It's Raining, Praise the Lord

I hear the wonderful sound of rain and thunder outside.  I am so thankful to have rain falling on my beloved parched North East Texas.  After all the fires, this precious rain is such a welcome gift from God.

Fire, Fire, Fire Everywhere!

Labor Day, September 5, 2011 brought tragedy and heroism to my small community of Diana in the form of wild fires.  The winds from hurricane Lee battered the drought stricken trees of North East Texas, snapping them off like small twigs.  The broken tree branches were slammed by the wind into electric lines, breaking the lines and sending them tumbling to the ground.  When the electric lines hit the ground they sparked igniting the parched brown grasses on the ground.  The fire was alive and on the move then.  The fire traveled at a very fast pace because of the strong winds of hurricane Lee.  The volunteer fire department responded almost immediately and managed to save all by one home that was threatened.  The fire burned for several days and new fires broke out many times during the next few days.  The firefighters continues to do what was necessary to contain the fire and protect human life and property.  They are true heroes.  The members of the Diana community were quick to step up with donations of food, water, fuel, money and helping hands.  I am so proud to be a part of this loving community.  Small town USA?  Yep, that's a real compliment.  May I ever belong to a loving small town USA.  I thank God for allowing me to live in such a wonderful place in Texas.

Gift Giving Time is Coming

Can you believe it?  It's AUGUST!  Only 4 1/2 more months until Christmas and Holiday gift giving time arrives.  I am an 'all year long' shopper.  I begin my Christmas shopping the day after Christmas each year.  I keep a list of items I'd like to get for each person on my list when I think of it.  (I have to do this or I forget~!  Old age is such a pain. <smile>)  I also shop sales all year long and try to always have a ready supply of hostess, birthday, housewarming, bridal shower, baby shower gifts and any other gift giving ocassion that comes up during the year.   My gift closet is almost always full.  I save loads of money this way, by buying gift items when they are on sale.   A few years ago I discovered Etsy.com and just fell in love.  I am still amazed each time I search for unique and handmade or vintage gifts and ~OK, I confess...items for myself too~!  The talent of the artist of Etsy.com is astounding.  Last night I decided on a family gift giving theme and created an Etsy Treasury.  I will have to make more family treasuries later, because I found so many wonderful items I didn't have room for in just one treasury collection.  This is the link to that treasury. 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/M​TA5NDkzOTJ8NTUzMTAxODEw/its-a-​family-affair

It's a Family Affair

www.etsy.com 

Take a few minutes and check it out.  You'll be so pleasantly amazed. 

If you have never shopped year round, why not give it a try starting now?  You will be happy when December arrives and you are almost finished with your shopping......and spending.  I am always on the lookout for just the right gift for my loved ones and if i wait until December to begin the search I feel too stressed and too broke.  I take December to browse and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas.  I decorate the house, wrap the gifts, cook, entertain, and relax some.  I have promised myself this year I'm going to even wrap some gifts before December.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?  Decorate the tree, go to my gift closet and take pre-wrapped and labeled gifts out and place under the tree....Wow!  I am going to dedicate 1 hour a week to wrapping and labeling gifts and see how I do. 

 Hoping you all have a wonderful day.

Remember....no one can make you feel bad unless you give them permission.

Denise~

A NEW ETSY TREASURY OF GREAT ITEMS!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQyMTkxODF8NTUxMTg3MzQ0/autumns-coming

Check it out!

Gearing Up for the Fall/Winter Holiday Season

Am I being overly optimistic?  I certainly hope not!  I prefer to think of it as being prepared.  I have been working like a drone to create new and different wreaths, floral arrangements, and storage boxes for my ETSY and BONANZA stores.  I am planning to expand to EBAY this month.  The hardest part of this is dedicating the computer time necessary when I really want to be creating wreaths.  I just love love love making wreaths.  <smile>  Yesterday I created a Christmas Kissing Ball (it's so adorable), a Funky Turquoise Feather Wreath, a bright Pink Storage Box, a Christmas Swag, etc, etc.  You get the idea.  This weekend my work space has been used many hours and I want to be in there creating even when I must be sleeping.  Two weeks ago I had 3 sales and this past week nothing.  I am hoping to learn more about marketing online and of course that also takes computer time.  Maybe I need a partner....nah...I know I can do it myself.  Can anyone say, Time Management???

Well, enough about that.

I am so happy to be alive today.  It's a glorious day, so bright and sunny, so HOT!  North East Texas has certainly been a very hot and dry place to be since the beginning of July.  My grass is crunchy.  Yep, crunchy!  I try to water it just enough to keep it alive, but even that is very expensive.  Last month over $100.00 of water went on my 'crunchy' grass.  I really am happy to be alive today, even though I told you how hot and dry it is here.  But, the one thing I know, God will send the rain and cooler weather when it's time.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

If you have the time and inclination.....check out my stores.  http://www.bonanza.com/booths/thejourneyaccents
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JAZZYWREATHSINTEXAS?ref=si_shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheJourneyAccents?ref=si_shop

STATTEAM artists on ETSY

STATTEAM artists on ETSY