Something That Makes Me Happy

Today's assignment is to show a picture of something that makes us happy. Well it makes me happy to make things so I thought I would show you some wonderful mixed media paintings I want to try to make. I think these are so cool because I can use some of my scrapbook supplies on them. I got the idea from one of my favorite bloggers, Christy Tomlinson. She is a very talented artist who sells monthly scrapbook kits and other artistic goodies. I am seriously considering signing up for her online 3 week course that shows how to do these pictures and gives tips on other creative uses for scrappy stuff. You can find her blog at www.christytomlinson.typepad.com . You should top by and check it out.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers this week. It has been difficult, but I know he is a much better place. My aunt is doing so well. She is an amazingly strong woman and I am so proud of her. She is a great inspiration to me on how I should try to live my life. Hope everyone has a great day !!

A Heavy Heart

I am going to have to ask for a time out on my 30 day challenge today because my heart is just not in it. My heart is broken today. My uncle passed away around 12 today after a few horrible weeks of suffering. He had had 2 strokes since New Years Eve. I ask for prayers for all my family, but especially for my sweet Aunt Dean. I know she will be lost without him. John L. Morgan was a wonderful kind generous man who will be truly missed. I love you John Boy.

Challenge Day #5

I found this wonderful quote that I thought summed up everything I have to say about today's challenge topic, my friends.

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our spirit has trouble remembering how to fly."

I love all of my dear friends more than I can ever possibly express :)

Challenge Day #4

Today's assignment is to tell you about my parents. They are without a doubt the silliest folks I know. This July will be their 39th wedding anniversary. For all their nonsense, they really do have a wonderful marriage with a lot of love. I am very fortunate to grow up around that. That is one reason why I am still single. If I can't have a long happy marriage like them, then I am not really interested. Since I am the only child, they both are very dependant on me. I tell my mom all the time that I wonder how anything got done before I became an adult and took care of everything. I don't need any children, I have two senior citizen toddlers to contend with, lol. There newest thing is to fight over the Nintendo DS I bought them for Christmas. Nothing gets my dad in trouble quicker than forgetting to plug it in to charge before he goes to bed, LOL LOL. They drive me crazy and I fuss a lot but I love them both more than words can ever express. I have been blessed beyond measure to have these wonderful people raise me.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Hey folks, can you believe I have stuck with this for 3 days now. That must be some sort of record, lol. So today it is all about my favorite things. It is hard to narrow things down. So I guess I will hit the highlights.

Owls - I am not really sure when it started but I have fallen deeply in love with all things owl. They are just so cute with their expressive little faces. I have started quite a nice collection of owl goodies. Right now they are really popular so it is easy to find stuff. I can't wait until I get to go to the Harry Potter theme park where they have a whole store of owl things. Someone will have to sit on me to keep me from spending a million dollars in there, lol.

Harry Potter - Speaking of owls, I have to give a shout out to my favorite books and movies of all time. I don't think I can trust someone who doesn't love JK Rowling and the marvelous world she created. I have read all the books several times and I know all the movies by heart. I never ever get tired of it. I am so excited about the last movie coming out in July. It will be sad th0ugh, I will have to have some tissues with me because I feel sure I will cry at the end. I hold out eternal hope that Ms. Rowling will eventually give in and write some more about the Harry Potter world.

Crafts - I am a crafty girl. I come by it honest, my mom has always been the most creative person I know. I have worked hard and built a great creative space with all the toys and such that you could want. I love jewelry making and I have turned it into quite a little business. I have always loved stickers and pretty pieces of paper so that made the scrapbooking a no brainer. It is also a wonderful way to record the history of your life (yes I know I am corny). My newest love is painting. I bought some great stuff today to work on some collage style paintings I have in my head. I will have to post some pictures when I get them done. I really do wish I knew how to sew, but I am totally disfunctional with a needle. I have been banned from my mom's sewing machine since I was little. Maybe one day I can find a good class to help my dysfunction.

Twilight Fan Fiction - I don't really know where this love came from, but it is an obsession for me. I follow dozens of stories and the writers are amazing. Most of the are better than Stephanie Meyer. Most of them just take the character names and a few character traits and then build their own stories around that. The most frustrating part is that if you find a story at the beginning, you have to wait for them to be updated one chapter at a time. Some writers are really good and update once or twice or week. Some will leave you hanging for a month. I have been know to squeel outloud when one of my favorites is updated. I just wish someone else would read them to so I had someone to discuss them with. It is really good stuff people !!!!

I could go on for days about favorite colors (purple and red), Paris stuff, good ink pens, new books and all the other things that make me smile. I will leave it here for now. Sorry I only included one picture, my computer is acting foolish. It is time I break down and get a new one. This one is overloaded with all the graphics I use for my jewelry and the gazillion pictures I have saved on it. Looks like Staples will get my tax refund this year, lol. See you guys later :)

What's In a Name

So my assignment today is to explain the name of my blog. Well, simply put, it is the name of my business Purple Treasures. I guess the story is from where that name came from. When I first created my ebay account like 10 years ago, I couldn't come up with a user name that wasn't already taken. To help, the website asked several questions to help come up with one, things like your favorite color, favorite things...those sorts of things. So ebay created the name purple treasures for me as my new user name. Well at the time I drove a bright purple Neon that everyone loved to comment on. So when the girls at work found out about my ebay name, they cracked up. It so fit because of the car. Then they saw a picture of my senior prom dress, which happened to be the same shade of purple, and well the nickname just stuck. When it came to naming my little business, I figured why not use that since so many people already associated it with me. It may not make a lot of sense to some folks, but it is sorta special to me.



