For My Children

Slider Box--Baby's First Haircut Lock Keeper Girl

Sumpinelse on Etsy

Slider Box--Baby's First Haircut Lock Keeper Boy

Sumpinelse on Etsy

MorningsideThe old man died

And no one cried

They simply turned away

And when he died

He left a table made of nails and pride

And with his hands he carved these words inside

"for my children"
Neil Diamond Morningside

(for complete lyrics and to view Morningside click on Morningside above. You will be directed to the lyricsmode.com site and the appropriate page. The youtube video is available on the left.)

The first time I ever heard this song my eldest son was not even a glimmer in this mother's eyes. I can't begin to express how deeply the lyrics touched me and the commitment I vowed to make for my children at that time.

Decades have since passed, but the whole time, the lyrics have lived within my head and my heart. Their haunting beauty pulled me through some of my darkest moments, moments when I could not find it in myself to lift up by the boot straps and go on. They were constant reminders of why it was important to me to be there for my children. They helped me to focus on what I held to be important and what I believed I needed to instill in them.

For Mom's (and Dad's) every where, your job (raising your children) is the most important work you will ever do. You are molding their futures, yours, and that of the world. They are our legacy. They are our hope~~raise them with all the love and compassion that you hold within.

Until next time,

Carmen

Writer's Block related to Healthcare

In keeping with the summer schedule of blogging every three days today would be the day. My only challenge is that try as I might nothing has popped into my mind for tonights post. My entire day has been filled with so many other things that little time was left over to even consider what to write so I will briefly share with you what is troubling me. Healthcare!

As I've stated before, I am a nurse. Although I have been in Administration and not at the bedside in over 11 years I am still a nurse. Due to the current economic crisis I am starting to see first hand what I learned about in graduate school--the phenomenon of the emergency room as the point of entry to healthcare. How sad it is to watch and how deeply distrubing it is to know that so many are in need of care and unable to afford it. They put off seeing their doctors often until it is too late. It is not bad enough that so many are now out of jobs and underinsured or uninsured we must now add Medicare and Medicaid cuts on top of that as well.

I still have hope. Hope that we will lead ourselves out of this crisis and that we will find a more lasting and workable solution to our healthcare woes. A country's greatness can be gauged by how it takes care of its children, elderly and infirmed. Are we slipping?

Until next time,

Carmen

The Psychology of Color the Color Mood Connection

Glass Pendants--Jewel Tones Color Me Wonderful $8.00

Sumpin Else

Have you ever walked into a room and wondered why you feel so anxious, relaxed, motivated, or even tired? Have you ever dressed for a special meeting and chosen the red blazer or the black and wondered what it is about that blazer that makes you feel powerful and in control? Why do we dress baby girls in pinks, and baby boys in blues? And why do attorneys tell clients what to wear for their "day in court?"

The answer is both simple and complicated. Color effects our affect, moods, perceptions, and feelings. It also effects others affect, moods, perceptions, and feelings about us when we wear them.

Much research has been done on the effects of color. So much so that many articles and writings are now available to the general public thanks to the Internet. One of my favorites Color: Meaning, Symbolism, and Psychology can be found at http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.

So next time you wonder why you feel anxious whenever your boss wears "...that red blazer." Look it up, you might just have the answer at your fingertips!

Until next time,

Carmen

Thilent (Corny Yes) Thursday

Glass Pendant--Tequila Sunset

Original Sumpin Else Photo

Glass Pendants--Firsts

Sample: Maggi's "Little Man" Derrick

Firsts are Custom Items

Glass Pendant--Firsts

Sample: Our friends Ron and Ursula

Firsts are Custom Items

Until next time,

Carmen

Trying New Things

Glass Pendant-Magnolia

Sumpin Else

I remember as a small child often sitting at the dinner table with what looked like who knows what in front of me. I also remember my grandmother Mimi encouraging me to try whatever the flavor of the day was. Whether it was food, games, books, or activities it was always Mimi encouraging us to try something new.

Later on when Mimi was not at our side every minute of the day, her voice would pop into my head whenever I faced a new challenge. Thanks to Mimi our sense of adventure was developed and cultivated. She may have been a little woman but she was packed full of spunk. Mimi passed away on December 17, 2004.

As I was looking in our shop the other day I thought to myself how much I would like to try my hand at glass pendants. Up until this point I had always been fearful to give it a try and then there she was "Try it" I heard her distinct but tiny voice in my head. Of course I had to follow it.

Mimi, it is the first of hopefully many, this magnolia is for you. I love you and miss you, thank you for staying in my heart and in my head.

Until next time,

Carmen

An Idle Mind

is the "playground of the devil." I'm not agreeing with that quote these days. Well my mind really hasn't been idle, but it has been taking in way too much HGTV. Oh, the new ideas I have for this house . . . not that we need to do anything more to our house at the moment, but WOW!

I'm thinking of demo'ing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. Really, it's not a major task. The problem starts with the re-wiring of the electric for the fridge and stove. I guess I shouldn't mention the air conditioning duct is encased by a soffit. Seriously, it looks great in my head! Mind you I'm not an electrician, plumber or carpenter nor do I play one on TV . . . but I'm loaded with ideas!

Next, the laundry room . . . it just needs to be a bit bigger. It's not a problem that the only way to expand the laundry room would be into the garage. Ha! Just a little bump in the road.

