One of my favorite things to do, other than play with beads, is writing. My head can be a busy place. Writing helps me get my thoughts out, and into some semblance of order.
Writing here has been challenging for me lately. There’s a part of me which thinks I should be all business, and stay on topic. *yawn* When I get into that mindset, I find it difficult to let go, and well, write.
The flip side is ‘hey, this is my blog, I can write whatever comes to mind.’ I start writing, and the next thing I know I’m thinking no one will be interested. My life is pretty tame. An adventure is a trip to the grocery store. A thrill is shopping for new shoes. See? Tame.
Today, I’ve decided to blither.
If you’ve been in lately, you may have noticed (at least I hope you did) that you’re seeing less of me. Thanks to Claire mentioning it, I started The 17 Day Diet on June 13th, and have been enjoying great results! I’m eight pounds away from my goal after dropping an amazing 16 pounds in 27 days! Opening my closet is no longer a nightmare. I’m wearing clothes I haven’t fit into for several years. I feel great.
My sweetie decided to join me on the plan. You know guys, they’re gung-ho for a couple of days, then they start slipping. Consequently, he’s been hit and miss, while I’ve been Miss Dedicated… and because he’s a guy, he’s lost as much weight as I have. How unfair is that?
I don’t know about you, but when I change my eating habits, I turn into a foodie. I become fascinated with finding ways to stay within the plan, but make something really yummy.
Thanks to this diet, I am now searching for a twelve step group. I’m thoroughly addicted to Fage 2% Greek Yogurt mixed with fresh, organic fruit. It’s heavenly! I also learned of a great way to enjoy tacos… iceberg lettuce leaves instead of taco shells… out of this world. Oh, and stir fry is absolutely wonderful served over finely sliced, cold Romaine lettuce.
I think the best part of this way of eating for me is how fast I become full. Perhaps it’s because I’m filling up on the right stuff.
Next topic.
A couple of weeks ago I joined a retailer’s group on Facebook. We’re all bead store owners, with a few yarn shops tossed in for fun. What an amazing group! The depth of knowledge, and experience is fantastic. The members are enthusiastic and open. They’ve shared some great ideas.
I’m telling you all of this because I don’t want you to be too surprised when I start putting some of them into place at Dancing Beads. Most of them have to do with ways we can have fun while saving money, and pursuing our shared love of beads.
Hmmm, Facebook has made me think about comments.*
Let’s talk about commenting. OK, I’ll talk about it. Comments are those nice little notes you write when you enjoy something someone has shared. I know I haven’t been here much lately, but I do know there are a few of you who check in regularly… just in case. I would likely write more if I had some feedback.
I love it when someone calls *ahem, not mentioning any names here Mom* to tell me how much s/he enjoyed something I posted, like oh, say a video of my cat, and honey singing a duet. Please don’t get me wrong, the call is great, and so are the comments when you’re in the shop. Writing a little note here… well, that would mean a great deal to me.
I was just about to mention I have taken the whole day off, then realized, um no, I haven’t. There was paperwork squawking at me this morning, so I paid all the bills, and filed things in their proper places. Tomorrow… oh, never mind, I’m working on web stuff. I’ll get myself to stop sooner or later.
Speaking of later. Claire and I have signed up for two classes with Marcia Decoster in San Mateo next month! We’ll be on our beady road trip from August 12th-14th. I’ve been practicing right angle weave like a crazed woman. The description of the class said ‘must be proficient.’ Right now, I’m at ‘sufficient,’ but I’m getting there. Claire on the other hand can do the stitch with her eyes closed as evidenced by the picture to the right. It’s one of Claire’s clever creations.
I think we’re going to have oodles of fun! Road Trip… and four whole days away from work. It will be the longest I’ve been away from the shop since opening. I’ll probably be like a new mother leaving her baby for the first time. It will be good practice for next February (and that’s all I’m going to say about it right now).
I have lots of great customer pictures to upload to Flickr. I love taking pictures of the pieces you all bring in to show me. I’ve been known to demand immediate removal from time-to-time. Anyway, before a grundle becomes too many, I’m going to post them here as a slide show. You’ll agree… we’re a very creative, and talented group!
Guess that’s enough chitty chat for now. Don’t forget about those comments.
*nothing like a few well placed links for Facebook, is there?
Okay, I tried to comment last night, and my FB app kept aborting! 1. Good for you for sticking with the diet! I love how much more energy I have when I eat the right foods!
2. I am assuming that is a RAW ring up there? It’s gorgeous! Love it! That is one of my fave stitches. It is very therapeutic to me to do. I have a 1 1/4″ wide bracelet that I did with probably size 8 seeds many years ago now that is one of my favorites to wear, just because of the weight of it and the way it feels. Definitely a sensory thing. Very interested in this class you are going to take.
