Brave, Bold & Buzzed!

Buzzed Hairstyle

It's February.  My 6 month post-bilateral mastectomy, without reconstruction mark - and all is well.  I was going to have another new tattoo done this month, but due to being nasty sick I have to wait until next month.  Oh and this coming weekend Mark is going to take more photos of my healing process for my mastectomy section of the blog, which I'll post later next week.

"Why the buzz cut Rocki?" As you can tell from my blog my hair has been short for quite some time.   Years ago it it used to be super long, down to my waist. In fact, when I was a kid it was so long that I literally sat on it.  My mom would put it in a bun each morning before school and I would take it down by recess time.  A tom-boy just doesn't look right with a big ol'bun!

My hair is thick and wavy in spots - and unruly because of cowlicks.  When it was long I basically just wore it as is - mainly because I never had the knack of fixing it up.  I'm simple in that respect and love low maintenance hairstyles.  I actually used to dream of having very short hair, but wouldn't dare do it!  Obviously, over the years that started happening as I was cutting it shorter and shorter.

Love my buzz cut!

My long hair was my safety net.  It hid me, so I thought.  I felt vulnerable if I pulled it back into a ponytail. It exposed far too much of me.  I didn't want people to see me so vividly.  I was a very timid person with low self-esteem and lacking confidence.

Then life started to throw stuff at me.  Actually, it started when I was young.  Over the years with all the crap that has been thrown at me left and right, I just couldn't understand why.  I'm a good person and felt I didn't deserve what all I was receiving.  Funny, but since following the Buddhist path for several years now, I understand it as karma.  Then I start thinking...what kind of crappy person was I in my previous lives?! LOL! 

Rocki's Brave Bold Buzz!

With each punch and kick that knocked me down, it toughened me up, I fought back and got right back up for the next round (which is why one of my docs years ago tagged me with "Rocky Balboa") - and I continue to do so!  I honestly believe all that crappy bad stuff was meant to happen to make me strong enough to handle what I just went through.  Even with Mark's unconditional love and support, if the breast cancer crap happened years ago, I would be handling this a lot differently - as in hiding in a corner somewhere. 

I've wanted to do a buzz cut for years and would joke with Mark about it, but deep down inside I really wanted to do it.  Just didn't have the guts and was afraid what others might think.  So now I did it and absolutely LOVE how it makes me feel!  Without sounding cocky, others can think what they want as that is their right, but it doesn't matter to me.

Here I am today.  Braver than I've EVER been in my life.  More bold than I ever could have imagined.  Still strong enought to deal with life's punches.  Confident with the person I am, as is.  With or without hair - or boobs.

So you still want to know why I buzzed my hair?

Peace & Love,
Rocki

Rocki vs Breast Cancer - round 2

Where to begin.  Yesterday was exhausting – seriously exhausting, but relieving as well.  Wait, actually this past WEEK has been a drainer!

I’ll jump right to it and explain from there.  Next Thursday, August 30^th, I am scheduled for a Bilateral Total Mastectomy (removal of both entire breasts) without breast reconstruction and Sentinel Node Biopsy.  

The surgeon, who has done this for over 36 years, after reviewing everything informed us that there is more DCIS  than was noted and he’s going to do a lymph node biopsy at time of surgery to make sure it hasn’t spread, which he’s pretty sure it hasn’t.  It’s hard not to get too personal about this… I know, as if this isn’t personal enough, but I’m NOT going to be hush hush about this life changing event.  I want to be a part of making other women aware of how VERY important it is to do self-checks, yearly appointments, mammograms, etc. and not be afraid to talk about it.  It can change your life.

Anyway, the options were presented to me and bilateral mastectomy was the best choice, so to speak.  As mentioned in my previous post, Mark and I discussed the many possibilities that may be brought up at this appointment, and this was one of them. Like I said, if one has to go, so does the other. 

A little more personal here, just a warning.  So why not the breast reconstruction?  Because it just isn’t me.  I’m not saying that breast reconstruction is wrong by ANY means as I know that most women want to try to save their ‘sisters’ or at least have them remade, and I stand with them for that decision.  For me, I’m not well endowed anyway, have no cleavage to speak of and hardly ever wear a bra (hate them with a passion!) unless I need to that is.  Plus, ‘they’ do not define who I am as a woman.  I simply do not want a foreign substance in my body - or have tissue, muscle, etc. taken from other parts of my body to make a pair.

On a couple good notes…the cancer should (will) be gone after the surgery (happy dance) AND I get to continue working through the 28^th (more dancing).  I’m told that recovery time isn’t that long and then I’ll be able to work at a slow pace until I’m up to par.  So I won’t have to put my shop in ‘Vacation  Mode’ after all, which I’m very excited about because I’ve worked too hard to build my business where it is today.  What I am going to do though is post everywhere in my shop, etc. about my current status with creating and shipping timeframe.  Oh and start relisting a ton of sold items over the next couple days.  Since I didn't know what was going to happen, I never relisted after they sold.

