Bittersweet and the little soap company

Does Green Mean Go?

Have you ever suffered a head concussion? It's makes your brain have to work really hard. Just like yesterday, after stopping at the stop light the light turned green, I had to set there for awhile and think, does green mean go?

I have known something was  not right up there, since the day after the accident, but was contributing it to just the accident. I had a good friend stop by and visit a couple of days after the accident, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember her name. I knew something was wrong, I am stubborn. That hit on my head that caused me to black out really must have hit hard.

I'm finding that experiencing a concussion is very frustrating. The other morning I went downstairs to get something and forgot what I went there for. Now, normally that happens every once in awhile, but with this stupid concussion it's happening more than several times a day. It is the one of the most frustrating things I've ever experienced, and also a little scary.

The Doctor said my short term memory loss could last a couple more weeks or six months. It's probably a good thing they took the rental car back, as I don't feel comfortable driving.

Little things like pushing the button on the key lock pad take extra concentration skills. I'm also really really irritable. Not myself at all. I hate this!!

I can't imagine living like this every day. It wears you down having to concentrate so hard. I still consider myself fortunate as to not have been seriously injured.

I'm going to try to get better and wrap myself up into making things which is the best therapy ever for me. I'm not sure if I want to blog for awhile. I will probably take a little break.

Thanks for all your kind words, I will talk to you soon.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Love & Lavender

This past week has been stressful, and to combat the stress I've been surrounding myself with oodles of  love and lot's of  lavender. I've also had the overwhelming urge to create. Creating is a big  stress releaser as well as a mood changer for me. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't create. Shrivel up like a prune, I suppose. 

I believe stress is one of the hardest things on your body. I know, I know, we all have to deal with it, but how you deal with it is the kicker. I've noticed when Patrick gets stressed he plays the piano. Some people remove stress by exercises, and some I'm sure never release their stress.

Here's a stress releaser that I have been doing for years, and it really works. Set down in a quite room, or relax in a warm bath, breathe in through your nose as far as you can , and then release the breath through your mouth, and as you release imagine all the bad stress and worries leaving your body. Believe it or not, this is a form of hypnotism, and is widely used by hypnotist.

The love bird packets are so much fun to put together. I've made some changes on them. They are available on Vintage Two. 

I have yet to finish my love list, and still have a couple of love bird packets to mail.

I woke in the middle of the night, and wrote down the words and notes of disappointment and sadness concerning my insurance company. I am taking the low ball settlement they offered, as I have found that I really have not choice but to take their offer, as they well know. There will be a stipulation though. I am going to call them this morning and tell them they must listen to my negative opinion regarding how they do business with a loyal customer. I am also requesting that my conversation be recorded. It's a part of my healing process.

I will begin shopping for a new car. I really miss my little car, and don't really want a new one, but that's the way it goes. I pulled up to the intersection where the accident occurred, and on to my left at the stop sign was a little old lady driving a car that looked just like mine:(

The fact that I will also have to pay about eight thousand dollars more to get one is also a drag.

I'm looking at the positive though. You know, that's another funny thing. I really have learned a lot during all this. I'm mostly very sad though about how the insurance company treats their good customers. I will also cancel my insurance with them. It's a matter of principle to me.

I can't allow this kind of thing to sour me, even though I can see how it could if I allowed it to.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

 

Plan In Place....and moving on.

When something unexpected happens to you, like the car accident last week that I had, it's important to have a plan. When I first got creamed I was pretty upset, and not really thinking about a plan quite yet. Now, I'm thinking plan. If you don't have a plan, things can get mixed up and you can easily be taken advantage of. I guess that's the way it's always been, but I really haven't ever pondered the thought too much until now. 

A plan protects you, and even can even comfort you. With a plan you know exactly what your next step is, it somehow lessens the blow, and builds your confidence.

I'm really getting tired of blogging about this accident, but feel since I'm experiencing such mental trauma with the insurance company that possibly this blog will help others going through similar issues.

Here's the story...

