Frustration

I can blog today.

I would have had a hard time doing that yesterday or the day before because my cable internet service was out. That's two days. I've had glitches in my service before but that's the longest it's been down since the last time a hurricane came through here.

I was not a happy camper.

I couldn't check on my Etsy shop or my Zazzle shop to answer customer inquiries or list anything new. I couldn't do any of the usual things I do online. Keep in mind that I'm usually at home without a car all day and the internet is my link to the world.

So today, Broadstripe, I salute you with the above photo of a button, made from a recycled vintage magazine, that I have for sale in my Etsy shop.

I call it "Frustration."

Visitors from the UK

You never know who you're going to meet in Annapolis, Maryland.

This morning at my church in Annapolis I met a family from the UK. They had arranged a house exchange with another family from our area and come here for their vacation. I had a very enjoyable conversation with Claire and her husband (I think he said his name was Tom, although I confess I don't remember names very well these days!) as we talked about our teen-aged daughters. I met their daughters, Lydia and Charlotte and was thoroughly charmed by them. I only wish my own daughter, Jackie, was far enough along in her recovery from jaw surgery that she could have been there to meet them, too. Jackie loves making new friends, particularly friends from other countries. I told them that Jackie is an anime artist and they told me anime is very big in the UK. I know they would have enjoyed comparing notes. Lydia said one of her teachers had similar jaw surgery and asked me tell Jackie she hopes she recovers quickly.

As I told them about our daughter, Becky I mentioned her Etsy shop and mine and gave them one of my business cards so they could check them out. I hope they'll stop by here and read this and find the link to Becky's shop because I think Lydia and Charlotte would find some fun stuff there. We've both enjoyed having international customers and knowing that the things we make could end up anywhere in the world.

So, if you're reading this, Claire, I hope you'll leave a comment and let me know. I just want to say that I wish we could have spent more time with your family and I'd love to stay in touch!

Christmas in July

I'm participating in the Etsybloggers Street Team's Christmas in July sale. I keep a Christmas section in my Etsy shop all year long, letting some of the items expire as the year goes on and bringing them back during the fall. This year I'm bringing them back early and all Christmas items are marked half the usual price so get 'em while you can!

This is your once a year chance to get my handsewn Puzzle Ball Christmas Ornaments for only $20. Every stitch made by hand, I don't use a sewing machine for these. I'm considering extending my sale through the month of August, too, since it'll take me a while to make more of my Mini-Puzzle Ball Ornaments (I sold out last year).



I also have my Pocket Mirror Christmas Ornaments which were good sellers for me last year. Some are my original designs, some made with one of a kind images recycled from vintage magazines, but any and all will be beautiful hanging on your Christmas tree.



Grab a few of my "Merry Christmas Darling" buttons to add to your packages this year or let me make some custom buttons for every member of the family!



Keep checking back because I'm planning to add something new to my Christmas section every day!


By the way...the cross-stitched log cabin wreath posted at the top of this blog entry is not for sale. It's one I did many years ago and I'm keeping it. But I am considering putting a photo of it on mugs in my Zazzle shop, so I'll let you know when that's available. Stay tuned....

My Father's Birthday

Today is my father's birthday, but he'll tell you he's not technically 80 years old until 11:37pm. At least that's what he said when I called him this afternoon to wish him a happy birthday. It would be wonderful to be with him today and hug his neck, but we live in different states now. The funny thing is he now lives in the same small Texas town where I lived for 11 years before moving to Maryland. And he's now married to one of my dear church friends (a childhood friend of his), surrounded by many other good friends of mine who are all taking very good care of him. That's a comfort to me now that I'm so far away.

We had a birthday ritual, of sorts, during my growing up years. The conversation would go something like this.

Dad: How old are you now?

Donna: I'm twelve!

Dad: Oh, oh...twelve! That's right.... Why, by the time I was your age I was fifteen already!


Is it any wonder I was never very good at Math?


Happy Birthday, Dad!

Good Report

Headed into Baltimore today for my daughter's first follow-up appointment with her surgeon and we got a good report. Everything is as it should be and tonight...she got to have mashed potatoes for dinner! She's been a good sport about the liquid diet but that really hit the spot! We still have several weeks of recovery before she's back to her old self...or should I say, her new self...but we're getting there!

Here are a couple of photos I took with my cell phone as we were driving into downtown Baltimore...a very interesting town!

Home From the Hospital

The title of this blog entry is something I felt like I'd never be able to say when we found ourselves staying at the hospital a couple of days longer than we expected after my daughter's jaw surgery last week. The surgery itself went very well, just as it should. It was the recovery process that presented most of the problem. I don't want to dwell on the negative so I won't go into a commentary on hospital red tape, which was only part of the problem. I prefer to shine a spotlight on the wonderful medical professionals we encountered during our stay.

Let me just say that I have the utmost respect for nurses. I can't say enough to thank them for all they do. I hope they realize the impact they have on our lives when we need them the most. They become part of the story of my family as we remember those difficult times and the people who somehow made it a little easier to bear.

My daughter is doing very well, recovering nicely. She's in good spirits about her liquid diet that will last for the next six weeks or so, too. We thank all our friends and family for their prayers and good thoughts and expressions of concern for her well-being.

No picture with this article...maybe someday I'll get her permission and post before and after photos!

I hope to make more regular entries to this blog now. I've missed it.