Shabby Accumulations

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 22:42:00 +0000

So we have been pretty busy here lately! Last weekend we headed up to Steamboat Springs.

We decided to go to Strawberry Hot Springs, which was also in Steamboat. I was pretty interested to check this out, as I had never been to a hot spring!

Can you guess what we saw on the road to the hot springs? A herd of caribou munching away. This was so amazing. They were basically oblivious to the five or six people taking pics of them. There was such an energy around them, you could here them eating and moving through the forest. I was awestruck to be so close.

My thrill of the day was the hot springs! Loved it! How cool can it get? Well actually it was quite warm! We went at dusk. It was pretty packed. There was 50k in town that day and apparently all the runners came to get a good warm soak.

Here is my husband chumping it up for the camera! That was an awesome waterfall. Hot water pounding on your back. I think I need to move just a bit closer to some kind of hot spring.

I took tons and tons of photos. 98 percent of them from the passenger seat of a moving truck! Took me a while to get my settings straight, but this trip was on the money! I was so happy to have clear, bright pics finally!

On another note. I originally wanted to write a post to document a dream I had two nights ago. Do you know when you wake up sometimes you have that brain fog and nothing from your dreams is apparent in your head yet? That happened to me the other day. It took me but a moment to shake those cobwebs out of my head. Then I sort of drew my breath as my dream came back to me.
I was like "Wow". How lucky am I, as I realized I had dreamt about my dad. I am pretty sure this is only the second dream I have had about him since he died, when I was 17, the first one being in my early twenties. In that dream I went down stairs in my parents house on Christmas morning, and there he was sitting in a chair waiting for me. Well in the dream this week I saw my dad and gave him the biggest, longest hug. It felt so good. He was strong and well nourished, not like the very last time I hugged him. I could feel every bone in his back and was so upset by how frail he felt. It felt like he would break if I hugged too hard. Not this hug. He was solid and healthy and it felt so real. He then told me he was sending me on a trip, a wine tour in Guatemala. (yah, odd!). I knew he didn't have a lot of money and just looked at him with a question on my face. He said you go ahead, you deserve it. So there were a few more moments in the dream, but they weren't as vivid as those. Just had to document it! It was so special, I don't want to forget it! I know I have said this before, but they say if a loved one comes to visit you in a dream, and it is a good dream, that it is really them visiting. A moment of bliss for me. Thank you dad.

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:29:00 +0000

Legacy

Last night Dateline ran a special about the world's newest prince. I saw the commercials for it and decided I probably didn't want to watch, just didn't seem to float my boat, just another piece with lots of old photos of the royal family. Somehow I did end up watching it. And it was well worth my time.

First step back a few weeks.

I have been attending church, here in Colorado, with my husband, since moving here in June.

Turn back to a few Sundays ago at church. The sermon presented was about legacy, something I had not thought about much myself. It was about the legacy you are creating right now, during your lifetime, for generations to come, and used examples from the bible.

What type of legacy will you have? What will your descendants hold dear about you? Or will you leave a negative impact for them? It really made me think about myself, and how it is not just how are thought of now, it is about how we are remembered so very far into the future.

As often during church, words I heard that day turned my thoughts to my mother. When I am dealing with patients and people in general, I often think of her and how she made others feel.. How she just exuded comfort. I know there are so many that experienced that comfort from her, as she was a beloved labor and delivery nurse. My mind went back that day, to that feeling that she gave people. How her blue eyes were so gentle and sweet, yet just danced when she smiled. Kindness and comfort were her legacies and I refer to them often.

Forward to last night, Dateline.

I was so pleased to see the time the producers dedicated to Lady Diana. They used the word legacy over and over again, showing what a strong women she was and the decisive and loving way she cared for her children. That, her legacy, is going to affect how her son and daughter in law care for an raise their child. What a true difference was able to make in so many lives, and obviously will continue to.

So whether you are known throughout the world, or known only to your own immediate world, the legacy you leave is in your control. Will you make it a good one?

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 01:53:00 +0000

Can you guess where I am????

Did you guess Colorado?

