I've been tagged!!

I was tagged by Lora for a Meme.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? gee 10 years ago I was fighting for my life due to a dental procedure gone WAY wrong!! knocked on death's door and thankfully they didn't answer! oh and I was beading!
2. What are 5 things on my TO-DO list for today? go to work, go to the grocery store, catch up on emails, work on my BFAC project!
3. Snacks I enjoy: baby carrots (my pups like them too!), almonds, cookies, CUPCAKES!
4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire: turn shelters for animals into no-kill shelters, random acts of kindness, throw silly parties at chemo centers!
5. Places I have lived: Tacoma, WA, Riverdale, SD, Rantoul, IL, Anchorage, AK, Burley, WA, Auburn, WA
6. Jobs I have had: oh so many! from retail management to special education to hair salon to bookstore to camp counselor to book keeper...the list goes on........
7. Bloggers I am tagging for this MEME:
Beki
Ellen
Mary
Victoria
Denise

2007-2008 Bead Journal Project

The day after I turned 49, June 1st I started my first BJP piece and today May 31st I have achieved 50! and am posting my BJP journey! Achieved because it hasn't been the easiest year of my life 2 of my beloved, treasured and cherished pups went to the Rainbow Bridge. My Dad passed December 8th and my Mama passed February 25th....I miss them all. Several of my pieces I worked on while tending to my parents. Beads are my therapy, they keep me sane...well sane as I'm ever going to be! It worked out that the window here in my bead nest is 72" wide, divide that by 12 and voile' I have a valance! here are June, July & August:

Sept, Oct, Nov 2007-2008 BJP

September, October and November:

Dec, Jan, Feb 2007-2008 BJP

December, January & February:

March, April, May 2007-2008 BJP

March, April & May: hard to believe the year is over, as I look up to the valance above my head I can recall where I was while working on each piece....some good, some bad but all a part of me. Thank you Robin for taking me along on this journey. I'm already looking forward to the next.

Bloomin' Idiot: a self portrait

As hard as it is for me to believe I finally finished my mask for The Beadin' Path's mask challenge. It is on it's way as of today via priority mail.....nothing like cutting it close it's due in Maine this Friday the 30th! I'm happy it's finished and maybe by the time it comes back to me I'll want to see it again, for now I happy it's away. The title "bloomin' idiot: a self portrait" (the self portrait part from my friend Beki Haley - thanks Beki, you make me laugh!) came from when I opened the box and saw the size of the mask. I had to ask myself "what were you thinking?" as usual I wasn't...just jumped in with out a real plan, good things can come from that, or you can make a mess - LOL! After listening to some of my friends talk about masks and how they can make them feel uncomfortable with the open eye sockets.....no soul, empty, haunting I chose to cover mine....though a white and yellow daisy just happen to end up over the eyes. Also the are small blue flowers on the nose....i call them "forget me snots"....hey I had to do something or I may have gone crazy making all those flowers!

Absolutely Beads 2007

I was fortunate enough to be include in the Absolutely Beads 2007 juried show sponsored by Beads & Beyond in Bellevue, WA. I'm sharing my 2 entries.

"Miser" which I dedicated to my Dad. The story card with it read: "My Dad is a very generous man; he knows the value of a dollar and would much rather hang onto it than spend it. It's always been a source of laughter when my Mom and I would tell him we're going shopping; he was just never sure if he should grab his heart or guard his wallet."

My other entry "If Wishes Had Wings" received an Award of Merit. The story behind it "I have always believed in wishes and that they do come true. Since childhood I have been fascinated with dragonflies, such magical creatures. What better way for good wishes to go out into the world than on the wings of magic"

Visit http://www.beadsandbeyond-wa.com/absolutebeads2007/album/index.htm to see all the fabulous entries.

Pay it Forward!!

Pay it Forward!! that's the name of the game that's travelling around blogs these days. I found it on my dear friend, Beki's blog which I'd been led to by my beady friend, Charlene's blog...see it really is all about Paying it Forward! It's quite simple really, be one of the first 3 to leave a comment here and I pledge to send you a handmade gift within the next 365 days. By leaving a comment you're pledging to post Pay it Forward on your blog making the same commitment. So come on, join the fun, keep it going!!

Thank you Charlene and Beki!! this is going to be so much fun and it got me back to my blog!!

Pay It Forward rules: I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange (and email me their mailing address), and who make the same pledge on their own blogs.I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward meaning you will do the same for three people who comment on your blog.