Now I really did it :((

[Calliecake]

Hey Jimmianne, definitely start cabbing again and you know, bezeling is not THAT hard, it just takes some math skills, you know: Measure twice/cut once kind of thing. That's cool you worked for a doc who was into rockhounding. Where did you guys go, did you hunt for aquamarine? I watched Prospectors on The Weather Channel and I love that show, it takes place in Colorado with some various wacky rockhounds/mineral types, I know you'd like the show. They hunt primarily for Mt Antero aqua. We met several of them in the flesh at Tucson last year and the one guy I did not like at all was a real sweetheart in person. I'm thinking the show's producers either made him look like a chauvinist dork or they told him to act that way for some family drama There's nothing like finding your very own PRETTY ROCK, Bob is in the shop right now going through the Arkansas quartz having a great time!

We are expanding our horizons re retirement. lts a big USA out there. Can't go back to CA dammit, too crowded, dirty and expensive. Oregon but you have to be careful re rainy gloomy winters there. Washington is out, too close to the coal and oil trains and Seattle is completely overpopulated now. Idaho, that is a possibility for Bob and me. Utah, nope. Arizona, summers at 120 degrees, summer lasts from March to October now, too much!

So we are open to the Carolinas, Arkansas, Idaho, Oregon, and possibly some parts of New York even.

Kristie, Keep pushing the Carolina's to Bob. They are on our list as well!

Jimmianne, Kristie and I will pick you up on the farm and we can all go bling shopping. Can I ride the tractor? Pretty please!

 

[Calliecake]

Kristie,

Nordstrom was packed yesterday. They were offering triple points for card members and had a huge make up beauty special going on. I have never seen so many 40 to 60 year old woman in the same place all looking for a miracle in a bottle. My sales assistant was wonderful. She had me try on about 20 dresses. I bought one but am still looking to see if I find something I like better. The sales assistant told me more dress would be arriving this coming week and she will call if there is anything she thinks I will like. You know how it is, you never find anything when you need it. I will probably see 10 dresses I love after the weddings are over.

 

[canuk-gal]

Kristie,

Nordstrom was packed yesterday. They were offering triple points for card members and had a huge make up beauty special going on. I have never seen so many 40 to 60 year old woman in the same place all looking for a miracle in a bottle. My sales assistant was wonderful. She had me try on about 20 dresses. I bought one but am still looking to see if I find something I like better. The sales assistant told me more dress would be arriving this coming week and she will call if there is anything she thinks I will like. You know how it is, you never find anything when you need it. I will probably see 10 dresses I love after the weddings are over.

Did they find it Callie? Can you share the name?? Please????

cheers--Sharon

 

[Calliecake]

Kristie,

Nordstrom was packed yesterday. They were offering triple points for card members and had a huge make up beauty special going on. I have never seen so many 40 to 60 year old woman in the same place all looking for a miracle in a bottle. My sales assistant was wonderful. She had me try on about 20 dresses. I bought one but am still looking to see if I find something I like better. The sales assistant told me more dress would be arriving this coming week and she will call if there is anything she thinks I will like. You know how it is, you never find anything when you need it. I will probably see 10 dresses I love after the weddings are over.

Did they find it Callie? Can you share the name?? Please????

cheers--Sharon

Oh Sharon,

If only it existed!!! If I ever find one I will be sure to let you know!

Callie

 

[marcy]

If it's clear out after sunset go out and look west. There will be a pretty crescent moon near Venus tonight.

 

[MarionC]

If it's clear out after sunset go out and look west. There will be a pretty crescent moon near Venus tonight.

thanks! and...there were recently auroras [aurorae?] as far South as NC!

* * * * *

Here's what's in that bottle of secret sauce------>
"The best cosmetic for beauty is happiness!"

I must have been a grouchy kid because that was the quote for my year book page! lol
and next to it they had a photo of me walking the school PIG for pete's sake and grinning.
[It was a very smart, fun pig].
I went to a crazy school - I got an award at graduation...an "ear of corn". Someone tattled that I had a crush on a guy named Steve Korn [[[sigh]]]

but I digress
as usual.
Here comes Monday!

