Murphy’s Law | Bead Happily Ever After

Uh-oh . . .

Posted on June 10, 2011 by crystal

Friday Greetings!

Let’s begin with a pretty picture and then move on to a funny story, ok?

Our miniature lilac surrounded by some of my favorite irises.

Sometimes I’m amazed at how goofy I can be.

I blame it on my multi-tasking gene.

For example . . .

I have one of those computer desks (It’s ancient!) that has a built-in space for the printer located right beside the monitor. It’s a convenient spot – no reaching under the desk, or walking across the room to fetch a printed document. I also like that the paper is right at my fingertips should I need to snag a piece for a hand-written note.

It all sounds innocent enough but, believe me; I can turn something simple into chaos at the blink of an eye. The other day, as I was selecting some vintage glass beads for a custom jewelry order, the phone rang. To complete the call, I had to get online and check a file. I absent-mindedly put the beads down on the stack of printer paper. (Bear in mind, the paper is halfway in the machine – all ready to print when needed. I should also mention that these were not only vintage beads, but RARE vintage beads.)

I finished my phone call and then decided I wanted to print the file I had been viewing . . .

All of a sudden (and of course a millisecond too late), I realized what was about to happen!!!!! The beads were on their way through the printer!!!!! I couldn’t stop them.

Ay-yi-yi!

My heart sank.

Usually, Sir Beads is my mechanical guru but he wasn’t home at the time. I couldn’t wait. I just had to see if I could salvage the beads – not to mention the printer!

I unplugged it, turned it upside down, and tried to figure out how to take it apart without breaking it. After several minutes of struggling, would you believe the small zip lock bag of beads popped right out? Incredibly, they were not damaged! I guess the slippery plastic bag helped them slide past the paper rollers without being crushed.

Next, while holding my breath, I tested the printer. It was ok, as well. Talk about lucky! The file I had printed was a crumpled up mess but that was “small potatoes”, as my Dad would say.

I felt pretty dumb relaying the story to hubby that night, but he just smiled and shook his head.

He’s used to it by now.

Enjoy the weekend!

Hugs,

Some Days You’re The Statue

Posted on November 5, 2010 by crystal

You know what they say…. Some days you’re the pigeon; some days you’re the statue.

I’m writing this on Thursday night and today I was definitely the statue.

I had the feeling it was going be an interesting day when, early on, I knocked over my cup of tea. In what seemed like slow motion, it traveled to the floor – splashing like a tidal wave – leaving tea on the wall, the table, the lamp, my upholstered chair, and the rug! Ay yi yi – talk about a mess.

The day continued with a series of little mishaps (I won’t bore you with the list) and it culminated in a very tough battle with a nasty computer virus that had me against the ropes for several hours. I think I’ve finally cleared it . . . but, at this point, all I want to do is put my cheek here on the keyboard and go to sleep. Thank goodness, Sir Beads and I had already planned some fun for this weekend!

All’s well now, and to quote Scarlett O’ Hara: “Tomorrow is another day!” (Gosh I’m glad this one is almost over!)

Happy Weekend, Kids!

Don’t forget to “fall back”!

Hugs and smiles,

Woman or Mouse?

Posted on May 27, 2010 by crystal

You’ve probably heard the expression:

“What are you, a man or a mouse?”

It’s often used to encourage a person to be brave and stand up for himself. There were plenty of years when I would have to say I was definitely a “mouse”. As a kid, I was taught to be accommodating, polite, respectful – all virtues to be sure – but there are times when it seems only fair to speak up if you are uncomfortable.

Last week, Sir Beads and I took an afternoon off and decided to go for a drive and then out for a nice dinner – something we haven’t done for a while; it’s getting so expensive.

We love seafood so we went to a restaurant where that is the specialty. It was early evening. The restaurant wasn’t crowded yet, but there were 7 or 8 other couples and families already in the small dining room as we entered.

Our meal was served and we hadn’t had more than a few bites when the hostess began to run an electric broom nearby. At first, I didn’t think too much about it. I figured she was just grabbing a few crumbs from under a table that had been occupied moments before.