3. The biggest downfall to the internet/email/text/smart phone technology IMO is that people have somehow forgotten their manners. Maybe a new rule book needs to be written on it. When someone send an email it is polite to respond. When someone take a lot of their time to put up and maintain a blog for your viewing pleasure, it’s polite to let them know you enjoy it and interact with them through comments. When someone sends you a bunch of photos of what’s going on in their life, it’s polite to comment on them. I realize that it doesn’t take a long as sitting down with paper and pen and then finding a stamp, walking the letter to the mailbox and then waiting, waiting, waiting…but there is still time taken to email/blog/text, etc. This has to be one of my biggest pet peeves to not have feedback. It feels like you pickup the phone, tell someone about your life and they said nothing in return and then hung up. A few words of encouragement go a long way. I personally love your links on FB to new things that you find that are exciting to you. New items in your store, trunk shows, etc. I may not comment all the time, but I do peek in here once in a while and enjoy it when I do. I will try and mind my manners a bit more. 🙂
Aypril::
What a lovely comment! Thank you.
Sometimes I feel as if I’m rushing through things when I’m on the internet. I have a reading routine that has become second nature to me. By the time I get to the point that it’s time to comment, I’m either short on time, or short of something to say. So, like you, I promise to watch my manners. I know that if I want comments, I have to make them. After all, comments are a conversation, and I’ve been remiss at best.
Claire is a RAW genius! I’m trying to like it, really I am. I know I’ll do fine in the class, guess I’m a bit star struck. Marcia Decoster is a big deal. Claire gets giddy any time her name is mentioned. We’ll have to be on our best behavior while we’re in class.
The thing I’m liking about RAW is all the places to stick more beads! I’m working on a cubic RAW box right now in matte bronze 8° Czech seed beads. It’s pretty awesome. When I get it done, I’ll share some pictures.
Speaking of pictures, I really got a kick out of ‘story time.’ Are they always so animated?
The diet, I’m starting to view it as how I eat from here on out. It’s easy to follow. Tonight, I didn’t even want the birthday cake I was offered, it looked vile. My energy is through the roof, and I’m sleeping less, waking up earlier, and totally refreshed. Who knew mornings were so peaceful?
Again, thanks for taking the time to write a comment. It made my heart very happy!!
Carpe Gaudium!
Carol
Carol-EVERYTHING is animate around here! LOL
It’s funny how changing your diet and eliminating things that are bad for you make you realize just how gross the thing you once coveted are! I had some Ritz crackers a few weeks ago and I wondered what in the heck I had been thinking eating these things, ever! They just tasted like a crunchy piece of greasy lard in my mouth! Eeeww! It makes you realize how much flavor real whole foods have. Why do we insist on watering them down all the time?
What is it that you will be making in this RAW class? Or is it s secret until afterwards? I wanna come play at your shop! I miss beads. When I first walked into your store 16 years ago, I was awestruck. I had no idea that a bead store could be so classy! Every bead store that I had been in up until that point was like shopping in a thrift store. Your store was like Nordstrom’s! It made me realize that not all beadwork had to be earthy and ethnic and could be pristine and beautiful and classy and very contemporary. While I do love the earthy and ethnic, it’s nice to have options.
Here is something that will light your heart on fire…..www.leafcutterdesigns.com Check out the “World’s Smallest Post Service”! I love this idea! So many great things on there, like the recipe dice. A jar filled with dice covered in fruits, veggies and spices. Roll the dice and see what you’re going to use to make dinner!
I love reading your clever comments. It is only that my limited computer ability seems to stifle me sometimes. I hope I can post this comment. I have tried a few times.
Aypril:: Thank you so much for the recommendation to leafcutterdesigns! I love some of the cute things they’re doing. I especially liked the little boxes of something wonderful… mailed for $10.00. I’m thinking I should create little boxes of wonderful, and see where it leads.
Do you suppose it’s called ‘junk’ food because it tastes like garbage, and makes you feel like crap?
Your sweet mom came in to see me today! It’s always such a pleasure to see her and spend time with her. She told me about the nights the two of you would go to Walmart to people watch. I had no problem seeing the two of you doing it, and casting sideways looks at one another when something extreeeeeeeeme went past. I can only imagine the stir the two of you caused when you went in. Walmart is not normally graced by two beauties like you and your mom.
Nope, beadwork doesn’t have to be earthy, scratchy, smelly, or ethnic… it can be such an amazing art form that the possibilities boggle my imagination!
Oh, Aypril… meet my friend Claire. She’s just posted a comment. I would love the two of you to meet some day. Claire made that amazing flower power ring I posted on the FB page. She’s mega talented, and a riot!!
*hugs*
Carol
ps. Have fun with Beach… and the beads.
—–oOo—–
HiYa Claire~
You did it! Your computer ability is better than you think… no, really… I refuse to believe otherwise. You’re a Mac girl now, that in and of itself leads me to believe, you’re gonna be flying higher and higher.
So, are you working on that ring? Huh? Working on it right now, I’ll bet.
Thank you for coming in today, and helping Karen with the rest of her bracelet. That was really kind of you. You know, any time you want to come in, hang out, bead, or *cough* tube some beads, you’re more than welcome.
*hugs*
Carol
😀 I’m so pleased you left a comment!! I think I’ll go to bed now, and dream about what a wonderful day it’s been.