lowellgirl49

Writer's Block: Gone but Not Forgotten

2008-12-05T01:53:04Z

Many beloved television shows are no longer with us, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Six Feet Under, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. What defunct television show do you miss the most?

<input ... > View other answers

lowellgirl49 @ 2008-03-26T07:23:00

2008-03-26T11:32:50Z

I called May, and we had a nice talk. She even gave me suggestions to make things that would sell easily. I'm teaching the Cabachon with embellishments on 26 April. Now I have to find the one she took pictures of, or make another one. It would be easier to make another one.

I told her I had something new, and she asked if it was the pinch bead necklace. Lynn wore it to the store and May said it kept flipping, much like the St Petersberg stitch.

I made the bracelet (like the one I ripped off Lynn's arm) using the 6 mm cubes and size 8 charlottes. After it was finished, i.e. putting the bi cones down the side, I liked it. That really adds to the look. I did not do the picots because the bi cones were too small. I had to add another charlotte with each bi cone to take up the space. I really should have used 6 mm bi cones. I still would like to make one with 4 mm cubes. Anyway, I used Jet cubes, and silver charlottes, and other than the charlottes not matching the clasp in color, I like it.

May also told me one of my students made 6 of my scalloped necklaces for a wedding party, and brought the pictures in to show to May. She used crystals and made them all 2 toned, even though I taught it in Pearls. May said they were beautiful. More pictures for my probably-never-get-it-up-and-running website.

Last night I had the most horrible time with my right eye. I thought that pimpley thingy under the eye lid was back. It was horrible. I finally took the contact out at 0330. Did not get to sleep until 0400. Heard the coffee grind at 0500, and when I opened my eyes at 0600, the water ran out of my right eye as if I'd turned the faucet on full blast!

Man, at this point both eyes hurt. I put the right lens back in after my shower because I could not play tennis with only one eye, and it was too late to phone my Captain and bail. By the time I got into the car, both eyes were burning and the morning sun blaring into the windshield made them hurt even more. I kept doucing them with wetting solution in every 5 minutes. About half way up I-85, it dawned on me what was going on. It was the &^%#* pollen! I have not had that kind of problem since about 10 years ago when I went to the Dublin Century in Dublin, GA and the pollen kept blowing up from the road and under my sunglasses and I was crying by the side of the road. I was in agony. I remember getting back into town from the ride and stopping while Bill pedalled another few miles to get the truck. That's how I felt this morning. I phoned the Doctor's office and told Gloria to overnight the glasses to me, that I could not stand the pollen. She mentioned some patients had problems with the pollen. I told her it was driving me nuts and I could not wait to take the contacts out and give my eyes a break. I do not think I'm going to wear my contacts in Florida. I do not think I could take it considering how much I'll be working.

I guess working in the yard all day Saturday and Sunday and not taking my contacts out was too much. Even now, since I"ve taken the contacts out, my eyes still hurt. Damn!

So, today it's off to the laundromat to wash 150 towels or so.

I need to unload all the chairs and number them. Then, repack them taking 6 inches in length away so I can fit another row of bins in the trailer. Why, I really do not know, as I have already decided to carry the dirty towels in the truck. It's easier to get them out of the back of the truck than the back of the trailer. What is Bill thinking? Forget that! Although, I could use the space for something else. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

The return of Flim-flam girl

2008-03-13T01:31:03Z

So, after the visit Friday of flim-flam girl, I decided I would not give her any more money, that she was indeed scaming me. I figured it would be a long time before I asw her again, so I really was not worried about it.

Monday afternoon, sitting on the futton, beading, of course, and the door bell rings. WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! YAP! YAP! YAP! Balla and Zoey go billistic each time the door bell rings. I disengage myself from the bead tray, grab both of their collars and open the door.

At first I did not recognize her. Her hair was down, and she was dressed differently.

Apparently, she'd left a note under the door mat which I did not see. She told me what it said: she and everyone else in the house were moving that day; she was given $150.00 clothes and food. All she needed was $30.00 and did I have $8.00. "Not today," I told her. She said OK, and made a face that clearly implied that was not the answer she expected. During the conversation, she asked me to call the number on the note, to verify everything (like what? She'd conned me out of $35.00?), and also told me undercover agents were going to go into the house--why I do not know. And, do not care. Anyway, she left, and if she really did move, that should be the last of her. And, since I did not give her the $8.00, that should really be the last of her.

HURRAH!

She also told me, and I think this was Friday, that the man across the street with the Pitt Bull told her if she rang his door bell again he was going to let the Pitt answer the door.

