Well, I've not been very diligent about my "renewed committment" to blog regularly...hence, email notifications to friends and family until I DO get that little discipline character flaw under control!
However, not blogging does not mean I have not been busy.  While there are some life events I could linger over...like my eldest son finally deciding to get serious about higher education and now residing on the campus of Walla Walla University...and my daughter's decision to spend her senior year of high school back in the town she grew up in, and living with her maternal grandparents- I really decided to blog today to put up pics of my fall scarecrow decorations that are now finished. (Much less of an emotional topic for this mom!)  Actually, they've been finished for about a month...so you see, its not the creating that is a problem for me, its the photographing and uploading that just doesn't have the same appeal.  I think a new camera would surely bring more inspiration to this part of the process, but alas, I wait for the new-camera genie to hear my woes and bring me gifts!

For now though, let me attach a few pics of my scarecrows.  I'll have them posted on Etsy soon...feel free to respond here or by email to order yours directly.

The pattern and design are my own.  Each scarecrow's outfit is sewn...not glued together.  Each is slightly different as is the case in most all hand-made art and crafts and they average approximately 11 inches high, 6.5 inches wide and the hay bale is 2.5 inches deep.  The hay bale base is store-bought, but the rest of this little fall diorama, suitable as a center-piece or side decoration, is hand-made and designed by me.
The pumpkins consist of a flour and salt based modeling dough; painted and completely sealed to guard against humidity.  The pea pods and peas are modeled from polymer clay, as is the scarecrow's pitch fork, and all of these are also sealed for longevity.  Both the pumpkins and the peas have wire anchors that poke down into the hay, reinforcing the adhesive which holds them in place. Oh, I guess, I must confess that the "corn" stalks are not hand-made by me, but they are altered. They started out as garage-sale treasures in the shape of green onions, but have been disassembled to resemble corn stalks and fit the theme of poem.

The poem is essential to the meaning of the piece overall.  It is also one of my originals and my husband, at least, thinks it is very clever.

This is how it reads:

Scarecrow Philososphy

I'm created in the image of a Maker I can't see,

But, it's clear by my surroundings that He's got a job for me.

So, I'll guard this little pea patch, while I listen for His horn,

And as He sends His wind to move me, I'll do my best to save the corn. 

So with a dual meaning/interpretation, this happy harvest/fall diorama, is a fitting reminder of the reason of the "Thanks-Giving" season, and would easily fit in with any Fall decor theme.

These are priced and $20, plus shipping and handling and orders placed before November 10th will arrive in time to welcome your Thanksgiving guests without paying an extra expidited shipping charge. Like I said above, feel free to order directly by email, or as a response to this blog, or, look for this piece and others on my Etsy store site, but do order quickly as I only made 7 of these little pieces and I'd hate for you to miss yours!

Happy Harvest to all!

gear monkey jewelry, frogs and a dinner "out."

Well, I've taken a break from working on the scarecrows, since I do have a bit of time before Fall falls.  Thank Goodness!  Recently in a magazine, I read an article about the jewelry stylings of an artisan that were unique and interesting. At least I found them so.  To me, the unusual elements, coupled with the 'random' connections made for a challenge.  It was like collage, which I love, but in jewelry form....necklaces to be precise.  So, I gave it a try, and found it much more difficult that I imagined to make the pieces look "thrown together."  I'm not sure that they will appeal to a broad spectrum of jewelry wearers, but for someone looking for something truly unique: may I present what I am calling my, "Gear Monkey" line.

I am making these necklace photos large so that its easier to see the individual elements and details.

A few unique offerings in this piece include parts from an 'old' push button telephone that I found a garage sale and disassembled.  Not being telephone savvy, I can't say what the pieces are called, but to point out, in the center, near the top, is a long metallic piece that has beads attached to the front of it. This metallic piece was originally part of the guts of the phone. Also, of note, a face watch, disassembled with gears linking to the chain and hangin below. A key, a small light bulb attached to a spring and soldered in place. So, as you can see its really a mixture of unconventional elements along with some more familiar offerings like beads and the angel charm.

This second necklace ended up having a nautical theme. Elements again include both the conventional and unconventional to make a unique piece.  These necklaces are fun to look at, and like any good collage, keep offering new things to find which may have been missed at first, or second glance.

