Way Behind...

OK...so I haven't written in a while...since I wrote last I've been out on the river two more times...once with my darling husband...and once with my eldest grandson...both times were a blast...here's a couple of pictures...they came right up to the boat and let us pat them...that's a flipper/arm reaching up out of the water in the second picture...they have fingernails...or I guess you'd call them "flipper-nails"...

Beadwork has consisted of one completed doll (above)...I loved the matte finished beads in purples and blues with the white stripe...I haven't named her yet...think I might send her to someone...but won't say who in case they are reading...it will be a surprise...and two others that are works in progress...I have yet to make my June or July Beaded Journal Project turtles...I have them cut out and ready to bead...but haven't even begun the beadwork...

Golf has been pretty good...hot as heck out there...but hitting pretty well...chipping pretty well...putting...well...on these greens "REAL" putting is an exercise in futility...we are on temporary greens til the completely revamped old ones have grown all their new and improved grass (drought and salt resistant)...and have been manicured...they say September...but I'll be surprised...still...we have fun when we play and that's really the whole point...did see a Roseatte Spoonbill at hole #6 of the River Course...such an odd little bird...here it is standing next to one of my favorite birds...don't know what kind it is...but love the white body, black legs, and bright yellow feet...like he stepped in a bucket of yellow paint...I think it's some sort of small heron...

I happened upon my daughter and her little girl today at the grocery store...they were on a field trip from the pre-school that my daughter teaches at and her daughter goes to...my daughter didn't acknowledge my presence...but she didn't give me a dirty look either...so that was a blessing...the guy behind the meat counter had the kids completely captivated by showing them how to make meatballs...he made a few...then proceeded to juggle them...the kids thought that was pretty cool...I'm glad I got to watch...I still pray every day that my daughter will have a softening of heart toward me...

Oh...and I turned 54...so we celebrated that a few times...ha...in my family birthdays tend to last a few weeks til everyone has a chance to celebrate...always fun...

Not a lot else going on...walking nearly every day...swimming a few days a week and golfing a few...and trying to stay busy...

God bless...

It's June ALREADY!

I can't believe May has past...during which time my niece graduated from Medical School and we can legitamately call her Doctor Lacee...and my grandson, Logan, turned 7...amazing...still praying that hearts will be softened and we'll all get along again...the month also brought a little bit of a scare with a "shadow/spot" on my mammogram and subsequent biopsy...which "Praise the Lord" was benign...also played in a Scrambles Tournament that is put on every year for the Little League...since my Logan plays in the LL I always try to support...and since I love golf...it was easy and fun to help...played with my dear friend...her son...and a young man from the local high school team...we didn't win...or even come close...but we laughed a lot and had a great time...

Here is my little "golfer doll"...(I haven't named her yet)...her face is the 'skin' of a golf ball I found on the course...someone must have really hit that ball hard to peel off the covering...hahaha...hope they made an eagle! Her hair is...naturally...green...like the grass on the golf course...she is holding a golf ball in her left hand...and once I make one with the polyclay...she will be holding a golf club in her right...ready to play!
Lots going on this month...and can't believe it's already here! We've had a lot of rain...which was sorely needed...but it brings up some interesting 'characters' on the golf course...this gator was at least a 12 footer...don't worry...I zoomed...then cropped...so he looks closer than he really is...the video I took the other day...after all the rain there were several new "ponds"...and in this one there was one of our local Osprey having a grand time playing and bathing in the water...it was fun to watch...but I didn't want to get too close or I would scare him away...

Hooray for yard sales! I was driving home from the grocery store last week and there was a 'yard sale' in the parking lot of the laundrymat...I looked as I drove past...and saw just the very top of this chair...hmmmmmm...I wondered...is that a chair??? I thought about it til I was nearly home...then decided that I'd turn around and go back and look...what could it hurt...right??? Well...by golly it was a chair...and it was only $10...of course it has no cushions...so I'll have to get busy and make some...but there are no cracks or wobbliness...a very sturdy chair...so I'm happy I turned around! Yesterday I saw an end table out in front of an antique store that is made with the same type of curved bamboo...$155...OUCH...needless to say...it's still at the store!

