Wow, I promise to get back on the ball. The culprit is Silver Bella! We've got stacks and stacks and stacks of stuff over here...folding tables dominating our living quarters, and every time I mention how many days til Silver Bella, Aaron sticks his fingers in his ears. He hates being reminded of deadlines!
But he's excited. I was going over my thoughts on the way our table should be set up on vendor night and Aaron says, "This makes me happy. Not many things make me truly happy... But when I think of people coming together, setting up tables, displaying their artwork for a select group of big fans...well, it's a good thing top to bottom."
And it is. In the past we've been through all the hoops and hurdles. We've worked for months and months only to discover that the art/craft show was completely under promoted. Those were nightmares...countless hours and dollars invested and nobody shows up! You sit there all day, eating whatever the snack vendor is offering and you say, 'I will never do a show like this again!'
But we know that Silver Bella is a whole different thing. Our anxiety is based on what a downright positive artistic retreat this will be, and if we'll be able to pull through with flying colors!...So bear with us as we prepare.
Quick update on my brother Jay. I didn't want to mention any medical specifics but I guess I can here. I only ask that you don't give me your assessments/diagnoses/ or opinions, because I'll internalize the info and go crazy...well, crazier ! Ok, we took him for a bone marrow test, which should be the 'be all, end all' of tests. I mean, how much more invasive can you get?! Anyway, the kid was terrified! He'd simply rather not! But we coaxed him and convinced him that it must be done...we need answers. And of course we don't have the answers yet! I think that when a doctor takes any type of sample out of you he then hands the samples to a courier who then boards a hot air balloon, which he flies around the world twice, then he brings it to the lab and then they'll call you with the results. Anyway, the test was not pleasant. Jay wanted me in the room with him so he could squeeze my hand but at the last minute the doc tossed me out. I'll leave the rest of the details out. I'll only say that it was very very painful for him during and for about two days after. So right now the hot air balloon is rounding the southern tip of Bali so results are soon to come! No, but really, I think end of this week or mid next week. I just want this kid to get better. I want there to be nothing grim in these test results. There are five of us Heid kids, me and my sis, and then three boys in a row. Jay is the middle boy and so much about him is middlechildesque. He looks up to his big bro and takes care of his little bro. He's the type of kid who, at ten years old, would come into the livingroom, unannounced, with a tray of like seven hot cocoas all topped with whipped cream, and hand each of us one. A true nurturer, and his job is proof enough. He's in the dietary department at a nursing home and teeny tiny little old ladies are constantly sending letters to my parents singing Jason's praises. He's witness to a lot of people in their last days and he's selfless enough to not let death scare him away from caring for people when they need it most. It takes a certain breed to work in that environment and Jay is that breed. So, that's all for now on Jay. You guys have been so great with your wishes and prayers and patience with me for not keeping up this blog!
Ok, now for the sweet stuff. I've mentioned my friend Natalea before (pronounced: natalie). Well, she walked into a candy shop up near Buffalo, NY and get a load of the name of the place! Sweet Jenny's.
She thought of me but didn't just settle on telling me about it or at the most, grabbing a business card for me...nope, she bought stuff! And what's really great is that she wouldn't take just any assorted box...she asked the girl behind the counter to arrange the chocolates so that the ice cream cone appeared in the center! I do the same thing...I neeeed good presentation! Well the chocolates tasted as good as they look. We worked a long day and at about eight o'clock we were leaving to go get dinner. We were both about to faint from hunger so we scarfed down the whole box before we walked out the door. We were going mmmmmm, ohhhh, ahhhhhhh, mmmmmmm. If there had been a hidden camera trained on us it would be some embarrassing footage. Natalea is a doll and I cannot wait to meet her in person at Silver Bella!
How cuuuuute are these ornaments?! Wait, before I go on, let me get this off my chest...it has to do with the spelling of "cuuuuuuute". Do any of you guys have teenage daughters or teenage sisters? And if so, have you read any of their online conversations or comments on myspace? Well if you have, you might notice that young girls like to add letters to their words to show emphasis, just like I do. Only they do it like this "cuteeeeeeeeeeee" or "trueeeeeeeeeeee" or "I loveeeeeeeeeeeee it!" Can't they see that they're getting it wrong? Correct the way you spell incorrectly young ladies. So if you have teen daughters or sisters please pass on this word to the wise. Ok, now these ornaments...they are just so darn awesome! They are made by my new friend Sadie of Sadie Lou Who? over on Etsy. She calls them Betsy ornaments. The sequin hair is just so clever. Little gleaming flappers batting their lashes at you. The faces are hand drawn on fabric and all of the tiny details are perfectly executed. I really look forward to putting them on the Christmas tree. Halloween rules but it's really only the opening band for the big day in December! Silver Bella is really gonna kick us into holiday high gear. We'll probably put up our tree by Thanksgiving!
Carole of Lulu Sparkles is a top notch jewelry maker. And it's more than just her craftsmanship. It's her selection of elements, tones, shapes, sizes. Everything is just so RIGHT. I have a growing collection of glittery goodness from this style maven and here are the newest gems. The earrings are just to die for and the Skater Girl necklace will be worn to every one of Walt's hockey games(my reason for selecting it). I'm gonna take more pics of her stuff so you can see all the excellent details. I LOVE everything Carole creates!!! Go have a peek at her shop..tell her Jenny sentcha!!
Ok, that's all for now. When I post in the day time I feel a bit like Mr. Rogers. Like I before I sit down to the computer I exchange my work clothes and work shoes for my comfy stuff and then I talk about and show off all the wonderful things life has to offer, and then at the end of the half hour I switch back into work clothes and walk out the door. Man, Mr. Rogers was so magic. The repetition was what was so comforting. I imagine a lot of kids out there never had the benefit of repetition in their lives and good ole Fred Rogers and Trolley were willing and able stand ins. Anyway, back to the piles of stuff that needs doing. Thanks! xoxo, Jenny