Now for the much awaited frog update. My darling eldest child came home a couple days ago, after I was already in bed. Hearing some commotion in the living room, I went to check, and found Michael and Kallie looking satisfied over the introduction of a "new" frog, which Michael had discovered and had been kind enough to capture for me.  We named this second frog "Sport" as he is very active, quick, and has the high jump down!  Introducing the second frog ended up causing me some concern as after they initially encountered one another, both frogs went into hiding for about 3 days.  They were eating, but not moving around the cage other that to seek their food.  You can imagine my elation (or maybe you can't...my family is beginning to think I'm nuts) when I checked on the two frogs last night and found them sharing a dip in the vivarium's pool.  I was so happy.  I had to take pictures, of course.

This is our disabled, Luda.  The frog that started it all.

Luda is on the left of the photo with Sport on the right.  We do have one other frog, "Peeper," which stays in a separate vivarium until [it] grows (we still don't know the sex of our little friends).  I don't want to take the chance that Luda and Sport will think Peeper is food. I really don't think she'd fit down their throats, but I've read a bit (quite a bit) and frogs can be quite persistant, so even if it didn't work...no point in stressing them out unnecessarily.  Soon I will post pictures of their vivarium. I was so happy today to get a substrate manufactured especially for this enviornment and the safety and health of the frogs.  It also looks really great!

And finally, our dinner out.  Its just another take on the enjoyment we are getting out of our back deck this season.  With a salad made of lettuce and carrots from our garden, with store bought vegies thrown in to complete the vegie diversity, and egg-salad sandwhiches on those tiny deli rye breads, Tony, Kallie and I had a really lovely dinner together. We lit the tikki lights that brother Eric had given Tony for his birthday, as well as the fire pit, which was perfect as that particular evening had cooled off just enough to make the added heat a welcome addition to our dining atmosphere.  Kallie told us all about a recent vacation she had taken with a friend (and  her friend's grandparents) in which they took a speed boat trip and ate at a buffet as part of the charter.  We actually, took our time and lounged, enjoying one another, our good food, Tony's fire pit and tikki's and just having a quiet evening in the country!

Thanks for visiting...I'll be back soon!

4th of July, Frogs and Scarecrows

Well, that title seems to give me a lot to cover in one composition, especially since the subjects have absolutely no relation to one another, but I'll give it a whirl.

First of all, we had a lovely, if somewhat subdued 4th of July.  On the 3rd, Tony and I had taken our youngest, Caleb, to the airport to fly off to his grandparents' for the month.  We even attended a party that evening, although it was against my better judgement, at a friend of Tony's.  He'd met this friend at the gym and had gotten to know him a bit over the course of some work-outs, helping "spot" one another's over-loaded bar-bells (or whatever they're called.)  In all actuality we really had a lovely time.  The main-event of the party centered around the huge screen t.v. and the pay-per-view WFC (I think that's right..) fights.  Not caring one wit for WFC, I was lucky to find another lady-friend who felt the same way and we spent the evening getting to know one another.  The rest of the party goers seemed to enjoy their fights, so I guess, a good time was had by all.  The next day, I was exhausted from the long day on the 3rd, but we made it to church, which was a lovely service with a fabulous message from Pastor Dee and a moving tribute to our country and those who serve.  Afterward, however, Tony and I were both just plain tired.  We came home, stoked Tony's new fire-pit and had a fun time roasting weenies with Kallie and her beau, Justin, then, taking a few photo's, in which, Michael was even cooperative, and then...napping as much of the afternoon away as we wished.

