Some things are just more important....

It's official - my desire to create anything worthy of, well, anything, has simply left the building.  The few times that I have even entered my studio have not been productive..to say the least.  I have to have the desire to do anything well - and it is gone.  For now.  Oh well.  The title to this blog post is Some Things are Just More Important...and they are!

Tomorrow - March 26th - marks Sarge's two-year adopt-a-versary into our home!

Sarge - March 26, 2013

We adopted Sarge from the local Animal Shelter.  He was found - roaming - with a choke chain around his neck.  A pitiful little 35 pounds.  Our vet believes he is half Pointer and half Beagle - and he certainly has a beagle-bark and loooves to hunt pretty much anything in the yard (deer, bunnies, fox, etc.).  At the time, she estimated his age to be somewhere between 1 - 2 years old.  He had been in the shelter for 27 days and was "Red Tagged"... 3 more days and it was curtains.  Luckily, he found us!

To be honest...I was NOT READY to have another dog.  In 2001, we researched breeders in search of a pure breed Yellow Lab. We actually visited the breeder twice.  But...young and stupid/old and wise.  Never Again.  When we finally decided to bring Sam into our home, the breeder brought out Abby.  She was the runt and very sickly - the breeder said she was probably going to "let her go".  She was so sweet, that we could not let that happen - so we came home with not one, but two pups.  OMG - never again!  I was 40 years old - YOUNG! - and had a lot more energy.  But I swear, I thought I was going to die  from lack of sleep and constant "baby sitting" the first year!

Both labs had serious health issues their entire lives.  Abby sustained 7 surgeries in her short 9 years - and Sam had 4 surgeries.  Our vet believed that Sam and Abby were simply the product of overbreeding, and we agree.  So, we learned a valuable lesson about overbreeding - but, we also believe that we "saved" Sam and Abby as much as they "saved" us.  And....look at these faces....

Sam and Abby - 2004

These two pups - especially Sammy - were truly the "loves of my life".  When I lost Sam in June 2012, I said "no more"!  I even put my foot down!  After much soul searching, and yes lots of tears, we visited the shelter.  We looked online and actually went to see another dog.  But, I saw Sarge and there was just something about him that said "pick me....pick me!"   So, we did. 

And, just look at the joy on Sarge's face and tell me that we did not do the right thing...

So...Happy Adopt-a-Versary Sarge!  We love you sooooo much!

Thanks for stopping by today!

xo

Patti

A new addition and artBLISS!

I have been a VERY BAD blogger lately.....but I have a very good reason!  On March 26th, this little guy became a permanent member of my family:

 

 

He was adopted from the local Prince William County Animal Shelter ( a kill shelter....ugh).  He was named Sarge, and his name seemed to fit him, so Sarge it is.  He was picked up as a stray on 2/16/13, and 10 days later was put on the adoption list.  I believe his days were numbered, as he had a big Red Dot on his badge.  Anyway, he is a beagle/pointer mix - fully grown - and estimated to be between 1-2 years of age.  He was mal-nourished when he got home...but not anymore!  He has put on 5 pounds and is now at his optimum weight of 40 pounds. My vet also did some major bloodwork and discovered that certain levels are very high and he may have Lyme Disease - though he shows absolutely no symptoms.  So, 30 days of antibiotics just in case.  He is the sweetest little guy!  And, he was housebroken in 1 day!  He is an ESCAPE ARTIST and does suffer from separation anxiety - working on these things now! I believe he was somebody's pet, as he is very well mannered!

 

So, my life has been quite full these days!  However, I was so excited to get my email from artBLISS announcing registration is open for September classes!  Yay! !  I am filling every hour of this 3 day weekend - 2 classes with Richard Salley & Jessica Papke, and classes from my all time favorite teachers ever - Stacie Florer and Kerry Bogert! 

 

 

  

The classes with Richard Salley and Jessica Papke are focused on ring-making.  I am finding my inner metal-smith these days and believe this is the path I want to take.  Stacie's class will focus on post earrings - (I purchased several of these post earrings from Stacie as gifts for myself and family members and they are drop-dead gorgeous)!

 

Image from Stacie Florer's store on Etsy.

 

Kerry's class will focus on making a unique wrapped bracelet using one of her awesome lampwork beads as the button closure. 

 

I am very excited about these classes and I hope to see some of you at this fantastic event!

 

I hope to get back to regular blogging soon - I have been creating some beautiful pendants and rings from some cabochons...just need to get them photographed and sit down to focus on my blog again.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!