Running on Empty

Well I am running on about 3.5 hours of sleep today.  I could not shut my brain off last night. I am guessing sheer exhaustion is finally what did me in.  I started sketching for a new painting, I cleaned up my beads (a bit), and I looked at charms for some new theme bracelets I want to make. I even created a list of things to start on and/or do today. I sold another piece today, a set with earrings.  I can hardly believe it, this makes three days in a row!

Between the mood swings and the inability to sleep I think this may be the onset of a hypo manic episode. I know the symptoms, and now I have a support system in place to help me work through it rather than act out.  Struggling through this will be just that a true struggle. In the past, although I struggled miserably, I self medicated in all sorts of unhealthy and dangerous ways.  Now that the joy of creating is back in my life, its one of the positive things I can do to maintain control and happiness.

I made one small piece today: a bracelet. I've been meaning for some time to start making LGBT Pride jewelry.  This is my first attempt.  The emphasis on this piece is certainly the "L" - LOL. I have a few other ideas rambling around inside this over crowded disorganized brain of mine.

Heading to the therapist today which is really good timing under the circumstances. My only reservation is that I have to drive downtown and I am now thoroughly exhausted. I've pumped quite a bit of caffeine into me today - I am thinking the next option might be sugar (although I've had my share of that too today). I absolutely abhor the taste of energy drinks so that is out of the question.  I'll figure something out because I really want this to be a productive therapy session.

We are having a very small get together at our place on Sunday for the Super Bowl.  Actually its more about people coming over to eat and laugh at the commercials, but nevertheless its an excuse to cook yummy finger foods and drink beer. I am going to work on the menu tonight, and get started shopping and cooking first thing Saturday (after some nice morning cuddle time with my wife). If anyone has a really good Super Bowl recipe they want to share - I'll include it in our Sunday fun.

I lived in Baltimore for almost ten years, so I'll be rooting for the Ravens. This means nothing really because I neither care about nor know anything about the game of football. This doesn't bother me, but it usually makes me the laughing stock at any Super Bowl party.  Since its at our house, maybe I wont get laughed at quite so much.

Please send me happy good nights' sleep thoughts. Hopefully I'll have some energy tomorrow.

Today's JET Team love: (This is a gorgeous pendant!)

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My Texas White Christmas

What a crazy Christmas its been!  I wanted a white Christmas and I got what I was asking for.  Most of the family couldnt even make it in today because of the snow. We opened gifts, ate a nice meal and watched holiday movies all day. I got the cutest pair of dolls - a Lucy and Ricki Ricardo 60th Anniversary Barbie pair.  I love Lucy and this will make a great addition to my small but growing collection.

Sitting around all day seems to be more tiring than keeping busy.  Its my fault though because I forgot most of my beading materials and my Nook at home.  The dogs wore their holiday regalia.  Heres a funny and blurry pic the dogs and I. 

I have to admit that I am looking forward to the holiday season coming to a close so that we can return to whatever we like to call normal.  I have been so lax in adding new listings to Etsy and blogging.  I am physically and emotionally exhausted.  My middle son got arrested again two weeks ago for smoking pot (still illegal here in TX), my youngest son faked being sick so he could spend his Christmas day in front of his new television set, and my wife who had quit smoking started up again and tried to hide it from me.  Kinda feel like I'm falling apart at the seams.

Overall its been a nice holiday.  Although there is stress, I know that so many others have it worse - and at least I get to face it medicated!

Coming or Going?

Today was extremely hectic.  Running around most of the day I just keep waiting for some time to relax and be creative.  Tomorrow's outlook isn't much better either.  My anxiety was kinda high today - probably because I felt like I was in a perpetual state of "go".

I finally got our holiday cards out.  For my friends who celebrate Hanukkah, these cards might show up before the holiday is over - I hope.  Tonight was the third night of Hanukkah and although I only cooked the traditional foods on the first night, we lit the menorot, enjoyed each others' company and ate some yummy spaghetti and meat sauce.

Every time we start saying the blessings over the candles and singing, our basset hound Fred tries to engage our chihuahua Fiona in some play time by barking and wagging his tail at her.  She still has no idea what to do with him and she's still a bit uneasy given the major discrepancy in size between them. Nevertheless its funny to watch him try to play with her.

We woke up this morning to a pretty dusting of snow on things.  And it was COLD.  Generally speaking I am a New Yorker through and through but I have to admit I don't miss the weather.  Its days like this that I am thankful for our general climate here in Texas.  I put Fiona in her coat and her sweater today when we ran around being a teen taxi.  She looked very cute and drew a lot of attention everywhere we went.

I created one necklace today, but didn't have much time to market it.  I like it a lot, hopefully someone else will too.  I think the necklace and earrings make a beautiful Christmas or Hanukkah gift.

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully will allow for some substantial creative time.  For now the high anxiety today has me quite tired so I'm off to sleep.

Here are my various links:

Etsy: My Etsy Shop

Facebook: Facebook Page

Twitter: Twitter Profile

Pinterest: Pinterest Profile

We Miss You Jack

I know its been a few days, and for those of you who actually read this blog, I am sorry.  I really want to write everyday because I do find it therapeutic, but this weekend life got majorly in the way.  I cooked and cooked for our Thanksgiving dinner, and the food was fabulous.  But things did not go as planned.  Our friends came over as scheduled with their two Boston Terrier dogs.  We let them out to play with our two dogs, and while we chatted and carved the turkey, one of their dogs Jack, jumped in our pool and drowned.Words cannot express just how horrible we feel.  We tried to save him using CPR but apparently he was too far gone when we got to him.

Obviously our friends left to bury their sweet dog, and we were left with enough food to feed an army and a horrible sad pit in our stomach.  We've apologized and asked what if anything we can do, but under the circumstances there is nothing to be done.  I still feel just sick about the whole thing, and wish I could turn back time. Here is a picture of sweet Jack, he will be very missed.


After the Thanksgiving Day tragedy, we tried to calm down and relax.  Eventually we broke out the food and then headed to our local Walmart for some early Black Friday deals.  We were there for four very long hours but left with what we had come for.  We've been eating leftovers everyday and still have a ton of food.  We tried to get some friends to come over and eat, but this holiday weekend had everyone busy.We did however get our Hannaristmas tree and our outside lights up.  We have two menorot, two dreidels and a Jewish star ornament on our tree.  My partner has a peanuts addiction, so the tree is very Snoopy heavy as well.  We add one new ornament a year.  I love our tree, after all the sadness this weekend, it brought a smile to my face.
I am offering a Cyber Monday sale.  If you use coupon code CYBER20, you will receive 20% off your entire purchase at my Etsy store.  I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.  I will be selling my jewelry and crafts at three shows:  Quanah, TX on December 1st, Bowie, TX on December 8th-9th and McKinney, TX on December 14-16th.  Check out my Facebook page for more details.

I didn't bead much, and honestly was kinda sad this whole weekend which made it hard to be creative.  Between the untimely demise of Jack, and my kids not being with us I just wasn't myself.  

Here are my various links:

Etsy: My Etsy Shop

Facebook: Facebook Page

Twitter: Twitter Profile

Pinterest: Pinterest Profile