Priceless cub sightings today!

Jewel has given us MANY, MANY sightings of her precious cargo today. Here are a few of the snapshots I was able to snag from the live den cam (when I finally "remembered" ... hey! I need to take some photos!!). It's been SO fun just watching & listening today... these sweetlings were born on 1/22/2012. You can go to the bear.org website and watch archived videos of Jewel & her cub, in addition to the live cam. Today, the sightings that I wrote down were 11:34am, 11:40am, 12:34pm, 12:45pm, 12:52pm, 12:55pm -- but there were many more as well -- LOTS of action!!

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 http://bear.org/livecams/jewel-den-cam.php

There's also lots of discussion, photos & video clips at Lily the Black Bear's FB page. I like to do the split screen and watch the video and keep up with other viewers.

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Isaiah 40:31

Absolute BEST distractor!!

Jewel, a black bear up in Ely MN, had her cubs yesterday morning. Today she's been giving us several peeks at her precious cubs (2 confirmed at this point in time). Love listening to them squeek, slurp, squeel, and purr (called chittering... a sound they make when they're contentedly nursing). It's music to my ears. I'm hooked!! And it's only going to get more exciting as they grow!!

http://bear.org/livecams/jewel-den-cam.php 

Here are a few pics snapped while watching the den cam at bear.org:

 GROOMING TIME

 

 NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK ABOUT THESE CONTRACTIONS!

 

MORE GROOMING

 OH, SO TIRED... HOW MUCH LONGER?

 1ST CUB BORN AT 7:22-24am CST!

 JEWEL'S GIVING US PRIME VIEWING THIS AM!!

see if you can spot the cubs in the following photos??

 

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I've been a huge fan of bears for as long as I can remember. Then began collecting stuffed bears and some ceramics. When my latex allergy went bizerko I finally realized something about my bear collection... they were harboring all sorts of nasties! ... ie latex-cross-reactive pollens, airborne latex proteins (from several years of clowning and working with balloons, from the few years working in a medical setting with latex gloves, from airborne latex-cross-reactive foods)... from the ventilation system constantly recirculating, etc.... also chemically contaminated from the airborne contaminants coming in the house thru air vents, window cracks, etc... living right next door to a farm -- then add to that all the "normal" allergens that have plagued me over the years ... vacuuming my bear collection once a year (or even less!) was not enough. I needed to get rid of them. Once I made that decision, I went around and bagged up ALL the stuffed bears that were left (after I'd done a serious 'weeding' and given several garbage bags away). I felt a sense of urgency and didn't know why! But, I continued in my task... well past bedtime... until ALL were securely bagged and the bags were sealed. Then I went to bed.

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The very next day was the day of the microwave accident -- you can read about it here if you haven't already -- http://janieinmn.blogspot.com/2009/03/slowly-recovering.html -- The bagged/sealed stuffed bears were safe! They did NOT get latex-contaminated or chemical-contaminated... SO, I was able to give them away and donate many. Now, if it can't be 'rinsed' off or washed, it's not among my collectibles. My home is now a MUCH safer environment... due to many changes, not just the elimination of my stuffed bear collection.

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Now, it's the REAL thing! Last spring I was hooked to the Decorah Bald Eagle cam... this time it's Jewel's den cam -- the sound of those precious cubs is music to my ears :-)  We have such an AWESOME creator!! Watching the miracle of life unfold right before our very eyes, no matter what the species, is riveting! How much more so, the miracle of human life?

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"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalms 139:14

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Scrapping Memories

One of the verses that has had special meaning & comfort to me this last year was Romans 12:12—"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer." I decided to use it to create a WordArt using a really fun new font & digital stamp images ("transparencies") from Club Scrap digital kits (full credits below WA).

credits: Club Scrap kit transparencies - Surfs Up (2006July), Retro (2006Sept), 

Centennial R (2007Oct); fonts - SU Heritage, Utsaah

you can get my Romans 12:12 WordArt free HERE 

(personal use only—please read TOU)

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The worst thing about living in MN is that we're 10+ hrs drive away from our kids, grandsons & my parents. Therefore, I'm doubly thankful for today's technologies and the wonderful free software from SKYPE for video calls. I did this layout from photos snapped during our skyping in December. I call it:

Christmas Skypes

credits: Woodland Christmas kit by MagsGraphics

fonts - GlooGun, Tekton Pro

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Then, another thing about MN... the winters are usually harsh & bitterly cold. However, this year has been exceptionally mild—even breaking a few records for daily high temps!). Anyway, 2yrs ago (just before Christmas) we were hit with a record-breaking snowfall of OVER 2 feet (very reminiscent of our years living in Michigan! When we 1st moved to MI, we were welcomed by the Blizzard of 1999 which dropped over 3 feet of snow by the time it was done!)!! 

