Ravings of an Altered Art Mind

2009-03-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks to some money saving friends, I have two new pair of glass for under $35.00! How?! Check out these sexy specs. The web site is Zenni Optical, the prices are just amazing. The purple pair were $8 and the Green Floral print were just $9.95. Each pair has the UV coating for just $5. and the shipping was just $4.95! Now for the price, I was happily surprised. They came quick, fit just perfect, and each were wrapped in a micro fiber cloth inside a sweet blue case. Now I am one that loves my contacts but from time to time, you just need to let your eyes have a break. The glasses I was wearing had scratches on the lens (didn't get them coated!) and for $68. I could have gotten new lenses made!! But I knew about this web site, and in just 3 days longer than my local eye dr. could do, and a HUGE amount cheaper, I got two New pairs of glasses and the lenses for what they would charge for one lens.
So, in these times when everyone is watching their pennies, keep a few more by checking out Zenni Optical, and let me know what you think!
PS. My green ones also come in pink and purple!

http://zennioptical.com/

2009-03-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I would start sharing front page ads that I like on etsy. This is one with my jewelry on it. Seems like a good one to start with!

The Secret Life of Bees

2009-03-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well my daughters and I did another movie and take out night, this time watching The Secret Life of Bees. We even forced...well bribed with dinner, my daughter's boyfriend into watching it. So ages 15, 18, 18....and 38! I found myself holding my breath part of the time in an effort not to cry. And others wiping the tears away. I thought the acting was AMAZING, the pollyannna in me hated the racial tension, and the mother in me just wanted to hold Lilly forever. It's an emotional movie but one that I think you will love. There were moments that had you gasping, laughing and as mention crying. My little survey of my viewing audience was an A+. Hope you enjoy it also. Comements are welcome.

Give Away & Enviroment

2009-01-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

Most who work with me have seen me take empty bottles and cans home to by recycled! Most days I pack my lunch using my Tinker Bell lunch box. Yes, I love fairies so Tinker is a inside joke, but it gets the point to pack instead of using the dispoable plastic from our cafiteiea.
This is a great blog and a super give away. I am hoping for the Berry Bliss bag, to Grow Up mine. Check it out.....

http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2009/01/spring-lunch-tote-giveaway.html?commentPage=2

When Journalism Fails

2009-01-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

Okay, I finally got how to do youtube videos, check this one out. We all need a good out loud laugh!

Stand by Me

2009-01-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

Check this one out, and lets make it one of the top watched. It's a great song, and done worldwide, shows just how small our world really is.

Check This OUT!!

2009-01-14T07:27:00.001-08:00

Look what one of my customers made with her pendant. It's amazing, stunning, and totally beautiful. I love the red accents, it really draws the eye! Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19720061

here is the photo...cause I can't figure out how to make a clickable photo link....

Movie Reviews Marley & Me and Mama Mia

2009-01-09T07:07:00.001-08:00

Marley and Me.....anyone who has ever loved a dog with love the movie. There were laugh out loud parts, deep groans of having been there & cleaned that...yuck! The back story of Jenny & John Grogen is something most adults can relate to. Getting married, kids, the unexpected kids, and that single-worldtraveling-party every night-single friend. That touch of is this where I wanted to be, and coming to home to family. Now while I loved the movie, I HATED the ending. So SPOLIER ALERT........we all know that a dogs life is shorter than ours, and you knew it was coming, they lead up to it very well. But after....it ended....that's it, dead, buried, everyone bawling, everyone sad...and the ending credits. No come spring a new puppy, no ghostly Marley watching over the family, no healing, just over. The lights come up and everyone is still blowing noses and wiping tears, it didn't feel like there was closure. Having a golden who is now 13, and slowing down, we know this day is coming, so there we all sat with tears running down. Once home Rocky got an extra treat and some extra loving while he's here with us.

