The first day of school

In keeping with tradition, here is the picture from the first day.

Both of my kids were like "really?" (picture eyes rolling) My daughter says "Mom, I'm a junior, I'm 16" to which I say "and" and then take the picture.  Love them. The first day went well.

Absolute. Beady. Goodness!

First, thank you Michelle! She says while doing the happy dance! I got my package from Michelle for the Bead Soup Blog bead swap. Holy Cow, struck the mother lode. She was so good and all of her goodies came in individual, marked bags. I didn't do that......I just sent beads......

Amazingness!

Total wonderfulness!

Now, this is what is truly wonderful. Look at these handmade beads!!!!!

And these - the upper right hand corner!

I had all these great intentions of sitting down and beading, but, well, life got in the way. I just need one more day to my weekend! Oh yea, next weekend.  :)

I am taking a chance here and posting a picture of what I sent Michelle. Close your eyes Michelle if you haven't gotten them yet.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Summer is over............

So sad. I can't believe it! The kids go back next week, my last day of summer hours was Friday, our new faculty started this week and full faculty are back next week.  Some how summer has escaped me, I am not feeling that rested summer glow - just frazzled.  Well, at least we will fall into a more regular routine and that will help!

Have a great Tuesday all.

Light box

It arrived! Took me a minute to get it set up - had to have my 12 yo figure it out.  Turned on those lights, and yes, they get hot, hot, hot!  Took a few, trying to figure out that light thing.  I am still looking at fuzzy pictures though.  Blech.  However, I did get a few though. Here they are.

And then, here are the goodies I got when I was out shopping with Elisabeth of Busy Beads for Gals.

The pumpkin ones are resin, the gold are a gold tone which I thought would be good filler, the turquoise and multicolored are trade beads, love those colors.  I did take a GREAT picture of the bead that I am swapping with Michelle Heim of Life in the Bead Lane.  I am actually thrilled with it but will wait until I know that Michelle has gotten it.  Michelle, it will go out Tuesday or Wednesday......

 Not bad, I am not happy, happy though. More work to be done but it is headed in the right direction.

Can I just say

I. Love. Zappos!  Lori Anderson of Pretty Things posted about these great shoes the other day from Sanita. Now, her post was educational, showing that inspiration can be found anywhere with some amazing beads.  I, however, had to go immediately to Zappos (after a few questions to Lori, which she was gracious enough to answer!) and get these beauts.

They look amazing on my feet! Love, love them.  Thank you Lori!!!!!

Friday Joy! (on Wednesday)

1. My joy - today is my son's 12th birthday.  Happy Birthday Taylor! I am so glad you are our son!
2.  One word - Helium

A few new pieces and a new friend

On Sunday I got the opportunity to meet Elisabeth of Beads for Busy Gals.  She lives not far from me and we met at Tyson's Corner Mall at Bedazzled.  We shopped and talked for an hour! It was great to put a face with a name! She was good and posted pictures of her goodies, I haven't had the chance to take any pictures, but promise that I will.  I am looking forward to keeping in touch with her. I tell you, bead shopping with someone who "gets" beads is therapy for the soul. And of course, the first thing my daughter asked was "did you get a picture of the two of you?" Alas, no.

I did get the chance to create a few pieces last Thursday when we had all that rain. I am posting some pictures here. Please keep in mind - my light box should arrive the end of the week! Working on my photography is an ongoing project! :)

Made with one of Kelley's wonderful eggs!

A silver bangle made with a polymer bead made by me and one of Cindy Gimbrone's great looking glass charms and some sari ribbon.

Here is where my photo skills are lacking! This necklace has a great charm by Jade Scott.  I love, love her charms. I have a few and like Kelley's eggs, I just sit and look at them.  Hesitant to use them because they are so amazing and I want my creation to do them justice. I know, I just need to get over it! :)

Just plain funky. And of course, this doesn't show the great colors. Once I get my light box and play, I will take more pictures.

I hope you have enjoyed these. I loved making them!

