Soulful Sunday: In Honor of Trying to Lose Weight and Get in Shape

...Because we all know we've been there before in one way or another :)
from http://icanhascheezburger.com/

Sweet Saturday: At Work in Style

Spring is approaching and many of us (myself included!) are looking for a way to brighten things up at home and work. Here is a great way to stay in style while keeping your work happy with its own protocol. Many employees have to wear ID badges of some kind, so why not make yours stand out from the crowd with a beaded ID Badge Holder, such as this one? long enough to easily slip over your head, yet short enough to not get in the way, this is done with some beautiful pink rhodonite beads, spaced with Czech glass firepolish beads (that means a little bit of stylish sparkle without being inappropriate for work) and Czech glass clear, silver-lined seed beads for neutrality. There is a simple nickel clip at the bottom to hold your badge or ID.

This is a great way to bring a little individuality to your workday! On sale now in my Etsy shop.

Fabulous Friday Finds: A Few of My Favourite Things

I have finally decided to redecorate my bedroom...well, actually, decorate my bedroom would be more accurate as we currently have a mish-mash of furniture in there that we have had for years! My dresser is still quite functional, but I've had it since I was 8 and I am sick to death of it. It will go to the Salvation Army or anyone who needs it, as will the other furniture that isn't falling apart (Brennan's "side" table is unstable at best, and if you lift it, one of the legs has a habit of trying to fall off). I am done with being super-frugal and ridiculously spend-thrift, I want our bedroom to be relaxing and cozy and us. We are going to redo it in a French style, similar to Marie Antoinette's Blue Room - though much toned down! Here are a few things that I love on Etsy that I think would add some style and grace: Top Right: Custom listing for BHILITHINN-altered frosted candle holder with roses,cameo would set the mood for relaxation. Top Center: Silver Vintage Serving Dish by vintageinmybasement would make a great place to store some jewelry or other small items to keep them dust free and organized. Top Right: 2 tier cake stand Princess by mycakestand would be a great way to hold smaller vintage jewelry boxes which I intend to start collecting (it seems appropriate doesn't it?).

Next, Left: HANDCARVED MEDIEVAL ART TILE -- TRAVERTINE FLEUR DE LYS by JolieFaireMedieval would be a nice, rustic addition to the walls, and make sure things aren't getting too 'girly' (Brennan has to live with it too, and I'd like him to like it!). Center: LE PETITE JOURNALS - FRENCH - HANDPAINTED - THIS LISTING IS FOR ONE BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE - EACH COMES WITH A LOVELY ORGANZA GIFT BAG by PaintedByRenee will be a beautiful and co-ordinated way to write my thoughts and ideas while in my lovely new bedroom. Right: Blue and White Toile Lampshade by Sassyshades would be a perfect addition to any smaller white lamp to give the room the finishing French touches.

I'll be sure to photograph the bedroom when it is all done (this is going to be a gradual, year-long project so that we don't have to use credit cards - I'm big on only spending when I have cash in my hands) so that you can see the desired effects. I'm so excited!

Please do visit these fabulous shops to see more of what they have to offer, and while you're there, why not drop them a line and tell them I sent you?

Have a great Friday,

Thoughtful Thursday: Prayers for Renee

Months ago I met a woman that should be known by everyone. Renee is an inspiration to anyone who has any sort of illness, who wants to be courageous, or who simply wants to tell it like it is. Renee writes a blog, CirclingMyHead, about her battles with cancer, general family information and many other fascinating things. Please check it out, you'll soon realize just how special Renee is.

Renee has final stage breast cancer which has spread to her stomach and bone marrow. She is in her final battle, in hospital to control the pain and allow her to get fluids and nutrition.

Renee is an incredible woman. Her forthrightness with everything, including her illness and her thoughts, fears, hopes and wishes is commendable to the utmost.

Renee is from a large, loving family that is also dealing with the recent loss of one member to a very rare cancer (Sheldon, in his 20's), she just lost her mother, and her sister is also struggling with terminal brain cancer.

Please keep Renee and her family in your prayers, they certainly need and deserve them.

Renee, in the short time I have known you, you have become invaluable to me. I love you and I salute you as a free person. Go with God in peace.

Arwednesdays With Arwen the Wonder Dog: Arwen Has an Outie!

Hey, it's me, Arwen the Wonder Dog, and today I'm showing you one of my unique features: my "outie" belly button! You can see it in the photo above, it is the little pink circle the arrow points to.

When I was a puppy, my mommy was a bit concerned by the little bump my "outie" makes, as this can mean that my doggy mommy had pulled away from me during the birth and pulling my umbilical cord, which can cause internal problems. My mommy wanted to make sure I was okay and took me to the vet. After the vet looked, she said it was fine, and that I would just have an "outie" and that I would be even more unique. I say, well of course I'm unique! I'm a wonder dog!

Mommy likes to tickle my belly button when she scratches my belly. I don't really care, as long as I'm getting attention and belly rubs!

Have a great Wednesday!

and Arwen

Thoughtful Thursday: Ringing Bells for Barry

~We Don't Have Bells, But Arwen's Collar Jingles and That is What We're Using to Support Barry at 2PM Today~

It's been a rough year for Barry, over at An Explorer's View of Life. He first found a problem with his throat upon choking on a chicken bone at a restaurant. Fast forward nearly a year, he's been diagnosed with incurable throat cancer which has metastasized to his spine and hip, his mother in law passed away, and his own mother is very sick. Through it all, Barry has come through with raised spirits, positivity, and a unique glimpse into the life of someone dealing with their own mortality in a very unique situation.

