Welcome to my blog. I'm glad you're here. You'll find information about my shop; favorite recipes; features of other crafters and artisans; tidbits of beach living; and the ups and downs of life.
Yes, there were some things about the past that were definitely great, but everyone's list is slightly different. This blog is my contribution to the things that make life great, and not so great. Like all things, this blog will grow and change as I do. Come grow with me.
I know I have a tendency to write heavy, heartfelt posts, but there are occasions when lighthearted and fun will do nicely. Today is one of those days. I had a few other choice words come to mind, but I decided I'd like to share some of my favorite Etsy jewelry.
First up, I present jewelry for the ears, and before I go any further, let me tell you how hard it was to pick just four of any of the categories. There are so many talented Etsians and there is such diversity. This was really a difficult choice, because they're all my favorites.
Next is jewelry for the arm. This, I think was the hardest to chose from, simply because of how many favorites I have. Honestly, I want them all. I just love jangly, bangle bracelets.
Perhaps you see some items you have already discovered. Perhaps you have found some new loves. Either way, I hope you have enjoyed this little stroll through a tiny piece of my personality.
Just curious, which piece of jewelry is your favorite? Can you even pick just one?
Day after day, we juggle our schedules, finances, priorities, and responsibilities to do what needs to get done, just to do it all over again the next day. Some days it may seem extra hard to get going. You may have a "why bother?" attitude. I feel your pain. I've been there myself. I'm sure we've all been there. If you're a small business owner you know it's all on you, even if it's a notoriously slow time of the year. If you're a single parent you may feel overwhelmed and exhausted from doing it all alone for so long. If you're overworked and under-payed or out of work altogether, you know how hard it is to make ends meet day in and day out.
This is your day. This one's for you. You can do this. You got this. You are a fighter. You are a winner.
It's not how how many times you get knocked down; it's how many times you get back up. General George Custer
Now get back up and get back on your horse. You've got a day to get through!
My mother has been on this Earth for 94 years. She started her journey way back in 1919. That is a very long time and so very much has happened in the expanse of her lifetime. I know, because she has filled my life with her memories, and no matter how many times she tells the same story over and over, somehow I never tire of them, especially the ones of her childhood. I can only imagine what a great time that must have been.
The photo above was the home of Charlotte Drake Cardeza, who was a very rich woman, and who also happened to be a survivor of the Titanic. This grand estate took up a whole city block and my mother told me how all the neighbors would come outside and watch as the massive gates would swing open and Mrs. Cardeza and her maid would slowly drive by in their motor car, the first one in the whole neighborhood.
Just recently my mother asked me if it was still there. My husband and I drove all over looking for it, but no such luck. Not too long ago I found out it was turned into a parking lot. I don't think I'll tell her.
This is Germantown High School. My mother graduated from there in 1937. It's one of the oldest high schools in the country, yet today, due to budget cuts, ABC news announced it will be closing at the end of the year. I don't think I'll tell her this, either.
In 1954, with a growing family, my parents put $100 down on the purchase of one the first homes in Levittown. Our home was a Jubilee, with four bedrooms and two baths at a whopping $1100.
So much has changed in my mother's lifetime. She remembers when telephones were first installed, the undertaker who carried both of her grandparents out of her childhood home in a wicker basket, the ice man, her mother getting her hand caught in the wringer-washing machine, the Depression, World War II and so many of her classmates who never returned home, piling as many boy scouts as would fit into her station wagon to go on camping trips, and on and on...
If I happen to be blessed with a long life I can hardly imagine the changes that I will see. Will I be overwhelmed and long for the "good ole days?" Pretty sure I will. I already do.
I've been thinking about my life lately; the choices I've made, where I am, where I want to be, and what's keeping me from getting there. I'm sure we've all been there at one time or another. What if they don't like me? What if I don't get the job? What if I'm no good at it (whatever that "it" may be)? What if I fail? What if, what if, what if...
In the cult classic movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Janet finds herself in quite a predicament after a series of events and possible bad choices... Oh, if only we hadn't made this journey. (But we did.) Oh, if only the car hadn't broke down. (But it did.) If only we were amongst friends, or sane persons. (But you're not.)
Life is full of choices. And, I believe, the choices we make direct our path. (I'm not even going to go into the debate on free will versus a Divine Plan. There just isn't enough space or time to get into that heated discussion.)
There are so many what ifs surrounding my life, but alas, I don't have a tardis or any other type of time machine, so I can not change the choices I have made or how my life has turned out thus far. I cannot go back and make the "right" choice as to my college education or career path. I cannot make the "right" choice about people in my life. I cannot go back and make the right choice about what to do with all the money I ever earned and spent. And I cannot go back and chose the right numbers for the massive lottery which would magically fix all my problems. (No, I do not actually believe that one, either.) I am fine with the choices I have made. They have made me the person I am today, for better or for worse. This is me, and i have to just accept it and move on.
