Sweetcindylouwho?

Someone's in the dog house

2011-07-09T01:17:00.002-04:00

He's my new welcome chicken! Id'nt he cute?

I just couldn't resist when I saw him in the store -

Well .... I remain on an emotional roller coaster ---unsure how to be or feel at most moments in most days ---- I think I am starting to rally then something comes along and kicks me in the knees.....so many things I could say right now but they won't be well placed words if I say them now.

Betrayal is such an awful thing. I pray that I don't perpetrate that upon someone again. Some days I wonder if it will end - certainly it will and I hope and pray that I will have the good outcome that I am hopeful for.

Enough blithering for tonight --- resolution to this pain, that's really all I want, I think....so I can move on!

Some random thoughts

2011-06-23T15:44:00.004-04:00

Here are a few images from my activities earlier this week ---I have been hand digging my veggie garden .... long story :)

I was just gonna have a few tomatoes and cukes, so I decided to start seedlings this year because my budget is so much tighter. Lo and behold, I have a green thumb and have had success with starting seedlings...

Had so many seedlings I had to keep digging....then I had more seedlings sprout and I hadn't even sowed my carrots, radishes & lettuce...yep - more digging.

I am SO happy though, because I'm now gonna have peas, tomatoes, peppers, cukes and who knows what else!!!
In the midst of my dig, dig, digging I have found bunches of ceramic shards, pieces of glass and a cool old padlock....along with these big a** rocks!

The larger of the 2 took my daughter and I to lift out of the hole. The second one I flipped end over end to get out. Next was a trip to the store to grab some top soil -- those big a** rocks had displaced quite a lot of space ---took two 40 lb bags of top soil to fill in the space and it still wasn't quite even, which will be good for the watering bit.

This pic is the 2 rocks. The other is the first, biggest one I pulled out.

I wish I was better at placing pics on this blog thing....if anyone has advice ---please share!!!!

Just a bit of catch-up

2011-06-10T12:47:00.003-04:00

Hard to believe that it's been so long since blogging....man, am I over due...

So much has happened, rolling one day into the next, and now I'm here....ambiguous I know, but perhaps I'll explain more in a future blog note.

Right now I am psyched that I'm going to the city tonight to see a play with my pal, Nina --- opening night for the Kaleidescope Theatre Productions newest play, then opening night reception after the show! What fun!

If I could just decide what to wear! I've been in the rut of shorts & a tank or Tshirt and that won't do! I am sure I'll decide on something.

The pic is of one of my newer bracelets, on display at the Cuba Dairy Week Craft Fair --- would have done ok if it wasn't for the rain ---but, it was Dairy Week - there will be rain, just a given.

Excited that I have health insurance again - trying out Savella, day #2, to see if it impacts my fibro. The paresthesias have been almost unbearable some days/nights --- makes it hard to sleep.

What the heck - let's plop another pic on here.....what the heck...not working it seems....will wait for another post I guess...too much to do to fart around with it right now.

Wonderful items still listed in my Etsy shop

2011-02-13T14:27:00.006-05:00

Gosh --- it's been way too long since I've been on here and updated my blog! I found out about tumblr. and it seems so much easier to use so it's tempting to migrate solely there ---
But I am going to stick it out here on Blogspot! And try to be more diligent about posting and keeping it interesting!

I really need some tutelage in making this look more pretty!

My goal this week --- GET MORE VINTAGE POSTED ON ETSY!!!!! Yeah!

2011-01-27T15:43:00.003-05:00

gosh it has been over one year since posting on here...have since started a tumblr acct -== wondering if I should keep both of these....trying to do so many things right now....as long as I have access to my blog, I guess I'll pop in and out occasionally unless I decide to keep blogging instead ;)

Greetings! A brief entry, but important

2010-01-10T00:50:00.002-05:00

This fabulous Vintage Market Team is just out-doing itself each day! They are all such a great group of folks. If you would like more info about them, enter the search tag "vmteam" and you will find everyone's tagged stuff. If you "convo" (send a message to) AntiquesGaloreGal she can give you all the info you might need about joining the team!

In the meantime, take a minute to view the video...it is so cool - a listing of everyone's upcoming white sale items (search "vmteamwhitesale" for participating items).

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=a26992ece310d1d8ce3eb6&skin_id=1006

The Vintage Market Team

2010-01-02T10:14:00.003-05:00

I have been a member of the Vintage Market Team (vmteam tag) on Etsy for a few months and am a grateful member. This team is very encouraging and everyone supports each other nicely. As time is passing during my membership I am learning more from the others daily. Each one had been gracious and kind in responding to my questions, especially the ones that seem silly to me!

These 2 trays are parts of a lot purchase from an estate action I attended a couple of years ago. I had stored them away and forgot all about them.

They are stunningly made and are in very good condition. I ended up with about 12 trays all together plus some other miscellaneous aluminum pieces. As I write this they are in an auction on Ebay. Should they not sell they will be placed in my Etsy vintage shop:
http://sweetcindylouwho.etsy.com.

Thanks for taking time to stop by my blog. I can hear the neighbors snow blower going so I better get moving too! Have a great day!

It's almost here!!!!

2009-12-23T09:15:00.006-05:00

I can't believe it is almost Christmas...just didn't seem it this year - was hard to get into the spirit, late to get the tree up and decorated little. Perhaps it is because the autumn was sweeter than our summer in many respects and the holidays seem to be coming too early.

As I gandered a view out the kitchen window this morning I noticed how prettily the ribbons of color were in one of these crystals I have hanging in the window. What caused me to notice at first was the rainbow on the floor. It has mostly been cloudy this morning but for a moment there was sunshine and a rainbow - Thank you Lord.

This picture was taken yesterday morning - the sky was mostly clear and a few wispy clouds - the contrast of pine, snow and sky was lovely to behold.

Today was another early day - up with Todd at 4 and he was out the door by 0445. Have been trying hard to stay awake, must have had a restless sleep. Working on some re-heated coffee and doing this. I finally got on Facebook for the first time in weeks. Heard from a friend from "back in the day" that I have lots of memories with. They finally responded after a note I sent a couple months ago and was great to hear from them.

