Kokopelli

01-29-12: I am sorry to have been MIA for awhile. Last year was so hard for me and my family. My middle sister passed away suddenly in July and left a huge gap in my family. Then my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. He took the chemo and radiation and the outcome left him with a dementia that will keep him in a nursing home. He's had a rough time but he seems to be accepting and settling in better. These two major events in our family have just left me devastated.

Currently, my husband is having a torn rotator cuff repair done on Feb.3. Because of the type of outdoor work he does, it is expected he will be off work for 3-4 months! If that wasn't enough, we just found out that he is going to have to have repair work done on his other shoulder as soon as he is healed from the first one! It's looking like he's going to be off work from 6-8 months!! There are lots of financial nightmares going along with being off work. They don't have sick leave. Would appreciate your prayers!

I don't know if I'll be doing any swaps any time soon or not. I do think of y'all and check in once in awhile. Just don't usually write.

I'll be keeping my eye on you!!! Hope you have a great year!

11-12-10: I am having major computer problems and may not have access to SB for some time. I will fulfill the swap that I have due. I will not be signing up for anything until I am back up again permanently . So, if I am all of the sudden absent, you will know why.

I love Kokopellis! They are a Southwest Indian fertility god – lots of legends about them. But that is not why I collect them – I just think they are cool, fun and JOYful. I do enjoy Indian flute music, too. I have a rather eclectic collection of kokopellis and I am always thrilled when I get a new one – any medium. I really like their hair! It reminds me of my own – I only have a few strands! LOL! Sad, but true.

I was able to retire at age 49 with 30+ years of service with the State of Texas. I’ve been retired for about 5 years. My goals when I retired were to set up a craft room just for me and to get some cats. I am happy to say that I have a wonderful craft room and three perfectly adorable cats: Dex, Bella and Jax. I have a very nice husband who is happy when I’m happy. He’s just the best husband ever! We have a daughter who is a teacher and lives about 7 hours away from us. She is the light of our lives and we’re so very proud of her.

I’ve pretty much never met a craft I didn’t enjoy, but the things I’m most into now are card-making, ATCs, Inchies, Dotee Dolls, crochet and yard art made from glassware. I’ve made a lot of jewelry in the past and still dabble occasionally. I’ve done a small amount of work in polymer clay and really want to get into that more.

As fun as crafting is, you need a variety in life. Some of the other things I enjoy are travel, church, reading, spending time with friends and family. We love to drive on vacations so we can stop out unique places – junk shops, souvenir shops and any place that looks like you might find a treasure or have an adventure!

I like music but don’t listen to a lot of it. My favorite singer is Neil Diamond and second is Harry Connick, Jr. I love good Southern Gospel music. I also have a secret passion for the old country/western music of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

My Vices:

Diet Coke – if you cut me, I would bleed Diet Coke. I’m a loyal and true fan – don’t even try to think I’ll drink any other diet soda.

Raspberry Tea – specifically Crystal Light brand iced tea.

Romance Novels – Sigh…its true! Not the real bodice-rippers, but those that are just a little racy but with a very happy ending! I especially like books that are filled with intrigue and mystery with the romance thrown in. Also, I never met a cowboy I didn’t like so the western ones are wonderful! Yippee!

TV – Okay, I’ll just admit it up front…we watch a lot of TV. I like lots of shows from the soap I’ve watched since I was 15 – All My Children, to medical dramas, cop shows, reality shows (not all but the good ones), Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva, HGTV, Food Network, etc. Do NOT like Sit Coms at all. Love movies.

Time alone – Since I’m retired and my hubby is not, I spend a lot of time by myself and I really, really like it! After all the years of working and being on the phone constantly, I just love the sound of silence. I love my cats as they don’t make a lot of noise or demands. When I do spend night/weekend time with my hubby, I’m happy with that, too. I am just happier when I have lots of quiet time to myself.

CATS – I would have a dozen if it were feasible. I just love them!

Rocks – Yep, rocks! When we are traveling I’m always on the lookout for a unique or special rock to add to my collection. Not rocks you buy…just the kind you find on the side of the road, or on a mountaintop or wherever you are that you see one that “speaks” to you! I have a backyard full of them lining the fence. It’s a cool and inexpensive – although sometimes back breaking – habit!

MY COLLECTIONS: Besides Kokopellis, that is:

• JOY – my favorite word! I collect it in any format I can find. • Snowmen – only the very cutest ones • Colored glassware (vases & bottles) • Southwest windchimes • Chili pepper kitchen things • Buttons – antique or very unusual ones particularly • Crosses that can be hung on the wall

THINGS I LIKE:

• Hydrangeas • Clogs • Old keys • Old jars/bottles • Small containers – can’t use them-don’t need them-just like them! • Long, flowing cotton dresses • My 99 Dodge Intrepid – I just LOVE my car! • Gel pens • Thrift stores • Crown molding • Fall • Cowboy/western anything • Family photos of natural settings – not posed • Cool photo frames • My bed! • Fiesta Ware • Fireplaces and chimaneas • Mountains • Salty snacks • Yarn of any kind • Going barefooted • Having my feet massaged • Fabric for dotee dolls • Flowers – paper, Prima, etc. • Beads – no pony • Altered Items • All colors – but my favorites are purples, pinks, turquoise, orange, lime green

THINGS THAT AREN’T COOL (to me): • Fairies • Dark-side anything (goth, vampires, etc.) • Kawaii and anything like it • Clowns • Most Disney characters • Junky swaps/tags • Flakers • Rudeness • Prejudice • Flakers • Things that are too dang spicy to eat! • Unfunny practical jokes • Milk…ugh! • Flakers – did I say that already??? • Ungrateful people • Fingernail polish • Oriental design for the most part • HELL-NO Kitty…oh, I think it is really Hello Kitty • Weird rubber/acrylic stamps – if you can’t figure out something to do with it, then neither will I! • Tea/Coffee packets

I PROMISE:

That I will TRY to always be on time for swaps and to send the best things I can. I do recycle and re-gift. I try to get as much use out of an item/product as I can. However, I will not send out trash. I have no problem with you asking me about a swap or what I have sent. I aim to please you (within reason, of course)!

I don’t list flakers names – but I don’t like you very much!