tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17739317602770678812024-03-12T20:14:23.309-05:00Feathered Friends MementosJust an artistic paramedic trying to make her way in the crazy world of online sales.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-34244765006779552022010-09-11T22:57:00.002-05:002010-09-11T23:10:34.473-05:00What can I say?So I tried out a new Arts and Crafts venue today and I can officially stated that I will likely never return to this location. The Cypress, Texas Shop til you Drop show. It sounded like a great show, large venue, well established over many years, they 'say' well advertised and while not cheap it was within my fee budget.<br /><br />I suspected within the first hour that it would be a poor venue for me when I saw the lady behind me setting up small pump hand soap dispensers that were decorated with machine cut decals and selling for $7-10. OK. So it took 3 hours!!!! for me to make my first sale (which was $5, wow) meanwhile I hear these same customers exclaiming to the soap lady "Oh, how adorable! I've never seen anything like this!" And they bought and bought! OMFG! I made 50% of my fee back and was ignored by at least 1/3 of the people I said hello to. <br /><br />Decalled store made soap dispensers, seriously? At least she could have done was hand paint the designs then maybe I'd call her crafty.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-38230225995448331322010-08-23T12:02:00.004-05:002010-08-23T12:19:18.535-05:00My first pieces for Houston Fashion Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUR8xWkYm4S3HetnMHKkbxGnvv450UsxXHMRVFa6RiyJo7nu3RHn0NuzCLQSXGkI5huorjuTQuG5hDpKbOI3ViowI7cLTAAg2c7XboJhCBlFJttubBBl6kspWfGOwQYKZak_uQMl1Vrs1/s1600/DSC06579.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUR8xWkYm4S3HetnMHKkbxGnvv450UsxXHMRVFa6RiyJo7nu3RHn0NuzCLQSXGkI5huorjuTQuG5hDpKbOI3ViowI7cLTAAg2c7XboJhCBlFJttubBBl6kspWfGOwQYKZak_uQMl1Vrs1/s200/DSC06579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508655973394396706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf4BdoaEtq8TLf3BZKuv95UJvn8cLM6hONAysLXwP04Z9rDQA0CgpknUS6eycl-NuFcZqNEJ3AHBX0LwSSeXuO0jzVrzF8oaUBCLw91msfjSMx-R86SxaaIqhHW2D1GcYxh_15gCiHFmn/s1600/DSC06577.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf4BdoaEtq8TLf3BZKuv95UJvn8cLM6hONAysLXwP04Z9rDQA0CgpknUS6eycl-NuFcZqNEJ3AHBX0LwSSeXuO0jzVrzF8oaUBCLw91msfjSMx-R86SxaaIqhHW2D1GcYxh_15gCiHFmn/s200/DSC06577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508654723426123954" border="0" /></a><br />Amber and I have been working since this weekend on the new pieces for <a href="http://www.houstonfig.com/hfigroup/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=53">Houston Fashion Week</a> and since I'm not as young as I was my hands and forearms have been aching a bit more than usual this week. Seriously, getting older sucks. However, I do have my first two pieces finished! I started with the largest jewelry project just to get it out of the way so that the rest should move along much faster. Plus I'm watching on a few other parts on order in the mail which should arrive this week.<br /><br />Here's my first set, the very bold Neo-Victorian necklace with matching earrings!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-57354300373423827702010-08-20T08:50:00.000-05:002010-08-20T08:51:07.680-05:00I'm so excited!!It's official this week! A local friend of mine, Amber; who also makes jewelry and I have been asked to collaborate on a jewelry line for the<a href="http://www.houstonfashionweek.com" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK"> First Annual Houston Fashion Week</a>!!!! It's this Nov and we have to have all the pieces finished by the beginning of Sept. OMG!<br /><br />It's a week long, will be located in downtown Houston and will get LOTS of media coverage with many international and famous persons in attendance!! Our local former international model and fashionista Lynn Wyatt is officially connected in producing this event.<br /><br />Our jewelry will be worn on the catwalk but professional models, I'm totally freaking out! And it'll be offered for sale with our names in the credits (of course!)<br /><br />This is one of the things I've been working on off line which is why I've been so busy. The last few weeks have been ARGH waiting for the official word if we were in or not.<br /><br />Just had to toot my horn cause I got the word yesterday and could barely sleep last night.<br /><br />HAPPY DANCE!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-80078842408639006142010-08-10T10:14:00.003-05:002010-08-10T10:21:03.986-05:00Artfire's new collection featureI love playing with Artfire's new feature. You get to browse through the website choosing different items under whatever theme you like and curate a collection of 16 different items with 4 alternates. And this isn't just for showing off other art's work it's also for showing off and promoting your own! <br /><br />This may seem selfish at first blush but what are we all trying to do? Promote ourselves! Artfire and their mavens had made it clear that this collection feature was create for just that purpose. So promote away! Each other and yourself!<br /><br />Here are the links to my first collections including a collection of the favorites of my current work.