Shabby Accumulations

New items in the shop friends!!!! Delilah is moving so, it is time to list what has been waiting on my back burner! Lots of changes happening around here, albeit slowly! Planning a move from NY to Colorado! Will be adding to my shop in the next few weeks. 

My Eternal Angel

Mom and Maddie, her youngest grand daughter. We were at a family get together for her brother Mike, who passed away just months before mom. She hadn't seen Maddie in years. The smile on their faces is priceless. I shot this so quickly, and am forever happy that I did!

Two years ago today the greatest example I will ever know, of an angel on earth, left suddenly to become an one of the eternal kind. My best friend, practically the only person I ever talked to on the phone anymore, (sometimes more than once a day), the bright light that was traveling my way, moving back from Florida to be near her family in New York again, and the kindest person I will ever know, my mom, was struck by a car and killed while crossing the street in a New Jersey crosswalk. She was almost home.
I wanted to write a tribute in her memory. To share something that was special to her.
My mom was a maternity nurse, for well over 25 years. She adored her job.Her patients and co-workers meant the world to her. So much that the night she was killed, during those horrible dark hours after, we found a large stack of hand written thank you notes from her bosses and patients alike, stashed in her purse. I can only assume that these meant so much to her that she kept them close for her long drive to New York.
In the month prior to my mom's death I, ironically, learned many things about her through our conversations. She called me one day, so excited and happy, not stressed as she had been over the upcoming move,in other conversations,  and told of an encounter she had while having a tire fixed. She had a tire that kept going flat, and took her car in to have it repaired. The mechanic fixed her tire, and when she went to pay him he refused. He looked and said she was so kind to he and his wife during the delivery of their baby, and in his appreciation for that he would not charge her. She was so thrilled at  his words I think I received a phone call as soon as she got home. About a week later she called me again. "Jen, you are not going to believe this!". I could just hear her smiling. "It happened again!". Mom went on to tell me that she had gone to have something done with her new phone. She went to pay the man and he said he wouldn't charge her. I was thinking perhaps this was something they just don't charge for, which would be fine, but the man went on to say how mom was so good to he and his wife during the delivery of their baby, and how much he appreciated it.
So that was the second phone call in a matter of two weeks, that I heard such pure joy in my mom's voice, I will never forget how she sounded those days.

Mom, me and Becky on Beck's wedding day. Mom made my dress and Becky's wedding gown and veil.

I myself know the calming effect she could have on me.. But the way she talked about her co-workers and patients, I know she had the same effect on a number of people. When she was there, you just felt better.

Mom loved to dress up as a clown for parties! Here she is with her grand daughters Alexis and Whitney.

I love you my dearest angel.

For the Love of Love!

Just showing off the latest and greatest of my Shabby Accumulation's jewelry collection!

These are one of a kind pieces that can be bought here;

Distressing Delilah's Etsy shop!

Pearls for the Girls...Use your voice!

 As almost anyone in the whole USA and beyond has to know by now, October is breast cancer awareness month. Pink abounds, even more than orange and black!

 I have been lucky to help a bit with a fundraiser luncheon to raise money for a group of women who will be walking in Albany, N.Y. this coming Sunday, in a walk for the American Cancer Society to Make Strides against breast cancer . I have two very strong and amazing co-workers who have survived breast cancer.

One of them is the "brains" behind these fundraising efforts, the other was there right along with her, giving a humorous, but touching speech regarding her experiences as she battled this disease. Both are women to be listened to. Their words are of great value.

The name of our team for the walk is "Pink Pearls for the Girls".

 I recently recreated a painting that I had painted in 2008, after being incredibly inspired by a young patient, who had breast cancer. She was a huge inspiration to me, and that was only upon seeing her smile. She didn't know I created the painting because of her, until some very odd occurrences took place! God's hands work in mysterious ways. A long story short, her mom ended up calling me an purchasing the original for her birthday. I sold prints of that painting, many, in 2008. Four years later, it is available again, if anyone is interested just leave me your email! 8 x 10 is available for $15. All proceeds to be donated to the American Cancer Society.

 

 

Pink Pearls for the Girls!

 Raffles! Blingy bracelets donated by J.Fine Jewelry in Gloversville Ny!

And last but not least...a photo of a Lifenet helicopter. 

Why? 

It's not pink!

No, it's not.

But on that helicopter is one of my greatest inspirations, my sister Becky.

