Saturday, December 20, 2008

Last Saturday before Christmas

It was busy !
I was up and on my way to JCP at 7:30.
Got 3 dressshirts and a polo shirt for Himself and spent $55. That was also with a coupon for $10 off of $10 that I spent.
Worked for me!

Colleen and I had hair appt's at 9.
I have given up on having RED hair again --- my stylist just says no.
So I am living with it.
Colleen's tired of hearing me whine -- so I will be good.

Back out in to the cold.
Hit the new Formica Brothers bakery -- OMG the bread was so good.

From there to AC Moore for some ink.

Ran to the library to return books and grab one.

Then home.
We had brunch (eggs 'n toast).
Then Colleen began working on baking.
I sat at the table and worked on my art.

Nice afternoon.
I got sleepy and retired to the living room and napped until the smells drove me nuts and I had to get up.

Checked the weather --- I see north Jersey got 6 to 8 inches of snow.
We had a couple of flurries this afternoon.
Ok, I am spoiled.
I don't miss it.
Well, I don't miss driving in it.
I miss the beauty of it.

We'll eat dinner and then settle in the living room to watch tv and bead.

Ack well, and maybe wrap some presents. I have all of mine to her to do

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Brrrr cold -- and they mention ....

SNOW !!
not much, but it is rain changing to snow tonight.
ICK!

I am currently working on a big pot of beef veggie soup for tomorrow.
It will season overnight in the fridge and tomorrow I will finish it up.
Cold afternoon and hot soup!
Works for me !!

Some good days/one bad

Have had some good days/some bad.
The hamstring is wild again.
Wednesday at work it tightened up so unexpectedly that I could barely get around.
There were times it took my breath away.
Came home, dug in my stuff til I found the remaining muscle relaxer (my doc refused to give me 10 -- but wanted to prescribe a sleeping pill instead -- twit).
ANYway, I took it and it helped some.
Thursday I was supposed to hit a huge party in Princeton with the main guy -- didn't happen. I could hve done it but would have been miserable and wretched.
Dang it -- I wait all year for that party.
But it will come next year.
Spent the day just enjoying things.

Friday was good
Had a great time -- we drove up old route 9 to Forked River (that is Ford-ed River by the locals) -- we were headed to Seaside but never made it.
Stopped at Surf Taco for lunch -- GREAT wonderful healthy food !
On the way back I convinced them to stop at an architectural salvage yard. -- OMG!
I am sorry that it was so cold ... we could have spend eons there. I took some random pictures that I am going to have to get posted.
He wanted to stop at an antique shop on the way back -- they had vintage coke machines.
That was another adventure.
We hit a bakery further down the road (like any of the 3 of us needed it.....).
Got home, hung out for a bit... then went and had italian for dinner.
Came back and we watched "Wild Hogs".
Then birthday cake -- the three of us have birthdays within 3 weeks so we do the middle one for cake.

A great day.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

It was a GOOD birthday :)

I got up to make the 6 am opening of a couple of stores -- had one VERY important gift to buy.
Then I stopped at Macy's and picked up a set of my favo sheets -- 400 count. I am enthralled with the Charter Club brand. They are "just right". And since my last set became threadbare, it was time.
Well, almost time -- we are getting a new bed - a Queen. So in anticipation, I bought a set of queen sheets !

Three stores, ran by McD's and got a biscuit for me and a sweet tea for Colleen -- and I was home by 7:20 !
I wanted to go by Walmart for gifts for the kids names I drew at work (for the Women's shelter) but there was not enough money to be saved to cause me to go there. Perhaps tomorrow.

Good day -- we goofed about and just relaxed.
Dinner was at Harrah's -- oh my, I am in love with the Mongolian BBQ.
(Today I went by the Oriental Market and bought the brand of hot sauce that is used at the restaurant).

Presents !!
Lots and lots of beads from Colleen -- and a great thermal shirt (Army, no less !!).
And a wonderful sweatshirt from the main squeeze. It says, and I quote: "What part of Ya'll don't you understand?"

My B4B package came on Wednesday and I waited patiently until my birthday to open it.

Ok --- Ghiradelli Milk chocolate with caramel .
Size 15's: bronze, burnt orange and creme pearl.
4 mm purple velvet swarovski bicones.
Dark purple drops and dark purple matte size 11 seed beads to go with the bicones!
Gold, pink and rust colored pearls (a strand each!
Copper colored rondelles for embellishment.
More size 11's: gold lines salmon and then salmon plain (yummmm).
Small gold/yellow daggers for embellishment.
A set of end caps form my kumihomo (way cool -- I can't wait).
AND
the most perfect black onyx SQUARE cab !

My friend Rose sent me 2 lottery tickets -- hopefully I'll scratch and win. But even if I don't, I've won anyway.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new. "
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Very cold

BITTER cold.
Ick.
We've had snow flurries off and on all week.

My hamstring is getting better everyday.
I had to resort to wearing the orthotics in my tennis shoes. Hate to admit it, but they are working.
Now if I can just get the rest of the darned pain back where it should be.

Haven't beaded much this week as I have been in the wing chair at night with the heating pad on the old hamstringer.

Today we went to Kohl's and I bought a few Christmas and birthday presents.
Gotta "git 'er done...." .