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=352">Summertime sales</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=356">Bird Lover's paradise</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=549">Flower Power</a><br /><br />and my collection<br /><br /><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=593">My personal favorites</a><br /><br /><br />Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-44672959749857716932010-08-01T16:02:00.002-05:002010-08-01T16:11:27.418-05:00My blog has been hijacked!I haven't posted lately because I've noticed that ever since my last blog giveaway my blog comments section has been hijacked by overseas commenters. I suspect that the comments are auto generated because even when I don't post for weeks at a time someone will post a comment with some random saying that has nothing to do with my post. And the comments will only be on the most recent post. Very weird. <br /><br />The post prior to this one has 14 unmoderated posts so far with some very strange comments and some in Asian text that I can't even read without an online translator.<br /><br />So that makes me wonder if I should continue my blog at all or just use my Artfire blog feature. Any thoughts?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-62632402787034490692010-06-29T23:46:00.003-05:002010-06-29T23:49:39.160-05:00I won earrings!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVggdFmHGtb9c7vYDGlcHIEWeaiZ_ELj_OT7bCYNdJxJaMXbH0a9oeCspPhqdwwYmdrlLuutYywLAG2ob-manzc6-96550MK4WHQV7sx_DhTVONvDqFnW1IzF6aPGk48v-N2PM92goGpxW/s1600/DSC05887.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVggdFmHGtb9c7vYDGlcHIEWeaiZ_ELj_OT7bCYNdJxJaMXbH0a9oeCspPhqdwwYmdrlLuutYywLAG2ob-manzc6-96550MK4WHQV7sx_DhTVONvDqFnW1IzF6aPGk48v-N2PM92goGpxW/s200/DSC05887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488424079173878962" border="0" /></a><br />Woohoo! I won a sort of threadkiller turned chat thread by being the 3000th poster and these are the totally cool earrings that I won from Wooden Love Affair of Etsy.<br /><br /><br />How awesome is that?!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-8227687362853357052010-06-08T19:28:00.004-05:002010-06-08T19:37:12.547-05:00Fringe-less<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq7IZb5M55w3nCaFH9ZwHGxtasiJeym8VwKLJJpI2RS7uscOKd3TfLV8Tjkt97Ce-PP0c69ddlXhPsR-ODci7cCRlEBIgnLLfmYxAzzWVyTOjBlkDDXfX4NVshw8GsstRVPwT6ZT14fun/s1600/wmsmallmacaw.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq7IZb5M55w3nCaFH9ZwHGxtasiJeym8VwKLJJpI2RS7uscOKd3TfLV8Tjkt97Ce-PP0c69ddlXhPsR-ODci7cCRlEBIgnLLfmYxAzzWVyTOjBlkDDXfX4NVshw8GsstRVPwT6ZT14fun/s200/wmsmallmacaw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480565691919359554" border="0" /></a>Here's my newest 11 x 14 colored pencil artwork, titled "Bright Macaw", finally got it finished!<br /><br /><br />I've been super busy handling local craft fairs, my full time job, baby sitting my niece and trying to catch up sleep. Plus I somehow pulled my right thumb causing pain during most normal, daily tasks so I've been trying to rest it as much as possible the last few weeks; hence no typing-no blog posts for over a month.<br /><br />You just don't realize how important seemingly minor parts of your body are until they hurt all the time, lol!<br /><br />But it's slowly improving so I'm trying to post a short update and I'll be trying to do more update more often. Meanwhile I'm also dealing with my mild depression at the summer break of my favorite TV show FRINGE! It starts it's 3rd season this fall (already been picked up, woohoo!) and I can hardly wait to see what JJ Abrams crew dreams up for us next!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-33650819226833787972010-04-26T23:46:00.004-05:002010-04-27T00:02:18.484-05:00My new necklace design!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-5AnmdVLgJ7RZg4SOyJL5XHxbxryFjUO_EmMANB78FC4PsVKTFFWWSr2EgtutOMI32E_lJFcqmNtzizYPCMxRApIa9Dulx-BrkkCz8XJ_U34XwwpM9PaV95g7tnxHxtVwFs9iLyfckdl/s1600/DSC05307.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-5AnmdVLgJ7RZg4SOyJL5XHxbxryFjUO_EmMANB78FC4PsVKTFFWWSr2EgtutOMI32E_lJFcqmNtzizYPCMxRApIa9Dulx-BrkkCz8XJ_U34XwwpM9PaV95g7tnxHxtVwFs9iLyfckdl/s200/DSC05307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464674330244302258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB72nsymYKA_PgtgpmQccYHyweBSxD-MKFJ3NI4WHxHzcuP1Q-TYuka1M-9ZTRelBukLjeNOxjFOxWwcuVin0Wo_hwomKy1Vz1gkZO9DiVZTKO4gWzi4DRPyhqSbHtNlTAJ_8Z-2O-_8lH/s1600/DSC05304.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB72nsymYKA_PgtgpmQccYHyweBSxD-MKFJ3NI4WHxHzcuP1Q-TYuka1M-9ZTRelBukLjeNOxjFOxWwcuVin0Wo_hwomKy1Vz1gkZO9DiVZTKO4gWzi4DRPyhqSbHtNlTAJ_8Z-2O-_8lH/s200/DSC05304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464674205987567458" border="0" /></a>I thought of this design last weekend while I was hanging out between sales at my show on Saturday. I sat there drawing it in my sketch book which is usually nearby to help me capture any random ideas. That's how may brain usually works; randomly. Ideas and connections just pop into my head and I can usually figure out quickly if they're doable. I first work out the engineering in my mind then sketch out the basic design in my book.<br /><br />The book is a combination of assistance factors- helps me not forget a design if I don't get to it immediately and it helps get ideas out of my head so I can forget them temporarily. If I can't make them right away and it's a particularly good idea then it'll rattle around in there for weeks sometimes and keep me awake. Seriously. Cause my brain doesn't like to forget things, my recall is sickening good, and combined with my creativity it makes me HAVE to make things or go nuts. Which is why I've been creative at something since i was a little girl. <br /><br />I absolutely LOVE my imagination however it can be as much of a curse as a blessing. My brain just won't shut off occasionally unless I make it. The only time it shut down for an extended length of time was this time last year when I had lost so much blood. My brain wasn't getting enough oxygen to function at its normal levels and my creativity basically shut down.