 

[azstonie]

Marcy, saw that last night in AZ, pretty amazing

Jimmianne, where is Steve Korn now??????? Hell, where is the *pig* now?????????

 

[canuk-gal]

If it's clear out after sunset go out and look west. There will be a pretty crescent moon near Venus tonight.

thanks! and...there were recently auroras [aurorae?] as far South as NC!

* * * * *

Here's what's in that bottle of secret sauce------>
"The best cosmetic for beauty is happiness!"

I am happy! Especially when I have a good bottle of Cab Sauv--that is my/one version of happiness in a bottle!

Back to your regular programming!

cheers--Sharon

 

[missy]

If it's clear out after sunset go out and look west. There will be a pretty crescent moon near Venus tonight.

Saw it and it's so pretty. It's a gorgeous night. Very clear and brisk with that pretty crescent moon! Thanks Marcy.

The flowers you shared are so beautiful and thank you for that wonderful song too!

I'm with Jimmianne. The best recipe for beauty is happiness. At the very least our insides will be beautiful.

Though Sharon's formula works too .

Jimmianne, I love pigs and have a bit of a pig collection. I wish we could have one IRL because pigs are so smart and sweet. I think they are smarter than dogs. It makes me sad that people eat them.

Callie, I will check that out and let you know what I think. It is so true that when we are not looking for something we find it but the second we need something it becomes a challenge to find. Oh I hope you don't get any snow tonight but if you do here's hoping it is a very little snowfall and that it all melts by Monday afternoon!

Kristie, what's this I hear? There are some parts of NY you would consider retiring in? Please share what areas. We could be neighbors??? I have a feeling it is far from where we are but still...


We had fun shopping today at the outlets. I got 2 pairs of Helly Hansen sneakers to try with my new bike pedals. I could use my real bike shoes (I have so many) but they are more bulky and I am afraid they can catch in the straps of the pedals so I wanted a sleeker shoe. These are cute and I hope they work with the new pedals. One pair is red and orange and might match (or clash we'll see) with the Ferrari Red color of the bike and the other pair is black with some blue accents. They are very pretty. And my other purchase was another pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Oh no I can see it now. Sunglasses are the new SW for me to take over my winter obsession and make a new summer one hehe. I have enough sunglasses and please don't let me buy anymore.

Last night we finally got around to watching the movie Boyhood. It was good but not as good as we were hoping it would be. Have you guys seen it?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MBWMIDW/ref=dv_web_wtls_list_pr_1_ba

And we watched Dead Poet's Society tonight. I think the last time we saw the movie was when it was first released so for me it was almost like seeing it for the first time. Loved it. A great movie and so sad especially because Robin Williams is gone.

I heard from Ovi and she had fun with her girlfriends though she is under a lot of pressure. Ovi, we are all here for you and sending you lots of love and support and big (((hugs))). And lots and lots of PS ***DUST*** for a smooth week ahead!


ETA: OMG have you guys seen the GORGEOUS pear on Grace's site? Its amazing.

 

[marcy]

Hi NIRDIs!

Jimmianne, we had London broil and potatoes au gratin, peas and some crusty rolls for our late lunch early supper. It was too windy to cook brats and burgers on the grill. Hopefully that works out for supper tomorrow plus that means fewer dishes (evil laugh here). My Tumi bags (nylon) have worn so well I can hardly justify buying new ones but they keep coming out with new colors. Most of Marty’s travel stuff is Tumi and it is holding up far better than this old luggage and briefcases did. Did you buy something at Tumi? I’ve been thinking about the iPhone 6 case but I like the clear one I have because you can see it’s gold. As Marty pointed out there it’s just gold colored not really gold. I take it you are away from a lot of city lights where you live; the auroras were visible pretty far south. Your secret sauce is right; a happy smile makes everyone pretty (or handsome).

Kristie, the pink ones are some kind of rose. They are peachy / pink and absolutely gorgeous. I actually drove through the alley last summer trying to see if they were in full bloom at my parent’s old house but the garage blocked my view. Fossil hunting sounds fun; did you find anything cool? I too am surprised Bob didn’t get any deep-dish pizza in Chicago. Marty definitely went to one of the places that always wins local favorites for pizza when he was there one time. Weird I don’t see Wyoming on your list of places to retire. I am glad you caught the Moon and Venus last night; the moon was really pretty. I hope our clouds part enough I can see them tonight since the Moon will be closer to Venus.

