Feeling LUCKY and being THANKFUL...

There are days when I don't feel very lucky, afterall sometimes things just don't work out like you had hoped. There are days when the windshield wipers break while it's raining, a gallon of milk spills all over the floor or you have a load of laundry in the washer but there's no detergent. Yep, life happens and sometimes it just kinda stinks.

But I suppose if wallowing in one's own self-pity isn't an option then looking at what's right and being thankful to be lucky is the best option of all. So... here's why I feel LUCKY and am very THANKFUL...

• THANKFUL to have the sweetest and most loving daughter in the world...
• THANKFUL my Mom never gave up on me...
• THANKFUL to have a husband who is supportive and caring during one of the most difficult times in my life...
• LUCKY to have found friends who accept me and all my warts...
• THANKFUL to have grown up with the right lessons in my life...
• THANKFUL that the Lord forgives...
• LUCKY to have 5 black cats who all have awesome purr boxes...
• THANKFUL for my job that most days isn't "just a job"...
• LUCKY to have students who care - about important things - not just what they are going to do on a Saturday night...
• THANKFUL for having family who are always around, love me and are just a click away...
• THANKFUL for my health - it really could be worse...
• THANKFUL and LUCKY TO HAVE YET ANOTHER DAY...
• LUCKY to have been born in the United States of America...
• THANKFUL to know the difference between right and wrong...
• THANKFUL to have the chance to express myself without fear...
• LUCKY and THANKFUL to live to see another day...

When life gives you lemons - you can THANKFULLY make lemonade and be thrilled for a little LUCK as well! :D

Buckeye Treasury for a Bulldawg???

Yep... it's hard to believe that a loyal and true Georgia Bulldog is in a Ohio State Buckeye treasury! A pair of my earrings made it into SignatureSterling's "Scarlet and Gray - All The Way" treasury! You see Sue (SignatureSterling) and I have an agreement... she cheers for my Georgia Bulldawgs and I cheer for OSU - as long as they aren't playing each other!! LOL! I think that's a pretty good arrangement, don't you? We are in different conferences afterall...

And while I hope both our teams do well this year, I hope we never have to meet up against one another! And even though I'm a Bulldawg, THANKS to Sue for thinking I fit right in with all those Buckeyes!! :)

Sue's treasury expires Saturday evening - so have a look before it's too late! And while you're at it, stop in and visit her shop too. She has all sorts of beautiful items including Ohio State baubles!

Share the Blog Love!

Etsy is a really neat selling venue... I enjoy the diversity of products and many talented artists. Every now and then you run across folks who are fun, talented and just all-around nice - that would be the case with Amanda, AKA Wildlifer78!

Amanda and I both belong to an Etsy group, the "BeadHive" and found we have many things in common. Not only do we share the love of jewelry design and beads (massive amounts of beads too!) but we share a deep commitment to our college teams - she's a LSU girl and it's UGA for me! Though our teams are rivals a few times a year, it's still fun to cheer for the other!! How do you like her Georgia Bulldog set she made for me!!! :)

I also want to mention that Amanda chose to have me in her artist feature this week!!! Wow!!! I am honored!!!! Her glowing blog piece was so kind and sweet - THANK YOU AMANDA!!! Let me pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. :)

So if you have the chance... check out Amanda's blog and most importantly go visit her shop on Etsy - you'll be glad you did, her work is amazing!!!

The Last Lecture - Professor Randy Pausch

With great sadness and surprise, I learned tonight that Professor Randy Pausch passed away from pancreatic cancer on Friday July 25. I didn't know him personally, but was unbelievably touched by a series of reports on ABC News about him and his views on living and life.

I really don't remember the date I saw the original story on his "Last Lecture." I should have been grading papers but was incredibly drawn to him and what he had to say. So I put down my red pen and just stared at the TV, hanging on every word. I was blown away.

His lecture was filled with stories, memories, lessons and metaphor. While the lecture was intended for his children, people across the world found inspiration. There are 2 things Professor Pausch said that have stuck with me all these many months...

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand" - as I come to terms with my own very recent diagnosis with cancer, only now do I fully understand what he meant. I will not ask 'why me?' and shake my fist in anger - why allow those negatives to dictate a life that can and should be rich with love, laughter and yes, even lessons. We do indeed have a choice in how we play our hand...

"The brickwalls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things." The "brickwalls" quote was so powerful, I immediately made a sign and posted it in my classroom so I would remember... Many of my students read it and gently nodded as they realized what it really meant. I will keep that quote on my wall as a reminder, not only for it's true intent but that it came from a man who had a very special message for the millions of us who were willing to listen.

God speed Professor Randy Pausch - your lessons will live on and in your memory.

Treasury of Trees

I love trees... in spring and summer they are welcoming and inviting and in winter they remind us of what wonders lie ahead once their dormancy is over... This treasury by SmokeyLady54 celebrates TREES of all sorts! Let's celebrate them!!!

Thank you SmokeyLady54 - your treasury is awesome and inspiring and I appreciate you including my tree in this beautiful list!!

Have a look at all of our trees... this list expires Wednesday night!

Inspirational Treasury

The blue box popped up again this morning and this time I was ready with an inspirational theme. Entitled "WORDS to LIVE by" I think it is a gentle reminder of what's really important in our lives...

Check out my treasury... it's active until early Sunday morning! Enjoy!! :)

BeadNest Designs and "The Giveaway"

Blog giveaways can be so much fun! And I am thrilled to be the "21st Etsy Giveaway" on the blog site "The Giveaway" authored by Katie at BabyLyons Designs (Katie's shop is fantastic - so go have a look!!).



Because my life has drastically changed in the past week, one of the prizes really has some philosophical significance and the other... well, I hope it just makes you smile! For the 1st winner, they will receive my hammered, textured & antiqued copper pendant "Carpe Diem" necklace; the 2nd winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used in my Etsy shop.

Please read all the "Rules To Enter" and join in on the fun! And... "Carpe Diem!"