Morasha Jewelry

Little Towns

2009-09-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

Dictionary Days

2009-09-18T17:45:00.001-07:00

NACTION (n.)The 'n' with which cheap advertising copywriters replace the word 'and' (as in 'fish 'n' chips', 'mix 'n' match', 'assault 'n' battery'), in the mistaken belief that this is in some way chummy or endearing.

2009-09-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxKIcrDsJAs

2009-09-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

COLORADO or BUST

On the way there, we made an 8 hour side trip to the Grand Canyon. Not just any location though, but the hardly-ever-visited NORTH RIM. We were at one point the only people standing there. It was absolutely w o r t h it.

He makes my heart

skip....

CaMPInG!

(We drank soda out of our wine glasses because we forgot to buy wine. :)

I brought my french press and made makeshift espresso. Can survive without coffee!

midEGGdle

(aka egg in the middle)

We were told we just HAD TO take a picture with this bear.

A yearly childhood tradition of Eric's.

On the boat filled with a bunch of men bonding with their rods. No fish caught.

This is Eric's Uncle Lynn. He played for the Colts and won the Superbowl. I think that's pretty cool.

HORSEBACK RIDING:

Went out on the lake, just Eric and I.
I actually caught The Largest Fish, but Eric didn't believe me that I had a fish on my line, saying, "It's just moss", so he didn't have the net ready in time and it broke off. Boo0oooooo.

In honor of our Shining Barrier and a promise to share all things, no matter how uninteresting to the other person, I joined Eric in golfing. Since these were true amateurs playing, I didn't actually hit a ball, but I did have fun driving Eric 'round on the cart!

MORE TO COME...

Apartments All Mine!

2009-09-09T12:10:00.001-07:00

My roommate is pretty much all moved out which meant I could EXPAND!
My Aunt practically gave me a house worth of new furniture. It's all amazing! Here's photos of it all so far.

Phoenix Heat

2009-07-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

What did the past 10 days hold for me?

-Drove 8 extra hours to watch the sun set over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
-Got partially lost looking for a campground that didn't exist.
-Camped out in a casino parking lot to get kicked out 10 minutes later.
-Slept in the back of the Pathfinder in the adjacent gas station parking lot from the Casino.
-Woke up drenched in wonderful sweat from the 105 degree weather.
-Saw Durango.
-Drove past the 4-corners (after debating that the 15.00 entrance fee was not worth a walk up)
-Went on a 2 hour hourseback ride.
-Antique stopping
-a night of natural hot springs
-Caught the biggest fish (out of 15 men and me)
-Read a Severe Mercy to my darling while floating on the lake.
-Spent my mornings reading and praying with my darling.
-Saw Colorado from The Overlook, 9000 feet high.
-Went hiking.
-Got lost hiking.
-Got really really lost hiking.
-Found the trail back hiking and laughed about it.
-Went on a Pagosa Springs date.
-Read a book while my darling golfed next to me.
-Cried with happiness when I we stopped back in Durango and I had Starbucks again for the first time in 10 days.
-drove to Las Vegas
-Realized we don't own a credit card and therefore couldn't get a hotel.
-Found a great campground.
-Bought 8 dollar flip-flops after my feet nearly fell off walking the strip.
-Survived Las Vegas: alcohol-free, gambling-free, and still single.
-Slept in 115 degree heat
-Drove home

THE END
(pictures to eventually follow)

Shakespearian Cuffs

2009-07-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

A few new additions to my Etsy shop:

Burglar

2009-07-09T12:09:00.001-07:00

Help! Someone broke into my house! But, they didn't take anything. In fact, they left something....
-A beautiful Sunflower bouquet and a card of warm fuzzies. How nice.

Hello

2009-07-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

Bills

2009-07-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

Since I worked all day, I asked Eric if he could stop over and drop of my gas bill payment. This is what he did so he wouldn't forget. Silly.

