I really love the history of our country, The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence, our founding Fathers and all the wonderful people that made this country the most free place in the world.

I am truly saddened that we have an administration that is turning our country towards socialism and a one world government. I am also concerned with lies being taught in our public schools.

It is time we each took the time to understand and learn what our Constitution actually says and to teach the truth to our children and grand children.

You can get a free copy (may have to pay 50 cents or so for mailing) from the following sites:

Ask Heritage.org

National Center for Constitutional Studies

I also include a copy in my Journal Jar Constitution Kit at:

Homespun Alley

The kit includes a handmade journal with and the jar contains 60 questions about The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence.

All the answers to the questions are contained in the 39-page Constitution brochure.

The handsome leather embellished patriotic journal has 60 pages and is a keepsake for sharing what has been learned and written there.

"Preserve your answers
Write them up well.
What you forget,
You can never retell.
But a journal that's kept fresh with care
Will help you remember in the future --
in order to share!"

Each kit has one journal but additional journals are available for families with more then one child.

If you buy two kits or more we will not charge any extra shipping on the additional kits.

If you want a custom leather or fabric journal in your choice of size please visit:

The Lady Artisan This is my daughter's site and she makes some very beautiful custom journals.

This historic proclamation was issued by George Washington during his first year as President. It sets aside Thursday, November 26 as "A Day of Publick Thanksgiving and Prayer."

Signed by Washington on October 3, 1789 and entitled "General Thanksgiving," the decree appointed the day "to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God."

While there were Thanksgiving observances in America both before and after Washington's proclamation, this represents the first to be so designated by the new national government.

General Thanksgiving

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the fignal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpofitions of His providence in the courfe and conclufion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have fince enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to eftablish Conftitutions of government for our fafety and happinefs, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are bleffed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffufing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private ftations, to perform our feveral and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a bleffing to all the people by conftantly being a Government of wife, juft, and conftitutional laws, difcreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all fovereigns and nations (especially fuch as have shewn kindnefs unto us); and to blefs them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increafe of fcience among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind fuch a degree of temporal profperity as he alone knows to be beft.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Note: Most of the letters 'f' are actually the letter 's'. I haven't researched this usage as yet so if anyone knows about it please leave a comment.

Count all your God given blessings this day and enjoy your family and friends!

Poem from my friend Roy Underwood:
Wishing each of you a blessed holiday as you share in the bounty of our God with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Email sent to me recently says it all about government run programs! Pass this along to all Americans!

To President Obama and all 535 voting members of the Legislature, It is now official you are ALL corrupt morons: The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke. Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke. War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more. Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.

I have really missed posting but contracted pneumonia about a week ago and have been so weak I can not sit up for very long.

Long naps are required right now and lots of liquids. No appetite and have lost over 10 pounds, which is the only good thing to come out this!

Do not know why I got it since I hardly ever even get a cold. Grandkids were sick for about 3 days each with fever and lost of appetite. Their Dad got it next and it lasted about 3 days. Then I got it and 3 days later felt great, then the 4 day the fever came back, nausea, no appetite, and extreme thirst.

On antibiotics now and hopefully will be fully recovered in a few more days.

Lady Artisan has just listed her newest journal and it is awesomely beautiful!

She calls it the Temporal Displacement Book and here is the story behind a TDB and TDU.

"Originally produced by a small, unknown manufacturer in southern Illinois called Stughmeier & Sons, this Temporal Displacement Book (TDB) is only one of seven TDB's purchased from the company between 1842 and 1845. The day following the sale of the seventh TDB, the whole factory completely disappeared without a trace.

Each book was purchased by a separate individual in a private sales meeting made available by invitation only. The buyers were all chosen carefully for their adventurous spirits, interest in the unusual and fantastical, and, of course, for their obscene wealth.

This particular TDB that's currently for sale is believed to be the first one made. It was purchased by Maximillian von Zeit, a close friend of the company owner, in June of 1842. Although von Zeit disappeared in the Fall of 1842, this book was recovered from his family's estate earlier this year.

Unfortunately, the Time Displacement Unit (TDU) built into the book, is not currently functioning. But a resourceful individual may be able to restore it to working order. Seller is NOT responsible for personal, temporal or financial damage that may be caused by tampering with the TDU without sufficient knowledge or understanding of its workings.

Whether the TDU works or not, this is an excellent book to use as a personal or art journal. Apparently von Zeit used his TDB regularly to go back to 1842 and "erase" his journal entries, leaving plenty of space for someone else to chronicle their own adventures. Although his only living descendant, Joshua von Zeit, believes that it's more likely his great-great-great-grandfather Maximillian actually went back to 1842 and stole a second book.

At the present time, the locations of the other six (seven?) TDB's are unknown."


The journal is made with leather on the covers, handmade copper wire hinges over copper tubing attached with rivets to the covers and spine. The clockwork sections were designed and carefully placed to look as functional as possible. The text block was sewn onto copper mesh using linen thread in an "X" and dash design. The book will lay completely flat when open but there are a number of protruding parts on the covers to be mindful of.

This book measures 5" x 3.25" and is filled with a combination of Canson Mi Teintes and Fabriano Tiziano pastel papers, excellent for a variety of art media or just for pen and pencil. There are 192 pages (96 leaves).

