Still on Hold on Christmas

It's Christmas Eve, cold, early, and I'm sitting in an empty living room except for the television, a chair and little table.  Last weekend we moved all my household belongings into a 5x15 and a 10x10 storage unit up in Ukiah.  It was a crazy, hectic day, but I was blessed by my family and church family.  The Kent's (minus Heston) came to move everything out and into 2 rental trucks (U-Haul messed up my 26' rental truck, so I got a 10' and a 17' truck), drove with us up to Ukiah and unloaded everything as well.  I am so blessed to have them in my life.  And Steve Vawter came to help the move also.  He brought a trailer, which we also loaded up and Steve Kent drove it up.  We were all exhausted when the day was done.  Ron (brother) helped us move and followed all in his car to drive me and Rick back home (I spent the night at Rick and Jackie's).

I'm still waiting to find a home to move into.  This week has been very slow for rentals what with Christmas, and it's apparent I didn't get the last 2 houses I applied for.  So Monday after Christmas has come and gone, hopefully people will get on the stick and get back to me with answers on houses I have applied for (some 3 requests have been sent).  I've been staying at Rick and Jackie's house all week, get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee and head home to clean, pack up the last of the stuff, and sit most of the day until it's time to go back for dinner.  The chair here is very uncomfortable, I'm sleeping in a bed that is different from mine, so I wake up achey, sore, tired.    I want a home to move into, and get back to normal.  I don't like living out of boxes and not having some place to call home.  Not having a home is a very uneasy feeling.  I don't like it.  I feel like a homeless child.

Tonight is Christmas Eve, which is always spent at Rick and Jackie's.  They have been working all week on getting things ready, Rick has been replacing windows in the family room, sheetrock and electrical work, new fireplace tiles, so he's been busy trying to get stuff done.  Everyone comes by for dinner around 5:30-6, we eat, visit, laugh, hug each other, drink and get merry.  Then we all go up to the upper family room and have our white elephant gift exchange.  The kids get to open their presents first, then head down to the tv room to play, while we open up surprise gifts.  It's over before you know it, everyone goes home and you go to bed.  Tomorrow morning I'll wake up, leave Rick's around 7:30-8, head home here to shower and change, then drive up to Clear Lake to Paul and Cherie's for the day.  Scott, Nettie and Aria will be there, along with Scott's sister's family here from Utah.  Aria has been playing heartily with Kenny and Stockton, and having a ball every day.  Then tomorrow night I will either spend the night in Clear Lake, or go back to Ukiah with Nettie, depending on what they do.  I can't wait to see Miss Aria.  I miss her, as I haven't seen her since Monday.

They were going to come down for Christmas Eve tonight, but I told Nettie if they didn't want to come everyone would understand.  She and Aria drove down here 2 days this week (9 hours of driving), and if they came tonight they would drive 2 hours, visit for 3, drive back 2 hours.  Too much driving.  So they are staying in Clear Lake tonight rather than here.  So spending the day tomorrow with them, sitting on a hopefully comfy couch, and relaxing.  I'm exhausted from the past month, moving last weekend, working on cleanup this week and next.  I'm tired, I want a comfy chair, I want to just relax and be lazy for the day.  We'll see.

So happy holidays to you all, hope your day is full of love and family.  Keep warm and have a drink for me!

On Hold

It is now December, the month I am moving, and all my craft projects are put on hold until after I move.  I'm packing up all my craft supplies, household goods, etc. and moving them all on Dec. 17.  That is the only day really to do it.  The weekend of the 24th is Christmas, and the following is New Years, so the 17th is the only option.  Still waiting to hear about a house that I applied for (it's been 2 weeks), so probably all items will go into storage until I find a place.

I am really beginning to stress about it.  I think about it all the time now.  I have to stop, because it is not good for my health.  God has taken care of me for 62 years, He will continue to do so, I now it.  But that still doesn't stop me from worrying, well, "What if...?"  Then if I move all my stuff into storage, where will I stay until I find a place.  Many family members and friends have extra bedrooms, but it's Christmas and kids are coming home, people have things to do...I know, I know, it will work itself out.

So please pray that I find a place soon, so it will at least stop me from worrying about whether I have to redirect my mail twice, or whether I can start the Wanderlust class on January 6 (a mixed media year-long on-line class I am taking), or how many clothes I have to keep out of the storage unit...pray, pray, pray.

