Shuttin Detroit Down

I can't believe I just saw this for the first time. I wish I had seen it when I wrote my post about Detroit. I guess I feel a kinship with these people. I grew up with them. The Dads of my friends all worked for the auto workers. In Dearborn we lived in Henry Ford's employee housing from the 1920 and 30's. Who builds housing for their employees anymore? I have never been a huge fan of unions, but what is happening now is wrong.
An era that is dying. How can we sit by and watch? It is breaking my heart.

http://www.joost.com/082w0gj/t/John-Rich-Shuttin-Detroit-Down-Music-Video

Ban the Bunny...Happy Easter!!

I have a confession to make. In our house we have a ban on the Easter Bunny. Here's the story:
Several years ago one of my daughters became frightened the night we had gone to visit the Easter bunny at the mall. At first I thought "Sure, just an excuse to not go to bed and after we spent all the time in line!! How ungrateful!!!"
Then the charitable me (yes, there is one) thought "Wait a minute...a big bunny which may or may not be a man dressed up is coming into our house at night...Yep, kind of creepy!" And so I made a fateful decision.
I said "The Easter Bunny is not real. I put the candy and treats in your basket. See nothing to be afraid of, go to bed!"
Now some might say that I was just trying to get the whole "I'm scared" ordeal over with quickly, but I reasoned it like this.
Easter is really a more important holiday than Christmas. Yes, we celebrate the birth of the Savior, but isn't the resurrection of the Savior even more powerful? Without the atonement and resurrection of Christ there would be no eternal family for us. His birth is beautiful and there are wonderful songs to sing and celebrations to be had, but His death and resurrection are key to our salvation. With Santa Claus at least there is a spirit about him that emotes joy and hope and faith and believing in things we can't see. Santa I can more easily incorporate into our belief in the Savior.
But why do we get caught up in a big bunny? What does he do? He can't even talk!! And he doesn't even have elves!! I didn't want to take the fun out of Easter for my kids (and I definitely still wanted the Cadbury Eggs!) so this is our way of leaving the made up stuff out and concentrating on the meaning of Easter.
So I apologize if my kid is the one who tells your kid "The Easter Bunny is not real!", but because he has been raised to follow in the footsteps of Christ, hopefully he won't be hitting your kid while he debunks the myth. Sorry that's the best I can do.
The gift of His atonement and helping my family focus on that is more important to me. Maybe to you too.


So Ban the Bunny and Happy Easter :-)

My Jewelry For Sale!

All of my pieces are hand made using ALL Sterling silver. I have tried to describe everything, but please feel free to ask any questions!

Gwen—Serpentine Stone and sterling silver links $38

Chloe—Sterling silver and red-orange Swarovski crystals $20

Bryn—Sodalite gemstones and sterling silver $30

Jocelyn—Iolite Swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads w/ dangle accent $32

Pilar—Autumn Jasper focal bead w/ lace agate gemstone and sterling silver beads $32

Montana—Real coral beads with sterling silver accent

beads and charm, also a double toggle for the right fit $38

Cate—Poppy jasper and sterling silver beads $30

Vanessa—Peacock and grey pearls, Swarovski crystals with sterling silver filigree centerpiece $28

The Story of Jesus—All sterling silver with olive wood bead, Swarovski beads serpentine bead, millefiori lampwork heart bead $30

Reagan--Tiny 4mm white pearls with Swarovski crystals and a lobster claw clasp make this beautiful for any baby girl. A portion of these proceeds will got the the National Down Syndrome Foundation's Buddy Walk $20

Wicked the Bracelet--Sterling silver beads combined with olive green and amethyst Swarovski crystals is finished off with a dangle and Emerald City charm. Stunning!! Please check for availability $50

My Story--Here is a one of a kind piece made just for you! You tell me your story and I will create a keepsake that tells your story.

Here's mine:

Serpentine, the California stone--I was born in California

Five rings--there were five people in my family

Irish Conemara marble--my heritage

German glass bead--my heritage

Chocolate truffle bead--I love chocolate!

Petoskey stone--I consider my home to be Michigan

Music note charm--I began performing in high school

Swedish quartz-- I went to Sweden when I was 17

Millefiori heart bead--I was married in 1985

Five birthstone crystals--I have five children

Silver basket--I sold Longaberger baskets

YAYA letter beads--my girl's group calls ourselves the Ya Yas

Hawaiian Kiwi stone--my favorite vacation was to Hawaii in 2003

Acai berry seed--I sell and use Monavie acai berry juice drink

Now let me tell your story or the story of a loved one...Makes a great Mother's day gift for yourself or your Mom.

Made to order $75