Sunday, November 16, 2008

This and That

Very rainy and windy/stormy all day yesterday.
Last nights storms were intense.
And our sidewalks had a gazillion worms out -- EWWWWWW !

Today the temps have turned much cooler.
And so very windy.
It is turn -- fall mst be here.
The weather forecasters are talking snow flurries next week.
EEK !!

My hamstring is all screwed up again.
Yesterday I was hobbling around like an aged Seabiscuit.
Should have been shot, I tell you !
This morning I went over to the workout room and did the recumbent bike for a bit.
Then came home and used the stretching band.
It's a bit better.
Tomorrow I will just have to wear tennis shoes at work -- and my boss will just have to get over it.
Maybe I will go out and buy some black nike's or something like that. Yeah, yeah -- disguise the shoe for rehab... THAT's the ticket!

Still working on my bead projects.
For the BJP, I have 2.5 months completed.

Nothing much else going on.

We did buy a beautiful display cabinet for the 'library' .
Take note: the Library was the room formerly known as the Dining Room.
We eat in the kitchen dining area. We don't entertain formerly.
This is perfect. We are slowly getting furniture -- piece by piece -- and will put all our books, good stuffed chairs to sit in, my antique library table - in there.
The cabinet was such a bargain !
Oscar Huber is going out of business. It is glass, beautiful wood, the door slides left to right and back again (not swinging out).

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Kentucky Hot Brown

Doris -- this is for you! It is SO good on a cold day.
I'll post later about the beer cheese!


The Kentucky Hot Brown
(from the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky).


This is the BEST lunch sandwich on a cold winter day !

Ingredients
1 stick butter
3 Tablespoons flour (regular)
2 cups milk
1 cup Colby cheese (grated)
1/2 box Parmesan cheese (grated)
Chicken or turkey
Country ham or baked ham
Bacon, fried to a crisp
Tomato slices
Paprika
Tabasco hot pepper sauce (5 dashes or more to taste)
2 egg yolks
In a 4-quart, heavy sauce pan, melt butter. Mix in flour until mixture is smooth. Add milk in small amounts at a time; cook until sauce is thick. Add Tabasco sauce and Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat. Take out 1/2 cup sauce and add the two beaten egg yolks. Mix well and return to the remainder, stirring constantly. Add Colby and American cheeses. Remove from heat.Toast six slices of bread on both sides. Slice each piece in half and place on a heat-resistant plate. Layer with chicken or turkey, ham of your choice, sauce, tomato, and 2 slices of bacon. Top with paprika. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Politics

While I am careful re politics -- I don't care who this is aimed at, I just thought it was amusing!

OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY:Be responsible for yourself!

----------------------------------
MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the groupsinging, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper'ssake.

Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Hillary and Barack go on national television agreeing that the plight of the grasshopper is the fault of George Bush.

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of thesummer.The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay hisretroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government.

Obama gets his old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill Clinton appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients.

The ant loses the case.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be very careful how you vote in 2008

Treats for ME !!

Saturday I spent the day on the road and with friends from North Jersey.
We have a little "support group" of ladies that all have either worked for IBM (umm that would be Idiot Branch Manager-- from the old company) or unfortunately, still do.
About once a quarter, we try to get together to talk, laugh, talk about him, eat, talk, eat, etc.
We were WAY overdue this time.
Left home about 8 -- drove up, stopped for one quick shopping excursion (a Christmas present), and then we visited.
We ate like horses, laughed a ton and a good time was had by all.
I left North Jersey about 6-ish and got home right at 8:30.

Much to my surprise, when I walked in to the bedroom, there was a box sitting on the bed -- FOR ME !!!
Wheeeeee !
It was from Doris and inside were two (2) of her bags -- one of larger bags (with material that just jumps off the cloth to me !!) and one of the darling pyramid bags.
Inside the larger one was 2 bars of soap -- and they smell SO good!

I was one happy camper !!
I am thinking that the larger one will be great for bead supplies when I am going somewhere -- or even from room to room in the house. That way I can keep all the colors/tubes of one project together while I work them.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Tag I'm it.

Doris at http://henrysmomsmusings.blogspot.com/ was the first.
Then - Ellen at http://dolliebead.blogspot.com/ was right behind her.
I've revealed 14 items about me.

(I don't follow rules very well, so disregard below).

Well I will tag those that I can!.Here are the "official" rules:1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are the 14 facts about myself

