My Silly Life! - BTW umm I mean Thursday!

Okay so you all know I have had my ups and downs lately.  Oh but first I want to thank everyone for sending Sally your good thoughts and wishes.  I love her friendship so much and I hope this is the fix she needs to feel better.  Anyway I have quite a few things to tell you but first let me show you just how back to me I am.  This is my bead tray(s) with everything (well maybe not everything cuz that may just take up a billboard or two) and it will show that I have been busy but completing has been a big issue lately.  There are also a few repairs that need to be made and an inspiration or two just to keep me thinkin. (a little bit of Juls to rev the juices and a little bit of Beth to boost my creativity) *bouncing in my chair trying to remember the actual word to the song*

I left my silly feet in the picture because well that's just me!

As you can see my sweet and fun ADD seems to be back and frankly I missed it!  It can drive me a bit crazy at times but ya know what?  It is the fun of me!  This month is going to be a crazy one so I may only get to post a couple more Reviews but I plan on getting back in touch with my friends and keeping up with your blogs as much as possible.  Here's whats in store for our family in the next few weeks.

4 Field trips with Preschool

Senior Awards night

Senior Bash prep (yes I did join in this and so far have not regretted it)

Fathers Day

Preschool Graduation

Sweet Derek's Birthday

Senior Show and Bash night

My sweet Shelby's Graduation

The Party

Prep for Summer College course.

I know there are probably others and I hope that I don't miss any due to my calendar issues which bit me again this week when I e-mailed Derek's teacher that he was sick and wouldn't make the field trip only to discover that it is not until next week.  DUH!

Here are a few thank yous that are long over due!

Lori and Nicole

Thank you so much for waiting patiently for me to get back to myself and I promise not to let that happen again.

Sally, Dawn, and Juls

Thanks for answering your phones and listening to me in all my craziness.  You girls Rock!

Janie

Let me tell you she has warmed my heart with the thought and love she put into helping Shelby with her Senior paper.  Check out her three part interview she did with Shelby!  Words can not express my gratitude!

Oh wow I have talked too much and now I need to hurry up and take a shower!  I hope you all are doing well and I will update you when I can about more craziness that is me.  If you still like me of course!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Silence is not always golden!

Okay so I have been a bit silent lately about life.  I am still here in my comic life although at times it is much less comical than I would like.  I have gone off the ADD med because it had way too many side effects that were just plain crappy.  The first was that I wasn't able to relax enough to enjoy the days or write with any type of feeling.  The second was the shaking of my hands.  Yuck for a beader for sure.  So the up side of stopping is that I'M BACK! I am able to reconnect with my thoughts and feelings, I am getting back to being able to reads AND comment on all of your lovely blogs, my creative sparks are back and as you can see I am back to myself in my posts again.  The down side is that I am able to reconnect with my thoughts and feelings (ain't that always a double edged sword).  I will give you a bit of a glimpse of why this is a true statement.  Yesterday we went to Walmart and I went to look for Capri's.  Well no luck so I went to look for my family.  2 times around the store, heart pumping 300 beats a second because I couldn't find them and there I was standing in the long front isle looking (lets face it frantically scanning the crowd) for them.  When I finally spotted Shelby I almost broke down in tears.  When I finally got to my hubby he knew something was wrong before I even said anything.  I swore right then I would never leave them in a store again.  Pathetic right?  Well I have been told that part of my issues are totally normal for the upcoming changes in my life and that I will not only survive them there will also be pluses. 

Now that I have babbled once again about my corner of the world let me give you a bit of beady goodness.  I finally figured out how to put the matching bracelet to "Dialed up" together with the exception of the clasp.  I know of a perfect tutorial that should be coming out soon for a perfect beaded clasp. ( I tried to grab the picture but it didn't work.) So here is "Dialed In"

Once again I am so pleased to have been a part of the Artbeads Design Team it really gets me in the best of creative moods.