Tomorrow I'm Lowe's or Home Depot bound . . . now that is truly the playground for the devil!

~Maggi
(just kidding Babe!)

Congratulations Nick and Carri

Nick and Carri

Engaged July 4th 2009

I had good intentions today. I was going to bring our readers up to speed with what's going on in our shop. BUT as you can see our blog is a little bit of this, a little bit of that. We not only want to tell you about Sumpin Else, we want to establish relationships with you as Carmen and Maggi.

So here is a Carmen moment to share. Last night during the fireworks my son Nicholas and his girlfried Carri set off some fireworks of their own. They got engaged a wonderful text this morning confirmed it! To both of them we (Paul and I) say "Congratulations and best of luck on your journey together, may it be filled with joy and love."

I once read one of those internet chain letters that touched my heart and soul. And even though the legends site says it probably didn't happen the poem at the end always stays with me. I wish now that its true author was known so as to give them credit because if there is one thing I wish for Nick, Carri, and all of our children it is "I wish you enough..."

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright,

enough rain so you can appreciate light.

I wish you enough music to raise your spirits,

enough silence so you can hear it.

I wish you enough happiness to make you glow,

enough pain to make you grow.

I wish you enough intelligence to make your way,

enough innocence to enjoy the day.

I wish you joy. I wish you love. I wish you peace. I wish you enough.

Until next time,

Carmen (aka Mom to you)

Happy Fourth Of July

Happy birthday America, land that I love. Thank you for giving me a roof over my head, bread to eat everyday, the shirt on my back and the opportunity to exercise my rights and defend my beliefs. With all your wrinkles and your warts you are still a jewel in our eyes.

Please remember the young men and women who are away from our shores. Thank you for your great sacrifice in the name of Freedom.

Until next time,

Carmen

Somedays You Give It To God

Prayer Jar--$10.00

Sumpin Else

My sister and I were raised Catholic. Long before it was fashionable to be Christian, we attended Catholic parochial school and Catholic high school. She was the lucky one that got to go to a boy/girl school; I was the ground breaker and was promptly enrolled in an all girl school.

The beauty of growing up Catholic is that there was a dogma, a creed or a prayer for each one of life's hurdles. Everything in life had an associated mystery and mysticism. There were prayers for lost items, for rain, for sunshine, for impossible obstacles, for blessings, and thanks. Life was simple with St. Anthony, St. Joseph, and St. Jude.

Unfortunately as one ages we want more of an explanation to all of life's trials. This was not spared on us. We too looked for answers were the only answer is and was because it is so. However, life does have a way of bringing you back to where it wants you to be. Always at the crossroads and making decisions and faith is what sustains you.

No matter what your belief system is faith is at the root of it. Let faith work for you and move your mountains.

Until next time,

Carmen

Time to Make the Donuts

the Dunkin' Donuts commercial goes through my head everytime Carmen tells me it's time to update the blog. (Don't ask me why, it's just the way my brain cells are wired . . . )

We are going to have an opportunity to market our custom frames to a softball league. A friend of mine has a daughter whose team is going to be playing in the All Star games in Alabama over the 4th of July weekend. Congrats, Alivia! Alivia is going to be receiving her customized frame as our "thank you" and "congratulations" gift. We'll be sure to post Alivia and her frame right here on our blog as soon as we finish it up for her this week!

Don't forget! We can customize any of our frames in your favorite colors, colors that match your school, your room or any other occasion!

~Maggi

Concerned

I try very hard to stay optimistic. Not Pollyanna hiding her head in the sand but upbeat looking for the silver lining in each cloud, the good that comes out of the bad, etc. I have my dark side don't misunderstand but it is usually kept well under control by the optimist who sets my "cruise control."

I am also a nurse. Again, given my profession the optimist springs eternal. Although it is difficult to witness there is good that comes from human suffering although we don't understand it when it is happening. We as humans aspire to make things better for others. Life is held in the highest esteem and people are an end not a means to an end.

Not that I am giving up on these beliefs or practices, but even for Pollyanna it is hard at the moment to hold on to them given the difficult economic times. It is heart breaking to see what is happening in communities all around the United States. With layoffs and downsizing we are beginning to see more and more Americans who for years have been healthy due to benefits that allowed them to stay healthy become infirmed with no where to turn. No job, same bills, health issues and no coverage--never a good combination.

We as a country need to be cognizant of what is going on all around us. Tonight at 10 p.m. President Obama will be holding a Town Hall Meeting. Even for those of us that consider ourselves as being not politically active or mildly interested this meeting will be important. This meeting will discuss healthcare and may set precedent for upcoming legislation. You don't need a soapbox just good listening skills and a voice that you are willing to exercise.

Until next time,

Carmen

Happy Father's Day

Steve we love you--Happy Father's Day

Paul we love you--Happy Father's Day

Pipo te queremos--Feliz Dia de los Padres

Father's Day 2009 as we reminisce today on past Father's Days, we hope that you have a wonderful day, one that will be filed in your vault of great family memories. To our father, our husbands, and their fathers we wish you all the joy this world can hold as seen through the eyes of your children.

To those who have gone before us, Big Guy and Dad Demos, we love you and miss you but we know that your watchful eyes are over us. Say "Hi" and a big "I love you" to Joan and Connie.

Until next time,

Maggi and Carmen