Disappearing Act

As you know, I've been sick for quite some time now. A little over 6 weeks to be exact. Not only have I been stuck in bed the whole time, but I've missed 6 weeks worth of classes as well >.<

This wouldn't normally be bad because I'm always on top of things, but with a combination of my extreme pain, extreme brain fog, and BOTH of my teachers not working with me at ALL, I'm behind and I need to try to catch up.

I've tried calling and emailing my Intro. to Computer teacher multiple times, but I've got no response back at all-For that class, I just have to do my best and wing it. The thing that gets me is I actually TALKED to this teacher when the class started, explained my situation, and he told me that he would most definitely work with me, so not to worry one bit(his words).

For Philosophy, my teacher has given me a LITTLE more to work with; I've got a paper that I need to do and some reading, but other then that, I don't have a clue.

*sigh* I thought all this stress and worry over school work ended in high school(this stress and worry being me sick for weeks on end and my teachers not working with me).

With a little over 2 weeks until finals and classes end, I just don't know what's going to happen.

Wish me luck! I hope to be back by Monday.

Win It Wednesday(4/27)

~*!*~Win It Wednesday~*!*~

Win a Pepto Bismol Cinco de Mayo Party Prize Pack!!


Ends April 28, 2011


Enter Here










Win a $50 Gift Certificate to ProFlowers.com!!


Ends May 4, 2011


Enter Here







Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Novica.com!!


Ends May 9, 2011


Enter Here

Have giveaways you want to advertise?

Link them below!!

Happiness in Wire-NeroliHandmade

Welcome to The Eclectic Element Olga of NeroliHandmade!

Living in Northern California with her husband, Olga enjoys the beautiful sand, the warm sun, and her jewelry designing! She hasn't always lived in California, though; Her and her husband moved there from Russia about 10 years ago, and have been enjoying the Cali life ever since.

Olga is quite an immensely talented jewelry artisan, using many components in her designing-There are a few mediums she likes to work with more then others. These include copper and sterling silver wire, and semiprecious stones.

"I love the look of an oxidized and polished wire wrapped piece of jewelry," she explains to me,"It just makes me very happy."

Looking at her amazing pieces, it's hard to believe she didn't start out with jewelry design!

Growing up, Olga was taught by her mother several different things, some of which include sewing, knitting, and crocheting, skills she has come to find handy throughout her life. It was only three years ago that she stumbled upon wire wrapping; "I've spent countless happy hours practicing and experimenting with the wire since then-It's a wonderful material to work with; it allows you to do so many things and requires only small number of instruments to start creating."

Aside from what she learned in her youth and her wire wrapping, Olga enjoys partaking in other mediums. For instance, she told me she likes to make her own soap, creams and lotions, as well as coming up with new recipes for herself and her family. Also, she recently took up spinning-"I have lots of fun with acid dyes and my new spinning wheel, learning about all these wonderful fibers and driving my husband crazy with all the mess!"

Inspiration for Olga comes in many shapes and forms "I try to stay open to anything that can inspire me, and don't forget to write down my ideas before I forget them."

Things to keep in mind about Olga and her stunning work:

*Olga has her own blog: NeroliHandmade on Blogger! Go check it out :)

*You can also follow her on Twitter @NeroliHandmade.

*If you are so inclined, you can look at some of Olga's fabulous designs on her Flickr page!

*Have a design in mind that you think Olga would make come to life? Just ask her and I'm sure she'd be happy to create it for you.

*For payment, shipping, and other information, check out her Shop Policies Page.

A big thank you to Olga of NeroliHandmade for taking the time out to talk to me about her life and her gorgeous jewelry! Make sure to check out her shop and drool browse a bit :) Who knows, maybe you'll find something you can't live without!




Items in Post:

Full Moon Artisan Sterling Silver Labradorite and Lolite Necklace

Tourmaline and Bali Sterling Silver Artisan Earrings

Woven Copper Vine Cuff with Olive Serpentine Artisan Bracelet

Win a Loom and Lessons from JestingThreads!

Win a Beautiful 12 x 12 Loom complete with a Lessons Booklet!!


Ends May 20, 2011


Enter Here

*Note:: This is a referral contest, so all you have to do is 'Like' their Facebook page, and spread the word!