I have also been finishing a couple of projects that I will review this week if all goes according to plan and I have been given another tutorial to review (oh where was she when I started beading) that any and all beginners should buy.

So all in all this is a post to say "I'm Back" and overall glad of it!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Embracing me....

I wanted to post this more for myself and Shelby that anything else.  Thanks to all of the support and fun I have had since I began blogging I have come to see a me I like.  When I have started any craft I have always looked for approval from others and based what I have made on that.  It has led to disappointment and self doubt on more than a few occasions.  As I see Shelby coming into her own with artistic expression I see the same in her.  Let me tell you I don't like that one bit!  I want her to explore her art and create what she wants without worry or fear that someone won't like it.  Personal preferences are individual and we all should know that but we also know that when something is created by us using our heart no matter what it can be appreciated.  So this leads me to tell you that I have decided to embrace me.  I have been making my bracelets generally for my benefit but always with the thought in the back of my head I can't make anything that is too out there.   No more I tell you! (actually I am telling me)  I am going to make anything I like and when those doubts come into my head I am going to shut them up.  Yes I will make patterns that are outrageous....Yes I will use colors that make me happy...Yes if I see a way to change it up a bit I will and I will post them without concern!  Okay I said it and now it is out there in the cyber world forever.

This new found confidence comes from all of you.  I look at all the blogs and have said to myself many times "Dang that is awesome, I might not make it but WOW they really nailed it"  So I know that in this safe blog community I can finally be free to make and share my visions.

Hugs and Blessings my sweet friends!

KK

It's my life....time to manage it!

Most of you know that I have had issues with focus and well a real bad bout of ADD.  I am not actually diagnosed with it but I have been trying a med for it.  Well I have good news and bad news.  The good news is that it is working and I now seem to have a handle on things and have adjusted well to the medicine.  The bad news is that I have to now work on time management.  Since I have this new found focus (even to the smallest detail) it is now taking longer to accomplish things to my satisfaction.  I see so many good things but at the same time I want to give the proper attention to each of them it sometimes takes longer than it should.  For example instead of giving up on a pattern I am working with when it doesn't work the first couple of trys, I keep trying til I get it right.  Meaning I love the piece but it takes forever to finish it.  I have a new found focus to finish things too.  I have quite a few UFO's ( as we all do) but I want to either finish them or figure out a better way.  That goes the same for blogging.  I have made sure not to be the scanning blogger.  You miss so much of the person and where they are right now if you just scan for pictures.  So that is now taking longer to look at, comment on, and respond.  I do think it is worth it but I also miss some posts here and there.  I will also be looking into changing the look of my blog a bit.  We'll have to see how that goes.  And if that is the way it is going with my crafty side you can only imagine how everything else is going.  So now it is time to manage the time I have so that I can do what needs to be done around the house, send time with my family and find time for me.  

Anyway that is why it has taken me so long to post these two wonderful awards from a couple of really great bloggers. 

This one is from Laura at Little Treats.  I really enjoy reading her blog about jewelry, newlywed life and her life in general.  She keeps things fresh and reminds me of younger days.

This one is from Meg at Made by Meg.  I not only love her gorgeous sea glass pieces I also love what she has done with wood palettes.  I really enjoy both of their blogs and getting to know them.  I do feel bad that it has taken so long for me to post them (they may be wanting to take them back now) 

I am supposed to tell you 7 things about me but I think I have revealed enough at this point so now I will just pass them on.  I would like you to visit these new blogs I will list and say that I am giving this to everyone on my blog roll because you all rock!

Earthly Jewels 

Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas

KJ'sBeadaciousBeads

Kristi Bowman Designs

Little Bizarre Things - you may notice a resemblance?

Songbeads

Please visit these wonderful beaders who are new to me and say Hi!

Now I have hit my blogging time limit for the morning so I need to end this babble for now.  I do have a couple of pairings to reveal and a very sweet PIF I received but that will have to wait.