Soon

2009-07-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

6 Days till my vacation: Colorado!

I feel the same way

2009-07-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Dreams

2009-07-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Vintage want #1...
A VINTAGE FRIDGE

Where to get your own:1. The Big Chill - They make new retro-style fridges that will only cost you $3000....!

2. Craigslist - where you can find ones like this. Needs some work, but there is endless amounts of info online on how to restore old fridges.

3. Salvage yards- I know here in Phoenix we have a few salvage shops that have broken, old fridges.

Awkward Family Photo

2009-07-01T17:39:00.001-07:00

There is still room on the couch.

Dictionary Days

2009-07-01T16:50:00.001-07:00

Happle (vb.)-

"To annoy people by finishing their sentences for them and then telling them what they really meant to say."

source

Send Me Your Position

2009-07-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Sitting at Starbucks when Jose Gonzelez came on the radio.

Life is grand.

Mannequin

2009-06-29T14:28:00.001-07:00

Eric wanted to take me shopping for my birthday, but he had already spent so much on me that I felt uncomfortable with him buying more. After a short discussion we came to a happy medium... shopping for HIM!

I got to take him to any store I want, make him try on anything I liked and when I found the outfit, he had to buy it. Does this boy trust me or what??

I already had a certain image in my head as we headed over to Ross (I love that store). Eric marveled at how quickly i shuffled through the racks and found my first outfit...

1. Navy, short-sleeved button up shirt

2. White Tee (Can you believe he doesn't own a single one??)

3. Dark Denim Jeans
I've been dying to buy these for him! Eric's style revolves around American Eagle light denim.

I about died when he came out of the fitting room. Everything fit so well. The shirt really accentuated his build and the jeans....well...they were awesome! He was so iffy about the things I picked out, but after putting em' on all he could say was, "You did good, babe."
Yeah, we bought the very first outfit. Haha.
He hasn't worn it yet, but I'll be sure to snap a pic.

Happy

2009-06-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend is cute.

(I'm sorry if you're annoyed at the mass Eric-Courtney pictures I'm posting, but I'm just so excited to finally get them off Eric's camera.)

Twenty Five

2009-06-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Portland's Wine Bar in Phoenix

Even though he is no longer drinking alcohol, he still took me to this wine bar. What a champ! Here is Eric drinking water and me drinking Riesling ;) So good.

When In Rome...

2009-06-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

....Do as the Egyptians do.

Or something like that. We went out for a hooka date in Tempe last night to a place called King Tuts. It was the best atmosphere of any hooka restaurant I've been in. There were raised areas full of pillows and really great comfy chairs. We chose a couch in the corner and just snuggled up next to each other. (insert sigh)
The best thing about this place was that it served food. I ordered the falafel platter. Yes, I said FALAFEL! I haven't had that since my trip to Israel, so it was the best treat ever.
Eric opted for a red bull over my turkish coffee (although he was a brave soul for trying it).
It was one of those perfect moments when everything else in the world doesn't matter. I don't think the two of us ever have a date that I don't love, but this one in particular was the best. We just relaxed and talked. Maybe that's why it was better than the drive-in. We got to ask each other questions and become closer friends.
He is in fact my best friend.

Turkish Coffee: "is coffee prepared by boiling finely powdered roast coffee beans in a pot (cezve), possibly with sugar, and serving it into a cup, where the dregs settle. It is common throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Caucasus, and the Balkans, and in their expatriate communities and restaurants in the rest of the world."

#

2009-06-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah, I'm 25.
Birthdays are fun.
I'll post pics when I get them. They are stuck on Eric's camera.

button

2009-06-21T19:36:00.001-07:00

I thought about it.
Maybe a little out of impulse. I wanted it just to be a test,
but apathy made it a decision.
I pushed delete
and the irony is that I can't
erase
it.

Rainy Day

2009-06-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

1. Rainy Day, 2. Coffee on a Rainy Day, 204/365, 3. five days, 4. unknown, 5. .Piggy Dippin., 6. Mozart in the rain, 7. Singing in the Rain, 8. rain warped B&W, 9. heavy rain

HOUNDSTOOTH...

