IT IS MISERABLY HOT....

... and it is not even June yet! I said after the crazy and cold winter I would not complain and really I did not mind the coldness this past winter, just the constant changing and raining. It would 75 degrees one day and snowing the next! It definitely looks like we are in for a LONG HOT summer though. I am sure to survive though.

The good thing about it being hot is that the nursery that I use starts marking things down trying to sell out of everything because they don't want to work in the heat of summer. This is the advantage for me anyway. Went today to get 2 plants for the teachers and almost everything was marked down, of course except the two I had to buy.

I have been wanting a clematis vine forever and the little pot is $20.00. Got one today for 5.00. YAY for me! Hopefully I will be able to squeeze some money out of the budget and go get a few more plants before they close.

To give an update on my yard and goals.. I got my kio pond dug weekend before last. It is still not up and running yet, got to get the pump, but getting closer and I am excited about that. I weeded the garden last night when I got home and I have about 4 or 5 baby squash coming up. I am SO excited. It is still growing very slow, but things are blooming. I may not get very big products out of it but feel like I will get something out of most everything I have planted.

I called my aunt a couple of days ago and told she better go trim in her flowers beds because I am at the point where I am enticed by any twig I can find to plant. I have run out of things to plant. I guess I will have to start working in other people's yard to get my fix. I have become a "GARDEN JUNKIE". I am not real sure what kind of help there is out there for that. I guess it could be worse. I am having fun and enjoying it and it is great GREAT time I spend with the creator of it all. However I do need some new article and books to read. I think I have read the same 4 I have from front to back about 6 times each now... So if anyone would like to feed my craze, feel free to forward on any articles if you have them. But until then...

GARDENING

I have found ANOTHER love... well I have always enjoyed it but now has become a great mental therapy for me and now I absolutely cannot get enough of it.

Yep! Digging in the dirt. I LOVE IT! Not, that I have not always enjoyed it but is now has become a passion. A passion to the point where I would love to have a nursery and do it forever. Maybe some of this has come from my Papa that passed away last summer who also loved it and was the only I knew that could make a dead stick grow into something beautiful and the fact that I have 2 acres now to play on. I have planted some trees and still have much more in mind to do. When it first started getting warmer, I took my few measly have dead green plants and re potted them all. Now I have close to 50 rooting plants and they are growing. I did cheat and ask my Papa to bless from up there. I also have planted my own garden. The first time I have planted my own other than tomatoes. It is actually growing too. Not at a very fast pace, but its going.

Yesterday I set up a table outside and made it into a planting station. I have flowers on the table now waiting for 5:00 today to come to play with. I also have decided to build a kio pond. I have been researching and reading up on it on how to do it and talked to a friend in the landscape business for some good tips. That hopefully will be my project to start on this weekend, weather permitting. Of course it will be small but enough to have water lilies, which I love. This is a project I am going to take on all by myself so I am sure whenever I finish, it will make it that more enjoyable for me. I have already pick out some water plants that I want to incorporate into the area. There is just nothing better than being able to enjoy nature, in my eyes one of God's most precious gifts. Not many more things brings you closer to him either than enjoying the beauty he has provided and blessed us with.

Well hopefully I will have something to report next week on my weekend endeavors. If anyone has any good gardening site recommendations, please share. Love reading and learning about it all.

Until then....

THE WORLD TODAY

It's been a while since I have written in my blog, but had someone remind me of it and since then have been very eager to get on it. Of course.. the hustle and bustle of life has kept me away. I hate that it gets that way, especially since I am one that desires so much to live as simple as possible but I have come to the conclusion that being a single mother voids that possibility out for a few more years to come. Hey, but that is alright, I will take the busy and chaotic road to be able to share a life with my kids any day, regardless it consequences.. and believe me, it has had plenty of them from just a day to day struggle to losing people I love.