1. I am a GRIT (girl raised in the south) and darned proud of it.
2. I explain too much.
3. I wish I knew how to be mean --- truly I don't know how. Sometimes I blunder about and put my foot in my mouth, but it is never intentional. I know too many people that ARE mean and do it darned near on purpose.
4. I'm insecure about some things.
5. It took the longest time for me to believe that I have beauty.
6. I get homesick for the South -- mostly for the cooking -- I miss beercheese, and hot browns, beans and cornbread.
7. It's a tie --which is my favorite animal: cats or horses? Methinks cats.
8. If I won the lottery, one of the first things I would buy would be a house on the California coast -- Big Sur, Morro Bay, etc.
9. I have too many blue beads
10. I want more beads.
11. The best present I bought myself was my Canon digital SLR camera. I need to spend more time with it. I need to post the pictures. (I don't share images well with others).
12. My life has changed for the better because of the people I know and love. I could not ask for a more loving family -- for those that care and love me for who/what I am. I could not ask for better friends. They are there when you need them just as you are there for them when they don't ask you.
13. I love NCIS. I have the hots for Mark Harmon. Heck I even like "Duckie". I have the hots for Harry Connick Jr and Jon Bon Jovi. Maybe I just have the hots, period??
14. I'm old. I remember when "Duckie" was really "Illya Kuryakin". But then that was the same time that gas was like 30 cents per gallon. And I had my dad fooled. He never checked the mileage, only the level of the gas gauge. 2 bucks could buy a lot of driving around!I'm not tagging anyone right now.
I'd rather wait and RETAG later.

It's a conspiracy

........ to make me spend money.
I'm saying that it is all election related.

First it is the COBRA payment for my insurace (but yes, I "AM" getting part of it back from the new company).
Then my plan to buy a new bed - I guess I am still doing that......

And then Saturday night we had a thumper of a zoom through thunderstorm.
You got it -- lightning boom surge protector protected the tower (it also has one built in) but not the monitor.
I had to go out yesterday and buy a new flat screen.
Grrrr.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Misc stuff, junk and things

We spent the day watching horse racing.
I know I can't be as tired as those horses, but I swear I am.
My hands are tired -- I finished up the 2nd BJP piece.
Am in the process of finishing up a bracelet for Colleen.
As soon as the Lacy's Stiff Stuff dries, I'll be starting #3.

Windy, rainy and icky here in NJ today.

The mail brought my COBRA payment form -- sheesh -- this is obscene ! But at least the new job will pay have of it -- up to a total of $650.
I would rather be safe than sorry !

2008 Breeder's Cup day

I'm secluded today (with Colleen) to watch Breeder's Cup racing.
What a difference from last year when we actually got to go.
NJ weather is just about the same as last year - cloudy, rainy and windy.
But this year it is in Sunny California -- ahh I am envious.

Ok -- picks are based on the entries noted Thursday night. I don't have actual lineups today.

Yesterday I did pick Zenyatta -- what a ginormous filly she is !!

Dirt Mile: Pyro and Surf Cat
Juvenile Turf: Dorativum, Westphalia
Turf Spring: California Flag, Mr. Nightlinger
Marathon: Delightful Kiss
Juvenile Sprint: Square Eddie and Mine that Bird (can't read my handwriting)
Sprint: Street Boss, Tropic Storm
Mile: Ventura, Precious Kitten
Turf: Soldier of Fortune, Red Rocks
Classic: Curlin, Casino Drive

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by 2 different folks -- to complete the 7 Secrets meme.
I'm working on it !

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A good day off

We took advantage of the good weather today -- and mutual days off.
The weather called for an adventure.
We went to Cape May and wandered around.
Breakfast at Uncle somebodies - pancake house. It was ok, but not the end-all, be-all that I had heard about.
From there we went down to Sunset Beach and I looked for "Cape May Diamonds". Found some nice 'stuff' -- and some odd little shell like items -- things that maybe can be cleaned up and used in my art.

He got out his super-dooper binoculars -- these things are incredibly powerful -- and have to be mounted on a mono or tripod.
Good grief I was stunned at the things you could see out on the ocean (ships, etc.) that were invisible to the naked eye.

On the way home we stopped at Sonic --it's new down in the Cape May area. Over-rated.

Drove by the new office (building) on the way home and I measured the distance.
7 miles.

I'm a little nervous about tomorrow. I should be.
More nervous about the drive up to Neptune on Thursday to meet/work with the other supervisors.

Watched Over

My last day at the old job was Friday.
On Monday at 3 pm, the unit was told that the company had lost the account that I worked on.

Unknowingly, I got out just in time.

Someone was watching over me.
Thank you God for looking out and putting me in the right path.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Last Day in Philly

I had the money call on Wednesday -- handed off the reins on 7 files to my top lady and she did a spectacular job! One of the best hires/promotions I have ever made!
I'm sorry to leave the new person in the MD office -- she still needs help, but there just was no more time for me during this last week.

Contrary to popular opinion, I worked well up til about 2 pm yesterday.
And then I lost interest.
And then........... I deleted 9 voice mails -- just didn't want to deal with them.
Yup, I'd baby bad ass !
I really did not want to be mean, but I just did not want to talk to anyone -- and looking back, I guess I should have forwarded them to the other supervisor, but that thought never crossed my mind. duh ~!!


The people were spectacular to me.
On Wednesday, Tom (one of the other supervisors) made a special batch of his homemade salsa for me. YUMMMM.
One of the vendors wanted to take me out to lunch and spoil me but we couldn't go on Friday -- that was the unit lunch.
Friday; No cake -- PIZZA ! but they ordered from the wrong place -- oh well, I managed to snag the last piece of peperoni and it was good.
Same vendor above brought in cheesecake.

In all the time that I worked in the Philly office, I wondered if anyone there liked me -- I really doubted it. Philly is a "different" place to work -- they are a bit standoffish.
I'm sorry that I didn't know the depth til I left.
Gift cards to DD, one to Barnes and Noble, one to AC Moore.
A scarf.
Flowers.
A fall centerpiece for my table.
Fresh homecooked collard greens (OMG !!).
A stamp set that I had just decided that I wanted!
An umbrella.