Thanks!

December Already

DYNAMIC DUO

So tomorrow is December ALREADY...I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by (don't they all).  I sent in my 30-day notice to vacate my house this morning.  I don't want to move, but they raised the rent $450/mo more (greedy, greedy), but the impetus to move is following Nettie and Aria to Ukiah.  Scott found a 2 bedroom townhouse, and is already in.  Nettie has been slowly moving her stuff, and should be in by mid-December.  I am waiting to hear about a house I applied for, and the agent yesterday said she submitted it to the owner along with about 5 other applications, and is waiting to hear.

In the meantime, I have been packing boxes (need to go buy more), and have a storage unit in Ukiah.  Scott has one also, and I asked him to keep it for December, just in case I don't have a place to move to I can store my contents until I find a place.  Last night when I went to bed, I found that I had been worrying about the rental place.  If I don't get the one I applied for, then I start all over again.  I decided to just give it to God and let Him worry about where He wants me to be.  He's taken care of me for 62 years, and I am firm in my believe that He will continue to do so.  So if I have to store all my stuff until I find a place, so be it.  That just means I will need a bed to sleep in until I get it, mail that will have to be moved twice, but hey, don't worry.  Easier said than done.  And because it's December and Christmas, I want to be moved by Dec. 18 because the next weekend is Christmas, and I need to clean after Christmas, so moving day is Dec. 17.  I asked the realtor to meet me on 12/31 to do the final walk through.  I'm hoping like heck I'll get most of my $2,000 deposit back (fingers crossed).

The positive side is that I won't have to pay rent for January and can save those funds for deposits.  Always look at the positive side, girl!  Life is too short to worry about what you don't have control (much) over.

So I have 3 things for Aria for Christmas, a pair of UGS boots, a bingo game, and a loom.  I still want to get her something else, but not sure what yet.  I also bought my white elephant gift for Christmas Eve at Rick's.  It's 2 tickets for making chocolate candies at Rachel Dunn Chocolates in Concord.  I got them through Groupon, and thought it was a good idea.  I still have to get something for Nettie, Scott, Braden and Rylynn.  Christmas is very frugal this year, and I won't be decorating, so it won't feel much like the holidays here in the house.  That's okay, because I have my cinnamon scent warmer plugged in and it smells wonderful in here, the heater is keeping it warm, and there's plenty of spice tea to be had, so it's plenty festive for me.

Well, off to buy some more boxes (I can't seem to find any free ones on Craigslist-drat).

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY TO ALL

Happy Veteran's day to all the men and women who have served (or are serving) our country.  We would not be here were it not for your bravery and your dedication to our beautiful country.  I thank you, and am indebted to you.  I've been watching some veterans who have been on talk shows receiving free homes, or free medical, and my feeling is that every person who serves or served this country should be taken care of for free by the government when they come home wounded.  I'm watching where people have poured in contributions, donations, various fund raising events, and am appalled that this great country does not give free health care and basic living to our returning veterans...totally appalled.  Vets should not have to worry how they are going to pay for a doctor bill, or prescription drugs needed, or have to pay to have their home equipped to accomodate them.  Other countries take care of their vets, so why don't we?  It shouldn't be an issue where veterans have to pay for anything to get treated for whatever wound they have, any upset caused by any war.  We never have taken care of our veterans...why.  I don't understand it.

I'm going to have a nice quiet weekend at home alone...my daughter and granddaughter left this morning to drive to Ukiah to 1) take boxes to my storage locker, 2) meet Scott for lunch, browsing local thrift shops, then dinner, and 3) spend the weekend with Scott and his parents in Clear Lake.  So I'm doing some internet browsing, blogging, baking, packing, cleaning...the thing is, I can do whatever I want.  I'm so excited.  I do miss them when they are not here, but I like the quiet and the not having to pick up after them.  So I'm making lists of things I need to do before I move, and will get a couple of them checked off this weekend.

I did find that when we were moving boxes I already packed to her car, that future boxes need to be packed "lighter".  They can get pretty heavy when packing papers and craft items.  So I told my daughter that future medium boxes would be packed lighter.  If it's difficult for me to move them on my own, they are definitely too heavy.