Well, I spoke with Willie today (the Pitt Bull guy), and he told me he would never say something like that for fear someone would call the cops on him. . .

Wish I'd known that before she came back on Monday.

was I flim-flamed or what?

2008-03-08T02:33:51Z

This evening the door bell rang. It was this woman who'd come to the door about 6 months ago asking for $7.50 to buy a bus ticket to Macon, GA (about 80 miles south) to see her sick Mother.

Tonight she told me she needed $15.00 to get a copy of the police report. These teenagers shot up her truck in front of the "boarding house" "group home" she lives in. Her young daughters were with a lady she attends church with.

I drove her to the lady's house, but not until after she took me by the house she lives in, and I saw the truck with the bullet holes: 4 in the windshield, four on the hood.

There were a couple of other teenagers at the house, and when I stopped the truck, she rolled down the window and shouted to them that she was all right. One replied he was checking to see who had stopped.

I took her to the lady's house, and met the lady (to whom I'm known as her Angel.) and dropped her off.  I gave her $20.00.

Man, I thought MY neighborhood was rough. She lives about 3 miles from us, and I'm here to tell you-it's   B A   D.

So, I come home, and Bill says she was telling me a story. I don't know. Maybe she was. Maybe she needed money and I'd given her money before.

Bill cannot understand why she needed the money for the police report today.

He related the story someone had given him at a gas station we stopped at on the drive back from Florida. This guy claimed someone stole his wallet; he was a retired marine; on and on. Bill gave him $20.00 thinking he could not have made up that story.

Then he said all the way back to Atlanta he thought about it and that the guy probably handed him a line.

But. He did give the guy the money.

Maybe we both are saps.

I think next time I'll tell her I cannot help her anymore.

WTF?!

2008-03-06T12:57:33Z

So, here I am, FD&H (fat, dumb and happy), rolling along on a semi-good day. I arrive home to this 8 1/2" x11" piece of white and yellow paper taped over the door, on the bottom of which it hand written, "CALL MY OFFICE ASAP. CELL 000-000-0000."

wtf is this? I call the number, a Police Officer answers, and the first questions he asks is: "do you have a pit bull?"

If he only knew. I am one of the few on my street who do not own a pit bull. I nearly took his head off.

More infractions:

Cannot have furniture meant for inside house outside house.

Cannot have tracel trailer parked in front of house unless it's in a car port.

Cannot park on grass.

Cannot have "stuff" on side of house.

He drives complaint to house for me to sign, and tells me "The Neighborhood Association" complainted. And also about the empty house across the street from me.

Can a person blow their top after they've just blown their top all over the street?!

"That house and my house are in DIFFERENT neighborhoods. WHAT Neighborhood Association? WE do not have a Neighborhood Association in my neighborhood!!

Of course, this is akin to tilting at wind mills, as all these infractions are legitiment. However, in the 18 years I've lived here, I think I've parked on the grass all of them. We had the pop-up in the drive way 9 years.

I admit, the furniture should not be on the porch and in front of the garage door, but that's where Bill put it, and I cannot drag it away by myself.

The ironic thing? We can park the Travel Trailer on the side of the house!!!! ON THE LAWN!!! I do not understand this.

I wonder if we erect a carport can we keep the Travel Trailer in the driveway?

The least we are forced to do is pave part of the yard to allow for the 3 vehicles. And, we have to go in front, not on the side, because the driveway has to be so many feet from the neighbors house.

Are you believing this?????????!!!!!!!

WTF?!

I know, I can hear Connie laughing now.

So, in sleeping on this, and thinking about it, I do not think the so-called neighborhood association complained re Bella. I think when the Enforcement Officer came out, he heard Bella barking. Partly because he told me my neighbor (Linda) has s Lab. He had to be at her window to know that. Because that was not on the complaint, and he was real quick to back down when I told him the papers I had on Bella said, "Part Greyhound, Part Black Dog." He never asked to see the papers.

Apparently, this is a good thing, as Bill claims no knowledge of their whereabouts.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

get a clue

2008-03-05T13:13:12Z

Yesterday I'm sitting here beading when the phone rang. My former tennis team member and Mary Kay Consultant Charlene. Damn! Why do I pick up the phone without looking at the readout of who is calling? Why have a cell phone if one does not take advantage?!

This woman is consummed with selling Mary Kay. And I mean CONSUMMED.