Sometimes I step back and look and I get frustrated at the world today because so many people have no idea what they have and do not appreciate it for all it is. I have heard people complain about not having this and that and I think about the people who have absolutely nothing at all including just the basics of food and water and shelter. I look at people who are in relationships or marriages and for some reason no longer feel content, but yet have someone who would give up the world to make them happy. I don't get this? How can you not want that or find even contentment in that? The grass truly is not greener on the other side.... I PROMISE! I do understand there are circumstances that will surround relationships not to work, but just getting bored or letting your mind wander what "could be".. to me is not a legit circumstance. There are many people out here that would love to be able to find someone that want to love them unconditionally and give that back to them. Again, some people I do not believe or appreciative of what they have. The material things are not what makes a relationship or provides happiness, single or not, it's the joy you find and make in your life. The love you share in your life, the memories you make, the journey YOU CREATE for yourself. Life is hard and is constantly throwing fast curve balls, but it is a choice of how you react to them. I just wish people would find a way to enjoy their life and be appreciative and thankful for what they do have. Can you imagine what a better place this would be? We all are guilty of doing this from time to time and I cannot deny that I have not been guilty of it myself at times, but I can say that I truly am appreciative for the life I struggle with every day. As fast as those curve balls come at me at times and I feel like I cannot dodge them fast enough, I still know that there is someone else out there that would trade places with me in a heart beat! I know God has blessed me and I try to view my life that way! Some people just have no idea how fortunate they truly are.

Funny Random Thoughts!!

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you> realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how> the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks> me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this --> ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?) but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run> away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to> answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well...

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or> Saturday night more kisses begin with Coor Lites than Kay.

SNOW????

Is it really going to snow here in Jackson, MS tomorrow? CRAZY, CRAZY! Houston is calling for 3 inches tomorrow. I love to see it when it snows here because it IS such a rare occurrence but I think the part of it that I dread is the fact that NO ONE can drive in it!! I am in great debate of traveling in it myself. I have a show Saturday in V'burg and will have to leave headed that direction early early and not real sure that I want to chance it, especially being by myself! It more than likely is going to keep many inside their warm homes anyway. I don't know really what to do about it. I guess I will wait and see what the lovely weather man has to say about it tomorrow and ponder on that. You never know.... it may be sunny and hi 80?!

TIS' the Season....

23 days til CHRISTMAS!!

That's it.... I really could have sworn that two days ago it was 37 days! WOW, does time fly! I am excited though. I love the "togetherness" that Christmas usually brings. Usually even the friends and foes can come together on this one (I will update you on how that works @ my workplace, because that can happen here, peace on earth should be pretty dang close)!!

I have found that it seems to be much more merrier times when people really stop and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas and not get caught in the commercial aspect of it. Hopefully with times being so tough right now with almost everyone, many will be forced to celebrate it in that manner. Once you do it once, you will want to continue to do it to recreate the wonderful peace within it brings for everyone.

I talked to my brother in B'ham last night, who has three children. I asked how he felt about letting the kids draw names and that be it. He was all for it and said because we are not able to get together as often as we would like, he doesn't want the kids to relate that when we do, there always seems to be presents, instead of sharing quality family time. Not only does it lift the stress financially but I much rather have quality time with family and friends than anything else, especially those I do not get to see often. I am really looking forward to that.

This is a special Christmas for me in others too. It will be my first Christmas to spend with Nathan and Chloe and the rest of his family and I should be moved into our new little farm house the week of! Really looking forward to getting in there, although I had to pick the busiest time of the year, but HEY.... if it is not hectic, it's not me pulling stuff off. Actually come to think of it that entire week is crazy. I have all of my Christmas orders to make sure are filled, I have an event at the Guild, I have Jace's Christmas party at school to be in charge of, a banquet to go to in Alabama that weekend, a breakfast for our Board and our luncheon, plus move. WOW! This ought to be interesting. Yuck! Now what I see it in black and white.... O well! I will just brace myself and pull through it as usual. My wonderful boyfriend seems to know when to step in, although if he reads this may decide to head out of town that week (if he was thinking cleverly). LOL!

Regardless, I am just going to take it as it comes and promise myself to enjoy every moment of it. Memories is what I find to be the silver lining in it all. I will just have probably a little more of them to tell when I am old and sitting around with the other ladies in a nursing home.

I hope that everyone will enjoy the season for the reason, relax, make wonderful memories with their loved ones and avoid the stress that usually comes with this time of the year. That is my goal for the season! Maybe it will make for a great beginning of a new year as well!

Until then....

My Thanksgiving Holiday!