If you did, you are right! My new place of residence!

A huge change. The little dome home up north is under contract, and hopefully absolutely sold soon!

We are here because of my husband's job. He works for the same company he has worked for for years, but instead of working a territory from home, he now manages in the main office, which is just outside of Denver.

Life is much different here. I left two people behind in NY that I miss dearly, my stepfather and my son Corey. Soon they will be making their first visits here, and maybe just love it enough to stay.

It is beautiful here, running trails everywhere, which I adore! And many times I have a few visitors in my yard when I get back from a run! Deer walk the streets like they are cops here! lol! It reminds of that show from a while ago, "Northern Exposure". So needless to say, family and facebook friends have been barraged with deer photos! What can I say, I love them! and they are here!

My current challenge is finding employment. It is a dog eat dog world out here! Not like my little town of 10,000! More on that later! Just wanted to say hi and let you all know I am still around!! Take care friends.

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:48:00 +0000

Shabby Accumulations

New items in the shop friends!!!! Delilah is moving so, it is time to list what has been waiting on my back burner! Lots of changes happening around here, albeit slowly! Planning a move from NY to Colorado! Will be adding to my shop in the next few weeks.

My Eternal Angel

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Mom and Maddie, her youngest grand daughter. We were at a family get together for her brother Mike, who passed away just months before mom. She hadn't seen Maddie in years. The smile on their faces is priceless. I shot this so quickly, and am forever happy that I did!

Two years ago today the greatest example I will ever know, of an angel on earth, left suddenly to become an one of the eternal kind. My best friend, practically the only person I ever talked to on the phone anymore, (sometimes more than once a day), the bright light that was traveling my way, moving back from Florida to be near her family in New York again, and the kindest person I will ever know, my mom, was struck by a car and killed while crossing the street in a New Jersey crosswalk. She was almost home.
I wanted to write a tribute in her memory. To share something that was special to her.
My mom was a maternity nurse, for well over 25 years. She adored her job.Her patients and co-workers meant the world to her. So much that the night she was killed, during those horrible dark hours after, we found a large stack of hand written thank you notes from her bosses and patients alike, stashed in her purse. I can only assume that these meant so much to her that she kept them close for her long drive to New York.
In the month prior to my mom's death I, ironically, learned many things about her through our conversations. She called me one day, so excited and happy, not stressed as she had been over the upcoming move,in other conversations, and told of an encounter she had while having a tire fixed. She had a tire that kept going flat, and took her car in to have it repaired. The mechanic fixed her tire, and when she went to pay him he refused. He looked and said she was so kind to he and his wife during the delivery of their baby, and in his appreciation for that he would not charge her. She was so thrilled at his words I think I received a phone call as soon as she got home. About a week later she called me again. "Jen, you are not going to believe this!". I could just hear her smiling. "It happened again!". Mom went on to tell me that she had gone to have something done with her new phone. She went to pay the man and he said he wouldn't charge her. I was thinking perhaps this was something they just don't charge for, which would be fine, but the man went on to say how mom was so good to he and his wife during the delivery of their baby, and how much he appreciated it.
So that was the second phone call in a matter of two weeks, that I heard such pure joy in my mom's voice, I will never forget how she sounded those days.

Mom, me and Becky on Beck's wedding day. Mom made my dress and Becky's wedding gown and veil.

I myself know the calming effect she could have on me.. But the way she talked about her co-workers and patients, I know she had the same effect on a number of people. When she was there, you just felt better.

Mom loved to dress up as a clown for parties! Here she is with her grand daughters Alexis and Whitney.

I love you my dearest angel.

For the Love of Love!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:28:00 +0000

Just showing off the latest and greatest of my Shabby Accumulation's jewelry collection!

These are one of a kind pieces that can be bought here;

Distressing Delilah's Etsy shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:20:00 +0000

Pearls for the Girls...Use your voice!

As almost anyone in the whole USA and beyond has to know by now, October is breast cancer awareness month. Pink abounds, even more than orange and black!