I just want to say again, thank you to my very supportive hubby, my sons, family, friends, customers and to everyone else that has been so kind during this time.  You all rock!

Round 3, I plan a TKO. 

Peace, Rocki

New Blog: Handmade Jewelry Findings

Handmade Jewelry Findings Blog

 Happy Hump Day! 

Just want to let everyone know that recently I started a second blog dedicated to my handmade jewelry and supply findings.  I may still post a few items of interest here, but for the most part my handmade metalwork will be in my other blog - so feel free to visit, join and/or share!

This will continue to be my main blog filled with a variety of topics about my thoughts, inspiration... life in general, as I do love a good variety!  Oh, and featured guest artists spots once again.

So for those of you who have stuck with me for all these years and in between my absence, and for new readers, I thank you! 

Peace, Rocki

DIY Flagstone Walk Path - Recycled

Here's is my DIY project that I did on Saturday morning. I've wanted to do this for some time now and when I told Mark that I wanted to put in a walk path from the sidewalk up to our front door walk way he said, and I quote: "go for it!" Well, I did!  I knew I would need his muscles for some things, but I wanted to do most of it myself... and I did!  For those of you who do not know me personally, this was a HUGE accomplishment and I'm ever so grateful to be this healthy again!

I forgot to take a before pic, so just imagine the above without the path dug.  Yep, I dug the path way all by myself...well, all but the last 1/4 section as I needed to save my strength for the rest of the work.  Mark came out to dig the remaining little section - he's such a good guy!

Not that I'm a weakling, but I'm not able to lift heavy of things.  Mark was sweet enough again to come outside and pour the sand for me.  He also carried out the Flagstone from the side yard - which we've had for years.  We took up part of our side yard walk way last year and kept the Flagstone for future use. 

Because I wanted to do as much of this project as possible, Mark simply put the tile on top of the mound of sand so that I could adjust and finish from there.  I just love this guy!

Almost done!  I fixed the sand under each tile to make sure it sat flat and didn't rock.  To adjust the level I simply added or removed sand as needed.  This took a bit of time, but at least I was entertained by the Black Eyed Peas (so were our neighbors) and the weather was perfect!

Ta'da!  Once the tiles were all in place I filled up the vacant areas with the surrounding granite.  The left over granite was raked into the yard (thank you honey!) 

I can't tell you enough of how excited I was to have been able to do this!  I swear, I probably looked out the front door at it a zillion times - so far!  Oh yes, the cost of the project...are you ready?  $5.00 - actually a tad under.  Since we recycled our Flagstone, all we had to purchase was two bags of sand.

Have rock'n good day!
Rocki

My Sasha Girl

I know I've posted many pictures of all of my kids, both 2 and 4 legged, but I went down memory lane last night after posting a pic on Pinterest of the tiniest little pup.  It reminded me of how itsy bitsy Sasha was when we brought her home at 8 weeks old so thought I would share and post these as well. 

 Sasha always had (still does) to rest her chin on one of her million toys.  She's not spoiled, truly she's not.

We fell instantly in love with her, as with all our kids, but couldn't get over how tiny she was.  We even put a cat collar with a bell on her so that we could hear her - didn't want to step on her!

Here is my happy Sasha girl now.  I just love her smile - melts my heart.  Oh and if you are wondering, she is a Yorkie Maltese.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Rocki

Coming Soon: Handmade Silver Filled Jewelry Supplies!

If you're a fan of Sterling Silver, but do not like the continued rising costs - I'm right there with you and am doing something about that in my jewelry supply shops.

In the next few weeks I will be creating 1/10 Silver Filled wire findings, handmade to order by me of course. Consisting of precious metal (sterling or fine silver) it is electroplated (bonded) onto a base metal (my supplier uses red brass). So that is a 10% silver thickness - a very nice comparison to 1/20, which is only 5%. This metal is bright and shiny and will not chip off like Silver Plated.

After researching and speaking with my supplier, I decided to move forward and add this respected metal to my shop. No, I'm not doing away with my precious metals. I just wanted to be able to offer most of my handmade metalwork in more of an affordable price point.

Feel free to hop on over to my shop now to see my handmade work and/or return in a couple weeks to see the Silver Filled findings.

Happy Friday! Peace, Rocki

http://www.RockisSupplies.etsy.com
http://www.RockisArtisanFindings.artfire.com

Blog Interview

Tiny Aztec Clasp

I am so thrilled that I was asked to be interviewed for a featured artist on the "A Collective Journal's" blog! Head on over to read the feature and also check out their blog. They have a great variety of info and fun articles.

Oh and above is my newest teensie weensie member to my Artisan Aztec Clasp Series. You can find more of my clasps and other handmade findings in my Etsy or ArtFire shop.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you Karen & Julie!
Rocki

Tranquility