Whoosh goes the weekend

Wow, five days off and its gone already? At least I got a lot of stuff on my list done for my boutique next weekend, rode my horse a few times, visited Mazzy, and got the annual Christmas photo taken! Every year it is quite an event. One year I decided it would be fun to have the dogs and the horse in the Christmas photo, and that was truly a challenge. The horse stepped on the dog, the dogs wouldn't stay still especially since one of us had to run back and forth the set the timer on the camera which excited them (it doesn't take much). The next year I knew things had to change or Chad wouldn't be up for that challenge again. So we got a remote clicker which improved things drastically. The biggest hurdle that year was trying to get a one year old horse to stand still. This year, no drama, it was just the two of us and the two dogs on the front porch. Here are some of the loosers (one year we thought it would be funny to use one of the ones that came out really bad).....I like this one, but Chad's head is cut offAnd this is the winner (the dogs look the best in this one :-) )

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all of you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am very thankful for my wonderful husband, family (furry & human) and friends!

I am thankful for our troops who cannot be with their families for Thanksgiving. They continue to work tirelessly to protect our freedom and to protect the citizens of Iraq from attacks, risking their lives for ours. They are true heroes and I am so thankful for them.

I spent my Thanksgiving with my second family at the firehouse. Everyone pitched in and made something and we had a delicious meal. Tons and tons of food, two turkeys (one deep fried), ham, yams, a couple different kinds potato dishes, stuffing, rolls, green bean casserole, spinach salad, homemade mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, etc. and so many desserts with about 10 pies left over. Actually it was almost nauseating to see so much food.

Robert deep frying the turkey (not 5 minutes after this, they got an emergency call for a fire from a deep fried turkey. The people were doing it on the balcony of their condo...duh! Set off the sprinkler system of the whole complex. Many people were going to come home to a very wet condo tonight):
I also rode along on a call. The emergency comes out from dispatch...person trapped in vehicle. A lady went into Vons grocery store...literally. Another case of oops I thought I was going in reverse but I floored it in drive! That to me should be immediate suspension of license. She wedged her car between Vons and a pillar and was traped. I wonder as she jumped the curb if that wasn't an indication she wasn't going in reverse. I also wonder why you would floor your car in reverse to get out of a parking space, because to get her car to jump the curb and crash into the building she had to have floored it! It was wedged in so tight it could not be driven out or pushed out, a tow truck had to pull it out. I am so thankful for the wonderful firefighters that have patience, because they were so kind to this lady, and honestly I wanted to ask her do you know you could have killed someone??? Good thing no one was on the payphone, because their Thanksgiving wouldn't be too happy - smush.


So tomorrow is black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. This is the day where people get up an 3:00 in the morning to get the biggest and best deals.

But why leave the house when you can get really cool handcrafted items right from the comfort of your home? So in the spirit of the season, I will be offering a huge sale in my etsy store... 10% off all items in my shop, plus free shipping on purchases over $50 in the US!!! Please contact me before purchase so I can adjust the price (I'll change the price through Paypal).

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Etsy Bloggers Holiday Sale

☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★

H a p p y H o l i d a y s ! !
The EtsyBloggers HOLIDAY S*A*L*E* is going on from Black Friday thru Cyber Monday!!
That's Friday 11/28 thru Monday 12/1!!
See a list of the 50+ shops having a SALE at http://etsybloggers.etsy.com
H a p p y S h o p p i n g ! !

At my shop, I am offering 10% off all items in my Etsy shop (excluding custom orders and shipping). Convo me first so I can change your price). ALSO...free shipping on purchases over $50 in the US!!!

☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★

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We have a winner!

The winner of my very first blog giveaway is....Jill from Orange Cat Art. Congratulations!

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Gem Faire

I headed down to the Santa Monica Gem Faire this morning to get some new gems, and I found some very nice ones. Lots of Labradorite (faceted cubes, briolettes, and twists), Citrine nuggets and gorgeous faceted ovals, Prasiolite Oval Briolettes, Smoky Topaz faceted puffed squares and fancy twists. Can't wait to start creating with these new beauties! The picture is pretty bad....

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Chad was in the newspaper

On the front lines

Local strike team helped fight SoCal wildfires

By Robert S. Hong, Staff Writer

Posted: 11/19/2008 10:25:52 PM PST

PASADENA - Stepping out of his still-warm fire engine Wednesday afternoon, firefighter Kevin Ambler described the past six days battling wildfires around Southern California.

"I haven't seen that kind of devastation in a long time," Ambler said.

Led by Pasadena Fire Department Capt. Carlos Alderete, Ambler and his crew from a department "strike team" arrived at their station at Fair Oaks and Dayton Street still dusted with soot.

