Another unexpected feature occurred today from a wonderful growing site that I have been a part of for some time now.
The site is called Style. Substance. Soul. This mention of my company was presented in their E-newsletter that is sent out to thousands of their subscribers.
The cool thing is that my company is mentioned in an article inspired by Coco Chanel.
I am so totally honored for such a mention.
http://www.stylesubstancesoul.com/newsletters/coco_style.html
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
I've Been Blogged About, Again
Yes, once again I have been blogged about on someone's blog site. Women-Prenuergalore has posted a wonderful interview and product review about my little company. Please check it out at:
http://women-prenuergalore.blogspot.com/2009/08/interview-with-michelle-cali-mattingly.html
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sorry for the Silence
I know I've promised to keep all of you updated on what has been going on since CPS came into our lives. But some things I have just not been able to talk about for legal and personal reasons. So I am sorry for keeping you in the dark on so many things. It will take a while but in time Ray and I will try to inform all of you as best we can.
Thank you all for your continued love and support. Thank you for your prayers and cards. It all means so much to us.
Again, sorry for keeping you all in the dark. We are not ignoring your questions or trying to disrespect you with our silence. We are just doing what is best for our family right now. We love you all.
Thank you all for your continued love and support. Thank you for your prayers and cards. It all means so much to us.
Again, sorry for keeping you all in the dark. We are not ignoring your questions or trying to disrespect you with our silence. We are just doing what is best for our family right now. We love you all.
Wish Me Luck
So, I've been having an online affair for some time now. No, not with a man, and not with a woman either, you sick perverted person, you. It's been with a website.
Oneofakindshowandsalechicago.com to be exact. For some time now I have been visiting the site of the One of a Kind Show, wishing that one day I could be able to show my work at one of the biggest holiday shopping events in the United States. Again, this year I let the application deadline come and go as there was just no way I would be able to afford the almost $2,000 booth price even if I was to be accepted into the show. *sigh*
But, now a second opportunity has come along that may give me a chance at my dream. Etsy has teamed up with the One of a Kind Show to showcase some new artist. Their application deadline is this September and the price for a both, if accepted, is only $500.00. I still don't know where I will be able to get the money for the show or the airline tickets to go, (or where to stay for that matter). But like my hubby reminded me, let's see if I am even accepted before I jump the gun.
So, this week I am filling out my application and turning it in. Wish me luck!
Oneofakindshowandsalechicago.com to be exact. For some time now I have been visiting the site of the One of a Kind Show, wishing that one day I could be able to show my work at one of the biggest holiday shopping events in the United States. Again, this year I let the application deadline come and go as there was just no way I would be able to afford the almost $2,000 booth price even if I was to be accepted into the show. *sigh*
But, now a second opportunity has come along that may give me a chance at my dream. Etsy has teamed up with the One of a Kind Show to showcase some new artist. Their application deadline is this September and the price for a both, if accepted, is only $500.00. I still don't know where I will be able to get the money for the show or the airline tickets to go, (or where to stay for that matter). But like my hubby reminded me, let's see if I am even accepted before I jump the gun.
So, this week I am filling out my application and turning it in. Wish me luck!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Anniversary
This August 8th marked the 1 year anniversary of my liver transplant and what should have been John's first birthday. It was a solemn celebration.
Before his death, we had been planning a really over-the-top party for John with a Snoopy theme. We were going to invade my in law's house with balloons and streamers galore. I had planned to make a cake shaped like Snoopy sleeping on top of his famous red dog house. I had expected my in law's house would be trashed from all the wrapping paper, plates, plastic cups and the general aftermath of destruction that is left behind from a mass of kids.
Instead, Ray and I spent the morning visiting John's grave. Since cake and candles are not allowed, we decorated John's tombstone with deep blue and purple hydrangeas. We also placed a bouquet of flowers at the grave for both John and uncle Frank. Ray laid a blanket down next to the grave and we sat there, mostly in silence, both thinking of how much our lives have changed in these past 12 months.
