Monday, June 20, 2005

A Day Full of Fun and Friends - and BEADS!

Diana and I had planned a trip to McPherson today. One of the bead stores is going out of business and things were 80-90% off. I got some wonderful Swarovski beads - they were expensive to begin with, and not cheap even at 80% off. They came in packages with quite a few in each and I don't want nearly all of them. So, after I make the things I want to do I may pop the rest of them up on ebay or my webpage. It would take me many years to use them all at the rate I make stuff.

Greg was planning to go up there too to shop for his girlfriend, Mia, who makes wonderful things. She is a SERIOUS bead person. Anyway, we were leaving at about the same time so just all went together. I had offered to get things for Mia, but then I couldn't even figure out what I wanted - much less someone else - so it's a good thing Greg went. We were all concerned about the cost of our baubles, even at 80-90% off, by the time we got to the check out stand.

Hopefully yet this week, Jocelyn, Diana and I will have a jewelry making night together. We'll see if that works out. I've got a family reunion this weekend to prepare for so I'm not sure if we can figure out a time to do it all.

When we got back to Hutch, I couldn't resist stopping by Dillons on the way home and getting yet more plants. I'm not sure why I can't stop myself. I need to try harder. I'm about to run out of room. I need to rearrange the rocks and see what room I have. I'm trying to balance the colors. I'm beginning to discover this is not natural for me to do with plants. Hopefully I'll learn.

Tonight was our Red Hat group. Frankly, I think we should forget the red hats and just go to dinner. None of us seem to care about the hat thing. I've never been a good conformist, what can I say? It was a nice group tonight - Susan K, Debbie, Teresa, Diana, Jocelyn, Susan N and me. We had a good time together.

I think I'll douse myself with deet and put a few more plants in the ground, instead of doing it at 4 a.m., which is what I was doing last night. I was up until 5 and got up at 8, so I should try to get to bed a little earlier tomorrow. Besides, I have a board meeting tomorrow.

I need to finish some house things and I'd feel better. I need to get my handyman over here to do some tasks, the electrician is coming on Wednesday, the roofer is supposed to call tomorrow. I have been putting off a ton of things and it is really time to get them taken care of.

Well... I'm off to get spray myself head to toe with mosquito repellant, although at this point I'm not sure there's any reason - I'm one big mosquito bite already.

Sunday

Today was the garden tour to raise money for the MHA. We had a dry day, but it was HOT. But, things went well.

This was one of the houses this year - this garden is all geared toward birds and butterflies. It's a really neat place - a little north of town.

She has hummingbirds, which are somewhat unusual in Kansas. We're right on the edge of their migration pattern. She also has tons of butterflies.

Trish was the board member in charge there. I'm so fortunate that my board members are willing to pitch in for such events. When you're a one person staff, you have to have help.

I was just worn out - I guess from all the work getting ready for the tour. Anyway, I've been pretty droopy - not feeling bad - just worn out.

Greg and I went to Chilis for dinner. I'm not impressed with them. I've been four times since they opened and three of those times I've had to send part of my food back because it was cold. I don't mean a little cool, I mean cold. To top it off, the front desk staff rubs me the wrong way - a little too full of themselves. Seem to believe they're really cute or smart or powerful or something. Honey, trust me, you ain't all that.

Tonight I planted more flowers in the front. Goodness knows what this will look like - I've planted half of it in the dark. But, it's too hot during the day to be doing it. I'm close to having in everything I've bought so far. I think tomorrow I'll be able to look at it in the daylight and see what few things I'm missing and maybe get those in. Then, I guess, it's time for mulch - not something I've ever done.

I love being a home owner, but I remember a time when I didn't think about things like mulch or devote internet time to reading about attic vents.