I have had the same insurance for twenty some years and never filed a claim. I have not even ever been in a wreck while I was driving. The gal that hit me ran the stop sign, I didn't even see her coming. She got a ticket for C & I driving. Once the insurance companies determine who's fault it is, it goes against their claim. Since it was her fault, it is filed on her insurance. One little catch though, we both have the same insurance company.

When the insurance company contacts you for the first time they send out the big dog first. He does everything he can to intimidate you. He lies, he cheats, and since I'm a woman, he's even thinks he's an even bigger dog! The first offer is usually around twenty-five percent lower than what they should offer. That's just the way they do. Never take the first offer, Never!

If you refuse the first offer, which is what I did, they then have the right to refuse you a rental car. So plan on them taking the rental back after about one week when you refuse their offer. It's just another part of their intimidation process. You see they have a plan... Now comes the wait... They won't contact you for a few days.

If you don't hear from them within 3 or 4 days call and ask to talk to the claims supervisor. In my instance I had an 03 car, but it only had twenty-eight thousand miles on it. Tell the claims supervisor to find you a car that only has twenty-eight thousand miles on it for the amount they have offered you. Chances are they would have to look long and hard to do that, and they know that!

You can even take that first offer and purchase a new car, make up the difference out of your pocket, and still  file a dispute against the insurance company. It will take some time, but you will eventually get your money.

Not knowing any of this information, and finding it out and researching it helped my create my plan. I hope that you never have to deal with such a thing, but chances are you probably will at some time in your life.

Remember to construct a plan, and don't allow the insurance company to stress you. That is what they are trying to do. Take a deep breath, and release...Remember too, you are too blessed to be stressed!

I promise, I will not talk about this anymore. It was everything I could do to finish typing this morning. I feel it's important though for you to know.

Yesterday I enjoyed creating some new things for Vintage Two, and I updated the web site with our auction updates, so check it out! 

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Bad MOJO!!

Have you ever heard of the term Bad MOJO? Well, I have and am experiencing a bit of the bad MOJO lately. The translation simply means your having bad luck. 

Mr. MOJO usually in his rude way, just shows up out of the blue unannounced. I don't ever welcome him, he just pushes his way into my life.

What do you do when Mr. MOJO shows up? Here's what I do. I get really upset, and really down,and really bitchy, at first, even knowing in the back of my head that my hurdles are very small compared to others.

Then GOD sends me someone to refresh my memory....

Friday of course I had the conversation with my rude insurance man, and his very low offer for my car. Which by the way, makes me wonder, how do these guys sleep at night? They are totally full of Bad MOJO!

Saturday of course, was the day of the infamous auction. I will be posting all the In's and outs on Vintage Two.

OK, this takes me to the day of the turn around.

I'm standing outside watching people bid on the items at our auction. A lady walks up to me and begins to talk. She begins to  tell me how she had a mole that began to bleed, and that it was diagnosed to be lymphoma. She then went to a Doctor, and the Dr. told her the cancer had spread into her lymph node glands and that he needed to operate. After the operation she began going to a specialist. The specialist told her that the other Dr. had taken out the wrong lymph glands and that he needed to perform another surgery to remove the infected glands. Then she is told that the cancer has spread to her brain. The Dr. tells her she will also need to have surgery on her brain to remove the cancer.

She has the operations and goes home to recover with her husband of forty some years. She's getting ready for bed, and goes into the den to tell her husband good night. She goes to his chair to wake him, and he doesn't awake. He had passed away in his chair from a heart attack.

This all took place three weeks ago.

As I'm standing there listening to her tell me this story, I can't help but think about my life, and how I felt, and almost instantly I realized my hurdles were very small compared to hers.   

During our lives we cross hundreds of hurdles. Some our taller than others and it sometimes takes you awhile to get back on your feet.

Remember when I mentioned my belief and how I feel that everything happens for a reason. GOD doesn't make bad things happen. They just happen. We usually don't know why bad things happen either. That's where trust comes in. Sometimes it's very hard to trust. Especially in something you can't feel or touch. Trust is deep inside each and every one of us, it stays close to our hearts.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

      

 

It's a beautiful day for an auction!

It's the Saturday of the auction. I'm up early, 6 Am, and getting ready to shower and head over to the house. Yesterday Sandy and I set out more stuff, and Patrick made "Auction Signs" and we carefully placed the signs around town.