2009-06-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

...aNd othEr WhimSiCal PolarOidS.

1. "Houndstooth!", 2. Untitled, 3. "Sitting Cat"

Afterward

2009-06-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

After making the suitcase cat bed, I was left with that off-white ottoman top. Hmmm, what to do?

Ahhh, how about revamping that stool in my office??

BEFORE:

I had this vintage dress I bought off Etsy that had a rip I never got around to fixing...

I cut it up and nailed it around the bottom of the ottoman...

Then, swapped lids!

AFTER:

Home Improvements

2009-06-16T18:02:00.001-07:00

$25.00 Antique suitcase

$6.00 Vintage Automan

AND THE MAKEOVER BEGINS......!

I present to you, The Kitty Bed.

2009-06-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Eric and I went to the Drive-in again. It is quickly becoming my favorite date idea EVER. I mean, we can bring our own food (we bought sushi) and it only costs 6 dollars per person!
We drove the Pathfinder too and sat in the back with blankets. Love.

(Oh, wait, I loved it up until that terrible salmon made me sick. I'm not going to lie though...Eric is the sweetest when I don't feel good. He gets very attentive and compassionate.)

PICS TO FOLLOW SOON.

We then went to my aunt's house for a bar-b-que for my upcoming BIRTHDAY! YAY! Aunt Joan's cat had more kittens (the same mother as Cow), including this all white male. UGH. I wanted it so bad, but my boyfriend said no. Of course, my apartment would not do very good with 3 cats in the house, but when you're holding that little thing, reasoning goes out the window.

Red Lips

2009-06-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

Better

2009-06-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Cow is fixed!

I came home from work yesterday and she was better! Her and John went CRAZY, romping around the whole house for hours. Today I discovered little, healthy kitten poops...in the litter box!

Seems whatever it was passed. THANK GOD!

Dictionary Days

2009-06-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

DUNBAR (n.)
A highly specialised fiscal term used solely by turnstile operatives at Regent's Park zoo. It refers to the variable amount of increase in the variable gate takings on a Sunday afternoon, caused by persons going to the zoo because they are in love and believe that the feeling of romance will be somehow enhanced by the smell of panther sweat and rank incontinence in the reptile house.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andribeatles/1909355366; http://folk.uio.no/alied/TMoL.html

Troubles

2009-06-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

So my little kitten is doing worse. At first, her poop was just a little loose and she was having a few accidents. Now, she is going to the bathroom 10+ times a day and only made it to the litter box once.

Something is wrong! My poor girl is so upset. She gets flustered not knowing why she's secluded to the bathroom.

We have a vet appoitment for Friday, the soonest I could get free from work.

Official Update

2009-06-09T00:21:00.000-07:00

Praying with Eric is better than a million cokes, a dozen drive-in movies and any amount of Hana sushi you give me.

He makes me so happy I want to squeal.

Little Cow Blues

2009-06-08T11:37:00.001-07:00

This may be more info that any of you want, but my little kitten has diarrhea. It's sad, but so annoying. I woke up today to find kitten poop everywhere. Seriously. I cried. Then I had Eric (my bf) come over and help me deep clean. What a good man.

I put her in the bathroom until her little tummy is all better and rewarded Eric with Starbucks.

ZZzzZZzz

2009-06-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

I need money for California. Someone want to sponsor my weekend fun trip???

Dictionary Days

2009-06-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

ROCHESTER (n.)
One who is able to gain occupation of the armrest on both sides of their cinema or aircraft seat.

sources .

Catsitter

2009-06-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

"John, please stop sitting on your sister!"

The Sitter
Mrs. McTwitter was the baby-sitter
I think she's a little bit crazy.
She thinks a baby-sitter's supposed
To sit upon the baby.