Tuesday Blog Hops

So, I'm hoping on the linky-love train and joining in on the fabulous memes I've seen circulating around the blogosphere lately...

Follow Me Back Tuesday!

Thanks goes to our hostesses for putting on such a lovely meme::

Survey Junkie
Little Yaya's
Boobies, Babies and a Blog



To-the-TOP Tuesday Blog Hop!


Give it up to the hostesses with the mostesses::

One Little Mister
Frugal Plus



Blog It Forward Tuesday!


Give a round of applause for these Blog Hop hostesses:

Sweep Tight
Just Married With Coupons




Follow Me Chickadee Tuesdays!



Last but certainly not least, this hop is hosted by::

The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom!
Stash Mama
Lilac City Momma
Dandy Giveaway
One+One=Four


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New to The Eclectic Element?

Pop a squat, grab some refreshments or nosh a little {I'd offer you a wide variety of somethin-somethins, but I'm not sure where ya'll live}, and say Hi xD

I'll be sure to visit and follow you as well!

Inspirational Tuesday(4/26)

{Image Credit}

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

--Dr. Seuss



This was always one of my favorites :)



What inspires you today?

How is this fair?!?

This is Lady.

A.k.a. Judy.

Without Judy, I would not have graduated high school.

Of course I DID do pretty much all of the work by myself with some help from a few kind souls though out my 4 to 5 years, but Judy was what put it over the top for me; she fought along side me and my mom for 5 incredibly long years, and did her best to see that I was taken care of.

{She was sent to me in 8th grade}

She was my homebound tutor.

{If you knew the struggle the 3 of us went through, you'd be doing a fist pump too}

Now let me tell you a story regarding my senior year::

I didn't think I was going to graduate with my class because at the beginning of 08,' I was down at least 15 to 20 credits, and we were scheduled to graduate in May.

By the grace of God, or the grace of the Universe, or whoever I can attribute the grace to, I worked my A$ off and was only 3 credits shy (Algebra 2) by the time graduation rolled around!

Even being that close, I unfortunately couldn't walk with my class unless I got permission, so we thought that permission was granted by the principle of the of my school. One day after school, my mom and I saw the principle walking into the school, so we decided it was as good a time as any, and wheeled up to him (I was in a wheelchair at the time).

Here is the extent of the conversation:

Mom: "Hi, Mr. H., my name is Joanne P. and this is my daughter Kayla. She's been in your high school's homebound program since Freshman year, and she's worked very hard to get to where she is due to being sick with Lyme Disease. She's only 3 credits shy of actually being able to graduate with her class, and we were wondering if you would allow her to walk with them despite those 3 credits. She has no problem staying into the summer to complete them either, so that will be no issue."

Mr. H: (looking confused for a minute) "I'm sorry ma'am, but we don't have a homebound program."

Seriously?

SERIOUSLY?!

Um, yeah, I'm pretty sure you do since I've been it in since Freshman year! You all know me guys, and you know that I'm a very patient, understanding person that doesn't really like to say anything bad about anyone, but this guy is an idiot.

A big, bald-headed idiot.

Thankfully, everything turned out good, so you may be asking why I'm writing a post about this nearly 3 years after the fact? Well, my mother ran into Lady (Judy) at the grocery store Saturday, and Lady went ahead and told her that she got a letter in the mail from Mr. H., a.k.a the big bald headed idiot, informing her that she was no longer welcome in the high school.

Judy, the lady who gave that school everything she had and took care of her kids like they were her very own, was told not to bother coming back because she wasn't welcome.

Oh, and the topper:: The principle discontinued the homebound program.

So all those students, like me, who really NEED the help passing high school because they are sick, and those kids who can't do school for whatever reason are S.O.L. They HAVE to go to school, otherwise they fail. Period.

That's Not. Right. It makes me SO angry to think about these poor kids are all alone aside from the occasional good teacher that really cares. And don't even get me started on my Lady...

I want to do something, I just have no clue what to do :(

Music Moves Me Monday(4/25)

Welcome to Music Moves Me Monday!