It seems that I still have few followers. Now that I am getting established on Twitter, I need to do something about this lack of followers! People I have no clue who they are follow my tweets so surely a few might be interested in my blog???? :)

Here's a nice pic of our pretty little Christmas tree. It turned out nice even if it was late. Still needs icicles, though. It was fun going through the kids' decorations, especially the ones they have made over the years. Lots of memories. Todd was the only one that was truly excited about the tree. I was pleased but not crazily - you would have thought he was a kid and I got him the present he waited all year to get! :)

The sentiment on this sweet little angel I got from a friend has been hanging around for quite some time, however only just this week has God spoken to my heart about it's message.

This season that I have been in with my health problems, not working, lack of inspiration many days, and such --- I am reminded that I am here but for His purpose and despite the difficulties He will provide and get me past it. I truly have believed that God has allowed all this to happen for a reason. In many respects much good has come from it. Really, in so many ways they would be too many to list - however, somedays I just don't acknowledge what He does in my life, for me and through me. This world can be such a distraction.

Have been doing some creating but don't seem particularly thrust in any particular directions. Still have trouble getting mobilized which hinders my creativity. Although, I did make this pretty bracelet this morning. It matches a necklace I made for a friend and I also made earrings - If she doesn't want the additional accessories, I may just keep them myself!

So if I don't return soon....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to anyone who views this! Be blessed and be a blessing.

Oooooh, I have so much to learn :(

2009-11-16T06:00:00.004-05:00

I have so very much to learn about so many things. It could be discouraging if I let it be, rather, I need to see these things as opportunities. Gratitude. An attitude of gratitude is much finer fare than pissin' and moanin'. So that camp shall I try to be in.Drove through the woods and over the river the other day (remember that day tweeps?) and took a few frosty morning pics. It was glorious out - and at numerous moments I thought, "How can folks believe there is no God?". As I started to drive out of the village I noticed how frosted it was everywhere - every little thing, even the telephone line wires.

The country side was beautiful. The picture with the silo is of the western side of the mountain - everything so gently and specifically flocked in frost.

As I kept driving I broke through the fogs and clouds and at the top of the hill the sky was a gorgeous blue, not a cloud in the sky nor frost on the bush. Then there was return into the valley on the other side of the mountain - distinct demarcation of the sky's moisture was evident as I plunged back into the clouds, mist then frostiness again. Such sites are often here in this beautiful rural county of Western NY.

OK, so I was on Twitter already this morning and yes, I am entering yet another giveaway! Hey, I won once. It was one of the first one's I entered. I love giving stuff away so I thought I would have one of my own and only one person entered! Easy to tabulate that one!

The one I entered this morning is for BearPaw footwear - they have these really cozy looking fuzzy fleece lined boots that look so comfy ===*

*I have entered on the blog: My Organized Chaos, by a gal who has twin girls and a 5 year old girl - boy I bet she has her hands full and if she has Organized Chaos, she is a heroine in my book!

If you want to enter this giveaway - here's a link:

http://tinyurl.com/yenbfc8

GIVEAWAY

2009-11-11T18:03:00.006-05:00

Ok, so no one has taken me up on my giveaway....no new entries...please tell your friends and have them come along. I already have my prize for the next giveaway and I need takers to give stuff away!!!

For my giveaway, if you choose to do all 6 elements, that gives you 10 entries for the opportunity to win this cute lampworked glass bead snowman bracelet. It is 7" long and handmade my yours truly :)

It isn't that hard to enter, I only need one comment to tell me about what you did to enter. Contest is done at 6 p.m. on November 15 ---- not far away!
The specific details for the contest/giveaway are on the blog entry following this one. I know you have to read thru my blog to get to the info, but #1 that is what I want is followers and #2 I am still on the low end of the learning curve about making creative blog posts...still learning how buttons work, etc...Thanks.

The last couple of days....

2009-11-09T16:39:00.009-05:00

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 :)

Quick catch-up

2009-11-06T07:01:00.003-05:00

Been pretty busy the last few days...first a jewelry making frenzy, then frantically trying to post my first treasury on Etsy (live and learn), then I was dominated by the idea of cleaning closets and purging stuff I don't need/want/doesn't fit ---- what a catharsis, even tho I still have a bit to go...

Still loving twitter and tweetdeck...really enjoying gaining contacts - not for my ego purposes but because it is like having tons of pen pals in short hand! And I love the concept of being able to do it in my PJ's :)

Below is a link for Bliss Candies - a give away - who doesn't like those --- especially for a chance for yummy caramels....click the link and it should take you to the giveaway site (if I didn't do it right somehow, please convo me on Etsy - sweetcindylouwho.etsy.com)
Please visit the giveaway site to try for a win and to see what delectable stuff the folks at Bliss Candies make....I will likely get some Christmas presents from these guys!!!!

http://one2try.blogspot.com/2009/11/bliss-candies-review-with-giveaway.html

Thanks for stopping by --- hope for more followers every day!

A full day and a full moon

2009-11-02T17:39:00.006-05:00

Wow...today was certainly a full day. Up since 4:30 a.m. to get the hubby off to work and decided to be productive. I made the cognitive decision, LOL! How many days have I done that, yet found it hard to follow through. Not today!
First I started on a jewelry making frenzy - thus the picture with the fruit of my labor! Washed a few dishes, did some laundry, followed Twitter, checked Etsy, packed and sent 3 packages, went to the bank, washed and vacuumed the van, put dogs in and out, made more jewelry, twittered along with some of my Tweeps and now I am ordering out dinner because I can!

I drove my daughter to our friend's so she can tutor their daughter and on the way home noticed the full, beautiful moon just popping up over the eastern horizon - this at 5:40 p.m. Love the new time change - makes me want to hunker down at home and be cozy.

When I was younger I couldn't wait to leave this area, but now as an adult I have a much finer appreciation for the seasonal changes. I find it wonderous. God certainly shows Himself vividly throughout the year, but season changes are so evident of His work.

