Peek at My Week (Nov. 1-7)

Y'all! That week was EXHAUSTING for such little actual activity. There was so much waiting.

We gained an hour on Sunday as time fell back for Daylight Savings. After some milling about the house, Pat and I decided to see about switching out our cell phone carrier. We were in-store for almost two hours and left empty-handed (though that should change this week.) And, that was the big excitement for the day.

Monday felt like moving through molasses. I did catch a kitty in the sun though.

We were a bit nervous about the election, so I made some comfort food for dinner.

I woke up early on Election Day and worked out a few more nerves with a little art journaling. It looked as chaotic as I felt.

It wasn't long before we headed out to cast our votes. We did have to wait about an hour, but it was worth it. 

We were on pins and needles back at home, though we knew we'd likely be going to bed without knowing who the new president was going to be. I tried to distract myself with some jewelry-making but didn't have much success. I did find a little hope and joy in the bowl though.

Wednesday felt much the same as I worked to distract myself from politics as much as possible. I did get to update the booth at Southern Antiques and Accents. 

I spent all of Thursday with my mom as she had a procedure. Friday was more waiting and looking for distractions. At one point, I even broke out the watercolors but still couldn't focus on jewelry.

I was up early again on Saturday.

Within a few hours, the election was called for Biden. We were ecstatic to hear the results . . . until we began to see some of the spite and hate from friends and family on social media. We stepped away to work out in the yard some. And, I collected a few treasures we found under one of the pole barn's lean-tos. 

I was feeling the urge to paint, so into the art journal I dove as I considered what all a new presidency might mean.

I hope you for more inspiration that I did over the week, and here's some more to give you a jump start on this week!

• I have no idea how Jose Manuel Castro Lopez makes these stones look soft, but he has. It's magic!
• This elegant-looking daisy chain is new for me. Learn how to make your own.
• I am absolutely taken with these animal sculptures made from recycled scraps. They are whimsical and wonderful!
• The minimalistic beauty of this simple fall wreath really catches the eye. 
• If you're like me and still blogging, Roben-Marie Smith has some Tips for Creating a Content Calendar for Your Art Blog.

My mood is still way off, but I'm working on that. I hope that if you're struggling too that you find some way to focus that into something else. I'm working on making sure I practice kindness. Please let me know how you're coping with the cares of the world upon your shoulders. Here's to better times ahead!

Election Day

It's voting day all across America and I played my part.

I apologize for the smudge. . .it got wet

I do have to rant a little because I (and everyone else in my voting area) was assigned a new polling place and it was CHAOS there. The parking situation was horrible: there were cars parked up and down the street, the actual parking lot was nothing but grass and no discernible system, it was almost impossible to get in and out of, and you had to drive through the line of people to get into it. In addition, the line was outrageous! There were people with wheelchairs and walkers and canes standing out in the breezy cold for close to an hour. Once you got into the building, the line for my last name was super long (you think they would have broken down some of the most common initials. . .like "S") and there was not a soul in some of the other lines. Once you actually got a ballot, you had to climb over other voters to get to an open area at a table. I hate to complain like this on the day that we most get to exercise our freedom, but I've never had a voting experience like that. And from the complaints I was overhearing, most of the other voters hadn't either. First world problems, I know. . .

Rant ended.

For a little happy, check out the two items I put on sale yesterday. I just love these two.

Passion Bracelet - 15% off

Pagoda Earrings - 20% off

I do hope that if you haven't gone out and voted yet that you do, and that your experience is much more fulfilling than mine. Happy Election Day!!

I'm Baaaaaack!! (& ThTh)

I apologize for being so quiet over here in my corner of the blogosphere. I have many reasons. I had full intentions of posting on Halloween. However, I ended up getting sick and laying on the couch all afternoon and then went to my mama's to see my nieces and other family and kids for the holiday.

I also know that with the election going on, y'all had more important issues to attend to than my lil' ole blog. I've always been a peace-keeper. I had my own views about how the election should go, but because many people that are close to me had other views, I decided to leave the election out of my blog posts, rather than starting debates. I am glad that the election is over and look forward to what awaits the country with our new president.

I want to make sure this post gets up, so let me go ahead and share just a few things. Do you remember the contest I won? Here's how my prize was packaged (too cute!)
And, here's my awesome winter dove bead. I LOVE it!!
It is "Thrifty Thursday" so let me share a few links before I get out of here:

• Here are some tips in how to clean your house on the cheap.
  
• Want to repurpose your Halloween candy? Check out these ideas. The advent calendar one is my fave.
  

Lastly is something I REALLY have been wanting to share. Here's the completed Halloween Pin-Up necklace I made (remember the hint?)
For complete details on how I made it, head over to my Fairy Creative site.

That's all for now. I hope I can make it back tomorrow. And, I hope you do too!!

Probably the Only Post About the Election

Don't keel over, I know. Two posts in one day hasn't been done by me in A WHILE. But, I saw this video posted by my friend Grayson. I haven't said much about the upcoming election. I'd rather not add to all the rest of it. It's overwhelming to say the least. However, I do firmly believe in everyone's right to vote and want to encourage all of you to get out and do it.

Don't forget to VOTE alright!!!