No church today......

I received a call this morning that there is no church today. The church does not have electricity. I have heard there are 1 million without power in the North East. We have power. This morning looks calm and relatively harmless compared to the past 5 days of INSANE weather. Buckets of snow for days, buckets of rain for days with super high winds, then sleet, and now it pours down snow about every 2 hours. My mom and dad are running the generator at their place.

Will left on a ski trip to Sunday River with Tucker Friday morning. They will be gone until Monday evening. Tucker's family paid for Will's trip. I can't tell you how incredibly generous that is. I need to call Jane & Corey (Tuck's mom and sis) and have them pick out jewelry from my shop. Gosh, it's the least I can do.

Danny is pretty much recovered from his oral surgery. He called me at 10pm last night and told me he and Hillary got into a car accident, but they were both fine. The roads were icy and they slid into a guardrail on the way home from the movies. Hillary's mom picked them up and they were stuck at another accident up the road from theirs for a really long time, so Dan ended up sleeping over.

Yesterday was nice and quiet, but busy. I started the day getting orders packed up for the post office, shoveling more snow, cleaning the house *polish, vacuum, rugs, cabinet fronts..... the whole bit. I was going to go grocery shopping but I ran out of time. A friend was having a big get together (turkey dinner with all the fixings) at 5pm. I had a wonderful time. The food was outstanding and the conversation and company was fantastic! So I will be doing the shopping today after my workout.

I have gone 7 days in a row feeling positive and emotionally balanced. THAT IS AWESOME!

*This picture has nothing to do with the post. It was taken 2/17/09. I just miss him*

It's raining cats and dogs!

It snowed for a day and a half. We received about 15 inches of the white stuff. Last night it turned into rain and it rained all night and all day today. It is sloppy and yucky outside. I have 2 inches of water in my driveway. Thank goodness for gortex footwear. Danny is recovering nicely. His girlfriend is visiting today. My emotional state has been very good again today. I am stringing together a good week so far, thanks be to God!!

New Lovelies....

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41486602

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41487330

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41487039

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41486178

cross-eyed nose picker

Join me on a roller coaster ride.....

Friday night I went out and had a crummy time. I worried and worried about everything and did not enjoy myself at all. I also did a good deal of emotional eating. Saturday the boys were gone all day and night. I read and ate and slept most of the day. Depressed. I did go to a little get together in the evening and had a fantastic time. I was planning on going to church on Sunday. I got up (empty house), I made the coffee, and I felt like garbage. I ate ALL of the dessert my friend sent me home with the night before and went back to bed. I woke up and read most of the day. The kids came home Sunday afternoon and evening. Sunday night I had a bit of an "awakening". I felt motivated and a felt better emotionally. I am on a roller coaster ride with these emotions of mine.

Monday, I did a very grueling workout and had a fabulous day in the studio, then went to Alpha. Great, even terrific day!!

Tuesday (today) , I woke up at 5am so I could work out before my little angle (cough) had to leave for his oral surgery. He had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed. He is not a happy baby. The surgery went well, but Danny is a horrible and demanding patient. He was hilarious as he was coming out of the anesthesia. You should have seen him eat his cream of broccoli soup this afternoon. His entire face and mouth will be numb until late tonight, so he had soup all over his face and he had no idea. He looked like a big sloppy baby. He gave me a sideways look and said in his garbled speech that only a mother could understand, "Am I amusing you?"

I had to cover the couch with sheets because his mouth starts bleeding periodically and he does not realize it.

Here's my brave lil soldier.....

He even gave you all a little smile :) His face will swell up in about 2 more days.

I divided my day between working in the studio and tending to Danny. All in all it has been a very good day emotionally. Thank goodness!

We shall see what tomorrow brings. No monotony here folks!

Mexican Crock pot Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

3+ chicken breasts
2 can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
2 can mexican chili beans(Do not drain tomatoes or beans)
2 Package Taco Seasoning
1 can black olives
2 can chopped green chiles

Directions

Layer chicken in bottom of crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients in the order written. Do not stir. Cook on low 7-8 hours. Take out chicken and shred. Return chicken to crock pot and stir well. Serve with tortilla chips or on a flour tortilla. Serve with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded cheese if desired.
Number of Servings: 8

To cut down on the sodium, use low sodium beans and diced tomatoes. Low sodium taco seasoning is also available at the grocery store. You don't have to use the taco seasoning, add your own combination of seasonings if you like!

My kids add sour cream and cheddar cheese then eat in a wrap or with corn chips.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


I am having my what is becoming "usual" Buy 2 get 1 free Weekend in my shop...

I am hoping for a good turn out. Financially things are really worse than ever. Prayers for strength and FAITH would be appreciated!!!

Dinner & a blog post.....

I am having my dinner in front of the computer. I need to eat and run. I made "Mexican crock pot chicken" this morning and it is YUMMY! It should be called "Protein Stew".

Let me know if you want the recipe. It is incredibly easy and delicious!