1. I do not work.

2. I play tennis nearly every day of the week.

3. The days I do not play, I'm mostly at home. When I do go out, I still do not wear make up.

4. I do not "dress up" enough (3 times in the last year) to warrant buying expensive make up.

Charlene was trying to peddle "foundation", new and improved-a powder. I explained I do not wear make up. "This is foundation" she replied, again. But, I do not wear make up. It took me 15 minutes to convince her of how much I sweat on the court-she went into wearing a white hat to keep the sun off my head. I explained I wear the hat to keep the sweat out of my face-and yes. I wear a white hat in the summer. blab. blab. blab. get a *&%# clue you moron! I do not want to buy your product!!!!!

She is going to a Mary Kay party, "Girls Night Out" and wnated me to be one of 3 guests she takes, who arrive in a limo-and if she gets 3 guests, she gets to ride in the limo. And, the guests get all kinds of presents-yada, yada, yada.

In the first place, I do not need a "Girls Night Out". In the second place, even if I did, I would not spend it with a bunch of women I have nothing in common with. And, the excuse of "Meeting other women" does not fly with me.

What do I have to do to to get this woman off my back?!!!!

She asked me if I minded her continuing to phone and ask me to these things.

Not as long as she doesn't mind my continuing to say "No." I told her.

That stopped her for a second. But it was a short second. She is relentless. I am tired.

yecck!

2008-03-04T12:53:41Z

Why is it the mornings I must wake early (0600-0700) I cannot/do not want to/ get up, and the days I do not have to leave the house, I'm awake at 0530?????!!!!!!!!!!

I have no place to be today, and I woke at 0530. I thought it was later than that. Was I pissed when I realized what time it was. Crap. Crap. Carp.

I guess as long as I'm awake, I may as well do something usefull today. Bue, I don't want to, I planned to still be asleep at this time. Waaaa!

Yesterday I played a Match with this woman I'm not particularly fond of. We had our first practice for our spring league before hand, she ahe was hitting very well. I was actually excited. We arrived at the match, and she played great. For the first 3 games. We were up 3-1. Two games after that, when she missed a ball, she proclaimed, "I give up." And, she did. And the other team knew it. It was horrible. They pounded her unmercifully.

At the end of the match, we shook hands with our opponents, and as we were collecting our things, she walked off the courts before I, and I took this opportunity to mention to them they picked on her. One of them said, "I'm sorry." "No you're not." I replied. She giggled. Then the two of them and I spoke for a bit, more of their team showed up. The Captain asked for names for the score card (both my partner and I were add-ons at the last minute and our names were not on the original roster. After giving my name to the Captain, she asked if I'd been a tennis co-rdinator. When I replied in the affirmative, she told me she was also, and gave me her name. Turns out I know both her and her husband. Then the team asked me if I wanted to go to lunch with them.

We went to "On the Border" (Mexican). They ordered half a pitcher of Marguiretas and I declined, saying I had the fartest to drive. Turns out the Waitress brought a pitcher of Marguiretas (for 3 of them), so I volunteered to help them out, hoping the food I was going to eat would off set the Tequila. They all laughed at how difficult it was to twist my arm.

In the two hours I sat with them, I think they talked longer to me than the team I play with now has in two seasons. I mean, the other team "talks" to me, but they have been together for a long time, and know each other's kids, grand kids, et al.

So, I am now a member of THIS team, which plays on Tuesdays. My other team plays on Thursdays-different league. That's at least 3 days I'll spend playing Tennis. With my private lesson-that's 4 DAYS A WEEK I'LL BE ON THE TENNIS COURT.

YAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Do I sound excited? You bet.

Of course, this is not all the time. Leagues have their limit. Seven weeks to the season. Alto Thursday Ladies play in the Spring and Fall. All I know about this Tuesday League is that it starts soon. I think the same time as the Thursday League. I'm hoping to play with them in the league I just played against them in for next season.

As I said, my Captain of this USTA League does not like me. She thinks I stink on the court. She only added me last Tuesday for last Wednesdays match becauae she was desparate. And, she was really desparate when she added the woman who played with me.    I won't be on the team next season.

I'm also hoping to play with them for Winter USTA, as my ALTA team does not play USTA. In the summer ALTA Senior Ladies plays on the same day as Weekday USTA, and I realized a long time ago I cannot do that anymore. For one, by the time I have to leave for the ALTA match (it's in the evening, USTA in the mornings), I'm already at home, on the couch vegging and do not want to get dressed again and go out, especially in the summer here when it's just at hot in the evenings at the middle of the day.

