Approaching our 1-year Anniversary!

Wow!  July 5th will be here before you know it.  This was the first day, a year ago, that we opened Real Earth Creations for business.  So much has happened over the past year that it seems like five years bundled into one. 

Wow!  July 5th will be here before you know it.  This was the first day, a year ago, that we opened Real Earth Creations for business.  So much has happened over the past year that it seems like five years bundled into one. 

To give you an idea, here's a partial list of things we did, in no particular order: Started  moving belongings into the house and shop;  began replacing flooring in all the rooms (more to do); replaced the back porch; repaired frozen water lines - twice;  added fencing in the front and back (a lot more to do); repaired both air conditioners and finally replaced one; replaced a water heater; added a roll-up door to the shop to get my lapidary equipment in; ran electrical service, set up rock saws, grinders, etc.; made seven round trips to North Kansas to bring back 40+ tons of mixed lapidary rock we purchased, did rock hounding in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Texas; went to the large Gem and Mineral Shows in Denver CO, Quartzsite AZ, and Tuscon AZ as well as a half-dozen or so Rock Club Shows; built a goat enclosure and bought goats; hauled tons of scrap to the waste transfer; built a website and started this blog; bought, sorted and priced merchandise; ran the shop; mowed the lawn, cut lumber and cleaned out underbrush (the goats helped a lot); cut rocks, made cabochons and wire wraps; set up new supplier, banking and shipper accounts; ordered business cards, signs and everything else needed to run the business; did a little exploring around Mount Ida; went fishing on Lake Ouachita; visited friends and family in St. Louis, Texas and California; mourned the loss of our two cats of 18 and 19 years; laughed, cried, laughed some more, gave thanks... It's been fun, it's been memorable and its only just begun.

The highlight of it all has been the people - the ones we've met during our travels and the ones we've met here around Mount Ida - the beginnings of new friendships.  We are especially grateful for those that came to visit and shop in our store.  We'll do our best in the year to come, to find and create new treasures and other things to grasp your interest, learn and share the worthwhile lessons and stories from others, and keep the positive energy in our shop and in the treasures you take home with you. 

Wherever you find yourself, remember that happiness is in what you do, not in what is done to you. Live with intention and be happy on purpose - it's a choice.