The dogs have had more privileges today and boy do they like it! The area where I have placed my workspace had always been verboten (mostly because they can sneak upstairs and eat cat food), but I figured out how to block off a couple exits and they have spent most of the day at my feet. They are so faithful.

So, I have a few more minutes before I have to go pick up the food and I will squeeze in a bit more beading. Another item on the agenda this evening is to list a few items on Etsy and eBay. Won't you stop by my shops and see what you must have? Christmas is coming, ya know!!!!

A new post --- giveaway

2009-10-29T00:06:00.001-04:00

here is another neat giveaway for some custom stickers...follow this link:

http://independentmami.blogspot.com/2009/10/custom-stickers-giveaway-from.html

thanks for your support! cindy

Whew -- got quite a few things done today

2009-10-28T23:24:00.005-04:00

Not the wittiest title for my entry, but it will have to do for this late hour.

It felt good to accomplish a number of things today, even if they were mundane duties to maintain the household. I will make up for it tomorrow and let loose a bit when I go to Buffalo for yet another doctor appointment. The weather is good and I enjoy the drive. Put in some tunes and I am in my own little world and on my way.

This new obsession I have for Twitter is ending up to be quite time consuming. I don't mean that in a bad way --- I am enjoying connecting with folks and seeing their shops and talents. Besides the personal aspects of it, I am hoping to get more traffic here on my blog and in my shop on Etsy, as well as eBay.

A few minutes ago I received a tweet from :
http://EcoCreations.etsy.com
--- they have advised me that I was a winner in their quest for 500 re-tweets and I guess that the 500th was me! I won a beautiful chocolate brown wool bracelet! I am grateful ...it made my day.

Please take time to visit their shop and see what beautiful items they have!

Last evening I finally finished the bulk of the work at my workspace - it was very discombobulated (sp?). All I have left to do is store the beads by color now that the newer ones are all sorted. The beads on the table represent a very small portion of the beads I have in storage. So here in this entry you will note the pics of my beloved work space.

Thank you for taking time to read this entry - hope you will be back to visit!

Finally a night of sleep...

2009-10-23T19:55:00.004-04:00

....I certainly have had more energy today. I can't say that I accomplished near as much as I wanted to but it feels good to feel good. Sleep is needed more than every 4 or 5 days, don't ya think!

After mowing the lawn yesterday I decided to take a few pictures of interest to my eye:

Ordinary objects can have such simplicity and complexity at the same time. The air was cool, but not cold, with a nice breeze. The rustle of leaves soft and crackly, those that were left on the trees anyway. The clouds were high and light with a really cool pattern as the weather was changing and a front ready to come in.

Today is a better day

2009-10-22T20:46:00.003-04:00

...except the headache...

here is the link for that free giveaway bracelet that is so pretty:

http://thepennypinchingmama.blogspot.com/2009/10/jewelry-by-blue-shoe-studio-review.html?showComment=1256185913569#c74331201100161276
This is what a vicious rottweiler looks like!

No sleep again last nite...thank goodness for Twitter, my latest addiction.
I awoke late and once the cobwebs cleared from my head I got out in the sun today...sun doesn't happen alot in these parts this time of the year.

Got the lawn mowed, my last perennials stuck in the ground and took a few pictures. The dogs seemed to enjoy being out more today. They are such inside babies that even when the weather is nice they want back in to see their people ASAP after doing their business. But if one of us is outside, they will stay out longer. If George, our lab, wouldn't run off so easily he would enjoy playing fetch...his favorite thing in the world, next to jingle balls and human food.

Well, I have a sinus-y headache tonite so I am gonna call it a night early, hopefully can sleep tonight!

overdue

2009-10-22T00:32:00.002-04:00

once again I am overdue for blogging, but I have been busy trying to learn twittering and tweeting! during my learning process I have come across a delightful opportunity to win a beautiful bracelet - hand crafted!

dear readers: follow this link so you too may enter for a chance to win this gorgeous bracelet...

http://thepennypinchingmama.blogspot.com/2009/10/jewelry-by-blue-shoe-studio-review.html?showComment=1256185913569#c74331201100161276

read the directions carefully - there are ways to increase your number of chances!

I will be back!

Autumnal winter

2009-10-17T22:56:00.007-04:00

It has been a busy and trying week.
It started with an MD appt out of town - he deemed my vision as likely not to improve. So the only thing to do is accept that. I am grateful I can see what I do!

Later in the week was the estate auction for my Aunt and Uncle's estate. It was a trying day for many reasons. The normal difficult reasons made it difficult but the way the auctioneer company handled the sale was less than adequate for many reasons. The result of this was a nominal return for a lifetime of them both.

I was there to intently bid on a couple family heirlooms. There was a desire to bid on so much more - it was so hard to see it all pass to strangers. I don't know how my cousin was able to hold up.

The following day we spent half the day doing the final clean on the house as the sale closing is pending this coming week. Indeed it was very sad and most difficult for my mother and aunt who were siblings to my uncle, and my cousin - his son. Not that I am without feeling in this regard but having been a nurse so many years, some how I seem to cope with these things a bit more pragmatically.

Thursday morning we woke up to heavy snow flakes floating from the skies. By that evening there was measurable snow! Everything was very pretty - flocked in fresh, heavy snow.

A block away someone built a snowman, but by the time I went to take a picture he was melting.
I have set up a Twitter account and am trying to get the hang of that...interesting.

I have posted a few new items to Etsy and had 2 sales in my eBay store. Tonight I have spent quite awhile in the forums, trying to network. I have been accepted to the Vintage Market Team, which I am excited about; additionally, I have made inquiries to 2 other teams. I love the model of Etsy and am hoping I can grow to success there.

This week I don't have much on the docket and I really need to spend some time creating. While working on the creative process I will try out the lovely "executive" task chair I got from the estate sale, it was my cousin's.

I shall post again soon! Thanks for visiting.

Another Nice Day

2009-10-13T18:27:00.005-04:00

Today ended up being a special day...It started out an ordinary day with a doctor's appt out of town, about an hour away. We left about 30 minutes early, believing that was plenty of time to find a place we were unsure of - uh-huh - NOT! Between the detours, one way streets, not knowing Jamestown, unsquare blocks and three unknowing opinions, instead of being there 15 minutes early we were 20 minutes late!

