Last Minute Gift Shopping, Anyone?

Let me introduce you to my friend Leigh. She hand crafts beautiful jewelry and ornaments out of silver and copper, with designs ranging from the demure to the baroque. She has generously supported our PKD fundraising over the years with donated pieces to auction (where they were hotly bid upon). She's a wonderful, caring friend and a talented artist. And she's offering really reasonable shipping for the holidays.

Here are few of my favorite pieces of hers.



These Tsunami Earrings ($25) appeal to my wild side. I'm going to buy a pair some day soon. Meanwhile, I may have already bought a pair for my sister-in-law....




Leigh calls this Spinning Ring ($65) a fiddler's delight, which threw me at first, as I used to play violin. Then I read the description and realized that the thin center band spins freely around the ring, making it a perfect fidget item. Verrrrrrrrrrry tempting, let me tell you.




At $249, this Byzantine Triangle is one of Leigh's pricier designs, but look at the craftsmanship! Constructed in the chainmaille style, each loop is hand cut and hand formed. I am picturing this with all of my dresses (little black ones and otherwise) -- I think it would go with just about anything.




This whimsical little Christmas Tree Pin ($19) comes in shiny silver, oxidized silver, and copper, and it's the cutest thing ever. And at this price, it's an easy "filler" gift for those hard-to-shop-for ladies on your list. I wore mine on the cowl-neck of a red sweater yesterday, and it instantly put me in a holiday mood.

This is but a tiny sampling of Leigh's work -- you can see much more at her Esty shop. If When you place an order, tell her I sent you!

Most. Expensive. Bloggerfest. Ever.

Meter parking in Philadelphia: $4.50 in quarters
Top-shelf margarita at The Adobe Cafe: $9.50 plus tip
Mechanics' bill to fix the spark plug that fell out of the engine on the way there (and everything else they found wrong with the car): $1,100
Spending time with bloggy friends, both old and new: priceless!

Go say hi to DaddyScratches, UppercaseWoman, Fever, Momish, Nutmeg, Well-Red Hostess, and Domestic Goddess. And go give Bossy a virtual smooch for organizing the love-fest.

Alanis Morissette Can Suck It

I was supposed to sleep in today.

I had cleared my desk, notified my boss, informed my husband (twice), and was really prepared to try to make up some of the astounding sleep deficit I've been running.

And then I woke up at 7am sneezing my face off. Who has an allergy attack when they're sleeping, for chrissakes?

I managed to yoga-breathe my way out of the allergy attack and was slipping back down into delicious sleep at around 7:30.

And then the phone rang. Garrick forgot his backpack and Quin was putting his emergency cell phone to good use in calling me from the bus.

Of course, Michael was already on the highway towards work, so I got dressed and drove Garrick's backpack to school, unavoidably waking myself thoroughly up in the process.

What I'm saying is, I'm feeling very stabby. If you see me coming, you may want to cross to the other side of the street. I will not be held responsible for my actions today.

2009 PKD Fundraising Wrap-Up

Holy crap, y'all. In a recession, no less.

Total raised: $9,025

$5,300 from the auction/cabaret
$39 from Garrick's cookie sale
$159 from our spring yard sale
$3,527 from direct donations

Look what we all accomplished!! Amazing. Cookies and milk on me.