I realize that I sound angry.  I doubt that was a word much associated with me for the better part of my life.  But it started slowly.  And the worse things got the more dog-down-deep-pissed off I became.  It was a 'frog-in-the-pot' type of scenario.  But usually my anger didnt show it's self.  Instead, I became even more sick.  I tried to pretend it wasn't there, I also gave in to it. Ate/drank/smoked omg too much.  I guess this was supposed to make me feel better.  I had times of very good productivity, and as time shoved me onward, less and less.

When I was first *finally* diagnosed with Fibromayalgia, of course I got right online to see what I was in for.  OMG   O. M. G.   I thought that of course I would never lose my husband, my friends, be at the mercy of others, being completely shit-ass poor, completely substance depandant with the possibility of homelessness and/or suicide not even remotely something I could ever relate to.  When my husband left me five years ago after an excruciatingly difficult time for both of us, I pretty much was in denial about the whole thing. Not in denial about Steve being gone, but in denial about what that really meant.  5 years of dawnings cracking upon my head like concrete eggs. So, hmmm, did it occur to me that I was on the very trajectory predicted over 15 years ago? Of course not!

I did manage to start losing weight, which was something I was told by at least one Dr. that I needed to get my mind around accepting my round/unhealthy body how it was and learn to love it.  Uhm, that was not good to hear, but .....I did it anyhow!  And in the end I ended up losing ONE HUNDRED POUNDS!  I have a lot to say about that and also our healthcare system, but it'll have to be not right now.

I also climbed an actual MOUNTAIN with severe lower back and hip problems.

I also got together with an old crush from high school with a bangin' body (I climbed the mountain with him) and got some silly girl fantasies met.  Dumb, but it feels important to get out there, because I'm sharing my process, and that man was, and still is a big part of it.

Ok, I just got too tired and way to hungry.  Please be kind !

That was six years ago, all of that down there.

Six years ago I wrote about losing our friend and what an awful time it was.   Ya know what?
It never got better!!!!  So I have some things to say that aren't usually associated with "Laurel Peters"
I'm going to be honest, at least as much as I can be without harming other people's chance at happiness. And, of course it's cathartic and supposed to be healing to blog. No one reads this crap anyhow...
First off....what the HELL?????   I grew up believing that I was given everything I needed to be a success. Success pretty much meaning a Christian Artist...you probably dont even know what that is, don't give it another thought.

I was told over and over that I was chosen by God and was his perfect child and I sang 'like an angel' was nice-looking and had a good personality.  So, ya, uhm, turns out I wasn't very successful, largely due to the fact that I was never WELL.  I have been puny healthwise, always.  So, I had all of those cool things, but I had this other thing that kept me from taking advantage of aforementioned cool things.
I'm just setting up some background here for you...and ya it took me like 5 years to be able to get the above scenario  down to just those few sentences, hahaha
Ok, Back to 6 years ago, the beginning of my years of paying for thinking I was anything other than a slithering slug trying to earn money singing for GOD.  A year after that...my husband left me.  That being the most life-changing thing that ever happened (ya, uh-huh, divorces just happen).  Ill probably write more about that later....for now  Be Nice

Alive Again?

Last January one of my closest friends died horribly and unexpectedly. It was a terrible time for our family as my husband was having serious health problems and both he and my son had gotten laid off at Christmas.

So, now it's September, the time when things start to die. After nine months I am finally starting to remember myself again. How I used to take a little pride in my home. How I used to laugh and be silly. How I used to care very much about what was going on in the lives of people around me. Even how I used to have a passion for making jewelry.

The leaves are falling all around me, the tomato plant my friend and I planted together has died. But there is a blossom coming from the seed of joy left dormant over these long months.

SSSSH................!!!!!!

The SATeam Summer Sizzler Sale is Here! SSSH - from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2 - get FREE shipping with any of your purchases - just put SSSH into the comments section and you will receive FREE shipping.

Check out the other great deals to be had that weekend through some of the fabulous SATeam members participating!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6461895

And here is a look at some of the wonderful things you will find!



Isn't that just the MOST gorgeous necklace?
Caron from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5928790
makes gorgeous stuff and is part of our sale!



These darling earrings are REAL preserved Orchids! Michelle from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6450232 has these in her shop, and SO much more!

BIG SALE!!!!!!

My team of FABULOUS (truly!!) jewelry makers is having a sale this weekend!!!!

Go check it out at http://starvingartiststeam.blogspot.com/

Here are a couple samples of the beauties on sale....mine too!!

Starving Artists Team on Etsy BIG SALE!!!!

Our FABULOUS Jewelry team on Etsy is having a sale today.....All of the participating shops are offering FREE SHIPPING ALL WEEKEND LONG!!!!

Here is a link to my shop: www.lavalleygirly.etsy.com
and the teams shop where a list of shops is available for your surfing pleasure!!
www.sateam.etsy.com

1000th Etsy Sale!!!

I DID it!!! I dont know why it makes me so happy, but hitting my 1000th sale on Etsy is like crack!!!!! I've been so happy all day. And today is my 2nd "Etsyversary", so it's very appropriate that I have my 1000th sale at the same time!!! Yeay!

If any of you are reading this who are my FABULOUS customers....THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, it has been a joy serving you!

If any of you are reading this and REALLY want to have 1000 sales under your belt.....know that you CAN do it, it takes lots of time and energy. You just have to keep doing all the things everybody tells you to do....just way way more often!

And here is the 1000th item sold:





It's one of my Laurel Flowers....a design I came up with a long time ago and is having a good run :)