Some random thoughts

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

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

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!

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

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

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!!!!

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 :(

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

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....

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

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

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

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

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...

....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

...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

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

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

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

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!