Now, about the frogs.  I guess, its just a bit of a new interest.  Somehow, this spring, I got stuck on wanting to find some tad poles and watch them hatch.  It turns out that the "tad poles" I found in our rain soaked wheel barrow were actually, mosquito larvae, so, I was not off to a good start!  A few days ago, I asked Tony to move one of my potted plants from the front of the house to the back of the house, by the fire pit (ooh, notice how I'm linking those two subjects :) and he found a tree frog in the wheel barrow...could I have been right about those "tad poles" after all? I don't think so, this is a fully grown tree frog with a handicap.  It seems this unfortunate fellow was hatched without one of his back feet.  Apparently, these types of deformities and more, are becoming increasingly common.  In doing just a bit of research, this seems to stem from the use of pesticides and as for our little tree frog, which we believe is a Northern Pacific Tree Frog or Pseudacris regilla, it affected the development of his left foot.  While, I am beginning to think, our little guy is a little girl, for now, he has been named "Luda," as Ludacris rhymes with "Pseudacris" (his scientific name) and in honor of  the well-known artist, Ludacris.  This, of course, was the kids' idea.  Not mine!  Anyway, "Lou" as he is sometimes called, just may be a Sue, but I have much more research to do before I decide, and some of the research tends to indicate that you can't really know until they begin making mating calls...So, I'll research away, and see if I can find out. What we did find, is a friend for Luda, which we are hoping is the opposite sex, but this frog is much smaller so we are keeping them in separate vivariums (as I've come to learn is the name of home-made habitats for frogs) until the second frog, which is thus far, nameless, grows to a size where it will not appear to be food for Luda.  If my curiosity continues, I really do have an interest in these frogs as they are becoming more and more rare in their natural habitat. Most likely, because their rich natural habitats are also just suitable for farming which introduces pesticides, which means less frogs either from being out right killed by the pesticides or birth defects which make the frogs easier prey. 

These first two photos are of Luda.  The bottom one, shows a good image of the stump where his left foot should be.  He does pretty well without it, but he does have a way of making me feel sorry for him as he cannot just "hang" on the walls of his vivarium as his little friend can. However, I'm not sure if thats all because of the missing foot, or possibly the difference in size of the frog and the difference in their habitats as, the new friend lives in a large, upside down, plastic pickle jar until she grows, which has grooves and rounded corners which may afford her more purchase.  Hmmm. I just used "afford" and "purchase" in the same sentence and it had nothing to do with shopping!

A shot of the nameless frog looking toward the center "bridge" that I made for the bottom of her vivarium...also where crickets are wandering blissfully unaware that they are the lunch menu.

A froggie cubby rock, bridge and water plate that I made out of polymer clay.  These frogs don't drink water, but I just can't seem to set up a habitat without some sort of water available.  I mist the vivariums a couple times a day (in the heat we've been having!) as the frogs absorb moisture through their skin.

And finally, a note on the progress of my Autumn Scarecrows.  I have all seven of the actual Scarecrows finished.  Their clothes are completely hand-stitched, with stitching even around the patches. Now, its a matter of adding their hats, garden tools, etc.  I found a recipe for making pumpkins out of dough, and I think I'll give that a try. Although the pumkins I used on my first Scarecrow decorations were store-bought,

I like the looks of the dough pumpkins. 

 I may end up trying polymer clay also, and if all else fails....I'll have to make a trip to Michael's craft store...awwww.

Everybody's working (photos)

As I begin my afternoon, I decided to take a break from my "work" and catch up on some photo's and some family and crafty news.  Today's title is in relation to the pics I'm posting as, right this minute...not everyone in the family is working. Tony is of course.  He's actually had a very long work week made up of an average of about 14 hour days.  That is HARD work...but, its tamed by the weeks where, because of the economy, his job has only been able to offer him 2 or 3 days work. Apparently, the company hired a new sales person and he is bringing in business, which is obviously a good thing...but, making for some long hours for the drivers.  As Tony drives, Caleb is preparing for his month-long trip to Juneau to see friends and family.  I was about in a 'fit of nerves' last night, thinking of how much I will miss him.  He is always a ray of sunshine for me!  Luckily, however, Oregon is finally getting some of nature's sunshine (although its rainy today, the forecast is for a holiday weekend in the 80's increasing to almost a heat-wave next week, with temps reaching into the 90's!) so while I'll miss my big-little guy, I'll be tending a growing vegetable garden, and by the time Caleb returns, we should be just about ready to make salsa!  So, Caleb is doing laundry and packing, Kallie is watching T.V.; waiting for her beau to come for a visit and Michael is in town playing some basketball if the court's not too wet...in which case, he's just chillin' with friends.