Callie, a fun sales clerk can always help especially clothes shopping. I’m glad you liked the start of the NIRDI song. Maybe someone else and come up with the next course. Snow? No!!! There is some of that 4-letter word in our forecast again too. I baked a piece of London Broil and potato au gratin (a mix) for our late lunch early supper. If we get hungry we’ll munch on something tonight. Gardening and landscaping is expensive. We had 3 small trees that barely have branches on them. Our last house had cottonwoods blow in (complete with that nasty cotton mess) and had a massive mess of leaves to clear up each fall. We’ve been in this house 2 years so the trees haven’t developed much yet. We have pots out front where I plant flowers. You can always fancy up a dress with bling too – helpful there aren’t I? I am glad you found some dresses you like. I’ll take some of that miracle in a bottle too!

Hi Sharon! Cab Sauv always helps make us happy as well. I know I sure think I am funny when I’ve had a glass or two of wine.

Missy, I am glad you caught the Moon and Venus. They always make a pretty combination. I am glad you liked the flowers and song. I thought of the song this morning in the shower. I have all sorts of weird thoughts going through my head in the morning. And just because I know they are only the voices in my head sometimes they have really good ideas. I am glad you had fun shopping. That pear is stunning. WOW!!

Ovi, I hope spending time with your friends lifted your spirits. Hugs to you!

Off to see what I can’t live without at Tumi.

Marcy

 

[Calliecake]

Sharon, Believe me when I say the women at the mall would have looked much happier if they were having your happiness in a bottle.

Jimmianne, Your story about the pig had me laughing. You were destined to buy a farm! I had no idea pigs were smarter than dogs.

Marcy, Thank you for telling us about the moon tonight. I hope you and Marty had a good day today. Your dinner sounded wonderful as always.

Missy, I envy you being able to find sunglasses that look good on your face. I swear I have to try 30 on before finding one that I like. That may be a good thing. i will never end up with more than two sunglasses per season. I'm glad you were able to find some cute shoes for biking. It sounds like you will feel more comfortable wearing the type you bought today. Are you getting excited about biking again? We have talked about seeing Boyhood. Do you think it's worth seeing? Kristie and I have been drooling over that pear all afternoon!

Kristie, So do you think there will be a trip to Chicago in your future? How the heck did Bob come to Chicago and not have pizza? Isn't that why people come here? Missy found our pear!!!

 

[azstonie]

Callie, I know, I even looked up the places to go for pizza and he did not go! I think he may have been intimidated to leave the hotel at night, you know, the Chicago murder rate and all I would have gone but we'd just closed on this house and had 0 funds for me to make the trip. We almost came to Chicago last fall but I couldn't figure out, even using TripAdvisor, where to stay in Chicago such that we could have a lovely hotel room, hopefully a view of water?, and walk to shopping and dining. I figured we could cab it to the museums and the symphony. Where do you recommend for a lovely hotel, Callie?

Marcy, aw, those flowers are amazing. Can you put some on your mom and dad's headstone? Would you be sneaking into the backyard, YIKES, to do that? London Broil, ymmmmmmm. I made Spanish rice with ground sirloin and extra sharp cheddar. Its better the second/third days, I like to put it into a tortilla and have THE BEST burritos with it!!! I use the Southern LIving Cookbook recipe. That is a great cookbook. Nothing from it ever fails. EVER. And it has things spelled out or shown for novice cooks. Anyhoo, you and Marty don't need no stinkin' cookbook, heehee!! I would visit Jackson and DuBois every year if Bob would go for it. Loved Jackson so much, WOW. I love the afternoon thunderstorms in the summer too. I just can't do isolated in the winter anymore, yanno?

Missy, upstate New York has some beautiful places, I think that spot where Jill Anish lives is supposed to be very nice too. My mom went to a summer long workshop in Ithaca and brought back amazing pics from the area. Then you have all the world class medical in NYC. That is nothing to sneeze at believe me.