All too soon, it was time for us to go. Neither of us wanted to leave, but we needed to. I wanted to still find some reason to be happy about this day. Before we left, I realized I had been holding back tears and that moment they all came flooding out. Ray held me tight and told me, "I'm so proud of you, honey. I know how hard this has been for me and I just cannot believe how strong you have been through all this." We said our goodbyes to John and walked back to the car.
We left San Francisco and headed to Monterey. Ray drove the coast down to Monterey. It was a lovely drive, especially when we drove through the small art towns and local wineries.
We went to the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey and walked the beach. We found a nice little spot to sit and watch the families enjoying the exceptionally warm day. There was a group of teenagers playing beach ball as kids played a game of trying to out run the incoming waves. And slowly a crowd gathered to watch a very nosy seal that was floating along the edge of the coast doing his own 'people watching'. Ray and I talked about everything and anything.
I laughed to myself as I though about how wonderfully non-eventful this day was. In light of the events that occurred this time last year, one could actually consider this day to be, well, boring. 'Boring', that's a word that actually has some measure of pleasure to me. Standing in my shoes, 'boring' seems like something very exotic and forbidden. Funny how some words can take on a whole new meaning in your life.
When it felt like a good time to leave, we returned home and putted around the house a bit. I couldn't make up my mind where I wanted to go for dinner. I really didn't want to make any decisions, but like two school kids playing freeze tag, Ray already tagged me as 'it' so I had to come up with something. I finally decided upon Black Angus.
We changed into more suitable clothes for a nice dinner out and headed out the door. Ray was very talkative in the car. He seemed to have gained his second wind and we both became extremely engaged in our conversations. I was so distracted that I failed to realize that we had not been going in the direction of Black Angus. It wasn't until we pulled into the parking lot that I realized where we were. Ray had borough me to Alexander's Steakhouse. A very popular steakhouse in San Jose, made even more famous by the fact that the chef had once participated in the Food Network's Iron Chef. Ray and I had only been here once before- for our wedding anniversary.
The food was again, exceptionally wonderful. The highest grade cuts of beef, artistically prepared, being enjoyed in a seductively posh setting. And I got a bottle of one of my favorite drinks- french berry lemonade. At the end of our meal, our waiter brought out a long dish that had the words 'Happy Anniversary', scrolled across in chocolate. And in the corner of the plate was a small slice of chocolate cake covered with a hard chocolate shell and topped with fresh whipped cream and a raspberry. In the center of the whipped cream topping was a small lite candle. Ray told me to make a wish and blow out the candle. First I said a quick prayer of thanks and then I made my wish.
After dinner, we went to the movie theatre next door and saw Julie & Julia. It felt good to laugh.
This was a sweet ending to a wonderful day. It wasn't the fanfare I had once hoped would mark this day. But is was a much needed honoring of a day worthy of being remembered.
Thank you, honey.
Before his death, we had been planning a really over-the-top party for John with a Snoopy theme. We were going to invade my in law's house with balloons and streamers galore. I had planned to make a cake shaped like Snoopy sleeping on top of his famous red dog house. I had expected my in law's house would be trashed from all the wrapping paper, plates, plastic cups and the general aftermath of destruction that is left behind from a mass of kids.
Instead, Ray and I spent the morning visiting John's grave. Since cake and candles are not allowed, we decorated John's tombstone with deep blue and purple hydrangeas. We also placed a bouquet of flowers at the grave for both John and uncle Frank. Ray laid a blanket down next to the grave and we sat there, mostly in silence, both thinking of how much our lives have changed in these past 12 months.
All too soon, it was time for us to go. Neither of us wanted to leave, but we needed to. I wanted to still find some reason to be happy about this day. Before we left, I realized I had been holding back tears and that moment they all came flooding out. Ray held me tight and told me, "I'm so proud of you, honey. I know how hard this has been for me and I just cannot believe how strong you have been through all this." We said our goodbyes to John and walked back to the car.
We left San Francisco and headed to Monterey. Ray drove the coast down to Monterey. It was a lovely drive, especially when we drove through the small art towns and local wineries.
We went to the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey and walked the beach. We found a nice little spot to sit and watch the families enjoying the exceptionally warm day. There was a group of teenagers playing beach ball as kids played a game of trying to out run the incoming waves. And slowly a crowd gathered to watch a very nosy seal that was floating along the edge of the coast doing his own 'people watching'. Ray and I talked about everything and anything.
