So the storm has passed...I think!

So over the weekend we (I shouldn't say we...my husband) fixed all the house wounds.

Our water heater was replaced...our dryer is working, so I guess I have to get to the piles(mounds)...ugh! Our shower is working.....and I think that's all I mentioned to ya in the last post. So with things in working order I am sitting here writing to you....ha! I should be doing laundry or taking a nice hot shower, but I am noodling in blogland. That's so easy for me to do. I love all the eye candy!!

It's been really cold here the last few days....we even had snow yesterday, yes I typed SNOW! When will it pass.....I think soon, hopefully. So I took a fewer pictures of a squirrel yesterday....

I know I should of been doing laundry...but I was just gazing at this little critter. How funny is he...just lying around.

I know I get a kick out of the littlest things, but this little guy made me smile. We even have a couple of ducks that the girls and I feed everyday and this little brave creature comes up too....I'm no snow white, so once he gets a little close we go inside. I am so a chicken when it comes to squirrels. We once had baby squirrels in our roof.....last year's house wound, my hubby had to fix that too, it never ends. But we had a family of squirrels living in the roof.....one day the babies got out and well....to my surprise, when I turned to go down my hallway, I saw this...see the picture below....eeek....the window was open too! I was so scared.....and the stairwell was right at the window, so I couldn't go down the stairs or scream because the screen was they only thing between me and this tiny thing!! I was soooo scared...it took some courage, but I eventually ran downstairs!

Well, my husband wanted to go and catch the squirrels himself, and I just envisioned this grown man falling off the roof and hurting himself, so I called the critter line...I forgot the proper name, the company that comes and gets pests or babies off your premise....for lots of money! So, it took three days to coax the mama into the cage...she was so smart she kept tricking the cage and getting the food. The man told us grey squirrels are the most aggressive and the smartest of the squirrel family. The man finally had to bring back the baby and within 20 minutes the mama came and finally was reunited with her family. The man took them to a forest park.....not close to our home, thank goodness! So, I was happy they moved on and my hubby didn't fall off the roof.....wouldn't that have been a funny picture. Just kidding.....I guess I still laugh when my husband tells that story of me scared out of my mind and him wanting to be a hero with a broom and fishing net! I hope your laughing with me girls!

Have a wonderful day...and I didn't know where this blog entry would take me. I hope you enjoyed my little nature story. Take care, jackie

Blah Blah Blah...I am so boring!

Ha...I am so boring, but can I tell you I am just laughing thinking about what I am about to say.....our house has been crazy the last few days. We are having a new roof put on and ya know when you try to do a home improvemnt project...some thing else breaks, well at least in our house this happens A LOT!! First, our furnace broke.....I wouldn't be too upset with the weather getting a bit nicer, but the nights are still cold...brrrr. Then out dryer breaks....this wouldn't bother me either, but the piles add up quickly with a family of five...add our little one things she's a fashion queen and changes her wardrobe two or three times a day...so its like a family of eight..ugh!! Thirdly our bathroom shower faucet is leaking and the water is coming down to the second floor bathroom...oh my. Oh yeah, remember the roof is being done too....this is madness! I will have to bragh a bit...my handy husband fixed them...not all, but the most important ones.....the furnace and dryer and the roof will be done tomorrow. The bathroom will be fixed soon, at least no water in the walls. I'm a nut and always scared of mold, YUCK! So, we are showering still, but have to downstairs to the other bathroom, so kudos to my hubby! Even with all that he fixes it all and says what next.....I get my strength from him, I would of cracked under that pressure, for sure!

So, quick change of subject......I have been in a creative lull...low, just a plain funk. It's been a for a while now. Do you ever feel that way? A good friend of mine told me that when an artist evolves or is about to go through a change in their art they go through a slump...so that was very encouraging to me, because that is the way I feel. So I dont have pictures of what I have been doing...because I haven't been too creative....a lot of projects started but none finished or worth showing, at least in my thoughts...of funk! I did snap a picture of my middle daughter's jeans....another pair of capris. We couldn't find her white mary janes so she wore these.

