What a wonderful life!

Ms. Frances Harrell, 91 years young

Ms. 2009 Nursing Home Queen!

Truly I am blessed!

I had a lovely weekend! On Saturday, my daughter had a photo shoot and asked me to go along. She was photographing the "Ms. Georgia Nursing Home Pageant". Now you may think, "how boring" but I had such a good time. The ladies were truly beautiful! Funny, witty, sweet, and so very precious is only a small description of those valiant women. Just think of the history they have seen! It is mind boggling to think that some were in their 90's. Ninety years ago their lives were so different from ours today. They have lived through wars, raising their babies, rations, storms, laughter, & pain.

As each one came to have their pictures taken, I had the privilege of speaking with each one. They had to be in a nursing home, they had to pass their local competition, make a scrapbook of their lives & they had to bring a representative from the nursing home & a nurse. They had their nails/hair/makeup all done to match their evening gowns. There were three of our Marine Officers to escort them up the runway. After they passed the interviews from the judges they choose five finalists then they interviewed the five again on stage. Then our own Ms. Georgia crowned the Queen! I was moved to tears several times during the whole event. Not just because I miss my Momma but because I love the wisdom of older women who have "been there done that". Their "faith" was refreshing & so very wise. (I did not know that they have been having a Ms. Georgia Nursing Home Pageant since 1979. You have to admire the work that goes into such an adventure. Mrs. Belinda Price & numerous others work so hard to make this event a special day for all!) Several of the ladies were so spunky & I had to laugh out loud when one of the ladies showed me a tattoo that she had on her breast. She said that I must get one, "it makes you feel sexy". I adored her & wished she lived closer to my town so that I could keep up with her. How fun that would have been.

Mrs. Harrell graciously accepted the award! She lives just down the road from my town in Lawrenceville, GA. I will love to keeping up with her life over this next year. What a precious treasure she is to her beautiful family & to her state of Georgia!

While Melissa was "working" I had the time to bead a little. I made this Herringbone Belted Cuff. It is made with soft jet black triangles woven in a herringbone pattern. Wow, what a lot of work. Then I ended the belt part with a beautiful gold delica bead in a brick stitch. Next I made the "buckle" from the same gold bead and topped that with a deep cranberry red Czech crystal. It is quite stunning and the bracelet is soft as a fabric because the beads were so small.

While at the convention I sold three of my very favorite pieces. (It is so hard to let any of them go but when I get attached to a piece it is like tearing a part of me away.) But the lady that bought it seemed to love it as much as I did. (It is kinda' like giving away a puppy/if it goes to a good home it seems to be a little less painful).

So, I did have a good weekend. Time with my best friend, meeting such beautiful women, going to worship the Lord and a much needed nap too. Truly, I am blessed.....thanks for stopping in!

Have a wonderful week ahead....sharon