Helluva Year

As I look back on the last year, I can say that part of my disdain for the holidays this year results from the fact that I had a hell of a year. Normally I am not so Negative, but this year bought me a lot of suprises, and ugliness. Things seemed like they started out allright with me and dave both working and Had me settling back into my career in home health, My art business was chugging along nicely, and Dave was working at least part time. Then in April the bottom Fell out. Dave Lost his Job, and was Diagnosed with Parkinsons in the span of a couple of weeks, My Best Friend and I had a horrible fight that has left us both in a rift ever since. I struggled to make sense of it all, and since I was only working part time, we struggled financially as well. The summer Bought more bad news with the news that my oldest and dearest friend Lisa was Back on Chemo, and that her Cancer had spread to her brain and liver. It seemed my world was crashing down around me as few people in the world know JUST how much my dear friends Mean to me.  I managed a trip in September to Be by My friend's Side. She had become Frail in a lot of pain, but still her indominatble spirit was All I could really see. We enjoyed a great girlfriend's day out, but the day took it's toll on her as she was very tired afterwards. I Was determined not to give up hope, and we spent that evening togeather making pink ribbon jewelry to hand out to all the people who had made her journey with breast cancer less painful. It is my hope that the folks who recieved this jewelry remember Lisa when they wear it, and all the incredible women who are battling this dreadful disease. In October as many who read my blog know, Lisa Passed Away. So for the last several Months I have found myself depressed and often tearing up trying to cope with this loss. She was like a sister to me, I diddnt' talk about her all the time, but our history was our bond. In September Dave and I opened a shop downtown, I wanted have a place to sell all the art and unique things we both like to create. Dave needed something to keep him busy in his year of transition, I wanted him to feel productive, and knew that the store would help him feel like he was making a contribution to the future security of our family. It all looked so good on paper, but we made the difficult decision before christmas to close up shop. See previous Blog Entry. There were a number of other smaller calamities that left me feeling just a little bit shell shocked this year.  
So yeah I have been a little blue this christmas, not feeling like putting on a fake smile to celebrate and honoring the fact that my feelings about this past year are not so rosy. I diddnt want to send out cards, I diddn't even want to put up the tree, and I made a half hearted attempt at making christmas cookies with the kids. I Sometimes I wonder why we are expected to white wash our feelings around the holidays? It is what it is, I honor the fact that I am not really happy right now. I know that this too will pass, and I hope that all my real friends know that I will soon be back to my old happy self. Here's hoping that 2010 is better, that the sun shines a little more, that work and family life move along a little more smoothly. Good Bye 2009 and All your Drama. This year I am hoping for a perfect 10. 

end of an era

Due to lagging sales and lack of a nest egg, Dave and I Have decided to close wilddyes indeffinately. we appologize for any inconvenience this may have caused any of you. We will honor any special orders that have been placed already. We intend to liquidate our inventory so if you are interested in wholesale wild dyes drop us a line.
I will probably also drop the web site, but maintain this blog as a means of sharing my creative persuits.
Thanks to all of you who have purchased wilddyes and given us your continued patronage.
God Bless
Kris and Dave

Raffle Update

Ok here's an update, I have decided to pospone the first raffle. I may decide to offer the basket at auction, currently it is on sale at the store for 200.00. The proceeds will still go to Lisa's family. We haven't sold any tickets since first announcing it, and I will not see a 240.00 basket go for just one or two tickets sold. So it's back to the drawing board. Foot traffic has been slow this month downtown maybe things will pick up as Christmas approaches. We may Close the store for the Month of January. There are lots of cool things in stock at wilddyes so come down for last minuite gifts. All Tie Dyes are 50% off till the end of the month. That's 50% off my already low prices. Ridiculous! I KNOW!
So take advantage. Also the Store will be open every day for the rest of the month except Christmas Day. We open Noon-6pm, and will stay open late if people are downtown shopping.
Peace Love, Health And Happiness-
Kris

Raffle Basket is Ready!

Ok guys It's Official, The raffle Basket is Ready, I have Tickets Printed out and ready to add your name to the basket drawing. So Come on everyone lets rally and do something to help someone who really needs it right now. Lets show our love and support for Mike and the Boys, Ken and Joyce and let them Know how much we care and understand the loss of our Precious Lisa.
Tickets are only 3.00 each the basket has a value of 230.00, I can Mail the contents minus the basket if you wish, anywhere.
go check out the raffle page on my website to see the pictures. Lets do this thing!
website address: http://www.wilddyes.com/   Check out the Raffle Page.