I met the auctioneer yesterday too. He talks really slow. I'm anxious to hear what he sounds like when he does his thing. If he talks like he did yesterday, this could be a very long auction! Giggle..

I'm bummed too. I knew before hand that I would not be happy with the offer the insurance company offered me. Yesterday an agent called, and shot me a very low offer for my car. I flat out told him I wasn't taking it! Isn't that just the way life works. I've had the same insurance company, ST ARM, I'll let you fill in the gaps, for thirty some years and never filed a claim, and now they can't even offer me the amount my car is worth. I hate conflict! You wouldn't believe the things the insurance claims guy said. He really tried to intimidate me. Wrong move buster!! I'll be sticking with my figure, not yours.

I'm trying not to think about it, and just enjoy the auction and have a great day. I still need to set my stuff out too. I didn't want to leave it over night, especially with the luck I seem to be having lately.

Sandy is a hoot! She slept in the driveway last night so that she could keep an eye on her items. I don't blame her, I would not be able to sleep at home, if I had so many valuable things outside.

We had a ton of people stop by yesterday and inquire about our auction. I'm taking my little Canon, and will try and take lot's of pictures.

Some of you should receive your "love bird packets today". I was headed to the PO to mail these packets when I got hit. I sent them out after the accident. It makes me feel really good to share them with you.

Wish me luck....

Enjoy a caring and sharing day too.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Second Day

It's the second day after my car accident, and I have to tell you it's much better than yesterday. I was freaking out yesterday about how I felt. I felt emotionally torn all day. Even last night I was still feeling really sad. I was suppose to go to a party at my neighbors, but just didn't feel like being around people. Today though I am feeling better, and beginning to resume somewhat back to my normal. It is a slow normal.

By the way, thank you for your comments and concerns, they were a big part of my healing yesterday.

Am I sounding like a drama queen? I feel like it!

I'm seeing a whole new side of myself that I didn't know existed. I keep thinking about when my car was crashing into her car, and how everything went black. Why was it black? Did I blank out when I hit my head on the roof of the car?  Did I shut my eyes so as to not see, kind of a defense mechanism. It's driving me crazy thinking about it, no pun intended.

Then I'm thinking too. There's a reason for everything. That's what I believe. All a reason from GOD I believe. What was GODS purpose for me being in this wreck. Could it be that the young girl needed to experience a  scary car accident  to possibly avoid an even more life threatening accident? Maybe the experience was meant for me, maybe even for both of us. I may never know.

I did find out why the air bags didn't deploy. The mechanic said they have to be hit just right. If the impact is off by just a half inch of where the air bag deploy mechanism is, they won't come out. You know, that may be a good thing too. I set very close to the steering wheel when I drive. If the airbags were to have popped out, it might have possibly hurt my wrists.

Clarice, you are right. Someone was looking out for me. That's another thing that's bugging me about the accident. During the time of the impact, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I did not feel alone. I can't really explain it. The odd feeling happened at the precise moment of the impact.

OK, I know some of you are thinking, boy, Jill really must have hit her head hard! Seriously though and honestly, it was a weird feeling.

Today I'm taking the silver rental car in for a trade in. I don't like the car. Then I will clean out my little car for the last time, as it is headed to the salvage yard:( I will take my bent broken license plates off, and take any personal belongings that are left in the car home.

Then the process of finding a new car. I don't believe I will pick silver this time, maybe white or black.

I stopped by Sandy's yesterday. What a lot of stuff! The auction is Saturday.

Today is my friend Alan's birthday, and I plan to stop by and visit with him on his birthday.

I'm physically feeling fine. Thanks for being you!

Have a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

Five Seconds

Here's something to think about. Have you ever had an idea or a thought, and said to yourself,  I'll wait awhile before I do that? How about getting ready to leave the house and thinking, you know what, I'll wait a few minutes. Yesterday afternoon was a day I wish I would have waited just 5 seconds. 

As I drive down the street, just a few blocks from my house, I come to the four way stop, the same 4 way stop I've been stopping at for some almost twenty years. I notice a girl in a car to my left, it's my turn to go, and next,   BOOM, CRASH, OH MY GOD, and then astonishment!

