Timeout for Legislature?

With all the financial woes being felt in our country at this time, I have to say I was really disappointed to see that Congress made no progress yesterday with the Rescue Bill. How could a Congress full of adults act this way? The stock market took a hit of 750 points yesterday! OUCH! As circumstances worsen, this is not the time for hemming and hawing, this is the time for concise and accurate decision making!

Is it possible that Congress needs a timeout? Or perhaps a virtual kick in the patootie? They are acting like children -- pointing the finger, making excuses and assigning blame. They need to come together and remember that before political affiliation we are all Americans!! The best for our country should be the focus right now in Congress - nothing else!!

Recent events will definantly affect how I vote at the polls on November 4th. Please make sure you are registered -- times running out to get registered in time!

OK, rant for today is over...thanks for reading!

Too late for bees?

So, I completed this brooch a little earlier this week and can't wait to get it posted in my etsy shop. It is totally Fall colors (the exotic wood and bakelite button) but I'm wondering if it is too late in the year for bees...what do you think?

Reminder...

Most states require you to be a registered voter for at least 30 days before you can vote in a national election. So please be sure that you are registered and ready to vote on November 4th. It'll be a tight race and EVERY vote counts!

Power is restored!

Thanks to everyone has been sending good thoughts to my parents in Houston, TX. Their electricity was restored today and they couldn't be happier. When I spoke to them they were talking excitedly about attacking the MOUNTAIN of laundry they accrued in eleven days and going to the grocery to replenish the EMPTY fridge.

I'm so glad they can finally get back to normal. Cheers! :)

New Cute Snack Discovery

I found these fun bunny graham crackers at the health food store recently. They are SO cute, I had to tell you about them. They are actually bunny shapes and REALLY tasty. The packaging is so cute -- it initially attracted me. There is even a funny bunny butt on the box tab that says "pull gently to open" -- how cute is that?

I realize these were probably created for kids...but as an adult who is still  a kid at heart, they made my day! :)

New Biz Cards...

So, I ordered some new business cards and finally got them -- I am really happy with the way they turned out! Check 'em out! :)

Today, Patience is a Pedicure.

My parents STILL do not have power in their house and have been camping out at my step dad's office. My mom told me last night that she had a lunchtime "pedicure for sanity" scheduled for today. I just got a text that it was the perfect escape and that she is feeling totally relaxed and prepared for another night on the inflat-A-bed in the office. 

Isn't it weird that we all need our creature comforts? Doing something nice for yourself or others is always nice. Doing something deluxe for you when you are under stress is excellent! So, give it some thought -- have you or someone close to you been under a lot of stress? Maybe it's time for the two of you to do something swanky together for some stress relief and relaxation?

What do you do to relieve stress?

Patience is a Virtue!

Well, I am still working on this virtue.

My parents still don't have power restored in their house in Houston, Texas. I know that there was a lot of damage done by IKE but this past Thursday their power was on for like an hour then off again and has yet to come back on. They have been camping out at my step dad's office in the evenings where there is power and air conditioning. They have each remarked to me separately that they feel like gypsies - sleeping one place, showering in another and eating in yet another. This has been going on for a week and three days -- I think they have been really patient and nothing has improved. I can tell from the way they sound they are each running out of patience with the situation.

Please send them your positive thoughts today -- they need them! Fingers and toes crossed for restored power in their area today! :)

TGIS!

Thank goodness it's Saturday! This past weeks was one of the longest on record for me. I'm glad it's over and it's the weekend! After being inthe wake of Ike and making sure my parents are ok -- the week wore me out. It's been rainy here and then sunny that's the perfect weather to get the errands done early and hunker down at home and craft (while the washer and dishwasher do much of my housework). :) That's the plan, Stan! What's on your agenda this weekend?

Peace Festival

This Sunday from 12:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. is the Peace Festival in the Bishop Arts District in Dallas, Texas. A bunch of Dallas Etsians will be there and it promises to be a fun event. Admission is free. If you have some free time - come check it out! :)

Introducing ... Penny Q. Punctual!

Ok, here she is making her internet debut! She is made of all recycled materials -- paper, cookie tin, vintage broken earring, and vintage buttons.
The only new part in the clock movement and hands.

Meet Penny, her recycled parts ensure that she has history and will fit into your environment quickly. Enjoy her display of recycled paper and found objects, her, giggling, her winking and her rhyming while she helps you keep track of time. Whether she’s having a good hair day or not she’s seeking a home with happy people.

She'll be in my Etsy shop very soon!

New project...in progress

So I have had the pieces for this clock in my studio area for a while but it was just missing something...today I found the right piece to finish the mouth. Yay! This is on the right track to getting finished -- I'm so excited. Her recycled paper hair has been attached and I was doodling on an extra piece of paper to figure out how I wanted her face to look. More soon when she's ready to make her debut. :)

She will be made from all recycled materials except for the clock movement and hands. I'm working on a name for her as well.