Hugs and Blessings to all of you!

KK

Wherin I out myself...

OUT #1

So my dear bloggy friends I need to tell you that after all the compliments on my bead tray and how organized it is I did straighten it out a bit this is what it normally looks like...

The pretty part on the left is what was supposed to be my Margie and Me entry this round but I have had to take it apart once already and now a bead has broken so we are on to yet another redo.  This will not make the deadline but I will finish it because guess what.......it has a pretty shirt waiting for it (I know you are all so surprised by that revelation)LOL

These are ceramic cabs Shelby made and I think they are cool.  They are a little thick but the patterning is so unique that I will try to find a way to bead them.  (I think a couple of them are for someone else though)

Not bad for a first try Huh?

OUT #2
OK I have said to all of you that I am a newbie to the beading world but that is a lie!  I should say I am new to the jewelry aspect of it because as I was getting my decor changed over for Halloween (which was a couple weeks ago.  Yeah I know what took me so long to mention it?)  I need to confess that I even decorate my fridge!  These are beaded cross stitch kits from Mill Hill and I have them for every season (the most is for Halloween and autumn) So I have been beading for many years.  Can you all forgive me?

OUT #3
I will be (OK Kristen breathe) 42 this month, there I said it!  So here is a picture of an early birthday gift from my sweet hubby. 

Before

After

Do you see my pretty new curtains.  I love them they just complete my living room.  It has been growing up over the last couple of years with all matching tables and entertainment center, then the beautiful leather furniture (Derek calls them robot furniture because they all have motorized recliners) and now the pretty chocolate curtains.

There I have outed myself as much as I feel I can at this point.  (I may surprise you again sometime...who knows)

I will now leave you with a couple of pretty autumn pics that I just love!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

The day I was hit by that train

This is an anniversary of sorts for me.  I know I have mentioned it before but 2 years ago today my life was truly forever changed.  This may be a raw subject for some and in no way is it meant to cause any hurt to you so if you feel the need please stop reading and wait for the next post to visit (I truly understand)  And I know others don't like to be brought down but this does have a happy ending (obviously)

Now I will give you a little more background into my life.  You know I have a wonderful husband of 20 years, a beautiful 17 year old daughter/friend, a feisty 5 year old son, and a sweet kitty friend.  Life has been good to me since they all came along.  But.... I have had my share (and then some) of loss in my life.  In 2000 I lost my Gram to colon cancer in July and in October of that same year I lost my Mom to lung cancer. In the spring 2004 I lost my sweet Uncle Donny to complications of Malignant Melanoma and in the fall my sweet 17 year old cousin died of a massive seizure.  These losses and the ones that followed were all quite hard to handle but with each one I seemed to feel that I was immune to the effects of Cancer and all that it comes with.  I watched them put that poison into my mom when she was fighting and I knew of every treatment my uncle went through.  Then in 2006 my father in law was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  OK so the blow on that one was hard and his treatments were tough on him but he is clear and that is such a blessing!

So fast forward to 2008 and a check up at my PC and a mention of a spot.  A quick referral to a dermatologist and "could you just take a look at this spot for me".  If you could have seen her face when she saw this spot your heart would have sunk too.  August 26, 2008 5:04pm (after hours)  "Mrs Stevens you know I was concerned when we took the samples and I have to tell you "You have malignant melanoma"  I thought I had been hit by a train before but never this hard or scary.  I thought I knew what hearing that sounded like but it all changes when it's you.  I had to tell my sweet husband and that was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I saw fear in his eyes for the first time and that is hard to see as he is my rock!  Amazing thoughts went through my head but the funniest was not that I was going to die it was how was I supposed to live with this!  Shelby was just 16 and Derek was only 3 I was not going to let this take me because what would that do to them. 