I have Alpha training tonight. I need to leave in 10 minutes. Today was one of those running around days. I have been in good spirits all day, thank God. Poor Chris is down. He had a hard day at work and is full of anxiety. PLEASE pray for strength for my dear husband, I know he would appreciate it so much.

I listed 3 pairs of Bar Dangles in my shop today. Very simple scalloped bezels with fabulous turquoise. The colors are very different in each pair and so beautiful. All mined in the good ole USA. They all measure about 2.25 inches long and are VERY light weight.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40985256

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40985745

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40986066

I should probably shove off! Nighty Night!

I NEED one of these......

I would really like this same exact one. You may be able to find him in Ninety-six or Greenwood South Carolina. If you can't get your hands on him for me, I'll take something similar I guess. But he will definitely need to look the same, talk the same, act the same, kiss the same, and love me the same as the original.

Ship UPS to Lisa Hendrick

74 West Street

Antrim, NH 03440

just checking in....

It's been a decent day. I feel strong today (emotionally). I did forget that mail would not be going out today after telling customers that their jewelry would be shipped today. Oh well, first thing tomorrow then. I designed a sweet little simple bracelet for Danny's girlfriend for Valentines day and I made another today for myself. I will be offering it in my shop beginning tomorrow. It is getting a bath in the tumbler as I type. Tonight is the first Alpha training meeting of the course. We have a training meeting tonight and Thursday night. The official first night is Monday the 22nd. I will be helping as a group helper so some such. I am not really sure what I will be doing, I don't expect it will be very demanding. I am thinking that I should have signed on to help in the kitchen or do something more hands on. Nonetheless, I am excited for the course to begin and to see what unfold over the next 10 weeks. I am pretty sure Chris will be attending with me when he comes home. It is okay to miss the first couple of weeks.

Oh, our town has had a bit of news that I never shared with you. A really big old building in down town Antrim burned down last week. It was awful. I was picking the boys up from the mountain Monday and I got downtown and it was pitch black other than siren lights and a thick smoke and flames. This is a big deal and was really upsetting. Our town is very small, we don't even have a traffic light. Everyone knows everyone. Hopefully they will be able to rebuild soon and the businesses will be back to normal.

******UPDATE********

Here's the bracelet and some new swanky earrings. Both with March (my) birthstone ~ aquamarine.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40826916

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40827519

a little something new in YOUR size!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40641424

I did not set the stone, it is placed in the setting so that a band in YOUR SIZE may be created for this ring. I think this is a wonderful option for rings. I saw it first here.......

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassyglassjewelry

Feeling Renewed

I began feeling better yesterday and this morning I am actually drinking and enjoying coffee, so I think I am all set. I have this habit of whenever I feel better after being sick for a couple of days, I try and take on the world the very first day I feel human again. I begin cleaning, making lists, shopping, cooking. I started doing that exact thing this morning. I think I feel guilty for not caring properly for my family while I am sick, so I try and get things "back to normal" as quickly as possible. I do feel sorry for the boys. They made their own supper 3 mights in a row. Junky microwaved fare. I am sure they will not be scared for life, but I don't like it one bit.

I must shower and boil my pj's. I have not showered / changed my pj's / brushed my teeth since Wednesday. I am presently a smelly, greasy, unkempt lady.

Emotionally I am feeling good. My being sick actually took the pressure off me perseverating on our household finances. I must dive back into that today and make decisions about which bills I can pay and which ones go in the new and exciting "on hold" pile. I even have a sticky note for that pile that says "on hold". It sounds so civilized and non-threatening doesn't it???? I think perhaps it should be called the "suck on this" pile. Oh, boy. I think I'm back............

still sick

not feeling well. fever is up. talk to ya soon.

It all started at 3 am......

I woke up felt horrible. I looked at the clock (I NEVER wake in the middle of the night) and realized I was very very achy. Like flu body aches. My skin hurt and I was sweating, then I was chilly. When I was awake enough to realize I went to bed perfectly healthy and a few hours later, it hurts to turn over. I was absolutely dumbfounded that I would get sick on top of everything going on in my life. I looked up at my bedroom ceiling and said, No God. I can't do this. I prayed that I would wake up and feel better. I could not fall back asleep until 4:40. The alarm went off at 6:00 and I thought I would die. I started the coffee and got the boys up and brought them to school/bus stop. I had a full morning of running around to do and I had an appointment to bring my car in to have them find out why the "service engine soon" light was on in my van. I almost called the garage to reschedule and resign myself to the bed for God knows how long, when I thought "no", I will take 3 advil and go back to bed until 9am and see how I feel. I prayed that I would awake feeling better and able to do what I need to get done. I woke up at 9 feeling half way decent. I warmed up the coffee and started puttering around and I was so grateful. I felt just fine, like I dreamt the who thing. I showered and was on my way to my appointment. I felt so good I took this picture for today's post.....



