Back to Life

Although my candle will shine until Nicholas comes home, it's time to get back to my hum-drum life. My thoughts and hope continue to be with Christine and her family. I still have the section set up in my shop for donations for her (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5491644&section_id=5326560). But, I've been disheartened by everything that's transpired through the search.

Persons on Etsy started to collect donations innocently enough. There were support threads and donation promo threads. Then the nastiness started. People started reading and posting on outside forums. Then, the Etsy community got bashed. It got ugly. Let's leave it at that.

Unfortunately, the bashing back and forth has left a really bad taste in my mouth for humanity. In a time of tragedy, instead of banding together, it pulled people apart. It left a lot of bad feelings in a good online community. Some even left that community because of it.

I have decided to rise above the animosity and continue to try to build my business on Etsy. I still hang out in the Etc. forum and try to have a good time. Usually, I do. And, usually, I have. I have made some friends on Etsy and I'd like to continue to foster those friendships. These people make me laugh. They make me feel welcome.

So, this will be my last blog entry regarding Nicholas and Christine; unless, of course, he comes home. From here on out, I will continue with my list of shops to feature. I will post entries about the various projects I'm working on. I'll even post about my boring little life once in a while. The Princess will be going to school in the fall, so that should yield some exciting ditties to blog about! :-)

Still Looking For Nicholas...

There is tons of support flying on Etsy. If you just go to http://www.etsy.com/ and do a search for "Christine", you will bring up over 100 items that the sales are being donated in her name.

I just wanted to post another picture...the picture of Nicholas' missing flyer. It has some important contact info on it.

Bringing Back Nicholas Francisco!

I have a heavy heart as I write this. A fellow Etsian's husband has been missing since Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from the Seattle area. I don't know this person from Eve, but since she is part of the Etsy community, I feel as though I have no choice but to write about it to get the word out as much as possible.


Many members of Etsy have started several prayer/positive energy/hope forum threads in the hopes that Nicholas will be found safe.


Nicholas and his wife, Christine, along with the two and-a-half children (she is pregnant with their third) live in Queen Anne, Washington, which is just outside of Seattle on the Puget Sound. He was last seen leaving his job in Sea-Tac; his destination was home.


Authorities have since found his car in Federal Way, Washington, about 30-45 minutes away from his home. They have impounded the car and have a lead, but no other information is available. Volunteer search teams have been pounding the pavement posting flyers, getting the word out and searching for Nicholas. They got another team together within a couple of hours and started their search all over in Federal Way.


For more updates, please go to this thread in Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5475232&page=1/. There are more updates on the local news stations at http://www.komotv.com/news/ and http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/. There is also a website dedicated to the search efforts at http://mailpen.net/.


I have dedicated an entire section in my shop for sales to be donated to the family at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5491644&section_id=5326560. There are also two entire threads for shops donating at http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5473832&page=1 and http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5474521. An account just for donations is being set up tomorrow at a local bank.


Please keep Christine and her family in your hearts and hope for a safe return home for Nicholas.