Wordless Wednesday - Poudre River Fall

Wednesday Pet Peeves

I'm just wondering, why do so many public bathrooms have the tissue dispenser placed in the absolute worst possible place? Do the (male) contractors laugh out loud when installing it, thinking of us poor ladies being forced to sit sideways or trying to bend our wrist in a way that nature never intended? I mean, come on people. You don't need a degree in ergonomics to get it right, just a little common sense.

And one more pet peeve... To all you fast food drive-through employees out there, what part of "That's all" don't you understand? I don't want the dollar biscuit or the upgraded drink or even the chocolate sundae (and no, I don't want to try the new combo meal today). I'm a big girl and I've been choosing my own meals for a long time now, thank you.

That's all.

Thankful

I've been wondering what to blog about, because it's been an emotional week for me. Emotional enough for me to think, "middle age is when you start going to more funerals than weddings." Pretty dark, eh? Of course that's not true. We all suffer the loss of loved ones. Some go too soon, others live to a grand old age. I am lucky this week. My uncle, who is in the hospital with a breathing tube down his throat, is expected to recover. Two days ago doctors told his family to say "good-bye." Two days ago I was ready to challenge anyone who believed in the power of prayer. But today I am only thankful. He's not out of the woods by any stretch, but he's improving and that is wonderful news.

So yes, I debated about such a personal post, and in the end I have left out some details. But life hangs on a thread and we all need to reach out and show our love while we have a chance. You never know when your time, or someone else's, will be over.

New Pieces!

It’s been weeks since I made any new pieces, so today I took advantage of the dreary weather and took some time to create. I managed to create or finish off eight new pieces! The shorter days mean I need to think about boosting the inventory in my Etsy store for Christmas. Let’s hope it’s a good season for handmade this year.

These wire earrings took me a long time because I’m not great at wire work! They’re a variation on a design I saw in a jewelry makers magazine.

Sticking with the copper theme, these are the first ear wires that I’ve made by hand. The stones are a green jade.

The Red Accent

Today I’m highlighting this red coral necklace, hoping to sell it before the listing expires on the 16th! Red coral is set off by puffed silver filigree beads in this 17" long necklace. It’s finished with a self-closing lobster claw clasp. The cheerful red is great all year round but especially for the upcoming holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. And best of all, it’s under $20!

Fall Cometh

Have a long, peaceful Labor Day weekend!

Scary Creatures

I’m tired of finding scary bugs in scary places. Last time I changed my sheets I uncovered a black spider just sitting there under my fitted sheet, right where I always sleep. It must have been divine providence that I chose to change the sheets at just the right time to discover and kill him. Creepy. And then there’s the shower incident. I’m standing there, face full of soap, I pull my washcloth toward me under the spray, and an Earwig falls out of it (without contacts I have to assume it was an Earwig). I can tell you I dropped that washcloth like a hot potato and couldn’t WAIT to get out of that shower.

I’ve learned to check the shower for bugs before getting in, but I never thought to check my washcloth. I know these small creatures can’t hurt me, but they sure scare the bee-geesis out of me! I don’t like them and I don’t want them in my house. But, since I refuse to move to a concrete jungle, I have to accept sharing space with the intruders. Some of them are so creepy that I physically cannot kill them without letting out a series of embarrassing girl shrieks and hopping around like a mad woman. Just approaching for the kill raises my anxiety to dangerous levels. What if it moves? Oh, I don’t want to see it move! Can it jump at me? Oh, I hate this. Why do I have to do this myself?

But I am a strong, independent grown-up woman, so I do the thing that frightens me. I’d love to say I am stronger for it, but next time I’m faced with a big ugly spider don’t be surprised if you hear me whimpering like a school girl!