The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Bad: I have a cold, I feel whiny and yucky, so I'll keep this short.

Ugly: My wonderful oxygen generator had gone downhill fast. I'm working on getting it repaired, but it's going to be pricey (one-way shipping will be about $60, and it's all downhill from there). At first I thought it was the sieve beds (the parts that take everything else out of the room air and leave you with nearly pure oxygen), but in discussions with People Who Know, it's probably them AND the compressor. Ugh!

Good: First, I'm on tanked oxygen and my torch is humming along for now. We're kind of kicking around the idea of going back to tanks long-term but it's actually a lot more expensive than getting the Onyx repaired.

Second: I have bead sets listed on Etsy!!!! You can find them, and some listings for handspun yarn, right here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesertDreamer

I'll leave you with a new music recommendation. I heard Crystal Bowersox on Jay Leno a few weeks ago, and really liked her voice. She's country-ish, but not in a way that I find annoying. It's just fun, sing-along, toe-tapping good music. Enjoy!

Tripped up already LOL

Obviously once a week was a little ambitious. I knew, last weekend, that I should be posting something, but really didn't have much to say. I've been swallowed up by my Nook and all of these lovely books to read! I used to be an avid reader, back when I lived in NYC and Philly...commuting by mass transit is good for that. These days I don't have a commute and there always seems to be something else to do. I swore I was going to start reading at least 40 pages a day...then a very good book sucked me in and that was that! I've come up for air, though, and now I'm going to try to LIMIT myself to 40 pages. (Yeah, yeah, don't hold your breath.)

Both offspring will be back in school as of tomorrow, so I get to rearrange my routine all over again. Planning on more torch time and more fiber time. I was generously gifted with some silvered glass (thank you!!!!), and I want to try to make the best of it and get it figured out. Crossing fingers!

Here's the book that ate my time last week. It's a romance (something I don't usually read, unless it has something else going for it), entwined with a young woman's love and study of wild butterflies.

This time I mean it!

Okay, so my Good Intentions for 2010 blogging didn't go so well. This year I'm going to aim for a once-a-week post, because how hard can that be? LOL Stay tuned, and prepare to mock me later, I'll probably deserve it.

Meanwhile, here we are at the start of 2011. I have hopes and goals on several fronts but, me being me, I'm playing it cautiously. I will say this much, just so it can be on "paper" to allow me less wiggle room later. I have goals for more consistent listings on Etsy, better productivity overall, better organization, and genuine attempts to stay on track and focused. (Anyone else wondering how much Ritalin that might take? LOL) I want to make more finished jewelry, more consistent bead sets, and spin down a significant portion of my fiber stash. I'm also buckling down to work on the Handspinning Certificate of Excellence. I've been a spinner for over 35 years, I think that's long past due.

I have to mention one gadget I acquired over the holidays. Mike (hubby) bought me/us a Nook Color. I love it! It's easy to use, and has a tremendous amount of potential, as well.

So, it's 10 a.m. on the first Sunday of the year. Time to sign off, get laundry going, and finish unpacking. I'd intended (there's that word again!) to make beads today, but I think I'll be better off getting my various spaces sorted out and decluttered instead.

I wish anyone and everyone who reads this a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Flame on!