The final countdown...

School starts on the 23rd, and I can't wait! I got an email invite the other day to attend a "boo-hoo breakfast" on the first day of school after we drop off our kindergarteners... I'm wondering if they'll be shocked to have me there grinning from ear to ear. :) Don't get me wrong, I love my girls more than anything, but I do better with forced routines. That, and my nerves must be running short because the whining and arguing is really starting to get to me...

I have big plans of course. Spend more time at the gym, spend more time creating, clean and shop without interruption.... we'll see how it all pans out. All this consistent schedule stuff comes with a price though.. and that price is having to get up early. If I had my way, I'd stay up til about 1 am and sleep til about 9:30. but those days are long gone, even in the summer. I am a person who needs lots of sleep, a minimum of 8 hours, so soon I'll have to be in bed by 10:30 and that just stinks....oh well, can't have it all!
Amethyst Juicy PoP Drop Earrings
These amethysts are gorgeous. I love the dark purple, so regal...

I finally made some decisions on displays for the art show. They should be here by the end of the week. I had been agonizing over them forever, and it's to the point now that I just had to take the plunge. I contacted the lady that designed my logo, and had her resize it for a banner to hang on my table, and now I just need to figure out table coverings, risers, and lighting.

I am still in making mode, whenever I can. In fact I am giving myself 4 hours this morning before taking the girls to the pool this afternoon to get some work done.
Juicy PoP Drop Earrings in Mountain Jade and Sterling Silver

And...you all know how I feel about carnelian....

I had a request the other day to remake a pair of earrings, and I had run out of the beads I needed. So I took a trip to The Rock Barrell in Dallas. And, so as not to waste a trip, I decided I needed a few things... and found these luscious faceted carnelian rectangles. I love carnelian anyway, so that wasn't much of a stretch, but I love everything about these beads. The shape, the facets, the coloring, the fact that the stones are different sizes..... I could go on and on...

Well, I better get to work, the clock is ticking!

Computer problems...

I have been having internet access problems all week. It is completely maddening. I spent several hours listing a few items in the shop last night. I felt like I had dial up again! Horrible.... I still don't know what the deal is. I guess I'll be spending Monday trying to get to the bottom of this.

The worst is trying to do anything on Etsy. There are some other issues with other web pages, but Etsy is the worst. Sometimes I can't access it at all. I'm starting to feel like it's a giant conspiracy against me! :)

Anyway, I am really loving my new swirly top flowers. Here they are in studs and hoops. Already painstakingly listed in the shop!

Well, back to laundry and jewelry making! Have a fabulous week everyone! :)

Falling Leaves

We took the girls to Arkansas for a little getaway. We stayed in Arkadelphia, but traveled to Hot Springs every day. It was nice to have a little vacation, and the girls had a blast. We checked out Lake DeGray, Lake Ouachita, and took the girls to the waterpark at Magic Springs. My husbands sister and her husband own 2 restaurants in Hot Springs. Cafe 1217 which is billed as a "gourmet to go" cafe. They are open only for lunch, but also sell side dishes that can be taken home and reheated. They also own a Mexican restaurant that is right next door called Taco Mamas. Needless to say we had plenty of good food to eat. I am totally having chimichanga withdrawals!

I fired up the torch today for the first time in a week. It felt good, but takes a little time to get back in the swing of things. I was invited to do another show in September, and I am currently fighting full on panic mode. Just thinking of all that needs to be done gets me anxious. I've decided that I am not going to let myself get all stressed out. When the time comes, I'll have what I have, and it will have to do. It just isn't healthy to get myself all worked up, and certainly doesn't make anyone in my family happy!

I read a book while on vacay that I couldn't put down, and I can't stop thinking about it either. It is called Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah. I picked it up at Sam's a while back and realized I hadn't read it yet right before we left for Arkansas. It is an amazingly sad story of a young Chinese girl growing up unloved and unwanted by her wealthy Father and wicked step mother. The cruelty meted out to this poor girl is mind boggling to me. It will be a story that sticks with me for awhile.

I can't believe that it is August already! Time to get ready for back to school.....along with about a hundred other things I need to do. I guess the relaxation we've been enjoying the past couple of months is officially over. My youngest starts kindergarten this year (can I get a woot woot?) :) I've enjoyed the summer, but I am ready to get back to a more productive schedule.

Well, I guess that's about it. I'm hoping to have a few new items to share with you by the end of the week. I picked up some pretty rose quartz cabs in Ark, and some new beads at a local rock shop, so I have plenty to play with! I hope you all have a fabulous week! :)