<br /><br />I've never experienced that before! I've had days and even a few weeks in my life when creativity wasn't knocking in my skull but months??? And when I'm inspired I'm positively nonstop, borderline obsessive. I'll skip meals to create (and I don't believe in ever skipping meals!!)<br /><br />So, overall I'm very grateful to have my normal levels of creativity back; lack of sleep and all because lack of creativity was a frightening thing to experience.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-86407599749365560362010-04-19T17:08:00.004-05:002010-04-19T17:41:36.159-05:00Blogging...I haven't been a very good blogger lately. Between medical complications in my life and prepping for and completing my 2010 Spring craft fair season I just haven't been in the mind set to write. I guess that's a big reason why my vague writing aspirations of high school never took off, lol! I love to write but I get so easily distracted from it. Not so with my other artist ventures. When I'm focused on an art or jewelry project then obsession is the name of the game.<br /><br />Writing always seems so nebulous I guess, it's easier for me to compose an essay in my head and then I'm frustrated when it doesn't 'appear' on my computer. I have a lot of great essays and such that never get written. Or at least they seem great at the time. That's not to say I don't have self discipline. I can sit for hours working on minute details of a 11 x 14 colored pencil piece of work; each line individually sketched and smudged. I occasionally forgo lunch when I'm at my craft table working on new jewelry pieces; and I'm not the type that usually skips meals.<br /><br />But writing...the drive sometimes just escapes me.<br /><br />And it's not the lack of topics. Just about any day on the unit throws something strange, amusing or sick my way. Of course I'm very cautious about how I phrase such events due to privacy issues and such but still...you can say a lot without saying anything sometimes.<br /><br />Like the time a guy tried to break into a convenience store after hours through the grill exhaust/heat pipe and got stuck so bad he ended up asphyxiating himself- complete with feet, legs and torso dangling over the grill and upper body and arms stuck inside the pipe.<br /><br />Or the very large male who was suffering in pain from a kidney stone so badly that he continuously moaned my name over and over in the back of the unit while we drove him to the ER. Meanwhile my partner can barely keep from laughing his ass off in the front seat at the pseudo-sexual scene it created.<br /><br />How about the patient that experienced such a bad Gastro intestinal bleed that the hotel room floor was LITERALLY covered in bloody feces which we had to cross to get to the patient in the bathroom. Our boots continued to smell of human waste for days even after several washes.<br /><br />The fear and anxiety of pushing a large IV needle through a conscious patient's neck vein for the first time because it's the only good peripheral vein they have left and they really, really need an IV and meds now or they just might die. Said a little to prayer to God before that one...please, please, please, God don't let me screw this up...<br /><br />The physical pain of being woken up repeatedly throughout the night. Yeah, sometimes it really does hurt, bad. And no you never, REALLY, get used to it as I've had patients tell me. "you look tired...but you're used to being woken up..." yeah you try it for 20 years and see how used to it you get. Some nights I can actually feel the years being knocked off my life.<br /><br />The joy of getting everything right, especially when you meant to, and saving someone's life as a result. You learn to realize and accept at some point that as a human you have very little control over anything and at most you try to do your damnedest to be perfect and hope that God can work through you every day to get whatever he needs done. Unfortunately, most of the public and admin think you're supposed to BE perfect and easily forget that you're human and will shred you at the slightest provocation. And not bother to thank you at all.<br /><br />Being a paramedic is basically the best job you'll ever love to hate.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-33988545236578985172010-04-11T20:51:00.002-05:002010-04-11T21:03:30.354-05:001st Annual Fulshear Arts FestivalAfter last weeks awful experience with my legs caused me to miss my craft show scheduled last Saturday; it was with great relief that I was feeling well enough to attend my show scheduled this Saturday April 10. <br /><br />It started off very windy, over cast and ended up being intermittently raining. This had my husband and I very concerned that we wouldn't be able to stay. After all many of my jewelry items are very wind sensitive, lol! and I'd hate to have any of them get blow away. <br /><br />But we stuck it out even after a few of our 'neighbor's quit and by noon the rain was officially over and it was just gusty with wind. We had to tie the tent off to two separate trees to stabilize it because the cinderblocks weren't quite enough weight and the wind gusts keep trying to launch it. If it hadn't been for the first couple of sales totally $100 the first hour I would've given up by them. But the ropes kept the tent on the ground and the money keep me optimistic so we stayed. <br /><br />Within the next couple of hours the wind reduced to manageable levels and my sales were very steady and strong! Overall a very satisfying day and much better then I would've expected considering the way it started. I even sold an art print not just jewelry!