I ordered a couple of xmas gifts for Aria today, a bingo game, and a loom.  Something to keep her busy over Christmas when they visit with their cousins who are coming to spend 10 days for Christmas in Clear Lake.  Aria's list for Santa has grown quite long...we let her watch regular cartoons on television, rather than PBS stations, and they run all the commercials, so everything she sees, she wants to put on her list.  We explained that Santa doesn't bring ALL the things on the list, he is choosey, and besides she has to be a good little girl, otherwise Santa doesn't come knockin'.  Christmas this year will all be in boxes since we are moving, so no decorating this year.  I don't think anyone will miss it...we'll go to Rick's for Christmas Eve, and the kids will be in Clear Lake for Christmas, I don't yet know where I will be.  But no decorating...woot woot!

Better go, I've got some serious "alone" time to enjoy, so I'm outta here...

Beautiful Tuesday!

It's a sunny, bright day here in northern California.  We had some nice rain (finally) yesterday (Halloween) and early this morning.  I think I actually brought it with me yesterday.  I got up and drove up to Ukiah to secure a storage locker before my move there.  I left home right at 9:15, made no stops on the way and got there at 11:20.  Not bad, no traffic, light drizzle part of the way, but a lovely drive.  Got to the storage place and took, I believe, the last storage space available in Ukiah.  Bob, the manager, told me when I commented about there not being any available units at any of the 9 or so storage places, that because of the fires the last 2 years in the Clear Lake area, all the storage units are rented.  I had not thought about that, but was so grateful to have a space.  It's a 5 x 15, which square foot wise was what I wanted, and I only plan on putting my craft boxes in there for now.  Scott drives down here after work every weekend, and when he goes back Monday morning, I can load his car with a few boxes and he can drop them off for me, since he is there every day.  That will work great.

Then once I was done at the storage place, I called Scott and we had lunch at Schat's Bakery (they are located in the Friedman's store).  Great little deli/bakery, scrummy food, reasonable prices.  It rained pretty good while we ate.  After we were done, Scott went to look for a few supplies he needed to take back to work, and I headed out to look at some rental houses.  One out of three was not a good fit, but the other two were nice looking.  This morning, I noticed that one of them is rented and off the rental site.  I know looking at these places now is futile, as nobody will hold it for 2 months until January 1.  I started to drive up to Willits to look at a 4 bedroom for $1,500 (wholly, molly, what a deal), but after about 10 minutes, decided Willits was too far, so around I turned and headed home.  I brought the rain with me.  It always hits in the north bay first, so it came with me.  But I left it in Santa Rosa until I got home.  I took 116 towards Sonoma/Napa, and that was a nice route to take, green hills, farmland, vineyards, not bad traffic.  Then to hwy 29, and home from there.

Got home around 5 hoping to see Aria before she went out trick-or-treating, but I missed them.  She dressed as a princess this year, of course.  Nettie had to work until 6:30, so Aria was at the quad with mom until then, then they went out to a gated community.  Aria filled her pumpkin before it started to rain, so then home they headed.  She was asleep by the time they got back home around 9:30, and off to bed she went.  I hope Mom took pictures.  I bought wax lips (anyone remember those?) from Cost Plus at the beginning of Halloween season, bought one for each of us.  So Sunday I gave them to everyone, and took a pic of Miss Aria.  Told her to roll her eyes, so this is the shot I got.  She doesn't know that she can chew them up after she's used them all she wants, that's the fun of them!

So today I'm doing a few chores around the house, paying the rent, packing a couple more boxes, working on an altered rolodex project (I have a double rolodex with 1000 cards that I will be altering/painting and making beautiful over the next year or so.  I wanted the 3 x 5 cards, but OMGosh are they hard to find.  I finally got some on EBAY, but can you believe the prices?  Ridiculous...I also ordered some new flour sack towels and am embroidering Monday-Sunday patterns on them.  My current flour sack towels are desperately in need of throwing away, but they are just too cute, I can't bear to throw them away.  Once they get so many holes, they are not good to use anymore, so I do need some new towels, and since I am packing away most of my craft supplies for now, I need something to work on in the meantime.  So embroidering new flour sack towels it is.

I can't believe it's already November 1!  My this year has flown by.  I have not accomplished nearly as much as I wanted to, but then I never do, as life gets in the way.  Having to move (not my choice) is a big pain in the butt, and not something that is fun to do just before the holidays, but there it is.  I have enjoyed my retirement, time spent with Aria and Nettie, being available to go to lunch with someone when I want, going to Cabo with Nancy and Joel in February.  I love my life now (well, I always have, but especially now that I don't have to work).  So glad to not have to work anymore, so thankful that God takes care of me daily.  I am truly blessed, so I will end this post with that for now.  Have a blessed day all!

