Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Slo-mo holiday week

I like this week in between the holidays. Te roads are quieter during the commute. The phones aren't ringing to much. It's nice and quiet here at the office. I was able to recreate the prior week from all the notes I took while working from home. It was a big old hair ball to get all those scribbled notes in to the systems at work and make sure all the invoicing was done and other details where captured. It made for a crazy Monday but now I can sit back and relax pretty much.

We had a great Christmas. Janta brought me a new camera amongst other tresure. God love 'em. It's the same make I had before but one model up from it. I'm liking the bigger display screen. I'll bore you with pictures soon. We spent a quiet Christmas Eve dinner with my Mom and Christmas day with Jay's family. Somewhere in there one of the vertically challenged (and sticky) relatives passed on their germs and I'm incubating a cold right now. We did have a moment of worry Christmas day as a 25' limb off the doug fir on the corner of the house gave way under the snow and crashed down on the rockery. If it had been on the other side of the tree it would have taken out the power, phone and cable. - Whew! close one.



The week wasn't all joy and light, Lolli's nephew committed suicide a few days before Christmas and it certainly affected her holiday. There's more than a little strained family dynamics going on there and having to pull the whole family together for this is a challenge. The funeral is today, a few hours from now. Hopefully differences can be set aside for the poor grieving mother. Jay & I will check in on Lolli at the end of the day. Send her a prayer if you would.

One of my favorite gifts this year was a Russian samovar. It's kind of a long story. When Jay's Sister & BIL got posted to Russia years ago I told them I'd always wanted one and asked them to find one for me. I'd expected to pay for it myself. About 5 years ago the samovar was found and purchased but need export licenses as it's considered a piece of heritage. Long story short, it finally made it's way out of Russia this year. It's an interesting piece. I'm still trying to decide if it is indeed a 'heritage' piece or not. It doesn't matter if it is or it isn't I love it all the same. However it's got some interesting clues. There's no double eagle mark on it so it must have been made after the revolution. There are what appear to be tax stamps that have been pounded on to the sides but since I can't read Cyrillic I'm not quite sure yet. The fixture is brass, but it looks like it's brass plated over copper with some copper showing thru in places where you'd expect it had a lot of handling. I'll need to do a little research of production methods. Again I love it as it is but I can't resist trying to figure out if it's from the early Soviet period or a very well done fake. I love this kind of stuff.



Hope your having a great day!

B

15 comments:

Gin said...

I'm so sorry about Lolli's nephew. Sadly, the holidays are so tough on people, this happens a lot. I will pray for the family.

I would love to see photos of your samovar! I'll bet it's exquisite!! I think they look so romantic! Are you going to use it or just display it?

Scarlet said...

I'd love to see your Christmas photos and maybe take a peek at the tree limb damage. Fallen trees are nothing new in S. Florida (due to all the hurricanes)...but luckily we haven't suffered any damage from the ones that fell in our yard.

I'm sorry to hear about Lolli's nephew. What a tragedy.

I hope your new year starts off with a BANG! :)

happyone said...

So sorry to hear about Lolli's nephew. That is so sad. I will certainly pray for her and the family.

I really don't want a short haircut. I'm thinking like a chopped layered look, but will see what Cheryl recommends. :-)

Smocha said...

Also sorry to hear about Lollies nephew. man that stinks.

Sounds like you had a good Christmas. LOL about Janta Claus.

What is the Russian thing for? it looks like a soup turrine? An urn for dead folks ashes? A Tea pitcher?

It's awesome ,whatever it is:)

Glad you got a new camera too! Now get to snapping some pics.


hugs

zirelda said...

Hugs for Lollie. That really bites.

Great to hear about your camera. I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures. And the samovar is way cool Brad.

Happy New Year.

Gin said...

That samovar is beautiful! It will be interesting to do some research about it and learn more.

Wow, that's some big tree branch! I'm so glad it didn't fall in a worse place and do a lot of damage. It sure looks like it could have!

A very happy and prosperous New Year Brad!!!

Mary said...

Sending up prayers for Lolli and the family. Suicide is so hard for friends and family alike.


The samovar has really nice lines. It'll be interesting to research and discover its roots. Brass over copper is good. Does it have an engraved pattern? If so that should make it easy to identify.

By the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Leann said...

This time of year is particularly difficult for many. I am sorry to hear of Lolli's loss.

The samovar is beautiful. It will be interesting to hear what you found out.

Jamie said...

What a beautiful "thing" - I know nothing about these things, but I think it looks awesome....LOL

Lolli's family must be hurting so badly.. i will say a prayer for her.

Happy New Year Brad. Hugs, honey.

:)

Mama Llama said...

Look at that. What a beautiful samovar! Thanks for the pictures.

Wishing you a 2009 filled with much happiness, love and peace. Happy New Year, Brad!

Be well.

Golden To Silver Val said...

Please extend my condolences to Lolli. This is such a sad thing for a family to cope with.
Hope your new year is a wonderful one. Thank you for enhancing my life sweetie. Blessings to you all. Hugs.xxpp

desert dirt diva said...

yes my prayers to lolli's family...


and i thought you were talking about a sword...iI love the piece and see why you wanted it.. very awsome...

Cheryl said...

Lolli's family is in my thoughts. Suicide is never the right answer for all those left behind.

Glad you got a new camera!! No smacking this time.

Cool Russian thing. Why do I think it's for coffee?

MommiCombs said...

How come no mention of me and the kids and Bryce and Dad and Rachel?!?!?! Were we not significant enough? I might need to cry a little now.

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