Frommers top 10!

Wow I just read that we made Frommer's Top Ten Travel Destinations for 2010. We were the only ones in the USA besides the Big Island of Hawaii to make it this year! How exciting. Like I always said our gulf coast beaches are a best kept secret, I guess the rest of the world is starting to figure out that we are a world class destination. (sigh)
This is very good news for small funky boutique/gallery Owners.
Bring it on!
http://www.frommers.com/trip_ideas/arts_and_culture/article.cfm?ideaID=ARTCULTURE&articleID=6469&t=Frommer%27s%20Top%20Destinations%202010

I LOVE BUMBO

I love Bumbo, Just sayin' I watch em over and over!
http://www.ready-set-bumbo.com/

If I had my Own Cruise Ship

I was checking out the new Royal Carribean 'oasis of the seas' Ship on line today wistfully dreaming of a vacation on this floating theme park. It has everything that a person could want......well just about anything....And then I thought what it would be like if there was a Cruise Ship designed by me? and here's what I came up with.
all the cabins would have beds with tie dye sheets and curtains and they would smell like patchouli.
The bathrooms would feature hand made artisan soap and lotions, like the kind we sell at wilddyes.
The gym would have Yoga and Bellydancing classes, and Tai Chi, and hip hop, and interpretive dance lessons.
There would be an ice rink.(because I like to ice skate)
Instead of a huge brodway production there would be Rock Concerts with Known and Unknown bands to include Reggae, Jazz, Folk,Trip,Indie and Blues. A recording studio would be available to passengers who just wanted to jam and get creative with the numerous talented musicians on board, who would offer lessons and workshops when they werent giving live performances.
Entertainment would also inclue intereactive dinner theatre, a planetarium with lazer light shows, an Imax, Independent and Forign Film Festivals, and a nightly drum circle on the lido deck..
Activities would include arts, crafts, pottery, jewelry making, a fully stocked and complete huge art studio would replace the casino.
Special guests would be, speakers, healers, shamens, psychics,
and workshops would be offered on meditation, rebirthing, Dolphins (with cyndi lepori) chakras, yoga, organic gardening, sustainable living, and general enlightenment.
the spa would offer mind blowing world class pampering and I would be sure it included real reiki practicioners, and holistic nutrition experts.
The Food would be mostly organic, with a complete selection of vegan foods, Cuisine from around the world, and of course Sushi, Sushi bar on every deck!
The bars would be stocked with the best micro brewery beers, from around the world, and focus on wines from small vinyard operations.
Instead of a basketball court and skee shooting, we would have an earth ball court, and a giant fire pit for the nightly bonfire/ marshmellow roast. There would be optional on deck camping for those that diddn't want to fork over the big bucks for a cabin.
Instead of one big pool, I would have Hot tubs up and down the deck so we could just trip out on the stars.
All the crew members would have dreadlocks.
(I don't have dreadlocks, but I love to see them on others remember this is my fantasy right?)
A giant Peace sign would adorn the smoke stack. And prayer Flags would hang happily flapping in the wind.
I would name the ship Nirvana.
want to book a reservation?

I'll be at the shop today

Hi Folks, I am heading down to the Gallery today and Boy am I in a festive mood. I am offering TODAY and TODAY only a 25% discount to anyone who buys anything in person at wilddyes in fountain square! So here's your chance, If you have been eyeing one of Dave's fabulous Desks, Or the Choctawhatchee bay bag, or one of Dave's paintings.....come in today and mention that you read it in my blog. Don't miss this chance ladies and gentlemen, It's a rare once in blue moon opportunity!

Ok Here's a quote I thought I'd share with you my Friend Palma Cooper gave this to me and I LOVE this quote from Nelson Mandella:
Our Deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
YOU are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightenend about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us: It's in everyone.
As we let our own light shine, we conciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

I invite you all to Let your own light shine, Shine to your fullest Capacity! Take a huge bite out of life and savor the flavor. What have you been holding back on? What talent have you been repressing? What Gift have you been afraid to Give?
Let this be your time to unleash all the brightness you have to give to the world.
Love Kris