This meme is hosted by a group of seriously great people-Dolly of XmasDolly, Lorie of The Shewbridges of Central Florida, Larrie of CakeBlast, and last but certainly not least, Callie of JAmericanSpice!

Here are the rules if you wanted to participate::

First step: Run over to You Tube, (or wherever), and lock & load! Get your pick for the theme of the week.

Second Step: Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button::



Third step: SIGN THE LINKY - Dance (follow) your host/hostesses, and grab their buttons.

Final step: Start lookin' for a partner and boogie on down to her blog, and say hello, and tag (follow) her/him, and leave a nice comment. If you've been tagged (followed) be hip, and get on over there, and tag (follow) her back and leave a comment.

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Freeeeeebie!!

This pick is inspired by my favorite movie Jeux d'enfants, or Love Me If You Dare in English.

Enjoy!


Edith Piaf--La Vie En Rose

Have a musical week everyone!

Mailbox Monday(4/25)

Mailbox Monday divulges into the inner workings of my mailbox throughout the week. From books to jewelry to free samples to random magazines and letters-You never know what will be in the mail this week...

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Thanks again to Amanda of The Nutritionist Reviews (definitely go visit her site-She has a ton of great reviews and giveaways!) for holding such wonderful giveaways :)

I won yet again from her site-This time it was a great tea sampler from Two Leaves and a Bud.

I can't wait to try them all!




Another of my wins-Two coupons for any one Sarah Lee product :)

This is courtesy of Kailani of An Island Life, and I must take a moment to thank her again for working with me and being so patient!

Now, what to BUY!?




No, this particular item was not something I won-In fact, it was a freebie I had applied for and forgot.

Surprise Surprise

I must say, when it comes to freebies, Walmart has some kick butt ones!

Now I only need my boyfriend to come over and we're all set for movie night xD

I got another Self magazine in the mail this week as well :)

I enjoy magazines.

Although don't ask me where I got it because I have no idea! It just started showing up one day.







What did you get in the mail this week?

Share-A-Post Sunday(4/24)

Welcome to Share-a-Post Sunday!

(Hang in there while I come up with an appropriate picture for this feature )

Share-a-Post Sunday is all about you guys-Please share your favorite weekly posts, whether they be written by you, or someone else. Maybe you have a particular interesting meme you want people to read about or a fun giveaway you need to advertise. Of course daily life, features, reviews, and shout outs are welcome too-The Sky is the limit :)

I do ask you keep it to a maximum of 1 to 2 posts to give others a chance to share!

**This Linky goes ALL week so feel free to link up any time**

Hippity Hoppity, Easter's on it's....HERE!

{Image Credit}

I would love to time to wish my nearest and dearest readers and their families a happy, wonderful, and safe Easter holiday :)

Honestly, I can't believe it's Easter already! This year is going by too fast-Can someone find me the pause button!? Lol

Anyway, you all go enjoy your family time, Easter egg hunts, present opening, church going, and anything else you all have planned!

P.s. Did I say already today that I can now eat chocolate (again)?!?!!? LOL

Slapdash Sunday(4/24)

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week 'leftovers.' Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn't worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?

That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

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If a company offered to pay up to one full year of your monthly house mortgage payments in exchange to have your house painted like a billboard advertising their services, would you?

To make it even better, they would come in and paint the ad themselves, and after the year was up, they'd come back and restore it to the way it used to be.


Must it be said...

If you read my post a few weeks ago, you know I Gave Up Chocolate for Lent.

Today marks Easter which means...

I CAN EAT CHOCOLATE!!!!!

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Wanna be apart of Slapdash Sunday?

Grab the button below and blog along!

<center><a href="http://www.theeclecticelement.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af214/TheEclecticElement/SlapdashSunday-1.jpg"/></a></center>

Etsy, Treasuries, and Jewelry Oh My!

As you, my readers, may or may not know, I started this blog way back when as a marketing tool for both of my Etsy shops; The Eclectic Element: Handmade and The Eclectic Element: Vintage because other artists and crafter's advised it.

I haven't done much with either of my shops in a very long while, but that being said, I'm proud to tell you all I JUST started listing things in my vintage jewelry shop!

I wish I could create my handmade jewelry and list that as well, but health issues dictate otherwise-Gotta take what I can get, right!?