The doctor's staff was very understanding as I had called them twice during our trial. The visit was longer than I anticipated, which was ok with me. The lovely testing technician realized our difficulty finding their office so she went on lunch break a bit early to escort us to the edge of town, until we were on our way! Who says folks don't care these days!

We stopped at Bob Evans where we encountered a gal in training. Once she finally got the correct items delivered to us she graciously checked on us frequently. We gave her an A+ for trying so hard (and a nice tip).

We knew the expressway was less than 1/2 mile from the restaurant so we started on our way...but then we decided to take the back roads home, since the autumn leaves are peaking. In this endeavor, we did well until we realized by Aunt Kate's auto compass that we were going south west instead of north east. As a group of three, we decided it was fine to go on an adventure and see where we ended up. That turned out to be Pennsylvania!

Our trek off the beaten path took us around much of the Alleghany Reservoir (I have no idea how many miles - but quite a few!). There is no wording to describe the beauty of the hills and mountains with their fiery display of leaves contrasted by the still, smooth reservoir water.

Once we crossed into a larger town we knew of we stopped for a snack and a break, then headed home (we hoped). Although it took us three hours to get lost, it only took us an hour and 15 minutes to get home again. Home Sweet Home!

It proved to be a delightful day, as I was with 2 of my favorite people in the world - my mother and her sister. Giggles were had by all, as well as a few silly puns and jokes. But that is the way we like it and will remember this day for quite some time. We decided not to tell any of the men folk lest we be teased about our jaunt for eternity!

It is my hope that the liberty of the free thought that goes along with a day like this will be fruitful with creativity the next time I sit down to bead - inspiration of contrast and color. Additionally, it was lovely to hear these dear ones share stories of reminiscence about all the little burgs along the way, how things had changed, viewing antiquated buildings and lamenting the loss to these towns and villages that no longer have gas stations, restaurants or grocery stores.

time flies

2009-10-12T21:44:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it has been so long since blogging. I have been busy I guess LOL!
Today I have spent HOURS trying to maximize my understanding of twitter, networking and the Etsy community. I am grateful for all who are so willing to share their knowledge. Not enough hours in the day to do all the learn by trial and error, so folks' advice helps tremendously.
I now pledge to do better about posting and I want to acknowlege thanks to the Vintage Market Team for accepting me as a member!

Peaceful Sunday

2009-09-27T15:04:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was a lazy Saturday, had a Pampered Chef party in the evening which was a nice distraction. Met a bunch of really nice ladies. This morning we all went to church. The weather is a bit drizzly with the sun trying to peep thru. After church I took my daughter out for lunch, which we seldom do. We tried a new restaurant that served BBQ - it was delicious.

Lounging around right now, waiting for laundry to finish, to start another load. Plan to work on my work area in a bit - need to finish up my work surface and organizing my crafting/beading materials so that I can be more productive in the coming weeks. I have so much stuff I need to get listed on eBay and Etsy. Tonight I will getting together with my girlfriends and playing "Nerds" (card game).

Hope everyone else is having a peaceful Sunday as well.
Thanks for visiting my blog.

The day after

2009-09-25T04:53:00.008-04:00

It is with fatigue that I am writing this entry. Down right pooped. Status post system overload. Dead tired.

Arrival in Henrietta occurred around 2:15 and it seems that arriving later, rather than sooner, proved to be a good idea. It was overheard that the place was mobbed at the start of the show. There was a drizzle of traffic when I got there and very few remained at the end. I stayed until "last call". Every penny of my budget was spent (I shall not reveal the amount lest the reader thinks me a fool). Suffice it to say that I could have broken the bank and spent ten times the amount of my budget very easily.

There was a HUGE selection- mostly semiprecious gemstones, all of beautiful cuts and dimensions. Strands and strands of them covered the tables. Every color that you can possibly imagine was represented. The glory of God never ceases to amaze me. A majority of the gemstones are naturally occurring, with man's intervention being the cutting and polishing of them to further bring out their lovely features. Others have intriguing patterns enhanced by coloration, dying and stabilizing techniques.

It was hard to pass up this opportunity and in hind sight I wish I had tucked away a bit more cash. You see the pricing on almost everything was 50% off the label/retail price plus 15% more off the half-off. This was outstanding considering the prices of many items. The most expensive strands I looked at were over $150 and of course my eye was drawn to some of the more costly items. However, I did not indulge in them or I would have broken my piggy bank of a budget. They were modest choices I had to make so that I could leave with more than a couple of strands!

Traveling was expedient due to the sunshine and clear roads. Always I kept an eye out for deer. With so many cornfields between here and there they had many hiding places to burst from. The day started off overcast, followed by a glorious variety of interesting cloud formations, ending with a wonderful sunset.

Dinner was served at the Cracker Barrel restaurant on Hylan Drive. It was mobbed with customers as it was evidently supper time for many others, as well. I had chosen to eat little early in the day so that I could treat myself to a "special" meal and that is how I spontaneously chose this place. A rest was needed and my belly soon was filled with country fried steak (gravy on the side felt less guilty), fried okra, pinto beans and cornbread. Iced tea to drink and applesauce for dessert. Briefly, I almost felt like I was in West Texas again.

No road trip worth it's salt is without a jaunt off the main trail, and that is exactly what happened. It was after dark and one wrong turn...the next thing you know I am 15 miles west and I don't know how many miles north, of where my brother and his wife live. I am a hard-headed sort so I was determined to find the place no matter what! I did but it was quite late in the evening, past when it is respectable to visit someone. Their welcome mat was out nonetheless.

It was good to see them both and the puppies, too. We chatted for about an hour, a good cup of coffee, a potty break and then I was on my way.

While traveling to and fro this day, I so fully enjoyed my Ipod. Katy had let me use her "converter" so that I could listen to the Ipod thru the stereo and it sounded so good. There is something about pleasurable music and driving that soothes my savage beast. I could drive endlessly in this state. Recollection of my trip cross country for Taylor's graduation a few years ago occurred, wherein I drove for hours after hours listening to CD's with no interruption. Some how it transports me to a different level of consciousness, no substances involved.

