The Rabbit Hole

This is copy-pasta from a blog post Here, with news stories Here and Here. I don't actually know these people, but it's so sad... I want to pass it on, see if anyone else can help even a little.

"At 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, an old friend of mine lost her home, her belongings, her husband, her 4 year old son and her 8 month old daughter to a fire. She was saved by a neighbor who put a ladder up to her bedroom window. Her 12 year old step daughter also made it out on her own. The neighbors tried to put a ladder up to the children's window, where their father was trying to save them, but were unable to due to the smoke and flames. The fire department was able to remove her husband and children from the home within 10 minutes of arriving, but as I already mentioned, it was too late.

I've been having a hard time keeping my eyes dry for the last couple days. I know her story and this isn't the first time I've cried for her. When we were in high school, I remember going to the funeral home for visitation for her mother who passed away. I cried again for her at her wedding where they had a rose and picture of her mother set up front with the thought that her mother was smiling down on her wedding from heaven. At those times I couldn't imagine going through life and getting married without my mom by my side. Now I couldn't imagine the rest of my life without my husband by my side and watching my children grow.

This friend, Amanda, is only 27 and has suffered unimaginable loss. She could use a lot of prayers right now and, because she has lost everything, she is in great need of financial support as well. I don't have a very large reach on my little blog, so I was hoping that some of you could help me spread the word by blogging about this as well.

Her work place has set up the 'Buckland Family Trust Fund' at the Eastern Michigan Bank, but they are also accepting donations, for those who cannot make it to the bank, at the following address:

Ullenbruch's Flower Shop
C/O Amanda Buckland
1839 Lapeer Ave
Port Huron, MI 48060"

There is a paypal link to donate if you can spare $5.00

Paypal Link Click Here

FetLife is giving away a ton of kinky stuff from a bunch of different producers. Dude... I'm full of want! Go check it out if you're one of the kinky people on my FL and enter to win.

http://fetlife.com/sit_on_santas_lap

Last night was the Jaz dinner; we were all taken to Avalon for the Holiday dinner, and it was amazing. I had an extra dirty martini, of course. Hee. And presents! Oh man, I MADE OUT! 2 bags of Has Beans, a grumpy looking bunny, a Jaz Kidz hoodie, a (stainless steel?) Jaz Kidz thermos and.... get this.... a bottle of Redbreast as an award for being the "most outspoken"! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love my job!

My dad sent me a wreath for Christmas. I'm such an ungrateful child that my first thought was "that's it? really?" But now I have a wreath. I'm glad that it's make of real tree parts, rather than being plastic. It smells nice. I have no idea where to put it; my front door already has a wreath of plastic flowers and bunnies. Hurm.

This post brought to you by the letter C.

I started playing Gaia again.

Life is good.

^.^

I have successfully completed a decent portion of X-mas present making/shopping. There are still plenty of people I should get stuff for, but I'm at a loss. Anyone want jewelry for the holidays? I never manage to find something for everyone; too many of you strange people. Still, in the interest of making wishes so they can come true....

What do you want for Christmas?

I'm having a hellofa time answering that question myself, actually. I need a new bead box.... Well, I'm easy to get stuff for.

Speaking of which, I think I got screwed on Jaz Kidz Secret Santa (secret non-denominational winter present giving of your choice). I got "the new girl".... so new that she hadn't actually started work yet (she does tonight) and no one except those boss people have met her. Of course, they don't know anything about her. Usually, at staff meetings, we all fill out paper about what we like and dislike and those are mixed up and given out. For example, in the section on what you like to drink, I write: Whiskey (Irish), Coffee - NOT Starbucks OMG EWWWW, nice tea, whiskey. (That's not a typo). Since new girl (Chryste) wasn't there, here paper looks like this:
wild
? food
computer

Yep. That's it. Urgh.

I'm hoping new girl Chryste has a sense of humor, because I went ahead and bought the Common Cold microbe plushie from Thinkgeek while doing other shopping. I figured that whoever I got for this year's SS would likely find that amusing. So, there is at least something. Damnit though, I want it to be a more meaningful present. I hate the lame presents. Last year I got shower stuff from bubbles. It was boring, and some of it smelled like gardenia. I don't like giving boring presents.

Chryste works overnights the same days as me at the other house. I'm trying to get AM staff over there to give her the 3rd degree so that I can come up with something original. Otherwise, a gift basket of things to do on overnights. Here's hoping she drinks coffee.