The impact was horrendous. During the impact, I blanked out for a few seconds, and my head and neck, I'm sure resembled a bobble head. 

I had proceeded to go, and she ran the stop sign so I hit her head on with my car. My car is totaled! At least I would think. I couldn't even get out of my door without pushing it really hard.

After the crash, I remember being really mad at first. I even yelled out my window to the girl right after the impact, "What the Hell were you doing? She's a young girl, maybe even high school? She's says, I'm sorry, and begins to cry while setting in her car.

I continue setting in my car and think to myself, am I hurt? I feel the top of my head and there's a bump, and it kind of hurts. I notice my neck is hurting too. About that time I also notice my air bags didn't deploy, and thinking that's really weird. Why didn't my air bags deploy?

The paramedics arrive within minutes, and at this point I get out of my car and head over to the young girls car to check on her. She's really shook up, but it appeared she was not hurt. I notice a cross around her neck, and remember thinking she thinks strongly enough about GOD to wear a cross. Then I think about yelling at her, and feeling really embarrassed about doing such a mean thing.

The paramedics ask me if I'm OK. I say, "I think so." One of them I knew from a past fund raiser I hosted after the tornado. He remarks, "I wonder why your air bags didn't deploy?" I keep looking at my car, oh my my.

A man walks over to me and says, "I was behind you, and saw the whole thing". He tells me the young girl ran the stop sign, and was busy talking on her cell phone.

I hate cell phones, then I think, but I wish I had one now, and I would call my family to let them know what has happened. I posted about the cell phone thoughts in another post. It's very unusual, I know, but I don't have a cell phone. Patrick and Lennis both have one, but I choose to not.

I walk over to the young girl again and apologize for yelling at her. I'm beginning to come back around, and thinking how lucky I was to be walking around.

The police officer arrives, and the paramedics push my car backwards down the hill out of the middle of the street.

The police officer fills out his report, and issues the young girl a ticket. She's still crying. The police officer says, "I wonder why your air bags didn't deploy?" My neck is hurting more.

The tow truck arrives and says, "why didn't your air bags deploy"? He lifts my car up to carry to the repair shop. The girls Father arrives, she's still crying. The business office worker across the street are standing outside watching everything. I hear four little school boys talking amongst themselves, "did you hear that crash"? "That was the biggest crash I've ever heard and seen"!

The tow truck driver asks if I need a ride, and well, I guess I do. I was even considering walking home, it was only around ten blocks. Then I'm thinking someone will come by I know, and I'll get a ride. About that time, my friend Sandy drove by. She had just stopped by my house and spoke with Lennis, and asked if I was OK, she hadn't talked to me and was concerned. Sandy was on her way to the auction house when she drove by the wreck, which by the way, that's where I was heading too when I was hit.

So many thoughts... So many emotions...Just 5 seconds..... Why didn't I wait just five seconds?

I've never had a wreck before. I consider myself to be a good driver. I'm always watching out for the other guy!

Sandy gives me a ride to the car shop, and I fill out the paper work for a rental. The lady asked, do you want a silver Taurus or a white one, I say, neither. She looks at me odd. "I'll take the silver", I say, "it's the same color as my car.   I'm thinking to myself, I want my car! My little car that I've had for five years that only has twenty-seven thousand miles on it that is energy efficient.

I'm very very very  thankful that I am alright. I thank GOD for allowing both myself and the young girl for being OK.

I get into the rental and drive home. Lennis is out working in the yard as I pull into the driveway. He doesn't even notice I'm in a different car, same color remember?

I tell him about the accident, he's freaked. I go inside and take an aspirin because my neck hurts.

I think, if only 5 seconds......

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)   

   

   

Love Bird Packets

I'm sending the first group of Love Packets out today.

What are love packets? I'm glad you asked! Love Packets, as I believe I've appropriately named, are bags/packets filled with soulful little objects of affection, items to be used briefly, or for a short time, and items to just look at, I believe you would call them, Ephemeral objects of affection. Anyway it gives me great pleasure to share them with my friends.