This ends my prattling about my outing, weary body as a reminder. Now it is time to take a quick nap before waking the kids and starting another day. There are distinct benefits to early rising and getting Todd off to work at 5. I can understand why my mother always had her "me" time before we arose in the morning.

A picture of my cache....wait till ya see what comes from this pile of stuff!

I'm baaaaack!

2009-09-24T07:58:00.006-04:00

Since my last entry, it has pretty much been life as usual with the few variations each day will bring. The weather has been lovely for the most part, unlike the beginning of our summer this year. All around me there are babies being born and others surrendering there lives to eternity. God truly remains faithful through it all when we (I) let Him. He keeps speaking to me about being kind and loving to one another, so it seems that I have been falling short in that area - I ask His forgiveness for anyone I have wronged along the way. I know He is faithful in this as well and peace settles knowing God is the guardian of my heart, mind and soul (again, when I let Him). Surrendering my will can be difficult, at best, on many days - even though it is my greatest desire to do so, that human-ness gets in the way.

The afternoon at Cuba Lake on Monday was glorious. It was wonderful to be able to share my dear Aunt Kate's 75th birthday. Grasping the physical age of this woman is difficult for me, she will be forever young in my mind. She has been a second mother to me all of my life and invested a great deal of herself in me. There will never be a way to repay her, except to extend to others what she has extended to me and my family.

Fending off the drive to bead has been unsuccessful to date. I have such a compulsion to do this constantly that I have to discipline myself not to, and when I give in it is hard for me to stop. The picture with this entry is of a memory wire bracelet I just made and I think it is fun and kind of funky. The randomness of color and the dangles at each end are interesting to me.

Tuffy kitty was licking his chops after finishing off the drizzle of milk left in my cereal bowl. It seemed fitting to capture that moment! He is quite a character - mauling the dogs when he gets a chance and eating dog food along side of them. Dozer is funny ( the rottie) - he will growl at George (the lab) and not let him partake in the food, yet will stand by Tuffy, defending the bowl for him and to keep George away. The dynamics between these animals is endlessly entertaining.

Looks like another nice day today - I am off to Rochester on a day trip JUST FOR ME! Rings and Things (a beading website) has a traveling bead show and I will be attending for the first time! Can you tell I am excited? As I mentioned before, my addiction to beads/beading, may prove to be dangerous to my pocket book. I have set myself a modest budget and will have to shop within my means. Of course, I have my secret stash of cash via debit card from the proceeds of Pampered Chef.....hmmmmm. Stay tuned as I report the outcome of the day. My camera is going along in hopes that I won't be banned from photographing my outing.

Thank you for visiting again - please feel free to leave a comment!

My, how time flies...

2009-09-12T20:51:00.007-04:00

It has been days since I have blogged - multifactorial...Let's just say today is a much better day than some since I was last here.

Have managed to do some beading this week - trying also to set up my work area in the other room. Trying to get everything set up, organized, close at hand...right at my finger tips...ya know what I mean!

It will be sooo nice to have a little work shop - then I will have to reorganize the ebay/Etsy stock. I already have a nice set up for printing labels and packing items. I have a stack of boxes 6 feet tall...Probably need to start searching for small boxes again.

The weather is drizzly and cooler the last couple days. But I guess after having a few sunny days, I'll take what I get...At least it wasn't snow! That will be coming soon enough.Some mornings have been very foggy, things appear very ethereal then; peaceful, calm, like I wish it could stay that way for a longer period of time.

Today's musings...

2009-09-02T19:35:00.004-04:00

These nifty pics were taken by my daughter a few months ago... she has a great eye for photography. For my birthday she had another pic of my jewelry framed ... it is treasured!

Today was a bit of a red letter day, in that I allowed myself to do some beading!!! Yeah!

Now that the fast has broken I won't be able to help myself and will be creating more this evening. The hubby has gone to work on his race car, so it's just me and my beads! I didn't even have to cook dinner --- I used my "don't want to cook" sigh and we went to the Kopper Keg for supper.

This morning I stayed up after Todd got off to work and did a little puttering. The dogs have been needy for some reason today and have required more frequent petting than usual! Mid-day I went and ran a few errands running to Wellsville and Alfred. I had to take Todd's computer to get worked on and it was a blast from the past being on the ASC campus again... the help desk happens to be in the Allied Health building. (ASC is my nursing college alma mater)

The sun has been bright and beautiful, perfect temperature, balmy breeze all day. My only regret for this day was not hanging any laundry out. The weather is supposed to be great again tomorrow, so that will be a good project for then.

Had some folks pick up 6 0r 7 garbage bags of clothes I had weeded out. Freecycle is a wonderful thing!

Well that's it for today... must bead ... must bead... must bead...

Etsy

2009-09-01T00:15:00.004-04:00

I am up way too late, especially after recovering from some kind of bug...however I have not spent much time on Etsy in the last few days, so I thought that I would read messages, catch up on forums and join some new forums. I also was getting "advice" about my blog. Part of this was viewing the blogs of other Etsians. This is really interesting.

One of the suggestions is to cross reference other shops on the site to encourage activity. So you will find a link to my friend Laurie's shop, Cutethings6. She and I "met" on eBay (where I also have a store, sweetcindylou62) and we just sort of clicked so we have maintained a relationship for quite a few months.

We enjoy keeping up with each other's lives and when I chat with her, I almost feel like we have always known each other. This is one of the awesome benefits to this type of business - the networking and fellowship that can develop between people that would have otherwise never met.

So take a minute and look at her site...she is really creative and has great vintage stuff...I have been a customer, myself, a number of different times and have always had excellent experiences!

http://www.cutethings6.etsy.com

Some days are better than others for blogging

2009-08-31T14:03:00.003-04:00

I am not sure that today is a "better", I believe pretty assuredly that it's an "other".

Ever feel like you are in an endless repeating pattern?....the caption for today's blog and this picture. (Thanks to the Carmike Cinema) Who knew, when I took this picture, that it would actually be purposeful some day???

