I have finished both of my February journal pages. I have yet to finish my second January piece, but that's coming soon. This first "page" is for my Grandson Chris. The two faces on the broken heart represent his parents Mike and Laurie. The crystal drops represent the many tears we have all shed at his loss. So many tears. Jack looked at these February pieces and was not happy with them. He didn't think it looked like my beading, it was too messy. I told him it looked just like I wanted it too. Tattered. A heart in shreds. It upset me for days and I even entertained the thought of not doing the journals. Shows how close to the surface the emotions still are. Its just so hard.....

I have finished my January piece for Chris. I found myself making excuses to myself for not working on this piece everyday. And today I was feeling great that I was about to finish the piece (as yet to be attached to a "page") and suddenly found myself crying. I kept thinking about what Chris said to me when we moved to Alaska. I was talking to him on the phone, he was about to turn four, and he said "You come back here to your house where you belong". Living so far away, we missed so much of our Grandchildrens growing up. We are lucky that their parents kept us in photos and stories. We so enjoyed every visit we made to them. Our children grow up so fast and have their owns lives separate from us. As a family we think we know each other so well...how wrong we are. We forget that we each have our own private sides. We just have to love each other unconditionally, well anyway that's what I believe. I love you Chris..forever.....

The attached photo is proof that I am actually working on my first Journal page. This is the first page of the Journal that I am dedicating to our Grandson Chris. Chris would have been 22 January 10th. Such a loss. I wonder if we will ever get over it. He was such a treasure. I am beading over a black and white photo. I am using black thread to grey my white and to give the piece that grainy look that black and white photos have.

Ok, once again..I accidentally posted my remarks on the Bead Journal Blog instead of my own. What I was saying was that I have finally started one of my January Journal pages. It feels good to finally be working on my journal. I am attaching a photo of Jack and I at the Ice show "The Grinch" at the huge Hotel/Lodge the Gaylord Texan near Dallas. It was an amazing place. We enjoyed our visit with our Son and his family for Christmas and New Years. The weather could have been warmer, but I am thankful for the warm days we had. We are both battling colds right now, but glad to be back in Alaska for now.

This is a view of the Bay from the deck of my friend Bea. She lives up on the ridge and has a great view. She gave me permission to use her photo.

Well, today is the 12th of December, and we have decided to go to Texas for Christmas this year to be with our Son and his family. Jack has not seen the Grandsons since the oldest was three and he is now 11. So its way past time. I plan on taking my beads with me to get going on my Journals. i am posting another beautiful sunrise. The clouds are strange but beautiful. The sunset this day was also extremely strange but beautiful, unfortunately I did not get out to take the photo until it had faded out too much.

Today is the First Friday opening at the Gallery. Jack and I went down yesterday afternoon and spent five hours setting up my show. Irene moved so many exhibits around in the main Gallery so we could use the pillars. She has such a good eye for displays. I have the snacks ready to take down, and I must say I am not as nervous now that we have everything set up. I was afraid I would not have enough to fill the show area, but everything worked out perfect. Now I just have to get through the opening. Silly isn't it? Now I just need to finish Dahlia's doll and I can start on my journal pages in a serious way.

I am attaching a photo of my beautiful Granddaughters in their costumes they wore for Halloween. Two peas in a pod those two.