On a serious note, please pray for my family right now. My uncle has been suffering with dementia for awhile now and he has had 2 strokes since New Years. We were back in the emergency room with him again tonight. My poor aunt is just at the end of her rope. At this point there is not much that can be done. My prayer is that he is not suffering or in any pain. His doctor told us tonight that he feels the end will come soon. He and my aunt have been married 58 years. I know she will be lost without him.



I hope to hear from some of my other bloggy friends. Until tomorrow...

Remember Me ????

Long time no see right, can you believe it?? I have been so woefully neglectful of my blog the last few months. It was crazy around the end of the year. Purple Treasures has just taken off like wildfire in the last 6 months or so. I am sending my helper to the post office with 15 or 20 packages or more a week. During late November and December, he was going 3 times a week. I am so thankful for all the success. It doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging and other such things though. I follow a dozen or so blogs daily but do such a poor job myself. So one of my goals for the new year (I refuse to call them resolutions) is to be a better blogger. My dear friend Jaime found a 30 blog challenge that I loved so I am going to use it to get back in the swing of things. Here is a list of what to look for, I have made a few changes from the original:

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your favorite things
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your Friends
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite tv shows
Day 12-Something You have Made
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Favorite Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture

So here we go with day #1 Introduce myself and give 15 random facts about me. I will not be including a picture because I HATE all pictures of myself. I would just rather talk, lol. My name is Christy Allison Harp and I was born February 10, 1974 in Decatur, Alabama. My parents names are Bobby and Jean and I am an only child. I have worked as the insurance clerk/office manager for Dr Laron Hardy for a little over 5 years. I also have my ever growing and expanding business, Purple Treasures on the side. Here are some random, sometimes odd, things about little old me.

1. I hate being an only child, I think it has made me a little crazy. The responsibility you take on
as your parents get older is very stressful too when you are the only one.

2. I believe in ghosts

3. I hate hot liquids in any form. No coffee, tea or soups for me. YUCK !!

4. I have never owned or ridden a bicycle.

5. I drink way too much Diet Dr Pepper for one person

6. I currently subscribe to around 20 magazines. It is an addiction I have had for years, lol.

7. I was dysfunctionally cripplingly shy and withdrawn until I was about 19 years old. I was
afraid of everyone and everything and worried myself sick. It was pretty miserable.

8. If I went back to college today, I would have a double major of Graphic Design and History

9. I could eat pizza everyday and be happy

10. I would gladly spend my lunch money on a book

11. I have never been to a concert, unless you count band, which I don't, lol

12. I really hope to write someday. I have characters in my head that have been there for years
and years. I would love to tell their stories.

13. I am too honest and tend to say the first thing that pops in my head. It is my worst fault I
think.

14. I am fiercely loyal and protective of the people that I love

15. I am obsessed with British history, especially the royal families.

So I think that is it for day one. Let's hope I can keep this up. I challenge everyone else to take part too. I would love to read everyone else's

Reading Rainbow :)

I know right, I go for what months with no posts and now 2 within days of each other. Blame it on the new meds I guess, lol. Anywho, I thought that since all I do really is work and read that I would share some of my most recent samplings.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella - LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. I didn't think she could write anything better than the Shopaholic books but I think this one might top it. It is a very touching and funny story, you know the kind where you are laughing through your tears sort of thing. It is not like some I have read that are horrible gut wrenching, slit your wrist sad or anything. It is definitely a good summer read

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick - I stumbled on this book by accident and couldn't put it down. It is so deliciously dark and brooding and gothic. It starts out as what appears to be a typical mail order bride, turn of the century story that quickly gets turned on its head. About halfway through, you will stop and say, NO WAY, that did not just happen. Be warned, these are not happy shiny people. The story will draw you in totally though. I think I read this one is like 3 days. Really good stuff !!

Savannah Breeze and Savannah Blues by Mary Kaye Andrews - Here is another lady that has never written anything I didn't love. She is just laugh out loud funny. The characters in these books are the same ones that were in Blue Christmas. Love me some Bebe and Wheezie. I think I am so Wheezie with her junking habit. I would so have a shop like hers if I could. I hope that Mrs. Andrews writes more about these fun folks. The Loudermilks are just the funniest old folks EVER, lol.

the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon - Dear lord Shann, I could kill you for getting me so obsessed with a 7 book series where each book is like 850 pages, LOL LOL. I may never get out of Scotland. Of course, if I get to stay with Jamie Fraser, it would be so worth it. I am totally in mad love with these books. Despite the fact that some may disagree with me, I find Jamie to be ALMOST as swoon worthy as some vampires. (Please note Amelia I did say almost ) I am about to die to go to Scotland and find me some stones to fall through, lol. I just finished the 2nd book and I am about 150 pages into the third one. It is really good so far. I feel like I will be fluent in Gaelic by the time I am done. For a hopelessly romantic history nut like myself, you don't get much better than this.

