Time Management 3003.51

I knew I wouldn't be able to keep a blog updated but I needed to at least claim the name so no other AJSnow would steal it. My idea for a craft blog would be kinda like a journal/how to about my life and the crafts I finish along the way... not happening. Both, no life and not many finished crafts.

Thats thanks to school and work. What else kills big plans better that obligations? School was going better when I didn't have a work schedule to keep up with. I have to remind myself that what I am learning will help me be an indie crafter one day soon. Working at the Anchorage Cafe at Mercy Ships has it's ups and downs but, eh, who want to make spoiled people lattes?? Not I. But, its that or Brooshires so "do you want that hot or iced?".

I have a craft bazzar in November at my aunts work which I am currently crafting for. As a result of all the planning and crafting that goes into preparing for a show, my heart is light and my soul is refreshed! 

Crafting just fits me. No matter if I am re-covering a vintage novel or making "art" with one of the little angels I babysit, everything in my world is a little better because I am making beauty. Not art. No I am not, nor do I want to be, an "artist" but rather, I am a crafter, maker, artisan whatever. 

I craft because I must, because without it I wilt, because I give my soul away in each item therefore sharing God's love and light. So I craft because God wants me to. 

Meg and Am, if you are reading this, and I am sure your the only ones who have checked this out, I love you and am proud that my 2 best friends are living out a dream. Oh I miss you. 

Fall 2009

I just got back from my advising at Texas Women's University. Housing has no more private rooms available so I'm taking all online classes this semester. I hope to be able to attend a lot of craft shows this semester, I just need to get a part time job that can pay for the booth fees. Man those can pricey. The only thing left now is to get a loan to pay for everything, I'll cry if I can't a loan. Well probly not cry... but ya know.

Jonathan Wladen 1991-2009

A family that I grew up with in church is dealing with the death of there son, Jon. He and my brother were best friends and accomplices when they were kids. They were hell raisers! Jon grew up to be a respectful teenager with a dry sense of humor that made you laugh no matter what.

The Walden's moved to a small town here in Texas a few years ago. Jon was very active in his christian school which was also the church he went to. He played guitar for the worship band was very much loved.

Jon's little brother Chris, found him dead Friday (August 7th) morning in the back yard. Chris is 13. He checked for a pulse with no luck and shook his shirt to try and wake him up. Chris also tried to remove the pipe that Jon was gripping.

The police came, and left. They did no forensic investigation. No finger prints, nothing. They spent an hour looking for Jon's cell phone in the shed that Jon usually went to take phone calls. They couldn't find it, however, Bobby (Jon's Dad) walked right in and found it laying in plain sight on the work bench. Hmm.

Annette, Jon's mom, told us his face had been smashed, his neck was crooked and his face was not peaceful.

It was murder. No one can doubt it, Jon was lured out to the shed by some one who knows that's where he goes for privacy from his 3 other siblings. And attacked, he tried to defend himself with a pipe that Bobby says came from the shed where his cell was found.

The police department or whoever has records of the autopsy (which was completed in no more than 2 days) said at first his cause of death was blunt trauma to the head, which was obvious if you saw his face. But later, they said that it wasn't blunt trauma, it had to have been an accident.
Why would they change it?

So then the news reported that police have to evidence to suspect murder...

I just found a report that states, "he died of what seems to be breathing complications".

Breathing complications don't smash in a football players skull. They don't break your neck. They don't hold on to a pipe in order to defend yourself.

The Joshua, TX police department don't want to call this by its name MURDER. That would cause the statistics to change not in their favor. This small town already had issues with Jonathan's family when he was put in juvie. Years ago he and a friend where shooting bb guns and accidentally hit a kid who happened to be the daughter of a cop. Wow did we see the police jump into "zero tolerance" mode then! But when the same boy, now a teenager, is found beat to death in his own yard, its breathing complications.

I am so angry at the lack of professionalism from the authorities. They are just trying to keep their quaint small town as pleasant as can be.

Heart, heat and headaches

We found out that my little sister has a heart murmur.  I had to cram down tears all day when mom first told me. I would look at her and literally think "I can't lose her." But she had an echocardiogram and its either nothing to worry about or easily fixed. We still haven't heard from the doctor however. 

I went shopping today in my grandmother's car which has leather seats... big mistake! My back got sooooo hot and I couldn't touch the steering wheel. I HATE SUMMER!!!

School starts soon and I still don't know if I am accepted to Texas Women's University. I am going to be making some calls soon. School has been nothing but a headache. Alan wants to go to TJC also and I tell him all the time now "don't transfer until you have your Associates". 

It runs in the family

My little brother plays the guitar like a rock god. I have always wanted to be Artemis and I guess it fits since she has a brother Apollo. Alicia = Artemis, Alan = Apollo! Both siblings names start with A's, and...well, thats kinda the only similarity lol. 

He painted one of his many guitars a while back and today he had me list it in my shop. Its a leafless tree, with rolling hills in the background. Its really quite beautiful and I hope someone will buy it from him. 

He is just finishing a custom guitar for a friend. Alan got to learn the joys of custom orders during the same time I was fighting with the 200 custom rings I was working on.

Craft across America

My high school theatre teacher (whom I have know for over 8 years) takes his family on a great summer vacation every year. This year they stayed in CO and met a couple of guys who are biking across America. Of course the two men are now part of the Wisdom family. 

The biker's blog is really too funny. I have spent my Sunday morning reading it and watching videos. I love when people can just plan for something and then go do it! Its kinda what I wish I was doing with my crafting. But I am so impulsive, whenever I make a big sale I am too eager to spend the money on more supplies rather than save it up and make a budget. I hate numbers.

Fall is coming and I plan to get back in school. My year off served it's purpose in letting me see my self and figure out a career. I am waiting to hear from Texas Women's University. My only worry is that my transcript will get there late, and with my luck with red tape, it will be too late. Then what will I do? Bike across america maybe and go to every craft event I can find! Hey this sounds pretty good to me. Craft across America! 

Sweet Freedom

I have epoxyed a great many scrabble tile rings today. They had better be the last ones I do for a while! The exact number I know not. I didn't count them on purpose, I want to wait until: the epoxy has set, then remove all those that are messed up, then count how many I have left. There had better be more that I need, not less. 

Indie BritChick rock is my new love. Lily Allen, Adele, Kate Nash and Duffy in particular. Thanks to Pandora Radio, I have discovered alot of their stuff and lead my to some great new stuff. These ladies get me thru the day and into the early hours of the morning. 

This is how I feel right now! Sunshine holding me up now that a great burden has just about been lifted. Check out this etsy shop. I LOVE her photography, it makes me want to go out shooting... almost. The urged to take pictures is in me but not strong enough for me to actually go out in Texas heat and melt.

My air conditioned craft loft is just fine for me thanks.