We will forever be bombarded with what ifs. The important thing is not be stricken with fear of making the wrong choice and, out of that fear, chose to do nothing.
The song, Freewill, by Rush always comes to mind when I think about this: If you chose not to decide, you still have made a choice
The difference here is that the choice has been made for you and not by you, or has it? (Heavy, eh?)
Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown; they all can strangle a person into inaction. Instead of asking, "What if?" ask yourself, "Why not?" But whatever you chose, or don't chose, the worst possible thing would be to live with regret. It will destroy you like a virus.
From the movie, The Time Machine, the question answered.
I did not post a Monday Mojo last week. Sorry for those of you who enjoy them. I just did not have the mojo and nothing popped into my head as inspiration. Some days are like that. Some weeks, too, for that matter.
Broken bones, crazy vacationers, money issues, dealing with dementia, itchy little fur babies. I've got plenty of things to be worried about, but today I'm going the route of mood guru, Bobby McFerrin, and I'm going to remind myself that life is good.
I woke up today, I am breathing on my own, everybody in my home has clothes to wear and food to eat, and I have a job. Life could be be better, no doubt about it, but it could be so much worse.
Find the things which make life great and be thankful for them...like whistling, and baby sloths.
Do you ever get the feeling that you're going as fast as you can, but not going anywhere? Last week I was so busy and this week I am once again hitting the ground running. So, if you're like me, with too much to do and not enough time to do it all in, let's kick it up to overdrive and get this show on the road.
OK, so I had originally been planning on doing a video from The Benny Hill Show, but I just couldn't find the right video to capture the mood I wanted...until I came across this one.
This week my son has to do a speech dressed as George Washington (working on the costume today and tomorrow), we have three little league games, I need to plan and shop for this week's menu (which involves the dreaded comparison pricing and couponing, then hitting various stores), and sadly my poor little Etsy shop gets pushed back in the list of things that need to be done.
Let's just say, for the fun of it, that I had the winning ticket in tonight's lottery. (Like you haven't thought about how sweet life would be if you won.) Look, I know my chances of winning. This is just a pipe dream. But just for the fun of it, let's say I did win.
To give you an idea of what my good life would be like, here are a few things I would love to spend some money on, if I had it.
In honor of the current round of Lotto Fever, I thought I'd add to the fervor just a bit. I'm sure there's not many out there who haven't thought what life would be like if they won the lottery. I own't lie, for me life would be SWEET! But until then, I work, and scrimp and cut coupons...and dream just a little about the good life.
I work for a major grocery store chain. I am a cashier and I have lots of interaction with all types of people. Since I'm in a beach community, I see many people who are still working for a living, those who are retired, and those who have done well enough for themselves to either not have to work anymore or who can afford to have a beach home and come here to unwind and relax.
Whatever their economic status or age, they all come through my line. And I ask them all if they brought their own grocery bags. Our company encourages folks to bring their their own bags by offering a 5 cent discount per bag. It could be a canvas bag, a homemade cotton bag, a recycled pet food bag, or even our plastic bags which they brought back to reuse.
Lots of folks do bring their own, and make sure to get their discount. I am one of those people myself. For one thing our bags are not as strong as they used to be and rip easily. My bags are more durable and can hold more. Plus, it's my money and I want to keep as much of it as I can, thank you very much.
You can be sure many don't care about a measly 5 cents, but it does add up and besides it's just a token way for the store to say, "Thank you for doing your part." Not long ago I had a couple come through my line. I asked them if they had any bags and the woman made a point of telling me how unhealthy recycled bags are because the liquids from the foods get on the bags. Her husband continued to bag their items and said it just wasn't worth it. Without even thinking or meaning to be insulting I smiled at the woman and chuckled and said, "Then you just wash them." Am I the only one who thinks that's just in-your-face obvious? What did people do before disposable diapers or paper towels and napkins?
I am currently collecting large pet food bags to make my own recycled grocery bags. I will definitely be using them when I do my shopping and may offer them in my shop, as well. I've seen many blogs, websites, and items for sale to know that many do care about the Earth and minimizing our damage done. But, this one instant reminded me that many people still don't "get it."
Do you get it? What shade of green are you? I'd love to hear what you are doing to reduce your carbon footprint.
Feeling a little down? Feeling defeated? Feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders today? Stop, take a breath, and remember all there is to be thankful for. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food to eat? Did you wake up today? It's up to you to decide if today is going to be a bad day, a good day, or a great day.
Need some motivation? Put your life in perspective. How would you deal with life if you were Nick Vujicic. Would you be thankful or would you feel sorry for yourself? It's a choice. So, what's it going to be? I chose to have a great day!