T-a-m-a-r-a TUESDAY

My friend Tamara's baby is due today. I am so excited for her -- I can barely stand it. This is baby number three and she's an awesome mom. So in her honor I searched her name. Here's the fun pair of earrings I found. Just click on the picture to be taken to the shop and the description.

I hope it's today Tamara!!

General Silliness for Monday!

Thanks to brightonearly for providing some words. Hope this makes you giggle...

Today we are going to study the lifestyle of huge and gross animals. The word dinosaur comes from the Greek words deinos meaning pillow and saurus, meaning tornado. No one has ever seen a handicapped dinosaur. We know about them because bananas called paleontologists found their motocycles preserved in rocks. Dinosaurs were almost evenly divided between carnivores, who only ate ghosts, and herbivores who only ate movie stars. At one time, they were over 964 different types of these purple beasts roasming the face of the ruler. They range in size from those as large as a Tyrannosaurus Britney Spears to those as small as needle. Today a dinosaur would be impossible to find as a tornado in a haystack.

Tee hee - Happy Monday!

Hurricane Ike and Other Adventures

My mom and step dad live in the Houston area and when they heard a hurricane was coming they weren't worried. They already had water on hand and went out and picked up fresh fruit and a few other essentials. Unfortunantly, power to the city is almost nonexistent. However, the police stations and hospitals have underground power lines which were not damaged. The overheard power grid took a real beating in the storm. My parents realized that the office where my step-dad runs his business had power. So they packed up the inflat-a-bed and a few essentials and spent the night there in the air conditioning. I am so grateful they had a comfortable place to stay -- they just made it a PJ party.

FLU?!!

It's that time again, we aren't even through hurricane season yet but it's time for flu shots. Since living in the dorm at college I have gotten a flu shot each year and it seems to help me avoid getting that vicious flu that goes around each year. I've been told that it takes 2-4 weeks for the human body to recognize and start producing antibodies to these nasty little germies -- once you have the shot you're good for 10 months. (I've also been told that if you take two aspirin an hour before you get the shot it reduces the possible soreness in your arm!)

So, if you are considering having a flu shot, clear it with your doctor first. The place I found them available is Kroger. Check out their site at the upper right for locations and times.

Here's to your health! Cheers!

unused cell phones?

I have been on a decluttering tear lately...so I thought I would share something I learned.

Have you and your family ended up with extra cell phones that you don't use anymore? There's a site that I just discovered that will buy your "extra phones". Check it out. The first page has a list of phone brands and you can select until you find your specific model. They actually pay more than I thought they might and it's better than having that unused phone collecting dust and taking up space in your house. Just a small space to declutter but every little bit helps.

A Day to Remember...

This is a day to remember those who perished. This beautiful picture is from the shop of naturemanipulated and captures the rememberance wall in New York's Battery Park. Please take a minute today to think of those we lost and those who are still here as well as what has changed.

Also, please take the opportunity to think about everything you're grateful for.

Bubble Tea Rocks!

So my friend Leigh Ann introduced me to this crazy treat a few years ago and I always enjoy introducing someone else to such a fun treat. I giggled myself silly that day -- it was all the new textures and swallowing a few WHOLE bubbles! To this day Raspberry is my fave flavor followed by a close second -- coconut. The bubbles require a rather thick straw for drinking...try it, it's just too much fun!

You can check out the Lollicup website for possible locations close to you. Also TeaMap is an excellent resource for finding tea houses in your area. In case bubble tea hasn't arrived in your area, check out this site for a recipe and links to order bubbles to make at home.

House warming gifty idea...

A friend recently called me to ask me what was appros as a house warming gift for a mutual friend. Quite a few of our friends have recently moved into new places or bought new houses. Here is a housewarming gift that's always a hit...

This takes inspiration from the movie, It's a Wonderful life. I usually get a pretty reusable bag (available on etsy) that suits the person/couple receiving the gift. Then fill it with a fresh loaf of bread, some sea/kosher large grain salt and a bottle of wine. I attach a little note referencing this from the movie--

• Bread - that this house may never know hunger
• Salt - that life may always have flavor
• Wine - that joy and prosperity may reign forever

Of course this can be customized to the recipients. It also makes a nice hostess gift around the holidays!

My Heroes!!

At the end of last week, I had a computer meltdown. I wrapped up the illing machine and took it directly to the Highland Park Apple store. The people at the genius bar were SO nice and helpful and patient! A big shout out to them! They fixed my machine and in short were - my heroes! You know who you are! You rock! ;) Thx!

Grand Parents Day

Since 1978, when then President Carter proclaimed today Grand Parents Day, we have celebrated. Many take the opportunity to send a card or small gift to their grandparents or to call them. If your grandparents are no longer with you -- you can always adopt another elderly person for the day. Or go out of your way to do something nice for the elderly in your area.