A group of us went on a Kayak Tour last Thursday...(I think I mentioned it before)...we had a great time...saw manatee, bottlenose dolphin and all sorts of birds and fish...we stayed out on the water about 2 hours...and probably would have stayed longer but it started thundering and lightening...TIME TO GET OUT...I am pretty sure I'm going again...not sure when yet...but I really liked it...

Saturday evening was "Hot Night in the City"...which is a fundraiser that is put on each year for the Freedom 7 Sr. Community Center. This year there was something new to add...they sent out word to the community to find 8 folks over 80 years old to honor for the celebration of their life and their service to their communities. One of the 8 was my wonderful father...33 years of service in the school system as a principal...all in the same town...where we've lived since 1961...here is a picture of him receiving his award...

Beading...well...been busy with several things...going to do a Round Robin with some ladies...the theme is "Birthstone"...of which mine is a Ruby...so here is my little doll that will lilterally be sent around the world for other beaders to bead...when she returns home she will be completely beaded...

Also...a swap for "Independence Day"...made the first one and my husband really liked it...so I decided to make two...will swap one and keep one at home...standing on his head in his "Uncle Sam" style hat...he declares his independence...

My son in law just celebrated a birthday...my niece that lives here celebrates hers tomorrow...and my niece...the new doctor...will be getting married Saturday...and I'm sure we will have a wonderful time...who knows what's in store for the rest of the month of June...but whatever it is...I'm sure "It's all good"...

Have a blessed day!

Say "Hello" to my little friend...

Sitting at the pond on #8 Dolphin the other day...about a 5-6 footer...didn't even flinch when we drove up beside him...but he was watching...appears he likes to hide in the pond scum from the green stuff on his back and head...we snapped his picture and left him alone...

A Basket "full" of Babies

In the past few weeks I've not been doing much beading...it's the time of year for taxes...which I'm not done with yet...and I've had several other "irons in the fire"...one is this basket "full" of babies...they are all (except the blue one with the peyote face") about 3" tall...and ready to bead...why?...you ask...did I make all these babies...I think it's because I'm a trifle "OCD"...and once I get something in my head it's hard to steer me the other way...ha...I think there are over 75 babies of different colors...it takes me about 45 min to an hour to complete one from cutting out to sewing my initials into the bottom of the stuffed baby...my Valentine Babies were made from two of the patterns seen here...there are 7 different patterns all together...and I tried to make about 4 per color...obviously not all colors have each of the 7 patterns...but...I was so involved with other things that beading was just not formost in my mind...and this I could do while watching TV at night with my husband...they reside in this little basket...at least til I decide what to do with them and how to bead them...
And what else has been going on down here in Cocoa Beach? BEAUTIFUL WEATHER this weekend...and a few of the days in the past month...have had some rain...but like much of the southeast...we're in drought mode (folks can only water their lawns on certain days of the week)...so the rain...though it cuts into my golf...is sorely needed...
One discovery I made...I'm not a "candidate" for Lyrica for my fibromyalgia...not because I can't get it...but because I tried it...was on it for 3 weeks and gained 10 lbs. was dizzy and my balance was terrible...and found it hard to breathe...plus my darling husband couldn't sleep...snoring...so yesterday was the first day without it...and I already feel better...back to Advil...
I've been teaching the new Weight Management Classes at Curves...they have revamped their Weight Management System...and now it's so much easier to follow...plus...you can join the class whether you belong to Curves or not...as long as you buy the book...which is reasonable...so that has taken up some of my time with preparing to teach...and then the acutal teaching...
I've got a "call" out to the ladies at Curves...and anyone else who would like to join us...to have a walking group...(strength in numbers...I knew darn good and well I would do better having someone to walk with...I got the April 2008 Prevention Magazine...and in it was an article on how to train for half and whole marathons...anyone who has known me for very long knows I DON'T run...but this training is for walking them...now whether I'll ever do a whole marathon remains to be seen...I would give that about a 2% chance of happening...ha...but if I can get a group together that wants to train for the half one...or even just wants to join a walking group without doing any events...I might do a half one...we'll see...with the fibromyalgia I'll just have to take it a day at a time...but we're going to give it our best shot...not only will we feel better for the exercise...a lot of half and whole marathons are in neat places...like New York City, Philadelphia, Las Vegas...so...this will be a "traveling" group as well...wish us luck!
Other than that...mostly I've been trying to make it through the first (an last) three weeks of Lyrica...working on taxes...making the little babies you saw at the beginning of this post...and playing golf...about a week or so ago I shot the BEST I've ever shot on 18 holes...hooray...it was a 79...though highly unusual...was lots of fun while playing...and made me feel wonderful when I saw the final score...since that time I'm back to my regular mid to high 80's...but every once in a while "everything goes just right"...all the stars are in alignment so to speak...my girlfriend and I are going to play in the Scrambles at the beginning of May for the Little League...we did it last year and had a lot of fun...
The biggest and most important thing I've been doing lately...getting ready for the 2009 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project...this year I'm inviting artists from every medium...there are 5 different projects to choose from...and I already know we'll do better this year than we've ever done before! PLEASE go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm to find out all of the information about this year's turtles...
Have a blessed Easter!

