Yay for Girl Power!

I have just finished watching The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. I came away with two thoughts: 1) Julianne Moore is one heck of an actress, and 2) thank the Lord for the times we live in now!! It's based on a true story of an overworked and under-appreciated housewife with ten kids and a hapless alcoholic husband during the late 50's and early 60's. She never learned to drive, and had to beg her husband for money to pay the milkman each week. At one point she gets a call from the bank telling her the second mortgage on their house ($4000) is due in 30 days, to which she responds "what second mortgage?" She kept the family going by entering contests and winning prizes, cash and/or goods, which she would sell to pay the bills. I think all women today need to get on their knees and send a prayer of thanks to Gloria Steinem and all the others who started the feminist movement.

I am so grateful to be living in this enlightened time when women are independent with jobs, families, political careers, and the freedom to choose whatever they want in life.

Bead Extravaganza

Things have been really quiet around here the past couple of months. We've been nursing a sick dog, and kept homebound since the Boston wedding back in October. When I learned the Intergalactic Bead Show was coming to Durham in January, I started having hot flashes of beady desire. I arranged with Marbleman to dog sit so I could spend a day at the show. I'd never been to an expo like this before and man, I really wanted to go. I talked a friend into going with me and "Awaa-ay we went!"

I plopped down my entry fee and walked through the door. Oh..My..God! There were a lot of beads in there! I stopped at the first vendor and my brain short-circuited. An hour later, my little tray was full, and I realized I needed to pace myself, or I'd blow my whole budget at this one table. But with the hot little jewelry lights, all those little shiny sparkly things had me hypnotized. I actually went through and put some things back (What?!?).

I made my way around the room in a very organized way after that, keeping an eye to the unusual, or fabulously priced strands and came home with a tote bag so heavy I had a sore shoulder for four days. I was told this was a fairly small show, as shows go. I think that's a good thing. I managed to get what I needed in a single exhausting day and had the time of my life in the process. I've heard the Tuscon, AZ show is the place to go - that it's a week-long event. Holy Cow. I don't think I'd have the stamina for something like that.

Now I really have to get into the studio to work! Mostly I just want to spread all those lovelies out on the floor and roll around in them, but I think it would hurt.