The last couple of days....

See below for Giveaway details for this adorable snowman bracelet!!!









....have been very eventful...if you are interested in why, read on!

I still haven't figured out how to format my blog well - I upload pics and can't get them like I want them, or the text to wrap like I want....grrrrr...so please bear with me (and if you have any advice --- please - give it!)

I took this outside pic today after mowing -
This one was back by the woods ---

see now the text spontaneously changed color and is underlining! Is my blog posessed?

This picture is my daughter,Katy and I , at the VIP meet and greet at the concert last nite at Hamburg Weslyan Church. It was an awesome show and all the band folks were soooo friendly and genuine. We saw VOTA (the warm up band) - whom I had never heard of but they used to be known as Casting Pearls. They really rocked the place!!!! The lead singer, Bryan, reminded me of the '80's punk kinda guys. If you didn't see my Twitter note - VOTA has a free album down load with 9 great songs, some of which they played last nite - the link: http://411GOD.net log in and get some rockin' cool music!


Bryan is the guy on the left --- the folks on the right here are SuperChick and boy are they awesome as well!!!! Really a high energy show! Those girls and guys were dancing and boppin'g all over the place, one guy did some rapping. Great Christian messages that speak to the masses of current generations! Lastly --- but certainly not least - we saw Barlow Girl -

a 3 girl band who are sisters. They not only rock but can also rock your heart and your spirit with God's love. They are all 3 in their 20's and have never been married or dated and have taken purity vows. They just overflow with a very genuine kindness. It was wonderful to be able to meet all three bands in person but I must say the Barlow Girl gals, touched me the most. God had been working a thing in my spirit since church yesterday morning and he finished with me at the show. I have much more growing to do but I feel like He has helped me to revitalize the process.
This last picture is of Katy and I at the autograph table. These gals are really so gracious --- they tour all over the world yet treated us like we were no less than friends.

They are devout supporters of a womans ministry (link below) that reaches out to women of all ages who have suffered from life issues that are keeping them from moving forward - sexual abuse, drug use, post abortion, cutting, eating disorders...Please consider viewing this link and see if this cause touches your heart too.

http://www.mercyministries.org

This last week I spent HOURS on my closets and drawers - sorting an purging --- had 5 different piles going 5 different directions, including Allegany County Freecycle. It was almost exhilarating to have the reminants left. I thought that I would be grieving over lost items, but not so! I am glad, I feel less materialistic.

I also spent a couple days with 2 different marathons....laundry and jewelry making.

Picked up 2 sweet checks from the local consignment store I have some jewelry placed at - always a good thing - now I need to take some holiday wares in to see how they go --- hopefully they will fly off the rack!

One last thing, when you are shopping on Etsy for vintage wares --- please do a tag search for the vmteam (vintage market team) - these folks have high standards for their vintage items and shops and we would all appreciate your considerations regarding purchases.

OK.....here's the deal about my giveaway --- I am trying to boost blog followers and am new to the giveaway bit --- so if someone feels I need to "amend" the rules --- let me know and I will try to accomodate.

The giveaway is the cute snowman bracelet at the beginning of the blog for today ( I couldn't get it to move down here, another grrrr) It is made with lampworked glass beads, white cat's eye beads and silver toned toggle closure, measures 7" long.

Here's how I will do this --- I will give one entry "point" for each of the following:
1) Follow my blog - 1 pt
2) Follow me on Twitter - 1 pt
3) Look at my Etsy store and tell me which item you like best and why - 1 pt for choice and 1 pt for why ( over 100 items, vintage and handmade to choose from)
4) Purchase an item from my Etsy store and you will get 5 points!!!!

my Etsy shop link: http://sweetcindylouwho.etsy.com

For each of the elements - leave me a comment (can all be in one comment) as to how you are entering, e.g "I am now following you on Twitter", and I will document 1 pt. Be sure to include in comment your email address for notification of winner.

The winner will be chosen by 6 p.m. November 15, 2009 - I have a very random system ---- I will put each person's point/name on slip of paper - put it in a paper bag and have my teenager draw out one lucky winner!

If this whole thing works out, I would love to have more giveaways!

P.S. I will give everyone who is already following me with my blog or on Twitter credit for these but, please make a comment so I can know who knows about the giveaway!

I wish you all well and hope to boost that blog following! Thanks :)