The have green apples, stripes, and polka dots...they are so fun for the spring!! So I hope you didn't mind the rant....I hope to snap out of the fog and get back to business....lol! I will leave you with a sneak peak of a project I am working on for a friend getting married in June.....I know it's a crummy picture, but I am still working on some of the details :) enjoy the day friends, jackie

What month is it.....

I can't believe it's April already. We picked up soccer schedules and my head started to spin....I think my head will fall off when our third baby starts sports..oh my! Between practices and games we are booked up almost everyday until June. I do love it and to see my son going over his schedule like he won the lottery puts a smile on my face. He lives...eats and sleeps for soccer. I didn't play soccer when I was younger, I played softball....so I don't know where he gets this enthusiaum, but I do love watching him and the games are getting so exciting.

April came into our neck of the woods with a storm....and I loved it....and least it wasn't snow :)

The wind blew and it was so calming. The grass is turning greener and my lillies are even budding through the ground...yippee!! A few years ago, I transpanted lillies from the side of our house to around our deck.....I really thought it wouldn't work....I still get amazed every year that they come back and they bring friends! I know they are hearty, but I don't have a green thumb at all. So I plan to do a small...really small garden this year....I'll post my progress. Here's a picture of a one of my lilies last year.....

This inspiration came from when I first visited my husband uncles home. He is retired and lives in a retirement community. He lost his wife and lives alone. He is a true gardener....here in the midwest we get to have summer flowers and gardens only for a few months, but when I see his magical creations I wish we can have them longer. He is such a great gardner, a few churches commision him and he is busy all summer long....oh yeah forgot to mention he is in his eighties and rides his bike around town. A true inspriation! I will leave you with some shots I took a over the summer last year....I hope you enjoy them and happy April!! These lovelies were at one of the churches he does....I love hydrangas!

This is one side of his home. I know it's not close...but remember I'm challenged in the picture taking...ugh! It's truly is a wonderful garden...I hope one day I can get enough courage to plant and have a magical place like this! Maybe after all the soccer balls stop rolling around my yard...hehe! Take care, Jackie

Happy Easter Everyone....and a special wish!

Happy Easter everyone. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I know this is the first weekend of spring...but here in the midwest we have been blanketed with more snow, ugh!!

We will have the egg hunt indoors, but we will still celebrate :) I have listed my Etsy shop....yay.

I know finally huh....I have only listed a few items, but plan to list more. I will keep you updated!

The link is below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5686960

I will add my link to the blog soon...again computer challenged and can't figure it out :(

So back to the to wish...today is my little girls birthday. She turned three today, yes a spring baby. She was a pure delight from the moment we found out we were expecting. We were told we had less then 5% chance of getting pregnant.....we'll I think we surprised our doctors. Even after having a 3 hour surgery...which was supposed to be a routine 20 minute procedure. My ovaries were attached to my stomach...sorry for the visual..they gave us grime news and said it was unlikely I would be able to conceive again. Well....we thought we would try and God would watch over us, well God graced us with a perfect angel! She has been such a joy to our family. Here is a rare picture of me and the kids...dont laugh, its hours after having a c-section, but I love the smile on my sons face...my daughters dazed look, and my new addition sleeping through it all....which she still does to this day! Today we celebrated her birth and what an awesome weekend with Easter weekend too. Happy birthday love!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Take care and many blessings, Jackie

Horton Hears an Etsy Shoppe is Coming!!

Do you ever get stumped even before you even write the title.

I do all the time......being creative with words is a challenge with me.

I know, you know I have more then one challenge....lol!! So thanks for bearing with me.

Today, the girls and I saw the hilarious movie Horton Hears a Hoo!! What a cute story and the graphics amaze me. They even make the movies funny for us big kids....my oldest would say...why are you laughing? ....so the humor is for both young and old.....my oldest daughter is 6.

A must see in my book and if you have little ones...it kept them entertained the whole entire time. My baby girl turns three next week and she stayed in her own chair the entire time (and she wasn't a sleep on my arm or me)....whoo HOO!!