These pictures were taken from the basement egret window. The snow had filled up all but a few inches of the window well and darling hubby had to "dig me out" :-)

It was fun using one of Amy's TEMPLATES for this particular layout. I thought it was a great idea to use her "Rain" kit to scrap "SNOW"! In warmer states this storm would've meant rain, but to us Minnesotans it was ALL SNOW! and LOTS of it!! It was the "Blizzard of 2010"... and we got a LOT more than the forecasters had predicted!! Roger & I called it a TSNOWNAMI... it was a doozy!!

"Tsnownami" 2010!

credits: Stand In the Rain (retired kit) & November Grab Bag Templates (Not Just One, #1)

by 3 Li'l Monsters Designs

fonts - Elephants in Cherry Trees, Tekton Pro

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Here she is again!

credits: Woodland Christmas kit by MagsGraphics

fonts - BD Cartoon Shout, LuzSans-Book

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Beach Fun!

It doesn't matter whether it's the ocean or a lake or a river -- wherever there is sand, fun will be found for all ages. These collage layouts speak for themselves... grandsons at a lake... Abigail at the beach (of Lake Michigan)... been a LONG time since I've been to an ocean beach—just have to make do with what's available. And where there's sand... there's MORE sand!! YIPEE!!!!

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Beach Fun - Abigail

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Beach Fun - Grandsons

credits: Beachy Fun kit by Binty Designs, fonts - SU Jodyola, SU Favero Wide

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Clownin' Around!

1995 was the year our whole family joined the Mexico Missions Trip at our church. We were on work teams (manual labor) by day, and gospel program by night. Guess who was part of the clown team? Yep! ME!! I had oodles of fun clowning with the best! Our director/teacher was FABULOUS!! The musical/dancing skits we did all portrayed an short object lesson as well as just being a lot of fun (and took a lot of practice!!). Our ministry was to draw the crowds. We were followed by mime skits that were then connected to the gospel message. Afterwards, we'd hang around and do balloon animals for the kids and talk to people.

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Clownin' Around!

credits: Bring On The Clowns kit by Milly Dee Designs

fonts - SU Favero Wide, SU Girly Girl

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Ringing in the New Year!

Little Abigail once again provided lots of inspiration for digi-scrapping. I've been way behind in CT commitments since I ended up taking a 6 month "sabatical" from scrapping (NOT planned!). I'm enjoying being back in the saddle once again and had TONS of fun scrapping today while dear hubby was shopping. Even managed a skype call with grandsons imbetween... YIPEE!!

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Princess Abby

credits: It's A Party kit by 3Li'l Monsters Designs 

fonts - SF Alexa and SU Carefree

 

 

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Abigail Brushes Teeth

 credits: All Done by 3Li'l Monsters Designs, fonts - SU Carefree

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Isn't She a SWEETY?!!!

This 1st LO is using just the solid papers (cuz there was a slight delay in access to the patterned papers and my instant inspiration needed an outlet IMMEDIATELY!!)...

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...then, I added the patterned papers (clipping them to the solids) to add further texture and give the LO that little extra hmmmph :-)

 credits: Snuggle Bug by 3Li'l Monsters Designs, font - SU Heritage

available at STS January 1st (thru February 2012 only!)

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Merry CHRISTmas!!

2011 was a pretty eventful year for us. We were able to visit the kids & grandkids in MI in early Spring and Summer. Then we had quite an adventure with Roger being emergently hospitalized for epiglotitis over the July 4th weekend. Throw in a week long vacation to the Black Hills, visits from family & friends AND a new puppy ... whew! ... it's no wonder the year just flew by lickity-split!! 

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Our newest member is Keiko Dakota (japanese for "blessing" & native american for "friend"). She's now almost 5 months old, weighs 7 lbs and is currently in basic training to be my service dog (I like to think of it as "boot camp", hehe). She's doing really well with basic commands (even "come", which is typically hard for Schipperke's!). So far, she alerts me to sounds AND their locations (which is "huge" for me cuz of my hearing loss)... already knows how to "FIND mommy's epi" & will bring it to me on command. Now just have to get her to understand it's for ME and not her, that it's not a toy!! Eventually, she'll be trained to recognize when I'm in early stage of a reaction and fetch my emergency meds on her own. I'm really excited about it. In addition to her "workload", she's a wonderful companion and is living up to her name :-)

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We hope & pray you'll have a Merry Christmas, as we celebrate the birthday of our Lord & Savior, Jesus, & a very Happy New Year!!

credits: Winter Traditions kit by MagsGraphics

fonts: SU Heritage, Yard Sale

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local town ignores ADA!!

The ADA made recent revisions, some VERY specific regarding service animals. The town of Aurelia IA has attempted 'trumping' the ADA by using a breed ban ordinance to force Jim Sak, a disabled man, to remove his service dog from his home AND the town!! This is absolutely outrageous!! PLEASE voice your protest!

Here's a document from the ADA regarding Service Animals: http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

You can find contacts for the town of Aurelia IA here: http://www.aureliaia.com/City_Government-Services.htm

********** what i wrote to the town of Aurelia IA *********

ATTN: Mayor & City Council Members, Aurelia IA

I'm writing to you because of an outrage that has happened. Per this article, http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/9566024-418/retired-chicago-cops-service-dog-not-welcome-in-iowa-town.html, I learned that you have forced Jim Sak to remove his service dog from his home and out of your town.