She is a year an half younger than me, as she made sure to tell the pilot after introducing me, lol! 

No, she did not and does not have breast cancer. 

I can't help but think of her as I have been taking part in this month's breast cancer awareness.

She is a survivor though. 

A survivor times 2. 

In her early twenties she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of sarcoma, my dad passed away at 36 of a cancer from the same family.

I always thought I would be the one to get this horrible disease first, not her.

She is strong,

She is spunky, to put it mildly. 

That is what saved her. 

She was not afraid to stand up and speak for herself.

At a visit, after her first battle and at one of the largest cancer hospitals in the country, she told her doctor something didn't feel right. There was something near her original cancer site. He told her she was fine, and to go home. She wouldn't. She didn't leave that office until she had a biopsy of that site. She was right, her cancer was back. Had she not used her voice, she would not be here today. 

She would not be  the talented trauma nurse that she is, crazily flying around in a helicopter to accident scenes and hospitals. She would not be here for her three beautiful daughters.

I am just saying, use your voice, follow her lead my friends. And then follow your dreams, just like she has! Love you Becky.

NYC!

 So, after a little over 43 years on this earth, a majority of those years spent in NY state, I finally stepped foot on the ground in NYC. I guess that tells you how much I get out!

We took the train into the city. Stepping up and out of the station, I immediately decided this was a place for me! Why did it take me so long to go here! (kids, job, no vacation time, excuses...)

I went with 4 other friends. We were a great group, lol! Must have walked a marathon, but no grumbling, just the goal to get where we were going in the little time we had there! 

We took a ride through Central Park. An odd thing, my friend Kristy and I rode in one buggy and the others rode in another..the oddity was that people seemed to be pointing and laughing at Kristy and I as we went by them, no clue why! Any ideas?

 We saw "Wicked" on broadway! Another first, my first broadway show! Ironic that it was this one because my favorite movie ever is The Wizard of Oz. It has always intrigued me and scared me at the same time. The show was amazing! Lol, wow, I really sound like a tourist don't I! That is what I was though!

We visited the WTC memorial. It took us half the day to get in there, but it didn't matter. 

We  went to F.A.O. Schwartz. So many teddys! I wanted to take them all with me! 

We also saw subway rats running along the tracks, a purse snatching, lot's of homeless people, a half naked Indian, a half naked Abercrombie model (woof!) and went to the top of the Rock at 11pm at night!!!
We bought cheap, knock off sunglasses from a street vendor, NYC sweatshirts at the port, and ungodly (yet heavenly) desserts at Serendipitys. We laughed over things unsaid while on the subways and in elevators, walked reverently through St. Anthony's church and lit candles for loved ones in St. Patrick's cathedral. Two of us crashed into bed at midnight, while the rest walked through times square until 2 in the morning. (can you guess what I did, nerd that I am?)

I had a great time, it has been ages since I spent time with a group of friends like this or even traveled over an hour away, so happy I did.

Ready to go back for more!

Shabby Apple

I wanted to share a fab site with you all! Of course I would like it, as it's name is "Shabby Apple". They  have some of the sweetest, shabby dresses around. 

Above is my current fave, Alice. Something about the color...hmmm (hint, blog background)..(or perhaps, the exact shade of Tiffany boxes!), that I adore.There is plenty more to love there though!  Ok, I have to show you one more dress, Ingrid. It is so elegant and retro. Hard to decide which one I love the most!

Shabby Apple is offering an exclusive discount until September 14. You need only to use the code below:

10% off site wide code: favorite10

This code expires 9/14/2012.

Hi there! I can't believe I haven't posted here since February! Life gets crazy, I get carried away with other things, blah blah blah..you know the story I am sure!

I wanted to share this little bug man with you! I thought he was so cute. He just seems to be hangin' out on one of my flowers! I had to zoom way to in to see him so clearly though. 

Have been busy here. Two different jobs, but neither is full time. It's sort of a juggling act some weeks.  Also am finishing up another online college course, lol..not really enjoying it, but I consider it a necessary evil. Oh an signed up for a half marathon in Saratoga on Sept. 16 th. Sort of excited about that, haven't ran one in a while. I decided to challenge myself a couple of months ago, and workout (which means RUN, mostly) five days in a row, instead of every other day. It definitely has been a challenge! But I find I enjoy it, and miss it when I have long awaited two days off. It has been quite a lesson in discipline!

So people, hope may inspire you to get out there and sweat! Not worth it unless you do!