Then there is also Susan. Susan is the financial adviser/planner/etc. for Jaz Kidz. She's one of the very few who don't work with the kids, but she keeps everything running from a money perspective. She's top of her game, and also super nice. Last two X-mas dinners, Ryan and I sat with her and her husband. Good people. Last two years, she got screwed on Secret Santa. Now, Leah gives everyone $5.00 - $15.00 gift cards to Starbucks around the holidays. Someone just took those cards out of their own and gave them to Susan for SS. Now THAT is Office style lame. Good lord. Anywho, she's not participating this year, but I still want to get/make her something. That lady is gold.

Oh work, the things you do to me.

I ordered a purple tree from Walmart, and it should come in the mail soon. PURPLE. Sometime after it has arrived, I will run around to the lots and grab some fir branches for the smell, but I won't have to worry about finding a tree in the future. And it's me. A purple tree is just perfect, dah?

There are lots of projects still, some of which I need help on. Waiting until finals are over...

OH, that reminds me! I'm done with CR this semester... sorta! One class has no final, so this week was the last week for it. In Thomas' Critical Thinking, I didn't have to take the final because I had a 95% A in the class. Woooo! Me and 3 others. I also got a giant golden paperclip (longer than my hand is wide, I swear) for getting the highest cumulative quiz score of the class at 100%. Yay me! I'm done having to drive up to CR this semester! I still need to take a final for my History class, but that isn't due until the 14th. I'll study some at work this week and take the final Thursday. I currently have 140% in that class, so I'm not actually concerned. I'm essentially done... now it is time to work on the BSW application *shock!*

That personal statement will be the most difficult. My writing skills have decayed in the last couple of years, and I'm going to need to be at the top of my game. It's a short 5 pages (double spaced? single?), but it'll need to be packed. Anyone wanna help me with the editing process?

More beading will happen! I keep wanting to write informative essays about different aspects of beading because I think that many people don't have any concept about the style of beading I do. Not to sound egotistical or anything; it's more like I want to share these things so that people might have some understanding of something I dearly love.

Made two earrings and two bracelets last night.

I also got the stuff to start sewing. Ryan found the power cord and pedal, I got 3-in-1 oil, canned air, needles (a variety), thread, and the manual. This means that, once I clean everything and figure out how to thread the machine (and make bobbins!) I can actually start sewing. It's getting closer!

Projects: Re-organize the fabric/craft drawers at the landing. Re-organize the top of the landing to accommodate smaller altar space and X-mas decorations. Wrap presents, and mail those that need to be mailed. Keep on... beeeeeading. Re-organize livingroom walls....

I am beginning to want the front room to look different. I think... it's a little like being bored with my surroundings.

And someday? Someday I'll replace that couch/loveseat thing with one that is better (but is without the fold out bed).

Am reading: _Zombie_ by Oates, the first of the Harry Potter books (audio). I jumped on the wagon years later. Go me.

HEY. DID YOU READ THIS FAR? K. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?

SALE TIME!

DiamondSeeds is having it's first ever sale, and a whopper of a sale it is! Everything but the earrings are 50% off. HALF the price. Woo hoo!

The sale will run from 12:00 AM December 3rd (Thursday) to 11:59 PM December 10th (Thursday).To take advantage of the sale, follow these directions.

1. Buy an item as you normally would, and add the code "WEEEESALEHOMGYAY" to the 'message to seller'.

2. If you've purchased with paypal, I'll refund half of the price of the item via paypal.

3. If you've purchased by some other means, pay only half the amount.

4. Gift certificates may be used for this sale, but not purchased.

5. Other offers cannot be combined with this sale price.

6. If you are having your jewelry shipped, shipping prices remain the same.

Etsy Buy Handmade DiamondSeeds

This weekend? It was totally relaxing. No stress, no worries, good people.... just... calm....

I enjoyed that.

Back to having to do things though. Back to work and school. Tonight I've got to write a 'case study' about one of my clients. It's very fill-in-the-blank basic such things. I may have a Critical Thinking final on Friday, so I'm studying for that as well. Thomas (teach) has given us a cheat sheet for the exam that we can fill out, one side, to use. Tiny handwriting, that's right. I need to find one of my fine point pens.

I'm going to try to photograph jewelry today; I want to get the rest of it done and ready for the sale. Up and going. It may take a while. Shoot. I plan poorly.

....

Guess how I feel?

I made six Sweet Potato Pies last night. It was epic. And a little messy.

I actually used partial Yam in the mix to give the pies that nice, deeper colour. Since I often use brown sugar to make them, I don't have that problem usually. This year? Splenda. And a nut crust. One for Jaz Kidz, one for Ryan and I, one for the dinner we're going to Thursday, and two to bring up to the mountains for friends.

