Possibilities

Sorry for the long absence, amazing how time gets away from you!  Here is an update on what has been happening in our lives:

• Mina's Christmas break has come and gone!  She went back to school today, but during the past two weeks she spent time with 3 of her best gal pals, spent time with her Grandpa & Granny, spent time with her Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and a favorite foreign exchange student, and spent time with her friend Nita's family.  Mina apparently has spent time with everyone, but her parents!!! Huh, weird! :0)
• Chris hurt his shoulder on an icy day at work, slipped on a step and stopped himself from falling, but put all of his weight on the one arm that grabbed the hand rail.  Consequently, he has visited the orthopedic surgeon, the physical therapist, and soon an imaging specialist for an MRI.  Chris also visited with the folks at the Red Cross last weekend, when he donated Platelets for the second time.  Apparently, Chris is a platelet overachiever, he has so many platelets that he actually was able to donate more than the normal 3 units.  He is a dedicated blood donor, having given several gallons since he was old enough to start giving, and I think the platelet donation will also become a common occurrence. Having needed a blood transfusion in my life, I appreciate all whom can donate.  I have lousy veins, so not only is it tough to give blood just for a doctor's test, but it was pretty tough for them to put it back into me too!  
• I have been busy making contacts with new opportunities!  I joined the Bead Soup Party group that is managed by Lori Anderson and I have been asked to be a compensated blogger for Auntie's Beads!  I love the Chinese Crystals and Pendants from Auntie's!  They are one of my favorite bead suppliers, because living in Nebraska, Auntie's Beads are located in Texas, so the beads arrive quickly, and they have a lovely variety of beads.  
• I was also given a lovely gift by my boss, Julie, at Julie's Xpressions in Hastings.  She is taking me (along with Trish and Mary, who are also a part of the scene at Julie's) to Tucson in February to attend the Bead Shows to buy beads for the shop (and for ME)!!!!  It is so exciting, I just about can't stand it!  We fly out on February 1 and return on February 7 and this is the RESORT that we are staying at!  Though I imagine, that each day after our bead purchasing, we will likely just return there to pass out or soak our aching feet!  I have purchased new luggage and FLIP FLOPS!  I seem to be getting a lot of raspberries blown at me from my co-workers at my other job and from Chris and Mina!  Strange! ;0)

I hope 2011 is presenting you with lovely POSSIBILITIES too!  I feel a wonderful year coming on!