May We Have Power!

Um, the power I'm talking about is the electricity to our bathrooms! There's been no power to our two bathrooms since Sunday. My sweetie rigged a light with a power cord in the bathroom I always use, and he's been using a camping lantern in the other bathroom. So far he hasn't been able to find the problem...no, it's NOT the breaker. So this weekend is fix it time. I hope!

The earrings are from a long-ago Valentine's Day. I found these heart beads at a beadstore in Fairfield. The teeny silver Thai beads are some of my favorites. The homemade sterling earwires are fun to wear.

So remember I heart all you blog friends!!! May God be with you all this weekend and keep you safe and peaceful.

Charm Necklace and Earrings for a Dear Lady

Here's today's project: a charm necklace and matching earrings! These are fun to make~~~ charms are little projects. Add the "little projects" together and you have a necklace! Or earrings.

This piece is for a dear lady at my church. She's a strong and loving mother, grandmother and recent widow. Her husband was a sweet man in his 50's who passed away unexpectedly last month. He was a soccer coach, hospital engineer and even helped us design our new kitchen. Now his wife is on her own. I pray for her and her children. And I'll send this little token of love in the mail tomorrow.

May all of you who've lost loved ones be comforted. And may all the rest of us appreciate the blessings we have! God be with you all.

My New Book is Here!!!!

I just received a book I've been waiting for for almost a year: Making Connections by Susan Lenart Kazmer.
I'm so excited! I just want to take this book and stay home from work for 3 months and make jewelry! In my pajamas, without brushing my hair or teeth and in a permanently hunched over position. LOL! I asked my husband and he said that we owe too much on our house. I HAVE to go to my "day job". Oh poop.

I've loved Susan's jewelry for years. She was in Bead and Button 2003? or 2004? and I was intrigued by her found object jewelry.

I was fortunate enough to take a class with her last April. It covered rivets, staples and the use of plexiglass. The pendant is one I made after her class. It's wild and seems almost Biblical to me. The different gemstones, the antique-looking piece of brass...it was cool to make. I hope that you enjoy it.

Kitty Challenge

Hi! I'm Beatrice and I have a problem. An insurmountable problem, I think.

See this door? It's the kitty door. It's scary.

I know that my food and litter box are on the other side of this door. I stare at it a lot, but it won't open.

Hey, could someone give me a hand here? Just hold open the door for me each time I want to visit the garage, OK?

PS. Note from Chris. I actually kneel down and hold the door open for this little furball every time she asks. I keep hoping that she'll figure it out. Maybe by 2010 or 2015. Maybe. I keep hoping. Ha!

May your Wednesday be wonderful~~~ may you feel His peace.

Monday Happiness

I'm so happy I survived this Monday! Thank you Lord! With the new computer program still giving us challenges and unfamiliarity with the new mammo machine and frazzled and stressed out coworkers...it's been real! And I made it. And I'm home now. Lord, I am so thankful for your grace and peace. Please continue to be with me and my coworkers through this learning curve.

I made new earrings this weekend! Here's the front:

Here's the back:

I love 'em! They really were fun to make. The little stamped charms almost made my eyes permanently cross, they were soo teeny! This pair will go to "Gifted" in Sonoma.
May you all have survived Monday and be letting your brain relax tonight. God bless you, my friends.

Sunday..indoor day

It's a blustery, rainy, icky day in Northern California. We made it to the 8:30 AM service at church, and boy was it sooo worth it! Pastor Jon preached on the 23rd Psalm, which I've read and heard bunches of times. But he "fleshed it out" a bit.

I didn't realize that the Middle Eastern shepherds often named their sheep. Apparently, back in Biblical times, sheep were raised primarily for wool, as opposed to nowadays in the US, where they are raised mainly for food. Anyway, the shepherds would really know their sheep. And they would defend their sheep to the death from wolves and lions and thieves. That really makes the image of Jesus as my shepherd even more comforting. Even more meaningful. Thank you so much, my Jesus!