Then the other night we renting Mama Mia, and grabbed take out for a girls night at home. My two daughters 18 & 15 watched it with me. It's a feel good, light hearted movie, that also has some outragous, laugh out loud parts. It was kind of funny to relate to the Mom's side of the movie. Thinking back to your youth, wild, reckless, fearless and then the edited parts! Thoses parts that only you and the others that were there know about, and that is the way it's going to be! I love the Greek villa, even most of the dance scenes were pretty good. Of course Dancing Queen was the first 8 Track I ever bought, so it was tugging on the heartstrings. Pierce Brosnan is a still very fine looking man, and Colin Firth is just HOT per my kids! It's a toe tapping, much like reading a romance book movie. It leaves you with a smile, and a warm fuzzy feeling! I see my sister in Rosie, who's one liners have you rolling in laughter. Oh and the men dancing in flippers is something you don't want to miss. A great movie, and one I am sure to buy when it comes out.

2009-01-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

While browsing through etsy, I found these pendants. Now I know that they are easy to make, and have made some myself. But I fell in love with this one and didn't have the time to make it myself. More of the Christmas rush later...now that I can breath! ANYWAY, I bought it like on a Friday, and had it by Monday! It was so well packed and shipped so quick, I thought maybe beamed would be a better word.

Now if I can get the link to work, I will be in great shape. Check out their other listings, they are cute, cheap and my Teens have already been fighting for it!

Okay, I can't figure this one out. The website is : http://www.homestudio.etsy.com/

too pooped to Create

2008-12-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

Gee, I know just how this little kitten feels! Some of you know that I work on an Alzheimer's unit, and I work every weekend. From 7am to 7pm. Pretty cool, I am paid for a 40 hour week and only work 24 hours.
Today was a pretty good day, steady but busy. Christmas carols, and a TON of Christmas cards to be read.....oh here is a little tip! Even if you address the envelope to Ms Smith....don't just write MOM on the card.....in a tiny corner on the back, write the person's name. Because if they are on a unit like mine, we have one lady to collects ALL Christmas cards, and calls them hers! And we don't know which Mom is which! So I come home and find a wonderful box of new and vintage beads, and findings.....I am so excited and as I look at them, get wonderful ideas.... I rush to get out of my scrubs, and into bummy clothes....and nothing! My get-up-and-go.....got-up-and-left....so I thought I would take a second and say HI!
There are days when the ideas come fast and frequent, often tripping over each other to get out and done first....and there are days like now, where I do feedback, or busy work, and wait for that rush again!
I would rather turn out a small volume with high quality results, than production work with poor quality. And this time of the year, I am taking care of myself....and you should too. One of the biggest things you can do to prevent getting sick this winter, is to take care of yourself. When you feel tired and run down, you are open to attack from all kinds of nasty bugs. So grab a cup of hot tea, add a bit of honey (antiviral) and sip, then sleep! You will here this over and over, they are finding out just how much our body does when it's asleep, cells get repaired, systems level out and so much more. They are even linking being overweight to not enough sleep!
So when it's cold out, and you are tired, rather than trying to live up to some idea of the perfect artist, take a night off, and pamper yourself!
So with my amazing patchouli soap from etsy (lots of great sellers!) and a cup of hot tea from the web site One Good Woman, I am off to a warm bath, and to bed. Tomorrow is another 12 hours, and if we have call offs because of the weather, it will be a 16 hour day.
Sweet dreams, and good night!

Raindrops on Roses

2008-12-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

I GOT A TREASURY!!! Check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=27308

With my sister singing to me....

Some Funnies from my Mom!