My "work" today is continuing progress on 7 Autumn decorations/center pieces.  Its funny to think of preparing for fall, as I am the one person who would never rush summer, but I've already received applications in the mail for fall craft-shows...so that's what I'm working on.  These little center-pieces will be available for the first-time for the public.  I created them a few years ago for some of my family members, but have decided to create a series to sell at the craft fairs and in my Etsy store.  Here's a sneak preview of one that I made and have used for Fall decor the past few years:

This photo includes some of the angel ornaments I make for Christmas, but its the scarecrow piece that I'm working on now.  Since they are all hand-made, each will be slightly different, of course.  They all include my original poem: Scarecrow Philosophy.  More about that and more photos to come when the set is finished.

The next worker featured in today's blog is Caleb, although, if you could see the rain coming down, you would know that these photo's were definitely not taken today!  However, they were taken just last week. I love how green everything is! And all the variations of greens,topped off with spashes of color in my flowers!

And finally, a group of pictures of Tony and Michael working-out. 

Michael came home from a weekend trip to see some of his buddies with this 6 minute ab work-out that the boys would all gather and do together.  It is a work-out posted on You Tube.  The guys do it about 3 times a day and swear it works... having not tried it myself, I have no first-hand knowledge of the results, but if just watching the exercise could give me a six-pack...I think seeing this work-out a couple of times would do it!  Michael generally does it twice in a row, making it a 12  minute work-out.  You can see from the photo's that it didn't take long, when Michael got his Dad to join him in the fun, for the two of them to work up a bunch of manly sweat. 

Ummm... I'm pretty sure this is not what a couch is made for.  And, I would know!  In the photo where they are reaching to the side, you can see that they are watching the You Tube work-out  on Michael's lap-top as they do it themselves.

They aren't finished yet...the video gives a couple of 10-20 second rests.

Well, that's about it for today's account of different types of work being done around the Jacobsen house in the last week.  I realize, unfortunately, that none of these photos includes Kallie or the work she's done...and she, is in all reality, one of the best workers around the home.  She is pretty faithful to clean the kitchen and can be coerced into cleaning the bathroom from time to time...but, she shares that bathroom with two boys- so I don't blame her that she prefers that one of them be responsible for the bulk of bathroom cleaning!

If you see the prior post about Tony's birtday, you'll see the cake, brownies and decorations Kallie made, not to mention all the other cleaning preparations!  She even made another pan of brownies last night...sabatoging all the boys' ab work-outs, I'm sure!

Well, keep a watch for the finished scarecrow center-pieces.  There will be a limited number.  Feel free to leave a comment to reserve yours now.  When they are finished, I will post them AND replenish and update my Etsy store.

Until later....

He's 49!!! ....really....(lots of b-day photos.)

Well, my hubby hit the age no one believes in yesterday.  He's 49!  In preparing decorations for what was originally going to be a very small celebration, which then, seemed to grow and grow- turning out to be a truly wonderful gathering of friends and family- Kallie, two of her friends and I painted "over-the-hill" type sentiments on scrapbook paper. 

I painted, "No one believes you when you say you are 49.  But, with you, its 'cuz you look 29!"  While I'm not quite sure he could still pass for 29, Tony does get comments on a regular basis from people who cannot believe he's not still in his 30's.  Since I don't get those comments anymore...I find all the ignorance rather annoying, but am blessed that Tony is still so nice to look at! Here's a photo of him as he came around the back of the house when he was just getting home from work.  It's un-posed, and it looks like he was saying something to me...but I was busy being photographer so- not sure exactly what he said.

Yeah, he still has all his hair, none of which is gray, except more and more of his goatee, and the wild hairs that we shave off his neck (or quickly photo edit out if need be :)  TMI??

The day before his birthday, I was watering my flowers outside (yes, it seems summer has finally decided to creep upon us, here in OR) and lamenting a bit about not being able to have a job so I could have my own money to surprise him with a gift.  Its just not the same when I take money he made, to shop for him...especially, when its the end of the month and I've been told NOT to birthday shop...he "doesn't need anything."  Well, you can imagine my elation when I got a care-package in the mail about an hour later containing some clothes, some craft materials and voila...a check!  An unnamed benefactor had sent me some "mad money," but, boy, did it make me happy!  Kallie, her boyfriend and I, loaded up and headed to Albany for some birthday shopping!

I've had in my mind for a while now that Tony "needs" a fire pit for our deck.  So we hit several different stores, compared models and prices, and finally decided on one that we all liked, and which also happened to be on sale! 