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-83582067064916902682010-04-06T10:38:00.002-05:002010-04-06T10:56:43.339-05:00Sucky sunburn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl_O4X-G8jQF4Own4OptJSEoNhvJ5fx7c2q5uZWjxDYZ5D-T2PdwAM5U7K1cTj2Ezlim0GFNQ0ZZvNl_sLP3FA2pb_XaqbMmRiTXDlZWX7O5gCOnCBbbE_SXn5EoESJVxwUAoeaazn5Us/s1600/DSC05245.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl_O4X-G8jQF4Own4OptJSEoNhvJ5fx7c2q5uZWjxDYZ5D-T2PdwAM5U7K1cTj2Ezlim0GFNQ0ZZvNl_sLP3FA2pb_XaqbMmRiTXDlZWX7O5gCOnCBbbE_SXn5EoESJVxwUAoeaazn5Us/s200/DSC05245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457049529425867666" border="0" /></a><br />This week has totally sucked for me. I got a bad sunburn last Sunday which I thought was no big deal.<br /><br /><----------my legs slathered in aloe<br /><br />But after one shift at work my legs swelled badly and a couple of days later, even after I had tried very hard to treat them at home appropriately, they got infected with cellulitis. Cellulitis is basically a Staph infection that gets into your deep skin. ARGH, pain, swelling, burning, I couldn't even stand-couldn't even put my legs vertical! I had my husband drive me to the ER on Friday night of Easter weekend after it had gone from bad sunburn to infected in just a few hours. My legs swelled so badly that my toes were cold and turning purple. Not a happy camper.<br /><br />Needless to say I didn't get much sleep this week but after 24 hours of Bactrium-antibiotic-and silver sulfadiazine cream, I already starting seeing improvement. The swelling reversed almost immediately and my legs got super hot and painful- all the blood rushing back to the tissues hurts!<br /><br />So it's been 3.5 days on antibiotics and I can walk under my own power again. Not for long distances and it's difficult to stand very long but YES, I can walk!<br /><br />I've always been sympathetic to my patients with similar leg infections; they always looked so awful and painful. But I have a whole new level of empathy for them now. My husband asked me what it felt like to have cellulitis-<br /><br />Wrap your lower legs tightly in packing tape, just tight enough so that you almost cut of all circulation. Then every time you stand or take a step have someone quickly rip a piece of tape of with your hair and some skin and that's sort of what it feels like. Yeah, super fun.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-90100117004106991372010-03-26T18:40:00.002-05:002010-03-26T18:44:45.722-05:00First Fair of the Spring Season!That's right, tomorrow morning is the Gifts Galore in Greatwood of Sugar Land. My first official craft show of the 2010 Spring season. Ugh...the anxiety and waiting and preparing is about to hoping pay off!<br /><br />I've got lots of new items in stock...many things I've haven't listed online yet but which may end up online if they don't sell in the next 6 weeks. I've got back to back shows scheduled every week through April so I'll be quite busy until May. <br /><br />Fingers crossed! I'm hoping that the crazy new health bill hasn't scared everyone into not spending any money this season and also hoping that most people's job are more secure right now so that they feel better about spending some of their mulah with me!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-399626908722019102010-03-23T11:47:00.003-05:002010-03-23T12:02:58.044-05:00Hoarders- they do exist, probably next doorEver watch the tv show <a href="http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/">Hoarders on A & E</a>? It's a "fascinating look inside the lives of two different people whose inability to part with their belongings is so out of control that they are on the verge of a personal crisis."<br /><br />Ewwww...right? Why on earth would anyone watch such a disgusting, voyeuristic show? Other than the fact that most television is disgusting and voyeuristic these days...well I find it oddly fixating because it is so realistic. I'm sure there's plenty of drama to go around and they add extra for good measure but seriously...I go into these types of home on a weekly basis. People really are THAT disgusting! <br /><br />We've always called them Stackers in EMS because they stack and stack until there's just a small trail leading throughout the house between mountains of God-knows-what! Some people even have systems of organization in the mess; like all the matchboxes go here, all the scissors go there, etc. Of course, there are 3 dozen scissors and so forth.<br /><br />The dust is so rampant and old that it looks like dark gray Christmas tree flocking, jars of urine line tables and shelves (why anyone would want to save their urine is beyond me but then these people aren't exactly normal), bugs have entire ecosystems inside the mess and the stench....ugh... you would not believe it!<br /><br />Sometimes you can't even stay inside for more than a minute because of the smell. Once I was in a house where the cat litter box was at the end of the bedroom hallway in front of a bedroom door! And it was soo overflowing with poop that it was falling over the edges! The bathroom floor was soo dirty that postcard flyers from inside magazines were completely and nearly permanently glued to the floor. I couldn't even shift it with my boot! Can you imagine how long that flyer must have laid there to be stuck that completely? <br /><br />All the carpet was dark brown...no matter what the original color had been and one room was entirely full of boxes, just empty boxes!<br /><br />These people really do exist. They're probably your neighbor. Homes which look completely normal on the outside will shelter Hoarders and Stackers for decades and you might not even realize it! But I do. Like the original Colt 45, being a paramedic is the great equalizer~ I see it all, see everyone as God intended~good, bad, happy, sad~ you can't hide the truth of your life and choices from a paramedic!