the happiest grasshopper

I've been told that crickets are good, they're lucky. Okay, I'm all for crickets. The grasshoppers freak me out, though! This one has taken up residence in my patch of lamb's ear and it's a creamy yellow color (unless that's what they look like before they turn brown). The full grown ones are about 2" BIG and sound like a helicopter taking off when they take flight. God forbid one lands on me, it's the scream heard up and down the west coast.

aaa...aaaaa...aaaa...chooooooooooooooo

I'm hunkered down with a good old springtime cold. Hopefully it'll pass within the next couple days. Till then, nap time!

going back a few weeks

Hey, remember that sleepover story and the info about our friends who live in the trailer? Their home is on site, the foundation is being readied and we've been invited to the foundation party (where the house will be air-lifted by crane onto it's foundation). That'll be a once-in-a-lifetime thing! Kim's taken me for a tour of the different sections, and she's excited beyond belief. Yippeeyahoo! These pictures are why they've chosen to live the country life. Bambi was born about two weeks ago after two vets told them that Lola was definitely NOT pregnant. Oops! She's up to my waist and thinks she's a puppy. Gorgeous!

jumping in with a quick hello

Hey all! I'm busier than I-don't-know-what and it's not with anything in particular, just life. The fast few days all started with 'I've got to get back to my blog' but then the machine (my family) got hold of all my time and by the end of the day there was just no energy left to keep an eye open. Great for sleep, bad for the blog! I'm putting together a gourmet meal of chili dogs tonight because the kids eat it without complaints (something I'm very much in need of right about now, hehe!). Tomorrow, I promise, I'll have something more to say...

green and nothing but

I spent yesterday on another field trip with about 60 kids and am so ready for a quiet day alone today, hehe! It must be springtime because my desire for green has kicked into high gear. This is a small grouping of the greens on hand in my studio. If I looked deeper, I'm sure I could find more! Last year I sold a large set of beads that were entirely green, as green as green could be. The buyer apparently loves all things green. She'd commented that she has a hard time finding green lampwork and was thankful that I'd created such a fun greeeeeeeeeen set. Could it be because I've accumulated all that's green? ;) I can't help but be happy with all this green color in front of me!

back in the swing

Wow, isn't it funny how when you don't do something for a while that you like to do, you feel rusty or question your ability in some way? Why doesn't the same feeling rear its ugly head when it comes to doing something less enjoyable (ie, "oh my, I hope I'm still able to clean the toilets like a champ!")? Lol! I took a couple hours today to light the torch and fight off that feeling of 'oh no' and was pleased to find that my beads formed nicely, the frit didn't roll too heavy, and while I didn't get as many made as I'd wanted, I'm pleased with what went into the kiln. Hopefully I'll be pleased with what comes out tomorrow morning, hehe!

the fairy's mission

One of the hardest silent jobs of being a parent is the act of being the Tooth Fairy. Another tooth came out last night amidst many tears. Poor thing thought everyone would laugh at her since it's one of those upper front teeth this time (and, let me tell you, it's a large gaping hole, lol!) but I consoled her and told her that everyone's teeth come out at her age and that half her class looks like swiss cheese. We got out her special tooth fairy box and found the perfect spot for it under her pillow. Since I'm up so early in the morning, I figured I'd just do my job in the wee hours. Sticking to my schedule, I tiptoed in with tooth payment in hand and slipped my hand under her pillow. No box. I shuffled my fingers around and couldn't find it anywhere, but I did manage to wake her up. Uh-oh! Luckily she thought it was still bedtime and said goodnight to me. Whew! I put my hand behind the bed and found it resting on the inside headboard. I plucked it up and placed it back under her pillow in case she wasn't as asleep as I thought, left the room and prayed that she'd fall back asleep. I muttered a few select words at myself for not being so careful, but that's another blog, hehe! 1/2 hour later, I crept back in and she was snoozing away. Whew again! I got the box and snuck to my room to do the exchange more quietly. No tooth in the box. Argh! Well, at least I had the box, I put the money in and replaced it. She was so happy that the tooth fairy came, which makes all the little frustrations so worth it :)! Still, I'll be glad when I can retire from the fairy position and will wear the newly sprouted gray hair proudly, hehe!

ps. I found the tooth on the floor behind her bed ;)