The next morning my PC called and said (no joke)  "We are going to kick the @#$% out of this, there is no way I will let one of my prettiest patients leave me"  (shameless liar that he is)  I was blessed with a great team of Doctors and on September 17, 2008 it was removed.  The removal was a little more that expected and I know have a 12 in badge of honor on my right shoulder but it is all gone and I am still here.

It seemed like an eternity waiting for surgery and then waiting for the results to come back seemed even longer but when that call came (on a Sunday night)  and I heard " Mrs Stevens I am calling to say you are perfect"  OK what?  "You are perfect we got it all and your nodes were clear"  Seriously?  and then turning to my husband and telling him and seeing the tears of happiness WE were free to live again!  During that time I made some life altering decisions that I have tried to stick with.  Here is my list of things that I changed and now feel life is even more to me!

1.  I am a clean freak to a point but if the dishes don't get done due to family time OH WELL!

2.  Escape the negativity of others.  This one is hard sometimes (as you have read my whinny posts before) but if you get it out it is gone.

3.  It is OK to be lazy sometimes they can be rewarding in themselves!

4.  Try new things and you get rewards 10 fold!  Failing isn't the worst thing it can lead to great rewards!  Thanks Blogger Buddies!

5.  Say what you feel and mean it!  I don't mean that you hurt others in any way I mean you have to let the people who matter to you know how you feel, they shouldn't have to guess!

6.  Depression my suck but it is not your fault it is a body rebellion for no apparent reason that tries to bring you down (and it does) but you don't have to stay down if you take your meds!

7.  Life is a gift to be treasured but if you don't share it with others how can you pass it on?

8.  I am not perfect but I am perfectly happy!

If you have stayed to this point, I realize I should be sharing a pairing or talking about my latest flop (coming soon) but I need to say all this today to someone so thank you so very much for listening!

Hugs and Love to all of You

Laugh everyday (even at my expense if necessary) ;)

Kristen

She loves me! She really Loves Me!

Ok so here's what happened......

While checking out my blogger friends current posts I saw that Juls had posted so I immediately checked to see what gawjus things she was up to today and then I saw that she was given an award from another awesome blogger.  I love when people get awards because you always get to learn something new about them (and in Juls case you know it's gonna be good) So here I am readin and thoroughly enjoying it and all of the sudden it happened.........

She has passed it on to me!!  At that point I got so excited I did a little jump in my chair and proceeded to hit my knee on the desk and then when I went to hold it (as all of us do when we bump something) I hit my head on the top of the desk.  I have now recovered (obviously since I am actually forming words on this post and not random gobblyguck) and have happily accepted this honor (although I am not sure how versatile I am) and thank her soooooo much for bestowing it on me! (and still feel the need to say "She loves me!" ) I also know that I probably should wait until she actually tells me!

So here are the rules:

Thank the person who sent it to you~ Well Juls of the most fabulishous Julsbeads I can hug you now that I no longer have the need to hold the icepack to my head while rubbing my knee so here is your SUPER SQUNCH !

Share 7 things about yourself ~  well since the last award I have learned ...

1. Keep it short

2. Not to deep (don't want to scare anyone away!)

3. Have fun with it!

7 Things.....

I love the term silly feet (see tags to learn more)

Speaking of silly feet I give myself pedicures 2 times a week to insure happy silly feet!

I cried hard when we went to see Toy Story 3.  I am such a sap!

I am a closet hip hop dancer (believe me its better it stays that way too!)

I can't text talk but I am a sucker for Julspeak!

As you read earlier I am a klutzy

I make the best shrimp scampi ever!!!!

Oh I have one more...I love spell check because in my advancing years I seem to have forgotten how to spell even the simplest words!

Ok now I pass the award on to 7 other (meaning Juls not me, what did you think I was that conceited?) fantastical bloggers

Silver Parrot (I love hermie updates and resin beauties!)

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles (Melanie makes the most interesting components I just love them!)

Belinda Saville ( her inspiration to me is precious and her beadwork is amazing!)