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-33432663138910152732010-03-08T22:15:00.003-06:002010-03-08T22:31:00.258-06:00Why do I love being a paramedic?In a word....interesting!<br /><br />What other job could this happen...at 6pm we're responding to a breathing problems call which is actually back pain which is really an Aortic Aneurysm rupture which is fatal and we quickly realize that the back pain is the primary symptom of this poor patient's largest artery ripping open and flooding insides with blood. Blood which is supposed to remain intravascular not extravascular.<br /><br />That's bad...very bad. Unfortunately, when an Aorta completely ruptures there's not a damn thing anyone, anywhere can do for you. You can be flayed open on the operating table with the best thoracic surgeon over priced insurance money can buy and you're still dead meat. Yeah, you guessed it, this poor patient did not survive.<br /><br />Immediately afterwards we respond to another breathing problems call and this one is an anxiety attack. Yep, some anxiety and hyperventilation caused this patient to feel dizzy and experience numbness and tingling in both arms. And, yep...had to be transported by ambulance to the hospital as a placebo to make them "feel better". Which worked because I'm damn good at my job, lol!<br /><br />I wonder...do you think this patient's anxiety would have been worse if the knowledge that someone had been dying on the same stretcher just an hour ago had been shared?<br /><br />Nooooo, I didn't but it sure does put things into perspective for you doesn't it?<br /><br />Yes, I love being a paramedic...where else can you experience such extremes and get paid for it?<br /><br />Plus it gives me great party stories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-73471092947262310722010-02-28T16:24:00.002-06:002010-02-28T17:20:18.753-06:00I've been soooo busy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/16273_product_297215954_thumb_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/16273_product_297215954_thumb_large.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sorry I haven't posted in a couple weeks but I've super busy with my supply/vintage shop the last couple of months. I've been selling gemstones at <a href="http://ffmsupplies.artfire.com">FFMSupplies</a> since mid-Jan and I'm very happy to announce that I've been quite successful so far! I sold out of my rainbow moonstones in 3 weeks! I'm also sold out of my large labradorite and apatite unique cut nuggets and I'm almost sold out of several more stones- including my some of my kyanite and small Spectrolite teardrops! I've already decided that I need to continue buying gemstones in bulk amounts so that I have enough for myself and to resell. I know many jewelry makers don't have the resources to buy this amounts of stones or the ability to get to large gem shows to being to personally choose their purchase; so I'm happy to be of worldwide service to these jewelry makers who need a reliable high quality gemstone source for either large or small amounts.<br /><br />Plus it's super fun to have all these pretties to ogle over! Even if it's temporary.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-45148295835941024502010-02-16T15:24:00.001-06:002010-02-16T15:26:46.135-06:00Handmade jewelry giveaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYGjxSh0rJEb45r_OX3hMOYCxmLH-_FjzfyBW8kVnyd0drmbSq95fGMgAibP7n85uTuqT8eQhSjUFesiGb_qk-5LDnGAFiXCRKnvfon7uqHEKhLZnEO-hwT0GO4LxsXa1uJAwA7xY8BcZ/s400/giveawayall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 391px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYGjxSh0rJEb45r_OX3hMOYCxmLH-_FjzfyBW8kVnyd0drmbSq95fGMgAibP7n85uTuqT8eQhSjUFesiGb_qk-5LDnGAFiXCRKnvfon7uqHEKhLZnEO-hwT0GO4LxsXa1uJAwA7xY8BcZ/s400/giveawayall.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://shijewels.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway.html">Beautiful necklace giveaway until the 21st of Feb!</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-84241462299239400322010-02-05T13:20:00.002-06:002010-02-05T13:33:02.859-06:00I'm thinking about getting my gemologist's licenseSo I've been doing some thinking, especially after a particular email from another Artfire seller. After I started listing my extra stock of gemstones 2 weeks ago for sale in my supply shop<br /><a href="http://ffmsupplies.artfire.com">FFM supplies</a> many of the other sellers finally figured out that Jinx1764 (feathered friends mementos) and FFM supplies were the same person. The new Artfire forums with the randomized sidebar helped get my supply shop noticed, too.<br /><br />So I, Exquisite Studio's emails me (FFMsupplies) and says "You're the Fabulous Jinx? I'll never have to worry about buying gemstones from you!" <br /><br />Wow! Well, not only was I extremely flattered but it got me to thinking. Obviously my intention to gain and maintain a high reputation is working but how to I make that more professional and not just word of mouth? So I did some research on gemology degrees/licenses and decided that I would start working on an internet program to get my Gemology License. <br /><br />For now I'm an official member of the <a href="http://www.gemsociety.org/gemology.htm">International Gem Society</a> as of yesterday and I will be gradually studying and testing towards my license. The minimum passing grade is 87% and here are a few sample questions that I'll have to pass in the future:<br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;">1 If you found a GGG in a diamond band, the GGG would be classed as:<br /></span></p><ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><li>An imitation </li><li>A homocreate </li><li>Both </li><li>Neither</li></span></ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> Correct answer, both.