(Silverstein, A Light in the Attic)

That just happened to be one of my all time favorite books as a child. Amazing.

Dictionary Days

2009-06-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

LUFFNESS (n.)

Hearty feeling that comes from walking

on the moors with gumboots and cold ears.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vrog/1549357115; http://folk.uio.no/alied/TMoL.html)

Blueberry Movies

2009-06-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

It's not that I like to bake, or the process of it, just the outcome; the smell of flour and goodies in the oven. I'm pretty sure that I can cook, but the baking skills are weak. I have no concept of measuring. Soooo when I decided to bake yesterday, I went with a box instead of the ingredients in my cupboard.
Ah...."just add heavy cream". My kind of recipe!
(and since I didn't have heavy cream on hand, I ran across the street to...Starbucks! Katie just laughed at me as she handed me the short cup filled with it.)

**Scones and French Press Coffee**

"Station 99.1, please."

The first drive-in movie theater might have been in Jersey, but I still have never been to one! Thus the adventure known as Our Date....

Bikes and Fur

2009-06-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

I did all my arrands via bike today.

1. The view of the skyline from my balcony.
2. My Florist, the sign you see, is a restaurant. Not so obvious.
3. I'm so happy the lightrail and I moved here together and that it is bike friendly.

I live in the cutest part of Phoenix known as the The Willo District. It's the neighborhood where everyone still says hi and I think that's rare in a city these days. Seriously perfect.

I then came home with shipping supplies in hand and new ink for my printer ready to get to work....

(Well, maybe if these two lazies would move off my shipping labels!)

John Mayer is Sexy isn't even a year yet and he already has a funny old man beard.

Dictionary Day

2009-06-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Giving words to lifes common occurrances:

GRINSTEAD (n.)
The state of a lady's clothing after she has been to powder her nose and has hitched up her tights over her skirt at the back, thus exposing her bottom, and has walked out without noticing it.

*Funny thing, went out a few weeks ago for Elicia's birthday when she comes prancing out the bathroom with the longest running line of toilet paper ever stuck to her foot. Classic. Hmmm. I wonder if there is a word for that...

(word taken from folk.uio.no/alied/TMoL.html; picture from www.flickr.com/photos/27185165@N07/3476913835)

Hazy Dazy

2009-06-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

One of those days when a long drive is all you want.

Favorites

2009-06-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

So many inspirational things on Etsy!

2009-06-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

I am the happy owner of two wonderful cats and proudly wear the name tag "Crazy Cat Owner". While others post millions of photos of their new child on facebook, mine is smothered with these felines.
I got the big grey one first, John Mayer is Sexy. Yes, that is his full and complete name. And if you are newcomer to my home, it is not to be said as a question, but a statement, "John Mayer IS Sexy".
The other little one, Cow, I just got a few weeks ago. She's so hyper that she really drives me up the wall! John would get so lonely in the house alone that I really wanted him to have a buddy. Already they are inseparable. So cute!

John loves Etsy as much as me.

Smile at This Note

2008-12-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

I receive so many emails and notes of praise from customers and onlookers alike and 99.999% of the things said I really don't feel worthy of , but, nevertheless, they always brighten my day.
I just wanted to share with you guys what others are saying about Morasha Jewelry.

"I saw your Star of David with whistle necklace on a treasury and was so impressed that that I had to go and immediately read your profile. What a wonderful artist you are to take things "old" and transform them into such beauty. I'll be visiting your "shop" again."

"Thanks so much for the beautiful jewelry. I was really excited to receive them, and they were just as nice as they look in the photographs. I'll be giving them as gifts to some very special people. :)"

" Im so excited to see your new stuff I just found this website and I fell in love with all your stuff!"

"WOW!!!!!! I love the conceptualization of this ring!!!!"

"I am very smitten with your work. If you are ever interested in a trade please let me know. I would jump up and down!!"