This bracelet is an oldie. I made and sold several of these to coworkers a couple of Christmases ago. They are so fun to wear! A challenge to make, as you want to use 20 or 22 gauge silver wire for strength, and a lot of gemstones don't have holes that big. Since I got my electric bead reamer, life is better~~ Just don't do what I did and "ream" your finger. Blood is not a good mix with beads! LOL!

Bless you all, my dear blog-friends! May your week be filled with God-thoughts and loving deeds.

Buddies

Well, the new kitty Beatrice, or "Button" as we've nicknamed her, and the old kitty Foster are getting along just great. Yes, there was hissing and flicking of tails at first, but now they play together and lounge together. This is a pretty sight!

Here it's a rainy day in northern California. Wherever you are, may you have a blessed and protected weekend. In Jesus' holy name, AMEN!

Light-hearted Friday

Yay!!! Friday is here and it's soooo lovely! I survived the first week of the first computer change-over. Next week is another change in how our images will be accessed and stored...oh goodie. THANK YOU for your prayers! I did make it! My brain did not permanently fry into little Chinese fried noodles.

May your weekend contain some "Joy". Bless you all!

Etched Pray Pendant

My day off, so in between laundry, bills, and picking up, I worked on an etched and stamped pendant for a friend.
Etching gives you the ability to draw your design. Since this design is rather small, my bifocals really helped. Sometimes I even slip a pair of cheapo reading glasses on my nose along with my bifocals!! That's when my DD calls me "Six-eyes". LOL!
Here's my hand holding the pendant so you can see the size. Yes, my hands are beat up from the jewelry making! I use them as tools, instead of pampering them.

Bless you all, my dear friends. And continue to pray.

Time for a break

I'm weary from new-computer-system-at-work woes, so I thought I'd show y'all (I just LOVE to type y'all! Even though I grew up in California, I think that "y'all" is really cool.)the watch that I made for my little sis. This watch took mucho hours and I'm not going to make another one! But it did turn out really cool and my sis wears it to church and such. And she loves me. Not because of the watch.

And I love y'all!!!! May God bless you and keep your near Him.

Meme---book!

I've been tagged for a meme on books.
Here are the rules:

1. The book must be over 123 pages.

2. Find page 123 in the book.

3. Find the first 5 sentences.

4. Post the next 3 sentences.

5. Tag other people.

OK, my book is the one I'm glued to right now: "Creation in Death" by Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb. Very creepy suspense future-novel.

"Or come to this address on this date and time to help serve at a party. Pick up some extra cash. Possibilities."

Well, that wasn't especially scintillating, but I did follow the rules!

I don't know many to tag, but I'm gonna tag the sweetest lady: Denise at Samaritan Woman. Can you come out and play? I hope so!

Beads---yum!

On our travels, we visited a couple of bead stores. Naturally! LOL! Here's The Hole Affair in Jackson. Pretty building, no?

Here's the pretty beads I bought at the pretty store...

Next, I crossed the street and visited the Trading Post..

And look at this lovely quartz crystal and turquoise. Ah yes, my pretties. You are in my clutches now---mwahh haa haa haa!!! (twirling my moustache as I laugh maniacally)

Yes. One of my vices is love of beads. Help me here, Lord, to never put them before You! Amen!

Our Favorite Bookstore

Today DH and I drove to Jackson, CA, to our very very favorite bookstore: Hein's Books. It has a kajillion used books and they are sooo reasonable. We spent $18 and walked out with a big bag o' books. Heavenly!

Here's the front. It's in a big old three-story building. It smells old and bookish. It has about every genre of book imaginable.

It has interesting nooks to peruse your choices. The moosehead is festively decorated with red tinsel garland. Very stylish!

I really mean that there are a kajillion or more books! I usually get lost a few times when I visit.

And look at this good-looking hunk...oh wait! It's my DH being a really good sport, since he hates having his picture snapped. He's such a good guy and I am super blessed!

Our Monday off was so fun. I pray your day was a good one! No matter what you did or accomplished today, may it have been God-filled and packed with love.