Pearl

Well...I sat and thought about a name for this little turtle and no matter how many I made up she kept putting the name "Pearl" in my mind...so I reckon this is "Pearl"...probably because the center piece is mother of pearl (dyed blue)...and she has pearls on her feet, head and tail...whatever her reasons...she just wasn't going to let me name her anything else...she is the February entry for the Beaded Journal Project...she was finished in time...I'm just slow with her debut...
This little fella and his friend always seem to know when I'm playing the River Course when golfing...they seem to pop up everytime I am on #5...so I always try to have something for them...they come pretty close...but I don't get too close to them...they are sweet but they are still wild...he's eating a peanut butter cracker...and yes...I used a zoom...
I'm off to get my dad from the rehab place he's been in since his hospital adventure a couple of weeks ago...he will surely be glad to be home...and we'll be happy to have him back in Cocoa Beach! Have a lovely day!

"Turtle Princess"

Here's my little blue "Turtle Princess"...she is about 3" tall and has a skirt of turtles to help her navigate when she is swimming in the ocean...

OK...yes...I've gone nuts with the tiny dolls...ha...they are just too fun...but...I do have a few coming up that are bigger than the little 3" beauties I've been making...

I sent "Wrapped in Love" out to one of the ladies in our "Spread the Love" swap in my online beadwork group...her three sisters said a tearful goodbye...but just know that she is going to a great home and will be loved...

A gorgeous day here in Cocoa Beach...played 9 holes of golf this morning...took a picture of a winged visitor that has been frequenting the ponds lately...a lovely swan...

...it was hard to get close since he/she was out in the middle of the pond...and my zoom only zooms so far...but I got a pretty good one...don't want to get too close to the water's edge...might be a gator lurking about...we've seen some 10-12 footers in the past month...don't want to be "LUNCH"!

Well...off to sew one of the new dollies...have 4 in the works...and of course the February turtle for the Beaded Journal Project...

Hope your day is all you wished for...and more!

Piggy-Back Shuttle Landing

On Friday, December 12th, 2008 the shuttle came into Cape Canaveral Air Station on the back of a 727. These images were taken at 7th Street South in Cocoa Beach as the 727 flew down the beach for all to witness. A very very cool site to see! Here's a video with about 9 slides in a row of it passing while I stood on the beach ramp at 7th Street.

Christmas is approaching fast...I lit candle 11 this evening...that means only 11 days til Christmas...and I've been working hard to get the tree up and the presents wrapped and the cards sent...one of this year's Christmas Cards will include my "Flip Flop Tree"...which is our 2nd tree each year...I made it to make my husband laugh the year we were married...he loves it...

Here is my Beaded Art Doll for December...and ornament named "Glisten".