Somewhere in the middle of all this I still find time for all my trashy fan fiction (an abnormally large amount) plus the 40 some odd magazines I think I can't live without, lol. I have also started rereading Eclipse before the movie comes out (3 weeks from today !!!!) and I would like to read that new Bree Tanner book before then too. Guess I better get started. Chow for now :)

Random Musings on the MTV Awards

I know, I figure people thought I had forgotten how to blog. I really don't have a good excuse other than not enough time or laziness, both are pretty accurate. I watched most of the MTV awards last night and had several tidbits on my mind, so I thought I would share.

- I don't understand the appeal of those Jersey Shores people AT ALL !! The whole pre awards show was nothing but a big commercial for their new season. I am so sorry, but anyone who finds those horribly tanned icky boys attractive needs to have their heads examined. And don't even get me started on the girls.....definitely not a show I will be watching....it might melt my brain

- I can't help but feel old anytime I watch one of the awards show on here now. They always have people that I have never heard of. I consider myself a fairly well read person and I follow more gossip than is healthy...but there are still folks I have never heard of. Of course when you listen to most of them talk or sing...then you know why some people have no idea who they are.

- What the crap does Katy Perry see in Russell Brand....sorry....just don't get it

- I am so tired of everyone being so mean to Kristen Stewart. Yes, I know she is an odd little bird but I can't help it, I like her. My lord, she is only 20, she is just a baby. I can only imagine how scary it must be that every time you step outside you have crazy people calling your name and flashing cameras in your face. Yes, I know she is getting paid well for it, but that doesn't make it any easier to handle. I just wish people would stop being mean and just understand she is a shy awkward girl still trying to figure out her stuff.

_ My love for Robert Pattison remains...love the shorter hair..I can't wait to see his new movie with Reese Witherspoon, Water for Elephants. It is the next book on my to read list.

- Is is really essential that every other word be an f bomb. I mean I in no way claim that my language is perfect, far far from it. Also, an occasionally well placed f bomb can be humorous in certain situations. But last night was WAY over the top. I don't know that I have ever heard so many bleeps in one tv show. Seriously people...expand your vocabulary a little.

- Has anyone ever seen a better group of nominees than that for best male performance. Robert Pattison, Taylor Lautner, Channing Tatum, Zac Efron, and Daniel Radcliffe.......that list is a cougar's dream, LOL LOL

Ok, so that is rant for the day. I just had to get all that out. Now I can move on with my day. I really hope to start blogging more regularly, but I know myself better than to make any promises :)

Special K

I won't bother to offer any excuses as to why I am such a horrible blogger. I just need to make it more of a priority, simple is that. So, on with the good stuff.

Kendall Elizabeth Ledow - Whatever did we do before April 25, 2006?? This beautiful little girl has made every one's life a little brighter. She is the funniest person that I know. I would love to get inside her little head and see how she comes up with some of her silliness. She just melts my heart when she asks Aunt Christy to read or color with her. One of my favorite things in the world is spoiling her. I get in trouble with her mom sometimes, but I just can't help it. She loves all the sorts of things that I do, books, Barbies, princesses and of course purses and shoes. I feel truly blessed to be able to watch his special little girl grow up.

Katherine Elizabeth Gilliam - Kate the Great is my nickname for this perfect little girl. I must admit, there have been many times that I doubted you would ever arrive. When you are old enough, I want you to know just how very special you are. You see little one, you saved your mommy's life, in so many many ways. I get a little teary eyed just thinking about all the ways that you have healed some very old wounds for your mommy, wounds that all the love that your daddy or I could give her never really could. There are so many people who love you little one. I pray that you grow up with your mommy's common sense and your daddy's book sense. You will be smarter than us all then. Always know that Aunt Christy loves you very very much.

Sophie Kinsella - This author of the Shopaholic books is one of my favorites. No matter which book of hers I am reading, I always end up laughing out loud. Her most famous character, Rebecca Bloomwood, is so like me it is scary. If you love a good story and some great British humor, be sure to check some of her books out.

Kentucky Derby - I have always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby. It just seems like something every good Southerner and sports fan should do at least once. Plus, how many sporting events do you know of where a stylish hat is required. Sounds like my kind of party, LOL.

That is my entry for the lovely letter K. I will have another edition of my book nook coming soon. I have been reading some of the most wonderful books lately that I need to share. Until next time friends.

The Book Nook

Hello all, I thought that since the only thing that is any fun to do in the cold is curl up with a book, I decided to start my new little blog series. I have decided to keep track of the books I read this year by putting little tidbits on my blog. I am hoping this accountability will encourage me to read more and (my main problem) read a little more quickly. Here are a the last few I finished up 2009 with.