I have been lucky to help a bit with a fundraiser luncheon to raise money for a group of women who will be walking in Albany, N.Y. this coming Sunday, in a walk for the American Cancer Society to Make Strides against breast cancer . I have two very strong and amazing co-workers who have survived breast cancer.

One of them is the "brains" behind these fundraising efforts, the other was there right along with her, giving a humorous, but touching speech regarding her experiences as she battled this disease. Both are women to be listened to. Their words are of great value.

The name of our team for the walk is "Pink Pearls for the Girls".

I recently recreated a painting that I had painted in 2008, after being incredibly inspired by a young patient, who had breast cancer. She was a huge inspiration to me, and that was only upon seeing her smile. She didn't know I created the painting because of her, until some very odd occurrences took place! God's hands work in mysterious ways. A long story short, her mom ended up calling me an purchasing the original for her birthday. I sold prints of that painting, many, in 2008. Four years later, it is available again, if anyone is interested just leave me your email! 8 x 10 is available for $15. All proceeds to be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Pink Pearls for the Girls!

Raffles! Blingy bracelets donated by J.Fine Jewelry in Gloversville Ny!

And last but not least...a photo of a Lifenet helicopter.

Why?

It's not pink!

No, it's not.

But on that helicopter is one of my greatest inspirations, my sister Becky.

She is a year an half younger than me, as she made sure to tell the pilot after introducing me, lol!

No, she did not and does not have breast cancer.

I can't help but think of her as I have been taking part in this month's breast cancer awareness.

She is a survivor though.

A survivor times 2.

In her early twenties she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of sarcoma, my dad passed away at 36 of a cancer from the same family.

I always thought I would be the one to get this horrible disease first, not her.

She is strong,

She is spunky, to put it mildly.

That is what saved her.

She was not afraid to stand up and speak for herself.

At a visit, after her first battle and at one of the largest cancer hospitals in the country, she told her doctor something didn't feel right. There was something near her original cancer site. He told her she was fine, and to go home. She wouldn't. She didn't leave that office until she had a biopsy of that site. She was right, her cancer was back. Had she not used her voice, she would not be here today.

She would not be the talented trauma nurse that she is, crazily flying around in a helicopter to accident scenes and hospitals. She would not be here for her three beautiful daughters.

I am just saying, use your voice, follow her lead my friends. And then follow your dreams, just like she has! Love you Becky.

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:14:00 +0000

NYC!

So, after a little over 43 years on this earth, a majority of those years spent in NY state, I finally stepped foot on the ground in NYC. I guess that tells you how much I get out!

We took the train into the city. Stepping up and out of the station, I immediately decided this was a place for me! Why did it take me so long to go here! (kids, job, no vacation time, excuses...)

I went with 4 other friends. We were a great group, lol! Must have walked a marathon, but no grumbling, just the goal to get where we were going in the little time we had there!

We took a ride through Central Park. An odd thing, my friend Kristy and I rode in one buggy and the others rode in another..the oddity was that people seemed to be pointing and laughing at Kristy and I as we went by them, no clue why! Any ideas?

We saw "Wicked" on broadway! Another first, my first broadway show! Ironic that it was this one because my favorite movie ever is The Wizard of Oz. It has always intrigued me and scared me at the same time. The show was amazing! Lol, wow, I really sound like a tourist don't I! That is what I was though!

We visited the WTC memorial. It took us half the day to get in there, but it didn't matter.

We went to F.A.O. Schwartz. So many teddys! I wanted to take them all with me!

We also saw subway rats running along the tracks, a purse snatching, lot's of homeless people, a half naked Indian, a half naked Abercrombie model (woof!) and went to the top of the Rock at 11pm at night!!!
We bought cheap, knock off sunglasses from a street vendor, NYC sweatshirts at the port, and ungodly (yet heavenly) desserts at Serendipitys. We laughed over things unsaid while on the subways and in elevators, walked reverently through St. Anthony's church and lit candles for loved ones in St. Patrick's cathedral. Two of us crashed into bed at midnight, while the rest walked through times square until 2 in the morning. (can you guess what I did, nerd that I am?)