Packing Boxes

I figure since I have until December 31 to get out of this house, I might as well start early and pack up what I can.  It never hurts to get started on a "big job" as early as you can.  As I'm packing, I'm also looking at things that I don't use any longer, or haven't used in 3-5 years...things I'm tired of looking at, dusting, packing up, you name it.  I'm trying to move "lighter" than I moved into this house.  Time to minimize as much as possible, take things to Goodwill.  No more garage sales, no more time spent on it.  My time is more valuable spend elsewhere, with my granddaughter, on crafts, visiting friends, vacationing, etc.

I'm starting in my bedroom, where it is half bedroom, half craft room.  So much to go through and pack.  Most of the craft things I will keep, but I will be getting rid of some things that I just haven't used and probably will never use.  It's so hard to make a determination of what to get rid of.  In the past, when I have gotten rid of something that I haven't used in a couple of years, almost automatically the next week I'm needing it.  It has happened with kitchen items especially.  Can be quit frustrating.  Or I can find alternate things to use.  It just depends.  But it's time to get rid of "stuff" I will never use, or at least not miss.

I've made a list of things I need to do to the house to get my security deposit back.  And there again, it depends on timing.  I will probably to up to Ukiah and get a storage locker, and move boxes little by little.  I can have Scott take them up during the week for me, as he is there every week to work now.  With 3 of us in the house, there is no room to store packed boxes, so they will have to be moved periodically into storage.  A storage locker here in Martinez goes for more than $200 (10x10).  In Ukiah I can get one for $65.  Such a difference.  So that's what I will do.  I'll go up one day and sign up and pay for one, since you have to do that in person.  Then weekly or so I'll have Scott take boxes up there for me.  It will then allow me to rent a smaller U-Haul van to move all the final furniture and stuff, when it comes time.  Once I get more boxes out of the house, and a little more room to move around, I can start washing windows, blinds, cupboards, etc.  I won't clean the carpets until the last week, but I can get other things done before that.  I'm so thankful that I am retired that I can spend the time on this now, rather than going to work and doing a few hours every night...thank you God!

I've been looking at houses for rent in Ukiah and they are definitely less expensive than the bay area, much more affordable.  I am in a 2 bedroom house for $1750 and can get a 3-4 bedroom 2 bath for $1200-$1400, with a 2-car garage and large yard, and maybe even a view of the valley.  Woot, woot!  So much more affordable...and less traffic, less people (Ukiah's population is under 22,000).  They have all the shopping stores I'd ever want, people are friendly, neighborhoods are family oriented.  I can't wait.  My sis-in-law, Tresa, went up there with me about a month ago, checking out the area, and it's going to be quite pleasant.  We found an Applebee's for lunch, they have a couple Starbuck drive-thru's, WalMart, Michael's, Kohls, Lucky/Safeway/Raley's/Grocery Outlet...a nice farmers produce store...all the things to keep me happy.  So I'm looking forward to the move.

Well, off to packing now, and hope I get lots done.  Be back soon...

Rain Finally

Here in northern California it has been soooo dry all year, and we are finally getting a little rain.  They have been warning everyone to stock up on flood supplies, groceries, etc. but after all it is only going to be pretty light, nothing heavy.  Aside from the slick streets, we shouldn't get too much rain.  More in the north, but here in the bay area, not a lot of rain.  However much we get, it's nice to have it.  It clears the air and makes it smell cleaner.  It cools things down and makes pumpkin coffee taste even better.

Making final preparations for the Glorious Junk Day show this weekend in Fresno.  I got one Christmas album completed, but it looks like that's all I'm going to get done that is new for the show.  That's okay.  The week has flown by, no major issues, but I didn't get two albums done like I wanted to.  Oh, well.  Hopefully people will be looking for Halloween items, and my albums will be popular.

Joel is going to pick me up tomorrow morning and we will drive to Fresno (about 3 hours).  It will be nice to just sit and chat with her.  Now that we don't work together, we don't get a lot of time to see each other, though during the summer we would meet at Allison's house once a month to do crafts, and I would see her then.  We've known each other, what, about 10 years now.  Can't believe it's been that long.

