Today is not Tomorrow

It's sooo easy to give up
And say screw it, I've had enough.

Living in the moment
Sounds pretty awesome
Unless your moment is miserable.

So I'm trying to remember
Today is not tomorrow
Tomorrow is a new day.

New circumstances.
New chances.

And if tomorrow sucks, too...
Well, I try to feel lucky there are many more tomorrows waiting

If I don't give up.

Another week

Writing this on my Kindle while lying in bed, so not sure how it will come out!


It's been a week since I wrote about choosing "determination" as my word for the year, and while I am sorry an entire week's gone by without writing, it's all part of being determined to take care of myself.  My second week on methotrexate hasn't been pleasant, BUT the silver lining is pain is down. I'm just really sick, but this will pass.  I managed to get out and about with Zack one day this week, and I treasured it, choosing books together for his summer reading list....So many I'm going to read, too!


I used to love to write, and I miss hearing from people who read what I wrote, and I am determined to come out of this, whenever it may be, stronger and with more stories in my heart.  Behind the scenes, things are percolating, but instead of ten full pots of soup on a fancy Wolff stove, I've got something simple in the crock pot slow cooking.  Equally yummy, easier on the cook!


Thanks for your comments, both here and on Facebook.  You have no idea what they mean.  They mean a LOT and won't be forgotten.

Determination is so Beautiful

I get a daily email from Danielle LaPorte called a TruthBomb.  I have them all going into a folder in my Inbox to look at when I need them, and today I randomly chose one, and got this:

And you know what?  That's so true.


Beauty comes from so many things.  There's the obvious -- external beauty -- but what's so much more important and valued (or should be) is the beauty of the soul.  And that kind of beauty is hard to fake.  I rarely wear makeup, but when someone does it for me, I can look really good. However, there's not enough makeup in the world to cover up a rotten character.


It's never too late to choose a word for the year -- no need to wait for New Year's Eve to make resolutions or choose a word, right?


So I'm going to claim this word as my own.

I'm determined to be easier on myself.

I'm determined not to let what some think of me get me down.

I'm determined to be the best I can be and not judge myself against others.

I'm determined to find at least one positive thing every day, even in the midst of my worst hours.

I'm determined to live a full life.

I'm determined.

What's your word?

(Your comments mean so much -- thank you!)

(powered by pie)

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.

Catching Up

It seems like ages.  In the past I would write almost every day, or at least every other day, but lately, there's just flat out been nothing to write about.  Bed, bed, and more bed. Throw in a visit or ten to the doctor, and there you go.


But there are some things to catch up on, so in no particular order:

1.  Today is Zack's last day of 4th grade and even though he severely objected to my fashion decision to tie my hair back with a scarf, he allowed me to take our photo.  That black thing on the right side of the right photo?  Not my sleeve.  Nope, that's a cast.

2.  A cast, because the kidlet broke his arm attempting to catch a soccer ball in the goal.  Fortunately, it's a minor fracture and will heal in 3-4 weeks.  Fortunately, the orthopedic doctor agreed that a hard cast was not cool, literally or figuratively, so he has a brace that can be taken off for baths.  *I* was never so lucky when *I* broke one of five bones over the years, but then, I made up for it by sticking Swarovski crystals all over my hot pink cast several years ago.

3.  I'm still trying to figure out life with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and now, fibromyalgia, which my doctor said I ALSO most certainly have.  I'm also getting used to an additional drug that is a chemotherapy drug and yes I did freak out all the way home about that.  Thankfully, Facebook has yet again saved me with hooking me up with like-minded people, and after a phone call to a fellow beader on the same regimen, I'm calmer.  I'm likely to feel sick, and I'm likely to lose some hair, BUT I'm getting extensions in a few weeks anyway so phht to that.

4.  In between bed, bed, doctors, and bed, I managed to spend a weekend with my friend Kelley and attended a local bead show.  Took it slow, but it was nice to be around sparkly, inspiring things, and the company was wonderful.

5.  Speaking of beads, after nearly ten years in the business and I don't know how many tutorials I've had published in beading magazines, books, and calendars, I finally had one of my pieces chosen for the COVER.  I completely freaked out (in the good way) when the Easy Wire 2013 magazine showed up!  I actually cried, but I cry at the drop of a hat these days.  Good tears are nice tears.

6.  I am woefully behind in getting the Bead Soup contest winnings out, but I'm getting help this weekend and hope like heck that will get done.  Not my usual modus operandi, where I get things done days before they're due, but I'm just lucky I can make it to the shower.  I'm pretty sure you understand.

