Lately

I have been distracted.

So many things running through my head and not one them wants to stay put long enough for me to gain much of any focus.

I burned my fingers on the grill last week when I wasn't paying attention and grabbed the lid, instead of the handle to close the top.  Ouchie.  Thank goodness for my tube of unguentine that I keep next to the torch.  By the next morning, the band-aids were gone and there were no blisters.  No pain.  That has really been a miracle ointment for me!

I have several countdowns in my head.

Four more days until Little Horse is done with his heartworm treatment and he can run and be crazy again.  I can't believe we are almost through this two months of crate rest and am so thankful.  After he chewed through his leash in week one and took off running the length of several football fields, I was certain he would kill himself before we got through this.

Eleven more days until I drive the kids to Minnesota where we will all be spoiled by the grandparents.  This is always my favorite part of the summer.  To relax and not have my blackberry with me.  To fish.  Or not.  To enjoy my children and my inlaws to levels of happiness that are truly off the charts.  I feel undeserving.

I am inching closer to two photography workshops in August and so stoked for these upcoming opportunities to learn from photographers I greatly admire.

My boy child will turn nine in 95 days.  He now has very little hair as I gave him the routine summer buzz cut.  He does not look like my boy with so much missing hair.  But he loves it and that's more important, I think.  Combined with the fact he'll grow it out for the school year for me.

I will celebrate my 11th wedding anniversary in 101 days.  Wow, where did the time go?  Soon I will tell you how much this man loves me by what he is willing to give up.  It involves football.

And only 103 short days until my baby turns 7.  I did not authorize this and am very much opposed to her leaving six behind.

My blogging has been sporadic at best over the last several months.  That will change.  But not quite yet.  My apologies for shoddy blogging, torching and shop updates.  I am really looking forward to getting back into a weekly routine where I can combine all of these, yet still take care of work and home.

On a fun note, I will be taking off Wednesday through Friday of this week to use up some vacation time and help clear my mind.  Previously, I had not thought I would find time on the torch before leaving for Minnesota or be able to get in a shop update, but now I can.  Woot!

A couple of weeks ago, I had two friends reach out asking if I could make some beads for their family members who recently lost their family dog using the ashes.  I was honored and humbled.  Here are a few of the beads which I made for the friend whose package arrived in my studio first.  I will be starting on the next round for my other friend tomorrow.

My friend Keirsten just made this bangle with my Azure Island beads.  Awesomeness, right?

And Erin Prais-Hintz used one of my purple & green headpins in the flower focal of this great design.

That's all for now.  I hope that you all are enjoying warmer summer temps and NO tornadoes.  There have been some horrible storms sweeping the States, leaving much devastation and some flooding in their wake.  I pray you all (and your loved ones) are safe.