The last straw

2008-03-03T04:17:29Z

When I went to the Dr a week ago, she said the one thing I was always thankful was not one of my problems: loose weight of I shall develop Diabeties. Today I had a sandwich of Genoa Salami and Boar's Head Beef Baloney on Green Leaf lettuce. With pickles. I wasn't bad. In fact, I had a second sandwich. Dr. Gregory told me to do this when I work BikeFlorida next month, and I decided it wasn't to soon to begin. I am slowly eliminiting bread (already done so); potatoes-have not had any all week; rice-had chinese food last sunday, and none since; pasta-last time I had any was Wednesday when I made home made Chicken soup for Bill because he was home sick, and I used Wheat Pasta. Could not tell the difference.

I knew there would be a catalyst that would make me get serious about losing weight, but had no idea it would be this. I am really rattled. There's a whole bag of Peppermint Patties in the freezer, and I won't have even one. Dr. Gregory says if I lose 10 pounds I will not have to worry about the Diabeties. But, I am not going to stop there. The Xenical is helping, according to their scale, I've lost 3 pounds, but I also went to the office the day after the recorded weight to give blood, and I was 2 pounds less. BUT. My pants are fitting better. A pair of sweat pants that have been just a tad too short in the crotch now feel well.

I'm hoping by the ride (30 Mar to 4 Apr) I'll fit into at least one size smaller jeans. That will mean my shorts will fit. Of course, with my luck, the weather will be cool and I'll spend the whole week in sweats!

I'm waffling between using the cot or fulton in the back of the truck. I do have clearance when I sit on the cot, but not that much. Plus, with my knee, it's difficult to get onto the cot. It's going to be hard enough getting into the back of the pick up as it is. Getting up on the cot is added annoyance I do not need. I think it will be better if I put the cot on the other side of the truck. I just reallized I can do that. Altho, I am considering the fulton along with the foan and self-inflating mattress.

When the guys installed the cap on the pick up, they also put 3 cigarette lighter plugs in the back that run directly off the battery. Along with charging cell phones, I can bring my laptop. I probably won't be able to log on, but I can still play my games and keep up with my stuff. And, who knows, I might be someplace where I can poach someones wireless connection.

I still have a lot to get before the ride: Coffee Pots; a wrench incase the nozzle is off the outside water (I'm hoping to work a deal with the shower guys-water for coffee); paper towels; assorted Teas; and Hot Chocolate. And, I'm sure there are other things I need.

I'm going nuts. It'll be better once I get everything and get there. This is a strange ride this year. We do not move until Tuesday. Sunday is actually registration day, and they have a 10 mile loop. Monday they ride about 35 miles and return to camp. So, I won't have to tear down Monday morning after coffee-just do laundry. And, I wish I'd get more reservations!!! I have not counted, but i only have a handful of towels reserved, and maybe 4 chairs. Come on, people!

zooming right alone

2008-03-02T20:39:05Z

Today Bill and I painted the ramp of the Haulmark Trailer. We also put together a shelving unit, and now the brewers, two of the cambros, and the turkey cookers are stacked there. We figured out how to section off and pack the trailer; that is a big relief. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the spare tire. It's a full sized tire and there is no good place to put it. I'm hoping it can be mounted on the "V" in the front of the trailer. It'll be out of the way and within easy reach if I need it. I just do not have any idea how I'd jack the trailer up to change a tire.

My registrations are trickling in. I hope they pick up in the next few weeks. I'm only taking 40 chairs. I figure that's enough. Of course, if suddenly 40 riders want to reserve a chair in the new few weeks, I guess I'll take more.

16 things about me

2008-02-02T00:39:21Z

Post 16 things about you.

1. I look younger than my age.

2. Girls have always liked me, although I've never liked them that way.

3. I always played with boys when young; baseball, making forts, cowboys and indians.

4. I never played with dolls.

5. Out of 3 girls, I'm the only one who inherited my father's naturally curly hair, and yes, I hate it.

6. Married twice-second time is the charm.

7. I'm allergic to dogs (have 2), cats (have 5), dust mites, mold, pecan wood. Take Zyrtec.

8. Never thought I'd date a RedNeck let alone marry one.

9. I like grits and corn bread.

10. Hate "bar-b-que".

11. I saved the live of two drowning adults-in two separate incidents.

12. I first began beading in the late '60's. Picked it up again around 1990/91.

13. I'm a Tatter, getting to be a lost art in most of the country.

14. I've made my own pocketbooks since I was 13. Without a pattern.

15. I come from a long line of people who make their living with their hands.

16. I hate Brown.

A 3-letter word for making lace

2008-01-18T02:09:21Z

Cristie and I agreed to wait until after Christmas to exchange our gifts and I have nothing. Before Christmas we were at May's one day and I was going to buy some of Cristie's Lampwork and she told me to pick one our and she'd make one for me for Christmas. So, I picked out a Christmas Stocking.