And several people telling me that most of all they would miss my laugh. That is the second time in my life that someone has commented on the sound of my laugh and how they remember it, how they enjoy it.

Two of my people came to and told me that while, at times, they did not always agree with me, they were grateful for what I helped them become. "you pushed me to be better."

And we cried. What a softy I am.

2008 BJP

I'm half way done with one of my squares.
Have another that will work.
Already thinking thinking thinking re the others.

THIS year I am much more prepared and know what I want to do.
And the size is much more 'do-able".

I just hate that the groups are split up.
This gives me a tendency NOT to go out and read what people are posting -- if I have to go from group to group to group, it just doesn't work, time-wise, for me.
But then again, now that I am changing jobs and will have MORE TIME for ME, I might just be able!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Fighting a fall cold

It hit me like a ton of bricks on Friday night.
Sore throat -- congested.
But I'm better -- all due to Dayquil and Nyquil !

Didn't get to make my Sunday morning trip to the beach :(
Colleen was all about "you're sick, there is no reason for you to be walking in the water... blahblahblahblahblah....."

::: sigh :::
NEXT week !!

but I did get my pedicure today -- so me feetsie's are looking good :)

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I quit my job last week........

Two weeks notice (well, 12 days actually).
Last day is 10/10.
Yes, I have another job.
In Atlantic City !!

NO MORE TRAIN -- no more 1.5 hours each way every day !!!

YIPPEEE !!!!

I have 2 days off and then start on the 15th !With this change, I get my foot in the door in the casino business !

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sunday morning at the Shore

Icky humid.
Colleen and I got the store run over with in a hurry.
I swear, prices keep going higher!

We came home, put everything up and changed clothes. Off to the beach to look for shells -- thinking that since we had a storm the pickings would be better than usual.
Our adventure took us over to North Brigantine Beach -- we haven't been there before.
The waves were just too high to warrant being on the beach.
We did stay and watch a few surfers though -- in the foggy misty rain.
Perhaps we will venture back again before the weather turns too cold.

Off the island and back across AC and we landed back at Ventor City beach.
Tide was beginning to come in with moderate sized waves.
This time we walked back towards AC instead of up towards Margate.
The pickings were slim.
By the time we turned around to head back the choices were getting better.
Right in front of where we walk out to the beach it got better.
The trip was cut a bit short, but we both still got some shells.

This will be a weekend adventure until the weather gets just too cool to brave it.
The downside to our little adventure is that I just hate the stickiness of the salt water.

And I swear, someone just keeps on flushing this thing -- I see a shell, grab for it, someone hits the flush button again.
Up come the waves, I get wet again.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Shore good weekend

It was chilly yesterday -- and downright COLD last night !
I had the bathroom window open a bit -- and the fans pulled the air through in to the bedroom. Felt good.
The cold, combined with a tylenol pm, made me sleep better.
Got up yesterday before 6 - I worked about 4 hours on work stuff. Then quit.

We ran around.
Had chinese for lunch -- I napped about 45 mins on the couch.
Nothing big.
C and I went to the library -- I am reading very light summer books (Mary Kay Andrews? ) -- light novels about Savannah. They are amusing and I can read them at night and on the train.

Up earlier today and worked about 2.5 hours for work.
Today was nails day.
We came home and had breakfast.
Then I convinced Colleen to "... let's go over to Margate beach -- I need to get some shells...." Another adventure.
We somehow got turned around and ended up at Ventnor City beach -- that was fine -- about a half mile walk up to Margate Beach.
Nice to be out .The weather was good -- still sunny, windy but not cold.
Well, the water was nippy but not COLD.
Waves were good -- several surfers out doin' their surfing thing.
Picked up a few shells -- got wet.
I love walking in the water -- HATE walking back up the beach in the sand -- and I absolutely hate my feet being all sandy. What can I say??? I'm weird.

Ahh -- and here it is -- time to start getting ready to go back to work.
We missed the store today -- I'll have to stop after work tomorrow. Need staples -- and I need some fabric dye.
My mind is churing with an idea.
I just finished a little beaded pug for Colleen -- nothing spectacular, but a nice little pugly guy for her.

dang, there is MONSTER mosquito in here!!

Monday, September 15, 2008

This day just sucks

Ramblings and noise got me up at 3:55.
I couldn't go back to sleep til 4:40.
So at 4:25, I got up.
Got dressed, left for work.
Ungodly humidity.
Train was 25 minutes late.
Just as it pulled in and we stood up from the bench, something bit my left index finger.
Within 5 minutes it was swelling up.
Someone on the train had ice in the lunch pack. We iced it.
By the time I got to my desk (about an hour and 15 mins later) it was bruising.
Still swollen.
About 9 or so, I was feeling spacy and decided perhaps I should come home.
Just missed the 10:20 train and had to wait til 11:40.
Got to the doctors office -- I had to wait almost an hour and half past my appt.
At least he apologized profusely (well, I think it was because I opened the door as he was walking by -- and it embarressed him).