They had left Pasadena last Thursday evening to help fight the Montecito fire in Santa Barbara, then redeployed to Yorba Linda to assist in this past weekend's Triangle Complex Fire, where 259 homes were destroyed or damaged and 29,000 acres burned.

Working long shifts, the local crew had slept only a couple of hours a night.

"It was really smoky in Montecito - air support had done a lot of work," Alderete said. "In Yorba Linda, there was a lot of fire still burning, and it was sad because a lot of people lost their homes."

Ambler, who lives near the Yorba Linda fire, described walking through a deserted, ashy wasteland at night and noticing how some homes were completely intact, while others had burned to the ground.

"It was very fast-paced," said firefighter AC, pulling his pillow and sleeping gear from a storage compartment on his rig.

Pasadena sent two strike teams, comprised of nine firefighters, to aid in the battle.

Firefighter Manuel White joined the department only three months ago; it was his second time on a strike team.

"It's an adrenaline rush, knowing it's such a large incident," he said. "It was a great experience because you learn while you're out there and build relationships with different fire departments."

Pasadena firefighters also helped residents recover personal items from the rubble of their homes. One pregnant woman was desperate to find her wedding ring and an urn holding her father's ashes, the strike team members said.

As it turned out, the Pasadena crew was able to locate the ashes.

"She was very happy, very emotional," Alderete said.

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Boutique Planning

I heard from Chad this morning and he should be coming home later today. Yippee!

Last night I had a planning meeting for the Fall/Holiday Jewelry Boutique I am hosting on Saturday Dec 6th. If you are in the Los Angeles area, please come!!! There will be drawings for fabulous door prizes (Increase your chances for the giveaways: RSVP by November 29th = 1 ticket, Bring friends = 2 tickets for each friend, Make a purchase = 1 ticket for every $25). I will be making some wonderful hors d'oeuvres and libations including a Gingerbread Cocktail :-). More details about the event here: http://www.fiveoclocksomewhere.us/Fall_Boutique.html.

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Weekend Recap

I kept myself busy this weekend riding and making jewelry (and watching the news coverage on the fires). Luckily I have a good friend who's husband is with Chad fighting the fires, so we trade info on what we've heard from them at least once a day. We watched the coverage on tv last night together, hoping are guys are ok and that they come home soon. The latest on the fire Chad is fighting, "Corona-Yorba Linda-Anaheim Hills Fire", it is 40 percent contained and has charred 28,889 acres. The weather is taking a turn for the better, and the Santa Ana winds are expected to ease up today.

Here is a preview of some of my new necklace designs:

Horsing Around - This pendant is 99.9% pure fine silver, handmade by me, on a sterling chain. $58

Changing Leaves Necklace - Grossular Garnet and Sterling Rings $65
Ametrine Necklace - Ametrine is a naturally occurring marriage of sister gemstones Amethyst and Citrine. The color gradation is created by differing oxidation states of iron within the crystal. $65Ruby in Fuchsite - Crystals of ruby are embedded in a fuchsite matrix, which makes for a gorgeous kelly green stone with patches of bright magenta pink $58

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Saturday Night Fire Update

Chad has been moved from the Montecito fire to the "Freeway Fire" in Orange County. I had my fingers crossed that he would be coming home, but there are four major fires that broke out in the past couple of days and they are in desperate need of firefighters. There have been 104 residences damaged or destroyed in the "Freeway Fire" which is located in Yorba Linda, Brea & Anaheim. From what I have heard on the news I do not think any of the fires are more that 20% contained yet. The worst thing I heard (aside from the obvious devastation) was that they have arrested 5 people for looting! I find it unbelievable how horrible some people are!!! As if these people haven't endured enough being evacuated and scared and some people loosing everything. I think the looters should be shot!

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Montecito Fire Update

I heard from Chad this morning, his crew is fighting the fires at the Westmont College campus. The devastation is unbelievable. From what I last heard on the news at least 100 homes and college buildings were destroyed, and 13 people injured. The 70 mile per hour winds made fighting the fire nearly impossible. I have friends very close and heard that it is within a block of their house, and a house of someone I know we think is gone. This really puts life in perspective, and teaches me how much I have to be thankful for.

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Here we go again...

Chad just got sent to fight another wildfire. A brushfire is burning in the hills above Santa Barbara and Montecito. The fire broke out just before 6 p.m. I've heard on the news there are mandatory evacuations and of course, it is completely out of control. The fire has currently burned up more than several acres, and structures are currently involved.

Montecito has long been a hideaway for the rich and famous where multimillion homes have ocean views. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey owns a 42-acre estate and the landmark Montecito Inn was built in the 1920s by Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle.