Artfully Yours, Olga ( she makes such pretty jewelry and is a jewel herself )

Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere ( she is an amazing artist and a gifted inpirationist)(ok so that might not be a word but it doesn't make it any less true!)

Erin Siegel Jewelry ( I love her creations and blog!)

La Bella Joya (Marcie is gifted with mixing metals and seed beads I love it)

A Beaders Blog ( always a great read and inspiration)
Pretty Things (another great read and artist!)

Now a while ago Olga left me an award that I didn't quite know what to do with so I am also passing it along to all of you and Juls with a heartfelt thank you for all your encouragement on my journey and inspirations that you offer!

PS Juls I want the chocolate martini sometime soon!

Hugs

Kristen

A cause very close to my heart!

All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
Even if it's only to one more person...
In memory of anyone you know who has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it.
A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle....

I don't mean to get too sentimental or mushy but having been touched by cancer too many times when I received this in an e-mail I had to post it!  In September I will celebrate 2 years free from this.  I light these candles for Aunt Peggy, Gram, Mom, Uncle Donny, and Bizzy.  I also light it for My Father in Law and Me that we stay free from this!

Always Believe,
Kristen

Kreativ Blogger Award for Me?

Thank you doesn't begin to express what this means coming from Belinda Saville she is so supportive of my work and always leaves a sweet comment. I "heart" her more than I can say!

So here are the rules:

1. Post the award on my blog.

2. Thank the person who gave it to me.

3. Link to the person who gave this to me.

4. Share a list of 7 things that you probably don't know about me.

5. Choose 7 great bloggers to give the award to.

6. Share a link to their blogs.

7. Leave a comment on their blog.

7 things you don't know about me hummm......
This is hard because I'm never sure how much is too much info but I will give it a try let's see....

I love listening to my kids (except when they whine of course) it is so neat to listen to Derek(who's almost 5) make up stories and sounds when he plays and changing gears to hear about Shelby's day (she is 17) and what her latest creative endeavor is. I love being MOM!

I am married to my best friend (literally he is) we have been together for almost 23 years and married for 20 (in July)of them.

I have survived stage 2 melanoma in Sept 2008 and have a 12in scar on my shoulder to prove it. (that's why I love birthdays so much) And in Aug 2009 had a close call after gall bladder surgery (not a fun time) so my family figures if I make it through July this year without incident we should be good!

I love 80's metal music and believe that Ronnie James Dio is now one with the "rainbow in the dark" But to totally contradict that I also love Tim McGraw (especially "Live Like you were Dying" go figure). I do also like alot of the new music (Nickleback, 3Doors Down, Disturbed, Godsmack, Slipnot) I hope that doesn't scare anyone :)

I decorate my house for the seasons and Halloween and Christmas! I love to change things up and it also utilizes my other passion(or fault) I love collecting. Not cluttered collections that's why I change things up (I couldn't possibly have them all out at once that would be overload)






Ok I can't possibly spend any more time on me so I am going to put 2 in 1! Blogging is so much fun for me and a way to connect with others (although I would love to have all my followers over for coffee. Seriously I have 3 different coffee makers you can pick your favorite!) There is the other one I love coffee! Even my sweet Cinder kitty is espresso colored! (that might be three oops)











Now for the nominations ok but first a question. Can I nominate someone who has already received the award! Please comment and let me know because as a blogger newbie I have a award worthy list right on my sidebar!

First to say yes is Charlene @ More Than Somewhat she is so sweet especially since I have bugged her too many times to make tutorials for me. I did promise not to nag her any more :) ( that's going to be hard)

Next is Smadar of Sadmar's Treasure she has begun writing tutorials of her work and I have made sure my hubby knows I want them all!

And Bellajoya @ La Bella Joya who is a new follower (which you all know by now I love followers :) ) she has some beautiful work (of course) and mixed media my way ( with metal and beadweaving even though I haven't done it yet but I love the look) I have been following her blog now too!

Always Believe
Kristen