2008-11-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

Movie Review Twilight and Quantem of Solace

2008-11-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry this is late. It's been a busy day with 4 hours sleep. Twilight was sold out at 12:01am with 2 theaters running it! There was about 95% women, and about 90% were under the age of 21! And so many Moms with their kids. Hey, I think it's great, we talked about the movie all the way home, and also during the day. And please little ones, leave the darn cameras at home, there is nothing more annoying than a flash going off in front of you, so go to the lobby for those candid shots of two fingers!!!
Once the movie started, you were watching this deer running in the woods....go deer! Kristen did a wonderful job as Bella, her eyes are very expressive, and the sighs, gasps and such were right on with a teen girl. Everyone twittered when Edward came on screen, and even this 38 year old can drool just a little!
On the way home we argued the merits of reading the book before the movie. I did with the Harry Potter ones, but so much time had passed, it didn't have any impact. This time, I reread the book again just a couple weeks ago. And I think it adds to the film knowing what Bella is thinking, knowing what is going to happen next. There were screen that didn't make the movie, but for a two hour movie, it went by like just a moment. I looked at my watch, debating if I could wait for the girls room, and was shocked to find there were only 10 mins. left! I wanted my do over!
Even though high school is over 20 years in my past, I can remember all the drama, the little hurts, and the heartbreaks of it. Not that I would EVER want to go back, but you smile when Edward is flirting with Bella, when they arrive at school and everyone is looking. That first kiss, your heart sighs remembering your own, the nerves of meeting the parents, the terror of prom! The music was amazing, Bella's lullaby is tender, the special effects were very well done, and boy I can't wait for the next one. Really it's the last one that has me drooling over, I can't wait to see Renesmee! And to see Bella go after Jacob!

Now this evening I was a sweet wifey-poo and went to see Quantum of Solace with my husband. I am not a big shoot them up bang them up, movie person. So this one was a little hard to get through, I was restless in my seat and looked at the clock twice. Overall I like this James Bond, I think Daniel Craig is very sexy, very troubled. The fights were very dramatic, but I want more meat, more development in the plot, in the characters. To me, there were more fight scenes than dialog! But James did some some human sides to him. I was biting my nails during the fire at the end, when he had the gun.....Like no way! But it ended as expected, and my husband was happy I seen it with him....but I was longing to have the speed to run back and forth to watch Twilight again!

TWILIGHT TONIGHT!!

2008-11-20T07:58:00.001-08:00

Just a shout out to all the Twilight fans out there. We are going to the 12:01am showing. So today is a take a nap, and take it easy day! This old gal isn't used to staying up till that time. It's a two hour movie, so if by the time I get home, I am still lucid, I will post an update of the movie. But I have no doubt it's going to be amazing! And I can't wait to see all the twilight jewelry everyone will be wearing! A couple weeks ago, I played a small part in an engagement. A gentleman bought one of my tins with the quote from Edward asking Bella to marry him. He put the engagement ring inside for her to open! How very romantic is that!

And I sold one of two acorn pendants, that I had blessed by the faeries at the Glen Rock Fairy Festival in May. It went to a lady who was buying for a production company, they are using it in the play Peter Pan, it's going to be the kiss Peter gives Tinker Bell. I love hearing the back stories of my listings. One lady in Russia, said that she was giving the necklace she bought to her grandmother, who knew the artist when she was a child! The Grandmother broke down crying and was so happy with it.

For all those going to the midnight show, as Edward told Bella BE SAFE

2008-11-12T07:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChanTFSmqao

You have got to watch this!!! This guy moved me to tears on Prop 8. I just love his question, what is it to you?? Is what way does it lessen your own marriage?

Did you know that as of 1967 there were still laws on the books preventing black people and white poeple from marrying??!!!

My post today was going to be on the enviroment, and being green....until I found this on iVillage, and just have to try and get the word out. Let me know what you think, and even if you don't agree, please be respectful.

Green Eyed Monster?!

2008-11-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

Did the green eyed monster come a visiting? YOU BET! What etsy seller wouldn't want a rock star to buy a ton of jewelry from your store. Anyone would be. Scary maybe, but a 2000. order...WOW!

But then life came back into it. We have a resident who is dying, and possible has passed over as I type this. Being on a demenita unit, with 33 residents, they all become family. The slightly goofy favorite aunt, the mothering woman who gives the very best hugs. The charming uncle who loves his back scratched and will return the favor! And so forth. If you haven't worked with people who are dying, it's not the big drama of TV, it's quiet sighs, raspy breaths, gently touches and soft, sad goodbyes. This woman was a nurse, of the old school, and would often tell you when She takes charge things will change! But then you would see her with her great grandson, and feel the tugs on your heart. So with honor you make her as comfortable as you can, and treat her with reverance to honor her soul.