7.  Found this on Pinterest, and man oh day, but I hope it's true, and I hope the "up to something" is of the good sort.  I shall choose to think that way, regardless.

And that's about all I have time for!  Thanks for reading, and hug your loved ones (really, really hard).

(powered by pie)

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.

How I Taught My Son the Meaning of Memorial Day

Originally posted in 2011, but as apt as ever.

source

I live near St. Michaels, MD, an affluent resort town that just happens to have the most wonderful coffee kiosk and the best iced coffee ever.  Today, when I drove to get one, I noticed a severe slow-down of traffic in front of the estate?  farm?  estate, I suppose, of a man known for his complete embrace of all holidays.


I was astounded.


Cars were parked by the side of the road, and my glimpse as I passed by showed the most amazing Memorial Day tribute. Apparently, the man collects WWII memorabilia and even has a fighter plane on his estate.


I was in tears on the drive all the way home (my coffee was free, by the way, because I was a veteran, but that's not why I had tears streaming down my cheeks).  I decided to come back with my camera and my eight-year old son and teach him what Memorial Day is all about.


On the drive there, I explained in age-appropriate terms how war wasn't what anyone ever wanted, but it was a part of life, part of what freed people from tyranny.  He already knew from school lessons a bit  about the Revolutionary and Civil wars, the Underground Railroad and such, but I also explained that even now, wars were going on across the world, and they were complicated.  His father and I both were in the military, but his daddy really was put in harm's way many times -- Bosnia, Iraq, and places unknown to me, flying in airplanes as a linguist for most of it.


We talked about respect for those who lost loved ones, regardless of our feelings about war in general, and walked up on the tableau. 


This man had put a LOT of work into this. 

He had put up so many white crosses, and then mannequins in the uniforms from Revolutionary, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and current day.  The empty spot, I'm imagining, is from the Korean War, or the Forgotten War.  Rick's father fought in that war, and absolutely refuses to speak of it.  (Click for a larger photo).

There were the wife and child with flowers for the grave of a fallen husband and father.

More soldiers to the side, from World War II, I'm imagining from the uniforms.

Uniforms my husband has worn.  When I think of the dangers he put himself through in his twenty-six years.... and then when I realize I lived in South Korea, next to a land where the ruler was a complete crackpot, all the chemical warfare drills we all went through start to mean something more than an annoyance.

More of the broad view, showing the scope of work this man did for Memorial Day.

And, along with the flag, a symbol of freedom.

Flags festooned the long lengths of white fence.  Zack took in all of this with a quite, contemplative look on his face.  Not a look of fear, but a look of , dare I hope, appreciation.  Appreciation for what this man had done, appreciation for the dozens of cars that stopped to take pictures, appreciation for what I was quietly telling him.  Appreciation for his parents, who did their part, and understanding, in his eight-year old capacity, that things don't always make sense in the world, but people believe in things, and we should respect them.

Respect is something I've been trying to teach Zack daily.  Respect for others, for things, for quiet time, for waiting turns.  Sometimes object lessons come in unusual ways -- such as driving down the road to get a coffee on Memorial Day.

(powered by pie)

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.

The WINNERS of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party Contest!

This is going to be a LONG post, so settle in with a cup of something delicious (and some pie, maybe?) and get ready for some serious eye candy!    (Click on each photo for larger views.)

First, I'd like to again thank my panel of judges (read more about them here).  They had a truly huge job to do!  Today, I spent several hours pulling all the badges together and coordinating the emails, photos, and blogs, and while it is indeed a time-consuming task, it was a beautiful one and well worth it.


As with a lot of good things, I started with a plan and it just grew.  I started with these categories for the judges to vote on:

:: Grand Prize ::

(the piece chosen by all judges as the Best in Show)

:: Judge's Choice ::
(favorite of each judge)

:: Best Use of Seed Beads:

:: Best Wire Work ::

 :: Best Use of Fiber ::

:: Best Use of Color ::

  

and then some that Zack and I would pick ...

:: The Out of the Box Award ::

(most creative use of bead soup)

:: Zack's Choice ::

(my son Zack picks his favorite)

:: Out of the Hat Winner ::

(I draw a name out of a hat)

I ended up with one Grand Prize that was pulled out of a hat from all those chosen by the judges, and a Best Use of Seed Beads/Wire Work/Use of Fiber/Use of Color for EACH judge. I then added a "Lori's Hat" category where I picked my personal favorites and then drew a name from THAT hat (as opposed to the "Out of the Hat" which is one winner from ALL the entries).

