Mexican Fire Opals and more

The weather was absolutely gorgeous this past weekend. I even got some sun on my face where I don't look quite so pale. So you know where we went?? A road trip to our county seat, Bartow, it's all of about 15 minutes from Lakeland. We were headed to the Blooming Arts Festival which is held 2 times a year, in March and November.

We made it to the Blooming Arts Festival on Saturday. Our lunch was really good at our favorite Chinese restaurant, The Great Wall. We looked at beautiful art work, handmade jewelry, antiques and lots of junk! Have you ever seen a Mexican Fire Opal ? It's an opal and then more. It's fiery red, orange and yellow! Looks like fire captured in a jewel. I wanted to see the prices on the jewelry but didn't look at the tag! I love big rings and he had one that would have been perfect for me, but I left it there since I have bills to pay and no JOB!! I was really looking forward to the Quilt Show in the old courthouse, which is a beautiful old building in itself. Sorry to say there were no quilts this year. I was sad but maybe next year.

For you Floridian bloggers and artists, I don't know if you have ever heard of Thomas Brooks but he is an amazing artist. He paints Florida wildlife and the woods they roam in. He has a website, http://www.thomasbrooks.com/ where you can see some of his work. It is so much better in person though. I went to school with him and I always thought he was really cute. He married a friend from school. I didn't even know they were dating!! One day I hope to have one of his works hanging on a wall in my family room. On a sad note, he stored much of his inventory in a store here in Lakeland. So did Robert Butler, Stephen Koury and other artists in the area. The store caught fire and burned to the ground. All that beautiful art and all the hard work that went into it, went up in a giant blaze, complete with explosions. The store was the Army Navy surplus which had ammo there also! What a terrible loss, as some originals were in there and can't be replaced.

Went to see the nurse this morning about my toe. She said I was doing a good job taking care of it and to see her again next Monday. It will take at least 6-8 weeks to heal.

Wish me luck and pray for me, for tomorrow I am going to take a Civil Service test for the City of Lakeland. I have applied for 5 jobs there. Even if I pass the test, which you have to make a 70 or above, it doesn't guarantee I will get a job there. This job search is getting very old. I want to work. Don't get me wrong, I love to be home with my dogs and daughter, but the walls are closing in on me and I don't have cable TV!!