So, we grabbed the pit, and the brick pavers; as it turns out, you aren't supposed to sit the pit directly on a wood deck, and headed for home.  The next day, (Tony's birthday) while Tony was at work, all the kids pitched in, including Kallie's beau' to put together a party.  Speaking of "putting together," the boyfriend, Justin, actually assembled the pit itself, while Caleb helped him with the pit, carrying the pavers and all the other outside chores....collecting sticks for kindling, cleaning and sweeping the deck, mowing the yard, etc.  Kallie and I worked on the inside of the house.  Since my crafting stuff seems to creep out and take over certain areas of the house, I had a lot of re-organizing to do. Kallie and Michael did some of the basic house chores. Kallie made the cake and a double batch of brownies, and Michael shopped for food. Of course, we bought hot-dogs with all the trimmings and s'mores makings.

I just can't give my kids enough kuddo's on their helpfulness.  There is no way I could have put the party together without their help.  AND, they all worked with very little attitude or instruction.   Finally, after everything was ready and our little back porch arranged for the party, I got a shower and then, broke out the camera to get some shots of the party set-up.

There were actually a few things that Tony did need...well, probably still does need more of- clothes!  He is so hard on his clothing- because he works so hard.  Also, being on the worship team at church, I feel he needs something a little classier than stained carhart jeans and tee-shirts, so, we also got him a few items of useful clothing!

It seemed that the fire pit was a hit, and for the most part, the smoke stayed in the "right" direction.  I think that just about everyone, except the birthday boy, roasted a "dog" and a marshmallow or two in the pit. (Tony fixed a turkey sandwhich on whole grain, sprouted bread...of course- but hey, it was his birthday!)

We missed having Julie and Dan and brother Steve and family with us, but it was truly a wonderful surpise to have Tyson join us.

(Well, I obviously don't yet understand the finer points of posting photos in this blog as I can't get them to line up side-by-side when I want or in the order I want...but, anyway, they're all here somewhere!)

It turned out that after a few hours of chatting, celebrating Tony and filling up on dogs, chips, and s'mores the party started to dwindle and at the end of the evening (which was only about 6 PM...can anyone say...old farts?) when it was just the kids and Tony and I left, we went inside and realized we hadn't yet "cut the cake."  It was actually kind of a special moment; Larissa and I lit the candles on the cake that Kallie had made, and just a few voices hesitantly sang the birthday song after Tony successfully proved, by blowing out all the candles in one try, that his lungs are still as young as he looks.

I knew it was time to retire to my reading book when after 2 days of preparation, 2 days of cooperation, 2 days of everyone on their best behavior, Kallie and Caleb started to have a sibling moment.  Don't let the innocent look on Kallie's face fool you. The tongue sticking out of Caleb's mouth tells it all.But, really...everyone seemed to have a good time... I think Tony was blessed...and in the end, it was a fabulous way to mark the beginning of a new year in Tony's life...And no one will believe he's 49 anyway.

New Stuff Coming Soon.

I know I've neglected to keep on top of my blog and my Etsy store.  Truth be told, its been a hard winter, and I hit a bit of a personal stale-mate.  But, my husband is charged with some creative ideas, and his enthusiasm is catchy.  I have some updating to do. It will take a few days, maybe weeks to get it done, but keep a look out.  We're going for it!  Thanks for your support!

Wedding Anniversary #23 !!!