That really knocks the green eyed monster for a loop.

And then there is the little kitten who thinks you created heaven on earth by letting her curl up beside you on a cold night.....or on you....under the covers.....till you wake up at 4am so hot you think the house is on fire! And throw off the cover, and gently move the sleeping dead weight kitten, roll over and feel her softly cuddle with you again!

That kind of love just melts the green eyed monster.......

And then there is the daughter who has to have a outpatient procedure done in the morning. And you are worried, she is worried, the results won't be back for a while, and you worry. And being a mom and a nurse, you want to fix it. But they aren't little anymore when a hug and cuddle can make their world all better. And there are some things in the world that you can't fix. They just are. And you worry....and that green eyed monster with the huge rock star sales just fades off into the distance......

Gay, Straight, Black or White.. HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE

2008-11-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

Today I was putzing around looking at friends blogs, and checked out Mrs B blog: Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom....link is down below. She was talking about Section 8 in Calf. voting to ban gay marriages. And also included a link to this
one:

http://casadr.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/the-faces-of-gay-adoption/

Please read it. It will break your heart, make you think and I hope open some eyes.
I know that my head has always been in the clouds, I just can't understand how you can judge someone based on their skin color, sexual orientation, religion, hair style, or cloths they wear. Is who someone loves, or what religion they practice more important than how they treat others? How they live their life? Are they kind to kids and elders? That somehow that is less important than the color of their skin, or who they love is just saddening. Someone said to me that letting people who are gay get married would somehow reduce theirs?!?! HUN, WHAT, HOW! After giving them a look of utter disbelief, I had to walk away. I was shaken so bad, and so very angry, I would have hurt them. and Now I have to wonder, are they that insecure in their relationship? When over 60% of marriages fail, how can someone living across the country make it worse? I have friends, gay who have been in a relationship longer than others who were married. Without the legal bonds to hold them, they stood by their partners for much longer than others.

Maybe this is just the nurse in me talking but when you get below the color of someone's skin, you can't tell if they are black, white, gay or straight....

Sock Monster

2008-11-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

I have often wonder where all the socks went, there must be a monster lurking in the washing machine, or perhaps that one under the dryer with the secret entrance as they are tumbling. Partly Dried sock, YUMM!!
But NO, News flash, just heard on the John Tess radio show, the top 5 things that dogs swallow the most...
5. Balls
4. Rocks
3. Panty Hose
2. Underware....nope not saying a word....
1. The NUMBER ONE THINGS THAT DOGS SWALLOW MOST is yes, you guessed it....SOCKS, They are the sock monster.
Now, if you don't have dogs, I wouldn't go near the drying late at night....one a full moon.....by yourself......

While Taking a Shower...

2008-10-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Okay get your mind out of the gutter! After going for the morning walk with the dogs, doing my yoga, I needed a shower. But still in the zen mood from the excersice, and yoga, wanted to do something different. I changed the shower head to a gentle rain, and as I washed each body part, I thought about what it does for me. For example, my hands. They type, they create, they loving stroke my residents cheeks, they gently rub tired muscles of friends and families. That kind of thing, slowly and mindfully. Instead of being critic...too fat...too old....too weak.....I chose to honor each part. Now I am not a model, there are a ton of things that I would love to improve but I think we need to take a second and be thankful for what we have. I chose to thank the Goddess for my body, you might thank God for it. This is one that I took of my residents with my dog Rocky. Even though her hands are weak, and knotted with age, she was so happy to see him, and he just loves the attention.