Jimmianne, did you notice on Grace's newsletter today all the MrsBox boxes? SO PRETTY! You can bet I'll be posting a pic when my lovely treasure arrives thanks to you!

Okay, guys, I emailed Jill Anish today, she is still doing her great custom work. So here come stones I'll be sending here.

I have some melee there, Junebug, that is spinel melee at bought the one time I got into Tucson Gem Show as wholesale. Its very lively and sparkly and the colors didn't show up well BUT I got it for a song so if you need it, please let me know. I have no use for it, I grabbed it on impluse in the wrong color scheme.

 

[azstonie]

Here we go!
Top Row:
Rutilated quartz, not showing well, has strands of gold "thread" running through the stone
Tanzanite oval--I like its color. This in 18 kg yg with gold rope around the stone set E-W
Enormous ruby from Barry Bridgestock. HYOGE. Love it. In silver fleur des lis bezel! I have the bezel wire, will send to JIll.
Flawless garnet

Middle Row:
Aqua and tourm, you can see the totally clear/clean quality. In yellow gold.

Bottom Row:
Lepidocroscite or "strawberry quartz" Barry knows I love this stuff, it is AMAZING and its about all gone. One is kind of heart shaped (HEEHEE HELLO OVI!) and the other is oval. Not sure if they are rings, or a ring and a pendant, or what. Suggestions?

 

[azstonie]

ECs and cushions:

Yellow garnet from a prior piece
Ammie cushion from Barry, the light was wrong for the pic
Tourm from Barry, a gorgeous color that doesn't show here. Kind of a darker padparadscha color.
Afghan tourm from Gene Flanigan.

The Afghan tourm from Gene will be done with Jill's granulated work in 18 kg yg and possibly also the tourm from Barry.

 

[azstonie]

Some melee:
Spinel melee, much livlier and sparklier IRL. Junebug or anyone else needs melee like this, say the word. Freebie.
Sapphires from Dana/Mastercut that have an ombre look when set one after another.
Tourms from Barry.
Peridot from Rio.

 

[azstonie]

Also going to Jill, this tricolor fancy tourm I bought at the Tucson wholesale show off a paperplate for $25 along with the very large star ruby pear you'll see shortly that Jill set.

I saw on GemGossip (thank you so much Callie for recommending it) a setting for this, to look like a kite, a ring. A diamond accent on the E-W ends. 18 kg yellow gold.

 

[azstonie]

The star ruby ring set by Jill with rope treatment around the bezel. This time, I'd use a larger 'rope.'

 

[Calliecake]

Kristie,

We always stay at the Marriott when we stay Downtown because we usually use points. It's not beautiful but it's located right on Michihan Avenue and all the great shopping is located right outside the hotel. Nordstrom is two doors down from the hotel. I have also stayed at the Omni Hotel also located on Michigan Ave and that's a very nice hotel. My nieces love it when we stay downtown and go shopping and out to dinner. It's a fun weekend. It's pretty safe on Michigan Ave. I've never been afraid staying there. There is so much to do downtown.

WOW!!!! Those stones are incredible. So beautiful! Are all these stones yours????

 

[missy]

Good morning girls!

That pear is drool worthy and I like your idea Kristie about sharing it. Though depending on who's in on that it will still be pricey.

Kristie, those are beautiful gemstones. Very lovely collection.
I know New City because my college roommate is from New City. It is suburby and pretty there but definitely suburbs. Perhaps the artistic community near there is Nyack, Cold Springs (pretty town), Tarrytown, Beacon NY? My favorite artsy towns near NYC is Lambertvlle, NJ (and New Hope, PA but New Hope has gone down over the last 2 decades sadly and is so touristy these days and less artistic though there are still some special artists left).

Keep us posted about your latest gem projects please.


Callie, I sent you some links fyi. Not sure they will be of any help but I thought just in case...
Did you get a lot of snow overnight? I know it is freezing here and where you are. WooHoo first week of Spring. But it is on it's way. That I know for sure.

Marcy, you are our resident astronomer. Thank you for taking on that endeavor and we love learning from you. About food and the stars. A lovely combo!

OK my addition...

We are NIRDIs hear us roar;
With Bling too bright to ignore,

We love to share with each other
everything we love and adore
From pets and bling and food and more
We are NIRDIs hear us roar

Your turn next NIRDI...