Well, yesterday, my husband, Tony and I celebrated 23 years of wedded bliss!  Actually, it still feels like our anniversary today, as it is almost 4:00 AM as I begin this long over-due blog and I have not yet been to sleep.  We had a lovely day, starting with me sleeping in (surprise!) and Tony going to the gym for a work-out.  Actually, I've had so much trouble sleeping for the past two weeks or so, even when Tony came and woke me up so we could start our celebration excursion, I still did not want to get out of bed as I had finally been sleeping so soundly.  But, alas, getting up and getting started proved to be a great idea as our anniversary day was, by most accounts probably conservative, but was special to us, none-the-less.
The plan was to have a late lunch at the Olive Garden in Salem, which evolved into a stop at Borders Books and after lunch, a brief stop "for just one thing" at my favorite craft store in Salem.  Luckily for me, Tony had in mind a trip to Costco on our way in to Salem to pick up a "boho" style sundress which I had recently admired as his anniversary gift to me.  I love it so much, and was even more in love with it after I put it on and realized that while it is definitely a "sundress" it is styled for full coverage so there's no worry about what type of slip or "other support" to wear under it.  No spaghetti straps in other words, which I so wish I could wear, but don't really feel comfortable or have all the latest and greatest under-styles to pull the look off.
Then, we proceeded to Borders books in Salem where Tony bought his own anniversary gift. A book he'd heard about on the radio and a weight-lifting magazine.  (We are so extravagant!)  A company gift card provided the means for our Olive Garden lunch, and finally, I managed to leave the craft shop with only the one item I needed and an extra for good measure. I mean really, who can buy just one item in a craft store??? My lack of self-control manifested itself in a  $1 notepad...so, I don't feel too bad about "going wild."

So, why am I so awake at this hour of the morning.  Chalk it up to POTS dysautonomia.  Oh, I forgot, Tony did insist that I get a book at Borders entitled "The Hand Made Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online," by Kari Chapin.  That book, coupled with a reminder that its time to sign up for a fall craft show have my adrenaline dumping and pumping through my veins as I consider all I have neglected to do, put off because I was not feeling well, all I need to catch up on, and new projects that might be of interest in the Hand-Made marketplace.  I get so excited, and have such plans, this book has given me some direction, as well as setting off a POTS reaction that apparently must run its course as sleep just will not come...or has not, yet tonight.

I didn't think to take either a photo of me and my hubby together on our anniversary, or a pic of me in my dress.  I will post a pic soon, but probably have my favorite female model, stand-in for the dress photo.  It fits her well also, and somehow just looks that much better on her figure.  Actually, I am encouraged as I should be on the losing side (or is that the winning side?) of the battle of the bulge.  Not that it is showing yet, but the almost 30 lbs that I inexplicably gained in the three years since our move from AK has finally shown a link in part of the dysautonomia complex...low thyroid.  Yes, its a glandular problem!  It couldn't possibly be the 40-something curse.  Truly though, I am anxious to get back on thyroid meds as I lost weight almost immediately when I went on them, then, had to have some "tests" run, went off the meds and voila'  extra mass of Sheri! 

Finally, a word about POTS Dysautonomia.  I have inwardly debated every time I mention the condition as you know, I "don't look sick." But, to quote a wise woman, "It is what it is."   And I have it.  I believe in miracles, I believe in healing, and I also believe in telling it like it is.  I haven't experienced physical healing yet, but am much relieved emotionally, knowing that POTS "won't kill you, it'll just make you wish it would." (Thanks Doc.)  Anyway, I guess all this is just to say that I'm tired of tip-toeing around my critics, whose lack of compassion is truly a comentary on them... not me.  I realize that as I get older, most of my doubting Thomases age also and if I look in their eyes...they don't look blind. But, I wish I could challenge them, if you can't see to drive, take off your glasses cuz your eyes look okay to me.  Or, if you can see "out there" but need reading glasses, before reaching for those store-bought magnifiers, read the time on the face of your watch or an article in the newspaper...your eyes look just fine to me.


So, POTS affects and to a great extent, rules my life.  My strength is that I'm still here.  No one knows the bones its taken to face a failing body, to face doctors who don't know what they are looking at and would rather pass to the next patient and deal with a little arthritis, and face loved ones, and ones who are supposed to love me, but seethe judgement- even in the sudden silence when I mention my condition, or in their lack of interest to find out how POTS affects people, or judgement in outright mean, evil statements.  But, hey, I choose me, my family, my God and the things that I can do, on the days, during the moments when I can do them...even if its in the middle of the night when "normal" people are asleep, and I will be quietly judged lazy for missing church tomorrow.  God knows.  He knows all.

Quote on this post card published by: Invisible Diseases.com

Love is invisible.
Hope is invisible.
Friendship is invisible.
...But, they are all real!
So are Invisible Diseases

I am thankful for my ability to create when I can spend some time upright.  I am thankful for books to read when I can't. I am thankful for most of my family. And I am thankful for 23 years with the most optomistic, biggest chearleader, most devoted, man I know. But, I am done hiding.
Dysautonomia. It is what it is.