"You should know that this necklace is the reason I fell in love with etsy. Your jewelry is the stuff dreams are made of (or at least mine). It's a bit outside my price range at the moment, so I haven't had the chance to purchase anything. Just wanted to let you know that you are extremely talented."

2008-09-29T12:25:00.001-07:00

Ok, let's do some brainstorming...
I need to come up with some sort of daily concept for this blog because the random musing that I'm doing right now just isn't enough to keep my interest. My favorite teachers in school were ones that were truely passionate about what they were doing and I am that way with my jewelry, but just not this blog. SOOOOO I need to find some passion and quick!

Here's the new schedule. I'm going to try it out for a week and then tweak it from there.
Sunday's Jesus
Monday's Website
Tuesday's Trashy Desk
Wednesday's Color
Thursday's Personal
Friday's Random
Saturday's Sweet Find

And inbetween I'll be posting the same randomness, but it'll be covered in structure. Ah, I just love structure. I would describe myself as "spontaneously structured".

In other news, I purchased an ad space in Bust magazine today. It will be in the November issue (release date Nov 25).

Stitch

2008-09-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

I really want to learn how to sew. Growing up my mom had a sewing machine, but it was off limits to my curious hands and then, when I was finally old enough to where she would have trusted me, she sold it.
Now, I see all of these amazing handmade creations on Etsy and it's so inspiring! I want to SEW!

I stopped by Joann Fabrics today and roamed around their machines, but the cheapest was $100 and, frankly, I'm not sure if that's really a good deal for the most basic machine. I think if I'm patience I'll find a score on craigslist.
However....I did buy fabric. Hmmmm. I think I'm doing this backwards. Haha. They had a sale and I couldn't resist!

The Etsy Edit

2008-08-27T13:24:00.001-07:00

I see more forum posts on the subject of pictures than any thing else on Etsy. It's no seller's secret that great photos can turn into great sales. But how do you get good, bright pics? I can guarantee that those big store don't just point and shoot, posting whatever their camera creates. And if they do, well, I'd like to know their camera brand. No, good pictures take just as much time in the editing room as they did to shoot.
Great photos is key to sales and great editing is key to great photos. So how? Well, first I would reccommend Photoshop to anyone. I know, the program costs an arm and a leg, but if you are serious about your business and are in it for the long haul, then I say it's more of a requirment.
Now, Photoshop can be quite scary, but, really, great pictures aren't that far away and there are only a few steps you can follow with every picture to get what you want.
And for your entertainment, I've broken it down into 13 steps!!
Sit back and hold on....

STEP ONE
Open Photoshop and open up the picture you'd like to edit. Below is the ring picture I'm going to use.

STEP TWO
Click on that little circle and then click on "LEVELS"

STEP THREE
As you see, the levels box will open. Do you see where that red arrow is? Click on that tiny white eye dropper.

STEP FOUR
Now find the whites bit in your photo, which for mine was above and to the left of the ring. And you can click all over the picture, seeing how it changes the color and brightness depending on where. Now what this is doing is tell the program what to make the whitest and basing the rest of the pictures white scale off of that. Although I didn't do it for this photo, usually I'll put something white in the corner before I take the picture and use that when building this histogram.

STEP FIVE
Now, you can move these three arrows back and forth, seeing how they change the photo. Moving the far right makes it brighter. Moving the far left, will make your photo darker. This is a great way to bring brightness and contrast. When you are satisfied click save.
Oh, and if you mess up at any point, just click cancel and don't save it, then reopen the levels and start over.

STEP SIX
Now go back to that little circle and open "Brightness and Contrast" this time.

STEP SEVEN
Move the arrows...ever so slightly...and see what happens. Now, changing the levels in STEP FIVE might make this unnecessary, but I think it's still good to know. For my photo, I actually didn't use it.