Then tonight after Nettie works the DVC game, she and Aria are driving to Ukiah to be with Scott.  There is a parade tomorrow in Ukiah, and Scott's boss has asked if Aria wants to ride in the "cherry picker" truck.  It's Pumpkinfest, and it starts with a parade at 10 a.m. and lasts two days.  I'm hoping next year I can have a craft booth all set up for selling stuff.  We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, stay safe today, and if you are out, drive safe and enjoy the rain while we have it.

Moving

Even though I won't be out of my place until December 31, there is so much to do.  I haven't yet found a new place to move into yet.  But I know I will find one within the next month or so (hopefully).  Over the past couple of years I have tried to downsize.  It is hard to do, because for so many years I wanted to be Martha Stewart.  I wanted the 5 sets of dishes, the linens to end all linens, numerous sets of sheets, blankets comforters, 25 cute teapots, antique collectibles like the butter churn, coffee grinders, kitchen gadgets, not to mention the plethora of books that I collected (and yes, cookbooks).  When I moved into this house, I probably sold 20 boxes of books before I got here, so came with about 20 boxes.  Since I've been here, I've gotten rid of probably 17 boxes of books.  I love paper, books, anything to do with paper.  But over the past 5 or so years, I have "given up the dream" of being Martha.  I've gotten rid of some things, but am prepared in the next month or so before I move to get rid of tons of "extra stuff" that I don't use any more.

Over the last couple of years, we have had quite a few garage sales, make a few dollars, but still I have too much stuff.  So I've decided no more garage sales, just pack it up and take it to Goodwill.  I'm so tired of moving it, dusting it, cleaning it, ironing it, whatever.  Out of the 25 teapots, I will only keep 3-4, ones that family have given me, like the Mrs. Pots musical teapot my daughter gave me, my grandmas teapot, and once that belonged to my brother (passed away).  I have already gotten rid of the numerous dish sets, and only kept my Desert Rose, which I use for every day.  I don't have any that I keep for "good" because they won't get used.  I used the good ones for every day.  Why not, I have an abundance of them, so if one breaks, it won't hurt the remaining ones.

I have gone through the linens once, but am thinking I should do it again.  You know, I'm 62, and I don't entertain much anymore, so I don't need those big, honky tablecloths that fit the long table that I no longer have.  I want a tablecloth that will fit a table to fit 6-8 people, not 12-20.  I don't need the numerous fabric napkins that take forever to wash and iron (who irons anymore???).  I've gotten rid of the kitchen gadgets, the butter churn, the other antiques that just collect dust.  But I'm considering still getting rid of more stuff before I move.  I just need to get it done.

It's nice to pack before things get rushed, because I can take a little time and don't have major deadlines.  I can move some boxes up to the storage place, even before I find that perfect rental house I'm looking for.  Just wish me luck and hope that I succeed where I need to and get things to Goodwill before I move, and moving boxes to the storage place before I even find a place.  Things will work out as they are supposed to, they always do.

Wish me luck!


I also went to my Stampin' Up Stamp Camp this past Thursday evening at Gina's house.  I used to be a demonstrator, and she was my upline, but I no longer sell, I just go to her monthly stamp camps.  Last Thursday we made the below 3 items, two cards, and one pad portfolio.  They turned out so cute.  Gina always gives us great projects to complete, and I always spend way to much money ordering new product.  I love Stampin' Up, it's the greatest!

Card #1

Card #2

Portfolio

Portfolio - Open

So that's it for today, I think I've said enough (smile).

Fall Is Almost Here

So now that it is fall (September 22), the mornings are a little crisper, a little chill is in the air, we got a little rain yesterday (unheard of for the SF bay area), pumpkins are everywhere and I feel like making soup, soup, soup.  It's not quite cold enough to make lots of soups yet, but I'm collecting recipes to try, and getting in the mood for the oven being on more often.

Getting ready for Halloween, have been for about a month.  Am also getting ready to do a craft show with some friends in Fresno in 2 weekends.  It's called "Glorious Junk Days" and takes place October 15-16 in Fresno.  I'm in a booth with my friend Tami, so I'm getting a few more halloween themed items ready for sale.  Working on some halloween houses, a set of 3 that vary in size, and some more greeting cards.  Have about 5 halloween hand-made photo albums all ready to go, and will hopefully get 1-2 larger Christmas albums completed to sell.  This will be my last sales event for the year.  I probably won't do another one until mid-2017, as I am moving in January and do not know the logistics of craft fairs where I am moving to yet, but still plan to do 3-4 shows a year.  It's what I love to do.  I love to make photo albums, but sometimes you just don't know what a buyer is looking for.  So trying to decorate the house, complete items for a show in 2 weeks, packing up some items getting ready to move in January.  The next two and a half months will be quite busy.

