Thankful

I did not win the powerball.  After my initial disappointment, I was thankful for that.  I honestly couldn't imagine the chaos all that money would cause in my life. 

 

I knew that it would cause issues with my spouse, since I'd like to give most of it away- probably more then he would want to.

 

I knew it would bring family and friends asking for help, which would be hard to do fairly, so everyone was happy.

 

I know my kids would expect things to be different (tv's in each room, trips, new bikes, ect) which would not happen.

 

And so I just decided to be thankful.  Thankful for my healthy children.  For each day Aiden does not struggle with his asthma.  That they can all express themselves in verbal form among many others.  That they can run, and play, in a safe place, that is warm, and has food for them.

 

I am thankful that Justin has work.  And that he is willing to work, so I can be home for the family, and to do what I love.

 

I am thankful for parents who love me, and who are always there for me and my family.  My Mom is one of my best friends!  I tell her everything.  I am thankful for an extended family that I love equally as much. My in-laws are wonderful- and that is a blessing!

I am thankful for my best friends, whom I can call when I need to share something exciting, or just to cry.  Friends who make me want to be a better person, because of how awesome they are.

 

I am thankful for meeting so many friends online, with whom, I feel like I can share so much.  I have met a wonderful amount of artists- who I really connect with, on a deep level.  I guess they are the people I "work" with really. I love them all.

 

I am thankful people buy my stuff- and allow me to make a living doing what I love.  I need to create, its a part of who I am, and I am thankful that I get to do it everyday.

 

I am thankful that when times are tough, I have faith in a God who loves me, and never leaves my side.  And I am thankful, that I have a great group of friends, that no matter what any of us believe, we can all express our faith, or non-faith, without judgement.

 

I am thankful that I am surrounded by real people, who care about others, who care about animals and who care about the environment first, and material things last.  I couldn't have asked for a better group of friends.

 

I watched an episode of "Monsters in Me" and now I couldn't be more thankful for clean drinking water and sanitation.  (its a show about rare parasitic infestation in humans- not for the queasy- and I will not watch it again...lol).

 

When it comes down to it, I can always be thankful for the air I breathe, on my own.

 

I feel truly blessed, and when I find I am disappointed in something, I need only to find a few things to be thankful for to put it back into perspective for me.  Sometimes this takes me longer then it should, but I am human.  Being thankful, brings joy.  And when you have joy, it's contagious, you smile, you love, you care.....and it gets passed along.

 

So be thankful.  Be truly truly thankful.  And take the hurry out of the holidays by passing the greatest gift to everyone- joy.

 

 

Post Show Weekend: Things to be Thankful For ~And Lots of Pictures

I am thankful for........................
1.  You guys.  I am so thankful for all your compliments, support and encouragment.  I don't know why I doubt myself so much.  I love my work.  You love my work.  Yet I still worry no one else will.  I am working on my confidence, and you guys have been great!  So thanks, from the bottom of my heart.

2.  A good show.  Whew!  It was a lot of work to get ready for it, since I have really slacked off in the sea glass department this year.  But the festival was good.  Lots of nice people (I really enjoyed DE VERY MUCH!) and I sold some of my favorite items.  I hope they love and enjoy them.  (here are some DE bay and canal pics)

DE Bay Beach

View from dinner at Gilligans

3.  Great weather.  I could not have wished for a more perfect weekend.  Mid 80's, a nice breeze, AND my tent was under a tree in the shade (and on the corner- prime spot). 

4.  I came home to find that I was picked for the Art Bead Scene designer of the week.  So I am thankful for that honor.  I really liked my piece I made for that challenge, and I am glad they did too.

5.  I got asked to join Love my Art Jewelry.  I am so excited to be a part of that!  I love their blog, and the fabulous ladies who make it so personable, and informative. 

6.  For my husband, who helped me all weekend, starting with driving me to and from DE, AND thanks to his quick reflexes, kept up from getting hit by a tractor trailer!!!!  (he was great company too!)

7.  I am thankful for the Vesuvio Motel.  It was a great price, and the owner was so nice!  I love a little family owned business.  We talked taxes and owning our own business's, and we left feeling like we made a friend there.  PLUS- we could walk to everything.  The bay, all the restauraunts, and the festival itself.  Nice place.  I highly reccomend it.  No frills, but clean, close, free parking, and a nice little business.

8.  For a walk on the beach.  On monday, before traveling home, Justin and I visited Henlopen Cape and hit the beach for a hike.  We walked about 3 miles round trip (during said walk, I thought I was dying~ yes~ I need to walk a little more, boy am I outta shape), taking pics of the historic ruins of the old Army base that used to be there, and the GIANT dunes.  We also got to see dolphins swimming a long the coast on our walk back.

Can you see the tiny people in this pic for size comparison?  The dune was a mountain!

9.  For being home.  I got the greeting of a queen.  First from my youngest, who couldn't seem to hug me enough, then the older two.  And I cannot forget the dogs.  My Jackson must have jumped and danced and licked me for an hour!  He is such a sweetie!

10.  And last but not least- for the grandparents who cared for our kids while we were away.  They did so much fun stuff with them, and I could relax knowing they were in safe and loving hands while we were gone.  They played in the pool with their cousins, went to a movie, went to great grandmoms for ice cream and snacks, rode bikes (which their pop adjusted seats, took off training wheels and oiled them for us)....just to name a few.  They had a blast and so did we.

All in all, we met lots of fun people~ many from PA who now reside in DE.  We found a favorite place for wings and beers, with fun people there each day.

Jerry's Seafood~ best wings in town

It has a great old ceiling~ lots of original architecture in this town.  Loved it!

I met some local folks (local as in here in pa) who may want to carry my jewelry in their shop, and a fun old guy who sold beach glass and antiques~~

 I could not get enough of his southern twang, and sincere love for what he does, which is sell stuff to folks like us.  He made me laugh and I just loved his character.  I love doing shows.  All the work is hard, but I love to meet new people, and DE was a great experience all around.  I will surely do that show again.  Here are some more pics of the show, and some of the work I made for it.  Enjoy!

I had a corner booth~ such a sweet spot

this was my view out the front / side

these were my neighbors to my back

They had a little picnic area and there were more vendors up front- beyond those trees

Here is a close up of the sea glass guys table- there were treasures to be found in there, and I bought some of them.

Now- for the jewelry.  Some of it sold, and some will move on to Tinicum with me.

Love this one~ it sold.

These are rare colors on silver circles

Below: I have one similar to this, that may not leave my neck for a long time.  This one will be at Tinicum.

I think I still have this one too.

sold

sold

sold

still available (I think)

still have this one- great colors!!!

below: still have this, but forgot to take pics of the two butterfly necklaces I did sell.

The color is so rich on this one- still have it too

below: still have this one too~kinda like my keeper as well.

may have sold that one

sold

sold

I am so glad that I took pictures before the show.  I forget all the time, and it seems like those are the ones that sell.  Then I never have a picture record of them. 

I did get a picture of this one below~ I had to make it at the show after I sold a butterfly necklace I took along, then made another (that one had a full moon baby on it) and sold it just as I put it out.  Then I made sure to make this and get a picture.  I guess I better make some wings for Tinicum!

I still have the one above.  I really like the wings with the sea glass. 

One more thing, something I am not thankful for, but I am trying to find the good of it, and will be sharing about it later. I had my first item stolen from me, and it was a special and expensive piece.  I am composing a blog about the experience, to be shared soon. 

Thanks again.  You guys rock.  Now I can go and spend some time with those kids and dogs who I missed so much!