My Thanksgiving turned out to be much more enjoyable as I figured it to be. Not that I was dreading any of the plans we made, but it was the first year in a while not being at my Papa's and cooking. Thanksgiving was his holiday and I have dreaded having it without him since he passed away. Ironically enough, I felt very close to him that day. We traveled to Louisiana to visit Nathan's parents and grandmother. Although I have been there once before, I noticed some things for the first time which blew me away. Wednesday night after we arrived and ate, I was standing there in kitchen and putting away some food and all of the sudden it hit me what we'd be doing then if he were still alive and that would be cooking his famous meat sauce. We did this for the past three years the night before Thanksgiving. He cooked it for the girls because we loved it so much.

(this is pic of the last time we made it together 3/09)

Of course, I got a little upset and decided to go outside and visit his star that my kids picked out for him the night he passed away and what a beautiful clear sky it was. After coming in, I got ready for bed and pulled the covers down and there was a blue blanket, identical to the one my Papa had that him and fought over for the past two years and he gave me several days before he died and usually I carry that blanket with me and happen to have left it this go round. The next morning, I decided to go outside and spend some time viewing God's beauty and read his word. As I walked out on the back porch, I look around and could see my Papa everywhere. His grandmother had Christmas cactus everywhere and what I call airplane plants.

These are the same things that my Papa loved to grow and had his green house filled with them. Never had I seen a Christmas cactus anywhere else. It blew me away. I continued to look around and sit out there and just saw so many things that were him and felt such a wonderful peace about it. To top it all off, my Papa's favorite desert was a coconut cake and we had one every Christmas and every Thanksgiving, which is not the most common holiday desert and guess what Nathan's mother made.... a coconut cake. Crazy! I called it ironic, but tome there really is nothing ironic about things like that; it is all God's doings. I have to say that the first part of this year was one of the toughest in my life, but the second half, God has really done some amazing things in my life and blessed me with so much. If ever I have doubted (not that I have) that God is constantly working in my life, he has erased any doubt possible. He has been so so good to me! I spent a good bit of that time outside Thanksgiving morning, thanking him for all of those blessings. He put me where I needed to be and I gave him all the glory for it. Not only did he surround me with my Papa, he put these people in my life to share it with and I enjoyed sharing my first Thanksgiving without my Papa with them. Nathan and his family are a blessing just as well. Always remember, God is good and turn loose and let him work in your life. It seems to work out much better. I can testify to that!

We traveled back to MS that evening and got ready for our Thanksgiving dinner with my family. My mother came home from Alabama and my dad came in from Alabama too and we enjoyed our Thanksgiving Friday evening. We spent the night over my brothers, the entire family Thursday night and built a fire and sat around it telling stories on one another and the kids made smores. It was very nice and relaxing. Friday morning, my sister-in-law, my daughter and I hit the "BLACK FRIDAY" sales (which I said that I was not going to do).

We left the house about 2:30 am and headed out, with no sleep basically but coffee in hand. We got to our first store that opened at 3am and by 9:30am we had hit 7 stores and one of those twice. It was not bad at all and we had a great time. I was so excited because I got my 119.00 quilt I had been eyeing for 29.00.

Yep, 29.00!

The lack of sleep was worth every bit of that so now I have the bedspread that I truly wanted and saved 100.00 on it. It was funny because this was my daughter's first time to experience it and probably by 8:30 or so, she was literally dragging bags throughout the mall. I enjoyed her being with me though and she enjoyed it too! By 11:00 that morning, heading home we all starting showing clear signs of deliriousness and were VERY tired. I think we all took about an hour nap at some point throughout the day in between preparing our dinner and it would be safe to say that the three of us all called it an early night that night!

It was a great Thanksgiving and actually got me a bit more excited about the holiday season. I look forward to those memories being made and spending more time with the people I love.

IN SEARCH OF THE BEST BEDROOM EVER CREATED....

Well I am still on the search for the perfect bedroom...........I will be moving in December to a little farm house and get the chance to re-do my room. I want it to clean lined, simply, feminine (but not girly), and very warm. I have looked at bedspreads, covers, blankets, comforters until I almost NEVER want to even see another one. I am NOT a picky person by any means whatsoever, but I am having the hardest time finding what it is I want or have pictured in my mind. Well let me back up a minute, I am having a hard time finding what I want in a price range that is not going to kill me especially here at Christmas.