So, I told her I'd Tat a Chirstmas stocking for her.

What was I thinking???!!!

I spend 30 minutes today looking for my "pattern" book. The book I use to write all the patterns from my originals; Tatting, Crochet, Beading. Finally I found the book, found a shuttle and red Cebelia and began tatting the Christmas stocking. I'm surprised. Each side of the stocking is in two parts, and I've already finished tha long part of the stocking, and I've only found one mistake. Wow. I do not have a tatted stocking to use as an example, so I had to rely on my instructions. I did not know what I was doing pattern-wise in those days. But, tatting is pretty simple. One stitch. Two parts to the stitch. How can one go wrong?

And, I cannot remember when I last tatted, I'm surprised as how even my tnesion is.

I only have one picture (from a copy machine) and a few pencil sketches to go with the instructions; but, the stitches are clearly visible on the copy and that's the important thing. I plan to make copies of the pieces I'm tatting now. I put the piece I tatted over the copy on the instructions, and it's nearly the same size. Har! Imagine that?!

But, my friend Arthur Itis is catching up with me, and I cannot tat long periods at a time as I once did. Then I would have made the complete stocking in one day, now I must take a break.

Snow Day

2008-01-18T01:55:13Z

Yesterday we had snow. It was beautiful for an hour or so, then the rain began, and by this morning there was hardly a trace of the white stuff. Now we just have cold. It is January, after all.

I beaded all day yesterday. Making "beads" out of pinch beads. I have enough made for 4 bracelets to sell at my friend's store in Lowell. Now I need to put them together. Then I worked more on my pendant necklace with the leaves and fringe until I could not bead anymore.

So then I had this dream I was someplace wearing my pendant watch with the flowers and fringe and was hoping I could show it to Oprah and she'd want it on her show when she does "her favorite things" and I pulled it out of my jacket to show to someone else, and it was broken. Apparently (in my dream) when I worked on it, I only joined the pieces together once (me, the one who reinforces everything with 10 pounds of thread) and that's why it broke and there were beads all over the place.

Two of the ladies who were also there began giving me Tic Tac boxes to store my beads in, and I'm scurring all over the place to try mending the necklace together before Oprah got to me.

Finally Oprah shows up and we go produce shopping at the Farmers Market. All the while I'm trying to put my necklace back together.

I was exhausted when my alarm went off.

And the bead goes on

2008-01-08T23:24:43Z

This morning I had two Drs appointments, the first going very well and I found myself with time to kill. Off to Sam's Club I go in search of I-really-have-no-idea-what. I remember someone telling me I could find something I was looking for there, but could notoremember what, but, I had time and off I went, down most of the isles looking for what I thought would jump out at me. Nothing did. I managed to get some of the supplies I'll need this summer working coffee off I go to my next appointment-new glasses-bifocals. Now I'm headed for the tennis court for a lesson. Really looking forward to this lesson, have not had a lesson in a month at least.

As my foot's been bothering me, I wore my Crocs this morning, intending to change into my tennis shoes once I got to the court. Out of the car I step, turn around and no tennis shoes in sight.  No Tennis shoes anyway. No Tennis lesson for dona today. CRAP.

At this point I figure I need to go home, crawl under the covers and stay there until Sunday. Then I think everything happens for a reason and figure I do not need to practice tennis twice a day as we have Mixed Doubles practice tonight at 6:30 p.m. Bill phones at 5 p.m. to tell me he's leaving work. Did he drive I ask? No. That means he won't even get home until 6:30 p.m. "Why did you do that?" I ask.

"i don't know" is the answer I receive.

So, here I sit. Trying not to get pissed. I thought of going to practice myself, but a) I really do not want to go at all, much less go alone. b) that means Bill has nothing to eat when he gets home.

6:22 p.m. Bill just walked in the door. Now if we go, we'll be late. I hate being late. At least we do not have coaching. I think it's disrespectful to be late for coaching.

Guess I'll go find my elusive tennis shoes.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

2008-01-08T00:17:34Z

Well, I had an interesting morning. It began with my trip to the Dentist. I had a substitute hygienist clean my teeth, and I shall never have anyone other than my hygienist again. She did a terrible job. Then the Dentist comes in; examines my teeth and I have two fillings, one on each tooth, on the teeth next to my front teeth. And, (it gets better) the one on right side as you look at my face, may need a crown. CRAP. CRAP. CRAP.