<br /> Any stone posing as something else is an imitation. GGG is classed as a homocreate because it has no natural counterpart.<br /> See <a href="http://www.gemsociety.org/members/agem26.htm">Synthetic Gemstones and Their Identification</a>.</span><hr width="70%"><p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;">2 If an opal showed only blue color that was very bright, had a good cut, was only slightly directional and had no imperfections on the top it would be graded as:<br /></span></p><ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><li>Below commercial value </li><li>Commercial </li><li>Good </li><li>Fine </li><li>Extra fine</li></span></ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> Correct answer, good.<br /> This stone has one factor in the commercial grade and one in the fine category, and two in the good category. See <a href="http://www.gemsociety.org/members/agem35.htm">Appraising Opals - Part 2, Applying Value</a>.</span><hr width="70%"><p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;">3 Hydrothermal grown refers to:<br /></span></p><ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><li>A natural process </li><li>Laboratory grown gems </li><li>Both</li></span></ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> Correct answer, Both.<br /> See <a href="http://www.gemsociety.org/members/agem26.htm">Synthetic Gemstones and Their Identification</a> and <a href="http://www.gemociety.org/info/igem17.htm">Gem Formation</a>.</span><hr width="70%"><p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;">4 Brilliant faceting is determined by:<br /></span></p><ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><li>Optical Performance </li><li>Triangular and kite shaped facets </li><li>Dispersion </li><li>All the above </li><li>None of the above</li></span></ul><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> Correct answer, Triangular and kite shaped facets.<br /> There are two basic styles of cutting; brilliant and step cutting. Step cutting, (as in an emerald cut,) features long, rectangular facets. Brilliant cutting uses triangular and kite shaped facets.<br /> While brilliant faceting <i>usually </i>enhances optical performance and dispersion, by definition it is the shape of the facets. Factories often do "brilliant" style cutting, with less than brilliant results.<br /> See "<a href="http://www.gemsociety.org/info/igem3.htm">Gem Cutting Terms</a>"</span><br /><br /><br />There's no minimum time limit on this so I can take as long as I want...will keep ya'll posted!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-65186554977788795202010-02-01T13:18:00.004-06:002010-02-01T14:21:07.451-06:00First do no harm...Doctors are trustworthy right? Authority figures...intelligent...smart...ethical...patient care driven...what's not to trust in a doctor? As Dr. Evil says. "R...I....G....H....T." They're human and flawed just like the rest of us.<br /><br />So I have a patient yesterday call us for severe hip and joint pain which has been lasting all week. So long that he's been unable to eat and he's taking 4 Alieve every 4 hours on an empty stomach and he's now peeing, crapping and throwing up a little blood.<br /><br />(lots of painkillers + empty stomach = destroyed stomach/intestinal lining) Always eat something when you take pain meds even over the counter meds (OTC).<br /><br />Anyhow...So at first I'm thinking what's with this guy calling 911 friggin call your doctor, get an appt like the rest of us shmooes and move on with your life. Turns out he did see his doctor, he did go to his appt and was told he had <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">elevated uric acid</span> and was prescribed Voltarin pain gel which is friggin EXPENSIVE because it's new AND it's ----<br /><h4>Important Safety Information</h4><p>*<a href="http://www.voltarengel.com/consumer/VoltarenGelIndication.jsp">Voltaren<sup>®</sup> Gel</a> is indicated for the relief of the pain of <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">osteoarthritis of joints </span>amenable to topical treatment, such as the knees and those of the hands. Voltaren Gel has not been evaluated for use on the spine, hip, or shoulder.</p><p><br /></p><p>It's specifically made to treat osteoarthritis not GOUT (or hip pain duh!) which btw is caused by <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">elevated</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">uric acid</span>.</p><p>This patient wasn't told by his doctor that he was diagnosed with Gout, no no, he was told he had elevated uric acid. That's friggin gout moron! Gout will cause similar joint pain like OA but it won't be relieved by the same meds because it's a completely different disease process. HELLO!</p><p>You should take pain relievers with Gout but you also have to treat the Gout with medications such as allopurinol and corticosteroids and change your diet, lose weight and exercise. This poor guy wasn't on any Gout medication and was 400 lbs and wasn't doing anything else to treat his Gout. (of course he should be taking some responsibility himself as well like EAT LESS!) But by this time he was in so much that pain lifestyle change was out the window.</p>So my main grip was with the friggin doctor! This guys insurance wouldn't cover the Voltaren cause it's like $100 a tube!!!!!! AHHHH!!! And the other meds are generic. So I have to ask myself-is this doctor insanely incompetent (which he very well may be) or----------<p>is he something much worse? Is he deliberately mis-prescribing meds to this guy to get some sort of kick back (like it doesn't happen!) , withholding information that a first year med student would know (gout goes with increased uric acid like peanut butter goes with jelly) and thereby indirectly setting this guy up for more injury by him accidentally injuring himself by taking OTC meds incorrectly out of desperation.