The Tsarina's Daughter by Carolly Erickson - Mrs. Erickson is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. This is the first book of hers that I have read that deals with Russia however. I have had a fascination for years with the family of the last czar of Russia, Nicholas II, and his family. All of them were murdered in 1918 during the Russian revolution. This book puts forth the idea, what if one of the daughters had survived. Many books have used this idea with Anastasia, but never Alexandria, like this one does. It is very dramatic and exciting with a smidge of romance mixed in. Even though you know how the real story ends, you will still be caught up in the this good read. I give it a strong A

The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith - OMG I discovered these books after I started watching the new tv show that is based on them. The books are SO much better. The show is good in its own right, but the only thing is has in common with the books is the names of the characters. They don't even look the same. Now please don't get me wrong, I adore Twilight and will be forever in love with Edward Cullen, but I must admit that The Vampire Diaries are at least as good and in many ways better. The female characters especially, Elena and her best friends Bonnie and Meredith are very strong brave young women. They are no one's victims and do a very good job of taking care of the drama themselves. Without the girls, none of the boy would stand a chance. This is very different from a weak and danger prone Bella. There are 4 books in the original series, The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury and Dark Reunion. They are all pretty short quick reads. Recently the author has started a new series that is a continuation with the same characters. The first of these books is call The Return, Nightfall. I have it and it is the next book on my list to read. The second book in the new series comes out sometime in February I think. For all my friends that adored Twilight, these are a must read. A+++

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch - This is the book I chose as our book club selection this month. I don't want to give too much away here before everyone has a chance to read it. It is pretty short and is a super fast read. There are some very memorable characters and it is quite funny at times. Overall I give this one a B-.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe - This is my newest book that I started the other night. So far, I ADORE it. It switches back and forth between a current day Harvard Phd candidate named Connie who is starting her dissertation in history and Deliverance Dane, her ancestor that suffered during the Salem Witch Trials. It is very mysterious and I am totally hooked. I will tell you more about it when I finish. One fun thing I have discovered so far is that mandrakes, like the ones in Harry Potter are very real. They have been used for centuries and are mentioned in great literature throughout history. My new little fact for the week I guess.

I hope everyone is reading something fun too. I would love to hear about what everyone else is reading. Have a super weekend. Let's all try to survive the cold !!!!!

January Begins with a J

Ok, so here I am keeping to my word and actually blogging for 2 days in a row. Right it down folks, because lord knows how long I will keep this up. So in honor of the new year I bring you J and all its fun.

Jaime - of course I would have to start the letter J with her. I have known J for quite a long time now, it will be 10 years this spring I think. Wow, time has really flown by. We didn't get along all that well when we first met. I am weird and Jaime doesn't do meeting new people very well so it took us a little while to warm up to one another. Now, I love her like a sister. I was so proud to be in her wedding and be around to see little Noah come into this world. Though she doubts herself, Jaime is one of the strongest, hardworking people I know. I am amazed at her ability to work, go to grad school and take care of a husband and child all at the same time. Love you bunches J, I aspire every day to be a little more like you, and hope I never make it on your "disappear" list, LOL LOL.

January - as I covered yesterday, this is my least favorite month of the year. Maybe because it so cold and drab. I just have to spend a lot of time chasing off the mulleygrubs this time of year.

Jewelry - If you have ever seen me, then you know I love me some shiny things. I have been this way ever since high school. I was totally miserable at the grocery store because I couldn't wear rings or bracelets because they got in the way. I have WAY more jewelry than one person should. I could probably wear different stuff everyday and go on for weeks without wearing the same thing twice. I am not a snob about it though. I would wear million dollar earrings with a $5 necklace from Claire's. I know what I like and just like to mix it all together. But rest assured, no matter how much I have own, it will ALWAYS match, lol

Jane Eyre- Wow, this is one of my all time favorite books. I consider this to be the first "real" book I ever read. When I was in the 9th grade I was totally absorbed in all those teeny series books I used to get from Scholastic, like Couples or Cheerleaders or something like that. So Mrs. Smith told assigned us a book report and I knew better than to try to pick several pages of literary commentary out of Sweet Valley High so I went in search of something new. Initially, I admit I checked Jane Eyre out because I loved the gold embossed dark red leather cover of the copy in our school library. When I read it, I totally fell in love with this sad little girl and her search for herself and her romance with Mr. Rochester. Gotta love the Bronte sisters for some dark gothic romance. I highly recommend it. I consider it one of the essentials of mine.

J.K. Rowling - I think if I was ever privileged enough to get to meet Mrs. Rowling in person, I would fall to my knees and do a very poor Wayne's World imitation of "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy" !! LOL LOL In my mind, authors don't come any more gifted or brilliant. When you read Harry Potter or watch the movies and to think that this whole wonderful world and all these characters came out of her imagination, even if you aren't a fan, you have to respect her talent. She is, in my opinion, the greatest living author today. I can't wait to read whatever she comes up with next. But wow, can you imagine the pressure. I mean seriously, how do you follow up on Harry? The stress must be incredible.

Ok, so there is my rambling on the letter J. I will try my best to keep up the new fond blogging habit. I will be thrilled if I can manage once a week at least to keep on the lookout for me. Have a great weekend. Happy 2010 !!

Auld Lang Syne

Hello strangers. It has been WAYYY too long since I did a blog. I figured New Years Eve was as good an opportunity as any to start back up. I could give a million and one excuses for not blogging but they are all just that.....excuses. One of my goals for next year is to do a much better job with it. I enjoy it a lot and I find it to be very cathartic.

I must confess, New Years is my LEAST favorite time of year. I have always found it to be unbearably sad. I usually find myself crying at some point on New Years Eve or New Years day. It is just the most depressing time for me. I don't really have a good explanation for why that is. I guess for me, the end of the year is a time to reflect on everything you have done and too me anyway, nothing is ever enough. I fight with feelings of failure every day so this time of year just makes it so much worse. I know on the rational side of my brain that I have so many wonderful things to be thankful for and have been blessed beyond measure. It is the funky side of my brain that I have to fight with. I think tonight I will find some foolproof way to make me happy, maybe a Harry Potter marathon or something. Or maybe I will watch Twilight. What better way to spend this evening than with my favorite vampires, LOL LOL.