I had a great time, it has been ages since I spent time with a group of friends like this or even traveled over an hour away, so happy I did.

Ready to go back for more!

Shabby Apple

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:01:00 +0000

I wanted to share a fab site with you all! Of course I would like it, as it's name is "Shabby Apple". They have some of the sweetest, shabby dresses around.

Above is my current fave, Alice. Something about the color...hmmm (hint, blog background)..(or perhaps, the exact shade of Tiffany boxes!), that I adore.There is plenty more to love there though! Ok, I have to show you one more dress, Ingrid. It is so elegant and retro. Hard to decide which one I love the most!

Shabby Apple is offering an exclusive discount until September 14. You need only to use the code below:

10% off site wide code: favorite10

This code expires 9/14/2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Hi there! I can't believe I haven't posted here since February! Life gets crazy, I get carried away with other things, blah blah blah..you know the story I am sure!

I wanted to share this little bug man with you! I thought he was so cute. He just seems to be hangin' out on one of my flowers! I had to zoom way to in to see him so clearly though.

Have been busy here. Two different jobs, but neither is full time. It's sort of a juggling act some weeks. Also am finishing up another online college course, lol..not really enjoying it, but I consider it a necessary evil. Oh an signed up for a half marathon in Saratoga on Sept. 16 th. Sort of excited about that, haven't ran one in a while. I decided to challenge myself a couple of months ago, and workout (which means RUN, mostly) five days in a row, instead of every other day. It definitely has been a challenge! But I find I enjoy it, and miss it when I have long awaited two days off. It has been quite a lesson in discipline!

So people, hope may inspire you to get out there and sweat! Not worth it unless you do!

Loss and desire

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:55:00 +0000

Not quite sure where the ambition came from to make these, but I did!
Finally! Well, I guess the ambition came from a desire.
I haven't made much jewelry in the past year, just haven't had the heart to do it, being that it was something I shared closely with someone who is now gone, it sort of made me sad. For some reason, I want to again. Is it part of the healing process? Maybe, not sure. Creating is something I always feel a need to do, but sort of took a step back for a while.
Regardless or why or what, I am WANTING to do this again, and am at least happy about feeling that way!
I have lost lots and lots over the past year. More than I ever thought I could, but to get the desire to create back, makes me feel just an eetsy bit better. It doesn't replace anything, it does give me a feeling of peacefulness, which I have longed for, and am extremely grateful to have.

Haven't decided what to do with these. In my etsy store, I have only photography listed, and removed all the jewelry listings long ago. It looks better if I only have the one subject in there, instead of jewelry and photography. Maybe a separate store?

Queen of my heart!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:04:00 +0000

This is Tia. My princess, my saving grace, my heartwarmer.
I am so thankful for her. I truly believe dogs help ward off depression, especially this sweet little one. She is a cuddler and always right there next to us, even if we just sit on the couch. And yes, she sleeps in between me and my husband. It has gotten that I can't sleep unless she is up there! She has adjusted to not having her older brother Yogi around. I took her a while. She kept looking for him when she went outside for walks. He usually followed her out the door. We thought about getting another puppy after Yogi passed away, but Tia has had her heart broke once this year by losing him, and seems to be okay with being the one and only for now. Yogi had his time for years before Tia came into the picture, it's Tia's time now. She is loving the attention. And yes she is spoiled. How can you not, she gives so much love back to us.

The Pillowcases

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:11:00 +0000

Teddy resting on my pillowcases. The top one is from this Christmas, the bottom is my Beatrice Potter pillow case.

There are not many things as precious as the home sewn pillowcases I received for Christmas this year, except the ones I have received in the past. As often as my mom could, when she visited me, we would go to a local fabric shop. She was a fabric addict, she loved all things sewing. On one of our fabric excursions last year, I found some sweet flannel Beatrice Potter material, at the Gloversville Sewing Center. Mom insisted on buying it and making me a set of pillowcases. Through the years she has given myself and my sons, home made (and sometimes embroidered) pillowcases as gifts.
On to to my story..
For you to understand the significance of this, you need to know that my sister and mom had gone for years without much contact.