This is against the ADA, Ameican Disability Act (Federal Law which overrides your 2008 city ordinance!). Strongly suggest you contact the Department of Justice, to get your facts straight. Because the LAW is firmly on Jim Sak's side.

one of the changes, made July 23, 2010 and effective March 15, 2011, says Service animals are exempt from breed bans as well as size & weight limitations.
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/reg3_2010.html

"Conversely, if an individual uses a breed of dog that is perceived to be aggressive because of breed reputation, stereotype, or the history or experience the observer may have with other dogs, but the dog is under the control of the individual with a disability and does not exhibit aggressive behavior, the public accommodation cannot exclude the individual or the animal from the place of public accommodation. The animal can only be removed if it engages in the behaviors mentioned in § 36.302(c) (as revised in the final rule) or if the presence of the animal constitutes a fundamental alteration to the nature of the goods, services, facilities, and activities of the place of public accommodation."

"The Department does not believe that it is either appropriate or consistent with the ADA to defer to local laws that prohibit certain breeds of dogs based on local concerns that these breeds may have a history of unprovoked aggression or attacks. Such deference would have the effect of limiting the rights of persons with disabilities under the ADA who use certain service animals based on where they live rather than on whether the use of a particular animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Breed restrictions differ significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions have no breed restrictions. Others have restrictions that, while well-meaning, have the unintended effect of screening out the very breeds of dogs that have successfully served as service animals for decades without a history of the type of unprovoked aggression or attacks that would pose a direct threat, e.g., German Shepherds. Other jurisdictions prohibit animals over a certain weight, thereby restricting breeds without invoking an express breed ban. In addition, deference to breed restrictions contained in local laws would have the unacceptable consequence of restricting travel by an individual with a disability who uses a breed that is acceptable and poses no safety hazards in the individual´s home jurisdiction but is nonetheless banned by other jurisdictions. Public accommodations have the ability to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether a particular service animal can be excluded based on that particular animal´s actual behavior or history--not based on fears or generalizations about how an animal or breed might behave. This ability to exclude an animal whose behavior or history evidences a direct threat is sufficient to protect health and safety."

If Jim Sak is disabled and Snicker's is his service dog, the breed is irrelevant. The owner/handler has certain responsibilities (ie keeping service dog under control, on restraint in public, etc) and if those have been followed, you cannot legally stop him from entering any area/building that is normally open to the public. You certainly cannot order him to remove his service dog from his home OR the town!!

Very Sincerely,
janie

disabled
owner/handler of service dog "in training"

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Isaiah 40:31

Janie's Jewels & Jems
Art & Jewelry designed for the Jem in your life!
Retailer for Heel, Inc USA—healthcare designed by nature
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 Minnesota USA

A Day at the Park

A spring visit to Michigan and time to play with grandsons. Grampa & Uncle Pete enjoyed some "park play" with Ethan. There were SO many fun, Fun, FUN photos that I did my 1st-ever QUAD-layout. Then using a 12x12 fixed crop setting, separated them into individual LOs. It was TONS of fun!!!

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Ethan-PARK PLAY

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Then, some extra fun playing around and creating a WA to go along with Amy's kit. 

WordArt by janieinMN

credits: A Day At The Park & Monkeying Around by 3 Li’l Monsters Designs

font - Croobie, ErasLight ITC

fonts for janieinMN wordart - Scramble, NoodleScript, NoodleShade

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Isaiah 40:31

Caught Napping!

Baby Face

 credits: Wee Dolly Molly by Milly Dee Designs

Photomask #28 by Carley's Digi Scraps

Word Art (swap 30) by Jennifer at Word Art World

font - Monotype Corsiva

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Love the awesome effect of this photomask by Carley's Digi Scraps that really makes this adorable photo of my great-nephew Ray just POP! Jennifer's Word Art was absolutely perfect AND Milly's baby kit was just right for scrapping this wee one caught napping :-)

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Charming, Precious, Adorable ABIGAIL!

Here are some layouts I did back in June with one of my favorite subjects: Abigail~ she was a miracle baby (premie) of a young friend of ours. We got to meet her this summer and I hope to scrap our photos with her soon. They were staying at the Holland State Park and we met on the sandy beach... fun pics of her playing with the sand & us (different textures were part of her therapy so not only was it an adventure for her, it was also helping her development). Without further delay, here's...... charming, precious & adorable Abigail!

♥~♥*♥~~♥*♥~♥ 

CurlyLocks

 credits: Fish Are Friends by 3 Li’l Monsters Designs

font - Monotype Corsiva

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Abigail -bunnyfingers

 credits: My Boy by Milly Dee Designs

font - Monotype Corsiva

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Abigail -artistry

credits: Flutterflies by Binty Designs

font - Monotype Corsiva

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