May/June 2012 Creative Corner - Rocksntwigs by Judy Daly

Reduse, Reuse, Recycle

As I mentioned in a previous blog post that I joined Nevada County Makes. I joined to not only have an outlet for my hobbies but I joined because I wanted to be part of a creative community. What I did not know when I joined was that this community of extremely supportive of each other and extremely talented. 

This community also creates with passion. They create what makes them happy, not what people want. The energy of the item they have created then becomes nothing less than pure.

That is why I chose this month’s Creative Corner, Rocksntwigs by Judy Daly. What first caught my eye was the Toad Houses that she makes. The idea is very unique and creative. As I read more about the things she makes I was elated to see that Judy reuses items that would have normally gone to the dump. Wood, PVC pipe, plastic, Styrofoam moss, sticks and stones are all on Judy’s supply list. I admire and try to stick by the reduce, reuse and recycle way of living so this really resonated with me.  

Judy also creates candles and birdhouses, among other things. You can click on the image below to visit her store on Nevada County Makes. 

Thank you Judy for sharing your passion and your creations with us! 

May/June 2012 Business Worth the Buzz: Creative Kids Preschool and Daycare

Finding a daycare is easy, but you can only find a phenomenal daycare once in a lifetime!

When Alyssa was 18 months old we had to find a place for her to spend her days while my husband and I were at work. This was the most terrifying experience that I have yet to deal with as a mom; it even tops some of the unbelievable moments my daughter has blessed us with. Really!

A colleague kept telling me about the daycare she had her boys in but because I am stubborn and a free spirit I had to find one for myself. I visited just about all the daycares that I had not already heard of. Wow, was I shocked to see what crap “providers” were providing for children. The last daycare I visited was an in-home daycare. I really like the idea of having in a smaller, more intimate setting. The woman had the kids crammed into a little room with a TV (and sheets on the windows), while the rest of her house was immaculately filled with glass and other breakables. Not the best environment for my little “bull in a China shop”, LOL! 

That was not the worst part though, to get to the outside play area you had to walk through a cluttered garage with all the usual garage dangers. The play area had all the expected toys and structures; except shade. The woman told me that she sprayed them with the hose to keep them cool and reassured me that trees were on the way. OK. Although the woman was really nice, I walked out of there and never wanted to go back. I had it in my mind that I was going to become a stay at home mom. I was over the whole “finding a daycare” idea.

Until, I decided to listen to my colleague. The day we showed up at Creative Kids was the day my opinion changed on daycares and preschools. It was perfect and exactly what I was looking for; structured yet intimate. It was obvious that all the teachers there were there because they wanted to be, not just because they needed an income. Luckily, Alyssa fit right in and was there until  she started Kindergarten (4 years).

Creative Kids is clean. Creative Kids is positive. Creative Kids is about making friends and growing. It is a preschool and daycare center that has the feel of a home day care center because it is filled with love and passion. They teach the kids respect; for both yourself and your friends.  They help your child meet the standards to get into Kindergarten; academically and socially. Overall, our four years of being at Creative Kids was phenomenal. We are truly blessed to have started Alyssa’s school years here.

More so, Alyssa’s Kindergarten teacher noticed and mentioned how “whoever was with her before she started Kindergarten prepared her for both learning and playing with new friends.” This really made me feel more compassion towards these ladies than I already had. Another professional noticed their mad child rearing skills which set it in stone for me; Creative Kids rocks!

Although Alyssa is now too big to go back we are so happy that she started school with Miss Cindy and Miss Sara, not only because we created a strong bond with them and others but also because they prepared her for the next step in her journey! I have said it before and I will say it again, lifelong friendships start at Creative Kids!

Spread your wings and fly!!

THIS IS A TRUE STORY AND IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING!

It is early. 5:43 a.m. to be exact. The birds are actively waiting the sun's arrival.

I let my cat and dog out to enjoy the fresh day that is emerging and sit back down to work, welcoming each sip of delicious coffee.

I notice that the cat and dog are now back in the house and spending some time together. That never happens but I am glad to see that after 3 years they are finally getting along.

Or are they? After about 3 minutes of  "playing" I hear, "Rawr, hiss, hiss, rawr". Hmmm. Then I see Poppy trying to get to the window seal. Hmmm. I better check this out!

Oh my Universe, they have a bird in the house! Oh, kids...between the human kind and the furry kind there is never a dull moment  in this house. Never!

I get up to save the poor Spotted Towee that is now cornered between the window and it's seal. Poor guy, he looks very scared and his eyes are screaming, "Get me the hell out of here"!

I gently picked my red-eyed spotted friend up and held him close to my heart. He took a deep breath and calmed down; as if he was giving a sigh of relief.

I walked to my back deck and set the little friend free. As I did I looked up to see an early morning crescent of the moon; smiling at me. "Thank you, thank you, thank you" my feathered friend flapped. It felt good to reunite him back with nature.

It is these moments that tell me that I AM on the right track. I AM doing what I AM supposed to be doing. The sun has yet to peek over the mountains tops and today has already been a fantastic day!

It has been awhile..I joined HubPages!

The past few months my life has consisted of many things. I keep acquiring these "hats". These hats come with responsibilities and help me be in a certain state of mind.  I have a different hat for Pat's business, my business, my creative writing, my creative hands-on pursuits, a hat for family and now I have to design a hat just for ME! This is a hat that is continuously evolving, growing and changing. This "I AM" hat is not ready for debut.

The most recent hat that I developed was my creative writing hat. This hat looks a little like newspaper; there are many words and thoughts scattered all about. This hat does not have the wide brim that some of the other have but it does shield my face from the sun. There is nothing hanging from it, yet anyway. I wear this hat while writing in my journal, in my blog (if it is personal), and for HubPages. In fact I a wearing it now!