 

[Calliecake]

Missy, it's snowing like crazy here this morning. I woke up to a mini blizzard. We have about 3 inches already and it is still coming down. It was windy earlier. It's looks beautiful outside. I just tend to like it more in December. Come on warm weather!

I hope this isn't headed your way!

How is your eye today???? Any better?

 

[MarionC]

wait wait wait...is there a tune behind the words to our poem???

I just got home from my eye exam [Missy - are you OK now???]

and you know what? I couldn't see well enough to drive so I had to SHOP for an hour.
Tumi didn't have what I was looking for, so I tried to find a new tote at the mall. No tote, but got a cute tunic and some orange and pink pillows with matching throw for the exercise "nook" window seat.

Hunting gems is our big game.
Each NIRDI's find enjoys it's fame,
discovering it has a name!
We are Crow Cult hear us roar.

[my pinterest page is called Jewels for the Crow Cult Girls.
I made it a long time ago to share beauties with my friends and I don't think even ONE of them looked at it LOL]
Now I have a new obsession, downloading photos to pinterest.
Anyone else have a pinterest page???

 

[missy]

Hi gals!

Callie, Jimmianne, thank you for asking about my eye. It's about the same but at least it's not worse. I am beginning to think it could be ocular rosacea but mild hopefully. I have been instilling preservative free rewetting drops throughout the day since Friday and that seems to help. Though it has an itch component but just waiting and observing.

LOL Jimmianne, of course you couldn't do anything with impaired vision but shop. Girl after my own heart to be sure. We need a shopping emoticon here. What do you think of these 2?
Love tunics and they are a staple in my wardrobe. Free and easy and oh so breezy.

I never posted anything on pinterest but I joined a few weeks ago because I had to join in order to do a search for some reason so I did and now I just found you and am following. I am a Jimmianne fan.

Callie, did the snow stop? It always looks so pretty when it first comes down but then blech because at least by us it gets dirty within a few hours. I hope you are staying inside and are nice and comfy.

I hope the weather calms down soon because I know you have plans with your niece this week. Sending good weather dust your way.

Good question about the melody Jimmianne. Since Marcy started this perhaps she should decide but here are a few catchy songs for consideration. Exes and Ohs by Elle King. Jeepster by T. Rex and Two Hearts by Chris Isaak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9OvgrxaPKU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-G7-yLFmCQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roamCQ1P2YU

 

[azstonie]

Oh, I like those!!!

Pinterest, I love it! I have friends who don't buy cookbooks or decorating magazines any more, they just go to Pinterest.

I'm a lazybones when it comes to the web, I don't have a Pinterest page or FB or tweet. PS is as 'social media' as it gets for me

Bubbles just left for San Diego, she's taking the cheapie flight (FedEx) over.

That garnet is taking more road trips than I am dammit!!!

 

[azstonie]

I need NIRDI opinions, please.

The setting from Wankster was not rhodium plated. I did not know he was going to use the less-desirable cheap alloy for the mount---those are the only ones that 'require' rhodium plating any more. Modern alloys for white gold don't need that plating. They cost 3 cents more than the old alloys that do. Sigh.

So the mount. I thought it looked grayed---the Wankster warned me that it would have a yellowed cast to it. It looked like unpolished platinum to my eye.

So tell me:
1. Should I have the setting rhodium plated? That gives it a bright white/white chromed look. It wears off eventually.
2. Leave it alone, its okay with the orange garnet.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[Calliecake]

Hi Kristie, It all come down to person preference. If it were my ring I would prefer it plated but that is just my opinion. Which way are you leaning? 3 cents more ....are you kidding me!!!' This just gets better and better. Unbelievable.

 

[missy]

Kristie, I'm confused (not unusual for me lol). Is it unplated white gold now? I would leave it but if it is a version that turns yellowish (hate that) I would rhodium plate for a whiter brighter look. My personal preference for rings is platinum and I like the grey cast that platinum has. White gold turns yellow on my hand due to my body chemistry. But with newer alloys I understand that is less of an issue...but if I am to understand you correctly Wink used a cheaper alloy that will yellow? If I got that right then I would go for the rhodium plating. As Callie wrote though it is personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. Well, the one right answer was not to use you know who and that is now taken care of thankfully.

