It is not often in this crazy world that you find yourself in a truly satisfying friendship. It seems that the days of fast and true long term friendships are rather prehistoric. So, when you recognize you indeed have one, its a very good thing. Its comforting to know that regardless of the ups and downs and in betweens, there is still a shoulder, a set of ears and a pair of loving arms to hold you close or a smile and a whoop and holler to celebrate your victories and accomplishments. Its satisfying to know that though the distance may be long, and sometimes the opinions differed, you still have that connection, that common ground that bonds you through thick and thin. The ability to overlook ones imperfections, to lovingly remind you to get your head out of your ass, or to just be on the receiving end of a well deserved vent session are not something you can just stumble upon anymore.

Of all the relationships I’ve had, Michael and I had the most insane one, in every way. From the explosive way it started, to the wild and crazy adventures and even the tough times in the middle, to the sad and heart breaking way that particular chapter ended. We definately exlpored every spectrum and angle of a great deal of emotions. Now that the relationship has moved to a deep and true friendship, I find myself marvelling even more at the depth of our connection. Regardless of where we started and came from, and where we are now, I know that I will “have” him for a lifetime. I couldn’t be more happy to have such a relization, nor such a wonderful man in my life.

There are many things I have him to thank him for. My increased love of Country music, a really good double jack and coke and “Swamp Water”, long drives that spring up out of nowhere and with no particular plan intended, rain storms - even at the hurricane level, perseverence when all seems lost, the joys of completing a “quest”, the Atlantic Ocean, staying up till all hours of the night in a local Denny’s telling stories and drinking insane amounts of sweet tea, the joys of attending concerts, the beauty of touch, Iron Chef (the original!!), video games, slow dancing and Winnie the Pooh. Sure, I might have known and enjoyed some of these things before I knew him, but these are just a FEW of the things that have been greatly enhanced, explored and hold deep and true memories for me. They are the things that even today, spring up smiles and sometimes a giggle and my thoughts move to happy times when we were together.

There have been times I feared I would lose him. Not as a friend, but in a physical sense due to his ongoing medical battles. The tears I have shed, and that come to the surface even just thinking about it, scare me. The thought of not being able to talk with him, or even the mere thought that he is no longer “there”…its something I don’t know if I will ever be able to fathom. I’ve thanked the gods that I’ve not yet had to walk that path, and I am quite sure he is equally glad for that. I only bring this sad point into this ramble, to share with him the depth of my love for him, and to remind him how very much he means to me, and what an important role he plays in my life.

On this day, one of the most important people in my life, turns with the wheel, and welcomes a new year. I hate the fact that I cannot be closer, so that we can celebrate all we had, lost and have gained, to make a toast to damn good friendships, and recall things that only he and I might find funny. I am so grateful for you Michael. More than I probably express, even when we do chat nearly every day. You have stood by me, even during the worst of times. You are always there to listen, to love and to mentor. Your wisdom, your strength and your quirky sense of humor have never failed me. Ever. What this silly, compulsively illogical girl would do without you, is quite beyond me. I know that we will be like this, well…forever. Thank you for all you are, and never forget how much I love you. So have one for me, and enjoy this day. Your path might be confusing for now, but I know you have what it takes to go the distance. Make this year the one of adventure, hope and satisfying memories.

Happy Birthday, Gorgeous.

All my love,
Babydoll

The EarthPath Artisans Street Team (EAST) is having a Gypsy Design Challenge! Team members have taken their interpretation of what the word “Gypsy” conjures up for them, and created new pieces in a variety of media.

The purpose of this challenge is not to win prizes or compete with each other; rather, it’s a way to build team camaraderie and inspire us to explore new themes and stretch our creative muscles. And for the winner, it means a little extra attention from an adoring public! Winners will be posted on the blog and on Etsy.

So stop by the EAST Challenge page on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/earthpathchallenge/ to see pictures of the entries, and then go vote at the EAST blog: http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/
You can also see all the entries in the members’ shops by visiting the team shop’s favorite items page: http://earthpathartisans.etsy.com

What did Lucky make? *grin* Glad you asked!

Gypsy Fortune Teller - Charm Necklace

HAHAHA! I just realized that as I came here to post a picture of what I did to my hair this weekend :) Wheeeee!

I am sooooo loving being a Red Head again! Its been quite a few years, and yeah, it’s good to be back! Hubby seems to agree as well *wink*. I ended up lopping 14″ off and donated it to Locks of Love. YAY! :) I have had shorter hair (then what it was before this) in the past, but I reckon this is the shortest it’s been since ohhhhh. Forever. :) It’s taking some getting used to - as I have to futz and style it now. But I will get that down to a science soon. Everyone at work is doing double takes and stopping at my cube to stare…..ROFL! Though the reactions are good ones, atleast its not “ZOMG WTF did you DO?!” :D

Here is what it looked like Saturday morning, before I had it cut, then dyed it at home myself.

Wheee! Hooray for purty hair and feelin’ sassy!

Apparently I’ve discovered some sort of rare and mysterious Vortex of Stupidity.