Doesn't she have a sweet face?
And this year's Christmas ornaments for the 4 grandchildren? A Christmas tree!

I still have a lot to do...have my Beaded Journal Project to finish...and have a lovely Round Robin Doll to work on...but I'm still getting out to play a little golf every few days...today shot a 43 on 9 holes...found some really "old-fashioned" clubs at the Thrift Shop for $1.00...old wooden woods...really old...and about 5 different putters!!!...and a leather bag...all for $1.00...I was amazed...the head on the 7 wood isn't much bigger than the ball! But I shot a really great tee shot on a long par three with it today...

The 2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Drawings have been completed. "Ling" was won by Joan M. in Cocoa Beach, FL. I was very happy to find out that she was one of my mother's good friends. She was excited to win.

"Jewels of the Sea" was won by Anne H. of Edmond, OK. She was thrilled to hear the news.

"Kameko" was won by Beverly M. of White Pine, TN. Bev was also happy when she heard the news.

We don't have a final tally of donations to be sent to the American Cancer Society, but know it will be well over $800. With the economy the way it is...we are very pleased with this number. I will announce a final amount once I know it. I'm still waiting for a couple of "snail mail" checks to come from people that simply wanted to donate and not get tickets. Thank you to everyone who donated this year. Congratulations to our winners. Thank you to the 7 wonderful beadwork artists that made this year's turtles a reality.

We are working on plans for next year's project, and will announce our plans once they are confirmed. Anyone who is a beadwork artist is certainly invited to join us!

I reckon that's about all the news today...if I don't get to post again between now and Christmas I wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Again, I'll "Brooch" the Subject of "Pins"

Pun intended.

Here is one of my latest brooches. I love the stone...which I originally thought was African Turquoise...but a friend sent a picture of something called Sesame` Jasper...which I think is what it really is. Whatever it's called...it's a beautiful stone.

I made the brooch for a 'cabachon challenge' that our group is having. We are supposed to have the cabachon no smaller than 18mm and no larger than 30mm. This one is an oval approx. 18mm x 27mm.

There is a second part to the 'challenge' in the form of a swap...and I loved the stone so much I thought...hmmmmm...I'm getting two of these...and here is what the second one turned out to look like.

I made myself use only beads I had in my stash...so it was kind of difficult to match things up...but I managed...and I really like both of these.

Not sure either of them will go to the swap...ha...but then again...I can't wear them both either...oh...decisions, decisions...
Of course...then there are the other cabs I found whilst looking at this one...I got two of each of those too...but I've only completed one.

I think it's Aventurine...generally a green stone...is a form of quartz with other mineral inclusions...sometimes bits of mica...that give it bit of a glisten. Some call it 'Indian Jade' because the green color of it can resemble real Jade. It comes in other colors as well...but green is the most common.

This stone is actually a bead instead of a cabachon...but it was a flat stone...so was easy to treat as a cabachon when beading.

Other than the cabachons...I've been working diligently on the 2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtle" Project...which is due to be 'debuted' on October 1st. I can't wait to show them ALL off. This year...for the first time...I've had help from 7 wonderful artists and there will be three different "Pink Ribbon Turtle" designs in three separate drawings! STAY TUNED!!!

And of course...I've been playing golf...in fact...I got up early this morning and played 9 holes...didn't do too badly either...especially since I was excruciatingly tired from playing 18 in the middle of the day yesterday when it felt like 110 in the shade...ok...I might be exagerating a little...but it was HOT and very very little breeze...but my friend, Missy and I had fun (we always do)...and met a very nice couple who we played with...it's always lovely to meet new people.

One last picture...we saw this Great Blue Heron resting under the Oleanders on the 8th hole and stopped and took his pictures. I think he was a little put out with us for disturbing his rest...because shortly after the picture he stood up and sauntered off in disgust...ha...don't you just love his long long legs?

Have a blessed day!

A Very Pink Day!

Pink Pink Pink...this particular day it seemed everything turned pink...so I suppose you could actually say that "Everything is Rosie"...assuming the rose is pink too!

