The Temptation

of politics... It's so futile, yet so overwhelming.

Thankfully, we have no investments in stock. If we did, I'd prbably be a blathering idiot. Oh, I'm sure we'll feel the pain in many ways, but we won't actually have to watch our money disappear on a daily basis. So this week we've seen the government hand over hundreds of billions of dollars to Wall St, which has proven so well how it uses our funds. We've watched as our Congressmen actually voted for the bailout, barely batting an eyelash.

We've received our mail-in ballots.

We've seen the beauty pageants and the you-tube videos, seen the cartoons and heard the late-night jokes. Watched SNL explain the bailout. Saw the newly homeless doing what they can to make a last-ditch effort to maintain some dignity. Read the sad story of the man who shot his whole family because he saw no way out of his financial crisis.

During the great depression, brokers jumped out of windows. Now they just hold out their hands, palm up. Government is their friend when they're in trouble- but please! No oversight or regulation. That would be wrong.

Here's a bit of history for all you folks (all 2 or 3 of you) reading here...
the story of the Keating Five:
http://my.barackobama.com/keatingvideo

watch it, it's very enlightening for anyone who missed the real thing. And it gives insight into McCain's way of thinking.

In the meanwhile, I stay busy with my crafting and artsy-ness. I'm coming out with my new Recession Collection very soon. And after that, the Depression Collection should be following soon.

Gotta keep your chin up!

Problems with searching Etsy...

So we list and renew our items on Etsy - some people do this more than others - it's generally the only way to have your work show up in the searches. Today they announce there are problems with listings not showing up. Photos appearing as grey squares, whole categories showing zero stuff.

Until this is fixed, I won't be listing anything new, or renewing anything.

But I still make stuff, every day.

Tonight Leanne (leannimal on Etsy) won her first challenge on Project Runway. It's a fun show to watch; so many different types of designers, it's inspiring!

Have a great end of August!

This is fun...

Here's a fun game to test how well your brain works:
How to play the Flash Fabrica Game--

1. Touch 'start'
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number.
4. At the end of game, computer will tell you how old your brain is.
Good luck !!

http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html

it's harder than it looks, but my brain tested at age 34, and I'm alot older than that, so I was thrilled.

It's the little things like this that make life worth living, eh?

A Joke, Kind of- and Saturday Thoughts

So George Bush Sr says to GB Jr: Did you hear? Russia invaded Georgia...

GB Jr says: Oh! I hope Atlanta is OK...

Only a few months left for this sadly comedic duo... and not a moment too soon. As I get older, I have less and less patience with liars and fools. At this point, though, I feel sorry for the next yayhoo who takes the reins. Trying to right this sinking ship is a task I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been a bit creative this week- here's a picture or two:

The turquoise is Chinese, stabilized- I've had it for quite a few years. Copper freshwater pearls complement the look.

The old photo is from a few I picked up at the flea market. The necklace reminds me of something she might have worn. It's made of glass crystals, swarovski dangles, antiqued brass and gold filled chain. Pretty.

Both are available in my Etsy shop http://www.foxaz.etsy.com/

The end of July! Days are getting shorter, folks on Etsy are getting antsy to hear Holiday Plans from the top dogs, the ones with initials: CEO, CCO, CFO, CTO.

What kinds of promotions will be featured? What kinds of advertising will occur? Will EtsyKids finally end? Will the issue of copyright infringement be dealt with? And especially-- will sales pick up?

Ah the many questions of an online handmade seller...

"Monsoon" rains and Crabgrass.

When it rains, it pours. It's Arizona, so it's not like a real monsoon - just a time of thunderstorms, humidity and rain. Generally it starts around the 4th of July and lasts until September. During this time, the crabgrass grows about 3 feet a day, and the ants try and move into the house.
We've been doing battle with the ants, and I think we'll try hiring a young and healthy gardener to remove the crabgrass. Woman or man, it doesn't really matter, just so long as they can identify tomato plants, squash, beans... and are willing to pull the grass out by the roots. Crabgrass puts down roots along the length of its stems- spreads out and digs in and is very difficult to get rid of. Believe me, if we weren't both a couple of arthritic old people, we'd be doing it ourselves. But It's hard work.

Doesn't sound like rocket science though, does it?

I assume in this economy, we might find someone willing to pull weeds for money. Or a gas card...

Meanwhile, we continue to make things and stay busy in a non-painful way. We'd rather not damage ourselves any worse than we are already. After all, it's only money, right?

Random Thoughts

As soon as I say it, they'll probably be back, but: The Ants are Gone! for now. Which is a good thing.

Speaking of good things, I read where Martha Stewarts' company is predicted to be on the downhill side of the bell curve. Apparently making fancy stuff to sweeten up your home is becoming passe. When the economy falters, does that impact the crafting venue?
Folks have been crafting for hundreds of years, so I don't expect that to stop. But as finances tighten, disposable income fades. "Good things" cost money- more so than "Just OK" things... Walmart (the home of "Just OK") has a new logo and is said to be thriving in these tight times.They do have the advantage of offering everything in one place. It may not be what you'd really like, but at least you aren't spending wads of cash on gas to drive from store to store. And for some, that is a big deal.

I saw a really good paperback the other day, kind of like the "Whole Earth Catalog" from the 70's - all kinds of info to help you live off the land, or closer to the land at any rate. There are so many simple ways to cut costs and be "green" - things we used to do back then that saved us money. I thought- "Wow, maybe I'll check that out-" so I picked it up to thumb through.

The typeface was so small I would have had to use a magnifying glass to read it. Sadly, I set it back on the shelf.