I have a spider bite."Most NJ spiders aren't poisonous -- if it had been a black widow, you would have already had a seizure."
That's optomistic!
Finger has cellulitis.
They put me on antibiotics and hot compress' -- and told me to watch it closely.
It sucks. So I missed a half day from work.
AND I have a day scheduled off tomorrow !

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9/11

I'm remembering already today.
Where I was.
What we were doing.
Trying to find out what was going on and only being able to pick up the Spanish speaking tv channel.
I remember being at the top of the hill and being able to see the smoke.
The cars in the train parking lots -- with the white stripes on the tires.
I remember calling and calling to see if our friends who worked in the tower were ok.
I can't forget.
And I will not forgive.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Rainy Saturday -- Hanna

We are fine -- LOTS of rain and wind. Still raining.
There is a tornado watch nearby til 7 pm.
Once it settles, I shall venture out to ShopRite for Crystal Lite.

In a bit I shall make a pot of DD coffee and settle in to watch something on HBO -- and work on a new freeform bracelet.
This afternoon I just finished the collar portion of the necklace that I started in Sherri's class.
All that is left is the pendant, and then some pictures.

Must start laundry so that I have clean clothes for the trip to Baltimore tomorrow.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Thoughts

If you never push yourself, you'll never see how far you've come.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

An Artist ...

I am !
I am an artist.

On a day to day basis, I struggle with my creations.
Rarely do I post anything about what I am working on.
Rarely do I put up pictures.

Yesterday Colleen tormented me in to wearing my new pin -- the one that I started in Sherri Serafini's class.
I had just finished it Friday night.

We got to the convention center and of course the first place we hit after getting in to the show was the bathroom.
I came out of the stall and there was Sherri.
We started laughing and greeting each other.
She noticed my pin and the first thing she said was, "You finished it !! I love it !"
We talked a bit more -- and she complimented it several more times.
It felt so good to have someone whose work I respect, compliment my work.

Later on, during the show, several people complimented me on it.
We ran in to Erica from the BeadArt forum and she also noticed and complimented me. (bg).

At Betcey's booth, several people asked me about it -- one was a little lady who kept telling me that she would never be able to do something like that.
I told her several times she could -- all she had to do was practice-- just keep playing and it would come naturally. She told me that she had to stay with the "honking big beads."
But she made me smile and I hope that I encouraged her.

In the end, my day was made, and I feel much better about myself and my creations.
In the end, I know I must not put so much pressure on myself.

Saturday trip to Beadfest

Friday night, I got talked out of the Outback for dinner -- in favor of this bizarre little local steakhouse.
85 bucks later -- and the food wasn't so good, we decided not to ever go there again.

Saturday morning I was up at the preverbial CRACK o' DAWN -- ran to LabCorp for bloodwork (the 2 doc's are fighting over my thyroid levels).
Back, we grabbed our stuff and off the three of us went to Bead Fest in Philly.
Made great time til we were 15 miles of our destination.
At that point we were reduced to a 5 mile an hour crawl .
The cause?
The state was trimming tree's.
Good grief.
ANYWAY.
We got there -- used our free passes (courtesy of our friend Laura at Torchsong Glassworks).
Let the madness begin!
C was looking mostly for cabs.
I wanted some but wanted some other items.
I bought SOME stuff.
But the cabs I bought seemed to be on the small side.
I just could not find anything (on the medium to larger side) that suited me.

I spent about 50 bucks at one booth on some small ones.
At another I picked up some coral chunks, tiny seed pearls, etc.

The real damage came when I got to Betcey's booth -- the damage was obscene.
Truly obscene.
But the majority of it was in rivoli's, Lacy's Stiff Stuff -- and then beads.
Good lord.
And had my knee not hurt so bad and my feet not been so tired, I would have done more.
After I checked out, I saw something I wanted but there was not enough in me to go back and stand in line again.
Unfortunately, there were several crabby old women in line -- when I was trying to get some 15's they managed to snarl out something about "we ARE in line you know". I smiled my best smile and said I knew that -- but I was just trying to reach some beads.
If their feet hurt I could understand, but sheesh, there is no reason for nastiness.

The ride home was good.
I collapsed on the couch, and rested for a bit.
The worst part was the horrendous upper thigh/leg cramp I got when we got home -- dehydration, thy name is ME -- I didn't drink ANY water yesterday !
Then a shower, half a pill and I hit the bed!
Sleep was interrupted a lot, but I stayed in the bed til 8.

Not much to do today -- the grocery store, and a dash (crawl??) in to Walmart.
Then home and I am beading.

Part of me wants to do some work but the other parts are screaming NO.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Bead Classes/weekend

What a wonderful creative weekend we had.
Colleen and I went to north Jersey for 2 days of classes with Sherry Serafini (serafinibeadedjewelry.com)
It was time well spent !
I came away inspired, full of desire to do MORE, full of ideas, and energy.
And not NEAR enough time.

Prior to the trip, I had managed to intimidate myself with her art.
But after meeting her, I found she is just like most of us.
Such fun!
Such talent!
Such a great person to learn from.

If I took nothing else away from the classes it was to "STAY IN THE MOMENT !"
Stay with the feeling.
Stay with your thoughts -- work them out.
If you hit a big bump -- lay it down and work on something else.
Sherri has lots of "little projects going on" .
And they can be pulled together to BIGGER projects.

