Weekly Blogger

I've decided that I'm a "weekly" blogger. It's not that I don't have things to say, it's simply that I get too busy (har) with all those "retired" things like playing on the computer, beading, and shopping LOL!

I've been - you guessed it - busy making more jewelry but I've run across a problem. What the heck am I going to do with all these nice pieces of jewelry. I have made a few for family and friends, but that still leaves me with a passion for producing pretty items that don't like to be left sitting in dark jewelry boxes or mothball drawers. So .... I've gotten my Idaho sales tax license and will be in my first craft show on March 27, 28 and 29, at a local mall in Nampa. That means now I have to bead even more to have enough inventory on hand LOL. I'm hoping that with Mother's Day around the corner there will be a lot of interest. I am nervous about what people will think of my creations. It's hard to judge when you only have your husband, son and daughter-in-law to give you input as they all have very different tastes. It's not about making money but rather giving people the opportunity to purchase something nice at a reasonable price.

Here are a couple of the newest creations. I wish that the pictures did them justice, but they just don't.







My granddaughter Aubree turned 11 last Friday. It's so hard to believe she's growing up and turning into a young lady. It doesn't make me feel older, just makes me hope that I'm around long enough to see her go to college, get married, and have kids of her own. Guess I'd better get back on that exercise program.


Aubree Grace



Annoying Dad Sean




Really Annoying Brother Dylan



Happy Trails ..... J

Oh S--- !

There are days and then there are days ....

I spent the last hour and a half laying out a necklace pattern, strung it on my wire, and then bam ... I lost the end of it and had beads everywhere! I'm glad that I swept the floor yesterday, but it's still fun trying to find a hundred peach colored beads on a sort of peachy colored tile floor. And yes, I did say the S--- word - very loudly! Oh well there are some perks to retirement - I can start all over tomorrow :)

I finished a couple of other projects, tried my first watch band. I'm still not quite happy with the way it fits, but that's what's nice about doing it yourself. You can take it apart again and again until you like what you have. To bad life's not like that - ha!

We had a wonderful Valentine dinner at a restaurant called Copper Canyon. I've eaten at a lot of restaurants over the years, but I have to tell you this one is one of the best kept secrets in Nampa, Idaho. I think it has just become our favorite. I had the most mouth-watering filet mignon and lobster, and Dick had salmon, shrimp and scallops. We even splurged and split a dessert - a to-die-for chocolate lava cake. Must have been a million mouth watering calories in that dinner but it was worth every bite!

When proofreading this (which Dick says I need to do more of), I realized that I used a lot of exclamation points in this blog and it reminded me of a funny story. When Sean was about 6 we went to visit my folks in Colorado Springs. On the cabinet in the kitchen my mother had posted a very large note for my dad that said, "Don't forget to take your pills !!!" Sean read it and wanted to know if it meant grandma was yelling at grandpa because she used so many exclaim points.

Be careful how many "exclaim points" you use in your day :) Happy trails .... J

OLD AGE, I DECIDED, IS A GIFT

I'm not sure who to give credit to but I recently read this in an RV magazine. I hope it makes you smile - it did me ....

"I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body...the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging rear side. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avant-garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM, and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's and if I, at the same time, need to weep over a lost love...I will.

I will walk the beach in a swimsuit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, will get old!!

I know I am sometimes forgetful, but there again, some of life is just as well forgotten, and I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car?

But, broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no" and mean it. I can say "yes" and mean it. As you get older it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. It just isn't any of my business what they think about me...

I don't question myself any more. I've even earned the right to be wrong!!

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been or worrying about what will be.

AND...I shall eat dessert every single day!!"

Passion vs Obsession

According to Websters:

PASSION: Strong liking or devotion to some activity ...

OBSESSION: Persistent disturbing preoccupation with an idea or feeling ...

Wow, it's been a few days since I've been here - blame it on my new passion or as my husband calls it "my obsession." I suppose he's just getting even with me for calling his Cobra "the red headed mistress." I think what I like about it most is the creativity and the instant gratification obtained when you complete a project.

I've been doing a lot of beading the last few days, searching eBay for good deals on pendants and other jewelry materials, perusing local bead shops, and printing off ideas for projects from the Internet and magazines.

My last beading class was Thursday and I was sorry to see it end. The instructor was great and the other six gals learning how to bead were a hoot. I think what I'll miss most is the "gal" conversations. Now that I have this new found passion for making jewelry, I'm either going to have to start wearing a lot, giving it away, or selling it. If you see anything you'd like me to make for you, send me a picture. Keep it simple tho - I'm not into the knotting or weaving and real fancy stuff yet.

I met with some friends (2 retirees Jackie & Cindy and two ladies Tina & Debbie who still work at Idaho Power) last Tuesday for lunch at Famous Dave's Ribs. Umm, umm good - even tho all I had was chili and salad. If you ever get to a Famous Dave's be sure to save room for the Kahlua Brownie. Or better yet, start your meal with it. I promise if you like chocolate you won't be sorry :) I made them each a pair of Valentine earrings (above).

Do any of you have something that your passionate about? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Jo

Super Super Bowl

WOW, what a game!

We hosted Super Bowl here at the Sheehan Home Theatre and had a great time visiting and cheering and jeering. Going into the game I had no idea who I was going to root for until a friend sent me a great article about Kurt Warner - so the Cardinals it was. Turns out everybody was for the Cardinals.

From left to right:

Lisa & Sean, Dick, Dick's brothers Parker, Danny & Terry; in the back Tara (Park's wife) and Melanie (Dan's wife), and our alpha dog Harley .... (note the new tile floor :)

Good eats, great company and a fantastic football game - what more could you ask for?