Blood Diamonds

Diamond mine in Congo
Rights reserved to Artist

Environmental impact
Rights reserved to Artist

       With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas only 23 days away many people have already began their holiday shopping. I know most people hit the town bright and early on Black Friday to do just that. How many of you are shopping for jewelry or think you might be receiving jewelry for the holidays? Have you ever given any thought to where those beautiful diamonds are coming from? I'm sure you have all heard of a Blood Diamonds. The term Blood Diamond is used when diamonds are mined in a war zone, often by forced labor, and used to fund military and rebel militia movements. Most of these precious stones are mined in Africa, 65% of the world's diamonds come from there. Sure they are gorgeous and sparkly but every day thousands of innocent people are raped, tortured and killed over them. In the past two decades alone seven African countries have endured brutal civil conflicts caused by Diamonds, Liberia and the Republic of Congo being a few of them. In 2003 the Clean Diamond Act was put into place, and now years later some companies like Zales are straight up refusing to buy these conflict diamonds, Vendors are now required to show proof of warranty from their sources of diamond merchandise.http://www.zales.com/jewelry101/index.jsp?page=diamonds_conflictdiamonds With all of these efforts somehow this conflict diamond industry still goes on. It makes me wonder what else can we really do ? What if this was our country? Would you pay closer attention, would you stop buying diamonds all together? I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving and thank you for reading!!

                                                                    ~Camberlynn

Boettcher Mansion

                        After a week back home visiting in Wisconsin I am excited to be back in the mountains again! The flight back from Minneapolis to Denver isn't bad at all, and once your in

Denver there is so much to do. If you find yourself traveling west on I 70 you will come across signs pointing to " Look out Mountain and Boettcher Mansion" you must follow these signs!http://jeffco.us/boettcher-mansion/ The view alone is amazing but for me Boettcher Mansion steals the show. Designed as a summer home for entrepreneur Charles Boettcher in 1917 this home sits on 110 acres of pure beauty, and is a must see destination when traveling through Colorado. Given to the County of  Jefferson in 1972 the mansion is now open to the public and visited by more than 30,00 tourists each year. My favorite part about this place is it's open to special events such as weddings, memorials, and dinners. Boettcher Mansion is open weekdays only from 8AM-4PM, no entrance fees and it's a self guided tour. You can take as little or as much time in each room as you like, and for those of you who like history and nature this is the perfect place. Hope everyone is enjoying November and thank you for reading!


                                                                                                                                                       ~ Camberlynn

Home, A Land Far Away

                 The time has come to go home again. I try to make it at least twice a year, all of my good friends live in a land far away called Tomahawk Wisconisn. All thought it will be a huge temperature change for me I am beyond excited to see everyone! Growing up in a town with less than 4000 people you get what you get. I wouldn't change it for anything because of all the billions of people there are in the world I get to call you guys my friends. Everyone experiences gains and losses when it comes to having friends. It is not about how long you have known someone it is about who stands by your side through thick and thin. I am so blessed to have so many good friends. Even though you guys are so far away, every time I see you it's like no time has gone by at all.  I took about an hour this morning going through old pictures and there are 1000s!! These are a few of my favorites..Tomahawk I'm coming for you, peeps be ready!  P.S I LOVE YOU ALL !!

~Camberlynn