I was wrong, though. She began to move all the chairs and thoroughly “sweep” that area… and then she moved to a neighboring table and did the same. The sound was quite loud and high-pitched.

Now, there was a time when I would have just suffered in silence, but not that day. Maybe I’m bolder cause I’m older? Lol

I said to Sir Beads, “This is ruining our calm, relaxing, meal. We’re spending a chunk of our entertainment budget here, and we can’t afford to waste it. I must say something to the woman.”

So, I very politely asked if the noise would be stopping soon because this was not a peaceful atmosphere for enjoying our dinner. She immediately turned off the machine and the other diners looked grateful. I am baffled that anyone would ever make such a racket in the first place, especially with several tables of people trying to eat.

I must admit that afterwards, I felt a little bad about it. I feared that I seemed like a complainer. I guess all that politeness training is tough to shake, even when it seems fair to do so.

What do you think?

Hugs,

Chance of Showers

Posted on May 18, 2010 by crystal

Now, this looks pretty harmless . . . right?

Well, opening one of these babies is like a game of Russian roulette, I tell ya!

I like seltzer.

It has “fizz” for the kid in me, and no calories for the adult in me (who realizes that I don’t need sugared soft drinks, all the time).

But, I’m beginning to think that the teens, who stock the shelves at the supermarket, are having fun tossing, shaking, and otherwise roughing up a few of these bottles every so often – perhaps in an effort to make the shift go faster?

I can just imagine them chuckling as they wonder which poor soul will be opening a mini version of Niagara Falls in the near future!

The other day, I absent-mindedly went to the kitchen for a drink. As I opened a new seltzer bottle – a tidal wave of spray and bubbles covered me, my slippers, a cabinet door, the floor, the counter, and the day’s mail! I was no longer absent-minded. Talk about a call to attention.

The thing is – I’ve had this experience many times over the past few years. The funniest part is that right after it happens, I spend the next week or two being extra careful to open all bottles over the sink.

Of course, none of those bottles ever spray at all, and eventually, I’m lulled back into a relaxed state about the whole thing. I stop thinking I need to be near the sink and I return to opening bottles willy-nilly!

It isn’t very long though, before . . .

Yep! You guessed it.

There I am, once again, absent-mindedly going to the fridge for a drink and . . .

NIAGARA FALLS!!!

Hugs,

She Loves Her Peeps

Posted on March 18, 2010 by crystal

Marshmallow Peeps – you either love ‘em or hate ‘em.

There seems to be no in-between.

Our daughter LOVES them.

She lives overseas and she can’t find Peeps there.

Last week, we noticed that the Easter Peeps were back on the shelves of our stores. We also saw small “plush” peeps for the first time. We decided it would be fun to send both items to her!

I don’t know if you do much shipping to Europe. The priority mail flat rate box costs $13.45, which seems pretty expensive for the size of it, but money is no object when you want to surprise your kid with something she likes, right? We figured that one sleeve of candy peeps and the little plush peep could ride together in that flat rate box, and we were excited at the thought of our daughter opening it!

The Best Laid Plans . . .

We didn’t actually have a flat rate box at home. No problem though; we’d just wrap up the candy and the chick and make a mailing label. Sir Beads would get a box at the post office, pop the items in, and the package would be on the way. It sounded like a good plan but . . .

Have you ever made a cross-country trip with your family in a very crowded car? You know – a trip that leaves you all rumpled and in desperate need of a comb when it’s over?

Well, we’re afraid the plush peep may be limping and woozy once he is sprung from his cardboard traveling vehicle. Sir Beads said legroom was pretty scarce with that sleeve of marshmallow peeps in the way. He barely got the box closed. Thank heaven for good tape. (The next size flat rate priority box would have cost a whopping $43.45 – way too much to mail just a few dollars worth of items.)

So now, we’re crossing our fingers that our daughter can perform some sort of resuscitation on the little fella. Maybe a session with the hairdryer on low, or a few strokes with a soft hairbrush. I’ll let you know!

In the meantime, if you love Peeps, they have a website that’s a Disney-esque paradise of color and excitement! You can tour the factory, read about their history, find craft ideas, even recipes! Click here to see it.

Hugs,