So, enough bad news, eh? I walk out to my car, practically parked in the front door, and my left front tire is flat.

Is this for real?

So, I get out the phone to call AAA and thought better of it. Were it on the highway, I would have stayed in the car and waited for them to arrive, but since it was in a parking lot, I changed it myself. I put my tennis bag at the rear of the parking slot next to me so no one would zoom in and pick me off before seeing me as I'm jumping up and down on the lug nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts.

Bad tire in the trunk, (I could not find where it went flat) pretend tire on the car, and I'm now on my way to the Goodyear dealer around the corner from the house. I originally wore sweat pants so I could go to the gym after my appointment.

I get to the Goodyear place, and "my guy" Joseph is not there. His brother, Marvin is not the supervisor. Did I already say, GRAP. CRAP. CRAP.???

The mechanic comes out and tells Marvin he could not find a leak in the tire. They put 85 pounds of air pressure in the tire, wiggle the stem, and nothing. When they told me this, I mentioned I rolled the tire around 3 turns and could not find a nail, piece of glass, where either had been, nada. neit.

Back on the car the tire goes, pretend tire back under the car, and home I go. We'll see tomorrow.

Unbelievable.

Home I go, no trip to the gym today, it would leave the Girls in their crates too long. They have too much energy as it is, beeing cooped up only adds to the terror.

happy new year, I think

2008-01-04T13:03:48Z

Here we are, 2008. My God, where have I been? The last 6 or 7 years have been a blur. I definitely must get my crap in order. I would like to invite a friend or two to visit, but they won't be able to get past the door, and not because of all the nosey cats and two dogs.

I just spent 8 days in my home town and I had a "marvelous" time. Mother Nature was great to me-it snowed 3 times while I was there. Although I did not go walking during any of the snowfalls, I did make a snow woman with my friend Liz, and she posted pictures on her site.
http://www.gweep.net/~lizzie/images/pictures/snowman/010108/

and, they are great!

I'm back in Stone Mountain, wondering what to do next. I am clearly torn between my two friends, Denise and Liz, and the rest of my life. I enjoy the camping, Rving, tennis and bicycle riding, but I could see myself living back in Lowell, and becoming "kathy" at the store. But, I do have more seed beads than Lush Beads. I know I have more than May, and I'm beginning to think I have more than LaMiaFelicita!

I really need to get my act together and make my patterns pretty (I STILL cannot figure out what May wants in this department.) and get them out on the shelf. It's about time I made some money with this bead stuff. And, (Yes, I know, Jeffery would have a fit I'm beginning a sentence with "and" but at least I do not plan to come and conduct an audit) I need to get something on my "space" at Lush beads.

Time to make coffee.

why do i bother

2007-09-04T11:47:51Z

Yesterday I spent all day beading and cutting thread. on that stupid rivoli bead. bead. cut. bead. cut. I have no idea what May has in mind. grrrrr.

Then I wasted my time (I'm sure when I take it to the store) making a swarvoski bracelet that in the end I don't think turned out special at all.

And, today is another day.

a day in the life

2007-09-01T22:04:29Z

We went to the Decatur Book Festival today, only I never got there. On the way, we passed what I thought were vendors for said festival, and as Bill was parking the car, I went to see what they were selling.

Welllllllllll. Was I surprised! It was a weekend open market. Vegetables. Italian Zuchini. Asparagus Green Beans. Canned Italian Tomatoes. Cowboy Candy (which turned out to be a really good relish--think Christmas and Red and Green Pepper Jelly), Dill Pickles, Home Made Salsa, Pasta, and Anisi (?) Chips. That's only the stuff I bought.

Then, I met another of my soul sisters. A jewelry vendor who thinks as I do. I was looking at one of her swarovski and delica seed bead bracelets, actually, I bought it because I could not make it for the price when you factor in labor, and it was made using cantelope color swarovski's and green iris something delicas. Then I realized it was not the chevron stitch, as the other bracelet was, it was the exact peyote stitch I used on the bracelet I was already wearing, complete with delicas in the same place and all! Was I floored. The interesting thing is, she made it from a bracelet in either bead and button, or beadwork, and I first used the stitch over a year ago when I made a watch band using fire polish and delicas.

Unbelievable.

what a day

2007-08-30T00:41:37Z

Today I met with Cristie, and first we went to this luggage store which appeared to be Mor-I cannot spell it-Moreau Luggage if it exploded and spew luggage everywhere.

It was great. I finally found a computer bag for my oversize laptop (17"), and an Eagle Creek old style "wallet" I can use as Rosie the Coffee lady at this years Cycle North Carolina.

