Does it happen to you too?

Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with my mind.
Oft times I know what's wrong with it - it belongs to me - 'nuff said.....
Then there are days that I'm back to wondering, really wondering - like today. I load the washer (which is probably older than many of you reading this - this machine is loyal but old)! I walk away. I hear it whirring and whining and splishing and splashing along in the background.

Then I notice I hear nothing.

It's a lot like kids and construction. When there is no noise you know you're in deep crap you know something is wrong. You go. You look.  I went. I looked. Note to self: (and others) leaving the lid open on a full load of wash that continues to run is a bad idea. Trust me on this.  I suppose on new washers there is a saftey-thing-a-roo that keeps the machine from running if the lid is open. Maybe a cyber voice warning statement or a beep or cheep or chirp. Maybe new machines send you a tweet from twitter alerting you.....

But me and my mind and my loyal old washer learned a new fact today. Open lids on running washeres are a bad idea. Yes. Bad. A lesson. One that once was enough applies to quite well, lol

Here's hoping once was enough for my mind to remember in the future!

What can I say?

LOL I try really really I try NOT to let things follow me home (that's another post in and of itself)! 

But look, just look at this face.....

Could you have left him behind?!????
(assuming of course you have a fondness for frogs sitting on orbs like I do, roflmao)

Ribbbitttttttt

Now I have to resist the urge to put a tiny little christmas hat and/or bow on him.... Help me.....

HEY! Actually you can help me! In comments tell me your opinion - vote 'yes or no' on
a christmas outfit for frog!

PS don't forget to swing by yesterdays post to see remaining beads supersale link (at Flickr)

Ribbittttttttt

Hypothetically speaking

Hypothetically speaking if you have an old fridge that doesn't self defrost you really may want to consider defrosting it -  you know before you (hypothetically) hear a loud crash and (hypothetically) run to the kitchen to find a slab of ice has flown out of the freezer door. And skidded across the floor. Then you could (hypothetically speaking) discover it is so cold you would have to get winter gloves to pick it up. And upon (in theory) picking it up finding it is almost as heavy as you are so you can't carry it to the door to pitch it outside (in fact you can barely get it to the sink). 

As it turns out you (hypothetically speaking) could have to put it in a little snow sled you use for pulling UPS parcels. But first you would have to place the sled on a towel and then put the ice in the sled and drag the towel/sled/ice thru the house to the outside to place the (hypothetical) iceberg out-of-doors. 

Yep, I'm just sayin....
hypothetically that is.

Dear Santa

Those who know me are aware I spend a LOT of time mowing lawns in the non-snow-seasons (and those who didn't know that fascinating fact know now, lol). With that lawn-fact in mind, here's an admittedly clever item that I hope Santa does NOT bring to to me - ever, roflmao

In fact, the threat of this under the tree could even cause me to behave all year! (ok, that's a lie as nothing could cause me to behave) lol but if something could this would be it! And may I just add that I have a  new respect (and love) for my riding (but not pedal powered) lawn mower....

Some days are like that

Some days just go that way

(not down the toilet but.....)

There I was, you know, just doing the

typical cleaning - the blue scrub and swish...

My mind I admit on the next 20 things

 on the list needing to be done.

Absent-mindedly I began

Blue - check!

Scrub - check!

Swish - yep!

Flush & done!

But....

As I went to put the toilet brush back in the holder

I somehow managed to slide the bristles against the foldover

edge of my cute little bathroom trash can I had out for cleaning.

Do I even need to say it? Oh hell yes, next thing I know I feel

a gentle but oh so horrifying spray of piss water** from the toilet

brush all over my face. Oh please, no!

 Pppppppttttttt!

Numerous face washes, alchol wipe downs, gargles and naughty words later

here I  am tell you because, well, who else would I tell? lol

Not to mention that when you do something really stupid (but funny)

involving a toilet it just has to be shared, right?

I'd whine more, but right now I have to go check

webMD to see what horrid things I may catch, roflmao

(and note to self: next time don't leave the trash can near toilet brush holder)!
**Well, not really piss water, lol - it was clean water ~ but still... ick!

WEAKNESSES

I know, intellectually at least, that there should come a time when adults cease collecting 'stuffies'. Intellectually. Yes. I know. But what's one to do when they look at you with their pleading little eyes (or eye)? And their limp little bodies?

Well in my case what I do is bring them home. And (can I believe I am admitting this) once home I name them. Each-and-every-one....

My latest fall from non-stuffie-buying-grace has taken the form of 'UGLY DOLLS'. These bizarre little creatures just NEED protection, asylum, affection, adoption. After all they strike me as an acquired taste, lol even for the stuffie-afflicted.