Evangelical Earrings for my friend

My friend D goes to my church. She's a strong Christian senior. She loves Jesus so very much and uses every opportunity to encourage others to find Him. She also loves earrings and asked me to make some for her.
Here they are~~~



D's husband is in the hospital. He's been in ICU for two weeks with serious lung and heart problems. Today he and D made the decision that he should be taken off of the breathing tube and "Graduate to Glory", as D put it. She's very happy for him and envious that he gets to go before her! And he will be there soon, according to his doctor. So please say a prayer for D and her husband as he goes off to his heavenly home. Thank you! Bless you!

Sonoma on Saturday

My DH and I spent the day in Sonoma...how pretty and sunny and full of shoppers and cool artsy shops!


Sonoma has pretty fountains.


And another pretty fountain...

Here's the shop that carries my work! Woo hoo!!!


Look in the front window...My jewelry!! What a thrill!!! So of course I took a picture. So far no sales, but I was told that it's been rather slow all over. And to be patient. So the resin and stamps that I wanted to buy from Beaducation and Susan Lenart Kazmer will need to wait to join my collection.

DH found an old armoire at The Church Mouse, a thrift store on the Sonoma square. He's been hunting for an armoire for years...I had to say yes when he spotted this bargain. Now he has a place to put his clothes. Those plastic bins were rather tacky! He and his son and brother will muscle it into the truck tomorrow and muscle it back to our room.

I hope your Saturday was as laid back as ours! God bless you all.

Fried Brain Friday

It's been a tough week at work. We are getting more comfortable using the new digital mammo machine, but we'll be switching to a new scheduling program on Tuesday. And this program will impact every single soul in our clinic...it's more involved and, looking at it from the outside, seems to be a challenge.

Well, I'm happy to say that my God is bigger than this new program! My God will be with me on Tuesday when I return to an upside-down work! And I'm gonna rely on God to help me through this new challenge!

May God guide you all through your coming challenges. Until then, it's a three day-pay day-weekend for us!!! Yeeee Hawwww! Wooo hooooo!!!! Hubba Hubba!!

Granddaughter Bragging

Here's one of the world's way cutest granddaughters~~~Allessa! Isn't she super neato-burrito? 6 and 1/2 months old. Adorable. Completely.



She carefully inspected the outfits I bought her. They seemed adequate, but the jury's still out. Very discriminating dresser, my granddaughter.



She loves Winnie the Pooh. And she loves laying on her tummy (wait, is it "laying" or "lying"? All English majors please comment! Clear up this mystery. But don't comment on any other of my many grammatical errors, OK?).



She loves cookies. Yep, I think I must agree with her. Cookies are very very good.

So, all my blog-land friends, I am done bragging for now. Bless you for humoring me!

True Love

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 KJV

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." John 3:16 The Message

May you experience True Love! Happy Valentine's Day!

The Messy Side of Creativity

Here are some earrings that I made for a dear friend. It's almost Valentine's Day, you know. She really liked them! And she wore them all day.


Here's a picture of my workbench last night when I finished making that pair of earrings....UGH! I don't know why I must trash my workspace whenever I make something, but unfortunately, that's what I do. It's an ugly fact, but at least it produced something pretty.
I've heard that there are creative people who's workspace looks neat and tidy. My hat is off to you! Especially if I actually wore a hat.
So, Happy Tuesday. And God bless you!

Easy Monday

My DD and my SIL spent the night last night. They were surprised that we would be working today. Later, when my DH and I returned home after work...our bathroom was sparkling, ice cream was in the fridge, and they were still there to hug us good bye! What a HUGE treat!

I pray that this week is a smooth one. I pray that you all know that Jesus loves you so very much. Amen!

Blessed Day

Bless you all, my "computer friends"! May this next week be a God-filled one. May we all feel hope and kindness. May we be a blessing to others!

The Dog-Dirty Truth

Warning: The following post is NOT for the faint-of-heart or the weak-stomached. I have discovered an amazing fact. When you have two dogs, you have more dog fur to sweep up more often. SHOCKING! Who would have thought?

I swept 2 DAYS AGO!!! Look at that pile-o'-fur!!!! Euwwwww!!!!
Those dogs are just lucky that they are sweet and funny and provide exercise and love and important therapy for my DH!!! Cuz the mess they make is not funny, no siree...
And look at one of the culprits. Do you see that glass sliding door? I cleaned that 2 DAYS AGO!!! Ick. Dog slobber is amazing stuff. He's just so lucky that he makes us laugh and looks at us with those expressive Lab eyes and we melt. Just soooo lucky!

