Nightmare Road Trip a la Uhl

Last Sunday evening, I flew to Cincinnati.  The trip started off perfectly when my Sunday morning flight was canceled because of hurricane Irene.  Hurricane Irene was a category I when she hit us and really just caused aggravation.  Of course, we lost our electricity.  We lose our electricity when we have clear blue skies and calm winds so we expected that.  Since we have well water, when the electricity goes out, we don't have water or flushing toilets, etc.  The electricity went out Saturday morning at about 2:45.  It didn't return until Tuesday evening around 7:00 p.m.  Thankfully, I was gone much of that time and Marty had to deal with it by himself.


I arrived in Cincinnati on Sunday evening and had a wonderful few days enjoying my grandkids.  Marty arrived in Cincinnati on Tuesday evening, prepared to drive back to Baltimore with me, Kara and the 3 grandkids (1, 1, and 3 years old).  Wow, I've never seen so much laundry!  I think Kara washed every piece of clothing they own.  When we finally went to bed Tuesday night (me much earlier than anyone else), every one was exhausted.

Wednesday morning dawned bright and early.  Today was the day we were driving from Cincinnati to Baltimore.  We began to load the car.  Of course, we had a small wrinkle in the plan to leave first thing in the morning.  First, we couldn't find the pack and play.  We did finally find it but meanwhile James was playing in the kitchen cabinets.  Not usually a problem but he left a wire cooling rack on the floor.  I was walking through the kitchen and you can probably guess the rest.  I didn't see the rack and stepped on it with my left foot.  Next thing I knew, I was on the floor after hearing a loud pop from the area of my right knee.  Wrinkle number 2...Grandma could hardly walk.

We finally got grandma off the kitchen floor and managed to get the van loaded and we all climbed in.  Wrinkle number 3...the van wouldn't start.  We jumped the van and got it going.  The issue was a dead or dying battery so we had to leave the van running every time we stopped.  We stopped for lunch and left the van running in the Wendy's parking lot.  And for dinner, it was Subway with the car running in the parking lot.  We did get a few funny looks but we always get them anyway, Especially when the twins are with us.

Here are the mandatory pictures of all of us in the van:

Sorry that you only get to see James head but his car seat is rear facing and I was taking the pics from the front seat.

The trip, which should have taken us 8 hours, took 11 1/2 hours.  Sophie and Owen were real troopers!  James had a few issues and was fussy for basically the entire trip.  Overall though once we got the car moving, we did fine.

Oh, did I forget to mention that both James and Owen are in a "I ONLY want my momma" phase so every time Kara went into a bathroom or even walked to the other side of the car, we had uncontrollable screaming.   Poor Kara must be exhausted.  And, no one can help her.

Like I said, we finally made it and all is well.  I'll tell you about our visit in my next post.

August New Listings

As those of you who know me know, I brought home a new puppy a week ago.  His name is Jake and his is dedicated to ensuring that I'm unable to be creative.  He demands my constant attention.

Adorable, right?  It is a really good thing.  That is how he manages to stay alive and get away with all that he does.

In spite of Jake's help, I have managed to create 3 new listings.  Here they are:

You can see the listings on www.jillsjewely.etsy.com or www.zibbet.com/jillsjewelry or http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/jillsjewelry.  You can also find me on www. handmadespark.com

Back From Bead Fest

I had a great time at Bead Fest!  I took the Bejuled Sea Foam Cuff class from Jodi Bombardier.  She is a great teacher and the class was really a blast!  I met some very nice beaders and learned a new skill or two.

Before I left for Philadelphia, I carefully packed all the tools I would need for the class along with my light and an extension cord.  In a typical Jill move, I left home and left all my nicely packed tools sitting on my jewelry bench.  The only tools that managed to go with me were my overflow tools that won't fit in the tool holder that I packed.  I didn't realize that I'd left them all behind until I opened my backpack to pull them out when I got to the class room.  What a surprise!  No tools.