<br /></p><p>Now this guy should be taking more personal responsibility, absolutely! You are your own best advocate in this mess up system. However, hearing about how totally incompetent and/or unethical this dr is really burned me. Makes me what to march to his office and head butt him, then kick him a few times while he's down just for good measure. </p><p>Remember asshole...First do no harm!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-7954375773975512222010-01-27T10:33:00.004-06:002010-01-28T11:36:28.644-06:00Congrats to the winner of the peacock earrings!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6VHIaiiwkZFHoTnctbxCo3oWSpbdl4ed0TfR5xlvFJpuIIDtl__i4QhlUppShxnbeN2ZqGKMg9q0XRG9Jcloi89dSIJtxs190vgq25KDNckuX5BSx8-04GKtN8luqHO3v4ECcRZ2gvWK/s1600-h/1-17+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6VHIaiiwkZFHoTnctbxCo3oWSpbdl4ed0TfR5xlvFJpuIIDtl__i4QhlUppShxnbeN2ZqGKMg9q0XRG9Jcloi89dSIJtxs190vgq25KDNckuX5BSx8-04GKtN8luqHO3v4ECcRZ2gvWK/s200/1-17+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431459284120540978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /> Nicole of California is the winner!!!!<br /><br />Also, here's a <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/jinx1764/blog">link</a> to my Artfire shop blog were I listed the best of the giveaway comments. There were over 280 comments which averages out to about 60 people entering the contest! Wow, and I only recognized a handfull which I referred myself. So lots of new people found my shop and left really amazing comments and feedback. I pasted the most relevant on my shop blog for good PR. What a great site. Here's a great big thanks to Sisi of Handmade Giveaway Blog for giving me this opportunity.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-28018631842759516502010-01-19T11:18:00.003-06:002010-01-19T11:21:49.666-06:00Enter my giveaway on Handmade giveaway blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXnx1ssXDb_V9m4uaEO8r9fOc1P3Ndw2hAShJW6EpSFGYyoarT32QI22ZUk3FlpdHrtHYugrA1OAgYhhhKVRrayjNuPv1S0o9sSE6HgNH3-vZ9IW7CCYDUhiqwRfHjHohWrVUWCWvVI-J/s1600-h/1-17+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXnx1ssXDb_V9m4uaEO8r9fOc1P3Ndw2hAShJW6EpSFGYyoarT32QI22ZUk3FlpdHrtHYugrA1OAgYhhhKVRrayjNuPv1S0o9sSE6HgNH3-vZ9IW7CCYDUhiqwRfHjHohWrVUWCWvVI-J/s200/1-17+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428502119147273026" border="0" /></a><br />That's right I'm being interviewed and featured on the <a href="http://www.hmgiveaways.com/2010/01/interview-giveaway-from-feathered.html">Handmade Blog</a> starting today! Contest ends Jan 25 so get your booties on over there and enter for a free pair of gorgeous sterling silver and Swarovski crystal peacock feather earrings!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Woohoo!! Who doesn't love free stuff!?<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-45203931049219297572010-01-10T10:44:00.003-06:002010-01-10T10:49:01.623-06:00My caique parrot, Royal attacking her micro petJust wanted to share a video of Royal that I recently uploaded to you tubed now that my loading issues with you tube seem to finally be resolved. She loves destroying micro pets whenever we buy one for her. I'm on you tube under the same username~jinx1764<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J7D7kHTWjRI&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J7D7kHTWjRI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-56788652104257840162010-01-08T17:15:00.003-06:002010-01-08T18:25:48.714-06:00Chicken Breath and HeliumI'm back to work or at least I was yesterday. My lungs sound like I'm blowing bubbles through a straw and I'm coughing up enough phlegm to feed a small country; eewwwww, nice thought huh? Ok, yes I'm coughing and yes, my lungs are fluidy but only at the very bottoms so it's not like I'm drowning in my own fluids just yet. But do I feel 10 times better than a few days ago when I had a fever and my remote control arm was too weak to hold said remote control up for more than 10 secs. Can we say dog crap anyone?<br /><br />So my partner and I run several calls yesterday; not too crazy just steady and serious enough to not feel guilty about earning our paychecks. Well...until we got off shift 2 hours late this morning but I digress. One particular call set off my paramedic humor alarm. We responded to a difficulty breathing call. I walk up and a family member tells me~<br /><br />"Chicken breath! Her helium no work!" <br /><br />This was a Hispanic family that barely spoke English and what he was trying to say was:<br /><br />"She can't breath. Her inhaler didn't work." The chicken breath part is just badly accented English but he actually said helium instead of inhaler. That was a first for me. Never heard anyone call it helium before! LOL! Me being me I made him say it a couple more times just to be sure it really was what I heard before I corrected him. I know I'm evil, hehe!