Well, its the 21st of August already. The month of June was terrible the first half. So much stress and worry, but we have moved on from that now. The last half of June was wonderful. Against my better judgement, I went to Oregon to see our Children and Family. I hated leaving Jack, but he pushed until I finally agreed to go. Once I was there, I was so happy that I agreed to go. I really didn't realize just how stressed I was. What a wonderful week that was. I missed seeing our oldest Granddaughter, her husband and our beautiful Great Granddaughter, and our Nephew John, but those that were there were such a blessing. How much I miss them.

Christina from the Gallery just called to tell me that "Seala" the beaded mermaid doll that I had in the Gallery just sold to a woman from Arizona. Thats the second doll that has sold, its......wow, silly as it seems, there's always a feeling of....loss. Each doll has her own personality and grabs you in different ways. How silly...its just a doll!!!! Funny but certain pieces of my beadwork make me feel the same way. Some I don't have feelings one way or the other, and then....certain pieces just make you feel differently. I guess its the time that you put into them. Oh well, back to painting the front door. I was really hoping we would be able to buy a new one this year, but with all that's happened lately, paint will just have to do for a couple more years I guess. Maybe I can get in some beading today..maybe.

Well, so much has happened since my last entry, and I am now two months behind on my bead journal pages and so much more. Spent four and a half wonderful days with our Children and Grandchildren on the Oregon Coast. My Mother, Nephew and two of my Sisters were also there, along with their families. What a wonderful time we had, I can't wait to do it again next year, only with Jack going along also. If it be Gods will. I haven't been able to do any beading since I've been home, due to Jack's health issues, but things will soon be better I am sure and then I can get back to beading with a vengence. I did do a small painting to make a thankyou card to send to all who made the family gathering, but thats as creative as I have been. I am really wanting to get into my beads....soon....soon....I hope.

I am enjoying learning to watercolor. I don't know if I'm doing it exactly right, but so far it seems to be working. I love my little birdhouses, so I found a driftwood pole to hang the houses on in the yard. It looks a little weathered, which is what I was hoping for. The birds sit on it, but not in them. I took a picture of it when the fireweed was blooming in with the raspberry bushes. This is an edited version of the photo I took.

A young friend of mine named Miriam took this photo over in Seldovia on the boardwalk. I loved the photo so I purchased it from her with the plan to do an oil painting, however, since I am trying to learn watercolor I decided to try it that way...I think it turned out ok.

What a week we have had..Jack ending up air evac"ed to Anchorage in critical condition, but it ended ok. A week in the ICU, heart doctors, kidney doctors, helicopter ride....but he is still with me and thats all I care about. I went to Michaels Craft supply one day while Jack was having tests, and found this great centerpiece for a necklace. Inexpensive, but I think its beautiful. Rowan, one of the gals I work with at the Gallery had her Birthday while we were in Anchorage, so I thought this would make a beautiful and slightly exotic looking necklace for her birthday. She loves red so it works out well I think. I added coral and brass beads. I love the way it worked out. The two "fan" beads are cinnabar.

Today was a beautiful day weather wise. Then this evening Sandy and I went to all the Gallery openings, fun. Then we made a quick trip out to the Spit to see what if anything was happening out there. The opening for the Coastal Studies, "Drift" art project was this evening and I will post a few pictures of those entries. What a fun project that was. My two buoys will be on display at the Fire and Ice B&B and Lodge. They will be auctioned off in September. I wish it would have been a better day for Jack. He has had a rough two weeks and it doesn't look like its going to get better. Oh for a magic wand!! I also finished another piece for the Gallery which I will post here. God gives us so many trials in life.....