I am awake a little early, waiting for the Progressive claims lady to call. I backed into another car nearly a month ago, and I'm not an easy person to get ahold of for a 9-5er, by phone at least. I guess she wants to ask questions. Here's to coffee.

Tonight, with luck, I'll have the chance to look up online which physicians are covered by my insurance locally. Or... well, the correct form of that statement. My back pain is full of terrible, and I want it done with. Not really surprisingly, drinking copious amounts of alcohol makes the pain unnoticeable. Too bad I can't do that at work.

I have coffee and I hear a man in leather approaching.

Edit: And now Ryan introduced me to this hilarious video that will make you snarfle whatever you happen to be drinking.

For the first time.... ever, I need to find a general practitioner.

I have insurance through my job.

What do I do? I mean, I've never done this. I don't know how to find one, how to vet them, etc.

I need muscle relaxants badly. The pain is terrible.

Spring 2010, my LAST semester at CR, begins on January 16th.

PE 9: Hiking! Friday 01:00PM - 03:55PM 1.00 unit Instructor: Susan E. Kidd. This one's on the main campus. I need to take an exercise class for weight loss, and this works well with my schedule. I'll need to buy shoes.

SOC 3: Human Sexuality! Monday 06:00PM - 09:10PM 3.00 units. Instructor: Dana N. Maher, Ph.D. Also on the main campus. As you can see, Durhum (am? ham?) isn't teaching the class, AND this instructor has a Ph.D. I'm jazzed.

GEOL 10: Environmental Geology! Online class. 3.00 units. Instructor: James M. Renner. I never did a physical science, and I need one for GE/AA/BSW. Woot.

HIST 9: US History Reconstruction - Present! Online class. 3.00 units. Instructor: Thomas S. Owen. That history I'm taking now? Yeah... wrong history, because I can't brain sometimes. Oh well! As Renee said, this will just be like a review.

I bought yarn! It is pretty rubine purple!

If anyone wants to make me arm warmers, I'll give ya the rest of the yarn.... or jewelry trade?

Yes, it's a purple and red meal. Yes, I didn't realize until just this moment. I put on my red-had shoes just to write this up.

Cabbage rolls are delicious and amazing things, but the rice isn't alright on the diet. Of course, you can still make them with rice; I just didn't. That extra step will take... however long it takes your rice to cook. To make it extra flavorful, at a packet of Ramen flavoring or cook the rice in broth.

Onward to the delicious! Remember, this is going to be really photo heavy.

Let's walk through how I went and made this:


( More than 30 pic of different sizes )
Comment if you liked it, or if you have any questions

:LKUPOETYHT:WJETIOUOIUJ

*keyboard banging*

Today is staring off shitty; I need it to turn around post-haste.

Woke up to a telephone call from a friend, and that was rather nice.

Then I tried to register for classes. Webadvisor shut down before 5pm last night, so I couldn't then. Trying it now... and everything is working well enough until I get to the registration page. [Name of class] cannot be registered for at this time. Jerks. No, I have all the bloody pre-reqs, etc. There's no damn reason, except that CR's tech department is actually hamsters. Cranky hamsters.

We've discovered, during this process, that CR stopped doing it's telephone registration system. Even more suck. Good god, make it impossible for me to register for my last semester.

Or so we hope. Got an e-letter from Sallie Mae saying my loan has been denied. Wut? Now, they've already given me some $$ for this year, so I really and truly have no idea what's happening. Gar. Of course, no one has offices open on a Saturday (although they'll evidently send correspondence) so I can't find out until Monday.

When I'll have to go up to CR and register. Chicks who work at the registration desk: I'm not pissed at you, I'm pissed at the technological incompetence of the school you work for. Quit taking it personally.

Now, Ryan is trying to make the day better with coffee and Costco. Three cheers for a wonderful loving boy.

I have big entries planned. Photos, and another installment of delicious meal stuff.... but that'll have to wait a bit.

Guess what? I'm having a sale.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/diamondseeds

Ok, not quite yet. The sale will be stupendous, and occur the first week of December. If you've been looking, it'll be a great time to buy.

Have a look-see anyway.

I am, without a doubt, a very lucky human being.

I woke up to a warm room, just a little sore from the night before. Everything smelled wonderful, and I drifted in and out of dreams for a while, eventually wrapped a blanket around myself and went downstairs to the couch. Ryan came home and make me coffee and a crazy breakfast: steak, chev, eggs, mushrooms.

My day before work was spent mostly in cuddles and conversation. I feel incredibly loved.

Ooo! Also, I have joined the growing ranks of people who make booze at home. Go me!

Show of hands! Who would like to see a pre-Christmas sale at DiamondSeeds?