I laughed to myself as I though about how wonderfully non-eventful this day was. In light of the events that occurred this time last year, one could actually consider this day to be, well, boring. 'Boring', that's a word that actually has some measure of pleasure to me. Standing in my shoes, 'boring' seems like something very exotic and forbidden. Funny how some words can take on a whole new meaning in your life.
When it felt like a good time to leave, we returned home and putted around the house a bit. I couldn't make up my mind where I wanted to go for dinner. I really didn't want to make any decisions, but like two school kids playing freeze tag, Ray already tagged me as 'it' so I had to come up with something. I finally decided upon Black Angus.
We changed into more suitable clothes for a nice dinner out and headed out the door. Ray was very talkative in the car. He seemed to have gained his second wind and we both became extremely engaged in our conversations. I was so distracted that I failed to realize that we had not been going in the direction of Black Angus. It wasn't until we pulled into the parking lot that I realized where we were. Ray had borough me to Alexander's Steakhouse. A very popular steakhouse in San Jose, made even more famous by the fact that the chef had once participated in the Food Network's Iron Chef. Ray and I had only been here once before- for our wedding anniversary.
The food was again, exceptionally wonderful. The highest grade cuts of beef, artistically prepared, being enjoyed in a seductively posh setting. And I got a bottle of one of my favorite drinks- french berry lemonade. At the end of our meal, our waiter brought out a long dish that had the words 'Happy Anniversary', scrolled across in chocolate. And in the corner of the plate was a small slice of chocolate cake covered with a hard chocolate shell and topped with fresh whipped cream and a raspberry. In the center of the whipped cream topping was a small lite candle. Ray told me to make a wish and blow out the candle. First I said a quick prayer of thanks and then I made my wish.
After dinner, we went to the movie theatre next door and saw Julie & Julia. It felt good to laugh.
This was a sweet ending to a wonderful day. It wasn't the fanfare I had once hoped would mark this day. But is was a much needed honoring of a day worthy of being remembered.
Thank you, honey.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
I Can Only Be Me
Butterflies begin from having been another
As a child is born from being in a mother's womb
But how many times have you wished you were some other
someone than who you are
Yet who's to say that if all were uncovered
You would like what you see
You can only be you
As I can only be me
As I can only be me
Flowers cannot bloom until it is their season
As we would not be here unless it was our destiny
But how many times have you wished to be in spaces
Time places than what you were
Yet who's to say with unfamiliar faces You could anymore be
Loving you that you see
You can only be you
As I can only be
me
"I Can Only Be Me" - lyrics by Stevie Wonder
Saturday, July 25, 2009
My Little Business
As some of you may know, I started my own little online business. It is called Wine Coutures. I make one-of-a-kind wine glass charms and wine bottle necklaces.
I've been playing around with this idea since last year, but it wasn't until after my liver transplant that I decided to get serious. Both my friends Elaina Kelly and Maggie Medcalf have really inspired me to take the plunge. They are both very creative, beautiful ladies with their own online businesses.
My storefront is located at www.winecoutures.com and you can buy from me at www.winecoutures.esty.com.
I am enjoying the thrill of finally getting to see a life long dream come to reality. As my mother can tell you, I've had many business plans and ideas over the years, but always managed to let myself and others talk me out of them.
This time I've had no excuses and no negative people in my life to distract me from seeing this idea through. I love what I do and feel blessed to be doing it. I'm having fun and starting to make a little money too. Most important of all-especially during these times- I'm happy!
Feel free to check out my store. Don't feel like you have to buy anything, ever. Just let me know what you think. Thanks!
No CPS Trial
Just wanted to let you all know that there will be no CPS trial in August. More details to follow soon...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Picture Time!
Getting her hair done at the Auntie Corinna Salon & Spa
'Mmmm . . . candy!"
"Who's that hiding under the coffe table? Oh, it's Elektra and daddy!"
Taken at Sweet Tomato where Elektra enjoyed her first ice cream cone with sprinkles!
Playing in the water in the backyard of the big blue house!