Even the parts that hurt, I dislocated my knee about 3 years ago, putting my knee cap on the side of my knee. So being unable to walk for a while, and then only with a brace really makes me very Thankful that now I can walk the dogs around the block, with only a twinge every once in a while. It is amazing how good you feel afterwards. We are so bomb barded with super skinny model images, that we need to step back and be thankful that our bodies are more than just a sex symbol, that we can be more than just some airbrushed, photoshop image. Being the mom of two young ladies....18 & 15...it's a everyday challange.

SO my Challange for you today or tomorrow, is as you are taking a shower, or bath, think of at least one POSTIVE thing about each body part. And you really don't have time to list any negatives because you need to be quick to conserve water......Have a Blessed Day!

2008-09-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

WEE what fun. I just created my first treasurey and got a note that I was added to another. WOW. Take a look at mine:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=11829

And I am in this one, the very first photo!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=11820

More on The Petaloma Situation

2008-09-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

Here is another link to the story. BUT I would add, I don't think the goverment is being too harsh. The families that send their kids to these programs want some kind of promise that their kids are coming home. That a selfish teenage who decided to stay won't be allowed. Or that a well meaning family doesn't keep a younger child. If you were sending your 7 year old to another country wouldn't you want to know that they were coming home. By Tanya staying she puts the whole program at risk.

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/7837

Another Fablous Treasury

2008-09-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

This is just beautiful, the reds are quite stunning. Not just because my pendant is on it either! But I am glad it is!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=26725

Treasury!!!

2008-09-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=9477

#links

2008-09-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

#links
Not sure if I did this right, but check out the news reporter talking about the burning of siezed drugs as he is standing right in the clouds of smoke from it! Too FUNNY!

Seaside Enchantment: My Dreamboard

2008-09-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

Seaside Enchantment: My Dreamboard

SOCK MONSTER

2008-09-13T03:09:00.000-07:00

URGH!!!! I must have a HUGE sock monster living in my house. I did all the laundry I could find, and still only have 5 pairs of my thick socks I wear to work. I just bought another 6 pack a month ago......where, oh where are my sock???@!!!!

2008-09-11T11:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080911/OPINION/809110370

A wonderful post from the founder of Children of Chernobyl U.S. Alliance. And here is my comments to the paper:

Very Well Said! I truely hope that this child goes home, so that the thousands of others in similar situations as hers are able to enjoy the same summers that she has been given. IF this was a fresh air program and a family tried to keep the child, there would be instant police action to return the child. This should be no differnt. She should be taken into police custody and returned home without question. The visa she was issused is within the guidelines of the COC program, and since she has broken the agreement, her visa should be revoked at once. She doesn't have a legal guaridan, is an underage minor, and doesn't have any insurance. She needs to go home and finish her schooling, and if as a mature adult wants to return, then she can. The host family needs to be a good role model and follow the contract they agreed to. And yes, I miss my Bella-daughter every day, and it breaks my heart at the thought of not seeing her next summer. And at then end of her summers here, then yes I would let her go, and hope to someday visit her. But I would never knowlying force thousands of children to pay by keeping her here.

Normal??

2008-09-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

I had to take a break from researching and email news shows about the situation in Ca. Though I did read that now the Belarussian goverment has also cancelled holiday trips to Germany. I really hope that with some international pressure she will go home, finish school, and then decided what she wants to do with her life. Right now, she has no guardian, no insurance, no one has legal custody of her.

So I cleaned my house yesterday after working 12 hour shifts all weekend, and Monday was my holiday to work. My tub is sparkling, as is the toliet, and even the laundry is washed, dried, and mostly put away! Tomorow I am taking my daughters senior photos at the stable where she rides, and then we have a dr & dentist appt!

Last night I got some beads in that a wonderful Lady named Carrie told me about, and started to play. She is writing a tutorial on them so they aren't in my store just yet! But what do you think so far???

Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom: Mrs. B's 31 Days of Halloween: Samhain is Coming!

2008-08-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom: Mrs. B's 31 Days of Halloween: Samhain is Coming!