This is one of those days that it is good, that it is intended, that I be at home. OK, so a few salty pretzels feel safe to eat, nothing sounds safe to drink, so the boy child is off getting his Mommy some ginger ale or Sierra Mist or something soothing. Perhaps after a few more wakeful hours my energy will return, my affect will improve and I might get something done besides park my butt.

It is a chillier day today than in a long time. 65.1 F. degrees to be specific. No rain yet today but the clouds look threatening. I would like to think the sun that shines between the clouds might beget a spree of sunshine. Dare we wish for such a thing as this? That lawn out there needs mowing in the worst way and recurrent rain along with conditions prohibitive for causing dryness aren't helping matters any.

Finally finished the Mulvaneys book and for all that was experienced during its' reading I thought the ending would some how have been stupendous. It wasn't. It was okay in an Average Joe sort of way, it certainly tied up some loose ends. There was too much in that book that I could relate to, it saddens me. The turns of events and the subsequent results were too relate-able as well.

I am currently reading a book that is NOT for the faint of heart. What drew me to the book was the fact that it's author was the key character in the movie Running With Scissors, Augusten Burroughs (who also wrote the book of the same name). It is called Magical Thinking and reading the definition of Magical Thinking in the beginning of the book helps to see provide insight to the reader.

Each chapter is a tale of truth from his life, so he says, and they are certainly vivid enough to believe that. If you have seen the movie, Running With Scissors, you are a step ahead of the game when reading this book. However, I, having grown up in a fairly sheltered upbringing in a quiet rural town during the '60's and '70's, still am not prepared for reading some things that I know exist in our world - I have heard of these things and known people who have done these things...still feel that proverbial kick in the gut, blush of embarassment at reading some of these things.

Although these things cause me to feel squeemish, they do make me laugh; but, I do wish some of the details could be left out, if for no other reason than to avoid blushing. I don't know who I might recommend to read this book. I like to recommend books that I have read. This book just might be too much for many or most of the people I know. Would they make a judgement about me after reading it? I would hope not, I didn't create the content. But the fact that I would read it and possibly even finish it, does that speak ill of me? I guess I will just have to throw caution to the wind, because I will be finishing the book. Should you read about it in this blog, consider that the book has been recommended to you. For if you will read my prattlings, this book promises to be a step up for you. Just be sure to be sitting and not standing on that step.

other pictures of the evening event

2009-08-30T00:52:00.003-04:00

See.....we had lots of fun!

The day started rainy

2009-08-30T00:28:00.004-04:00

like so many other days this summer. It down right poured for quite awhile, then the sky parted and the sun shined.

Had a relaxing day, did a little puttering, some laundry...was saving my energy for something greater to occur in the evening. I even got out of cooking supper as my wonderful husband knew I had an evening out with the girls planned!

We met at Ashley's and drove to Olean for our birthday get-together and hunt for favorite squirrels. Timmy Ho's now has Cold Stone Creamery ice cream and that sounded appealing. I was boring and ate an egg salad wrap with an iced cap. It was delicious, filling and much less fat. Barb and Robin joined Megan, Ashley, Marti and I - we had plenty of giggles. Then began the hunt for squirrels.

Megan decided she wanted the Knight in Shining Armor - so off we went to Armor Building supply. After I drove thru the lawn and parked in the largest puddle available, we bailed out and had our proverbial photographic way with the Knight. Ashley found her "S" but sadly the Knight had lost his heart. Onward and upward...the construction squirrel was just down the road and of course he was fitting for me, especially now that Todd is a Superintendent. Lastly, we went to Community Bank and Marti got her picture taken with the banker squirrel - which was fitting since she works for Community! Ashley didn't get to pick a squirrel as her squirrel hunt was a few months earlier.

Somehow we got the police involved, I can't remember how that came about. Perhaps because we were going to the donut place? We tried a few benign hijinks to capture the attention of an officer passing by and it just didn't work...so we went to the police department seeking one! He wouldn't get his picture taken with us, nor would he allow his picture to be taken (he didn't want to get fired...imagine that!). But he was willing to take our picture in front of a police car. I am not sure exactly why but by then we were all giddy with laughter about numerous nonsensical things, so to us this seemed hilarious! All in the name of good clean fun. And to think I used to have to get drunk or abuse substances to have such a good time. Thank you, God.

Perhaps tomorrow will be a bit more productive. If the sun shines I might get to mow the lawn!

Until next time...

A day of errands and such

2009-08-28T15:38:00.005-04:00

Feeling a bit discouraged about lack of sales on Etsy.
http://sweetcindylouwho.etsy.com is my URL. I want to list more items but don't want them to sit stagnant, so I guess my next move is to list some stuff for auction on eBay. I love the philosophy and community of Etsy and would like to be successful on that site. I have read numerous articles about success on that site and am hoping that it will pick up soon, as I try some of these interventions (having this blog was one of the suggestions). I requested to participate on one of the teams and the input I received was to take better pics and need to have more of a presence on Etsy...that is hard to do without selling stuff! I shall keep on keeping on, prayerfully hoping that my work will pan out.

Time management is certainly an issue for me. On the days when I feel great and can get alot of things done, I am encouraged. Then there are those days where I get the basics done and that is it. But I tell myself, and my counselor reminds me, that things got out of sync over the years, it will take more than just a couple of days to resolve it all. Hmmmm, sounds good, eh?

It doesn't look good for racing tonight. It has been steadily, gently raining all afternoon. This morning started cool with sunshine, the overcast appearance moved in and then the rain. Darn, I was going to try mow the lawn today also. Perhaps the rain will hold off for racing tomorrow in Little Valley. I would like to go there since I haven't been there in a couple years.

Palpitations...still having them. It makes me a bit uneasy but no significant sequelae at this time, so I am just monitoring them at this point...nurse heal thyself, right?

I have almost finished the Mulvaneys book, couldn't put it down this morning. Should probably finish it in a day or two.

Met with the counselor at the alternative education academy for Steven today. It sounds like an excellent program and I hope that Steven will grasp this opportunity and run with it. He really is quite gifted in many areas and this is a wonderful venue for him to be involved in. I doubt he would agree to go back to mainstream public school again. It is a shame that his experience was that bad, for him to feel that way.