Forward to Christmas Eve this year.
My sister handed me her gift. I opened it to find a set of beautiful, hand made pillowcases.
"You don't know about mom and her pillowcases, do you?" I asked. She looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Oh my, you don't!" I knew she had been making pillowcases as gifts, because she had shown me the other day, the set she was making for my brother. I sort of kept the thought of mom's pillowcases in the back of my mind, and to myself at that time.
When I saw my sister, who knew nothing about mom's love of making and giving these, had made me a set also..I had to bring it up.
I took her upstairs to my bedroom and showed her the Beatrice Potter pillowcases.
It was the same sewing pattern my sis had downloaded a week earlier. Another odd thing, my sister hasn't sewn in years..
Well, I guess this was coincidence enough, but there is more.
My brother lives in Texas, and received his gift of pillowcases, from my sister this Wednesday, which was also my sisters birthday. That day he called and left her a detailed message. He told her how years ago my mom had bought material with antique cars on it and was going to make him pillowcase from it. He never received those pillowcases with cars on them, until my sister unknowingly went to the same sewing shop, bought material with cars printed on it, made the pillowcases and then sent them to my brother.
Was that my mom's way of giving us gifts this year, as we tried to cope with our first Christmas since she died.
As I write this, I can feel the hair standing on my head. I have read that when that happens it is because of a spirit being near. I love you mom, and thank you for the pillowcases.

Wishing for a peaceful season

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:28:00 +0000

Santa baby! He has been and left for the year.

Along with Santa came loads and loads of sugar! Best ingested when mixed with butter, well if you ask me it is.

My husband surprised me the Friday before Christmas, at work, with these beautiful roses. The color is so gorgeous in person.

They ironically matched an ornament my mom painted for me about a year or so ago.
I place the ornament on her memory tree the day before I got the roses.
They match perfectly.

I knew this year was going to be terribly difficult to face, the first without my mom. I had no idea how I was going to go about it. Crawling under a rock for the season was my preferred choice, but I knew that was not a feasible option. Instead I decided visit my granny, (my mom's mom) who I have not seen since Mothers day, and then to surround myself with as much family as I possibly could, with lots of reasons to smile. She would have loved this. I know she was with us.
Love you mom.

Wishing you all a very peaceful and safe holiday season.

Red October..or should I say white!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:55:00 +0000

Not truly how the end of October usually looks around here, but it is how it looks right now! I have taken lots of pics lately, didn't plan on even taking advantage of this gorgeous scene. But, when it was not gone by this afternoon, I got the hint. I have now officially been glued to my computer for about an hour..longer than I planned.
I took an extra day off this week, and was in total need of it. I don't work full time, but have been feeling in quite the flurry of a funk lately. School, yes, school..work and family demands..I let them take a tole on me. The last two days, I have thoroughly enjoyed. I am ahead with my online classes, the house is clean and I have taken a few deep sighs. I feel like I haven't given myself a break yet since losing my mom earlier this year. I just kept going, even a few days extra to myself are helping so much.
I keep thinking of things that I want..to be a better person, to live life to it's fullest. I say the words "life is for living" in my head a few times a day. Little reminders that I need to think better thoughts...it does help.
I know I have been absent in visiting my blogging friends, but want you to know I haven't forgotten about you! My life outside of the world wide web goes on. I will be back to say hi during a few more stolen moments!

Lake Placid

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:07:00 +0000

How could summer possibly be over? It went by way to quickly.
I need another month of it, with hot muggy days and really loud thunderstorms.
My summer was filled with back yard fires and friends and long runs outside.
My husband and I did take one trip in August. We visited Lake Placid. I hadn't been there since I was a little girl. A lot has changed!

The views are amazing. We went to the top of White Face mountain. It was really strange seeing people walking around here, especially children. There are no fences to keep others from climbing near the edge. Everything is rock, and yes, extremely steep!

We spent an afternoon at the ski jumps. Athletes were practicing, without snow of course, which I found quite entertaining!

These young men above ,would jump and then fall into a pool.

