Looking Back

This week, I am finding myself looking back.  These things have been on my mind, running in circles that just won't stop.  Good and bad, but I'll alternate so hopefully the bad won't be too overwhelming.  I just need to get them off my chest and feel better after writing.  I promise to have cheerier topics next time.  :)

My cousin's Mom died last week.  Between divorces and geographic distances, it had been years since I saw her Mom Nancy.  Nancy was an incredibly crafty woman and made some of the most beautifully smocked dresses I have ever seen.  She battled breast cancer two decades ago and had a slew of other health issues, but was always quick to laugh.  And I'm doubly sad for my cousin because both of her parents are now gone and she is too young to be without parents.  I took Chloe on her first plane ride when she was barely two weeks old when we flew back to St. Louis to see my Uncle Phil shortly before he died six years ago.  Sigh.  I know both are in a better place and free of cancer and so many other ailments that plagued them for years.  But I am still sad.

Nancy posted a youtube video here re-capping our trip to NYC two weekends ago.  I had so much fun with these girlfriends and wish we all lived closer.  Preferably in a warmer climate.  Like mine.  Where we had mid 70s this past weekend and opened up doors and windows in the house!  I even took a short nap outside in the front yard after the kids had a picnic with friends.  It was such a wonderful reprieve to see the sun again after weeks of snow, rain and downright dreariness.  I want the sun to come back soon!

I spent two hours on the torch last night.  I didn't make as many beads as I would have liked, but I did make my way through a custom order and that feels good.  Maybe I can make more beads tonight.

My friend Beck's dad died recently.  And for her, I am happy.  She never knew a life without abuse and fear because of how horribly he treated her.  Now she is sleeping through the night and finding some semblance of normalcy in her daily life without a nagging horror in the back of her mind wondering if/when he will show up again.  I couldn't be any happier for her knowing that she is able to have more than fleeting moments of happiness and calm.

I have been waiting since Thanksgiving and counting down the days for my photography class with Karen Russell to begin.  Yesterday, it began.  I couldn't be more excited about this 9 week course and everything I expect to learn.  Karen is super organized and even has audio and mp3 files to listen or download in addition to the written PDF files!  So.  Very.  Excited.  Her website for the class also makes it very easy to see what has been added (by herself or other students) since the last time I viewed it.  Woo hoo!

The girl child's Kindergarten teacher emailed me today about her wearing her older brother's boots and leaving marks on the floor throughout the school.  Chloe helped clean them up during recess, but isn't allowed to wear the boots to school anymore.  I replied, apologizing for her being a nuisance and promised the boots will not make any more appearances at school.  Her teacher wrote back, saying Chloe had not been a nuisance and how much she loves having Chloe in her classroom.  That she has matured incredibly over the last five months and is a complete joy to have in class.  Such nice reinforcement to hear when it is easy to question our parenting methods and wonder if we're on the right track at times.

Little Horse is now half way through his first month of treatment for heartworms.  He gets six horse pills of antibiotics daily and a decreasing dose of steroids throughout the whole first month.  He is enjoying the peanut butter that covers the pills and drooling even more on my kitchen floor while waiting on meals to be set down in the mornings/evenings.  I didn't think more drooling was possible, but it is.  I'm just happy he isn't in any pain and is so far not showing any side effects to the meds, other than increased panting.  But then, we're used to his panting after having had him as part of our family for the past year.

Since the kids are both signed up for Tae Kwon Do, lessons are free for Todd and me.  Tonight is our third lesson and we will receive our white belts.  Thursday night will hopefully be our third lesson when we can earn our white belts.  Todd is feeling really crummy and not up to going tonight.  :(  It is excellent exercise (I'm still sore from our class on Saturday morning), even if I am getting schooled by a bunch of teenagers.  At least they are gracious and kind, which helps lesson the sting.  ;)

Twenty three more days until I fly out to San Diego for a two day photography workshop with Blue Lily Photography.  Meg is in the same workshop, so what a treat that will be to meet her in person!  Not sure what I'm looking forward to the most, but seeing my friend Sara and being with her family is right there with the photography workshop.  And the warm temps!

My company made this documentary video and it sends a solid message on not texting while driving.  Texting while driving became illegal in Georgia just last year.  It is still legal in many of our states.  The consequences are sobering.

Thank you to the wonderful people who came to my jewelry and bead shops this weekend.  I hit 670 sales in my bead shop.  A number which sounded completely unattainable to me when I opened my shop two weeks shy of three years ago (hmmm, perhaps a three year celebration sale should go into effect this month?).  I am so very grateful for those of you who support my glass addiction by buying my creations and those of you who just stop by and leave encouraging words about my work.  You all rock!  My family thanks you, too...this has allowed me to buy a wonderful camera and take pictures better than I thought I would ever be capable of capturing.

I hope the pictures helped lighten the mood somewhat.  I hope I sleep better tonight for having put my thoughts into written words.  If you're still reading, thank you for sticking with me :)