STEP EIGHT
Now onto my favorite feature....Hue and Saturation. Back to that little circle:

STEP NINE
You won't need to touch the HUE or LIGHTNESS arrows, but you can still move them around to see what they do. The important one is Saturation. This arrow will brighten up your dull colored photo or dull it down.
Try moving it all the way to the left and see how your photo becomes black and white. Now move it to the right. This feature can easily be over done, so use it wisely. Too much saturation will miss lead your buyers or just look weird and cheap.
Because of the type of jewelry I sell, I actually enjoy muting my colors slightly, giving it a smooth, old-world feel, but most will want to highlight them.

STEP TEN
Open IMAGES on the top and click IMAGE SIZE.

STEP ELEVEN
Etsy requires your images to be 1000 pixels or smaller, so we need to shrink the picture to fit.
See where my arrow is? Whatever is the larger number, change it to 1000 and the other will automatically be changed too. Now save.

STEP TWELVE
Go back to the top and click on FILE and then SAVE AS.

STEP THIRTEEN
Last step!! Chose where on your computer you want to store it, name your file and VERY IMPORTANT...change it to a JPG or JPEG. Etsy doesn't accept Photoshop files. (Your picture might automatically say JPG and then you don't need to)

CONGRATS!!
Ok, let's see again my before and after pic:

2008-08-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

I've been featured in a few shops by some really lovely people. Just another reason I am so thankful for Etsy and the great community it creates.

Sweet Figments
Mary and Bob's Journal

Check them out and support the bloggers!

2008-08-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

This move to Portland is turning out to be much more complicated than I expected. Both of the people who initially were moving (and begged me to join) are now pulling out. Well, sort of. One, can't move till spring of next year and he was meant to be the one getting the apartment/home. The other has now changed her moving date to the middle of November. I have to move by the middle of October and, frankly, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I don't want to make a rash, last minute decision and just move anywhere, but what choices are there really?
Ugh. Life. Complexity.

Impulse

2008-08-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

I am such an impulse buyer. While looking for pictures for a treasury I was creating on Etsy, I found this new artist, jybfashion. And as a result, bought this dress....

FP

2008-08-13T23:20:00.001-07:00

I was recently featured on the Front Page again in a beautiful treasury...

Featured

2008-07-30T01:26:00.000-07:00

I'm featured on a blog...check it out!
http://www.inspirationblog.nl/

2008-07-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

OK, it's official...I'm really bad at this blog thing. Maybe if I didn't spend all my time on facebook!

I just got back from a GREAT vacation to New Jersey. My days were spent relaxing at the beach, strolling NYC, jamming at a John Mayer concert, and watching fireworks over the ocean. Yep, amazing. I feel most at home in Jersey even though I haven't really lived there in nearly 4 years. I was just good to drive on roads so familiar.

John Mayer is singing tunes in the background.

On our way to the concert.

Jonathan, Tristan and I went to NYC one day. Tristan has this thing where she has to take pictures by graffiti everywhere she goes, so Jon took a few shots.

At night on the Brooklyn Bridge

Tristan and Jon

I literally just got back a week ago and I'm already leaving again. Thursday I head out to LA for a swing dancing camp. Yes, they do exist. I've actually never been to one, so I'm pretty stoked. I'll have tons of photos of that too.

I came across a new website yesterday after reading an Etsy post about it...
www.postcrossing.com
So, pretty much the coolest thing EVER. I just bought old school magic eye postcards (yeah, remember those?) and I'm anxious to get my first penpal postcards out.

2008-06-25T19:54:00.001-07:00

I am floored by some the amazing artist there are on Etsy. I seriously reccommend that you take time to search around there...but make sure you check out mine too :)

So there was a forum on Etsy that asked what was the biggest compliment an artist can get and at first I answered a repeat customer (which is an AMAZING compliment), but I'm also extremely humbled when an artist that I admire buys from me.

I came across this one artist that makes beautiful victorian/vintage inspired clothing and thought, "I know I've made it when I can buy from her". Seriously beautiful stuff. And she's been my plumb line for success. BUT, a few weeks ago, she contacts me telling me how much she loves my stuff!! What a weird world. I sold her this bracelet:

What a flippin' amazing compliment!!
Now I don't know if I've "made it", but I covet this one dress she's made so much that I JUST HAVE TO HAVE IT!

