Hardest thing I've ever done...

and I hope you never have to be in this position...

I had to tell my 5 year old son no more swim lessons or karate classes.



Thank you LA mayor and city council. Your plan to give public safety officers 26 furlough days - one every other week - made me do that.

What else do we have to give up? Food. I'm okay with that. But what about my growing 5 year old child?

What next? Well, possible rent. And we live in a 1 bedroom overpriced hell hole to begin with.

Know what really pisses me off? You drug your feet on telling us - two weeks ago you deemed my husband's job as public safety, told him no furloughs right now, but it may change to 11.

And now, all the sudden, an officer is a civilian? and gets the whole whopping 26 days! With less than two weeks to scramble for a solution for the rest of the year!!

I invite you, Mayor and City Council, to swap lives with us for two weeks. Pay our bills, rent and groceries on our budget while living in our hovel. See what you can do with it. Perhaps then you can quit following your own agendas and find ways to work the budget without hurting others that depend on a whole lot less salary than you.

Summer Gift Guide and Giveaway!

The summer edition of the Handmade in California Gift Guide has launched! Check it out - it's full of beautiful items!

And it's giveaway time... every week look for something new! All you need to do is sign up for the mailing list and you're entered. Only a few emails a year are sent, and the list will never be sold or shared with anyone!

Ups and Downs, Part 2

In a previous post, I talked about how life has ups and downs.

Well, this week has been a very emotional one. A greatly respected artist on Etsy, Slavko, suddenly passed away this week. For those of you who are not familiar with him, he was always very supportive to fellow Etsians either through his beautiful treasuries or with suggestions and kind words in the forums and convos. I am lucky enough to have several pieces of his artwork that I will cherish. I would probably no longer be selling on Etsy if it hadn't been for his support. Slavko will be greatly missed. To read his tribute, please click here.



On a happier note, my beaded apple has been noticed by Etsy admin and included in the gift guide for teachers! I am very excited about this! Thanks, Slavko, for your encouragement!

We've had a busy week!

So much going on this past week - I think I'm so tired I could sleep like this guy...


Last Saturday we stood in line for over 3 hours to see Disney's Christmas Carol Train. It wasn't too bad, really. And Colin just loved it! You can see more pictures here.


The next day our plans changed at the last minute, so we headed to Travel Town in Griffith Park to ride the trains and have a picnic. We also rode the other train at Griffith Park, over by the pony rides. Colin also tried out a simulator ride and loved it, so we plotted when we could get him on Star Tours at Disneyland..


And this week was also Colin's last day in preschool. I guess he's officially a kindergartner now.. My baby is growing up! His class went to Wilson Park here in Torrance, for a train ride and playtime.


Yesterday was a very big day for my husband - he received a Civilian Career Service Award from the City of LA. Colin did well through the two ceremonies, even though he was bored silly.



Afterward we headed to Disneyland, where we met up with friends for a few hours of fun. And Colin did indeed ride Star Tours for the first time!

Add to that swim lessons, doctor appointments and physical therapy... am I glad this week is over! I now have a little less than a month to get the house cleaned and get packed for our trip to visit our parents.

But for today, I think we will simply hang out at home. :)

Ups and Downs

Life certainly has it's ups and downs. Right now seems to be a very down time for my family.

I am a SAHM. We have made many sacrifices so that I could be here for my child. And with my husband's work, I have not even been able to get a part time job, as we never know what time he will be off work and home. I don't work full time, as my salary would simply go straight to child care and not help out at all.

But now it seems things will be getting very bad financially. My husband's employer, due to stupid spending practices, have decided on mandatory furlough days. 26 of them. That amounts to our food and gas budget every two weeks.

This will also hurt Red Bess Bonney Creations too. I will not be able to afford new materials or craft show fees. Lucky for everyone else, I guess, as I will be selling most of my supplies in my destash shop. Keep watching for new items to appear.

Sorry this post is such a downer, but I am very upset and I don't have anyone to talk to.

Everything is just beachy...

We had a lovely day yesterday - we went to Bolsa Chica State Beach! When we left home, it was hot and sunny. Then we got to the beach - chilly and foggy! We didn't even bring jackets, but we had fun anyway!





Colin played in the sand and went for a walk by (and in) the ocean with Daddy. We started our bonfire and some friends joined us. We cooked hot dogs and had s'mores. The kids all had a really good time, and we adults had a very relaxing
evening.



Hope you all have a good week leading up to the long weekend!

Chainmaille - not just for knights!

I have been playing around with chainmaille for a while, and I have finally listed my first piece! I know there are some of you out there who hear chainmaille and think of medieval knights.. It is such a versatile craft that you can make just about anything - I'm choosing jewelry for now. Watch my shop closely over the next month for new items!