 

[missy]

Garage project starting sigh. Greg met with some guys today and we are waiting for a quote now. I fear it is going to be big and intrusive despite compromises and scaling it back as much as possible. Greg said any leftover money I can use for bling LOL. I have him trained well don't I hehe. Of course if he uses all the money allotted I am still getting bling I can tell you that.

All joking aside I am worried it is going to spoil the view of the front of our house.
We are making it as pretty as you can make one of these things but you can only do so much and it requires removing some of our planting beds but Greg promised he will plant more elsewhere and we are not removing anything major like trees or even bushes but I am feeling so selfish and like a big baby because I like our front yard unfettered with such things. I like just nature there and not a big ugly structure but I did promise Greg before we bought the house and it is only fair. But I am not excited about this project. I am trying to be for Greg though because he deserves a workshop with enough space. It's been 4 years since we moved from the other house where he had a double garage and a full basement all filled with his woodworking machines and equipment.

 

[MarionC]

dear Missy, I'm sorry you & Greg are not seeing eye-to-eye on the new project, and new construction is always a hassle. At least they are not in the house at all [are they?].
Will the garage form some sort of courtyard with the house to make a little garden space? I'm trying to imagine the placement from those very few photos you've posted. Well, Greg will be happy to have a place to work, so that part's good.
As to the bling portion of the deal; I'm hoping you can do a bit of redesign so there's a big bit left for the important things : )
Does the garage really need a roof?

"see" you all tomorrow!
sleep tight, NIRDIs!

 

[azstonie]

Kristie, I'm confused (not unusual for me lol). Is it unplated white gold now? I would leave it but if it is a version that turns yellowish (hate that) I would rhodium plate for a whiter brighter look. My personal preference for rings is platinum and I like the grey cast that platinum has. White gold turns yellow on my hand due to my body chemistry. But with newer alloys I understand that is less of an issue...but if I am to understand you correctly Wink used a cheaper alloy that will yellow? If I got that right then I would go for the rhodium plating. As Callie wrote though it is personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. Well, the one right answer was not to use you know who and that is now taken care of thankfully.

I read up on this Modern white gold does not require rhodium plating to look white. If jewelers are not using the modern white gold alloy, then they get this color that is kinda yellowed, kinda grayed (probably depending on the light). Rhodium plating is toxic for the jeweler using it as a plating material and it rubs off.

That ring I bought from Christie's, the band. I wore the garbanzos out of it and I noticed the back of the band, the part at the base of the fingers/palm was looking yellowed. NOW I KNOW WHY! I got that ring 15 years ago

Yeah, it doesn't cost more to use the modern alloy for white gold.

I learn a lot when a project goes toes up

 

[azstonie]

Garage project starting sigh. Greg met with some guys today and we are waiting for a quote now. I fear it is going to be big and intrusive despite compromises and scaling it back as much as possible. Greg said any leftover money I can use for bling LOL. I have him trained well don't I hehe. Of course if he uses all the money allotted I am still getting bling I can tell you that.

All joking aside I am worried it is going to spoil the view of the front of our house.
We are making it as pretty as you can make one of these things but you can only do so much and it requires removing some of our planting beds but Greg promised he will plant more elsewhere and we are not removing anything major like trees or even bushes but I am feeling so selfish and like a big baby because I like our front yard unfettered with such things. I like just nature there and not a big ugly structure but I did promise Greg before we bought the house and it is only fair. But I am not excited about this project. I am trying to be for Greg though because he deserves a workshop with enough space. It's been 4 years since we moved from the other house where he had a double garage and a full basement all filled with his woodworking machines and equipment.

MIssy, when Bob and I were house hunting in ANchorage for our first home together, I had only a few requirements for the realtor and one of them was that the house not look like a support system for the GARAGE. (The other was I didn't want The Stairs of Death to my front door.)

Just keep reminding yourself how much Greg is going to LOVE that garage/workshop. THink of the cool stuff you can buy him to make that shop THE BOMB! I love it when Bob buys stuff for his shop, I do! I go right out and get something for myself!!