Here is the inspiration for my room though. This is a pic Nathan and I took in New Orleans. I LOVE it! NO has some of the prettiest scenery to me.

The walls are already painted an ivory, beige color and I like it unusually. I want a fern or sage color as main color and accent it with rust colors and a light beige. I have found a million different things in this color, but either crazy high in price or can't get it all to come together.

The second, third and somewhere between the forth and fifth blankets pictured are the colors I was trying to work in...

I want the lightest color to top the bed to keep it open and airy and feminine.

I just know that it is driving me nuts. I need a recommended site that sells bedding at AFFORDABLE prices. These are not expensive it is just that by the time you buy the ones you need, you still have sheets to get, bedskirt and blah blah and it really does not work out. Anyway, any recommendations are welcomed before I drive myself SO crazy and actually I would love one night not to dream about a bedspread! It's not even a big important thing either but it is stuck in my head!

New Necklace

1 Corinthians 13:13

(New International Version)

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This was the inspiration of this necklace. I came across this verse (AGAIN) while reading and it really stuck in my head this time. I was working on some jewelry the other night about 1:30am and was thinking about the verse again so I put down what I was working on and this transpired. I love it. Since I have made it on a round disc that I slightly domed and made the word "love" a bit bigger and actually love it even more. I just absolutely love that verse. I gives you something to really believe in this day in time in the "prepatory world" anyway (in my own opinion).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

Romans 12:6-9

Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it.


I get a bible verse everyday from my church and this is the one from today! Thought it was a great one to share, as they all are, but this one particularly. Very simple and to the point.

Have a blessed day!

Happy Wednesday!

YAY! It's Wednesday and only have two days til Friday! Wednesday has become one of my favorite days because I know I am on the downward slope to reach the weekend from this point forward!

It's going to be a busy Wednesday put definitely looking forward to it. Tonight is paint night! I love painting and doing anything that pertains to home decor. We are painting Nathan's room tonight. He recently bought a house and we have been painting all the rooms. After this one, we have one left.. the big one... the living room. It is amazing how far he has come with it all in the little time that has past. It's been fun though! He may not view it that way, but it has been for me. It has made me want to tackle my own room now. My room has only really ever been a place to sleep and nothing more other than ANOTHER place for my kids to lays something down somewhere. (URG!) I believe that everyone's bedroom should be their own little palace and a great place to relax and get away from the distractions of the world (if it is a palace, you are allowed to pretend that you actually can escape that). BUT... the room has to be created with that coziness feeling and something that feels like you. I found mine..

HOW RELAXING DOES THAT LOOK? HGTV... of course! I may never want to leave it if it did indeed look like that. But being realistic, I have a 80lb. dog that sleeps with me, or really on top of my feet and two kids that are not OCD AT ALL, so it would not work, but you get the idea anyway. Did I mention I love to daydream.... I really would like to re-do it and create a cozy environment suited for me.

Anyway, enough of that.... well actually now this bedroom is all I can see in my head so instead of going on and on about it, I will close this post. Hope everyone enjoys their WEDNESDAY!!!

Until then....

IT HAS BEEN LOOONG OVERDUE!

Well it has been a very long time since I last wrote in my blog and SO SO much has happened since then both personally and in my jewelry adventure!

I left in May to go help my mother take care of my grandfather who was diagnosed with terminal cancer the end of March. My mother and my aunt were both there taking care of him and they also were having their own health issues at the time, which is why I decided to take leave and go.

It was a very very hard 6 weeks there watching my grandfather's condition rapidly deteriorate until he died the mid of June. Although it was very hard, I would not change it for anything and would not trade those last 6 weeks or the sharing the last moments of his life for anything. I still have a hard time dealing with his loss from time to time, but I will forever be grateful of the time I spent with him and the decision I made, at some great cost, to go to Alabama. I actually did his entire funeral service and delivered it all myself. Never in a million years would I imagine I'd ever be doing anything like that, but it was kind of like my own tribute to him because I did not want someone else who did not know who he was up there recapping his like. It was a very intimate and personal service and I think it would have been what he would have wanted.

I know some know that also during that time my ex-husband was diagnosed with cancer and was going through his treatments. Just 2 weeks ago, he received good news from the doctor and all of his scans come back showing NO hot spots or live cancer. This being more on a positive note.