Earth day is coming up you know, and even though I don't need an excuse to surprise friends with gifts, I think that Earth Day would be a perfect day for sharing.

I'm preparing for the auction on Saturday, and getting excited about watching my stuff auction off into the sunset.

Have you ever watched that show, "Cash In The Attic"?  I'm hoping I will get a return similar to what the guests on that show receive, and if I don't, I am still going to have fun watching people bid.

When I was a kid I remember going to auctions a lot. My Grandfather owned an antique store. I remember back then watching people do what I thought was weird motions with their eyes and sticking up two fingers and tilting their heads, all of these were signals to the auctioneer that the person wanted the object. I remember thinking, "how does that auctioneer recognize all of these strange gestures, perks, and quirky signals "? He always did, and I don't ever recall attending  an auction ,  and the auctioneer missing any of these blinky clues.

My gosh, it would take me awhile to learn all of the bidding signals!

Let's see, today is Wednesday. This will surely be what I call a potpourri day. A little this, a little that, and then mix it up to hopefully create a blend of something.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

I Think, Therefore I Do

My friend Carol at Our Red Door  tagged me this past weekend and gave me the honor title of "The Thinking Blogger Award".

Carol, thank you.  The gesture was very sweet indeed and I am flattered!

I have been taking a little break from the computer, and I am so sad about yesterdays university tragedy. So, so sad and disappointing. I'm praying for the victims family's and the killers family.

Enjoy a caring and sharing evening.

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

French Pajama's!

Do you think my French Great Grandmother worked in her pajama's all day? I doubt it! That's what I've been doing for the past three days though. I have to say, three days is a bit too much of that!

Bittersweets web site is up and hopefully running. I am so ready to get off this computer and do something else!! Finally our Spring has returned this week, and the auction is on Saturday:)

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Thinking French

Well, let's see, I have been building a new web site for one & 1/2 days now, and already I feel like my eyes are bugging out. Just kidding, it's not that bad. It's coming along nicely. I keep changing backgrounds and colors, and can't seem to get what I want yet, but it's coming. I am going back and forth with the different ideas in my head, and sometimes those floating ideas, outrun my physical manual fingers. Not sure if that even made since, but that's kind of how I feel. Do you like the copy of the French postcard? I'm considering using it as a border on the new site. I really like the colors, and the flowers, I believe they are bachelors buttons.

I am envisioning a French motif while working on the web site. Not necessarily the commercialized pink and black French, but rather old world French, like my Great Grandmothers French. Like the postcard.

Building a web site or blog is kind of like decorating a room. You choose a design, and then the colors, and then the furniture, and then when you have the room exactly the way you want, you add little bouquets from your flower garden and set them throughout, and then you step back and admire the work you've done.

I'm pretty happy with my work so far. I'm not stopping though until I'm completely happy with the finished product. I can't wait to send you girls some little Spring  packages. I will try and get those going this weekend. It will be a welcome break from working on the web site. 

What the heck is going on with our weather? My goodness, it was all Springy, and then all of a sudden back to blah, blah winter. Most of  our flowers, blooming trees, and just about  everything else has wrinkled up and turned a not so flattering shade of  brown. The grass is still green, as I look out my kitchen window, that's good!

I'm putting the new natural cleaning line  products on the new Bittersweet web site. Patrick did  a great job creating the selection of home keeping essentials. Hey, I like those three words together, must put that on the web site.

Shop Saturday, and it should be a busy day. I have several people coming by, some of which I haven't seen for awhile, so it will be nice to visit.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

   

Merci

Thanks girls for posting your constructive ideas about my web site. I am sending you each a little gift in appreciation for helping me. The inevitable was there, I just needed a push.

I began building a new web site yesterday. It hasn't been that long since I built Vintage Two, and somehow I had already forgotten what a long drawn out process it is.

There are so many options to building a web site nowadays. Now you can have your blog match your web site, and have flash, where everything moves, and shopping cart systems, and on and on. The only bad thing about all of that flashy stuff, is it can run into a large amount of money.

I've been there done that. I'm a little old fashioned when it comes to building my web site. I like things simple. Not to mention the fact that I'm very stubborn. I'm trying to avoid changing hosts, and mail, and all the other trickle down stuff that can happen.  