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-72985762077746551672010-01-02T16:36:00.003-06:002010-01-02T16:52:50.029-06:00How much fun is my job? This much fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvwdM_-Berd6jhTHNmY1tbLOcCB6sDEi5ut0MOuNrBXqVV2WzFVnqfleztDNES3YJz5XWhcCU8xTdQkOK3_vhMc570UcDjyvmXe1H0mU8GmRpqGC3YUNajvrK_gsUjcxn7IJkEexQr_2c/s1600-h/DSC04040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvwdM_-Berd6jhTHNmY1tbLOcCB6sDEi5ut0MOuNrBXqVV2WzFVnqfleztDNES3YJz5XWhcCU8xTdQkOK3_vhMc570UcDjyvmXe1H0mU8GmRpqGC3YUNajvrK_gsUjcxn7IJkEexQr_2c/s200/DSC04040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422275221315284370" border="0" /></a>Just a pic of how much fun I had at work last night. An altered mental patient bit my upper right arm just inside and above my elbow. Fortunately he bit through two layers thick fleece, my sweatshirt and my jacket otherwise he would've taken a chunk out of my bicep because he was serious. Spend several hours at the hospital doing paperwork for insurance, worker's comp, blood work, tetanus booster and an amoxicillian prescription just in case cause human bites are seriously nasty - worse than animal bites. Seriously, retirement can't come soon enough some days. <br /><br />It took 7 adult males to hold him down while I argued with the ER for sedation orders. We have medical protocols here that are still 1980 and "they" don't feel comfortable allowing us "peon" field morons make these type of decisions- like knowing when a 220 lbs top physical condition adult male who is currently out of his mind for medical reasons needs to be sedated in the field. Otherwise this type of patient tries to kick our collective asses while we (paramedics, firefighters and police) have to humanely restrain them without causing them permanent harm. Nevermind this same patient would be sedated immediately in the ER by the same Dr if this happened in the ER. But apparently us -der- paramedics are too stupid to know when to use this appropriately. <br /><br />That's a big reason why the public sees recordings of police and medics 'ganging up' on 'helpless' persons in the media and it's assumed that public safety persons are using excessive force. (not that it's never happened, unfortunately) But many services are not allowed to use medical sedation, such as valium, to control persons that are out of control and willing to harm themselves and others because Dr's and government agencies are afraid to get sued (rightfully so) therefore they rely on good old fashion football dog piles and physical restrains to control these patients. (Because the admins don't have to do it, they leave it to the moron field crews!) However, this takes several adults per 1 adult patient to do the job without causing undue harm to the patient and avoid receiving harm themselves. And it's a major pain in the ass! This job is not for the old and I'm feeling more every year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-85797349785215230442009-12-28T14:14:00.004-06:002009-12-28T14:45:51.745-06:00Post ChristmasTraditionsThere's a pattern to human society and last weekend the Annual Post Christmas Family Beatings were kicked offed; pun intended. Ah, yes after the wonderful spirit of Christmas love and forgiveness has worn thin within 24-48 hours family members begin fist fights and domestic disputes. Over indulgence of alcohol, sugar and the general malaise of spending one too many hours in the company of relatives; which are barely tolerable in the short term, spark short fuses causing tempers to flare and fur flies. <br /><br />But usually only after dark. Everyone is busy eating, sleeping, partying or shopping during the day so when the boredom of nightfall sets in there's always a fight to pick with your in-laws for entertainment. Or your cousins, or parents, or siblings, or even your neighbors if your desperately bored. <br /><br />The week of Christmas tends to be either dead or deadly for EMS. We either do not much of anything cause no one (even the frequent fliers) want to go to the hospital on Christmas or we're running lots of dead or dying patients because of the stress of the holidays. A time which is supposed to be happy and fun causes many, many people overwhelming stress and loneliness which in turn increases the death toll through suicide, accidents, poor decisions, and exacerbation of pre-existing health problems such as high blood pressure. <br /><br />Then right after Christmas day the assaults between family members begin due to everyone's last nerve snapping just after sunset; and we run calls all night.<br /><br />And here's the real irony of it all. Since everyone wants to believe how wonderful Christmas is supposed to be~ when one of these terrible events happen in their family they're all stunned and exclaim "How could something terrible like this happen on Christmas????" <br /><br />Guess what...something like this is always terrible and it happens everyday to someone, somewhere. Death and fate don't take holidays and humans create even more of their own stress during this (cue music) most wonderful time of the year.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong...I love Christmas! I love all my family traditions and spending time with everyone but ya gotta keep it in perspective. Stress is still deadly and you are your own best health care attendant. Things are just things, dinner can be ordered out if need be, don't worry about what someone else is wearing or buying or not buying or giving or not giving....blah, blah, blah. Just be content that you and your family are happy and healthy and be grateful for today. The rest is just commercial Christmas flocking anyhow.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1773931760277067881.post-67294007747931951082009-12-26T10:02:00.002-06:002009-12-26T10:06:15.738-06:00Year End Sale in my Shops!That's right! 20% off everything in both of my shops until the end of the year still with FREE shipping on most items. <br /><br /><a href="http://jinx1764.artfire.com">FEATHERED FRIENDS MEMENTOS</a> ~ jewelry, bookmarks, artwork (free shipping all items)<br /><br /><a href="http://ffmsupplies.artfire.com">FFMSupplies</a> ~ Supplies, Vintaj, Destash, Vintage (free shipping on all vintage)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232113225500197559noreply@blogger.com0