However, today gives Barry something to cheer about, and allows us to cheer him on. At 2 PM today, hundreds of people will be ringing bells to commemorate Barry's last dose of Chemotherapy and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. The hospital erected a bell in their lobby for cancer patients to ring when they finish their last treatment, and so hundreds of us from around the world will also be ringing bells to cheer Barry on.

Arwen and I will be ringing Arwen's collar, since we don't have a bell. Arwen wanted to get in on the action so we will be shaking her collar, resplendent with metal tags that make a jingling sound every time she moves.

Here's to you Barry, keep fighting, we'll be right here in your corner, ringing bells for you!

and Arwen

Sweet Saturday: A Barn Painting

Okay, so I'm no Da Vinci, but this is the first painting I've done in years and I might just be a little bit proud of it, even though I know it kind of stinks! I am a little shy showing everyone this painting as I know there are a few painters who visit this blog. Stop laughing, all of you, lol. I'm sorry it isn't a better image of the painting, but my scanner is currently buried.

My mom has been going around our countryside and photographing the many historic, interesting or just plain old barns that are in danger of disappearing due to age, neglect, weather, or development. This was the first photo I decided to paint, and yes, I know you aren't supposed to paint from photos, and yes, I know, the perspective on the photo may not lend itself particularly well to being painted, but I fell in love with this little place when I saw the photo. There is something so quaint, peaceful and serene about it. So tiny, in the middle of a HUGE field. What was it used for? Was it a house for people? Chickens? I don't know, but I loved it so much I had to paint it and then expose you to my rusty painting skills :)

This was done on 190 gsm acid free watercolor paper with Faber Castell Goldfaber Aquarelle watercolor pencils, lovingly painted over with water. Whew! That was a mouthful!

Have a great day, until next time,

Fabulous Friday Find: Crack Pie (Yes, You Read That Correctly)

~Image by (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)~

Yes, Crack Pie. It is not for the sugar-sensitive, diabetic, waist-conscious or health nut. It IS for anyone who wants a sinfully delicious dessert. If you don't want to make it yourself, Momofuku sells it for $44US a PIE. Yup, $44 EACH pie, plus FedEx shipping. Check out the recipe from the LA Times here. When I saw this, I knew I would have to try it. It is just missing one thing to make it the most orgasmalicious dessert of all time: chocolate. Then again, the addition of one more less-than-perfectly-healthy ingredient may end up sending the person eating it into a sugar coma ;-)

....Guess what I'll be trying to make this weekend? This might just be perfect for that special someone's sweet tooth this Valentine's day :)

Enjoy!

Thoughtful Thursday: Sea Glass

~Image from North American Sea Glass Association~

I was perusing a few blogs (as always) and came across a post of an interesting article by the North American Sea Glass Association. Apparently there are some unscrupulous sellers of artificial sea glass and so the thoughtful people from the Association have come up with this incredibly informative page of information. As I've considered buying sea glass before (though I haven't yet), I'll be doubly careful who I buy from now! Please do check it out, even if you aren't a jewelry-maker, if you wear sea glass jewelry, you'll want to make sure it is the real thing to avoid potential exposure to chemicals: http://www.seaglassassociation.org/GenuineVsArtificial.php

Have a great day!

Arwendnesdays with Arwen the Wonderdog: Happy Birthday Daisy!

We were visiting our friends over at Daisy the Curly Cat, and found out that today is Daisy's 6th birthday! Celebrate! Happy birthday Daisy, we hope you have many more!
Be sure to visit her blog to see her presents and a few of her very adorable outfits.

Til tomorrow,

and Arwen

A Great Big Thank You Tuesday

~Dreaming of Spring - I just put in my seed order for this year!~

I just wanted to write a quick thank-you to everyone who has commented, emailed, Facebooked and sent prayers, well wishes and kind words after my post last week. I'm still on PB and rice cakes. Though I have tried to introduce vegetables and fruits back into my diet, it still meets with incredible resistance from my system. However, I will NOT give up! I am craving salads, lentils and lasagna like crazy and I am bound and determined that I will have them again. As soon as possible, maybe even all together, who knows??

On a good note, I have an appointment with a specialist next Wednesday... I suppose living in a rural community can have its good points - mainly that the specialists out here aren't nearly as overbooked as the ones in the big city an hour away. Hopefully after this consultation I'll have a better idea of tests to come, with a hopeful diagnosis and then treatment.

...Until then, I'm going to go have lunch. Hmm...I wonder...should I have peanut butter and rice cakes or rice cakes and peanut butter?? ;-)

Until next time,

An Apology, An Explanation

I know it has been a very long time since I have posted, and I am VERY sorry. Arwen and I are missing you all, and we feel very bad that we haven't posted, but I have been very, very ill. I have some sort of intestinal disease that the doctors are still trying to diagnose, but until then, I am sick constantly, and unable to eat anything but rice cakes and a small amount of peanut butter (yes, I find that weird as well, but it is the only protein and fat I can tolerate so I'll go with it). Aside from the fact that PB and rice cakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner is boring and not very tasty, it also leaves me with absolutely no energy for anything. Well, almost no energy. I did manage to make a few pieces of jewelry and a couple of bookmarks, but I haven't been able to photograph them yet...I'll try to get on that for you.

All this is not to ask for sympathy, or to whine and complain, but to give you a true apology, and I PROMISE we'll be back to posting every day when I'm feeling a bit better. I just wanted to let you all know thatArwen and I are here and visiting your blogs in return, even if we don't always comment (Arwen's paws aren't suited to typing on my laptop keyboard).

Until next time, have a great day, we send you happy thoughts and prayers for health, wealth and happiness :)


and Arwen