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Thoughtless Thursday

Tourmaline Cascade Earrings:

Pictures from last weekend of my little two year old:

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Veteran's Day

Today is a great time to reflect and remember all those who enabled generations of Americans to live their lives in freedom. This Veteran's Day, please say a special word of thanks to all of those who have kept our country safe and our freedoms secure. Their bravery, their resourcefulness, and their patriotism mark them as our nation’s finest citizens.

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My First Giveaway!

This is my first blog giveaway, and I’m excited to be doing it! I want to say thanks to everyone who reads and comments on my blog.

Prize Details:
1 Pair of Sterling Silver and faceted Labradorite Briolette Earrings. Sterling Earwires are hand forged by me.

To Enter:
Leave your name, and email address and a comment below telling me what your favorite item in either my online shop - Five O'Clock Somewhere or my Etsy Shop. If you are hesitant about leaving your email, you can email me after you leave your entry. tara [at!] fiveoclocksomewhere [dot] us

• You must leave a way for me to contact you (valid email address), or your entry won't be eligible.
• If I'm not able to come in contact with the 1st winner within four days (who is chosen via Random Number Generator), a second winner will be chosen based on the most original, detailed comment.
• You don't need to be a blogger to enter, simply choose "Anonymous" for your identity and leave your e-mail address so I can contact you.
• Of course you must be of legal age and for this giveaway you must reside in the US or Canada only. (Sorry)
• If it looks like you are simply copying what others have said, I reserve the right to not enter you into the contest.
• Comments like "I want to win" and "I like everything!" do NOT count in the giveaway.
• Deadline: November 24th at Midnight PST. The winner will be announced on November 25th, at which time I will contact the winner to get shipping information. Any entries made after that time will not be eligible for this drawing.

Note: Add me to your safe list or else your winning notice could end up in your Junk Mail folder! tara [at!] fiveoclocksomewhere [dot] us

EXTRA ENTRIES!!!
1 Extra Entry if you blog about the giveaway with a link back to the giveaway and send me a link to your post.
1 Extra Entry - subscribe to receive email updates to my blog. Do this right here on my blog, and be sure to verify your subscription. If you've already signed-up, you'll be automatically entered.
1 Extra Entry - Become a Fan of the Five O'Clock Somewhere Facebook Page.
1 Extra Entry - Follow My Blog, sign up right here on this page. If you're already a follower, you'll automatically get the extra entry.
**10 Extra Entries if you buy something from Five O'Clock Somewhere website or Five O'Clock Somewhere Etsy Shop

Please let me know in a separate comment for each extra entry you qualify for, and keep your links up through the 25th so that they may be verified. Also, please be sure that you share your blog’s URL so that I can pay you a visit!

Good Luck everyone! Thanks for participating!

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Blog Carnival - How are you going to prepare your business for the holiday rush?

For my first Etsy Bloggers Carnival post I am revealing how I am going to prepare my business for the holiday rush? Well, I have been busy, busy, busy! Everynight I attempt to make something new. I definetely feel like I am prepared with inventory. I am adding more items to my Etsy Shop, I am trying to advertise more so that people will know about my shop (having my first giveaway - see below), and I am trying to do some research and get advise from other sellers. I am also hosting a jewelry boutique at my house Saturday, Dec 6th, so if anyone is in the Los Angeles area....please come! For more details go to my website.

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Jennifer wins the LAHJA Sr. Medal Finals!

In the LAHJA Sr. Medal Finals Jennifer Jacky (my barn mate and friend) fulfilled her dreams. After many years of contesting the competitive adult finals, Jacky finally got to lead the victory gallop, her beaming smile leading the way. Cayla Richards took the lead in the first round of the LAHJA Jr. Medal Finals and never looked back. Ali Ohringer finished second to Richards...for the third time! Both girls are close friends and laughed about their fall medal finals experiences. For Richards, winning the LAHJA Jr. Medal Finals capped a very successful year. Taylor Harris finished third. More details to follow.

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Featured EtsyBlogger: Storybeader

I belong to a street team on Etsy called Etsy Bloggers. Every month, a team member is featured in our blogs. This month, the featured blogger is Storybeader who has an Etsy store featuring wonderful Ntive American jewelry! The best and most unique part is with each piece of jewelry that is purchased, the recipient receives a haiku written specifically with that piece of jewelry (thus the name "storybeader").