Fortunately, the project Jodi was teaching was mostly weaving and didn't require many tools.  I was able to borrow  a pair of flat nose pliers and a wire straightener which was all that I really needed.  The best laid plans of mice and men.

I was in class all day Friday though I managed to find a couple of hours for wandering through the expos.  If I had to guess, there were about 300 or so vendors at Bead Fest.

I reserved Saturday morning for shopping.  I managed to find about $1,000 worth of stuff that I just had to have.  I saw one new product that was really neat.  I want it.  It is a pair of prescription glasses that have magnifying lens on both lenses.  It comes with a special light that is also amazing.  I'm dying to have this.  I have so much trouble with my eyesight that this seems a perfect solution.  I'm going to ask Santa for them since the cost is about $500.00.  Actually, I think it is about $375 without the light.

Here are a couple of pictures I took at lunchtime on Friday.  We were about 1/2 way through the class.

Here is Jodi's finished product:

Her's is, of course, beautiful!  Mine isn't finished yet.  I'll post another picture when it is done but I doubt that it will be as beautiful as Jodi's.  I always find that I have to make several before mine begin to look nice.

Bead Fest Philadelphia

Tomorrow I'm off to Philadelphia for my first trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia.  I'm heading to Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon and I'll be returning to Baltimore on Saturday afternoon  I am  taking Jodi Bombardier's Sea Foam Cuff class.

It has been quite a long time since I've taken a class and I'm really looking forward to it.  Of course, I'm also looking forward to having a chance to do some shopping.  I've been suffering from no longer being in Arizona with easy access to the Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show and Scottsdale Bead Supply.

Next week, I'll have pictures to share.

Today We Took the Plunge

Well, we did it.  Today we took to plunge and bought a new yellow labrador puppy.  We are picking him up Sunday.  He was born on May 29th.  He is adorable!  We've told Bonnie (our chocolate lab) that her life is changing but she doesn't seem to understand yet.  She will soon!

Here are some pictures of my new lovebug.  Send me a comment if you can think of a good name for him.

A Burning Question

Here it is ...

How can a person who has managed to dress themselves for about 55 years suddenly become unable to put on underwear without falling down?

Seriously, how is this even possible?

A few days ago while I was getting dressed, I managed to fall down while attempting to put on underwear.  I have, in the past been able to do this without incident.  When I say "in the past", I really mean for the last 54 years.  However, without warning,  it seems that I've lost this ability.

While attempting to put on my underwear, my toe became caught in the underwear I was attempting to put on.  I jumped around for a second or two trying to regain my balance and recover.  Failing miserably, I fell to the floor, struck my elbow on a closet shelf and hit my head on a suitcase being stored in my closet.  I wasn't seriously hurt but did have a few battle wounds to investigate after I stopped laughing...a huge, deep bruise on my arm and a bump on my head.

If anyone can offer any insight as to why or how this happens, please leave me a comment.  I'm searching for an answer to the question of  how a reasonably normal middle age woman loses her ability to dress herself.  I'm also wondering what comes next.  Perhaps I'll forget how to tie my shoes.

A Few New Listings to Share

Recently, I've been struggling with chronic back pain so I've been finding it difficult to be very creative.  I still have a billion ideas in my head for what I want to make.  However when I get started on my projects, it only takes a short time until my pain forces me to stop working.  I hate it!

At any rate, I have managed to get a few new items ready and posted.  On  , I'll be going to my first accupuncture treatment.   I'm really hoping to get some positive results that will help me get back to my old self.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Here are my newest items:

This is called Citrine Bling.  It was created with the lushest, cleanest, citrine briolettes that I have ever found.

Next is a pearl and sterling necklace that is one of my husband's favorites.

A couple of pairs of earrings that coordinate with the pearl and sterling silver necklace.

Finally, my newest bracelet which is made from memory wire.

Head to my Etsy store (www.etsy.com/jillsjewelry) if you'd like to get more information on any of these pieces.  As always, please feel free to email me with any questions you might have.