Above (with piglet) are seen merga-tool and poe (don't ask, I'm really not going to confess to the stories of the names, lol. After all I have to try to keep some shred of appearing vaguely normal :-)

So if any of you have any weakness for stuffies also, or other odd collecting habits I'd love it if you left a comment - insanity (or soft-hearted-ness) loves company don't-cha-know, roflmao

And just in case you need to know more about ugly dolls (I know, probably not, but I'm just sayin...) click on the title of this post and it'll take you to their website http://www.uglydolls.com/sitemap

Ok, I'm leaving now .... :-)

OH-SO-DISAPPOINTED

Such sadness. Such disappointment. Such absence (aka no treat lol)

Last summer my husband, who is SUCH a softie for any living creature, found a chipmunk living in the yard. "It looked hungry" (he told me). "It stared at me" (he told me). "What could I do"? (he said to me) "but give it a few of the (non-salted) peanuts I was eating"? His kindness and sharing ways are two things I love about him, without question. But I had my doubts about feeding the 'cm' population. (I am mean that way lol)

But I said nothing and he and the cm had a long happy friendly peanut filled summer and fall.

This spring we have more cm's in the yard than you can shake a stick at!! roflmo Thus sadly (but necessarily) the peanut sharing has stopped. I'm not sure who it's been harder on - the cm (as seen above) or my DH who misses feeding him... (no picture of that :-)

(And just between you and me, I check the level of the peanut jar once a week, lol)

1 + 3 = free

I recently spent exactly one hour with a three year old.

Not unsupervised - no no. Mom and grandmom were there to tend to any maternal or grandmaternal issues had any arisen. So those of you who know me and are aware that I don't have pets or even plants can breathe easy. No need for any audible gasps at the though of my flying solo with a wee one of three :-)

With no estrogenic responsibility I was free to interact with her and watch how she devoured life over those 60 minutes.

Here's the fascinating thing: In one hours this 3 year old shared with me that:

*sequins & tiaras over jeans & sneakers still a princess make.
*plastic cows may (at some time) want to wear barbie makeup.
*gathering eggs from your grandparents barn in sequins, barbie makeup and tiara "so the chickens can see your outfit too" is very thoughtful (if not actual princess ettiquette)

Most importantly she shared with me that all things are possible (if not perfectly reasonable) when you think of them the right way, see them in the right light (or reflected sequin sparkle).

Princesses can gather eggs, plastic cows look surprisingly good in barbie makeup and you should always wear jeans and keds with your tiara - just in case you want to play like a boy too.

1 (hour) + (one) 3 (year old princess) = (remembering how to set your adult mind) free....

Yeah, Right

Last nite I had to laugh, because as I was running around like a chicken with rabies, (now there's an image eh? lol!) my DH said "wouldn't it be nice to make some christmas cookies this year"?!

He's right, it would be...

But if you take a brief look at my studio calendar filled to overflowing with commitments for upcoming trunk shows, lampwork beadmaking classes, custom orders, commissions et al thru Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb you'd understand my reaction, which was as follows: (in no particular order)

*raised eyebrows
*hands on hips
*small seizure (me not him)
*peeing pants (me not him)...

I really love this man - because without missing a beat he looked at me, smiled and said "I'll take that as a no on the cookie idea" :-)

IF IT'S NOT FATAL

I have a little ceramic wall hanging that states

"If it's not fatal, it's not a problem".

Which is, in the big karmic sort of way, very true.

However there are times when that truth is hard to focus on, LOL

Take this past week. We snuck away for a few days of R & R and upon arriving home discovered our second vehichle had a flat tire. Not fun to come home to, but no biggie. That is until we inflated the tire and found that the stablizer bar shock had lost all it's hydraulic fluid so it had to go in for repair.

Then the welltrol tank went belly up (if you have a well you know this means 'no water, no toilet flushing, no showers and big repair-headache-bill. And if you have public water you now know what a well-trol tank is/does!).

All that was exciting enough :-) but wait, there's more.....

In the same week my Dad had surgery, (doing very well!), the coffee maker decided to croak, as did the dryer. All things that are not fatal (and I'm very appreciative it's nothing more serious, really truly I am)...

But I swear if one more thing breaks I'm going to drop kick that inspirational ceramic sign out into the field, roflmao!

DIAPER RASH

No matter how old I get, there are still days I feel as tho I have diaper rash, LOL. Nothing terribly wrong at all. More the 'run of the mill life' kinds of things. The sort of issues that, added togehter make one feel a tad cranky. Whiney. Pouty. You know what I mean, don't you?

Over the course of a girls life it's tagged as diaper rash, PMS, Post Partum, Menopause. But it's all a variant of diaper rash really. Some days are MEANT for a full pot of coffee, a good book, (or a box of beads) and a bit of solitary rejuvenation. Yet we all know those days, however needed, seldom happen.

Things need to be done. Simple and true. Time waits for no (wo)man. Even if she does have diaper rash! But isn't it a curious comfort to know we all (at least all of us writing/reading here :-) are bailing as fast as we can to keep our 'boats afloat'....