2008-08-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

She didn't even understand that she wasn't coming back next summer. We say goodbye every year, it wasn't untill she was on her way to the airport with the other kids, that someone explained. They cried from Philly, to JFK airport. This is Katya. We have a little girl that is one of 1000s that come over for a health respite during the summer from Belarus. One teenage is refusing to go home and causing the whole program to be put on hold. None of these kids have a great home life, it's a poor country and all of them need help. But because of her, none will get it. So I contacted the national Children of Chernobyl, they are getting together letters to protest this girl staying and a plead to cont. the program. I also have the address of the family in Ca. that has the teen. If you would like to drop me a note, i will be glad to give it to you if you will write a letter! One voice can't do anything, 1000s will! Please please!

2008-08-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

You know it's going to be one of those days, when you wake up and your pad twisted and is stuck to your pubic hair......but lets try to keep it positive...I vacuumed and broke the handle button, this is a new vacuum. I did do my morning yoga! Then had the 4 month old kitten attacking my toes! Aw, I think I am going to grab my newest Emma Holly book and curl up to read the day away!

A bit about me!

2008-08-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Since this is my first blog, I will tell you a bit about myself. I am weird. I love art, and designing jewelry, creating something from pieces. The no rules, just what looks right to you....and I am a nurse, very pratical, with lots of rules, lots of charting and a whole mess of not creating....kinda. I work on an end stage dementia unit. The residents there can carry on a conversation, most of the time dress themselves, and such. Now, the conversation might be the same one you just had 10 minutes ago, and the cloths might not always match but hey, that's life. I love to joke and have fun, they play right along, and it ends with lots of giggles and hugs. One gentleman, whom I adore, loves his sweets! I will tell him, I ate his dessert already, and he whoop ( yes old word) me if I did. His daughter is one of the sweetest person I know, and my resident will tell you she is just like her mom, no him! So while it can be crazy sometimes, there is a lot of joy and playfulness on my weekends. Oh, that's another part of me, I work 12 hour weekends, every weekend, and get paid for 40 hours. Pretty cool! So I am home during the week, and get to play with my jewelry or explore the internet.
I have two girls, one 15, and the other 18....yes Lady Clariol lives in my bathroom closet ! It's really a challange to raise strong, balanced daughters in this day and age. I also have a 11 year old that comes each summer. Her name is Katya, and it's a program called Children of Chernobly. She comes for 6-8 weeks each summer for a health respite. Goes to the dentist, doctor, and eye dr. then we send home 75lbs of medical supplies, food, clothing, and such. More on that later.......I adore her and miss her when she isn't here.
We also have 6 cats, and 3 dogs. I am an animal lover, and support a couple rescues. One of them is Big Cat rescue in Florida. They do the big cats, and give them a life long home. Another is Search and Rescue dogs in Ca. They train the dogs that look for live victums of disasters, like 9/11 and hurricans. There is also my local shelter that gets regular donations of money, food, treats, and anything else I can think to get them.
I am also an avid coupon shopper! Don't talk to me on Mondays, between shippng sale from Ebay and Etsy from the weekend, and getting my game plan for shopping, I am usually going a mile a minute.
Oh, I also feel I am the perfect blend of my Mother and Father. Mom is very smart, always learning, at 60+ (love you Mom) she does karate, and plays electric guitar. I grew up listening to the Rolling Stones! My dad, has left this world about 11 years ago, was a truck driver, one of those good old boys. He never had a mean word for anyone, and would flirt shamelessly with just about anyone. It didn't matter to him what you did, as long as you did it well. I find I have this thirst for knowledge and learning but am often told my residents families love talking to me, because I put it in plain English. I like to kiss....keep it simple sweetie! Oh and I am from the south and honey, hon, and sweetie are all part of my words. Okay, I think that is long enough for now! HAVE FUN AND BE GOOD!

Morning Fun

2008-08-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

Wow, my first blog posting, and I just got the ding from AOL that I have mail. It a large order and a plead to mail ASAP. So I will be back later for more! I can't wait to get some ideas down......running to the post office!