A few things I love about living in Redwood City

• The weather. After all, Redwood City is "climate best by government test", just ask us.
• The fact that a 10 minute drive will take you to amazing hiking trails.
• The fact that a 40 minute drive will take you to a camp site that makes you feel like you are in Tahoe.
• A 3.5 hour drive will take you to Tahoe.
• A 12 minute drive will take you to Anthropologie.
• A 6 minute bike ride will take you to Whole Foods.
• A 7 minute walk will take you Peets Coffee.
• A 30 minute drive North or South will take you to an International Airport to take you anywhere.
• San Francisco is oh so close which means easy train or bart access to The Fillmore, China Town, North Beach and the Ball Park.
• Today on my way to my chiropractors office in Portola Valley, I had to stop to let 2 deer and 4 baby deer get out of the street.
• There were way more Obama signs than McCain signs....well at least in Redwood City.
• I can walk my kids to school.
• Soon my kids can walk themselves to school....hallelujah!
• You get to say things like "I live in The Wood".
• My mom lives 2 towns south.
• The trees are big....and old.
• and the weather, again.

Working on my book....really, I am working not fooling around, really.

Yes, it's Saturday and I am at my office working on my book (ok, and fooling around). A nice chunk of the book is due next week and I am making good progress. The day started out great as I rode my new bike to work. It took me 12 minutes to ride here....not bad. I have driven this route 4 times a day for the last 2 years but on a bike you see all new things. What a great ride. And a big thank you to the fairly middle aged, bearded hippie gentleman who gave me a whistle, big thumbs up and a "nice bike" this morning. Who needs coffee when you can start your day with that :)

Now I continue on. The live Bonoroo webcast is playing in the background...Gov't Mule. Super good! Warren Haynes rocks. I don't know how that brotha can tour with 3 bands at once (Allman Brothers, The Dead and Gov't Mule) .... impressive.

Barf Bag Designs

There was a time where I thought I should change my business name to "Barf Bag Designs" (sexy huh?). See, for a while, the only time I came up with new designs was when flying in an airplane. Up in the clouds, there are no computers (well mine is usually in the overhead), no phones, no TVs and often times I am alone. All you can do is listen to music and look out the window (window, not aisle please). I find it to be the most relaxing and inspirational spot to ponder. So as I ponder, I need something to write on....oh look, it's a barf bag. At some point, I started using barf bags as my canvas of choice. They are perfect. I have been designing on barf bags for about 8 years. On a recent trip, my mom saw me doodling on a barf bag and she offered me a piece of paper. I declined.

Earlier today, I was searching for something and came across some barf bags with sketches all over them. There is some good things on there!

Bead and Button 2009...over and done

We just completed the Bead and Button Show. Holy moly we had fun! Our triple booth was slam packed with tools, kits, wire, donuts and customers!
This year (pretty much from May 31st 2008-May 31st 2009) was tough and basically horrible (only personally, business has been great!). Not only did I have my "little" health issue, but I lost my step dad and a week or so before I left to the B&B Show, one of my closest friends (who is the husband of my best friend) died from a 3 year battle with Lung Cancer (40 years old, never smoked). So I have been a bit down lately and the show could not have come at a better time. Thanks to all my good pals who brought me back to life this week. What a blast!

April?

What happened to the month of April.....has anyone seen my month of April because it seems to have passed completely with out me noticing or acknowledging it!!!!
April....where are you?????

Bead Dreams 2009

Well, I was recently inspired to do a competition pieces. This rarely happens, mainly because I don't have time to work on a big piece and often because I am not inspired. But this piece came to me and it resulted in my project for Hooked On Wire, and a piece for the Bead Dreams competition at the 2009 Bead&Button Show. I was accepted so it will be on display at the show if you want to check it out. Hope ya like it :)

The end of a journey.....

As some of you know, I have cut my teaching schedule way back this year so I could spend as much time as possible with my Step Father who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer last May. Last night he passed away with 5 of us kids, his wife and his mother in law holding each other and holding him. We were there for 4 days with him as his body slowed down. Being there and watching him take his last breaths was the hardest and most powerful thing I have ever been a part of. He was my step father for 29 years. He raised me, guided me, loved me unconditionally, coached my first volleyball team, bought me my first (of many) pandas and loved my daughters as if they were the most valuable things on this planet.

We will miss him so much. Now we pick up the pieces, support my mom and live life to the fullest as he would want us to (oh and eat a lot of chocolate because according to him, life is chocolate).

Deep breath, life goes on, live it well......