Then we went to a Borders and sat in the cafe' and beaded for hours. It's the first time one of our beading outings resulted in beading. Cristie showed me the bracelet design she came up with using May's CZ's, of which May is the exclusive supplier. I finished the main part, and then because I did not buy enough of the squatty Swarvoski's, could not finish the ends. So, I worked on the sides. It's really nice.

And, I realized something, for some reason when Cristie seed-beads, her tension is looser on one side than the other, so the piece curves. I've seen it on at least 3 of her pieces. I wonder if she realizes this?

So, we are meeting at May's Friday for me to get some more squatty Swarvoski's and another of those Rivole's(?) and maybe some more CZ's for myself. Then to Lily's so I can get some pinch beads and also a copy of Cristie's pattern for the pinch bead bracelet.

I feel I have to run to keep up with Cristie's designing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She liked the beading I did on the Rivoli, but not the while color. I mentioned I either have to get another Rivoli (or two or three), or cumpletely cut the one I have up in order to make another one. What was I thinking when I only bought one?!

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. (Addicted. Addicted. Addicted. My favorite line from the Practice when Lindsey attacked the cigar company. Addicted. Addicted. Addicted.)

torn between

2007-08-29T01:18:14Z

What can I say. I spend two lovely weeks in my home town, and I was saddened to leave. I could easily take Kathy's place at Lush Beads, although, not really, because there is no way Mr. Denny would go there and live. So, I would have no visible means of support. Oh well, one can dream, can't one?

The wedding was fabulous. We could not have begged for better weather. The God of Sunshine surely shined on us that day. Jennifer was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Big Gay Buddy did a fantastic job on her hair. She was breathtaking. It was gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! What more can I say.

Denise and Bill wore me out sightseeing. I hope Bill enjoyed himself. He wanted a vacation that did not include going from house to house and sitting. We certainly did not do that.

What? I can't hear you, an egg exploded in my face.

2007-08-06T14:57:31Z

Nobody said I was the smartest bead in the tube. This morning I was watching "Crossing Jordan" and hard boiling two eggs for breakfast when the phone rang. No biggie, I can multi-task.

It was Becky my vendor friend. We proceeded to have a conversation about my working the Coffee Espress for her on Cycle North Carolina this October. We chatted for a bit, and then I remembered the eggs on the stove. The water had just cooked down to nothing when I shut the gas off. Still, no problem. I took the first egg out of the pan and put it into a Lexan cup. Still no problem. When I put the second egg into the cup, it hit the first egg and EXPLODED in my face, literally. I still have pieces of egg on my face and in my hair. And, my ears are ringing. They ring anyway, but they really are ringing now. And, my left eyelid hurts a little.

I've never had this happen before, the first egg was unaffected, but I threw it away, just in case.

I still cannot understand it.

Help! I'm trapped inside Power Point.

2007-08-05T16:12:17Z

Wouldn't you know, I worked all that time on those (*&%$#!! patterns and the very first thing yesterday morning there was a mistake. I had lined up the beads in the wrong order for the ladder stitch! It turned out ok though; I had my students bead back through the beads to the other end and reinforce the work.

I had three students a Flat Herringbone bracelet using 3 mm cubes, size 8 seeds and delicas. Two of my students (Sue and Shirleen) are faithful followers and I had a new, very quiet student, Laura. Laura had a little trouble with the ladder stitch, only because the beads do not sit "nicely" together. After that, she took off and beaded up a storm. She was familiar with herringbone, so she picked it up easily.

When I first arrived, Sue showed me the results of the mistake I made when teaching her and another student Tubular Herringbone. I'd mistakenly told them to string 12 beads on instead of 6. I know. Pay attention, dona. Amazingly, Sue managed to make a Tubular Herringbone necklace. She only made 3 sections of the pattern as it was so large-and she's a large woman-(to quote her, "there's no way this would have fit around my neck"), and finished it with Tubular Herringbone using only the 11 seeds and delicas. I was not crazy about the colors, but loved the ingenunity (?)

Shortly into the class, Sue mentioned the Dutch Spiral with a Twist (for lack of anything better to call it) class scheduled for the afternoon session which she was the only sign up. The employee had told her the class would not go because there was a minimum sign-up. Well, redicilous. I was already there. So, I agreed to stay and do the Dutch Spiral. Up pops Shirleen and asked if I had the pattern for the necklace Sue showed me at the beginning of the class.