People were actually skiing and jumping off this ski jump too! It really makes you appreciate the hard work and dedication our athletes have.

You wouldn't find me doing that! Maybe sliding down..lol, but I doubt it!

Oddly enough, while we going up the elevator to the top of White Face, my husband commented that is would be the wrong place to be in the middle of an earthquake. The next day I realized while reading the paper, that he said this at the exact time that an earthquake
rattled the northeast. Sort of sent a chill through me! My husband..does he have powers he has yet to reveal to me..lol! Just an odd thing I wanted to share!

So, that was our little getaway for the season. Now to figure out our fall trip..hmmm.

I hope you all had a great summer and stayed safe. Recent weather has brought so much devastation to this area of the country. We faired pretty well. We were without power for about three days. It is nothing compared to loss of homes and lifetime memories that others are coping with. My prayers go out to them.

On a brighter note.

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:39:00 +0000

On a bright note!
This past weekend my photog partner and I shot a wedding at a lake.
It was a gorgeous evening. The bride was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. Skies were clear and bright blue. The lake water was calm. It was perfect! To see more of our work go to our facebook page at He Said She Said Photography, and like us!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:32:00 +0000

Hi there my friends! I wish I had some shabby new jewelry designs to show you, but alas, I do not. Not much creating going on here lately. Lot's of photography though! So hard to choose sometimes, design or photograph? Give me another five hours in a day and I wouldn't have to choose. That on top of trying to train for a marathon that I signed up for in September. So far I am up to 17 miles. Though, at the moment I have a sore hip, and think I may need an extra day or so off.
Tough for someone who calls running her religion.
I have also been busy creating plans for a photography business. I am in a partnership with a neighbor. We call ourselves "He Said She Said Photography". This weekend we are doing shooting a wedding on a beach. How dreamy is that! I can't wait. Will show you some pics of the action in my next post!

Berry pie..coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:13:00 +0000

Behind our house we have a trail with lots and lots of berry bushes! They are just started to turn the right color..another month and they will be perfect to pick.
I took this photo the other night though..not out on our back trail, but out near a sand pit a ways from our house. My husband and I rode our four wheeler out there to watch the sunset and maybe take some photos of it..it didn't end up turning any spectacular colors that night...so you have a pic of berries here instead..lol! This print is available in my etsy shop also.

Remedy

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:45:00 +0000

Sometimes the remedy is to look to the heavens...
and let them fill your heart.

It has been eeeeoonsss since I did an illustration Friday. I have been thinking about, buy my heart has not been in it. It was always so much fun..and sometimes my results just made me smile. So here is the first in ages. The word this week is "remedy"...something people search for forever. I know my search is still on. But there are so many possible ways to go..
God bless you..my friends!

Extreme Makeover Dome edition.

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:51:00 +0000

There has been a lot of commotion around here...
We decided to have our sky lights removed and replace them with dormers. Our little dome home has very little air exchange..and heats and cools like a gable barn. We put windows that actually open and close in the dormers! Yay...plan on being much more comfortable here!
Above it the before photo...

This is the in the works photo!..I love it!
We plan on putting cultured stone half up the walls and all the way up the side panel walls, and then siding the rest. The current choice of siding color is dark brown or dark green.

Hubby and my b-i-l posing for me.

This is where one of the sky lights was..it is open to air in these pics.

A view from my bedroom...fresh air view...

Below the sky light is where there is now a dormer..the sky light is covered now..we have five dormers.
Today we are getting blow in insulation at all the dormer spaces...next to have it framed up and done..will keep you updated!

A few little things ..

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:32:00 +0000

Hi all! I have been so infrequent here...life you know..
Trying to get back on track though, haven't felt much like creating anything in the past few months..but I have found that finding projects to do help me..so I have started again.
Above is a necklace I made using a ceramic tree focal piece from artbeads.com. I fell in love with it, hands down, at first sight. How could I not..with my obsession for trees.
They have such character, and are all different in their own way.
One of my friends is now the owner of it, I gave it to her for a birthday gift..actually I let her pick between the three necklaces here, and she chose this one.