Anyway, Bittersweet has so many products listed, it will take me awhile to list everything on the new site. I'm starting out small, and working my way up.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Absolute Honesty

All right girls and boys, I have a favor to ask of you. It's just a tiny favor though. Patrick is suggesting to me that I need to build another Bittersweet web site. He thinks the current site is not very user friendly. This is where you come in. May I ask you please, to visit the Bittersweet link and send me your honest comments, thoughts and feelings about my little web site.

When you visit, please consider these thoughts. Do you like the look of the web site? Was it easy to navigate? Did you want to order something? 

Patrick and I have completely different tastes, well I guess that's good considering my web site is stuffed with flowers and pink.

When I built my first web site, some eight or nine years ago, I had no training or knowledge in building one. I puttered along for a couple of months teaching myself.

I have built web sites for friends, and several for Bittersweet, but with Bittersweet's in particular, I've never really been completely happy. There is always that one thing or two that I don't like. You know what they say, if your not happy with the way something looks, then change it!

The web sites I have built cost nothing. Well, that's not true. My time is valuable, but money wise,  I pay seven dollars a month for hosting, and that's it.

Your comments are truly appreciated, and will help assist me in my marketing techniques. Please be completely honest in your answers.

Thank you in advance.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Auction Block

Sandy and I have decided to move the auction up another week. It's suppose to be rainy and we didn't want to take a chance with the rain.

The work continues, as I make and add new items to both Bittersweet and Vintage Two.

Patrick put together a new cleaning line for Bittersweet. I don't have it on the web site yet. I have to tell you, the tub cleaner works great, and the furniture polish is also superb. I've been using both for the past few weeks to clean our house and I am very pleased with the results. Both products are completely natural, free of chemicals, and they smell really good.

I'm putting together more dreamy creamy boxes. I am shipping orders today. I only have a few available, as I'm waiting on more boxes so that I can make more.

I'm also working on some label packets. I am offering my collection of vintage style mostly French toiletry labels, along with a variety of pretty French labels. These labels add a bit of charm to your hand made soaps,lotions, potions, and perfumes. Each packet contains two of each label, and twenty labels per packet. They come wrapped neatly in vintage French papers. They are available on the web site.

That's it in an auction block nut shell.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)      

Winding Down

Things have began to wind down a bit from last weeks Spring break and Easter. I've been working on some new items for Vintage Two. I'm introducing  the first collection of Keepsake Ephemeral. My passion for collecting and stashing has led me to creating these little boxes. Each box is hand painted and decoupaged using vintage style papers. Creamy Dreamy, the first of this future collection, consist of little bits and pieces of vintage embroidery trim wrapped around a small peg, a dainty nosegay of millinery flowers, paper perfume ephemeral, and four of Vintage Two's creamy buttons. If your interested in purchasing the little keepsake, they are available at Vintage Two.

    I'm planning on removing the Easter stuff today, and making room in the studio for the new things I'm making. Even though Easter is over, I am still planning on making some bunny rabbits. Poor Mr. Reginald Smith! He's given up on me.

I have the cutest little vintage doll dress collection, and I want to dress the little girl rabbits in the pretty dresses and put little pink bows on their ears.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

The Trip and Easter Sunday..

Patrick arrived home safely from his trip to L.A. He had a great time. His Aunt Theresa's friend Terri works for Warner Brothers, and so he got to go behind scenes and check out sets. You won't believe which set he visited! Gilmore Girls! Can you believe it! I'm sure he was probably surprised too. He knows it's my favorite show. Gosh, I wish I went to L.A.

They were filming the last episode! Patrick walked onto the set of Lorelai's parents, and of course saw Lauren Graham who plays Lorelai, and Luke, and even visited with Sally Struthers. He brought be back a Luke's mug. He said the actors and actresses all ride bikes between sets instead of driving or walking. I think that's pretty cool. 

He went to some other sets too, but after hearing about the Gilmore Girl set, I think I kind of blocked the rest out.

Our Spring weather is wishy washy. We have had record lows this past week. It feels as though it's winter again. YUK! Who want's to experience winter in the spring? Not me! I hope it warms up for our auction this Saturday.