Something else incredible happened to me the late part of the summer. I met a wonderful man who has become a very important part of my life now. I actually met him this time last year but with so much going on in my life ,the ups and downs, our relationship was platonic. After coming home from Alabama, we connected again and started dating in August. He is a very great person and I am so very happy and feel blessed to have him in my life.

Now, things in the past several weeks have really started taking off with my jewelry. I finally got my showcase in at the Craftmen's Guild of MS and now they have some more on display at an exhibit they are doing now. I have my jewelry in 3 stores and was approached at my last show to put it in another store locally that just opened in October. Also in October, I exhibited at the Guild for the New Members Exhibit. I enjoyed that greatly and got great feedback and made some of my own great contacts. I have another show on November 14th at the Brick Street Festival in Clinton and then an Open House on November 20th by the request of some friends and repeat customers from one of the stores that I carry it in. I missed all the deadlines for Chimneyville due to being in Alabama, but am going to do Sugar Plum Market in Vicksburg on the 5th. I am about to get started on my website and continue to keep going. I have made lots of new things and am venturing out more and more. If I could get the photo thing down I feel like I could be set to go. It is all been a blessing and am enjoying it a lot.

I must say the later part of this year thus far has been far better than the first part of this year. Regardless, I will continue to thank God for each day he does bless me with and continue to tread water.

I look forward to getting back to my blogging. It was really hard to come back to because there were so many emotions left there, but I finally bit the bullet and opened it up for the very first time since April. Feels good! I look forward to catching up with everyone and I hope all is well with everybody!

And last, thank you for those of you who showed me great encouragement and support while I was going thru such a rough time. I will forever be grateful to you!!

FINALLY... I Put something in my Etsy shop!!!!!

I know it has been forever, but I FINALLY listed 1 of many items to come in my Etsy shop.

I have added the link. Hopefully I will be adding more as the day goes, depending on if I get to take a lunch hour or not. I will be excited to get this back up and going. The bracelet I listed I absolutely love. You know by now that I am big on simplicity and this bracelet has it and was created for a great purpose. You will see in the Etsy description. Anyway check it out! Keep checking because there REALLY is more to come.. PROMISE.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24126230

IT IS ETSY DAY!!!!!!

Today is ETSY DAY... for those who are not aware of Etsy and especially if you are an artisan of any sort or a buyer of handmade quality items, you definitely should check out http://www.etsy.com/. There is some AMAZING talent there. Also, all of the stuff is handmade. Etsy does allow supplies to be sold and some vintage things as well, but mostly is people who single-handily make items anywhere from jewelry to clothes to decor for your home. When you purchase something from here you have the satisfaction of knowing the time, love and effort along with the quality that is put in to each piece made. Again, check it out!!!

AMY..... you need to open an account and start selling them lap trays and those hand carved walking sticks.

The great views of the Ross Barnett Reservoir

Sometimes there are times that I am really glad that I live around the Reservoir area. Although it is a small pond in comparison to some places in the state, it still makes for some fantastic views. I was putting together a slideshow for my boss and was adding some pics and ran across some pics taken out here that I thought I'd share:
This is the place I want to camp.

Two of the many breath-taking sunsets

I have a view of it from work and some days I just wish I could stay outside and watch the sailboats all day! I love water & the outdoors I guess. It's the direct reflection of God's creation!

My Saturday

This weekend I have been in Alabama visiting with my Papa. As I mentioned in my prayer wall, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a month ago, so I have been spending as much time here as possible. My uncle and cuz came down this weekend too. While my mom and my aunt kept Papa company, the rest of us got out in his yard and did some work. You have to understand my Papa's place. His yards are big, but he has a huge garden, a green house, black berry vines, blueberry bushes, grapefruit trees, beautiful flowers. Anytime I am here I always just walk around the yards and admire his love for outdoors. Maybe his love for the outdoors and nature roots is where I get it from. There is something about it that brings me a peace. Always has. Well we work in the garden for a bit getting it watered and fertilized. This garden is huge.

This is all that I could fit in the camera screen!!