I also have a HUGE problem with making resolutions. I hate the word. Again, I just feel like if you label things as resolutions, then they are doomed to fail. So I prefer to call my aspirations for new year my GOALS. Everyone needs a goal right?? My goals are fairly simple. I want to become healthier. I am not going to get all wrapped up in losing x amount of weight or making it to a particular size. I just want to feel better, whatever that takes. I also want to make more times for the things I love. I tend to put off things I enjoy doing because I feel like there is something else more important. I really want to work on my scrapbooking more, especially the old family pictures I have. It is so important to tell all the stories. I also want to strive to be a better friend. Sometimes I feel like I am too selfish, getting all wrapped up in my own nonsense. I want to do a better job this year of showing those I love how special they are to me.

Ok, so that is enough of my melancholy ranting for today. Tomorrow, I hope to jump back on with my alphabet blog with the fabulous letter J. I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Years Eve. God Bless !! :)

The I's have it !

Greetings all, sorry about the delay in the new post but it was been a crazy couple of weeks. I decided to have a little mini breakdown last week for some reason. I just couldn't seem to think straight at all. I attribute it to stress and horrible allergies. I had another craft show Saturday at the airport in Hartselle. It started off slow but really ended on a bang. I ended up selling more than I did at the last one !!! I was so excited. The bottle cap necklaces and the hair bows are a huge hit. Now I have 2 months to get ready for the 2 big shows in Cullman. Based on how I have done at these two tiny ones, I have my work cut out for me. I have also set up a flickr account. This is a great way to store photos online. I have created special folders for all the graphics that I have available for order on my jewelry. I only have a few on it now but I hope to have them all uploaded over the weekend. I will also be able to put up pictures of the finished products. This will give everyone an easy way to check out what I do and all the options that are available. Here is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/purpletreasures/ Be sure to stop by and check it out.
Here are just a couple of quick entries for the lovely letter I.

Ice - I adore ice in all its forms. My favorite is of course the wonderful Sonic ice. I always call it "rat pellet" ice, lol. When I went to London several years ago I learned that other countries do not support my love of a little drink with my ice. Imagine my surprise when I ordered a Diet Coke and got some small juice glass of warm liquid with no ice and a lime slice !!!!!! What on earth???????? I was never for thankful to see the Houston airport just so I could get my first cold drink in a week !!!!!

Italy - This is another place I would really love to visit. Someday I want to go see all the wonderful historical sights in Rome. I would also like to see St. Peters and Vatican City. The great authentic Italian food will be a big bonus too !!!

I can't really think of any more I thoughts. I promise to update again this weekend with some pictures from the craft show and some wonderful words of J wisdom. Have a great rest of the week.

The Hugely Important often Hilarilous Letter H !!

Hello folks, see I did manage to update again within a month. Will wonders never cease?? I am still hard at work on the craftiness. I think I would harder at home now than I actually do at work. I got some great new ribbon in last week as well as some really pretty Christmas print fabric so hopefully I will have some new holiday themed goodies for you to see soon. So without further ado, I bring you the wonderful letter H, my favorite so far I think.

History - anyone who knows me AT ALL knows that I am a history nut. There is a story behind the madness. When I was in the 5th grade I had a really awful teacher who was like seriously 108 at the time. She was tall and super skinny and had these freakishly long boney witch fingers. Not to mention the fact that she was practically deaf too. Well she gave us these horrible assigned seats and I got seated right in the middle of the trouble making rowdy boys. The thing was, whenever anything went wrong, she always blamed me !!!!!! Her punishment of choice was to make me copy entire chapters out of my social studies book. I think I copied that stupid book about 3 times through that year. The funny thing was, as I read what I was supposed to be mindlessly copying, I fell deeply in love with American History. Then when I was in the 9th grade I discovered Henry VIII and his wild self and my "history" was written. Even though I don't use it, my college major was history. I don't regret it for one single heartbeat. I adored every minute of every history class. I still read tons of non fiction history books and am addicted to the History channel. If money were no object and I could do anything in the world, I would go back to college and get my Phd and sit around and write textbooks all day. Some people will never understand my love of history. All I can tell them is that reality tv and tabloids have NOTHING on what real people have done.

House - I want my own house again. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents deeply, but I am in dire straights need of my own personal space. I have considered renting a town house but I just don't want to throw my money away. So my dream is to build my own house, just like I want it. It will have tons of room for people to come over (no more panning off book club and showers to others). Not to mention it would have the most mack daddy, tricked out craft room in the world. I want it to have plenty of room for tables so people can come play. I have been praying about this a lot lately and I really feel like it will happen for me. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday soon. Everyone is welcome when I do !!!!!

Hobby Lobby - I spend entirely too much time in this store. Of course it doesn't help that you can see it from the front lobby of the office, just tempting me to come in. My ultimate weakness is when they put out all the Christmas stuff. I am like a kid in a candy store. I tend to get sensory overload. My head is just too full of ideas. Anytime I can get out of there for less than $50, I consider it a personal victory, lol.