The chilly weather didn't put a damper on our annual egg hunt at my Father's house yesterday. No, we had a great time. The kids had an even better time. Every year it's the same. The parents and older kids hide the loot, and then the younger kids are anxiously awaiting inside until all the treasures are well hid. Then the beginning of the annual Easter hunt. Andrew my little nephew is the youngest, he was having the time of his life, he's so cute!      

Look at all that stuff! Grandma M.J., your the best! Thanks for the love!! After the excitement of finding everyone's loot, it's time to relax and enjoy the moment. Stephanie knows just how to do that.  

Great Easter!

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

The Bunny/s Are Coming!

Yesterday afternoon after getting caught up with everything I sat down poured myself a cup of tea and visited some of my favorite bloggy friends blogs. H'm, say bloggy friends blogs three times fast!

I visited Posy's blog and saw and read about the adorable little bunny Alicia and her niece made. I had also seen Jennifer making them on Martha, but had forgotten about them until reading Alicia's blog.

Well, I couldn't resist trying to make these darling little creatures. Alicia was so kind as to offer a link with the instructions for making them.  I made two, a little sister and a big sister. The first one took me awhile to construct, but the second one only took about twenty-five minutes. I didn't purchase anything to make them with, just used what I had, which made making them even sweeter. I used some chenille yarn to construct the body and head. 

I am giving the two sisters as Easter gifts.

M.P., Patrick's Aunt, is flying back to K.C tonight is receiving a sister bunny. I was amazed on how easy they were to make, and so cute! If you get started now you can create an entire family by Easter day.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

I will be taking an Easter blog break for a few days.

Bloggy friends... Have A Sunny, Funny, Bunny of an Easter! Blessings to all of you.

Love,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Spring Surprises

Patrick is having a blast in L.A. He called last night from a little bookstore, and said Senator John Kerry was arriving at the bookstore to sign books. I believe they are going to Warner Brothers today, and if they have time Venice Beach. I lived in Hermosa Beach for awhile. My back yard was the beach. I lived in front of the strand. It was wonderful! I'm sure Patrick is indulging in the California atmosphere.

Patrick recently moved his bedroom into our spare bedroom, and left his Newspaper office in his old bedroom. That newspaper room looked like several tornadoes came through it! I thought while he was away, I would clean and organize a bit, and surprise him when he comes home.  A bit turned into an all day cleaning event. When you have only one child, you feel compelled to keep everything.  Not only do I feel obligated to keep everything, Patrick feels exactly the same. Lets see, I began cleaning and sorting at seven in the morning and finished around ten last night. Now that's a good days work. I slept like a baby.

I am also working on some new items for Vintage Two. I am so revved about these new things I'm working on. I'll give you a hint..

  This is the dictionary's meaning of the thing/s I'm making. Items designed to be useful or important for only a short time, esp, pamphlets, notices, tickets, etc. All that, and then add some French Connection!

Do you know what it is? Oh, the sky is the limit, and I just can't wait to put it together!

I changed my packaging on the Bittersweet Laundry Powder. I'm taken back to my French heritage while designing these labels.

I am sold out of Cherry Poppins Peg Bags, but will be making more today. I have one French Blue left.

The auction is next Saturday! I will be posting pictures and info on Vintage Two.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)   

Quiet..

Ah yes, the word quiet.. I still remember you in my mind.

For thirty-two years I was quite comfortable with quiet. I adored quiet! I welcomed it! I...You get the picture! Then I brought a brand new baby boy home into my quiet world, and the word quiet was no longer anywhere to be found. Quiet was replaced with cooing and crying and giggling sounds, with the exception of the crying, these new sounds were comforting and soon became more comforting than quiet was before. H'm....

I noticed the quiet last night after Patrick left..

Lennis and I converse back and forth, and even carry on great conversations, but it's so quiet! It's so funny how things change. How does one prefer one thing over another, and then change completely?

It begins when you bring that new little baby into your home. You nurture them, love them, comfort them, and give them all you have, and just as you get used to doing all that it's back to being quiet.