So, I havent posted in a bit because as the title reads....I'm working on opening an Etsy shoppe.

I know, I think I am the last to jump on this wonderful band wagon...but better late than never, right! I'm very excited and WOW it's taken me a lonnnnnggggg time! I am hoping to have 7-9 new pieces and I have been very busy!! I have found a new energy. My physical therapy is going very well and I am hardly having pain.....I don't want to be too boastful, but I feel good. Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers!! So I will leave with a sneak peek. I will post when the shoppe opens, hopefully by Monday or Tuesday. Have a wonderful evening....hugs, Jackie

Spring Bunny Chick

You Make My Day!

You Make My Day Award...me...really me..."I graciously accept this award on behalf of"....

Oh, I am just kidding...LOL, I was envisioning accepting this award like I'm in a fancy sequence ball gown at the Oscars. I'm actually wearing sneakers, running pants and a long sleeve shirt. Just giving you a funny visual. I do thank Colleen for Frostings and Sparkles for her kind words....which I send right back to you. I think the same about you and can't believe were are somewhat neighbors and we met in Blogland!! Thanks so much! So, I think I am supposed to either tell you seven random things or pass the award on.....so I will do BOTH!



1. I love eating Synder Pretzels and drinking orange juice....yummy

maybe I should take a break and go get some......

2. Ok, I am back from my snack break....I love vintage toys, a gift I get from dad.

I love seeing them in mixed media, flea markets and of course garage sales :)

3. I'm not a girly girl.....but I have a thing jewelry.....can't afford diamonds

but I like handmade jewerly....especially on ETSY!!

4.I'm growing out my hair......ugh I am in the ugly stage....YUCK!!

5.My business name "FAT JAK" is really a spin off my kids

I was told I would NEVER become pregnant and the Lord blessed me with three angels

Jake, Alexis, and Katie Reese...So it's a play on words....Fat=Blessed and Jak=Jackie plus my kids first intial.

6.LOVE LOVE LOVE sushi.....my husband thinks it's gross, so I don't get to eat it as often as I'd like....but I truly love it.....did I say that already....hmmmm I guess I am just really hungry.
Plus I finished all my pretzels and oj.

7.I threw pottery in college and this is why I have a love for clay. I didn't have the means or time to be away from my children so I bought paper clay at Micheal's one day and taught myself handbuilding.....thus my start into my whimisical world...plus my kiddos inspire me EVERYDAY!!



Well...there you have it. I am feeling better and the healing is a slow process, but my heart is staying positive. Thanks for all your thoughts and notes....it was a daily blessing...thank you!!



I hope you had a chance to get over to Glitter and Grunge and see all the new artists and their fantastic work. Thanks for all your orders and I hope you enjoy your new spring additions!!

I leave with another bunny....hope he makes you smile, enjoy Jackie
Ohhh.....I pass this award on to all who comes and reads my silly blog....tag your it!
Have a great day......and you truly make my day :)

Happy Leap Day!!

Happy Leap Day.....

An extra day of winter in my neck of the words.....but dreaming of spring!!

I have new bunnies, take a peek...

These guys will be over at Glitter and Grunge tomorrow....along with my bunny boxes.I am struggling with my pictures....tried all day with different light even a light box. This is a real challenge for me.....I should be more frank..."I stink at picture taking...ugh!!" So this is the best and I know its crummy.....

So does everyone know why we celebrate Leap Day?? I actually didn't.

Brief History of Leap Day
In ancient Rome, leap day was on February 24 due to February being the last month of the calendar. The original Roman calendar added an extra month every few years to maintain the correct seasonal changes. The Julian calendar was implemented in 45 BCE, resulting in a leap day being added to the end of February every four years. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII refined the Julian calendar with a new rule that a century year is not a leap year unless it is evenly divisible by 400. The introduction of the Gregorian calendar was observed in some countries including Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. The conversion took longer for other countries such as Great Britain (1752) and Lithuania (1915).

How fun, huh! Well... Happy Birthday to all you Leapers......Have a great day!!! Jackie