Shining Stones

I've been doing a handful of things I haven't done in a long time since I quit drinking. Like thinking straight after 8pm. (I know, hilarious.) I've been doing jigsaw puzzles, as nerdy as that may sound, they help me think about shapes and colors and how things fit together rather than how they don't. They keep me from ruminating on the fact that all of this is happening, that it happened.

Instead of hiding in another room, apart from my husband (like I would before so he wouldn't know how much I was drinking), we work on the puzzle together or continue our Friday Night Lights marathon. (The best show on TV if you ask me. No, it is not just about football, it's about community and relationships and mistakes and redemption. You should totally get it on Netflix or watch it online and get addicted...er I mean, into it.)

The rough part of the day for me starts around 3 or 4 pm and hits a true funky slump around 5 or 6. I struggle during that time, sometimes walking in circles and sometimes crying. At this point, I simply need distraction. I need to not think that drinking would be the best cure for what ails me, because it's not.

That brings me to Ellie...



Ellie is an online friend, one of the lovely women who has stepped forward in this dark time and shed some light on me by saying I am you and you are me and we're going to make it.

Last night, I couldn't handle the noise in my head and my home, the shrieking and the demands. I looked at Ryan and because he rocks, he gave a nod that said go somewhere and shut the door. So I hid in the den/office/guest room and looked at Ellie's Etsy shop.


Four months into sobriety, Ellie discovered what she calls her "latent creative love," making jewelry. (She's also an excellent writer. Reading her blog moved me closer to sobriety. I'm forever thankful for her words.)

I'm so glad Ellie discovered this jewelry-making gift of hers because she's really really good at it, and I know it helps her like writing does for both of us, or a jigsaw puzzle does for me. Something to get lost in, something feeding us grace while our hearts and minds slowly whir to a stop...resting.


Would you like to win something from Ellie's shop?

Thought so...

Here's what you can do. Browse the images below. Click on an image at some point, and that will take you to Ellie's Etsy shop, Shining Stones. There are over 160 items in the shop, so browse around a bit and then come back and tell me what one of your favorite items is. That's all you have to do! (I'm planning on getting something for myself, what I call a sobriety ring, actually. Perhaps you could help me narrow it down. I love everything.)

You could win the item of your choice, $40 or under (the majority of the items are under $40) if the number of your comment is chosen by a random number generator when the giveaway closes!

Ellie gives away an item every two weeks through her blog, One Crafty Mother. So head on over there often, for many chances to win.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
The giveaway will end on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 5pm central and the winner will be announced here that evening.
Don't forget to be sure to include a way to contact you (such as an email address) in your comment so I can let you know if you win.

What are you still doing here? Go Go GO. And then come back and tell me what you want for Valentine's Day.

Peace out.

THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.
THANK YOU!