Who Needs Stacey and Clinton?

Tonight is "What Not To Wear"! If I can stay awake until 9:00, that is. I'm posting this old pic of me to prove that I've always had a keen sense of style. The hat, the robe, the slippers and the attractive scarf. What a fashion plate...NOT! I still dress this way! Well, not the hat.

May your weekend be God-filled. May you feel His peace and strengthening power. Amen!

Grandma Bragging

Gotta brag about my little granddaughter Allessa. She's a darling sweetie cutie pie~! And I'm not predudiced. No no...look at that photo. I mean, duh, what a cutie!

This was taken last November. I need to visit her to get a newer picture. I've been told by my son that she's crawling backwards. Not forwards. Just backwards. That's cuz she's sooo advanced that she believes that crawling forwards is way too easy. Yep. Oh yeah!

Hope your Thursday was a joy. If not,hope you get a smile seeing this little one. God be with you all!

Pretty Sunshine in California

Today was a BEE-AY-YOO-TEE-FULL day in northern California. Sunny, bright and cool. Not a lot of springtime pollen in the air for us allergy sufferers--perfect! Even though I was at work today, I appreciated the sunshine when I went to my car for my lunch-time nap. You read that right--I'm a napper! LOL!

Here's a pic of a pair of my favorite earrings. When I wear these I feel a bit exotic. A bit of a stretch, but fun once in a while.

May your Wednesday have been a day of blessedness, and if not, may God surround you with love, comfort, peace.

Voting Day in CA

Here's a pair of earrings I made last week. I'd never made hoops, so this was a fun project. Copper, brass, sterling earwires and beryl crystal.

It's voting day in California. After I post here my DH and I are going to high-tail it to the polls and cast our votes. I'm so blessed to be a United States citizen!

What I Did During the Super Bowl

I really didn't watch much of the Super Bowl. I did enjoy the commercials and listened to my DH, my daughter and my son-in-law cheer and groan at the game. I, on the other hand, had a lovely time at my bench making this pendant. "Amazing Grace", turquoise, copper, silver wire.

God is good! May you know His grace and love.

Alleluia Gone Till Easter

What an extraordinarily beautiful day! A sunny day after weeks of rain looks even sunnier and prettier than usual, don't you think?

Today at church we're getting ready for Lent. And the alleluia was used for the last time until Easter. Pastor Jon preached a wonderful sermon about the light of God, the presence of God and how it shown through Jesus when he was on the mountaintop. And the possibility, as William Barclay mentioned, that Jesus may have been speaking with Elijah and Moses in the presence of God to affirm his destiny. His coming journey to the cross....I love sermons that make me think AND stick with me!

May your Sunday be blessed and a beautiful start to this week. I'm blessed to have you visit my blog!

Happy Saturday Cleaning

Happy Saturday! It's rainy and cold-ish here in Northern California. Perfect house-cleaning weather! DH and I need to shovel out the clutter and vaccuum dog hair, as we have a big family dinner here tonight. So we'll be busy.

I'm so fortunate that my DH cooks. He's going to make manicotti or lasagne tonight, depending on his mood. And it's GREAT food. AND he tries to cut back on fat and salt, using whole-grain pasta too....is he wonderful?

The earrings are my 50th birthday present to myself last year. One of the fun things about making jewelry is that you can make yourself presents. If you like jewelry and if there is a local bead store that gives classes--try one! You may really like it!

May your Saturday be fun, even if you have to clean the house and run a zillion errands. God bless you all!

I'm a Little Turd, But I'm So Darn Cute!

Here's little Sierra! So far, she's pooped and peed on the carpet in my jewelry studio/exercise area. On the bright side, she's funny and bright and we'll be taking her to Basic Doggie Manners Class in two weeks. Life will improve. Dakota loves playing with her.

Praise God that it's Friday! Praise God for challenges met and encouragment during stress! Praise God for my many blessings! And may your weekend be packed with God-filled moments of joy~