So, now I had two students for the afternoon class, one for Tubular Herringbone, one for Dutc Spiral with a Twist. I'm thing, "this will be easy. They breezed through this class, they are experienced beaders, how difficult can it be?"

HA!

Honest to God! I must have been nuts to agree to this.

In the first place, let me stress--both of them are good beaders. Sue has taken my Cellini class before (the begining two rows are practically identical for Cellini and Dutch Spiral. In fact, I use the Dutch Spiral beginning for the Cellini as I did not like the Cellini beginning). Also, remember, we just worked on Flat Herringbone, which uses a ladder beginning.

Sue had a problem beginning the Dutch, and Shirleen could not do the LADDER STITCH. Oy, Vey.

So, for the next hour, my head nearly came off my neck from swivling left and right at top speed because they both bombarded me with stupid questions.

I told Bill next time I'm going to tell them they'll each have 15 minute sessions.

Anyway, I had the most problem with Tubular Herringbone because it was a mistake to begin with. I showed Shirleen the finished product of howTubular Herringbone is supposed to look. Explained to her how the mistake was made. Gave her the original pattern, and hoped she understood.

Never again.

Never.

Again.

Never.

a day in the life

2007-08-05T15:47:07Z

Connie (my firend in Rrance) and I had another gab session via web cam, and I had to stop looking at her picture, because it was making me nauseaus. So, I glanced at it every few seconds instead of constantly. Maybe if I move further away from the computer during these times it'll be better for me. After all, I can watch the television.

Anyway, it's great to talk to and see Connie while she is so far away. I admire her (and am amazed) for moving to France, getting married to a Frenchman, and learning the language.

I've moved a lot in my 36 years since I left Lowell, and believe me, it's not easy. At first is was not so bad, as I was married and not going through the experience alone. After my divorce, it was different, and as I aged, it became difficult to adjust to new surroundings.

I cannot imagine uprooting to a different country where I could not speak to anyone.

Amazing.

WHAT WAS I THINKING????????????

2007-07-27T00:30:48Z

So, It's been 5 weeks since Zoey arrived, and I am going out of my mind. Bella has turned into I-can-jump-higher-than-you jealous dog, and all the work I breaking her of jumping up on me went right out the window. She is taller than Zoey, and can jump higher, and the two of them pin me against the front door if I do not get far enough into the house before Bill lets them out of the cage.

Today I have a headache from yelling at them to get off the couch. They "wrassle" (to quote Mr. Bill) ALL the time, and attempt to do so on the couch, and of course, all over me. They get heavy at times, they kick me and all what not. It's murder trying to get them under control.

Trying to hook them to their leashes to take them for a walk is another thing intirely. Talk about going bonkers. And, as if this is not enough:

Zoey pees anytime you tell her to (I think she was Lyndon Johnson in a pastlife=he never passed up an opportunity to go to the bathroom), which is great. Bella NEVER goes to the bathroom. Not only that, Bella REFUSES to even go into the back yard. Zoey goes out at the drop of a hat.

It's making me nuts. I have this beautiful fenced in yard, and the damn dog will not go out. Today I dragger her out, by the pinch collar, and she balked, pulled on the leash as much as she could,and it was no easy feat. She still would not pee. I had to walk the dog in order to get her to use the bathroom.

This did not just start when Zoey came on the scene, it began before. I think the kids in the yard behind us sacred her, or threw something at her or something. She will not go outside. When we pick her up and take her outside, she either hides under the porch, or stands plastered to the sliding glass door.

Unbelievable.

Just what we need............

2007-06-21T01:52:41Z

Tonight Bill took Bella for a walk and came home with a really cute, long haired, clean, completely black female dog, about the same weight as Bella, a little shorter, with a collar and leash attached. No Identification.

Off around the neighborhood we go in the car. Our neighborhood. The next neighborhood, and the one of the other side of that. Talked to everyone we saw. Showed her to everyone and then some.

At present she is in the back yard. We fed her and I showed her where the water is out back. We do not want to bring her in because of the cats. But, she wants to come in. Obviously, considering how clean she is, we think she is an inside dog.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to take her picture and put up a few posters around if I have time. (I still have to pack my clothes and put the bicycle in the back of the van-plus I'm playing tennis tomorrow night).

Bill is going to walk her around the block over the weekend. He's already named her. Queenie.

Just what we need.

dona

geriactic font

2007-06-21T00:07:31Z

It was not a geriactic font on the journal page. Besides, I was having trouble reading it! pffffhhhhtttt!!!!!!!!!!

I already take Protonix. Now I take it teice a day. Is not that special?

Has Kathy moved yet?

dm