"Welcome to the blue house. Come on in."
Bubbles!
At the church's Mad Hatter Tea PartyUntil Death Do Us Part
It still amazes me all that Ray and I have gone through.
It really didn't hit me until the other day, as I was talking to our pastor he mentioned something to me that really struck a cord.
"I don't know if you know this, Michelle, but most couples don't survive what the two of you are going through."
It seemed so odd to me that all that we have gone through together are seen by some as justifiable reasons to divorce. So many couples would have walked away from facing the reality of having a spouse with multiple disabilities and a premature baby who's own disabilities were yet unknown.
Too many couples grow distant after the death of a child. They start blaming each other and finally come to a point where they see each other as nothing more then strangers.
And with the pressures of CPS and investigations it would be easy for a lot of couples to turn against each other and say things that are false just to make the odds better for themselves.
Add to all of this the everyday pressures and stress of life, and yes, I could see how some couples would just throw in the towel and walk away. But Ray and I are not just 'some couple'.
We are 'one', united in complete love and respect for each other. Ray is more then just my lover and best friend, and it wouldn't be accurate to call him my soul mate. Instead, he is half my soul. He is the one God created just for me as I am the one that God created just for him.
On our wedding day, before witnesses, we made a promise to one another to stay together for richer or poorer, through good times and bad, through sickness and in health, 'till death do us part. We made a promise before our family and friends, and most importantly, before God. And just like any promise, life will test you to see just how sincere you are and if you are strong enough to keep your word. (Although I must admit I would rather have the 'richer', 'good times' and 'health' right now then continue to be tested with the other sides of our promise.)
I can honestly say that not once throughout all that we have gone through have I ever though of leaving Ray. That was never and will never be an option. Come hell or high water, he is stuck with me, and I with him.
I like to hope that there is some good coming out of our struggles. That maybe there is another couple out there who is about to face a real struggle that has the potential to destroy their marriage and seeing us might help them cling to one another rather then walk away.
Let me not be misunderstood here. Being married and sharing my life with another person has not been easy. But anything worth fighting for never is. So, what God has brought together, let no one, (CPS, investigators, temptations, struggles, even death of a child), tear apart.
It really didn't hit me until the other day, as I was talking to our pastor he mentioned something to me that really struck a cord.
"I don't know if you know this, Michelle, but most couples don't survive what the two of you are going through."
It seemed so odd to me that all that we have gone through together are seen by some as justifiable reasons to divorce. So many couples would have walked away from facing the reality of having a spouse with multiple disabilities and a premature baby who's own disabilities were yet unknown.
Too many couples grow distant after the death of a child. They start blaming each other and finally come to a point where they see each other as nothing more then strangers.
And with the pressures of CPS and investigations it would be easy for a lot of couples to turn against each other and say things that are false just to make the odds better for themselves.
Add to all of this the everyday pressures and stress of life, and yes, I could see how some couples would just throw in the towel and walk away. But Ray and I are not just 'some couple'.
We are 'one', united in complete love and respect for each other. Ray is more then just my lover and best friend, and it wouldn't be accurate to call him my soul mate. Instead, he is half my soul. He is the one God created just for me as I am the one that God created just for him.
On our wedding day, before witnesses, we made a promise to one another to stay together for richer or poorer, through good times and bad, through sickness and in health, 'till death do us part. We made a promise before our family and friends, and most importantly, before God. And just like any promise, life will test you to see just how sincere you are and if you are strong enough to keep your word. (Although I must admit I would rather have the 'richer', 'good times' and 'health' right now then continue to be tested with the other sides of our promise.)
I can honestly say that not once throughout all that we have gone through have I ever though of leaving Ray. That was never and will never be an option. Come hell or high water, he is stuck with me, and I with him.
I like to hope that there is some good coming out of our struggles. That maybe there is another couple out there who is about to face a real struggle that has the potential to destroy their marriage and seeing us might help them cling to one another rather then walk away.
Let me not be misunderstood here. Being married and sharing my life with another person has not been easy. But anything worth fighting for never is. So, what God has brought together, let no one, (CPS, investigators, temptations, struggles, even death of a child), tear apart.
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