The classes helped my color coordination.
They helped me in breaking out of the box and using other items -- other concepts.
She made me look at things in a new way.

We were up at 5 a.m., on the road by 6:15.
Got there at 9:15.
Shopped a bit, and dug right in for classes.

Saturday evening after we checked in to the hotel, we hit the Ikea (just to grab some pillows), then off to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. I'm thinking that I am just about burned out on the Chipolte Chicken Pasta and it is time to try something else for a change.
We were stuffed and zipped (there was no zipping -- we were creaking !) next door to Barnes and Noble.
Colleen wanted a new book-- 2nd day it was out and they were already out of stock! Sheesh.

Our original plan had been to grab a piece of cheesecake and take back to the hotel, but the crowds were too intense.
Off we went back to the hotel and we got in just in time -- the sky opened up and there were horrendous thunder storms.

Sunday morning we were back at the shop -- more bead shopping and we started in again.

We met some very nice people -- I'd like to stay in touch!

Learned new things.
Unlearned one or two also !
Learned to be a better person about some items.

And I learned that I have nothing to fear except myself.

Monday, July 28, 2008

I got Soul !

I certainly enjoyed the Philadephia Soul game yesterday -- didn't hurt any that JBJ was there as proud owner!

Areana football -- not sure I am getting all the little differences from "regular" football, but I like it !The game certainly goes fast!

The championship game was good -- I swear, the Soul almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, but did manage to hang on!

And it's amusing -- the Arena Football team is the first to bring a championship to Philly in YEARS !

Saturday, July 19, 2008

BFAC projects



These are the projects that Colleen and I completed.

She did the purse,

I did the bracelet.


Beaded Mask

The photo's for the Beaded Masks are up --
DARN IT --- they misspelled our names! I dashed off an email asking if they could correct it!

Some of the masks are just breathtaking!
Idea's that I had not considered -- but I also find it wonderful that many thought of flowers, or leaves !

http://www.beadinpath.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=561&Itemid=15

Friday, July 18, 2008

Hot Hot Hot

For me to get off the train at 3 pm and notice the oppressive heat, it is HOT/HUMID here in the greater AC area.
Temps tomorrow -- on the water, at the beach -- are being predicted to be 97 + the heat index.
I have a big indoor book project tomorrow -- moving all the bookcases, rearranging, and then putting C's glass horse collection back in another case.
That should take hours.
Good -- inside sweating is much better than OUTside.

And then, we will clean up and go to Carrino's for dinner -- can't tonight because of the almighty bridge -- has to set for 24 hours. But tomorrow dinner is calling me !!(I LOVE their salads !!)

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Not much happening.
Did some running around.
I had a problem with the bigger iPod -- luckily there was still warranty action on it.
I sent it back -- and low and behold 3 days later, I had a refurbished iPod -- a NEWER model !!So off we went to get a new holder for it.

Not much else going on.
Went to the farmers market for tomatos and peaches.
A quick stop at the statuary place -- Collen got a girl gnome for the yard. She had absolutely fallen in love with it !

Big salad for dinner.
C made a peach pie -- good !
I snoozed for about 2 hours on the couch -- not sure what is up other than I am staying so darned tired. Must be lack of vitamins or protein or SOMETHING.

We goofed a bit.
I worked on the pink and black bracelet for the auction. ALMOST done. A
ll I have left to do is the clasp!
I'll wash the dishes real quick and hit the bed!

BFAC finally !!

It's done.
It's in the mail -- mailed mine and Colleen's at the same time.

Pictures have been completed.
I'll post some up to the link.

Now, I will finish the Pink and Black this weekend !
And get THAT in the mail.

Then on to MY projects.

I must find a cabachon -- can't be more than 24 mm .
That sounds easy, but it isn't !

Saturday, July 5, 2008

The 4th was good

The 4th was good !

On the evening of the 3rd we drove over to watch the fireworks -- between the Borgata and Harrah's.
We scored a great place to watch and it was fun!

We didn't do spectacular things, but had fun.
Went out -- drove a bit - stopped someplace different for breakfast. I had "Georgia Peach Pancakes" -- good, but I think they were canned peaches.

Drove more -- we like to just go and take our camera's.
Not much inland. Kinda boring. no pictures this year.
But I saw my first cranberry bogs ! That was cool for a geek like me
We came home, goofed a bit. Went out to see "Wall e" .
Then do dinner at Famous Dave's. ummm BBQ.
I think that choice was inspired by the neighbors awesome BBQ that we saw them working on ! Today we have errands and I think C and I will head down to Cape May for me to return a book I borrowed.
And still have one more day to relax!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Weekend

Friday night we went out to dinner.
Funny thing is, the appetizers are awesome.
Their main course was good.
My pasta sucked -- it was way before al dente.
It was freaking crunchy.
I sent it back.
The waiter was wonderful and I tipped him well -- not his fault.