I can see the future clearly.. When my child goes off into the world, again my space will be whispering quiet. Quiet I'm finding now, will be an adjustment. You know, it's odd, I never really thought about quiet like this before. Maybe by experiencing it now, I will be prepared more for the future. Somehow, I don't think that, but at any rate, will be pondering that thought in my mind.

Now this wasn't intended to be a sad blog, rather a something to think about blog.

I'm not really sad about the quiet. I will just have to get used to it again. When quiet arrives, I'll remember this blog. I will also remember that these feelings are normal and healthy to experience, and that it's also a big part of being a parent.

You don't have much time to think about these things when your children are little, but as they grow, these thoughts begin to appear. As these thoughts come up, think about them, and don't look at the sad quiet, but rather a happy quiet. A quiet you will embrace, for now, you know the difference between quiets. GOD'S lovingly way of teaching you.

Enjoy a quiet caring and sharing day..

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)   

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane....

Patrick is flying to L.A. this morning to visit his Aunt. He loves to fly. I on the other hand, despise it. I can honestly use that word and really mean it too. His other Aunt, MP, is flying into KC to accompany him to L.A.  

When I was little, my Dad used to fly privately. We would fly over our house, fly little mini trips, and of course the time we flew to my Uncles landing field somewhere in the middle of nowhere. That particular flight stands out. I remember my Dad asking me to "get down and cover your head". Then I remember doing it for about five seconds and then getting up and looking out the plane window. The only thing I remember after that was staring into a line of trees ahead next to a fence. Needless to say, to this day, I'm terrified to fly.

I have flown since then on commercial jets, but still dread walking onto the plane, and dread even more the plane itself. At least with a small plane I can see what's going on. I know, I know it's safer than driving your car. Don't care! I hate to fly!!!

Patrick is looking forward to flying and fortunately his Mother's fears have no impact on how he feels about flying. I'm happy he feels that way too.

Tuesday, I had to think what day it is for a moment. Patrick's Aunt is an extraordinary woman. She once worked for Don Henley as his private secretary during the eighty's. Don was the lead singer for the Eagles.  She's one of those gals you just can't help but like. She's bubbly and full of energy and cute too. I'm sure knowing her as I do, she will have a complete action packed  itinerary planned for the four days Patrick is there to visit.

Lennis and I plan a quiet time doing much of nothing. Well, I guess I never just do much of nothing, but I  plan to sew  more Cherry Poppins Peg Bags, and have several other projects I'm working on.

I am shipping Easter orders out later today, so you should get them this week.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Favorite Things Re-Invented...

Yesterday I began working on some new creations for Vintage Two. These prototypes are the beginning of an entire collection that will soon appear on the web site. I messed around with the peg bags, and made both large and small ones. The smaller ones would probably not be that practical for holding pegs, but rather sticking laundry accessories such as lavender sachets or spot remover inside. Instead of using purchased trim for the opening of the bag, I believe I will make my own. I used a medium weight linen for the larger one and found that I prefered that over a lighter fabric. If using a lighter fabric it should be lined or stitch in some interfacing. I don't have a clothesline outside. I wish I did though. I love hanging my sheets outside, and the crisp clean way they smell and feel after drying in the fresh air.

  I am planning on hanging the peg bags above my washer and dryer to house my linen spray and lavender dryer sachets.

I collect vintage hangers, you know the old wooden kind that were once used by dry cleaners. I'm not sure what my fascination is about these hangers. Probably the fact that they just look old. They are often not an easy find at flea markets, but when I spot some I try to purchases as many as I can. They usually have advertising silk screened onto the wood part of the hanger. The ones I have date back to the thirty's and forty's .

I'm also working on paper mache items. I thought these little posy totes were so cute when I spotted them. I purchase them from a local wholesale paper mache supplier, but have also seen them at the craft stores. They are tricky to work with. You have to be careful when applying paint and varnish, as the handles will become very fragile and break. I tried several different techniques and designs before deciding on covering the lid with fabric.

   

I am having fun with red! I think these little posy totes will be adorable for May Day or Mother's Day. I can just imagine hanging them on my friends doors filled with special treats and surprising them for May Day.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)