After that We got in the yard and mowed. My first experience on a riding lawn mower. I'm sure for the passer-byers it was a great laugh for the morning. Needless to say, my uncle finished that task and I decided to tackle the blackberry vines. This is where I spent most of my time during the day. I cleaned all the dead vines out and all million of the little oaks that were growing within them. I only come away with 5 or 6 thorns in my hands. Found great gloves that you can actually grab up all of the stuff up and not worry about the thorns. Blackberry thorns are the worst ever to me. I think I rather sit on a cactus. (Not really). Here is a shot of the blackberry vines after I finished them and the pile that I took out of there. I think after I finished, the pile actually had more in it than there was blackberries left on the vines. Cannot wait til the are ready. The are green now.

This is a row of the vines.

.... and the pile. (I worked hard!!!)

My uncle, my cuz, and Aunt pressure washed the back of the house. Now that would have been a pic to see, but my uncle being on that 12 foot ladder, not holding on and it wobbling everywhere.. I could not bare to watch. All in all we got a good bit done. We started about 9:30 I'd say and think we called it quits around 6:30 last evening. Papa would make his way out there a couple of times to check our progress, but I'm sure he just wanted to make sure we were doing it correctly if I know him. hahaha! After we called it quits, I walked around and took some pics of the some of the things that I love around here.

This is part of his greenhouse. He says the secret of growing plants is not leaving them lonely, so he actually has a radio in there that plays 24-7. He must be on to something, because he can make a dead stick sprout something.

I enjoyed the day working around here. Although any other time Papa would be out there in his overalls in the middle of it, and that fact that he wasn't was a bit hard to grasp, it still gave me a bit of peace about myself. I spent most of the time in blackberry vines alone and it gave me some time to do a bit of thinking which led to a reassuring conversation with Papa later, which gave me even more peace. I love it around here because everything here is my Papa. He has such a simplicity about him and a determination (or stubbornness) that is inspiring to me and has been for such a long time. The calmness and the contentment he has is everything that I strive for and hope that one day I will have. Maybe everything out represents that and it is why I am so drawn to it. I know that I am going to miss it and him when he is gone!!!

Latest Project

I mentioned before that I had bought some Metal clay and was ready to dive in but have been scared to death to. My mother, who is a dollhouse miniature artisan is extremely talented in sculpting in polymer clay so I felt I needed her there (that way I could blame her if it did not turn out... lol). My sister-in-law can draw great and anything. The idea I wanted to use in the metal clay was creating an original family tree. Make pendants and rings out of them and use tiny rhinestones as birth stone representing people in your personal tree. My sister-in-law drew out several trees and we picked one. My mother and her started making molds for the ones we really liked. Now the rest is up to me. I am going back to visit my grandfather and mother this weekend and we are going to give it trial run. I hope they turn out how I have them envisioned because it would be a great heirloom to make and have. There are several people out there that are doing similar and I think they are wonderful. I wanted to make that we had our own original mold and style. I will keep you posted on how that turns out. Maybe I will have a pic to show if it does. Wish me luck!!!!

A beautiful day

The past three days have been probably the saddest days of my life. On my prayer wall I have asked you to pray for Mrs. Robinson, my friend's mother who has been fighting cancer. Easter morning she lost her battle and is resting high on that mountain (as the song played at her funeral said) with our creator. I watched my best friend go through the worst pain of his life and that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Although knowing Mrs. Charolette is no longer in the pain she was in her final months and no longer suffering and worrying about leaving her son and family behind, it is very hard to let go. I have known her for a year now and it was and always be considered a great privilege that I did. I have grown to love her like I have known her forever. She will be missed. Today was a beautiful day for her body to be laid to rest. Jason said that to me this morning. I told him that it was and the most beautiful one she's seen in a while. I am glad she is in a better place now. It has really been tough as losing someone is and has been extremely tough watching my best friend go through it. My heart is so very heavy, more than ever I believe. I will just continue to pray and let GOD guide me through it and pray even harder that he comforts Jason and the rest of his family. Without GOD and my faith right, I' m not real sure that I could bare the trials and heartaches that I have had to face this year. Please continue to pray for Jason. Pray that he will find his strength and comfort in God. I thank those that have been praying for him and his family. Her illness has been a long journey and those prayers are what will get you thru it.

GREAT NEWS!!!

Can you say, IT IS FINALLY FRIDAY!!! What an up and down week it has been!!!!!

