Alone

Alone, no one at home, quiet, no noise, no tv, no asking where things are, and I have to say,

I am loving it!!!!! It has been so busy and I need time out badly. So being all by myself is such a treat. I made a beautiful bracelet and ate sushi and am feeling all relaxed.... And few more days like this. Yippee!

Teenagers

I have a teenage daughter and just love her to pieces! She is fun to be with and not at all like the teenager all parents seem to complain about. Oh sure, we have our moments but overall she is a happy and delightful youmh woman. Tomorrow she is leaving for camp for 2 weeks and I will miss her. To think that one day she won't live here at all is just a thought that sends me into anxiety! So today we decided to go downtown. We had dinner at the distillery district, then went to the jazz festival at City Hall and then hung out on the world's biggest bookstore. What fun.

Oops, I did it again

I did it again. In San Diego there is a store that sells the most amazing gemstones and beads. It is called South Sun products and they also have a webstore. Needless to say that when I am in San Diego, I have to visit this store. http://www.southsunproducts.com/

Here is what happened. How can you not....?

San Diego

I am attending a meeting here in San Diego and while it is a bust time, there is always a bit of room for some interesting walks and sights. I will share 3 with you:

One is the skyline of the waterfront, just beautiful. One is the sculpture called "the Flame of Friendship" and I am dedicating this photograph to all of you, my friends! The last picture is of the US Midway. I am the ultimate pacifist and this is probably as close as I will ever come to studying anything possibly war or military related. We were invited to an evening and a tour of the flightdeck carrier ship, called the US Midway. It is the one that was used in desert storm and it housed 65 planes and 4500 people. It was very impresssive and I was very glad I went.

The angel's game

Today I bought the second book by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, titled the angels' game. It plays in the 30ties in Barcelona, one of my favourite cities. If you haven't read Shadows of the Wind, you must. It is excellent and this is the next book. I can't wait! My courses are over for the summer and so maybe I'll have time to read....

Dance recital

Today is the day of Zoe's dance recital. It is a fun event to watch. The dancers work hard throughout the year to be able to give a great performance. They range from very little to adults. Since I am leaving for San Diego for work this afternoon, I went with Zoe and was allowed to watch one dance from the wings. While pictures are not allowed, I did sneek one.... I am always moved to watch and it fills me with pride to see my young daughter dance. Many times during these events I become somewhat emotional. (this time in particulr since the studio director did not remember I asked to watch from the side since I am not here later today and I was aksed to leave; boy did that make me mad! At least I saw one dance) It is a display of beauty and these young people work so hard.

Before and After

Here is a picture of a collection of beads, and then what it became.... Another one I would prefer to keep. Alas, it will make her happy, the preson who bought it.

What an inspiration!

I am talking about Hazel McCallion. Check out this little clip. I just recently met her and she is a true inspiration!! I hope I grow old like her. I must get back to regular exercise....

http://youtube.com/watch?vfY79KbCpTo

Poppies and Pionees

Today when I woke up and looked into my garden. It had happened! My poppies and my pionees both opened up and the flowers are stunning!! Now let's hope it won't rain.....

Loss

Today, my friend is so sad because yesterday she lost her dog. My heart breaks for her as I know how important he was in her life, especially since this is a repeat event from last year. I am not a dog owner but have a child and would be devastated if anything would happen to her. So I can imagine how sad she must fell. Know that I am thinking of you, my friend....

jewels

If you recall, I had my mom's ring stolen from me at the Miami airport a few weeks ago. It was truly a very upsetting event. My sister, to console me, offered me another ring that belonged to my mom. It was my parents engagement ring, a beautiful golden ring with a garnet inthe centre. I tried to photograph it but it didn't work. In addition, she then said, "I have a necklace that was given to me for my wedding day by my godmother". (who was my mom's sister). It is a garnet necklace , just beautiful, and she doesn't wear it. I am so moved that she gave it to me... Here is the photograph. What a nice person she is to do this for me...

Beadalicious

Which one would you pick?

I am getting reasdy to make the necklaces the lady in Key West ordered. I am sending her some pictures with combinations of beads so she can chose before I make the necklace. Aren't they so pretty? I am so inspired by colour and always have a hard time parting with them.....

How to stay in touch

You know that thing where you try to stay in touch with someone and you both have good intentions but life gets in the way and you just never do get together? Well, my friend Jo and I decided earlier this year that we need to see each other at least every other month or so and so when we do get together we pick a date at random for the next time. If it doesn't work out we then pick a new one but that is more effective than trying to remember to call. This works great and she just left after a lovely time.

Jasper Necklace

During all my phone calls I ended up making this necklace.

It is sterling silver and jasper. I like it!

Family

On the weekend I often end up speaking to someone in Holland, as I have a chance to sit and chat without worrying about other things that take up my time. I had arranged with my youngest sister to chat on Skype. If you haven't tried it, you should! It is fun to actually see people when you talk, like you are having coffee together. And better still, it is free. SoI talked for about 1 hour... Then I remembered I had told my friend in Holland I would call her. So I did and it was great to hear her and catch up. While I was speaking to her, another call on Skype came through. It was my brother and his family. So, when I was finished speaking with Ciele, I called my brother Peter using Skype and so we had a great chat. While I was chatting with them, the phone rang.... It was my brother Dick and so let him hear part of the conversation with Peter who is also in Holland (so Holland to Canada via Holland!). I called Dick back when I was done Skyping with Peter. It is now 3 hours later! And guess what, one more call to my other sister who I had promised to call also. Here is a picture of the entire clan!

A little break..

The weather today was so great, I couldn't get my self to spend ALL my time on studying so thought that earrings would make a good little project. Here they are, wire-wrapped thread, in pretty beige and bronze colours. Now back to the books.

The sandwich generation

Well, we are in the throws of assisting several elderly people, in the little cottage community we go to with their issues associated with getting older. A colleague of mine wrote her thesis and the tile was: Aging Garcefully. I love that, because I think that is what it is all about. We all want to keep our dignity and stay in our own trusted and comfortable environment. It is a tough world when you are in that state and the system just doesn't quite get it. In my on-line course the majority of nurses are from the US. Let's just say I am glad we are in Canada. It is another world there and one that is terrifying if you are marginalized. In the mean time. Enjoy life while you are at it. ( this picture if of my 50th birthday with everyone there dressed up in the Duthc royal colours...) It is a beautiful world and time is just so fast. And if you need help, call me :)

Home again

I am home again after yet another trip. I am sooooo tired. It was a good meeting and we had some fun too. I even had time to meet up with my friend from Montreal. Now I am home for 3 weeks, yippee! I am so tired I have nothing inspiring to say. Maybe tomorrow...