Is it 2009 yet?

It's a jungle out there!

I just started shopping and it's crazy out there. Usually, I start scouting for those 'perfect somethings' in the summertime, but this year I just had no get-up-and-go, I guess. The commercialism makes me queasy. So does the economy.

So does the media.

They've been beating us down for months about how bad the economy is, how people are losing their jobs and their homes and can't afford to buy a winter coat.

Yet, suddenly, when I watch the morning news, it's full of "The Season's Hottest Toys" and "Don't Forget to Buy for So-and-So". Admittedly, it's all budget minded, but still....

I mean, my daughter watches the news, too. She's confused by all of the, "Hey, we're broke and the average family has 10 grand in credit card debt and can't pay their mortgage, but go ahead and by that new IPhone or flat-screen or Wii. You can deal with it later." Very unsettling.

In protest, we're having a "Cash Only/DIY" holiday. If you can't afford to pay cash for it, staying within a set budget, then you have to make it yourself. Each gift must be personal to the individual receiving it, well thought out and created to the best of your ability. I anticipate the most meaningful Christmas ever!

Off-topic Topic:

Has anyone read "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver? I can't believe I just got around to it. Wow, what a powerful read.

An amazing book full of insights into human nature, politics, religion and history all with a rather light touch. There's such a wealth of human emotion but it's constrained within such beautiful prose that it sometimes sneaks up on you. That can be rare in some of the heavy-handed novels today. There's a line in the Author's Notes portion of the book where she thanks her parent's for teaching her to navigate the path between 'righteousness and what's right'. I loved that.

If you haven't read it, you should give it a try. It might be your thing. And it's a strong antidote for some of the confusion of this season.

Hey, I guess I wasn't off topic, after all!

Stuff and Nonsense

Nonsense

I've been asked again about teaching a lampwork beadmaking class. It's something that happens every few months and I never have an answer. I'm left sort of hemming and hawing and looking bewildered and confused and finally pretending I have to take another call.

Even when the person contacts me by email.

In theory, I like the idea of teaching. I think it would be so fun to spend the day with people who love making beads as much as I do, sharing and getting feedback. It's just that I've never done it.
What if the students know more than me? What if I make a dumbass mistake and everybody asks for a refund or, worse, laughs at me? What if I burn myself and am unable to continue the class and must be driven to the Urgent Care by one of the students?

See? All valid concerns.

If anyone else has had this dilema, please email or comment and let me know. I'm curious and confused.


Stuff

I've been forcing myself to take pictures and edit them and try to get some stuff posted. It's a hateful chore. Don't get me wrong. I'm an avid amatuer photographer.
I just don't like taking pictures of beads. Very tiresome.

But, I did it and so here they are.

These are on eBay right now. Listed very, very low.

~Cabo Set~

~Cabo Focal~

This one, I'm not sure what to do with. I love it. It's gorgeous. I was thinking of making a piece of jewelry out of it but I'm not sure.

~Retro Wave Hollow Focal - Rainbow~

I'm baaaaack!

I hope everyone had a delicious and relaxing holiday. I did. Lots of pie. Yummm!

It was good to see the nephews. They're all grown up now, so they go about their own business most of the time and holidays are about the only time we see them. Or that they speak to us.

I'm trying to gear up for Christmas. That's my holiday. I cook the meal and host the open house and entertain on the big day so it's a lot of work getting everything decorated and cleaned and baked. I love it. I totally feel like a matriarch (even though I'm not) when everyone's gathered at the house and relaxing and hanging out. So cool!

I found the funniest thing on Etsy that I just had to share with you. I hope someone gets this for me for Christmas. Not so subtle hint, hint:

You can find this hysterically inappropriate mug, along with other fun-loving attitude

at the DirtyDishes shop on Etsy!

On a personal note, my fingers finally healed up after what I like to refer to as 'Laurie's Adventures in Organizational Hell' and I've got some things made so I thought I'd share a little bit. I don't have pics of everything, but I'll show what I've got.

On Etsy:

These are going on to eBay tonight at about 9:00.

Got beads?

No? Well I do!

Seriously, I've got more beads than I know what to do with. In fact, I have so many that I decided to put together some small jewelry pieces to use as Christmas gifts for friends and family. So, yesterday, I got all the beads I wanted to use out and got them organized. But, as I was rescuing some from my lampworking bench, I noticed what a horrible mess it had become out there.

So I decided to clean it.

Then, as I cleaned, I noticed that one of my glass storage shelves was sagging.

So I decided to fix it.

And after I fixed it, I decided I might as well completely reorganize my storage system and color layout as I was putting all of my glass rods away. Unfortunately, this required me to cut about 800 feet of PVC into 1 foot lengths in order to create new storage pockets for all of the weird, random rods that I've accumulated since the last time I organized my glass.

To do this, of course I had to get in my car, drive to the Depot and buy some PVC.

Anyway, to try and shorten this long and extremely boring story, about 4 hours later I had completed my tasks but was so sick of the sight of glass that I actually felt a little bit queasy at the thought of even touching a bead.

Also, I stabbed myself in the fingers so many times as I picked used rods up off of my table that I now totally understand how diabetics feel after they have to test their blood sugar, like, 20 times a day. I don't think I can use my hands for anything more useful than petting the dog for at least a week.

So, in the meantime, here's some pics of beads that are listed or will be listed in the next couple of days.

On Etsy

On ebay I've got my ~Palm Beach Hollows~ listed now and I'll be putting up the organic focals a little later in the week.

Fleeting

So, I was arguing with my daughter last night...this is something we seem to do often these days. She is nearly 11 going on 16. I don't know if the eye rolling, huffing, laziness and smart mouth are all part of the deal at this age. I don't remember acting like that until I was about 12-13. Does it start earlier now? I think it must

She's always been such a sweet girl and is still young for her age in many ways. But in some ways now, not. I don't really know much about children. I was the baby of my family, five years younger than my sister. I've never spent a lot of time around kids before having my own. By choice. So my knowledge of preteen girls is extremely limited.

Anyway, we were arguing furiously when - to my surprise and my daughter's horror - I suddenly burst into tears. Very uncommon. I am not a crier.

Needless to say, the argument wrapped up quickly at that point, but the emotions stayed with me. Because, in the middle of our battle, as I watched this child who is no longer so much a child, I was overcome with an image of her as she was just a few years ago. A sweet smiling, round cheeked little angel who always had a silly face to make and a hug for everyone. Who would go into the woods and collect treasures and make pictures just for me. Mommy's butterfly girl, always.

As these pictures flashed through my head, I realized how short this part of our time together is. This is the beautiful, golden time when there is still unconditional love in it's purest form and the time when parent's are not just necessary but wanted - not yet a burden to be endured or an obligation. And I know how quickly it will race by. Already she prefers friends to family. Already she opts out of certain activities that she used to love. In so many ways, I'm so proud of how she's growing up. I love watching her change and begin the journey that will take her to the person she'll someday become, discovering new interests, developing her own style.

But in so many ways, I hate even the idea of her changing. No, not hate. Just...can't really accept.

I don't want these fleeting times to be filled only with memories of petty bickering. I never want to look back and regret the distance between us, the harsh words, the anger. But I also don't really know how to deal with some of her behavior. I can't just let it go.

Can I......?