Moving to a new place makes me a little leary.  I've lived here (Martinez) for most of my adult life.  I don't necessarily want to leave, however a couple things have made it necessary for me to move.  In the first place, my landlord raised my rent $450 per month, making it impossible to stay here.  With rents skyrocketing (greedy landlords), I can't afford to live in the bay area any longer.  Being retired and living on a fixed income makes it impossible to stay.  In the second place, my daughter's partner got a new job in Ukiah, so my daughter/granddaughter will be joining him in January.  So I figured since daughter and granddaughter have been living with me for the past 6 years, I have no choice but to follow them (I can't imagine a week without seeing my grandbaby).  So I'm moving also.  I haven't found a place to live yet, but that will come hopefully within the next 2 months.

In the meantime, I'm going through and purging what I don't use any more, so I won't have to move so much stuff.  I have too many teapots, too many dishes, too many linens, too many books, too many lots of things, so I'm trying to pare down before I move, only move the basics.  The problem area is my crafts.  I do so much with paper, punches, paints, etc. that they are much harder to pare down.  I'm looking for a place with a spare bedroom to utilize for crafts, so I won't be getting rid of much in that area because I use most of it.  I will be diligent in going through this stuff, to ensure I don't take what I won't use.  Easier said than done.

Anyway, I plan to enjoy the fall time; the wreaths and pumpkins are decorating the porch (actually the raccoons are already enjoying the pumpkins, or something is anyway).  The witches and goblins will follow soon, along with apple cider, pumpkin breads and scones, and pumpkin coffee has already begun, along with the pumpkin butter on toast.  So I hope everyone celebrates fall and Halloween and enjoys themselves.  My niece says that "fall has thrown up all over my house"...I like it!

The picture below is a pumpkin I made out of a paperback book, something I saw on Pinterest and decided to give it a try...I think it needs leaves and some curli-ques.

Happy fall, everyone.

A Little Halloween

So, it's been so long since I've had a blog, but I'm stepping back in.  It's October, fall is beginning to arrive here in Northern California and Halloween is in the air.  I want to post my projects, my life, my thoughts, my feelings, here on my blog.  I won't have any followers for awhile, but that's okay.  It will allow me to post something at a minimum once per week, something I've been working on, maybe something that's on my mind, what's going on on my side of the world, whatever I feel like.  I love to be creative.  I tell my friends it is what keeps me off the streets at night (hahaha).

I've  been creative my whole life.  When I was younger (I'm in my 60's), my grandmother gave me my love of crafts.  She taught me how to sew, bake, make resin grape lamps, how to tile, embroider, knit.  She gave me my love.  Then when I was in high school, I started to paint.  My brother, Gary, took me on a shopping trip to San Francisco and we bought all the art supplies: paints, brushes, canvas, carrier, and he was the one that encouraged me to paint.  I've been painting all my life, in one form or another.  Oils, water, acrylic, china (china painting is my all-time favorite, and I still want to do more of it). I've sewed clothes since I was 10 for myself throughout my life, frilly dresses for my daughter and niece, and more clothes to be made for my 4 year-old granddaughter.

I love to scrapbook...I have more paper and pictures than I know what to do with.  It's hard to keep up with everything, but I try.  If I never bought another piece of paper, I'd probably be fine for 8 years or so, but what's the fun in that?  I love art journaling, love the creative process, love learning new techniques, love teaching classes, love sharing my art.  I am retired and want to do more art, but some days there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day...oh, well, as long as I do the best I can, that will have to do for now.

I'll try to do my best to post something here at least one a week, more if I have time or if I want to share something that I'm working on...so we'll chat again later.

The picture above is of a tall candlestick holder that was painted an ugly gold with some sparkle paint on it.  I decided to paint them (there are 2) black, with silver highlights.  It turned out just like I wanted it.  I ended up putting pumpkins at the very top, but it could easily accomodate an eerie candle.  I loved how they turned out, so thought I'd share.