaven! Have fun!!!

Gina, I don't think so. I will try to find out more, but it looks as if there's no link to an etsy shop anymore on her profile...graygoosie--Help! Do you have a shop???

I know, I know! The Japanese dollar store is the best thing since sunlight. It's actually called Daiso, and it's in the part of town that services the Asian-American community here in San Diego. Maybe there's one in your town? Who knows?! Athena, thank you for the shoe love. They are by Born (with the line through the 'o') and I got them last year from a catalog. I think I'm going to be buried in them someday. And my lucky cat shirt. The whole outfit really. It's not fashion, but it's me. xoxo!

Kathryn, you are so right. I wrote that sentence, "I don't have to show anyone anything" without giving it a lot of thought--but you're right when you say there's a great deal to think about there. I love the way made it practical, and I'm going to add those questions to my new arsenal! Thank you. xoxo.

Holly, xoxox.

Kris, it's one of my favorites too!: http://sweetsweetlife.tumblr.com/post/355499794/now-and-then-its-good-to-pause-in-our-pursuit-of Aren't we just so smart?! :o)

Veronika, I so appreciate your kind words. I do not see how I could possibly inspire you, though--you seem so incredibly savvy and creative and kind and wonderful. But thank you. xoxo.

Sollee...It was my pleasure, really. And I would love to move to Coeur d'Alene! Any day! :o)

Hilary, this is genius: ""I want new toys/clothes/educational materials/books for my daughter." That really means, "I want my daughter to feel loved/stimulated." or "I want or like a certain item and I am using my daughter as an excuse to acquire it." Alternatives: Make something special for or with her, reinvent something we already own, reorganize her room, spend time with her reading/playing/making art, go to the library, work in the yard together, or acknowledge that it is my desire and not hers." SO SMART. I'm not sure I ever looked at it that way, but you are so right. I'm going to create some affirmations in the same vein--it's so important to regonize the intention behind our actions, and we so rarely do--what a wonderful opportunity to do just that...I've also been thinking alot lately about how the things I purchased in the past were more about making my life LOOK a certain way, to myself and others, not about the life itself. I think I was under the impression that if my life had a certain look (suitable for magazine publication, of course) then I would somehow become a person "worthy" of that life. Really sad. I'm so glad I don't feel that way anymore...Thank you so much for your thoughts--they are super helpful. xoxo. Feather, I hope you CAN get to Coeur d'Alene (or whatever it is) this summer! Let me know how the thrifting is--it's got to be much better than Southern CA, at any rate! And thanks for cluing me in on it's where-abouts...xoxox :o)

Jayne, that site is awesome! I LOVE it! Definitely one to add to the list. Thank you so much! So good, indeed...

Hello, Jane! It was my pleasure--your work is original and so very lovely! :o)

Well, yes, Kira, you're right! I wrote this before the quakes, so at that point, it was lovely and quiet. That was a huge quake, though, and really scary. Even for me, a California native. All is well, though, in San Diego. :o)

Thanks, all! I was feeling like maybe I'd be a blog-land outcast for saying that...but you know? We just have to do what feels right at the time. And yes! They are Playmobil bunnies, and I even let the girls play with them sometimes! :o)

Hello, Holly, dear! thanks for your kind words... "Macro" is just super-close up--it's a special setting on the camera so that it doesn't get blurry. That's all. But we do like a close-up! xoxox.

Thanks, all! I know it--she's awesome, right? And suzanne--thanks so very much. So, so glad you find something to smile about now and again 'round here. That's what I'm shooting for, and thanks for letting me know you enjoy...! xoxox.

Thank you, Katie and V! What kind words...And you put it so very perfectly, Katie--much better than I could say. I was worried that I was being a bit self-indulgent with this post, but I'm so happy you found something to warm your heart...! xoxo.

Thanks everyone! I'm so glad you enjoyed them...:o)

Melissa, I'm open to anything--just not making more bracelets...! Let me know what you are interested in (I can send you pics, if you like) and we can talk! xoxo.

I agree, Jessie...I don't even wear my wedding ring all the time--but I do like to wear rings when I'm dressed nicely (which is rare). I take mine off the second I'm home though. Maybe ribbons are the way to go?! xo.

Thanks, Erin--of course, it's Berkeley! Silly me...:o)