It's been a very roller coaster week. Last post was about my brother and his kidney stone. Well Tuesday we went back to ER because it was even worse and they confirmed it was a 3mm stone. He is at home and is waiting dreadfully of course to birth this thing. Poor guy! He has been through it this week.

Although it has been the typical crazy week in the Land of Jennifer, we have received some great news as well that I wanted to share. For those of you that are familiar with The Craftmen's Guild of MS know that you can submit your medium for review and consideration to become a member of the Guild twice every year. This to me is a very great honor and has been a goal of mine for over a year. This year I decided I was going to submit and at least use the results as constructive criticism. Well I went to a preparation class they held in February that gives guidelines and informs you on what they look for, how to fill out paperwork, and other very general information about the process. I left there not feeling 100% confident about submitting for the March review. We the night before submittal, I started and finished my last piece, almost convincing myself not to do it. I decided I should anyway, because if I did not, it would be that much longer before I got direction I may need. Again, I was using this as a learning process completely. Yesterday I received the letter in the mail from the review......... DRUM ROLL, please.....

I WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE GUILD!!!!

(by the way..For those of you that are not familiar with the Guild should definately come check it out. It is located in Ridgeland and you can walk the gallery for hours and be so amazed at the talent that is collected in one small room)

What a shock this was for me. I truly, truly was not expecting this at all. I was very anxious to receive advise from other Guild members and experts in this field. Needless to say, I am so very excited. Still in happy shock a bit though. This for me is really huge because it actually is a goal of mine and with it happening, it encourages me and makes me realize that my goals are obtainable with help and hard work!!! Speaking of help, I am very appreciative and so very thankful to those people who push me and support me and that I lash out at from time to time when I realize if there were 72 hours in each day, I would still have not enough time.

Other news.. This is a "Proud Parent Moment". Also in the mail yesterday, I received an official letter stating that my 10 year old daughter has been selected to represent her school as a Jr. Nation Young Leader Scholar and recognized as one of the Nation's top 5th/ 6th grader. She has been invited to attend a conference and all. This is an amazing opportunity for her and will be an incredible experience. People like Al Gore and Leader of the Peace Corp. were elected for this in their time. I am so proud of her!!!! She deserves this so much. She really is a good girl and has such natural potential when it comes to things like that. That I had to share being as proud of her as I am.

So that's about it, please continue to check out my prayer list over on the side. Please pray for Jason and his mother. They need every prayer they can get right now going through these days.

O! I am putting up another side note about my upcoming shows.

Well, have much work to do. I hope that you all enjoy the beautiful weekend. Until next time...

Is this Monday over YET?

...and these are the days of Jennifer's land!

It has been a very typical and CRAZY Monday.. I am ready to be done with the day! I would say start it over but that is just taking a chance to have another day like it. The weather is very suitable for this Monday for sure. Woke up late, rushed around and you know what kind of hair day that makes for. So the new "do" is not looking so hot. I'm not a vein person whatsoever so I can get over that. I just had two root canals a little over a week ago and guess what... my other tooth started hurting this weekend and it is so painful, I' am ready to pull the thing myself with tweezers. I put a call into the dentist and still have not heard back from them. In the meantime my lil' bro calls and tells me he is in severe pain I need to come get him. Get to the house and he is INDEED in some major pain. Never seen him like this before, ever... which made me somewhat nervous. Take him to ER and they tell us to wait in waiting room. When we walked in there we realized we probably should have brought a pillow, dinner, and our PJ's and probably breakfast for when we would be still waiting tomorrow morning. He is whaling out because he is in so much pain. Well after being there about an hour, the pain eases up and almost completely ceases. We waited to see if it would come back and you know how the typical male is... "it's gone, lets go". It crossed my mind he may have just passed a kidney stone so I call our regular doctor to see if they can test for that. They can so off the the regular doctor he goes. All this before noon! Can you hear the ulcer forming??? HAHA! Hopefully that is all that is wrong with him and the worst is gone. I am just glad he is ok for the moment and not in such severe pain.

Other than that... life is good. I got a bunch more jewelry done this weekend. Got accepted in a big show coming up which is my first juried show and I am excited about it. So VERY VERY close to getting it all back in the stores which will be a big relief for me. That is about it. Never a dull moment in Jennifer land... Oh! and believe me, it's is own little island. hahahha! Well I wish everyone a good week and until next time....