Harry Potter - I could blog on nothing but for weeks and never run out of things to say. They really are some of the most wonderful books I have ever read. I consider "Deathly Hallows" to be one of the greatest books ever written, period !!! They cover every facet of the human experience: love, hate, good, evil, birth, death, forgiveness. I could go on and on. For the critics out there who claim that they are evil and spark satan worshiping or that nonsense, well all I can say is that I feel sorry for you. You obviously have never read them. They are filled with the power of love and its ability to conquer evil. They tell us that good and bad are all determined by the choices that an individual makes. And I am sorry, any book that can spark a love of reading in so many millions of people could never ever be bad.

Hermione - It is just a coincidence that my favorite fictional character of all time just happens to be in the books mentioned above. Hermione is so important and significant for girls everywhere. Here is a girl who is brilliantly smart and isn't afraid to show it. She would never ever play dumb just to attract the attention of some boy. She uses all her intelligence to save the people that she loves most. Not to mention the fact that she is brave and loyal to the death. Harry was the chosen one, he couldn't escape all the danger. Hermione didn't have to be involved. She didn't have to stick around. She did it purely out of the love for her friend. I read a quote by J K Rowling that sums it all up. She said, "I pray all my daughters grow up to be Hermione's. HERE HERE !!!!

I think I have preached long enough about the wonderful letter H. I could go on and on. I still didn't mention my wonderful boss Dr Hardy who gave me a chance when no one else would or my pride in the Harp name. But I don't want to drag on and on. Until I everyone, have a great day.

Neglectful Blogging in the tune of G

Hello strangers. I am so ashamed that it has been over a month since I last blogged. I have just been so stupid busy it is ridiculous. My little crafty business is taking off with a bang. I have another craft show in Hartselle on Saturday 8/29 and I have lined up two HUGE shows in Cullman in November and December. Everyone keeps telling me how busy both of those are. I had better get some more stuff done quick. Also, I have added hair bows to my collection. I have posted several pictures on my facebook and on etsy so stop by and check them out. I really love the Alabama and Auburn ones. They are totally cute. I also have some super cute holiday ones that are almost done. I have also been experimenting and I think I have perfected being able to make my glass pendants with pictures I have taken. That means I will be able to take orders for cute pendants with pictures of your kids or grandkids or whoever. I really think these will make great Christmas gifts. I won't be selling those at the shows, so if you are interested just let me know. I really do adore making all these things but it is really causing me to wear myself a little thin. It is hard to work full time and still get all this done. I have been trying to get more organized and work out a schedule. Hopefully I will get all my ducks in a row soon !!!!!!! I promise to try to be a better blogger too. All of us have sadly been neglecting them lately. Let's get them geared back up folks, lol !!!!!!! Now, here are a few words brought to you by the lovely letter G.

Grape - This is my flavor of choice. When I was little, I always wanted to grape sucker or the grape kool aid. This has not changed. A grape snow cone right now would be just heavenly !!!! Maybe this is where my affection for the color purple comes from. Who knows, but I still adore a big glass of grape kool aid whenever I can.

Guacamole - Wow, I really love this stuff !!!!! The haters of the world thinks it looks gross, but who cares. It is the bomb!!! In fact, I could really go for some from Rosie's right now. Anyone care to join me, lol.

Phillippa Gregory - She is one of my absolute favorite authors. She wrote The Other Boleyn Girl as well as tons of others. She is the best at historical fiction that I can ever come across. I have read just about everything she has ever done and am dying to get a my hands on her new book, The White Queen, that is coming out in September !!!!! She helps me foster my love of any and all things British. You should really check out her work sometime.

Grease - LOVE THIS MOVIE !!!!!! It is funny, this is the first movie that I can remember seeing in a theater. My mom took some kids from church to see it and I tagged along. My mom had an album of the soundtrack and I would get in so much trouble if I tried to put it on the stereo myself. I know every word to every song and still love to watch it whenever I can. I always dreamed of being a "pink lady". Grease will always be the word!!!!!!

Gone With the Wind - Here is another movie that I have watched my entire life. This is one of my mom's all time favs so she would always have me watch it with her when I was little. I have always drooled over the clothes, especially the dark red velvet dress Scarlett wears later in the movie. This is another one that I know all the words too. I can't imagine anyone who hasn't seen it. I watched it again last week for the first time in ages. Good lord, Clark Gable was HOT back in the day. He was totally robbed when the didn't give him best actor for this movie. I was so excited when I found a sheet of the graphics I make pendants out of that was old movie posters. It has a GWTW one and I just had to have one !!!!! The book is pretty good too. But I can honestly say this is one of the few times that the movie is actually better. I would love nothing better than to look like Vivian Leigh when I grow up !!!

Well, I guess that is enough rambling for now. Hope to hear from everyone soon. I promise I will have H up ASAP. Goodness knows, there are some very special topics to cover in that one. Chow for now !!

FFFFFFF

Hello all! I hope everyone had a great 4th. I just had a quiet one at home. I am still working to get stuff ready for my craft show. I know I promised to have more pictures up and I promise I will later this week. So now I am on the wonderful little letter known as F.

Frosty - My sweet baby boy kitty. I miss him every single day. I can't believe he has been gone for 7 months now. I still haven't been able to go visit his little grave that Daddy fixed. I would really love to find one of those little stones that I can put his name on. I have seen them before in some catalog but I can't remember where. I am so grateful that I still have Buffy and Willow. They brighten every day for me.