This one is made from found vintage pieces of jewelry, the only new piece on it is the little robins egg colored czech flower. The flower is from, of course, artbeads.com.
I love their selection of these, they are new but can be made to look very vintage.

This piece is made from wrapped copper wire and turquoise earring.
I am intrigued by wire wrapped jewelry, but as of yet have much to learn about it!

And best of all to show you..my youngest son Casey. He recently graduated, with honors and an associates degree in general studies.
He isn't finished though, we will be going back to attend a two year nursing program at the same college this fall. I am so proud of him, he has not has any easy road with this, and has overcome so many obstacles. There are so many ways he has grown and become more independent. He has an anxiety/depressive disorder which could debilitate him if he let it. But he hasn't, he has fought it all the way. He has taken baby steps to get where he is today, it is still hard for him, but he continues to challenge himself. His goal it to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner so he can give back, and help others that are walking down the same road.
I used to think that diagnosi's like his may be a catch all, or an excuse, pretty bad for a nurse ha? But it changes when see someone struggle with it..it does exist..and should be addressed as if it is any other disease.
As far as his choice of desired careers...was surprised, but secretly thrilled. No it will not be easy..but I know he will work as hard as he has thus far. I know my mom was excited for him too..she was also a nurse..as is my sister.
I must tell you it was not my first choice of careers..art was, go figure. While art lingers in the shadows..nursing has made me the person I am today. I have learned to be a better person and to have empathy and compassion for others, and am thankful that my life twisted in such a way. I hope for the same for my son.
I am so lucky to have such a person in my life..He has been the bright spot in these past few dark months.

Pink Lemondade

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:26:00 +0000

This cupcake was from Mother's Day breakfast. We ate at Grandma Millie's Bakery..all moms that day were to pick a free cupcake!
Lucky me!
It was hard to pick..they all looked so good!
This one was the prettiest..and I thought it would photograph the best..lol!!!
I loved the pale pink pearl sprinkles and frosting, and knew I had the perfect shabby saucer for it to pose on!! It tasted as good as it looks!

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:12:00 +0000

Hello my friends.
Haven't been around in a while..feel like every moment is taken up lately..
Hoping for some calm soon...however I have my doubts!

I did have the chance to go the the tulip fest in Washington Park on Mother's Day.
It was beautiful. Plenty to take pictures of...I spent the day with my son's and husband.
In the afternoon we visited family that I had not seen since my mom died.
That was hard to do..but a good thing also.
My grandma was there..we call her "granny". It was so nice to see her. My sister, my two aunts, my uncle and his mom were there also.
Wow..that about says what is left of my family on my mom's side..besides my brother in Texas and my neices. We are a small group now. I lost and uncle and great aunt in the past year also..My mom's brother passed away last fall..luckily she was able to be up here with him. One of my aunt's has downs syndrome. She loved my mom more than this whole world. Mom was planning on taking care of her if my granny became ill and couldn't. She is only a little over a year older than me..we grew up together. I consider myself lucky to have had a childhood with her. The whole fabric of her life has been changed now. Mom and her used to joke about sitting on a porch swing sipping mimosa's..in their old age. I would do anything to take her pain away..her love for mom is so pure..just like her pain.

Something old something new

noreply@blogger.com (Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Artbeads.com's beading blogger theme for this spring involves using a vintage or old piece of jewelry and combining it with something new. Creating pieces of jewelry with found items is near and dear to my heart. So I was happy to have a few spare moments to design!

My new items where vintage inspired. The beautiful cameo and small czech glass belflowers are both from artbeads.com
The necklace is one a friend collected at an estate sale, and then gave to me.
And the most special piece of my design is the brass flowered button, with a red stone in the middle. My mom was here for Christmas this year..she gave me an array of beautiful vintage buttons that she thought I would like. I of course adore them all. And they will forever be cherished by me..as they are the last gift I will ever receive from her. Sadly, if you have read my previous posts you know why this is so.
I have many more sweet buttons she gave me...that I hope to create something beautiful and inspiring with..more to come my friends.