The Year That Was!!

As 2008 draws to a close, it seems like a good time to reflect on where that year has gone. A great time to think about the changes that have occurred.

January we did our winter trip to Las Vegas. It was a fun time as usual. Ate too much lost too much money and had a ball. We love Vegas.

February marked the arrival of the Deibles for our first extended winter in Florida together. Since we had bought the house here they would visit for short times once or twice a year. However they bought their own place. They bought bicycles too and fit into the community as if they had been here for years. How wonderful to enjoy time together. We do a lot together. The Sanibel Island trip and Tarpon Springs was terrific. They found better shells than we did though.

March was a sad month for us all as we traveled together to visit our Father, Duke, in his final hours. I guess we should not be sad at all as he had a beautiful life. He filled his time in a positive way and created beauty. He demanded lots of the people he loved but in equal parts to the demands he made on himself. He was a truly talented and diverse individual. Before the end of March, we waved goodby to Gordie and Candy. March is our anniversary. 32 years! I almost forgot I started beading in the early part of March and that was what got me blogging to begin with.

April is my birthday month. I turned 62. Did I say that out loud? I mean 27. Hey I have to admit my age long enough to apply for Social Security right? Wow that is a milestone.

May is beautiful and hot in Florida. We love it. Such fun times spent with our Florida children. We sure do enjoy them.

June brought the Deibles back for a short visit. It seemed to extend to the time when we were heading north for the Summer. Our trip North included a quick visit with great friends in western NC mountains. They live near Franklin. The travels take us far enough west that we do not visit Bryan and Stacy in Charlotte this trip. On to PA for 3 months. Upon arriving in PA, Harv got the yard work in order and I did some inside cleaning (YUK). We then started cleaning out my Dad's attic and closets. It was only fair to his wife to remove the many things that were of no consequence to her and were only taking up space. To say that my dad was a pack rat that did not want to discard anything is putting it mildly.

July I put a For Sale sign in the window. As the economy was what is was, we thought it would take us 4 or 5 years if we ever sold the house. Or should I say until my Brother would sell our house. We need him to sell anything we are selling, as we are not good at it. However Gordie is the best salesman I have ever known.

August was a time for garage sales...ours. Work work work. We then went to Vegas again. The annual summer trip. We brought some of our money home that we had left in January.

September saw us starting to pack up for an early return to Fl. We decided to leave the Garage sale items on the tables in the garage for next summer. We removed the For Sale sign as there had been only two couples who had looked at the house and they did not return. By the 12th of September, we had the Saturn filled to capacity and were headed down the road to FL. We stopped and visited two days with Bryan and Stacy in Charlotte. Stacy and I surprised Kelly my neice at her work. It is always fun to see Kelly. A week after returning back home in Florida, we got a call that someone wanted to see the house...in PA. Hey Gordie want to show the house??

Well the rest is history so to speak. The house sold and we had to fly up in early October to empty it. That was accomplished in record time and soon we were on the road with a U HAUL full. Thanks again Gordie and Candy. Two days later after a brief drop off of items to Bryan and Stacy in NC. Forgot to drop half of them, duh.

November was a colder than normal time in FL but sure was warmer than PA for the most part. We did our normal things, Harv exercise and me shop. Well I also had Jessica and family over for a few meals and coffee. We did the Flea Market/Farm Market on Wednesdays and everything was back to normal. Thanksgiving was at the Carters' in Ocala...wow do we enjoy them.

December has been a bit of a whirlwind. We shopped for our cards. I know that is not Christmas shopping, but it is what we do. Money always fits. I do continue to shop nevertheless. We just do not buy gifts for others. I love to shop. On a trip a little over two weeks ago I suggested to Harv that we stop by an adult community near-by that offers homes of block and land you own...tada.


Yes we bought it! And now we have another house to sell!

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year too.

We are off to the Keys with the Carters', both families, as well as Stacy and Bryan.

See you after the New Year!

What are Friends For?

They are there when you need them. And you are there when they need you.
I appreciate my reader friends who are supportive and suggestive. FIREWIRE is the answer. I have been using it for several months. I just bought my first crystal. I have been using the smoke color for awhile as it was all that my local Walmart had. I was introduced to Firewire on the Beaddreamz Yahoo Group. It is fishing line and although I have seen it in 50 yard spools at bead shops for $10 it is $13.99 at Bass Pro Shops as well as at Walmart for 125 yards. A bargain as bead weaving thread goes nevertheless and the best I have found for both strength and knoting. Thank you readers for the suggestion although I was using it but more for the others who also read this blog. I had not thought to mention that I no longer us NYMO.

I have been away from reading that group recently as I have been way busy??? Doing what??? who knows? Just do not seem to be beading as much as I want or following Beadreamz as much as I would like.

Jessica's Repaired Bracelet


The broken bracelet that was Jessica's first is now completed. It is done with all new Japanese beads...no more Chinese. It is still made similar with three tones of blue. The pattern is my favorite Russian Spiral. The darkest blue beads are randomly added and it was the way I made the first so I did that again. I like the randomness of the placement and it just seems right. I have never done this with any other bracelet and yet I love it. I really need to do this more often as it really does make it a one of a kind gift.