So, check her out guys.....introducing BONZIE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5104063

And here's the dress I want:

PS: She's Irish which makes her all the more better, right? I miss that lovely British country side! (And that disgusting instant coffee all you British people drink)

2008-06-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

I organized some boxes of old things I had stored at my parents house. I found some great trinkets....
Come on, any one of you would have pranced around in that wedding dress if you had the house to yourself too! I can't believe I actually still fit into it.
Now there's honesty! Haha.

Starbucks and Beads

2008-06-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at my home-away-from-home, Starbucks. Is it really surprising that this is where I find the most solitude? With an "Iced Grande toffee nut x-milk Double Shot on Ice" to my right, I'm filing all my paperwork with this great new program I just bought from JJMfinance.
You can find him @ his Etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5418829.

And as I'm plugging away, another Starbucks enthusiast sits next to me. I have yet to catch her name, but we start to chat about life, work and God. An ex-Luthern pastor gone teacher, she's expecting a baby and stopped by for a quick sugar rush hoping it will perk up the baby to show "its" true colors. (Their going to find out the sex today).

Let's see..what's new?
Well, for all my lovely New Jersey friends, I'm going to make a trip out there in the middle of July. Elena recieved John Mayer concert tickets and was so lovely to ask me to join her. A day of Mr. Mayer and Mrs. Baxter...amazing.
I didn't think I'd be able to come out with my finances being so tight lately, but I crunched some numbers and it turns out that with all my frequent flyer miles (thank you, England) it's only going to cost me $5.00!! Yeah, that's a deal.

I still haven't made a final decision on if I'm moving to Portland or not. Actually, my heart is very set on it and I'm just waiting for my pal, Tristan, to decide. Whatever I chose, I know my life is going to dramatically change in the next few months. I hope for the better.

Grace.

The Start

2008-06-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I've not only made the big plunge in opening my Etsy shop, but I've also applied for a tax id number. If you don't know, it is telling the government, "Yes, I have a business. Yes, I'll pay the due taxes on it."
To me it means a bit more, something along the lines of "Yes, I'll spend countless hours I don't have filing papers." Dang it. Of course there are perks like I won't have to pay taxes for my supplies and I can buy wholesale...I just hate paperwork.

I also made a trip to the bank to open up a seperate account. That's where I met Brad who handled my account. He was a swell guy and made the process enjoyable. Yesterday I even recieved a little note congradulating me on my new business.

2008-06-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

My first blog entry! I am hoping I can keep on top of this for you guys. And if you have stopped by to witness this first entry, how bout some encouragement? I haven't written for a blog since the livejournal days.

Hmmm...maybe we'll take an adventure together? What was I thinking 5 years ago on this day....

" Igrieve.
I know many peoples love will grow cold, I just didn't know it would effect me this way. So many close to me are trading in the blessings of God for the passing things of this world.It is interesting how God can continue to use these people to draw me closer to Him.
The last few weeks I've desired to know Christ more than ever before and this strong ambition can be attributed to those who have forgotten their First Love. No matter what situation I come to, I run to His throne.
I witness it and I want more of God. I see someone turn away, I'm reminded how greatful I am. I endure knowing of my foundation.I meet someone backsliddin, I am grieved and therefore pray hardcore, growing my prayer life.I WILL not give up. I will run this race. Not just trotting by, hoping that I'll make it, hoping there even is a prize, but KNOWING that I will win. As everyone slows their pace or stops not able to go on, not wanting to, I will sprint. I'm not slowing down. Even if I'm the last one in the race and sure of the victory. I will still run with all my might. There you will see me cross the finish line, recieving the crown of victory, the crown of life. "

As for my jewelry, I'm working hard trying to crunch in any designing time around my other job, Starbucks, as possible.

Grace,
Courtney