My Bling tonight are my Bunko Babes. We rarely play but great fun getting togther. More eating , drinking and talking than bunko. That's okay . We do manage to roll dice for prizes and pay our dues. So there are some rules we follow. Our own! For most of us ,if not all, that's the way it's always been . Some of us are too old to change now. Gather your "Girlies" and share your Sparkle. Shine on !

Inner Diamond

"I am a diamond -cannot be broken ." Words from a song by Antigone Rising. I believe this song is saying we are all made of stronger stuff than we give ourselves credit.The world is full of other things that try ,daily,to make us think otherwise.We are not smart enough, pretty enough, thin enough, and not worthy of someone else's time or love. The unique things that make us individuals is the "Diamond" inside us. God gave this as a gift to us. The Sparkle that is only ours. Not our mother's ,not our father's nor society's -our's alone.Life drags us along behind it at times , we weaken and loose faith in ourselves but the Sparkle of our Diamond is always present . Dust off your Diamond and Sparkle because "You are a Diamond" and will not be broken. Your Sparkle is unique and has a beautiful "Shine". And you are worthy !!!

Another Pretty day in Blingville

I'm so Pretty-Oh so pretty-I feel pretty or however the song goes...... we are all pretty after a Mary Kay party at my house and my friend Lydia does a great presentation. We washed ,exfoliated ,tightened ( and man some of us need tightening),hydrated and SPACKLED our way to BEAUTIFUL. Lydia wanted to know my skin type-oily or dry after which I stated I was "as dry as a cow skull in the desert".So we moisturised! She wanted to know my facial cleaning regimen and again my evil sarcastic humor had to respond with a" sand blaster".So we moistured and applied a nightly collagen treatment. She asked about foundation makeup and before I could stop it my humor said" I only use spackle." You know the stuff you find in hardware stores used to fill in the holes. Maybe my humor was greatly enhanced by a few (yes a few!) glasses of wine. But we all Sparkled so after our fantastic beauty treatments. Good friends -good food-good wine and beauty treatments what more does one need to Bling it up ? So much Bling and so many to share it with. 

Sparkle From A Bottle

Just had a very enjoyable evening with Freddie,Amber -Richie and children with my son Spence serving at Texas Roadhouse in Mesquite,Texas. It was not as much fun on the long ride to the Cottage but we made it safely. Freddie and I met a young man this evening recovering from a car accident. He recounted his wreck and the ongoing recovery. But he mostly spoke of the young woman who chose to stay with him and I think to his amazement. I am always taken aback by what people cherish and hold up and admire. He had released her from any other obligations but she wanted to support him and be apart of his care. I saw love  and began to miss what I had lost just two years earlier. They reminded me of what my Richard gave me and I was able to have that again through them. We went in to simply have a few drinks and look at what we got instead? Sparkles are truly everywhere. Hold your Sparkles close --for one day they will go through other doors at some time in their lives. Sometimes we are not allowed to follow. Damaged , broken , struggling -we all come ,at some time ,to see the important things in this world and tonight I saw one---LOVE. Love makes us all Sparkle and with that we are all beautiful.

Unkown Sparkle

I would like for you to meet my new Sparkle-name I can't remember at the moment-but a very lovely person . She is my classmate in the Debby Schuh workshop I attendedd in Wichita Falls,Texas on March 20,2010. She is a relatively new scrapper and said she really only does "special occasion "books for her grandchildren. But we all know that is just a starting place and scrapping is an addiction so it will lead to more. She was a delight to talk with and very generous ,just a lovely person. So to my  friend  who's name I can't remember at the moment- I thank you for being my Sparkle . See you never know how you could make someone else Sparkle and feel Pretty because of your own Bling . Bling on and face the world, someone may need a little Sparkle today.

Through the Other Side...