Friends - Wow, this is such a special topic for me. You know, growing up, I didn't have a lot of friends. I had 1 best friend and a few others but that was about it. I never really felt like I fit in all that well. It wasn't until I became an adult that I found any true blue soul mate sort of friends. I thank God every day for bringing so many wonderful people into my life. And the book club has just added more wonderful folks to my group of friends. I am the kind of person who doesn't use the word "friend" to describe lots of folks. I only give that title to ones I think deserve it. That is why it is very painful to me when I come to realize that someone doesn't deserve that title anymore. It really breaks my heart. I am still working through one of those heartbreaks now.

FSCU - Good ole' Family Security Credit Union. It is so appropriate that I put this right along with the topic of friends. While it was a horrible place to work with some really crazy mean spirited awful people...it also gave me the greatest gift of my 2 dear friends Amelia and Jaime. I don't know how I could make it without them. Through them I have met almost all my other friends as well. So no matter how miserable that wretched place made me sometimes, it is impossible to not give them credit for changing who I am today. And lord knows it gave us an endless supply of crazy stories to tell, lol.

Food World - Wow, this one brings back some really complex emotions. I got my first job ever as a cashier at Food World on April 1, 1992 and stayed there until May of 2001. I met my wonderful friend Cindy there. I had my heart shattered there. I lived and learned, laughed and cried and grew so much as an individual while there. It will always remain a significant period in my life. I can't shop there though... call it post traumatic stress disorder. I know Cindy understands that, LOL.

France - I have a thing for all things French. It goes back to college. I signed up for a course at UNA called Renaissance and Reformation. The teacher turned out to be this incredibly good looking 28 year old new professor. I signed up for any and every class he taught. Since his specialty was French history, I learned tons of stuff about France and became hooked. He really was a excellent teacher. I really want to learn French. That is one of my main goals right now. I think it would help with all the books about French history that I read.

Fan Fiction - This is my latest total obsession. I discovered it about a year ago and can't get enough. For those who don't know, fan fiction is a very broad title for stories that are based on characters from books, tv or movies. I read only Harry Potter or Twilight stories. Some follow very closely with the "canon" story laid out in the originals. Other stories go off in the total opposite direction. There are some that are total garbage but there are many that are really excellent and well written. Yes, there are some that are very....smutty... for lack of a better word. But I only like the ones with a strong story behind them too. Some really have nothing at all to do with the original works, they just use the characters names. I have tons I can recommend if you are interested. But I feel the need to warn you, you will become totally addicted !!!!

I guess that is enough for F. Hope everyone has a super week. Looks like a busy one as usual for me.

Easy E !!

Hello strangers. I always seem to have some dumb excuse for not blogging like I should. I hate to keep saying it's because I am busy but it's true. As if I didn't have enough to keep me busy, I have signed up to do a craft show in Hartselle on July 18th. I will be selling my rings, pendants and some cute hair clips I have been doing. I hope everyone can come and check out my booth. Kelly will be there too with her great painted stuff. Now, on the the marvelous letter E.

Ebay - what can I say, I have been an ebay addict since about 2001. I have bought and sold stuff on there forever. There is absolutely nothing that can't be found on there. Not to mention
that it is usually cheaper than anywhere else. Love it love it. If you have never shopped on there beware though, it will become addictive.

Etsy - This is a fabulous little website I discovered about a year or so ago. It is packed with all
sorts of handmade item and supplies. It has some beautiful stuff on it. I think the last several baby and wedding gifts I have gotten have been off there. It is great for special personalized items. I even have my little shop on there. Please if you never have, stop by and check it out. Here is the link http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5650129 Stop by and support all us crafty folks out there

Eiffel Tower - I adore anything and everything with the Eiffel Tower on it. All my friends keep
their eyes open and have gotten me some wonderful things over the years. I really started my obsession after visiting Paris in 2001. Being at the top of the Eiffel Tower is the coolest thing EVER !!! Of course, if you ask my friend Cindy, she will tell you that I loved it so much because I was high on a jelly doughnut, lol I had a spell with my blood sugar so we stopped and ate at this beautiful little park right underneath the Tower. I had a French version of a hot dog and a raspberry jelly doughnut. It was the BOMB !! OK, so Cindy has been convinced that I got high off the sugar in the doughnut and was acting a fool. I prefer to think of it as being giddy with the moment, LOL LOL. So this became my favorite place in Paris so I have been collecting things ever since. I don't really have room to put out all my goodies now, they are in storage. Someday, I will have a house to display it all again.

England -- I have been totally obsessed with British history for years, ever since middle school.I read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Wives of Henry VIII and I was hooked I honestly prefer it to American History most of the time. I have always dreamed of getting my PhD in history and my concentration would be the Tudor period, with Henry VIII and ElizabethI. I have been to London and I was in heaven. The Tower of London was too cool. I would have got to see Queen Elizabeth's grave but some grouchy monks in Westminister Abbey ran us out !!!! If you check out my bookcase at home right now, 75% of the books have something to do with either England with a few about France. Maybe this is why I love Harry Potter so much. I am just a sucker for a British accent, lol.

Edward Cullen - Ok so I have to give a shout out to the most wonderful romantic fictional character EVER. The only other one to come close would be Noah Calhoun. It also doesn't hurt that his real life alter ego, Robert Pattison, is beyond dreamy. Just another reason to heart a British accent. Too bad he couldn't keep it for the movies.