All went well.... I was still running errands when at around 1pm I started to feel bad. 30 minutes later, I am driving in the van and it hurts my arms to turn the wheel. I did not get off as easy as I thought. I had only one more thing to do for the day. Ship 5 orders. I finished packaging everything up (it actually hurt to tie the bows on the boxes, actually typing right now is not too comfy either). I trudged to the post office and came home. I am now back in my pj's and I am freezing. At least everything is done.

The up side is, my body hurts so damn much, my mind is not at all concerned with "life stuff" and at the moment do not feel depressed. How's that for seeing the glass half full ;P

Chris just called

It's 7:30am and He called to suggest reading Psalms 22-25 this morning. This is what really spoke to me.......





Psalm 22:24

22 For he has not despised or disdained

the suffering of the afflicted one;

he has not hidden his face from him

but has listened to his cry for help.

Psalm 25

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God.

Do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you

will ever be put to shame,

but they will be put to shame

who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,

for they are from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth

and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me,

for you are good, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful

for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,

forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?

He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
13 He will spend his days in prosperity,

and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;

he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,

for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;

free me from my anguish.
18 Look upon my affliction and my distress

and take away all my sins.
19 See how my enemies have increased

and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;

let me not be put to shame,

for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,

because my hope is in you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,

from all their troubles!

For the first time in my walk with the Lord, I am "tired" of Him. I am weary and angry. I want to stop feeling the way I am feeling. I sound like a spoiled child, I know. But it is what it is. I wish I had the strength to be stronger, but it escapes me. I come up with a new plan every day and sometimes I am successful and other times I can not bear to be conscious. I am officially scared. The red flags have gone up for the past 6 weeks screaming DEPRESSION IS COMING, PREPARE YOURSELF NOW! Well, okay.... so what now? Either I wallow in my own sorrow and self pity or I get back to the very basics and take one little tiny part of the day at a time. I know this works, I have done it before. I am putting working out aside for a bit because the thought of it when I wake up in the morning is more than I can bear. Yeah, it's that bad. The day looks a bit more "doable" when there are less obstacles. I can't have my classic "all or nothing" attitude with this. I am going to blog through this process. I am going to give an update on my mental/physical/spiritual condition daily. This just popped into my head now as I am typing and I don't think it's a half bad idea. After all this is MY blog and I can write what I want. Who knows, it may help someone else. Something I do know for sure is that the BEST way of getting out of my head is helping others. So if you are gun shy about raw human emotion and honesty, you may not want to read my blog for a bit. I will get through this and come out the other end stronger. I always do. Believe it or not, this is nothing compared to the depression I suffered from years ago. I get this way in the winter and every winter is seems a bit better than the last. This winter is a bit worse than last though, probably because Chris has been working in SC for over 2 months and we are dead broke and can not pay our bills.

I think I am going to turn my comments off for awhile during these posts. If you have anything you wish to talk about or comment on, email me! Just click the "EMAIL" button on the right side of this page.

These 5 ladies are now in my shop.....

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40076170

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40077499

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40077922

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40076900

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40078538

It's good to get back to making my vine bouquets. I just love them. They are SO ME.

Anyway, things have been up and down here at home. The boys are really good. My emotions/mood/motivation are different every day. I will admit, I am not meeting God half way. I really need to not sink into the mire every other day trying to escape through extended slumber.

Chris and I were discussing the "it could always be worse" saying. I am SICK AND TIRED of saying that to myself and hearing it from others. Chris has just about had it with hearing that as well. Yeah, things can ALWAYS be worse, but dammit, they still SUCK!

I did receive a little love letter from Chris with my weekly paycheck. I cried. I almost rather just received an impersonal check wrapped in a blank piece of paper.

Y'all must be sick to death of my complaining. I think that is why I have not blogging as much. I am not going to fake happy, so I thought you would rather not hear anything at all. Okay, on that note.... I'm outtahere.

It's getting better.....

I was able to work out this morning. It went pretty well. I think this vertigo is definitely easing up a bit. This time last week, I did not want to stand long enough to shower. I am getting ready to leave for a much needed meeting. I will drop Danny at school on the way, he had an upset stomach this morning but said he is feeling better now. I have a full day in the studio. Saturday was nice and busy in the shop. I put quite a few items on sale last night. They can be found here......

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LisasLovlies?section_id=6237633

I am really surprised the Boho Heart necklaces have not moved. They are marked down to $90 from $115. I can't bear to go lower than that in price so hopefully they will find wonderful homes.

Chris and I are drudging along. It is very hard not being together. You would think I'd be used to it by now, he's been in SC since after Thanksgiving. Danny and I cried together in church on Sunday because we miss him so much. Danny remembered this book Chris brought home to read to him when he was about 9 years old called "The Hyperactive Turtle" so Dan could try and understand why he has such a hard time keeping still and concentrating. He asked me if I remember the book and I looked at him and he just started crying. Then I started crying even harder. Oh, geez.... okay, that's enough about that. I need to go warm up the car! Have a wonderful day :)