Wednesday, March 30, 2011

My Life Will Never Be the Same Again ...

... it will be way "awesome-er"! ... now that a certain pirate friend of mine has introduced me to some of the best music I have ever heard.

Have you ever heard a song and fallen madly in love with it instantly? I did. And here it is:

NOW - I have been told that I have come to this music very late (it is so 2006) - but better late then never. And now that I have been introduced to this band ... my ears, my hips and my feet are begging for more.

Thank God for YouTube ... as I was able to search for the rest of their music and found instant faves right away. Here is Isaac's fave:

And the thing is ... I have yet to click on a song from this band that doesn't have me moving ... or a video that doesn't have me riveted.

I am blown away. Where have I been for the past 5 years? Oh wait - I have been a Mommy of a pre-schooler all that time - and have been chained to kids' music and videos. But the chains have been lifted! And Isaac and I could party hard to this music all day long. Sure, we LOVE our Dave Matthews, Michael Franti and Wyclef Jean ... but Gogol Bordello? We are in heaven. So, thank you my pirate friend. You have made our world so much more enjoyable.

Perhaps now one of my blog readers has been enlightened as well ;)

You're Welcome.

Love, Jodi & Isaac

P.S.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Zombie Apocalypse Survival Bracelets. BE PREPARED!



“A zombie apocalypse is a particular hypothetical scenario of apocalyptic theory that customarily has a science fiction/horror rationale. In a zombie apocalypse, a widespread rise of zombies hostile to human life engages in a general assault on civilization.


In some mythologies, victims of zombies may become zombies themselves if they are bitten by zombies; in others, everyone who dies, whatever the cause, becomes one of the undead. In the latter scenario zombies also prey on the living and their bite causes an infection that kills. In either scenario, this causes the outbreak to become an exponentially growing crisis: the spreading "zombie plague" swamps normal military and law enforcement organizations, leading to the panicked collapse of civilian society until only isolated pockets of survivors remain, scavenging for food and supplies in a world reduced to a pre-industrial hostile wilderness.”



~ Wikipedia



Well - Are you Ready? Want to be?


Okay, okay ... it is highly unlikely that you will need to be prepared for a Zombie attack. But you may need to be prepared for some other form of disaster. And our Survival Bracelets can help! These bracelets are made of approx. 12 feet of US made 550 pound test paracord as well as a stainless steel clip --- useful items for survival --- always at the ready --- not to mention stylish!


These bracelets are handmade by our family ... and sell in our brick & mortar shop (very well I might add). They come in several colors ... can be custom made ... and are guaranteed to be tough and awesome! Just $10.BE PREPARED!


Just $10 --- could save your life.
(okay - that is likely a bit dramatic - but doesn't it just feel cool to believe it?)

You can buy yours here (see below) or in our online etsy shop: This Handmade Life.

Then send us a picture of you and your family wearing your super cool bracelets! And await the zombie apocalypse in style.










ENJOY!

~ Jodi

PS. What are the many uses of paracord?

"The answer is pretty much anything and everything mainly limited by a person’s imagination to use the product. Broken shoelaces up a mountain? The outer sheath makes excellent bootlaces and will most likely outlast the originals that came with the boots. Need some quick thread? The inner cores are great for impromptu fishing line or first aid. Need some lashing for a tarp shelter? Again take the inner strands and you have all the cord you need! This versatile cord was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the second Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Back on earth a broken gear strap on your kayak, making a field repair to your backpack or making impromptu rope for a bear bag…the list goes on and on... Some more examples include: Securing equipment, vehicle tie downs, sewing fabric, repairing equipment, making a fire bow, fish gill nets, animal snares, clothes lines, lanyards, anchor line, animal restraints, tooth floss, splints and tourniquets. There are endless documented stories of people all over the world, in all kinds of situations, using their 550 Paracord survival gear. "

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Happy 6th Birthday To My Baby Boy!


I love our yearly Birthday tradition of taking pics of Isaac in his Daddy's shirt. We have done this since his first birthday home (2nd Birthday) ... in an effort to see the progression of his growth.

It is very obvious that soon this boy will outgrow his Dad's shirt. All too soon. I mean - 6 - really!!??

I think this past year has shown the most significant growth spurt ... but you can see for yourself ...

5th Birthday

4th Birthday

3rd Birthday

2nd Birthday

Unbelievable. My baby is 6. I think that means he is not quite a "baby" anymore. I do miss his chubby baby cheeks ... and his toddler walk ... BUT I love every new adventure he brings to our lives. 6 is a whole new world. And it is awesome.

Thank you God/Universe/Creator ... Isaac is the most amazing person I have ever met. And I get to parent him. I am so very thankful.

And always, always, I am thankful to Marjorie for giving birth to this wonderful boy ... and making sure he was safe until his forever family found him.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy. We are so very proud of you.

Love,
Mama

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Meet Jim Lagasse / Pine Tree Art.

I found Jim Lagasse, and his work, while scouting Etsy for potential artists for the shop. I fell in love with his oil-on-canvas birch trees ... as shown above ... especially the striking red pieces. They are so simple, elegant, and interesting. And frankly, I LOVE the way they look in the shop.

Jim also works in watercolors and creates some subtle landscape pieces that seem to evoke feelings of "home" in those who admire them. Here are a couple of my favorites ...


Recently, Jim's work was held on display at the Bangor Public Library. This is what he had to say about it:

"My name is Jim Lagasse and I paint in my spare time. For the most part, I am self-taught. I did take an art class in college, but the professor was not a fan of my work. I just couldn't get the concept of abstract the way she did.

I am a route salesman for a company in Bangor. Every day the scenery and the people change with my job, and it's easy for me to find inspiration to paint. I am lucky to have a panel of art critics at my house, but my three-year old says he likes everything. Maybe he's not the best person to ask.

I enjoy working with oils the most because they are the most forgiving, but mostly I spend much of my time experimenting and learning new techniques. I started working with watercolors last year and I am excited that there is a whole new world of painting with this medium.
Enjoy!"

Come in and see Jim's ever evolving body of work ... all ready and willing to be enjoyed on your own walls. And if coming into the shop is not an option, feel free to check out his Etsy shop by clicking HERE.

Love,
Jodi

PS. Jim is able to offer his work to us at lower price points than in his Etsy shop --- so come on in for a great deal!