Wordy Wednesday

I recently read an article about blogging. It mentioned that if you don't post every 2-3 days, then your readers will lose interest. Oops. Guess I'm dropping the ball on that one...

I pretty sure there are only a few family members and dear friends that give a hoot anyway. I was blog hopping the other day, and let the thought cross my mind, what if one day I have one of those blogs that a lot of people actually read. But then I realized, I would actually have to post more than once a month.

So, here I am with my once-a-month post and I am in a completely random mood. There are so many things that I have tried to make mental notes of to blog about, so I am warning you that this could get a little lengthy. Feel free to click the little "x" button in the corner when you are bored.

First of all, we've been to the doctor 5 times since I last posted. Three times for Brad, and twice for me. (It's been fun at our house, let me tell you!) Brad has gotten good reports, and when I say good, I mean GREAT! The doctor has used words like "terrific" and "excellent" to describe my packing techniques (Remember, I have to pack his wound, yuck.) and nursing abilities. Whew, I've kept my man out of the hospital for over a month! However, when we asked the doctor to give us a timeline for healing, his response was "Months. And Months. (pause) Months and Months." That response cut us deep, but we are in this for the long haul, and we are adjusting to our new normals of life. As for me, I will simply say, my hormones are all STILL over the place, I love being a woman.

Next on my list of randoms:

I made a necklace. I actually hated it at first. Hate might be a little too harsh, but it was definitely not my favorite necklace. However, one of the very few requirements for my dress code at Panopolie is that I wear handmade jewelry. Simple enough, right? Well I was running late one morning, and grabbed this particular necklace in my frenzy to get out the door. After our morning meeting, Cynthia, the owner of the store, apologized for giving me this crazy stalker stare for the last half hour. Then she demanded in the coolest jeweler-to-jeweler voice that I take off my necklace so she could "touch it". I almost peed in my pants because it is really a big deal for Cynthia to comment on on your necklace, much less say "I so LOVE it!" Then she says she wants to borrow it so she can take pictures of it! Craaazzzy! Needless to say, I was a little honored, and liked my necklace a little bit more at the end of the day.

Here is a (very bad) picture of it. I used some awesome vintage acrylic flowers to make it. I promise if you were holding this necklace in your hand, it would look a lot cuter than it does in the picture.

Speaking of pictures, I made a light box. I only wasted two hours of my life trying to put it together, too. Well, I got on this kick that I just needed a light box to take professional pictures of my jewelry, and life could not go on until I made one. My precious husband relented, and took me to Wal-mart to buy my supplies at 7 o'clock one night. I took pictures of the entire process, because I just knew this was going to be so awesome, after you saw might light box, you would want one too. So, just in case you want to waste a few hours, almost cut your finger off with a box cutter, or become frustrated with trying to cut the banner paper just right: Here is Libby's DIY Light Box.

The Materials: Cardboard box, banner paper, tape, box cutter, & two bright light sources (a.k.a. lights bright enough to burn your tiny townhouse down).

First, you must cut out three sides of the box, leaving a border of about an inch, around the edge.

Then, you need to tape the paper around the edges. I have a little bit of OCD running through my veins. Don't get frustrated.

Last, I made a "seamless" backdrop by taping a long sheet of paper to the bottom of the box. Viola! It seems simple enough doesn't it?

The last picture is where I have the light box set up to take pictures. I put one light on each side of the box. I could only leave the lights on for about 5, maybe 10 minutes at a time because they got SO hot!

Here are some of the pitiful pictures I took. After I loaded them on my computer I realized I could have laid everything on a white sheet of paper and achieved the same effect.

A wire wrapped ring

A classy freshwater pearl necklace

This is the new necklace that I made for you, Mama!

Here is a necklace that I made for my BFF. Isn't that the cutest little face? I soldered this necklace, then used patina to give it a black finish. I must say, I am very happy with how it turned out! It's reversible too!

I am still tweaking my photography with the light box. Most of my pictures turned out creamy, and the color is not clear. I have played with my cameras, and have just become more frustrated. I have almost come to the conclusion that it all depends on what camera you have, and it can't be a cheapo! I also did not consider how I was going to store this incredibly fragile box that I now have a love/hate relationship with. Oh well, now you know how to make one!

I know this next point deserves an entire post of it's own, but I just can't help myself. In the midst of all our hospital/doctors visit, I could help but notice the new trend in toilet handles. So, I took a picture with my camera phone, just so I could discuss it with you.

Here are a few questions/comments/concerns:

1. What is it coated with to "protect against germs?"

2. How much water does it really save?

3. After 20+ years of training my foot to flush a public toilet, do you know how hard it is to re-train my foot to flush up after I have gone?

4. Why do I feel guilty if I accidentally flushed down, when I almost tripped from losing my balance from trying to flush up?

5. Wow. I really did it. I blogged about a water-saving dual-function handle. Awesome.

Have you seen them? Let me know about your experience. Obviously, it left a lasting impression on me.

OK, I am going to wind things up. But first let me tell you this first. I am going on a youth retreat this weekend, Brad is going too. This will be interesting, considering we will still have to tend to the vicious wound all weekend. Your prayers are greatly appreciated! We are stoked about getting out of the house though!

That's all folks! Thanks for listening to me ramble.