My escapee... Kitty!

A few weeks ago, the weather was getting cooler, so I opened the kitchen window to let the fresh air in. I forgot I'd taken out the screen - because I don't like looking through screens and Collins had put a few holes in the screen, but that's another story.

As I sat at the kitchen table, working on my laptop, I heard something rustling in the kitchen. My first thought, oh crap, a large bug is caught in the window blind and going to fly in. As I got up and walked in, here's what I saw! (photo #1)

Obviously Kitty waited until he got my attention, I mean look at him looking at me and posing. Paw up and ready.



Then, (photo #2) he slips through just before I could grab his leg! Believe you me, I tried grabbing it, even with camera in hand!

Ta da! He's so proud of himself, as I take this picture hanging out the open window. (photo #3)

His goal? To hang out on the deck soaking up the glorious fresh air. Poor, deprived Kitty.




His silliness and mischievousness keeps me on my toes. Like when he sat on the furniture while Erika and I struggled to move it across the room. He seemed quite full of himself adding his extra 9 lbs. to the heavy wood furniture. Or jumping on the mattress while I'm stretching the fitted sheet across. Or walking across my workspace while both hands are occupied with pliers, so I can't knock him off! Hint, if you make jewelry and have beads and numerous other elements scattered across your table, do not, I repeat, do not try to knock off your cat, or scare him, or yell at him. I did this. Trays toppled over, beads and other components went everywhere. Huge mess. Huge.

Why oh why does he insist getting on these crowded table spaces, when he knows good well, there is not an inch of empty space to lay? Seriously, does he find this comfortable!

Back to the escaping cat. Erika goes ballistic when he escapes, not sure what she imagines is going to happen to the little shit. But, in the past, there's been alligator tears and hyper ventilating (well, almost). She gets very upset, if one of us is careless enough to open the door too wide, or leave the door open for too long. So we open the door just wide enough to squeeze out, or stick our leg in the way so he doesn't see an opening. She has chased him all around the yard, generally shaking a can of cat treats, thinking that will lure him back into the comforts of our home, sleeping on Erika's bed.

This is his daily excitement and he loves it, he loves being chased and getting the attention. Especially when Erika does it... I don't chase him anymore. And now I make him wait at the door before I let him back in.

Take that Kitty!



What is it about indoor cats? They constantly try to escape the confines of their home. If you have an indoor cat, do you allow them outside?



P.S. Kitty was not harmed or mistreated in any way in preparation for this blog post. Unless you count very cold toes... tee hee.

No April Fool's jokes this year.

Yesterday was the first April Fool's day I didn't play a joke on my husband. Maybe its because he's been a bit stressed at work like many people these days. Maybe its because I've been so busy making jewelry and getting ready for the market I'm participating in this Saturday. Maybe its because I haven't finished our taxes and I'm stressed about time running out. Maybe its because I had a lot of updating to do on my website. Maybe its because I was looking for my to do list and haven't found it. Maybe because I was anticipating "Lost" coming on that evening and was wondering what cool thing we'd discover. Or maybe it was because I couldn't think of anything really good this year.

I believe it was the first year of our marriage, I played a good one. When we married, I had a dog and cat, both fixed, of course. But my cat had the low hanging extra baggage that would shake as she walked. So while husband was showering, I told him that when Cookie (top right picture is her several months before she died at 18) escaped from the house, that she got pregnant. She was an indoor cat and it ticked me off that husband allowed her to escape. He said he thought she was fixed. And I said, well the vet said, sometimes it doesn't "take". I told him how excited I was to have kittens and started wondering who we could find to adopt some, but I wanted to keep one. Oh, trust me, it went on and on with my exurberance. I could sense his unhappiness and stress level rising over having kittens. For goodness sake, we didn't have children yet, what's the deal about another kitten!?

When I finally confessed and let him off the hook, he was relieved and said all he could think about was more vet bills and mouths to feed. I looked at him blankly and said, I'm not pregnant, its the cat, with a few kittens. Jeez, louise! He did like it though, said it was very creative .

Wear your teal and support Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Cancer, in any form, is a horrible disease, but there is one form of cancer, Ovarian that is called the silent killer for a reason. There are no screening tests and no obvious symptoms. Hence, the importance of cancer research funding and spreading awareness.

Women need to be aware of their bodies, not shy away from looking and examining and asking their doctor questions. For more information, go to www.ovarian.org.

I want to do my part, to help raise money for Ovarian Cancer research. That is why my small company, Dee-Zigns Handcrafted Jewelry and Accessories is contributing 15% of our sales to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. I have adopted the NOCC to help spread the word, break the silence and support Ovarian Cancer research. You may help by purchasing items from Dee-Zigns online boutique.

I have created several teal jewelry items and will be donating 50% of the sales of the Joy necklace, the Marianna bracelet, and the Charlie bracelet to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Wear your teal, talk to your friends, family and talk to your doctor. Let's break the silence for good.

School started - woo hoo!

I love my kids but I was happy when school started this week. And better yet, they were happy.

My daughter was especially excited when I created this knotted necklace for her. She came home that afternoon with many compliments from friends and teachers. Look for designs like this one in my Young at Heart collection.

So back to our routines, but that is a good thing for me, because I love my jewelry business and creating new pieces. Here are a few I'm currently working on. Okay, I admit I love green. Various shades of green. The green and smoky brown go well together in this knotted necklace (left) and compliments the silver foiled glass pendant. In the necklace to the right, again fresh grass green coin shells mix cohesively with purplish-blue coin shells. The paua shell pendant was the inspiration to bring these two colors together.

Check back in a couple of days to see these finished and available at Dee-Zigns Handcrafted Jewelry & Accessories.

I've been updating my website and choosing quite of few new items to put on sale! So buy now for the best selection. In addition, get free shipping by using coupon code bship at checkout. There is no minimum purchase. This coupon code will expire August 31, 2008.

Custom orders are completed.

Just finished up this gorgeous freshwater pearl necklace and earring set for a custom order. The blister pearl heart shaped pendant detaches to give two different looks. This college graduate is going to be thrilled to receive such a beautiful gift.

The bracelet below is another custom order for Mother's Day.

I really enjoy creating versatile jewelry. I will be thinking of many other designs that are versatile. Check back often as I am adding new pieces all the time at Dee-Zigns.

Had a wonderful open house recently. Lovely ladies, lots of laughs and great sales. What more could I ask for?