DON'T TREAD ON ME

I just wanted to give a shout out to my fellow Angry Americans participating in a nationwide Tea Party today - we support you ONE HUNDRED PERCENT.

I recently received a communication from one of my credit card holders , inquiring as to whether I'd like to pay an escalated APR of 11% because of 'changes in our business practices'. I can refuse and remain at 5% - or at least that's what the letter says - but if I do that , I will not be able to actually use the card. If I use it , the APR will immediately re-set at the 11% rate. So correct me if I'm wrong here - but didn't my taxpayer dollar just bail your lame a$$ out? And correct me again if necessary , but - aren't you now asking me to pay back the debt you showed up with BELLS on to ask for? What do YOU think my answer's going to be , stupid?

I do not appreciate condescending speeches about how I need to 'tighten my belt' and 'learn to live within my means' while entire corporations that have never heard that particular gem of wisdom are bailed out on my dime. I already do that , because if I didn't do that I'd lose my power , or lose my car , or lose my home. We manage to pay all our bills , buy the clothes for the kids that keep growing , keep the cats fed and pay for the food that has become darn near a luxury item , and by that point my belt is plenty tight enough , thank you. I've actually got some familiarity with what it's like to live within a budget - ya know why? Because I actually do it , day in and day out. We don't have a large fancy house that we can't afford - we have a house that's a little small for us , that we own. Round of applause , please. Nevertheless , we will be helping all those who did choose to buy more house than they could afford pay for the privilege of living someplace we *can't*. Sweeeeeet.

I'm sick and tired of paying the price for failure's that weren't mine - failure of our government in enacting asinine feel-good legislation 10 years ago that we're paying for now , failure to read the fine print on your own mortgage , bail-outs we'll be paying for the rest of our lives and our children's too , failure of corporations to run their own companies in a sensible manner , and the failure of our elected officials to love their own country enough to safegaurd the principles we were founded on. I'm angry , and I've been angry for a very long time.

And we are paying the price - we're paying with higher food costs , higher interest rates , loss of pay from the company that can't afford to pay more than X amount of hours a week , or can't afford to offer health insurance anymore. Or maybe they just can't afford to pay you , period. Done. We are all paying the price , but most of us didn't have much left to give , and not all of us get to vote on giving ourselves a hefty little raise to tide us over for - what , again? A job well done , was it?

Right.

Wishing all a Joyous Easter

Thought I'd share one of my older chalkware pieces. Chalkware is made by pouring plaster into molds , and then painting the casting. This was made several years ago from a particularly sweet Anton Reiche chocolate mold. I collected antique chocolate molds for many years , and this has always been one of my favorites , *s*. It's hard to see I think , but the shell has been sugared with my favorite clear glass glitter.

Have a Happy Easter!

flowers in the rain

The afternoon I spent creating this set was the most peaceful I’ve had in a very long time. The rain and wind were beating against the windows, but inside I was warm and dry with the music playing quietly in the background. Have you ever felt like your day took a little step to the left of reality? That’s how I felt – a bit surreal, daydreaming an afternoon away while another spring shower blew by.

When I look at this set, I see a tiny garden of pink buds and green leaves behind an old iron gate, and hear the rain scattering drops that reflect back all the colors around them. It evokes that feeling of separation I had that afternoon , and reminds me to find that place more often. And I will try to *s*.

A spring bracelet for my sister Susan , a glass artist who lives north of me in Bothell. She also holds a full time job in the pharmaceutical dep't. at Evergreen Hospital , where I had my son. This one incorporates moonstone , aventurine , lavender jade and keshi pearls.
She'd returned one to me a month or so ago that was too small , and had wanted it re-sized - I took a bit of artistic license , and re-made the whole thing , *s*. I hope she likes it , lol.
Surprise , sister mine :)

luv you , and see you soon

Thought I'd share a few glimpses of something I've been working on , and a peek at a few goodies that came in the mail from a friend recently. Thank you , Lesley! I'm looking forward to using the drops soon , and yes I *really do* like my little saucer. I love those things - candles , soaps , trinkets , bead containment while I'm working - they're always being used somewhere.

The Mystery of Life revealed - more or less. . .

This is a conversation between my son Brady and his friend Degan - not quite sure if that's the way Degan's name is normally spelled , but for our purposes , it will do.

Brady asked "You don't believe in God?"

"No , I think God's fake." Degan informed him.

"Well , where do you think we come from then?"

"We came from mice" opined young Degan.

(Brady's mother starts to grin)

"So you think people came from MICE?' Brady asks , somewhat startled. It was obviously a theory he hadn't considered before.

"No , the mice had gorilla's and then they had humans" , Degan informs him.

(Brady's mom lights a mental candle for all the mice that ended so abruptly , sacrificing selflessly for the Cause)

"Well where did the mice come from then?" Brady asks.

"No one knows. . ." says Degan , very mysteriously.

And then they went to play basketball.

FINI

March 1st , and at LAST I’ve worked out!

Yes Yes YES! I used to be so good about working out , but that part of my daily routine slipped off to the sidelines the more involved I got with Yahoo and art. I think it's difficult for me to have more than one big passion at a time , if that makes any sense to anyone other than myself. Don't get me wrong , I have tried several times to get back into the routine but have been sidelined repeatedly - I get sick , I hurt myself , the kid or the husband is home from work or school for days because of snow - yadda yadda. Building the habit is the hardest part , and I just haven't managed to do it. But my goal for a while now has been finding my way back to Balance in my life and my home. I want it all back , cuz mama ain't happy. Mama's butt is taking up way too much room in her jeans , too. If fat floats , there's a good chance I'd still drown cuz my face is not where I keep it - so take a minute and picture that , if you like.
Yeah , it's not working for me either lol. So , I've whipped out the step and my weights and I'm on it. I still like doing step - I don't care what anybody says , it works well for me and I enjoy my routines. And I like weight training too , and since I'm not aiming for huge muscles or a lifting championship I have zero interest in going to a club to use the machines. You know , the only machine I ever thought was really handy was the calf machine , and I do like the cables for rows. But that's it.
Anyway , it's already 9am , so I'd better get moving and get this done. No matter how ingrained the habit has become , I've NEVER liked the 'getting ready and starting' portion of this lol (whine , whine , whine - o yes I do). Once I'm there I'm ok - making snarky comments to the tv maybe , but I enjoy that *g* - it keeps me entertained.

Stray thought: Who ARE these people that are 'invigorated and refreshed' after a good workout? Wth? I just don't think they're doing it right myself. I'm wet & sweaty , I look like complete crap (you'll notice there are NO PICTURES with this post - you can all thank me later)and I'm ready to sit down for a few minutes , lol. I am not 'invigorated' - I'm Tired. I want a bath. Now.
Nor have I ever once taken off the motorcycle helmet and shaken my perfect hair down around my shoulders. I don't know what's in those helmets , but it's *not* shampoo and a blow dryer.

Someday I'm going to write a 'Things that make you go - Huh?' post.