No profound realizations to share today. Hope you will visit here again.

Where do I begin?

2009-08-27T19:54:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was such a productive day...it was wonderful. It has been a long time since I have felt so good all day long. I did have intermittent pain but it was tolerable enough to do what I did. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but good days with minimal discomfort are treasured. Probably not even treasured enough.

For those who don't know me, fibromyalgia is something I have lived with for years and have accepted that it will fill my future as well. However, that is not my main focus, merely a statement of fact. It colors each moment of each day and often causes me to lose objectivity, surrendering to subjectivity. Is that such a bad thing?

But today, it is like I paid for yesterday's worthiness. Not in a terrible way, rather, with tremendous fatigue. It almost makes it feel as if I shouldn't be entitled to any good days, not that I should feel entitled to anything.

Now that I have verbalized, I will move on!
It was exhilarating to follow thru with each next moment. The most enjoyable part of the day would have to be my walk. I enjoy my IPOD so very much and I can walk for what feels like an eternity as long as the power holds up! This part of my day lasted for about 45 minutes and encompassed much of the village. I could smell rain in the air and once again this summer we were obliged with further water from the sky. As all things, it is purposed by God, so He knows why we have needed so much. If the precipitation continues we'll sure have a lot of snow to shovel!

I swore I wasn't going to do it, but I surrendered and finally made a few new pieces of jewelry. These beads were in a dish next to "my chair" calling out to me. No longer was I able to hold off. Nothing especially amazing, but was able to stave off further longings to bead. Eagerly I wait for completion of some other projects around the house to liberate the workspace I desire for crafting and creating - soon, very soon.

There go those dogs again - ripping and snorting and panting and jumping, just because someone walked by the front of the house! Yesterday George managed to open the screen door by himself, off for another adventure. When I finally found him (accidentally on my way to Megan's) he was SOAKING wet and stinking. So of course he had to traverse the entire inside of the van, spreading his wealth of malodor.

If the rain holds off tomorrow, it will be back to the races. Theoretically it could be Friday and Saturday. Friday in Freedom and Saturday in Little Valley, with Little Valley running the larger track. It has been a couple of years since my going there. In fact I think it is the first track I ever saw Todd drive at back when he was driving a standard big block stock car. The bug bit me then.

Who knows what tomorrow will hold. Plans include seeing Dorothy in the morning and in the afternoon meeting with the principal at the school. It is my hope that tomorrow will be more like yesterday; additionally, a good night's sleep tonight would be helpful. Another day of household duties gets me closer and closer to the project area being ready. That is encouraging in and of itself.

Time to potty the puppies for the last time today. Thirty more minutes of television then off to attack "We Were The Mulvaneys". It is a great book and has been enjoyable. I am not sure what I will read next, I should probably finish the other book or two I had started prior to the Mulvaney book. Good night all...sleep well.

It feels like a long day already

2009-08-25T13:51:00.003-04:00

just by virtue of the fact that it was such a long nite. I slept a few hours, awakening with the feeling unrested. The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day. No rain in sight, low humidity. Guess I will start with some laundry then maybe mow the lawn! The possibilities are endless.

2009-08-25T03:14:00.000-04:00

darn this photo thing

2009-08-25T02:57:00.004-04:00

why won't this work...
ha...the upload pop up was behind my firefox window...silly me...

recent Etsy postings

2009-08-25T02:39:00.003-04:00

new listings from this late night...

gosh darn it...having trouble with this again and I can't remember what I did to resolve it the other nite - for some reason it won't let me add pics...grrrrr

Late at nite or early in the morning...

2009-08-25T02:20:00.004-04:00

...however you would choose to interpret that...

Had trouble sleeping again, after having 4 or 5 nites of decent sleep. I guess I can't have it all!

So I decided to do some Etsy posting and exploring. I am an Etsy newbie and have so much to learn. Learning the points of connection TO learn is a challenge as well. Some of the means I have tried, that seem logical enough to try, haven't panned out all that well. So I am going to keep trying and see how things work out.

I guess I am the only one in the house not sleeping, even my Rottie, Dozer, is snoring!

The round and round of the ceiling fan can almost become deafening at this hour. As the various sounds of night are occurring that one seems the loudest right now. But wait, the refrigerator just kicked on and I can hear the drone of the dehumidifier in the basement. That poor guy has been working hard this summer trying to keep the damp down in the bowels of the house. We have had plenty of the rain and on more than one occasion I have thanked God for no loss of power and well functioning sump pumps! Squeegy-ing of the floor as I may the water just returns. The cellar hasn't been dry since spring.

Perhaps a little reading will carry me thru. Might as well try. And why try to sleep at this point - the man of the house will be awakening in an hour and a half anyway, then there will be coffee to make and the lunch to pack....you get the idea.

Hope you are getting a better night's sleep than I am...

Time for Etsy

2009-08-24T19:47:00.004-04:00

Today I sent out 3 eBay packages...nice to have a little business flow. I really need to post some new auctions, that seems to drive the most business to my store. Certainly a good idea to cover over the next couple days.

Currently I am taking a break from posting on Etsy. I am just itching to make some new jewelry but I have made a pact with myself that I WILL NOT until I get all this current jewelry listed. Although I must create fairly soon because I will need new items to display at the quilt store for consignment.

Todd is working on the race car, Steven is out with his buds, Kate is at Young Adult Small Group bible study and I get some time by myself. No TV, just the noise of the traffic - vehicles and pedestrians --- and the dogs charging the door everytime they hear an extra sound. Also heard is the expressway, now the interstate. It evokes sweet memories of my youth when I would stay at my grandmothers. You see, I recall when they constructed the expressway. Hacked away some of our hills for the thing. I remember staying over at her house when the road was starting to be used and then after. Windows open on a summer evening, hearing the cars hum by and then off into the distance...some how brings peace.