Friday Joy! (on Saturday)

My Friday Joy - Redskins Football!!!!  Yup, pre-season opened for us tonight and we won!!!!! I. Love. Football! And a win, even better!!!

Thursday!

It has been a crazy week! Back from vacation, working like a fiend to get everything ready for the opening of school ( I am the Assistant to the Head) and our new faculty start on the 23rd. Trying very hard to be VERY FOCUSED and get everything done. So this morning there was some rain, some thunder, some lightening, all to the NORTH of us. Ok, north. No worries. Drive the kidlets to work/camp, the thunder gets louder, there is more, bright lightening in front of us, the sky is turning green! Daughter says "we're going green! (name that movie) Sure enough, they get in the doors of camp with only a few drops on them. I am now driving home, the wind is picking up, the rain is now coming down in sheets. I get home and for the next 40 minutes it rains. I mean rains like Noah should be building his Ark.  Loud thunder, cracks of lightening - you get the picture. Anyway, there is so much driven rain and water that it is bringing up the pavement on our street.  Check out these pictures and then the video. Insane weather. I have tried twice to go to work but as the traffic lights are out, traffic is amazingly backed up. I am stuck home! (hee hee) I am going to try to bead, seriously.

Asphalt that floated down the street.

This is a huge 10 ft x 30 ft chunk that got lifted up, in one piece.

 Water gushing down our street. Yes this is 7:10 am and it is nighttime dark out.

That huge piece of asphalt.

Here's to hoping that your Thursday started out better than ours........

I'm So Flattered, Amazed and Stunned!

I won a blogger award! Wow! I am,  at a loss for words actually. That folks come and read and follow is great fun and this is like the whipped cream and cherry on top!  

Thank you Amy of Copper Diem!

Here are the rules: 
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3.  Pass the award along to 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are fabulous
4.  Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award!

Seven Things

1.  My family is the most important thing!

2.  My creativity, although discovered a bit later in my life, is becoming more important to my well being! :)

3.  I love to cook, the ocean and quiet.

4.  I like early mornings.

5.  I love a good glass of wine shared with friends.

6.  I think that books downloaded onto my iPhone is the greatest thing.

7.  My husband is my best friend.

15 bloggers, that one is tough as I follow so many. But here goes (Amy listed a few of my favorites already, but know that you are in my heart):


1.  Beads for Busy Gals


2. Kelley's Bead Studio


3. Kab's Creative Concepts


4. Treasures Found::Inspiration is Everywhere


5. Carrying a Cat by the Tail


6. Because I said So


7. Silver Parrot


8. The Beaded Passion


9. Jen Judd Rocks!


10. The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton


11.  Two Sisters Beading


12.  Erin Siegel Jewelry


13.  Summers Studio


14.  Sweet Bead Studio


15.  Jennifer Jangles

Bottom Line - my daughter's first paying job is killing my wallet!

Seriously, she gets paid and then says "let's go to the mall!" What am I going to say, no? Well, I mean I could say no, but who doesn't love a trip to the mall? :)

My vacation

As promised, here are a few of the pictures from our vacation!  Cheyenne, Wyo.

Wide open spaces!

At the rodeo.

My men!

My daughter lovin' her new boots!

Mom and my daughter.

My son rockin' the cowboy look.

The four of us.

My attempt at a self portrait.

More wide open spaces!

The clouds were maganificant!

Before we went to Wyo. we stopped in Colorado do visit friends Andy and Meggan (thank you).  This is their oldest daughter Murrie and her shoes!

I. Want.  

Seriously, why don't they make these for adults?

And this is Murrie! 

Sorry for the long post with lots of pictures.  I am trying to catch up on things since we have been gone. I  have many blogs to catch up on. I am also feeling like my muse is returning......perhaps I will get some time to bead soon.  I have so many wonderful beads to play with.

Andrew Thornton! and his four year anniversary giveaway

Seriously, please go over and check it out!

If I could make this picture larger, I would!!!! Look at all this wonderfulness.