Cat in the Snow and Last Chance!

I fell in love with this photo when I saw it on the blog of my  cyber-friend,  John Gray ofTrelawnyd, North Wales, United Kingdom.  John writes often humorous, sometimes deeply touching tales of his daily life caring for his many animals and living in rural, Northern Wales.  He is a delight!   The name of John's blog is "Going Gently"  Check it out  to see the purpose behind this adorable kitty photo.

DREAM says...

"Better that cat, than ME!"

"Don't forget ~ today at Noon, Mom's going to announce the winning bid on the One of a Kind,  very first one in a limited edition,  needle felted sheep/soap figurine of ME!" 

That's right, Dreamer.  we're down to the final hours of the Silent Auction for the first in my limited edition collection of "Dream" figurines.  There will only be ten made and sold and this figure is signed (by me) and numbered ~ #1.  Funds from this auction go to help support Bluff Country Shetlands (and Backyard Chickens) as I build my at home-business, in an attempt to earn a living ~ doing what I LOVE!

...The winning bid will be announced this afternoon...

~ SILENT AUCTION ~ Let the Bidding begin...

Gee.  This is kind of scary for me.

What if nobody bids?

I can't worry about things like that!

Of COURSE somebody will bid. 

EVERYONE loves Dream!

Which is why I've chosen this figurine to be, the very  first , of the signed and numbered, Limited Edition of  "DREAM" to be the star of this fund-raising Silent Auction.

This lovingly,  hand crafted replica of my beautiful Dreamer is needle felted over a bar of my all natural, homemade, goat milk soap.   I tried, very hard to replicate Dream's unique markings and sassy spirit.   This charming, woolly figure, is the first of only ten such figures that I will make.  Each will be signed and numbered.  There will only be THIS number  ONE.



Dream 's likeness is the perfect offering for this fund-raising Silent Auction.

Dream has always symbolized my ability to go on.  My being able to hold onto my home and my beloved flock of Shetland sheep.  Even when I was certain there was no way that I would be able to stay here, after my divorce, Dream is the one who gave me hope and the will to fight on.

I can remember that Christmas (the year of my divorce) and shopping with my daughter.  We were at a favorite home-decore-gift store and I saw a primitive, wooden star etched with one word:  DREAM.  I cried right there on the spot.  For it was at that point in time that I had been  beginning to realize my dream of breeding beautiful, HST (Head, Socks & Tail) spotted Shetland sheep.  Nobody thought it could be done ~ but I was doing it!  Unfortunately, that Dream looked like it was over.  I wouldn't be able to afford to keep my place, on my income alone.

That was three years ago.

Somehow, I have managed to keep my beautiful home in the Bluff Country.   I still can hardly believe it myself.  Especially, since I lost my job a year ago and have not had any offers  of employment since! 

I've hung on to my Dream of a  life here, with my beloved dogs and cats and sheep and chickens, with the help of unemployment compensation and sales of sheep/lambs and chickens/eggs.  It's been a challenge, but I've been proud of myself for being able to hold my life together.

This week, my unemployment compensation ran out.  It doesn't appear that anyone (within driving distance of my home, anyway) is interested in hiring an 'almost sixty'  year old woman.   How do I keep my dream alive NOW???

I am working hard at building up a clientele to my online store: 

"Sheep Hugs & Soap Suds"

Sales are steadily increasing and I'm adding new items every week.  It will be a while, though, before it is generating enough income to actually cover my mortgage payment.  

THAT is why I'm holding this Silent Auction. 

I'm hoping that through your generous contributions and the sale of this #1 limited edition "DREAM",  I will make enough to get me by for another month. 

I am working on building my business in ways that will increase the income it brings in.  If I can only hang on long enough for that to happen.  I am willing to put in the hours and do everything that I possibly can, to keep my Dream alive.

Would  you like to  help?

To Bid on the limited edition (#1) "DREAM"  sheep/soap,

EMAIL ME with the subject line :  "AUCTION" and tell me what you would like to bid.

All bids will be kept confidential until the end of the Auction. 

The winner will be announced (or the winning bid, if the winner wishes to remain anonymous) on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

If you don't want to bid in the auction, but would like to contribute, there is a "donate" button , on the sidebar of this blog.  Any help is greatly appreciated!

Speaking of help.  Please do NOT bid or contribute if YOU are experiencing your own financial difficulties.  I know that this is a very trying time for all of us and I don't want to make things any more difficult for anyone else.  Save your money ~ just keep me in your prayers!

Love,

Nancy and Dream

"Don't listen to Mom! 

Get out your checkbook!

  Max out your charge card!! 

Take out a LOAN!!!   I'm worth it."

"Okay.  I'm  just kidding. 

Sort of.  "

;-)

"Mom and I do want to thank you for being there for her US, all these years.  we really like it that you enjoy the blogs and follow along with our lives.  Mom says you are like Family, to her.  To me too, I guess.    Anyway... thanks."