Saturday was our big Yard Sale (in the entire complex).
The weather was BRUTALLY hot.
Good lord.
We didn't make money hand over fist.
But we did make about $50 before the fee. (weird thing is -- in our little town, you can only have 2 yardsales a year--- and the police go out and monitor them every weekend!).
Funny people showed up -- the little oriental man who was speed walking and checking out all of the houses (3 on our cul de sac; the black couple who had us rolling laughing; the little old lady with ONE tooth on the bottom (dressed in two black sweaters and long pants) who just wanted to tell us jokes and "listen to you laugh... you have brought so much joy to my day."C tried to give her a bottle of water -- we were worried about her out in the heat.

It was supposed to last from 9 to 2. We were out beating them away at 8.
At 12:30 -- I surrendered to the heat. We didn't have much left anyway.
There were some bargains to be had -- especially if we liked you: I practically gave away a handmade quilt stand to this wonderful couple from New Orleans.
C fell in love with this little boy from across the street -- and sold him her pink dumbbells "I'm gonna get me some muscles now!".
It was fun in a twisted way.
We took showers, ate and collapsed in the A/C for the remainder of the afternoon.
I think we went out and ran an errand but I can't remember.
When she went to bed, I watched part of Rounders, worked on my bracelet (pink and black) and then collapsed in bed.
Slept like a rock.

Today was off to the store.
Back home.
I did work from home for about 2 hours (I HATE the end of the month).
We did breakfast.
Then goofed a bit.
Out to Bed Bath & Beyond.
Another short errand and back home.
I had tons of laundry to do.
Tomorrow I am going in on the 4:40 train.
Last day of the month and there is too much to do. 3.5 days to work this week.
Thank you sweet Jesus.
We get off at 1 on Thursday and my fat ass will be on the 1:47 pm train home!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Last night.........

......... Late last night -- about 1:45 a.m.
I took a fall.
Not sure what happened, or HOW it happened.
I think I was getting up to go to the bathroom.
Maybe I was too close to the edge.
Maybe I was tangled up in the comforter.
The only think I know is that I started tumbling, hit the bedside table with my right shoulder -- got a horrendous scratch and ended up on the floor.
I may have hit my neck on the bed or bedside table during the fall but don't know for sure.
Maybe I just jammed it.
I kept calling out.
No response.
I could see the light on in the hallway.
I kept calling.
And crying.
Then cursing.
Finally I was able to drag myself up and get out in to the hallway.
Finally I was heard.
I was so afraid.
And hurting.
And crying.
But then it was all better -- back in to bed with a quarter of a pill.

Today I was so stiff I could hardly move.
My friend Mindy (from China) gave me some weird kind of magnetic herbal patches to use.
And they helped a bit.
My muscles were screaming by the time I got home (AND I had to take the late train because of a client call !).

Jumped in the shower and let the water just drown me.
It felt so good.
Colleen made me something to eat (noodles -- comfort food).
I took another 1/2 pill about an hour ago.
Now readyy to take my whiny ass to bed.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Where do the weekends go?

Saturday morning we ran errands and then came home to hang out.
Stopped at the libray -- I got "Boardwalk Empire". It's the story of AC (from the early days) and HBO is supposed to be contracting a mini-series out of it.
Also grabbed a Trigianna novel that I managed to miss.
Colleen got the last "Dresden File" by Jim Butcher.
Lord, I do so love that series.

The confirmation phone call came from Ida and after we stopped for some cookies -- Colleen and I jumped on the Parkway and zipped down to Cape May.
Had a great time -- it's always fun to hang out and talk good stuff with Ida.
Books, beads, tv, movies. We covered it all.

She loaned me her angel book -- so I can finish the angel I started.
On the next trip down to Cape May, I'll take it back to her and we will also carry along a stack of books!
RE-cycle -- that's the way.

Watched some tv and beaded last night.

We had manicure appts this morning and the girl messed them up.
So, off we will go later this afternoon.
Right before I will dash by Lenscrafters and see if I can find a pair of sunglasses.

Then a relaxing evening at home.
Back to work tomorrow........... sigh.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Monday -- the piers/the shore

acch -- today was down to Wildwood --took off work (and still nursing the cold thing).
Just as we were gathering up all our stuff to leave, the news came on and there had been a fire at one of Morey's Piers down at Wildwood.
No way to change it, so off we went.
Yup -- small fire (but it took out the bumper cars and another ride).
The picnic went on (all the rides and the water rides), but we lost our food passes and the tram pass, but we still had fun.
Geez Louise was it HOT !
The Wonder Wheel ferris wheel was awesome -- rode it 3 times -- and when you are up that high the breezes are wonderful !
The top of my head is sunburned.
My nose is sunburned.
I am EXHAUSTED -- my knee is screaming.
But we had fun.
Stopped on the way out of town for the first round of Minature Golf -- it was just too hot for me to be serious -- but I only lost by one stroke.
Thank heaven it was the first game and we were not betting seriously -- that comes later in the year.

Luckily the storms didn't hit til we got home !! and then they were monster thunderstorms!

I splurged and took tomorrow off too!
Hair appt first thing in the morning.
Then off to Best Buy to look for a game for our new toy -- the Wii !
I love it !

Then I will work more on the Pink Zebra bracelet and then possibly work on my BFAC.
Want to get that last part done and in the mail.

