If some of them we're so offensive the subject lines of the spam I receive would be funny.  The one in the title is just plain stupid: You're life may be crap but  you can still wear a good watch? Well if that made any sense at all it would still be crap .... since they are selling knock off watches I presume... thus by definition NOT a good watch.

I am begging you and all the American People to STOP BUYING STUFF SOLD BY SPAMMERS. If no one bought this crap then those selling it would stop filling my inbox with this drek. I know, I know, I'm like Don Quixote and spam is my windmill.

If you want to help the American economy stop buying crap made overseas and start buying handcrafted, American products. (nothing self serving in the statement is there LOL.) For the holidays I bought a few relatives a beautiful, handmade cutting board made here in Maine. I use one myself and have had it for years.  Think about it, having fewer THINGS but ones that are hand made with love and of good quality will actually make you happier. How? Because they are beautiful to look at and a pleasure to use. Plus, having fewer things to clean and move around from spot to spot makes life simpler, easier to manage and more organized. Remembering the occassion on which you bought or received that item will bring a smile to your face over and over for years to come. Can you say the same for a plastic cutting board you bought at Walmart?

An example from personal life: When I worked for Bigbrotherbank in NYC I used to purchase barrettes for my hair from Macy's. They cost me (way back then) about $35-40 bucks and they often broke within a few months. The bow would get detached from the barrette or the clip itself would break.  Now I make barrettes that also sell for $25-$40; they are handmade and last a lifetime. If the clip or the glass breaks I tell my customers to send it back to me and I'll fix it free of charge. I wear them myself every day so I know they hold up under pressure.

So, buying a handmade, American item provides better quality and better customer support. Knowing the person who made that thing you just bought and being able to get a response when you have a problem or a question is also a big plus. It also means less junk in the landfill because a quality, handmade item will last a lot longer. So, bottom line about the bottom line: buy American and buy Handcrafted. You'll be happier, the economy will be better, the environment will be better and the artist will be able to continue making beautiful things and not have to go to work at The Walmart. That is not to say that some days working a 9-5 isn't attractive, because sometimes it's downright seductive. The grass is always greener heh?

   Ok, stepping off the soapbox... let's discuss the weather:


I'm getting pretty tired of the cold I must say. Had to break out the thermal underwear when the mercury dropped to -27.  The only problem with it warming up is that we have  a bit of an ice problem and this past weekend, when the temp rose over 30, I had about 4 pans sitting around my living room catching drips as the ice melted and found it's way into my ceiling. What happened to global warming and when is it going to reach Maine?

There is always an upside and last night there was a full moon and the moonlight glowing on the frozen fields and through the trees was just beautiful.

Wow I was just gonna say a little something about the weather and spam and look what happened LOL. 

Happy Chinese New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Ox.

~Nancy

Hey Nan, I was just offered millions of dollars from an out of the country scammer yesterday. And then I got an interesting offer to enlarge body parts I don't possess, of course the best part is that I apparently sent that message to myself...how do they do that??!! Hope you stay warm.

Kelli in California