I will take time today to remember my grandparents and all that I learned from each of them. Later this month, I will be doing some volunteer work in a retirement community nearby.

Voter's Registration?

So we are hearing so much about the upcoming presidential election these days -- do you know if you're registered? If you are unsure of your registration status you still have time to check on it or get registered. In order to vote in the presidential election you have to have been registered as a voter for at least 30 days. There's still time...The libraries, post offices and other community locations have voter registration cards available. Just fill one out and drop it in the mail. It helps if you take it with you on election day when you vote.

To learn more about the Vote print, please click on the art. :)

Swim it forward...

I saw this cool post on the Etsy forums about everyone sending someone else a Swimmy! What a cool idea, I thought. I signed up and my Swimmy came to me from California from creativity63. THANK YOU! Take a look, he even has a teeny tiny heart. This absolutely made my day. My swimmy now lives perched above my table so I can look up at him and smile while I'm working/thinking.

I sent a Swimmy to the UK. Since he has further to travel...I will wait to post the picture I took before he shipped out to the UK. :) I want the Swimmy recipient to be surprised! :)

Edsel Envy?

The Edsel was introduced on this day in 1957. That was one groovy looking car! :) Those fins are rockin'!

Meet Owlbot

Introduce yourself, please. (name, location, shop site, blogsite, etc.)
Jennifer (Jen) Hoadley, Findlay, OH
www.owlbot.etsy.com
owlbot.blogspot.com

Is Etsy your primary “job”? If not, what else do you do?
I have a part time job outside of Etsy. I work as the Office Manager for my church.

What’s your favorite medium to work in and why?
Printmaking on my Gocco! It’s just so much fun!!!

If you could have a super power, which would it be? why?
I’ve used to always say that I’d choose invisibility, because I thought it would be so nice to just have days where no one could see me and I could just roam around unnoticed! But, lately, I’d say super speed, so I could get lots more done in a day!

What have you created that you are most proud of?
The owls I drew for my Etsy shop avatar/banner/logo! I’m actually not that skilled when it comes to drawing, so I was really impressed with how they turned out. And, the fact that others have positively commented on them makes it even better!

What’s your fave dinner and why?
Any Mexican food. I just love Mexican food. Always have. I think it has a lot to do with all of the awesome condiments – salsa, sour cream, guacamole…! Mmmmmm!

What kinds of things do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
I have a hard time forcing myself to create, so I just do it in spurts. I keep a drawing pad by my bed and sketch out some ideas there. If I still like them the next morning, I’m good to go!

If you could be an animal, what kind would you be and why?
A cat. I’ve always loved cats! Or an owl…I think owls are awesome, and they’re nocturnal, which would suit me just fine!

How did you get started creating things?
Oh, I’ve always created in little ways. I’ve always loved combining things that weren’t normally combined. Just for something to do. Or grabbing a pile of something and trying to make a finished product out of it.

In 5 years I'd like to be ...
Crafting and sell my crafts full time!

Tell us one thing that no one on Etsy knows about you.
That’s a tough one! I’ll go with that I love to sing and am obsessed with anything musical related! If I was a good actress, I would probably be spending my nights doing local theater instead of being on Etsy all the time!

What's one gadget that you can't live without?
My cell phone. Even thought I’m not a huge phone talker or texter, I still always have it with me!

Thanks Jennifer, I enjoyed your answers and exploring your shop! :) Be sure to check out Jennifer's shop for more fun stuff.

Reusable Bags

I LOVE reusable bags. When you get home with your shopping you don't have that wad of plastic bags that you have to decide what to do with. You don't have to worry about recycling them or feeling guilty to throw them away. Reusable bags usually hold more than plastic ones too. The links through out the post will take you to various etsy sellers who have great eco-bags.

Let's face it, it's not that big of an effort to use them. I have two reusable bags that I keep in my car's trunk. (Usually use these for groceries) And I have a smaller one (that fits in my purse) that I keep in the driver's side door that I use for smaller shopping trips. It's funny, when I first started using my reusable bags - I got weird looks from cashiers.

The only place that is completely "on board" with the idea is Whole Foods -- not to mention the ten cent bag refund you receive for each bag you bring with you. Seems like people are getting with the program these days though. The cashiers at Target don't give me the weird look anymore. You'd think stores would get on board -- the annual money they spend on bags can't be small. I've read recently that IKEA asks that you bring your own bag -- if you don't, their bags cost fifty cents a piece. So, although it isn't a standard practice to require customers to bring their own bags YET, I have a feeling it will be before too long.

The same way changing just one light bulb can make a difference, switching to reusable bags can also make a big impact.

Last time I was in the craft store, the cashier asked if I made my reusable bag -- sadly no -- it was a gift from a VERY green friend of mine and it's green in color -- one of my fave colors.

What do you do to live a more "green life"?

Student Show...

The show was a success...most of the artists were there for a reception.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day! I hope you're spending the day doing something fun!