PINK #1

Working on this year's "Pink Ribbon Turtles" has been a real treat.

Why?

Several reasons.

First, there are three turtles on this year's "Pink Ribbon Turtles" that we always have the drawing for starting in late September...the drawing being the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Each of the turtles will be a little different...but the thing they all will have in common is a pink shell.

Second, this year's turtles will be very bright and festive. In the past the color has been predominately PINK...this year the background is BLUE...like the ocean...the three turtles will each have a different color of green for it's body...and the "sealife" around them will be very colorful as well. I'm really excited about this year's turtles. When I am a little farther along I will post a picture.

Third, there is going to be more than one drawing! This year there will be two other "Pink Ribbon Turtles" drawings as well. WHY? Back in early April "Beadwork" magazine published a short article on the "Pink Ribbon Turtles"...this article was read by many across the United States...but one beadwork artist decided she wanted to find out more. Gretchen Coats contacted me and asked if she could help in some way...and the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" in 4 Quadrants was born. Now there are 8 artists working on two different 4 quadrant turtles. To find out more go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm . I've seen the work these ladies are doing and you are in for a REAL treat when you see the two turtles put together. Pictures of the 4Q turtles should be available by the end of August.

PINK #2

I was out at the golf course...trying to get in 9 holes before the rain came and was playing rather quickly...the sky was dark all around and very noisy...and lo and behold...what do I see wandering around with the Ibis but a Roseate Spoonbill...just as cute and pink as you please...wandering around with a group of Ibis! I was really excited and quite disappointed at the same time...I had forgotten my digital camera...boo hoo...I'm pretty sure it was a young one because its head was more white than pink and his pink was on the pale side instead of the really deep pink like the adults are...it was also about the size of the Ibis it was wandering with and not at all big...but I was tickled none-the-less.

PINK #3

At home...finished with the computer for the evening...I was leaving my workroom to head to the porch for some beading...as I walked past one of the shelves near the door something caught my eye...a piece of Rose Quartz in the shape of a heart...this particular piece had a flat back to it...which puts it in the "category" of a cabachon...and I remembered an email on one of the beading groups I am in where someone was asking about beading a heart-shaped cabachon...so I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't use this particular one...it was a "one of a kind" I had...but remembered that I had 3 of them in my "stash" of cabs that were a little smaller...so I dug them out and gave it the old "college try"...the picture above is the result...I've done two...have the third one out on the porch to do...and am seriously thinking of going ahead and doing the larger one...hmmmmm...I think I see a Pink Quartz Heart Necklace in the future!

So...it was just a Pink sort of day!

For info about the two birds I mentioned click on either of these!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseate_Spoonbill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_White_Ibis

Momma and Her Babies...

My first blog here...so why not begin with my first beaded piece of beaded artwork? Actually, I had made a lot of beaded turtles for Christmas ornaments, as well as butterflies, dragonflies, rocking horses and other things before I made this 16"x20" work, but this is the first piece of framed artwork I did. It now hangs in my bathroom matted in bright orange, with a white frame on a blue wall...and I love it. I've made many more since and it is one of my favorite things to do! Beadwork is what keeps me...hmmm...well I was going to say keeps me sane, but there are those that would question that! Ha. So let's just say it relaxes me.
Like many beaders, I am addicted to beads. I don't think I've ever left a bead shop or bead show without, at the bare minimum, one bead. But that's ok...they are my friends.
I've been trying to set up this blog for about two hours now...beadwork and bead embroidery come to me much easier than computer deciphering...so it's time to go to bed.
I hope to play a little golf tomorrow, though I don't know that it will come about since it's Easter Sunday and dinner comes right about the time I would normally meet my high school golfing pal, Missy, out at the course...so it might have to wait til Monday.
So I will go to bed now, and dream about the beautiful beads I ordered last night...and the ones I bought at my favorite bead store today, and what exactly I am going to do with them. I am sure it will have something to do with turtles.
God bless, good night, may your Easter be joyous!