These are just a few things that followed us into the Rabbit Hole. We had a great time in the class in Wichita Falls with Debby Schuh  from New York. Beautiful projects and  great atmosphere in which to work  at Scrapbook N' Such. Thanks Terrie and the shopping is always good also. We get into Wichita Falls just before the snow from which we were running when we left Amarillo. Running away never works- the snow can "run" also and we wake to snow Saturday . So after class we head for Cottage Conrad in the Dallas area thinking the snow we could miss again --WRONG! Waking up Sunday to several inches of snow the only thing to do is have breakfast-biscuits and gravy - thanks to Tammy--yum,yummmmm. Dinner with my brother "Uncle Bill" and  Rhonda , Spence, Amber and hubby Richey with Jaycie and Bryce, Freddie and myself -great and fun time. Then back to the Cottage for  "CRAFTING"! Monday we headed to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch and on to Waxahachie to visit The Crafty Scrapper--a great scrapbook store. We headed back to Dallas to Harry Hines on a mission to find blankets for my friend Kathy only to be told..." no more blankets. " Many very dissappointed people. These are really good blankets at a great price. Oh well maybe next blanket season ? Tuesday ,Freddie and I will take Tammy to the airport- for that lucky chickie will fly home and miss the 7 hour drive back to the Texas panhandle. (the drive will give Freddie and I time to TALK about how LUCKY Tammy was to fly home).  We will have extra time at the Cottage for more scrappin' and that's always good. My Bling this weekend was good friends ,good times, my family and time for a hobby I greatly enjoy. So I will "SPARKLE" for many days and be beautiful because of all of these Treasures.  Shine on all of you Beauties---you could be the Bling that makes someone else SPARKLE.

How could I ever have forgotten that Tammy was also with us for dinner ? My most humble apologies to my dear friend. Sorry "Chief" ,I would never intentionally leave you out . My bad!!

Down the Rabbit Hole.....

Tammy,Freddie and I are off to Cottage Conrad for a scrappin',craftin',eatin', drinkin', Hell raisin' good time.A short delay in Wichita Falls for a class then, as Willie Nelson sings "On the Road Again" to the Dallas area. We are truly going over the river and through the woods to Grandma's cottage. At this point I need to remind Tammy and Freddie to bring their "magic" 3D glasses to get the full visual effects of the Cottage and surroundings. For all of you who have seen "Alice in Wonderland", the joke is my cottage looks like the beautiful castle and the veiw from the balcony, but only with your "magic" glasses. So we will drink the shrinking potion( usually Dirty Martinis) put on our magic glasses and into the rabbit hole we jump for a great  Sparkling adventure.  But remember ..there's no place like home...oh? that's another adventure....different weekend...my bad.   Put on your Bling and go out and Sparkle all of you magical creatures !

Here we go.....to Cottage Conrad

It is truly over the river and through the woods to grandma's cottage we go.We will have a short delay in Wichita Falls ,Texas for class then , as Willie Nelson sings "On the Road Again" to the Dallas area. Scrappin' ,craftin',eatin',drinkin', and Hell raisin' good time for a few days at the cottage. Freddie ,Tammy and I have been waiting for this weekend and are oh-so ready. Just a reminder to them to bring their 3D glasses for the full "Alice in Wonderland" visual effect for the glorious surroundings.The magic is in the glasses.For all of you who have seen "Alice" the joke is my cottage is the same as the beautiful castle and the veiw from the balcony but only if you are wearing your "Magic " glasses. So we drink the magic potion (usually dirty martinis),put on our "Blinged" out magic glasses , head for the rabbit hole (Cottage Conrad) and enjoy the adventures. We will hold each other up and Sparkle together in our Wonderland. There's no place like home...... oh ? that's an adventure for another time...different weekend-my bad. Go out and Sparkle all of you Magical Creatures.

Cottage Conrad

I have a little cottage I get to run off to every so often. A little house by a lake in the Dallas area. It is a good place for me.A place I rest and regroup.As any place it needs a little work and improvements.To date the improvements have consisted of new kitchen and bathroom cabinets , new tile flooring , new texture in many rooms and there is still a list of things yet to do.Lots of trees and deck in the back for quiet times with a good cup of coffee and resting.Neighbors are close enough and yet hidden in the trees so as to not be intrusive.Walking distance to the lake along quiet rambling roads. It is my comfort place from the times and troubles of the last couple of years. I will be taking a few of my friends to visit in a couple of days and share this place with people I love. I hope they find it welcoming and enjoy their stay. Remember to Bling today and go out into the world and Sparkle.

Sparkles That Make You Think

Sometimes I fall into a place that is not a Sparkle . You know what I mean --things like anger,sadness ,grief  ,despair..... any of these, and more, take us to places where we need a Sparkle that brings us UP. My  family and friends have been that Sparkle I needed and I rejoice in having them in my life. But...there are times I find Sparkles in other places. Music ,art ,nature's beauty  and written word. I love those days when I become aware of something in the world that seems to send a message directly at me. A phrase from a song - beautiful art work - a quote... you know--- that moment when you realize that was meant for you. Just what you needed to make the directional change toward your Sparkle. Faith is a huge SPARKLE. I have faith in my God . Faith in His promises to us. Faith in knowing He loves me and always will. Faith in He is everywhere and always available. Faith that He is with me even when I choose to not see Him. I confess I been very "blind" for the past two to three years, for these years have truly been a struggle. My pain has hardened me at times and lead me down the crooked road. But I believe ! I hope! I wait in faith of God's love for me. My "SPARKLE" is on the other side of this life. I will find all of the Sparkles that wait for me.My Sparkles that left this world for the most beautiful  of all Sparkles......... I have faith and believe.   "My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at His feet." Mahatma Ghandi-----So no matter if your Bling has flaws, put it on and be pretty. Go out and Sparkle.