Occasionally a train can be heard. The tracks aren't real busy but it is nice to hear them active again after being dead for so many years. When I stayed at grandma's that was another common sound, as the tracks were less than 1/2 mile out behind her house. Then the tracks were much busier than today. It seems so much more is trucked by the semi trucks that pass along the interstate.

So enough for the thoughtful break, time to get back down to business and get those postings going! Wish me well with sales!

A new day of a new week---

2009-08-24T13:40:00.003-04:00

---should be filled with inspiration and excitement. But the clouds seem to be suppressing that...

Up early with the birds, lunch packed, coffee made, kiss good-bye. Devotional reading, journaling, reading of the novel. that all was worthy of a nap - so I indulged and now the day is more than half gone. Of course, I had to check facebook and eat my raisin bran - those took time as well.

I guess my first inspiration is the disarray on the kitchen table and counter then on to laundry and the living room... I must work on the area needed to create my stuff. I am lonnnnnngggging to create and need that space.

The sun is now shining - must be a sign. Here I go.....

Finally! got those pic samples loaded

2009-08-22T23:50:00.008-04:00

It seems that I have a real green thing happening...must be everything that caught my eye just happened to end up being that color! Not such a bad thing I suppose...

I think the trash can is one of my favorites, how about you? And the folds of green...what do you think that is?
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

still not working, not sure why

2009-08-22T23:37:00.001-04:00

can't get those darn pics to work. geesh, I guess my learning curve is bigger than I thought.

here are some of those pics

2009-08-22T23:31:00.003-04:00

for some reason having trouble putting pictures on this post..don't know why...will keep trying...

Went to the races and been racing ever since!

2009-08-22T23:07:00.006-04:00

The races were great last nite! I have a bunch of pics and a video clip on my Facebook. It was perfect race nite weather - it had sprinkled early in the day and some of the clouds looked ominous, and indeed we did have a few nickle sized rain drops for a couple of minutes. Other wise the air was nice and clear. Damp had set in as the sunset, and I was still feeling it in my bones this morning upon rising! I slept in as long as I could stand to ease my aching bones. (Not getting any younger, ya know!)

Todd was in good spirits and appreciated all the help he got from his "pit crew". The guys he goes racing with are great and have been good friends over the years. No major damage to the car, he remained safe and had a good time. No telling how much water he used this afternoon trying to get the imbedded mud off the car!

This afternoon we helped to celebrate Brayden's 2nd birthday! It was a nice time and great to see other friends and all the kids had a great time. Steven was too busy hanging with his possy (sp?) to go and Kate is preparing her room for college studies beginning on Monday. Steven was supposed to start his new job tomorrow but they called him in today already. When asked how it went, "it was easy," was his flat response as if to add "of course." Gotta love those teenagers!

Once we got home from the White's it was preparation for the Pampered Chef show tonight. Garden Pizza was the food choice and it was an intimate number of gals so we had plenty of time for chit chat. Ashley's chocolate chip cookie bars were delicious as well. The aroma of the baking fresh garlic, pizza dough and veggies was mouthwatering and tasted just as good.

Another activity I was involved with yesterday was photographing things of (my) interest to print off and use as backgrounds for photographing my jewelry and other pieces to place on Etsy. It was great fun to try to "see" ordinary things as extraordinary. I will post a couple and see what you think. I am sure they are nothing spectacular as compared to many others' photos, but I was rather taken with a couple of them. The creative process has been calling me, I am in beading withdrawal for not having made anything new for weeks!

Off to the races!

2009-08-21T16:56:00.002-04:00

Well, folks, I was gonna spend sometime blogging and so forth but it seems there is sun and the race track is ready to run. So I am gonna go with Todd and the fellas to watch #17 race his late model on the dirt track...just for fun, not necessarily for winnin'.

Hope everyone is having a good day --- more blogging later! (and hopefully some racetrack pics)

Just to post a few pictures...

2009-08-20T23:29:00.006-04:00

Not much later...

2009-08-20T22:58:00.003-04:00

...than my last post.

The wind has been blowing and the rain has been pelting. We have had so much rain this year - surely the water table is restored. Todd is just wishing it was winter and this was all snow so he could be snowmobiling!

He has been up at the Laws' shop changing things out with his motor (he fluently tells me all the details while I nod my head in interest). He plans to run at Freedom Raceway, Late Model class if they aren't rained out. He hasn't gotten much racing in this season and is like a little kid with a new toy at the thought!

The dogs are all a flutter as Dad comes home from the shop! Pet me! Pet me! they plea.

No time for beading, crafting or posting today. Too much else going on. I did get started on organizing an area I can call my own for all my projects. Prior to now I had been working from my chair in the living room with supplies gathered all about me. I think having a table with my good light and supplies all organized I clearly will be more productive. It will be better ergonomically as well.

Gonna watch the news and find out about how the tornado warning has panned out. It was west of us when it was announced moving east. There has been much of that weather activity around here this year. Reminds me of when I lived in tornado alley years ago.

My first day...

2009-08-20T21:23:00.000-04:00

...in/on the blogosphere...

Until I get the hang of this I hope anyone reading this will be patient with my learning curve. This blogging gig seems like it can be a lot of fun and may evoke interesting comments from readers and insights from within that have laid untapped!

Being a small town gal, from a speck on the map, probably contributes to my naivete'. However, I don't think a bit of innocence is a bad thing.

My primary motive for starting a blog is to correlate with my Etsy shop, but that is not my only motive. I am sincerely looking to network with others and interact with the big world that lies outside my little speck.

I welcome discussions, retorts, FYI's, penpals, shop browsers...

Now a brief bit about me - married, female, 3 children, 2 dogs, 1 cat, small fresh water fish tank, bird feeder/watcher. We live in a rural setting, located down in a valley, that is beautiful during all four seasons. Nurse by profession and crafter by choice. I love rummage sales, estate sales, Salvation Army - you name it, I find treasures in many places and enjoy putting them in the hands of their ultimate owners.

I look forward to experiencing the blogging world with anyone who wants to come along for the ride! Most likely it will be like a Sunday drive in the country, but then again, we could all use a little more of that in our lives.

Here's wishing you health and happiness on this first day of my blog.

How'd I do so far???