When I say I just stared listing, I'm not exaggerating! I started listing things this past Wednesday and I have a goal of 3 items a day :)

Imagine my complete surprise when three days later, I get a message in my Etsy inbox saying I was included in a treasury! I must be doing something right to be included in this GORGEOUS tribute to Japan...

{Those are my earrings at the bottom left hand side}

If you want to see the rest of this lovely treasury, you can view it HERE.

**Update as of 7:08pm **

I was included in yet ANOTHER treasury! This one is the complete opposite of the first one-Instead of cool and calm colors, this one is red and vivacious xD

To view this one in it's entirety, click HERE.

Saturday's Picks(4/23)-Easter Weekend

Of course today's inspiration comes from Easter, which so happens to be tomorrow!

Enjoy my picks :)


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Exquisite Crocheted Small Easter Basket from Xanadu2You




$50.00

Cutest Vintage Easter Bunny T-shirt from Vintagelucys




$14.00

Easter Chick Earrings from lobes4less




$2.50

Printable Easter Egg Hunt with Clue Cards and Planning Chart from scenerie




$4.00

Set of 6 Happy Easter Cards from nicolealesi




$5.00

Aloha Friday #38

From Kailani of An Island Life:

"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer."

I'm going to follow her lead, kick back, relax and see what you all have to say on this lovely Friday!

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Today's question is:

What are your Easter plans?


We don't really have a lot planned-I believe we are having family over on Saturday for a ham lunch, but that's the extent of our plans.



Have a wonderful and safe weekend everyone!

Health Update Thursday(4/21)

Since there's not much to report health and progress wise, I thought I would show you what I mean when I refer to 'wrapping and zapping' or 'wrap and zap' in my updates.

Despite what the name implies, the treatment is NOT painful during-It is afterwords, however that's because it's stirred up everything icky in my body so I can get rid of it.

{which I don't because my body doesn't like detoxing apparently}

Anywho...

This is how we have to set up my bed

These are the 'blankets' that I have to wrap myself up in, which are kind of like those thermal ones you buy for your car in the Winter-We always wrap with 3 blankets on bottom, and depending on how bad the stuff in my body is, we wrap and zap with 1, 2, 3, or 4 of these blankets on top of me.

In between the blankets go a regular sheet that I fold over my body so I'm cocooned in.

This is the 'zapper.' The technical term for it is a harmonic quad-I'm sad to say I really don't know what it does, but what I DO know is it kills at frequency. Those two rods attached to the machine are supposed to be held in your hands while you zap to get the most benefit.

When all is said an done, the word 'burrito' comes to mind. I have to be cocooned in here anywhere from 25 minutes to 2 1/2 hours-I'm sure you could go longer if the little buggers in the body don't want to die.


So, there you have it folks-Hopefully now you have somewhat of an idea about what I'm referring to when I say I wrapped and zapped.

Interesting, huh?

Shutterfly Offer-Free Mother's Day Card!

Shutterfly.com is offering a FREE-ish Mother’s Day Card valued at $2.09! You will be responsible for shipping which is $.99 cents plus tax and you can have the card sent to you or someone else!

Personally, I think the dollar sum you have to pay for shipping is worth it seeing as the regular store bought greeting cards are $3+ dollars these days.

1.) Log in or Sign up to Shutterfly and click “My Account.”

**Note:: If you're a new member, you also qualify to get 50 FREE Photo Prints!**

2.) Enter your “Special Offer Code” at the bottom of the page: MOMCARD

3.) Click “My Special Offers” and you should see the FREE Card listed in your account!

4.) Go to “Store”, “Cards”, etc. and select the card you wish to personalize.

5.) Make your 5×7 personalized Folded Greeting Card.

6.) Checkout and pay the $0.99 (plus tax) shipping and you’re done!

I already collaborated with my sister and we made one for our mom this afternoon which you can see below-I'm SO excited to give it to her-Let's see if I can actually wait until Mother's Day! LOL

This offer expires April 28th, so don't miss out!

Thanks Brandie of Free Sample Freak

Happy Day Mint Mother's Day 5x7 folded card

To view Shutterfly's popular Mother's Day designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.