And then I couldn't stop and had some Runners Up.  I had to stop then or I would have an epic pile of mail to get out the door!  You can click here to see what some of the prizes will be, and since there are (are you ready for this?) ....

.....well, I'm going to beg each winner to post what they get on their own blog and in the Bead Soup Cafe to save me some time!   But here's a big pile of goodies, and it's JUST the beginning.

I hate it when you have to wait and wait to see who wins the Grand Prize, so I'm going to go ahead and list that person first!

Cherish Designs

by 

Kris Lanae Binsfield

As you can see, Kris won several awards and this earns her bragging rights as the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party® contest.  Congratulations, Kris!

Beaducation, Kris Lanae Binsfield of Cherish Designs 

(see above, Grand Prize winner)

Fusion Beads, Emma Todd of A Polymer Penchant

Kalmbach Publishing, 

Debbie Rasmussen of A little of this, a little of that

(voted for entire body of work)

Lima Beads, Tania Spivey of Moobie Grace

(voted for entire body of work) 

Nina Designs had a tie!

Nina Designs, Silvia Serricola at Pipa the Latest

Nina Designs, Malin de Koning at Beading by Malin de Koning

PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Melissa Mesara at one-eared pig beads

Both Beaducation AND Kalmbach Publishing chose 

Karin Slaton of Backstory Beads

Both Fusion Beads and Nina Designs chose

Debbie Rasmussen of a little of this, a little of that

(that's three wins with two pieces for Debbie -- way to go!)

Lima Beads, K. Hutchison of Jumbled Hutch

 PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Lily Krist of Handmade by LilK 

Beaducation, Eva Sherman of Eva Sherman Designs

Fusion Beads and Lima Beads chose

 Kris Lanae Binsfield of Cherish Designs 

(see above, Grand Prize winner)

Kalmbach Publishing, Susan of Libellula Jewelry

(voted for entire body of work) 

Nina Designs, Kristina Hahn Eleniah of Peacock & Lime

PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, 

Jean A. Wells of Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Beaducation and Lima Beads chose

Claire Hasemeier of Blue Quail Designs

(a Facebook entrant!)

Fusion Beads, Stefanie Teufel of Stefanie's Sammelsurium

Kalmbach Publishing, 

Cheryl McCloud of One Thing Leads to Another

Nina Designs, Agi Kiss of MoonSafari Beads

PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Heidi Kingman of Heidi Kingman Jewelry

Beaducation, Tari Kahrs of Pearl & Pebble

Fusion Beads, Agi Kiss of MoonSafari Beads 

Kalmbach Publishing, Christina Miles of Wings N Scales

(voted for entire body of work)

Lima Beads, Keren Panthaki of Vas Dea

Nina Designs, Megan Milliken of MaeMaeMills

PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft, Dana Hickey of Wind Dancer Studios

Dish made by Adlinah Kamsir of DreamStruck Designs

Chosen by Zack as his absolute favorite,

Leslie Wayment of AA Beads & More

Pulled out of a hat of alllllll the entrants,

Mary Tanner

(a Facebook entrant!)

I took all my absolute favorites

(and that was TOUGH to narrow down)

and then drew one out of a hat.

Susanna Lehto of Othel Lehto

And last but not least, 

Kat Douglas of Washoe Kat's

Elsie Deliz-Fonseca of Eliz-Eliz and All that Craft

Jennifer Cabic of What I Believe...

Danielle Kelley of Imbue the Muse

Melissa Trudinger of Bead Recipes

Amber Dawn of Inventive Soul

Evelyn Duberry of ShebaMakeda Glass Art

WOW.

I hope you'll agree this was well worth the wait!  Preparing and writing this blog post took a ton of time, but you guys put in a lot of your creative time as well as your heart and soul into your work, and I hope you'll join me again next year for the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party®!

PLEASE take a moment to thank our sponsors -- Beaducation, Kalmbach Publishing, Fusion Beads, Nina Designs, Lima Beads, and PJ Tool Jewelry & Craft for their time and contributions.  This would not be NEARLY as much fun without their hard work and enthusiasm.

Winners, I'll be pinning your photos for you in the contest board, and emailing you over the next couple of days with badges and information about how to claim your prizes!  I'm doing the majority of the mailing, so bear with me!!!

(powered by pie)

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.