Day 16 - a picture of someone who inspires you. (Life isn't always greener on the other side)

*Dont Forget to ENTER the RaineeDawnSundries handmade soap giveaway HERE.* 
Giveaway ENDS tonight at midnight!

----------

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

image source

When I first decided to do this challenge I looked over the list and thought It would be a breeze, as I go through the topics, I'm learning a lot. How? Well- at first glance I opened this topic and thought imediatly that I'd write about the "DOYENNE OF DOMESTICITY", Martha Stewart.  Then, when I started typing her name in to this post I remembered my DAY 6 Challenge post about who I would like to trade places with for a day.  In that post I considered Martha, but then changed my mind because I remembered that she was in prison, and from some of the stories that I hear from my correctional officer husband, prison is the last place I'd like to spend my day. Anyway, I decided that since Martha's name seemed to come to mind multiple times, maybe I should look past the business prospective of her live that seems so appeling to me and learn more her personal life and what exactly landed her a 5 month say at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson in West Virgina. I'll spare you by not rewriting her life history here, but if you really want hear it you can read  all about it on her wikipedia page here.
Several years ago, we all watched as the new explained that she made a large financial gain from selling stocks that she owned before the market crashed in an inside deal. But what I didn't know was that while Martha has made a huge impact  on housewives across the globe as a domestic goddess, her personal life is not one that I would want to claim. Martha has held many titles as a model, writer, tv host, brand owner, DIY-er, caterer, and other wonderful titles,  but she has had her share of bad luck in her personal life.

image source I couldn't find a single photo
of Martha with her new grandchild )=

In short, I was surprised to read that while Martha is known to many as the perfect home maker, she did not make the perfect home, as her marriage ended in divorce after 28 years. Then, her long time boyfriend, Charles Simonyi, left her, and suddenly married a woman less than half his age. Martha's mother has passed away, and her daughter lives in a penthouse in Manhattan. Her daughter spent outrageous amounts of money on fertility treatments and  is also a divoricee. Alexis, Martha's only daughter, finally welcomed a her daughter into the world only a few weeks ago, by surrogacy. Alexis has spoke about an on again off again relationship with her mother that became a deeper bond while her mom was in prison. Martha lives alone in a  35,000 square foot home with her dog in NY. I guess what  I'm trying to say is that Martha's life sounds pretty lonely. She MAY (doubt it) be perfectly happy, but if I had the family life that she does, I think I would be miserable. Guess this goes back to the old saying that money can't buy happiness. This little research endeavor has just reiterated the fact that no one is perfect, one person can't do everything right, and things aren't always as they seem. 
While Martha is my inspiration for my craftiness and business accomplishments, she is not my inspiration for my personal life. I wish Martha all the best in her personal life. Maybe her new grandchild will bring her together with her daughter to create a family life that every woman deserves.

15-Happiness before I die

*Dont Forget to ENTER the RaineeDawnSundries handmade soap giveaway HERE.* 

__________

Day 15 - a picture of something you want to do before you die: Be happy.

image source

Puzzled with this one? Well let me rant for a moment about an issue that I have always struggled with... Happiness. No, I'm not depressed, just permanently confused about life. You see, I have little moments of happiness often in the strangest things, but in an overall aspect, I'm always striving for something better.  Why is this a problem? Well I've got folks like Sheryl Crow singing "It's not having what you want it's wanting what you got."