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L.A.H.J.A. Medal Finals - Round 2, Fill The Boot, Paseo Cantina

I wasn't able to make it to see round 2 of the L.A.H.J.A. Medal Finals, but here are the round two results. Juniors: 1st - Cayla Richards & Capone, 2nd - Belle Calkin & Belle Agio, 3rd - Callie Selchau & Spa Sciences Southern, 4th - Hannah Warde & Monty Z.
Adults: 1st - Lisa J. Brown & Corinth, 2nd - Laura Fairbanks & Ferris 16, 3rd - Erica Schmandt & The Architect, 4th - Jennifer Jacky & Discreet (my friend and barn mate).

Instead, Chad and many other firefighters participated in the annual "fill the boot" to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The firefighters stood on street corners downtown and held firefighter boots to collect donations. The fundraiser is part of a larger effort by the International Association of Fire Fighters. Who could say no to a bunch of good looking firemen in their tunout gear?

We then went to celebrate Christina's promotion at Cantina Paseo. There was a great showing of firefighters, friends and thier significant others, we took over the entire outside patio. It was fun, the food was good, the service was attentive, and the drinks were strong. A bunch of the guys on duty came by too, which was nice.

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Crocheted Buckle Beanie by Two Seaside Babes

How cute is this black crocheted buckle beanie? I got it from Two Seaside Babes. Jessi of Two Seaside Babes crochets unique hats for adults and children as well as wonderful arigorumi plush toys and more.

Thanks Jessie!

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Closest Book Tag

Kacy over at All Horse Stuff tagged me with a good game.

Here are the rules:
1) Grab the book that is nearest to where you are sitting. Do NOT grab the coolest book, your favorite book, or an intellectual book...just the closest book!
2) Open it to page 56.
3) Find the fifth sentence.
4) Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5) Tag five people to do the same.

My closest book is: How to Live With a Neurotic Dog by Stephen Baker
Here are the lines from page 56:
He may smell bad to his owners, but this is a matter of opinion. To other dogs he smells just the way he should. In fact, a washed dog is often ostracized by his canin friends until he becomes his old self again.

I will invite anyone who wants to participate to do so, as I know many of these tag games have gone around before.

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L.A.H.J.A. Senior Medal Finals - Round 1

Kylie and I competing in the LAHJA Medal Finals last year (I didn't have my camera tonight to take any photos)

I went to go cheer on my barnmates competing in the LAHJA Medal Finals tonight. It was a tough course, so I didn't feel horribly bad that I was not competing this year. The juniors went first, there were 41 of them to go and Cayla Richards & Asparagus (trained by Archie Cox) is sitting in first. Taylor Harris & Gaudi (trained by Elvenstar) is currently in second, and Demi Stiegler & Vigo (trained by Robyn Stiegler) in third. Vincent Woodgrift rode well but the horse he borrowed did not want to cooperate and he ran out at the coop/purple flowers option fence. For the seniors, Laura Fairbanks & Ferris 16 (trained by Betsy Woods) is in first with Laura Mormann & Vindoctro (trained by Elvenstar and also won the Foxfield Finals a few weeks ago) in second and Bess Hopmans (trained by Far West) in third. My barnmate Jennifer rode great, and was just out of the ribbons, and Ali had a rail, which was a bummer because her course was quite good.

The Medal Finals consist of two qualifying rounds using the open numerical scoring system. There are four judges (two teams of two) officiating in all rounds. All participants will return for the second round. There will be a third round of the top ten riders plus any rider with an average score of 80 or above from rounds 1 and 2. The second round is Friday night and top 10 on Saturday night. It is a LONG drawn out finals - 3 late nights.

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Riding is for those people who see not a horse but a spirit next to them.If you have it, it is for life. It is a disease for which there is no cure.You will go on riding even after they have to haul you on a comfortable wise old cob, with feet like inverted buckets and a back like a fireside chair... when I can't ride anymore, I shall still keep horses as long as I can hobble about with a bucket and a wheelbarrow. When I can't hobble, I shall roll my wheelchair out to the fence of the field where my horses graze, and watch them.
- Monica Dickens

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New Necklaces

I wanted to share some of my new necklace creations. I will be getting them up on my website soon.

Peacock Feathers Necklace - Peacock Pearls and Abalone Necklace SOLD

Smoky Mountains Necklace - Varying shades of bronze-brown faceted Grossular Garnet with a beautiful sterling wire wrapped Smoky Quartz briolette $65

Social Circle Necklace - Aquamarine with sterling circle & charms (chalcedony & jade) $68

Autumn Awakening Necklace - Four strands of Tiger's Eye, Moonstone & Sterling Silver with large Picture Jasper sterling encased pendant $88

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Is the weekend over already????

Unbelievable how fast it always goes. I spent the weekend riding (of course) and making jewelry. I made a trip down to the jewelry district in downtown LA to get some new gems, so I was very inspired this weekend to make lots of new pretties. I am in the midst of updating my website with some of my new creations.

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