Catching up -- the Weekend

Both Colleen and I were sick.
On Saturday, my main excursion out today was to the eye doctor -- who unexpectedly dilated my eyes.
At 6:30 -- after sleeping most of the afternoon (due to the cold), I ventured out to get some soup for us.
She wanted Oreo's so I hit the store for Oreo's and popsicles.
damn I fell into the Oreo pit.

Sunday we were supposed to zip down to Cape May to see Ida -- but neither of us was up to the drive.
Again -- we slept off and on most of the day.
She on one couch.
Me on the other.
Dog with her.
Cat with me.

A short trip to the store and home again.
We had rain storms.
I tried to bead some -- still working on the Pink Zebra bracelet.
Not much work done.

Monday, May 26, 2008

It's just sad, I tell ya........

It's sad when you go to Joann's Fabric, and after the clerk rings up your total, she makes the comment: "well, THIS is a small batch for you !"

well !!
I resemble that remark.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Vintage beads

I found this absolutely fabamundo site for vintage beads. Czechs, japanese, austrian...........oh god I want so many. And I can justify the cost. Well, almost I can. but then when I get them, I don't want to USE them. I want to KEEP them.

::: sigh :::

why can't I be rich?

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Nipple Project

http://www.thenippleproject.com/







Here are the pictures from The Nipple Project.
Colleen's is the sequined Nip, mine is the beaded.

Saturday

I caught the train in to Philly to work -- so far behind on MY work since I fired the man.
Colleen wanted to go so that she could "explore".
Nice ride in.
She went off to Trader Joe's and then to Barnes and Noble. I worked.
She came back -- with my Omega Trail Mix and her Pralined Pecans.
A trip by B & N brought my copy of "The Art of Bead Embroidery".
It isn't that I need the technique -- stitches. But I need the inspiration for placement -- of thinking FIRST instead of flinging things on.
Not that I do not love freeform (in fact, I am working on the BFAC project for next year - a freeform bracelet) .
But for embroidery there is a place for thinking things out first.
And the book is already inspiring me.
Home and we just hung out. Watched "Now Voyager" -- god ,that IS my movie.
After it was over, Colleen walked the dogs and went to bed.
I kept working on my bracelet and flipped it over to "Hello Dolly".
Not sure why I torture myself with that movie.
Brings back way too many unpleasant memories of the summer/fall of 1971 and then into 1972. Watching that movie is like picking a scab open and probing until it bleeds.
I bled tonight.
Next time maybe I can walk away from it.
Stopped, came and washed the dishes, threw a load of His stuff in the washer.
Now I will putz around a bit.
Still have to make the bed. Ahhh, there is NOTHING like fresh clean sheets.
And I'll spray my Eucalypus spray on the bed before I sink in.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Nipple Project

Colleen and I both completed out Nipple projects.
They go out priority mail tomorrow.
I've got pictures -- somehow will get them up here.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Keep on plugging away

Sheesh, seems like I will never be completed.
My BJP didn't come out exactly as it should.
Nor as it was to be planned.
But I have continued to work on "it" the entire time.
I only get a bit of time each day.
But a stitch here and a stitch there.. adds up.
Now that the weather is breaking a bit, I'll be working on some photo's to add.

And because I am much more organized for next year, I'm already working my head around the next year's journal -- and fitting in to the group's plan.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

New Car

I jumped into the fray -- and bought a new car.
My Honda was 6 years old and had about 95,000 miles on it.
Still ran good but was beginning to make a NotSoNice noise......... one of those OMG so expensive noises.
And I wasn't ready to shell out a couple of grand if I had to.
We did a bit of shopping -- and I got a 2008 Toyota Rav4.
The only downside is the 1 disc CD -- as opposed to the 6 disc changer it was supposed to have -- the dealership got amnesia and I just wasn't in the mood to argue.
Since I have no other major bills, with the exception of the mortgage, I thought 'why not?'
Might as well do my best to pump up the economy !

Monday, March 17, 2008

Pay it Forward

:: Gulp ::

I've been watching a few of the ladies on BJP and on ABB participate in a Pay It Forward type exchange.
This morning I finally took the leap and jumped into Dot's -- what a temptress she is!

Drum roll -- here are the rules:

" I will send a handmade beaded gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange (and email me their mailing address and favorite color), and who make the same pledge on their own blogs. I don't know what the gift will be, but it will be beaded, and you will receive it within 1 year, I promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward, by posting a pay it forward on your own blog."

Saturday, February 23, 2008

My color choices

I have too much blue...........
way too much blue.

Monday, February 18, 2008

I'm feeling much more comfortable with the BJP and with this.

Wish I knew why I get so turned around and then SUDDENLY it comes to me.

Today is very very windy and rainy type day.
I need to shoot a couple of quick -- not planned -- pictures for the photo's so I can update things.
Today may not be the day for that.
But it's coming.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Phase 2

Feeling pretty good about this now.
I got one of my pictures up!

Monday, January 28, 2008

test

test

BJP update

I am hung up at the same level I was last month.

I have several squares completed.

But, would rather be working on my large piece.



Right now, I am beating myself up for committing to this -- for some reason, I can not get in to working on the squares.

Not sure what it is that is turning me away, but something is.



My dilemma is: force it? stop work on the large piece? Loose my momentum there?