Sara's Shady Lady

She's called the Shady Lady... a gorgeous prehnite stone with a leafy surround... she was created by Rochelle Darrow, a jeweler in California. I've been stalking her blog for a while now totally certain that I'd find the turquoise ring of my dreams. I still might find that ring, but for now, I have this lovely lady to keep my fingers happy. Don't be surprised if I show more pictures of her jewelry... it's the first metal and stone combination that really speaks to me... guess I know where my "extra" money is going...   

I've Got a Secret...

I'm really glad most people find me trustworthy. I want to be "there" for all my friends in the ways that count. I try, I really do....

This morning I took my mile walk and finally beat the 15 minute time. More than 14 but definately less than 15. It wasn't easy, but it's a goal for me. Working on those little things that add up to the bigger ones... ate a sensible breakfast then headed out to the studio. Selected some music to keep me on track and got in the groove....

About 10:30 the phone rang and everything changed.  This was so unexpected and truly awful. No one is physically damaged, but lives have been altered by the actions my friend took. All I could do was listen and promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone... and I won't. But part of being a friend to me is helping, and I'm not sure my silence is help. We'll see.

One thing I know for sure, each of us is the sum total of our life experience. Nice when it's the lovely and happy... but when we are forced to deal with the parts of our lives we've tucked away for "some other time", well, it can be ugly and destructive. My advice to my sweet friend is not to be too harsh with yourself. You didn't get to this place alone, but you have made it worse by lying. So, ask for help and listen this time. The people who are your friends will stand by you. Your family will still love you, but it's time to work through all the reasons that got you to this place. Like the Nike commercial says, "just do it".

down the repair trail...

might as well laugh... it's the best plan...

For the last two months it's been, fix, purchase, repair, discard, worry, fret, but mostly, just plain old spend... There have been so many problems and issues I made a list.. a long list..

It started when the rainbarrels wouldn't fill up. It was raining but the gutters needed cleaning so I decided that spending money to have a gutter guard installed was a reasonable expense. I found a local company to install them and felt pretty smart about that. Then after careful research decided that I wanted a small backyard smoker. We both love smoked food. Plus it's an easy way to entertain... that too seemed like a reasonable expense. We've become social hermits, and this would help create a way to engage with friends. Okay, good so far. I knew a brake job for the van was on the horizon. Arlen had advised me that I'd need that done before fall. Gene and I were standing out in the yard talking when he noticed my tired were exceedingly worn... so, new tires and what the heck, get the brakes done and the van would be ready to go on vacation. Seemed like a fine plan....

Then I kept noticing my cat Bacon was exhibiting behavior just like he did this time last year. That ended up with a dreadful operation. After a few days of this, I called the vet. This time the local vet was able in a couple of days to take care of the problem.. but it was also time for Toby's annual wellness check up... and Bacon's wellness check up was scheduled for the following week. Took a deep breath when I transferred money from savings to checking so I could pay off the runaway mastercard bill... and heaved a sigh of relief... then I noticed water marks on the ceiling in my bedroom.. and knew the upstairs toilet could sometimes leak a little moisture from the tank, so I called the plumber... the plumber and I have gotten to be on first name basis with all the work he's done here the last year or so... Gary came right over and knew immediatly that the water on the ceilings on two floors are from the plumbing stack on the roof. The flashing is leaking. The roofer has been called, and am awaiting him anytime now... and for the real biggie... the air conditioner quit working Tuesday... I realized that the house was hot and not getting cooled off and the motor was running and running... the repair guy came yesterday and delivered the bad news... "m'am, it's the coils, they are leaking... so, this morning Gene stayed home from work and we met with their salesman... and are spending many thousands for a new heating and air condtioning system... the humor is all of this is look at all the points I'll rack up on my mastercard.... might as well laugh...