This is my E entry for today. I hope everyone enjoys it. I hope to blog again this week. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Oh, one more little soap box moment before I go. Yes, I know he was weird. No, I don't think he was a pedophile, I think he was a sad lonely mentally ill man. But I cried Thursday when Michael Jackson died. I LOVED his music. Always have, always will. Would I have invited him to dinner or asked him to watch my kids, lord no. What I don't have a lot of tolerance for is people who just want to spew hate and venom at the dead. Let him have his moment of memorial because he was a great artist. Then let the dead rest in peace. Now, I really am finished for the day :) Hope everyone has a great week. I look foward to seeing my girls on Friday night for a big birthday palooza !!!

Back to the Alphabet Soup

Sorry folks, long time no blog. I have wanted to but I have felt like I should include a new alphabet blog first and I have come to realize D is not one of my favorite letters. It has me sorta stumped. Anyway, here goes my meditations on the letter D.

Dolls - I really don't care for dolls. When I was a little girl, I wasn't much of a baby doll girl. I had one named Joy who was totally bald. I never really wanted those that would cry and poop or whatever. Of course I adored my Barbies, but I think that is more about fashion. Now, dolls really creep me out. Especially the ones in antique stores, with the eyes that roll around in their heads. Serious nightmare material. Plus, they always seem to be "looking" at you. Nope, I will never be one of those little old ladies with 100 china dolls piled on the bed in my guest room, LOL.

DHS - Good ol' Danville High School, my illustrious alma mater. What is there to say? Did I get a good education? Well, in English and history most definitely. Mr. Walker and Mrs. Fleming were awesome. Other subjects, not so much. Overall, I HATED high school. I was a very unhappy lonely little person. I didn't feel like I had anything in common with anyone and didn't fit in anywhere. The people who know me now would have never recognized that shy girl. I didn't come of my shell so to speak until I was in college. I have reconnected with a few of the people I went to school with on Facebook, but by and large I never see anyone and I like it that way. It is too painful for me. It brings up too many bad memories. I really don't want to remember the girl I was then. I buried her a long time ago.

Depression - This is a topic I am very passionate about. I have suffered from moderate to severe depression ever since I hit puberty. That is one reason high school was so hard for me. I had all the normal teenage drama going on plus my crazy mind to boot. This was way before there were things like Zoloft or Prozac and no one really acknowledged that young people could suffer to. I am not ashamed to say I have been on medication for years. It has been a god send for me. It was like I spent my teenage years walking around in a foggy bubble. It blocked everything I saw, felt and experienced. The medicine helps to lift that fog. I don't really talk about it all that much. I am not the type to take my "bad days" out on others. Most people will never know when I am having a bad "spell". I tend to keep too much of it bottled in, which makes things worse. My hope in writing this is that anyone else who might be suffering might think about getting some help. I am not ashamed and neither should you be. Depression is not a choice. It is not just "feeling sorry for yourself". I can't imagine that I or anyone else would suffer by choice. A good attitude helps, but only so much. It helps to find someone to talk to that understands. There is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel. I am living proof of that :)

Well that is my entry for the lovely letter D. I promise I won't wait so long again before I blog. I have lots I would like to talk about. Hope everyone has a super week !!!

The Fabulous Women I Come From

I was inspired this morning by reading Amelia's mom's blog. What a wonderful way to honor mother's day than remembering the wonderful women that you come from. So here is a little about the wonderful women that made me who I am.

Rose Lee Hamilton -- That is her in the picture, with me in the playpen. This is my mother's mom. I never knew her. She died of bone cancer when I was 18 months old. I really love this picture. You can see the love for me on her face. I would loved to have known her. Everyone always talks about what a generous loving woman she was. She had a really rough time. She spent most of her adult life being emotionally and verbally abused by her husband. My mom cries when she talks about how this abuse never phased her love for other's or her faith. Someday, if I am ever blessed to have a little girl, I will use Rose in her name to honor my grandmother.

Lelma Aline Harp -- My dear sweet Mama Harp, she is the phone holding me in her lap while I was working the fab red hat. There are no words to describe how much I have always loved my grandmother. I grew up in their yard so I saw her and Papa practically every day of my life. Mama Harp was a very plain women, in no way a girly girl. She didn't care about pretty or fancy things. She was fierce, loyal, loving and never ever took crap from anyone. She lived through difficult times in her life too. She raised her children in difficult poverty most of the time. She survived the loss of a baby, my dad's twin sister, but it haunted her the rest of her life. Her mind stayed with her long after her body gave out. She died in 2000 and I miss her all the time. I never see hydrangeas, chicken and dressing or chess pie without thinking about her.

Nora Jean Harp -- Finally I talk about my sweet mommy. That is the two of us in that first picture, on my first Easter. Yes she drives me crazy a lot of the time but that doesn't phase my love for her. I am her only child so I have never had to share her with anyone. She totally loves me unconditionally. I have been through a lot in the last 8 years and done some really stupid things. She has been there for me thru it all, even when I didn't deserve it. I have seen friends that never really knew how their parents felt about them and that has always broke my heart. Everyone deserves to have a mother as longing and supportive as mine. If I am ever bless with children of my own, I know that I have had the world's greatest example to show me the way.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there. Take the time to celebrate the wonderful women that you are and the one's that you came from !!