And who says we can't have a bit of a pout now and again while we bail?! :-)

DECORATIVE PILLOW ANGST

I have a real 'love hate' thing with decorative pillows.

They are so Better Homes & Gardens/House Beautiful when they're in place! But they drive me insane in real life.... Off the bed each nite. And unless you have a cute window seat to put them on, just WHERE (out of the way) do they go?!? So they are underfoot, literally, till morning. Then each morn, make the bed, fluff and place all the pretty pillows. A vague PITA.

Decorative chair pillows are the same way. The look SO NICE, gazing at the chairs. But just try sitting in the average chair ~ with the pillow in place ~ chances are it's not comfortable :-( So on the floor they go.

Granted in the scheme of things it's not an issue that achieves the status of a 'problem' lol. Yet it came to mind this morning as I was trying to decide just where to place .....

THE TWO BEAUTIFUL DECORATIVE PILLOWS I BOUGHT THIS WEEKEND

(sometimes, I am such a fool... roflmao)

THE NICEST 'RAVE' EVER!

Sometimes something special is set upon your doorstep from the most unexpected source. It makes you smile, it makes you feel fuzzy, it's something you'll always remember.

A bit of background first :-)

In the many many decades (geeze I'm gettin' old!) I've been at the torch creating art glass object of one kind or another (beads, animals, pins, jewelry, cabinet knobs) I've loved every minute, every creation.

Not a day goes by that I'm not thrilled by and urged on to new levels within my art by wonderful compliments from my clients! I hope each of you know that when you share your excitment and happiness upon receiving your 'parcel' and write to tell me, it makes me happier than I have any right to be :-) Each and EVERY comment/compliment means the world to me!

Thank YOU ~ for the sharing of compliments, the images you send, the stories....

With this in mind, slip back with me a few months in time... One of my long long LONG LONNNGGG time bead-buyers emailed to say her young daughter loves the beads she's adopted from me, especially the sparkly ones! ;-) (ah the next generation of the bead-obsessed in the making, yea!)

Then a few days ago 'mom' sent me this email ...... this unexpected gift of a RAVE from her daughter about my work ~ perhaps LOL my favorite compliment EVER!

Today "N" demanded to see her beads... She said - I love the big bead best. All the shiny stuff looks like dolphin glitter pee.... LOL

As I said to her mom, roflmao - "do we forsee a DOLPHIN GLITTER PEE Series in my future"? :-)

Having my work published, having it shown in CORNING, being an artist in residence are all 'confirmations' of my art, my skill. But knowing something from my torch connected with the imagination of her young, open, naturally creative imagination - now THAT is unique and rare affermation of my work!

Not all that sparkles is gold - some is dolphin glitter pee ~ and some is the happiness that you find left on your doorstep from an unexpected source.....

(Thanks Mz. N!)

SALT, RUST & LOVE

I have to say, I love this man I share my life with...
We'll have been together for 33 years next year and he sill makes me laugh, still makes me feel like who I am and what I do matters - especially to him.

We're one of those odd couples who are best friends. We love our time together. We are both very very (did I mention VERY, lol) opinionated and driven ~ and by no means do we see/agree on things at first blush. We kiddingly are referred to as 'the debate team'. Nothing, not a thing can occur without at least a 'tri-level' discussion. But we always know what the other is thinking, that's for certain.

Since the advent of email, he's taken to writing me when he arrives at work. It's a long commute for him and I've always liked to know he's arrived safe. Years ago he'd call, now he emails me. It's one of those relationship rituals you don't think much about, but are a gatepost in your day....

Most of his emails are straighforward with 'are you teaching late tonite', do I need to stop for pizza on the way home? kind of things. But SOMEtimes his emails are just priceless. Funny or fuzzy, make me laugh out loud or print them out to save like a hallmark card.

He, (sometimes as you reading do too) shares the "joy" ;-) of my periodic bitching about the bookwork/inventory/paperwork in general (it's an ongoing un-favorite of mine that PEAKS at end of year/tax time) Yes an anual event living with me :-) And he's been equally dismayed with this winter that is more endless than USUAL, so we've been splitting the piss and moan time - me, bookwork, shoveling, him the endless wait for spring, longing for the summer to be free of lousey drives each day, an end of staggaring heat bills (aka a bit of spending money) and release from what is probably HIS biggest pet peeve, road salt. SPRING bringing freedom from watching the car rust away DAILY due to road salt...

So his email this morning just made me laugh out loud....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm here......anon and anon...the latin version of ground hog day. Not a bad drive in....nice without snow on the roads. I hear that spring is just days away with a short pause of just 6 weeks after that till it's warm.

A true sign of spring nearing........the car is almost gone.....but at least paperwork for the year is behind us ...thanks to you for your hard work.

I hope we can enjoy this weekend and have some fun trying to decide how to spend the refund money...Forget I said that" becaause I KNOW you'll want to 'save it'....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yep, I really really love this guy ;-)

Hope you found something good in your email today too! :-)