Modern Technology

Okay I remember the days when I was the one in this family who the "TECHIE ". Give it to me and I would "hook" you up. Now I really feel my age because the technology is kicking my A-- . Not a shining moment in my life.So my only  course of action is to call upon the younger generation to carry my old and decrepit self into the "New Age" of electronics. And my "Bling" for today is my son-in-law  Daniel. I am now the proud owner of a Blu Ray DVD player,surround system in one room and a VERY COOL sound bar in the other TV veiwing area. Very home theater here. This is extremely important because I am a movie FREAK. Not too much of a "Chick" flick person --I want action,drama,science fiction and SCARY movies. The sound guality is most important in scary movies because that ,to me, is a large part of the scare. Take out the sounds and some horror flicks are nothing. Pearl Harbor without the planes and explosions would be dissapointing. So sound is GOOD and good sound for movies-in the immortal words of Tony the Tiger-is "GREAT!".  My Sparkle is provided by Daniel -he gave me my "Bling" today. "Bling"on my Pretties !

13 Sparkles

Did I mention I am G-Ma to 13 grandchildren? Some are close and some are far, but never too far because they all live in my heart. Some are here and some are there, but I think their parents are the reasons for my greying hair. I have had many titles from Memaw,Grandma,Memoo,BaBa, Green Mamaw,and G-Ma. I love every lable because is was a gift from the little one who called out to me.I think one of my more favorable titles is G-Ma -kind of James Bond-ish. Some have said I am not your typical grandmother and that in part is true. From funky hair cuts and color - tattoos (yes tattoos- all in good taste)  and motorcycles. But if eternal love and pride are the gualities your ordinary grandmothers carry in their hearts? I am as typical and ordinary as  G-Ma can be. My   "Bling" today  are 13 Sparkles. Everyone a beauty.  They make me pretty .                                                                                                                                                                       

Another Sparkle

I have been blessed with very good friends. One of these friends is Tammy . Whenever I am down or in my "Dark Place" she seems to sense my mood and is always ready on the spot to change that for me.I have met caring people before but Tammy goes -always - the extra mile to help. I've seen that personally and demonstrated  to others. "The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More. For all of Tammy's ordinary acts for others -she is the "Sparkle" in my life today. Put your "Bling" on and be pretty for someone else today. It will make you "Sparkle".

Hey,Hey-I Made it Back !

Well look at me go.I logged out and logged back in and on just a couple of hours of sleep.My friend posted today about him sleeping in and how unusual that is for him. Which is sooo true.! So as he was getting up late I was just in my second hour of sleep. And as usual my phone began to ring (no one for me of course-telemarketers) and so the little sleep time for me. Just so you know I almost always tell them (telemarket people) that the person they wish to speak to has died. Not too many return calls- hahahah !!!  Maybe that will be my constant response from today on?   Don't forget to put on your "Bling" and be pretty . My "Bling" today is my friend Freddie. We share many things in common and today he is the thing in my life that sparkles. Thank you Freddie.

Testing my Memory

Just testing to see how much I remember of what my dear friend Tammy taught me in Blogging 101.So far my mind can still hold new info and I follow simple commands well. We did not get into the "adding photos" part. She must be able to since my limitations.Oh yeah-we also discussed how to blog from my phone. I am pleased to report I can send text from my phone-remember "photo adding" is in next week's lesson. It is so very nice to have a "TECHIE" friend that loves me and is willing to drag me into" TECHNO LAND".  I may just be able to survive in this brand new world. Don't forget to put your" BLING" on and walk proudly on your pretty way.  Now how do I get out of this?.........oh yes I remember.

My friend Freddie was not happy with one of his projects. He said it was cute but not pretty. With a little bling Freddie made it pretty. So we may all be cute but with a little BLING we are ALL pretty. Thanks Freddie -from now on I will make sure I always have my BLING on.

One day blogging will be as easy as pie. I hope that is saying blogging is easy because a pie can be a hard thing to do.

Thank you Tammy for all your hard work.