image source

So I wonder... Am I just spoiled and ungrateful to always want more than what I have? I do realized that I am VERY blessed to have a wonderful, family, husband, home, and life in general. BUT I am also ALWAYS planning on how we can improve, what we can do to make things better.(I'm currently on an endless battle to purchase a home and prepare a stable life so that we can eventually start a family. As well as looking for a new job, researching what car we should buy  and how we are going to finance the purchase, considering going back to school, and planning our extended family vacation for this summer, all while running our home and PPC shop, this blog, and I'm currently fighting a 2 week flu. ep!) Anyway.. *snapping out of ADD rant* I'm often told to "stand still and smell the roses", "enjoy life", "be thankful and happy with what you have kid", and other similar phrases that imply that I'm an ungrateful brat with spinning wheels.
Now, my question is:

image source

Isn't being happy with what you got, the same thing as settling for less than what you could achieve? 
What differences a  determined young adult with a strong work ethic that's striving for a better life, from a unthankful brat?
Now I'm wondering if I'm confusing happiness with success, or maybe even fulfillment?
Happiness: state of well-being characterized by emotions.
Success: An event that accomplishes its intended purpose
Fulfillment: A feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires.
Back to happiness. I want to learn to be happy, but first I must learn what makes me happy; Learning to be happy with what I have? Or finding that happiness lies in the journey of building a life that I can be proud of?

Day 14 Life without you?

*Dont Forget to ENTER the RaineeDawnSundries handmade soap giveaway HERE.* 

__________

Day14- A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without:

My husband. We are always together... and I've kinda forgot how things used to be without him. Guess that means I'll have to let him stick around. (=

Day 13 - a picture of your favorite band or artist

*Dont Forget to ENTER the RaineeDawnSundries handmade soap giveaway HERE.* 

RaineeDawnSundries handmade soap giveaway!

Ready for another giveaway? 

This week's sponsor come from from RaineeDawnSundries in sunny Ft. Myers, Florida. One lucky winner will receive this awesome 4ox. Tangerine Lavender scented cold process soap. RaineeDawnSundries offers soaps, as well as soy breakaway melts, body sprays, and sugar n salt scrubs in delectable scents. They are handmade, beautiful, smell great, lather nicely and leave your skin feeling refreshed and wonderfully soft.
Stop by RaineeDawnSundries Etsy shop to see more of her beautiful handmade soaps and scents. She's having a 25% off sale through the end of March, so stock up now on all your favorites.  (=

Want to win this tangerine lavender cold process soap giveaway?

 (Each of these items will give you additional entries into the giveaway. You can choose to do as many or few as you would like. The only MANDATORY entry is that you be a follower of this blog and comment on this post saying you'd like to enter, so I'll be able to contact you if you win! When the following options are completed below please leave a separate comment for each entry saying which one you completed. Don't forget to include your email address in each comment!)

- Follow my blog under "Followers" (google friend connect) on the top right hand side of this blog. Current followers count to. This entry is mandatory if you would like your other entries to count. ( =

- Blog about this giveaway and link us back. (quick link at end of this post)

-. Add Paper pixie crafts blog button to your blog. (Code available in left side bar of this page.)

- Like Paper Pixie Crafts on Facebook Here.

-Leave a comment on Paper pixie crafts Facebook Wall saying: "I entered to win a ranieedawnsundreie's soap giveaway at paperpixiecrafts.blogspot.com"

- Share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. "Paperpixiecrafts is hosting a giveaway from Raniee Dawn Sundries."

- Heart Paper pixie crafts on Etsy here and leave comment with your favorite shop item.

-Heart RaineeDawnSundries Etsy shop.

-Tell us what RaineeDawnSundries item you would like to try.

- Tweet about this giveaway.

Giveaway open to us only and ends 3/26/11 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen using random.org. Winner will be emailed (please enter your email address in EACH comment) and announced on our blog. Winner has 48 hours to claim prize.

 Good Luck!!

50's flower winner.

Congrats to Darcy. She is the 1st winner of our 50's flower giveaway.

Our second winner is Jill.

Alright ladies. Message me here to claim your prize within the week. Darcy has first pick of flower patterns.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Day 12 - a picture of something you love

Day 12 - a picture of something you love

Most of all I love my little family. ( = Dylan is an amazing husband, and Georgia is the cutest little thing.

I love the rest of my family and friends too. I have a big list of things that make me happy. I love to travel, being outside in spring time, swimming, and of course... music, art, sewing, all things crafty. (=