You are invited to view how she put all this together on her blog: The Elusive Muse

Of course if you want to buy it visit her Etsy shop: Lady Artisan

This is an invite to visit some of our Texas Artfire Guild shops and blogs. Feel free to follow the blogs and add them to your Market.

Beads and Things

Don't Eat Beads
You can also visit Don't Eat Beads on Twitter, Facebook, and Etsy.

Bluebonnet Jewelry Design
Visit her blog: http://bluebonnetjewelrydesign.blogspot.com

DG Designs
Visit her blog: http://dgdesignstx.blogspot.com

Handmade Stuff by Joyce Weaver

Hill Country Collection
You can also visit Hill Country Collection at Etsy and her blog: http://inspiredpink.blogspot.com

Homespun Alley
Visit her other shops and blog (You are there): Lee's Candles Grandma Betty's Body Butters


Jills Jewels

Pathea

The Jeweled Flamingo

All members of Texas Artfire Guild feel free to help promote each other. Put links on your blog or do a blog post about one of the shops if you have a blog.

Thanks to all the shops that responded with their information.

I got an email from a friend telling me that Texas prints a roadside assistance number on the back of every Texas drivers license. I had to look and sure enough there it is!
Bottom left corner in very small print.


Now my question was what will they do for you and will it cost any money?

Here is what I found online at the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The toll-free line has been operated by DPS since 1989 for motorists to use when reporting non-life-threatening situations on Texas roads and highways. DPS then passes the information along to the appropriate local police agency or DPS office.

If a tow truck is ultimately dispatched, the motorist is responsible for any costs incurred. Some cities and agencies do have courtesy patrols and roadside trucks to provide non-towing services and they may be dispatched by the local agencies when appropriate.

The number, 1-800-525-5555, is printed on the back of virtually all Texas driver licenses and identification cards. Customers of participating wireless companies ALLTEL, Nextel, Cingular Wireless, Houston Cellular and Verizon Wireless can dial *DPS (*377) free of airtime charges anywhere in Texas. (Note: I do not know if this is a current list of wireless companies or not)

Examples of when a motorist should call the Roadside Assistance Hotline include: stranded with car problems, hazardous road conditions, debris in the roadway, suspicious activity at a rest area, and obviously intoxicated or dangerous drivers.

The Roadside Assistance Hotline is not intended to replace 911 as an emergency number; 911 should still be the first option for emergency situations.

To better assist our communications operators please have the following information ready:

· Your name, cell phone number (and vehicle description if applicable);

· Highway location (mile marker would be helpful); and

· County location, or city location if inside city limits.

So don't give up your AAA, Allstate, or other Roadside Assistance card if you have one.

I do like that it is available if I am stranded on a remote, lonely road somewhere which we have an abundance of here in Texas. It is especially handy if you don't happen to have a roadside assistance card with a company.

Happy and careful traveling to all.

Texans unite and support your fellow Artfire shops!

Our blog Texas Artfire Guild blog needs your support. At the present we only have 18 followers out of over 70 members. Please visit the blog and sign up to follow it. Leave comments, suggestions and ideas you may have to help promote our shops.

While you are there please follow us at Twitter also.

Visit each shop in your Region or if you have time visit them all and add them to your market. Check their Bio and on the right is more info. Under the picture on the right, the last entry is "Find Me Online @". If they have a blog it should be listed here. Visit their blog and leave comments, tweet, follow them and just enjoy visiting.

The more we help each other the more it will come back to us!

I will be coordinating the Central Texas area for the Texas Artfire Guild.

This is an invite for all present members to contact me with any ideas/suggestions for local networking together to present/sell our handmade products.

This is also an invite to all artists/craftsmen/suppliers and anyone who hand makes items to contact me if you would be interested in being a part of a local networking group. You do not have be a member of Texas Artfire Guild to participate.

At the present time we are including the following areas in the Central area:

Austin
Ballinger
Bergheim
Buda
Burnet
Comfort
Copperas Cove
Elgin
Fredricksburg
Killeen
Pflugerville
San Antonio
Waco

and all surrounding areas.

Here are the other Guild areas:

Southeast - greater Houston area
North - greater Dallas/Ft Worth area
South - greater Corpus Christi and possibly deep south area
West - greater El Paso area
Panhandle - greater Amarillo/Lubbock area

If you are in any of these areas you can contact Heather at Texas Artfire Guild Blog for the contact in your area.

Visit our blog and see how Heather put together a successful show in Houston.

These are some of Heather's ideas:

- Start our own craft shows at local apt complexes where members live
- Jewelry repair/alteration at retirement/disabled/normal apt complexes
- Destash/trade parties at local TA members homes or neutral locations
- Continue to expand to Terrace locations (my original intent)
- Network with each other to find low cost established local craft shows
- Purchase needed supplies in large bulk orders and split the cost with local members to save

If you know of any places, i.e. businesses, apartment complexes, Assisted Living apartments, etc in Central Texas that would like to have us offer our hand made items please contact me by leaving a comment with contact info or just email me directly.

I will be putting together a list of the different types of items available in our Central Texas Artfire Guild and emailing each present member for feedback.