It seems, that with every email that gets sent from a few select people I know, the swirls of this Vortex suck out the brain bits and renders the sender of said emails…utterly retarded. With each email that floats by, the Vortex grows, and pulsates, sucking more people into it, and wreaking larger bouts of havoc on the people already IN the Vortex.

I am currently dog paddling on the outer rim of doom, as regards this Vortex. I fear the end is near. My need for logic and CLEAR communication is helping me to stay clear of the riptide that threatens to pull me under, but I am not sure how much longer I will last.

How we have gotten this far in the growth of humanity with out previously discovering this Vortex, I am really quite unsure of.

Perhaps I ought to alert NASA?

I wrote this for Paladin Rune McKenzie who left this earth on June 19, 2004. My heart still aches for his parents - my love to you both.

I’ve slashed all of last season’s prices to WHOLESALE! In other words, ALOT - as they are marked down to strictly time and materials, and LOWER!

This is a perfect time to look through over 50 items and see if you can mark off some of the Holiday Shopping you neeed to do :)

All items in my Close Outs section are priced at $15 and quite a few are as low as $3!! **

As always, first item ships for free to the US and Canada - everyday! Super low pricing for the rest of the Globe!

Come on in, the shoppin’ is FINE!

**Paypal, RME and Money Orders Accepted - and possibly trades if’n ya have something I like/need!

Hey all you Earring Addicts!

I have JUST the solution for you! Come on over to my shop and pickup YOUR subscription to the Dangle Diva Club!

Every month, all Members of the DDC will receive an email newsletter from me, with exclusive earring selections. Simply reply to me with the pair you like, and they will be gift wrapped and sent to you! It’s like getting a little gift just for you, every month, with no fuss, muss or having to spend hours searching for the perfect pair! Let ME bring the awesomeness to YOU!

This also makes the perfect gift for a loved one! Send them a little something every month, without lifting a finger!

Three Month Subscription to the Dangle Diva Club!

You can read more of the details, rules and disclaimers if you click on the above link! Come on, you KNOW you want to! Join the DDC fun today!

Imaginator Chris Strohm of ideasign has a very gifted eye for color, theme and the merging of concepts. His talent is both wide and deep, making him the perfect solution for a custom art piece, logo designs, concept work and a wide variety of other projects. His love for his religous path is very obvious in many pieces, but more subtle in others, lending his work to versatile adoration, no matter what path you find yourself on.

Drawing Down the Moon

Fantastic use of color, depth of detail and whimsical creatures is sure to please! Every time you look at a piece, your mind finds something different, more texture, more detail more…everything! Each piece is obviously painstakingly created and includes a little piece of himself. The inclusion of fae, symbols, bold colors and even messages some might consider bold, are a wonderful thing to behold!

Americana II

Ideasign has to be one of my very favorite Digital Art Shops to date! He has a wide variety of sizes, from ACEO size, on up to larger pieces and even pieces in custom deminsions. His pricing is fantastic, making it easy to fall in love with MANY pieces that you just HAVE to have…and can! He prints his Giclée prints with the highest quality materials, being a stickler for perfection. This attention to detail is seen with every piece, speaking from personal experience and as the proud owner of several of his pieces. Giclée prints are coveted by art collectors for their unsurpassed tonal range and better contrast and brilliance within each print.

Do stop by today, won’t you?

Spring Fling Red

I would like to warmly welcome you to a new thang I am gonna try to do :) My Etsy Seller of the Day!

These Etsy Sellers will be hand picked by me - from my Street Team, wanderings and “oh lookie what I found” discoveries. I hope you will visit their shops, find something handmade, beautiful and perfect and perhaps even buy it! If ya do, when checking out, send them a “Note to Seller” that you found them at LuckyLibra’s Blog, would you? Afterall, every seller loves to know where and how they are being found! :)

So, sit back, browse, and enjoy!

For this opening entry, I have chosen an Etsyian that is very near and dear to my heart, LizStaley. Liz has quickly become a friend, and a sister, not just someone I chat with on Yahoo or in our EAST daily thread.

Her tag line really captures the feel of her store: “To deny the nerdiness is to to deny the soul”. She features a wide variety of Geeky Goodness, something I know quite a few of my readers will get a good giggle at! Everything from D&D inspired Class buttons/magnets, ACEO’s (Art Trading Cards)- often of her own RPG story lines as well as other styles, various Sci-Fi show quote buttons/magnets, to the most fantastic keyboard wallets (that I can personally attest to being SUPERB!) and even her own emerging line of KAFMA….which you might recognize as “Tribbles” in costumes!

This cute KAFMA happens to be dressed as the beloved Flying Spaghetti Monster. (More on FSM here on Wiki: The Flying Spaghetti Monster)

These buttons crack me UP!

Liz is very responsive to her customers, ships very quickly and is most pleased to entertain custom requests of all sorts. She is an excellent artist, a super crafter and an all around great gal. Do stop by, even if to just say hello :) I am quite sure she will be thrilled that you did!