Here is something made thanks to my new dremel tool. It makes things SO easy! Fun stuff.

for the ladies of 421

Is your refrigerator running?

I almost bought a Christmas present today. As in a "Christmas 2006" gift. This is the girl who normally starts shopping around the 23rd of December, give or take 36 hours.

Needless to say, it felt very odd to think of actually bringing this item home and storing it for a full 364 days, so I didn't start next year's holiday shopping just yet.

In other news, this December was Moonwater Designs 2nd busiest month ever. Yay! I'm celebrating by cleaning the mess otherwise known as my art room. I sent about 40 custom charms out the door, many of the orders from friends and co-workers. The word is finally getting out in Fort Collins. The other day, my boyfriend's sister Jennifer was wearing a necklace I made. She works at a coffee shop in Old Town, and a few of her regulars came in. One proclaims, "That necklace looks like one of our friend Nicki's..." Jennifer explained that I did indeed make the necklace- and it turns out that the two people are work acquaintances that I don't really even know that well (and didn't think knew about MW). Cool!

I made my mom a necklace this year with the quote "When babies are born, so are grandmothers." Although it appears as though I'm hinting at something, children are not in the queue until at least 2010, give or take 36 months. :P I just know how crazy she is about the little muchkins otherwise known as her grandchildren. Next year, it's a "I heart Great Pyrenees" charm.

PS- I just have to note that my mom, who forever has proclaimed to not being a dog lover, sent my sweet puppy several gifts this year, including a kiddie movie called The 12 Dogs of Christmas. He loved the rawhides and *I* love the silver treat container that replaces the 2-foot high tall bright yellow box normally accenting our kitchen countertop. Thanks, ma! We did squeeze in a showing of The 12 Dogs yesterday, and Koda gives 2 dog pads up.

I got a care package from mom full of goodies yesterday. Amazingly, mom, the sugar cookies- well, all but one- arrived in perfect shape! The bubble wrap you used around those delicate beauties apparently did the trick.

I made a few holiday treats today, and when I put the 3 things along with all the little goodies you sent, voila! It looks like Martha Stewart better watch out, right? Brandon and his family have been gone all day, and I must admit that the thought crossed my mind to just pretend that I made REALLY small batches of sugar cookies, molasses cookies and peanut clusters. However, I realize that Santa would definitely note this so therefore will be giving credit to my mom for sure.

I have just 12 words to leave you with: pretzel rods dipped in almond bark and sprinkled with crushed candy cane (or crushed M&M's for the chocolate fans out there)

My sweet friend Katie just sent me a photo of me and Brandon from Tracie's wedding a few months ago. Does she take awesome photos or what? She was the official taker of informal photos, and they all turned out so well that I honestly think she could make a living from photography. Even though I'm no photographer, I definitely appreciate all that goes into capturing something from a beautiful new perspective or finding those perfect moments, and Katie's definitely spilling over with that type of talent. Thank you, Katie!!

i'm just taking a break from cleaning my closet this morning. i have been more busy than EVER this holiday season, with nearly 40 custom charm orders. i mailed 5 packages yesterday and took a break last night to attend brandon's company christmas party. i noticed a difference between my 160+ person very corporate company party and theirs- whereas everything we do is labeled "holiday," they were running around wishing all a Merry Christmas. i know there has been controversy lately about being overly-generic or politically correct and losing the meaning behind the holiday; however, if i were someone who celebrated Hannukah and attended a Christmas party, I can't help but think I'd feel a little left out. But maybe that's the "HR" person in me that automatically considers everything from a broad perspective- "What would 160 different personalities think about this...?" Not an easy task, but was definitely an interesting field.

Now I relax for 4 more minutes before running to the bank, finishing cleaning my closet and working on another batch of custom necklace charms. I feel like I can finally sort of catch my breath, but have a super busy week ahead of me. I think I'm going to be sending people New Year's gifts this year, seriously! I'll be in Colorado this Christmas, along with Brandon, his sister and his parents. They arrive in the middle of next week, and I'm afraid I'll still be making jewelry well into next week so if I don't get a chance to update, wishing everyone a happy generic holiday and a merry season to one and all.

"Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was." – Robert Louis Stevenson, poet

kelli's birthday