Happy Belated Birthday, America!

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been suffering from gall bladder attacks. If you have never had one, let me tell you...you don't want one. Truthfully, this has been going on for months. Maybe once a month, maybe not. It really had everything to do with what I ate. High in fat or cholesterol were not items on the menu! After the worst attack yet on Monday of last week, I went back to the doctor and then to the surgeon. I wanted him to cut me open right there in the office and get this pesky little organ out ASAP! Not only was it making my life miserable, it was interupting one of my favorite holidays! I opted for surgery in the Outpatient Surgery Center on Thursday the 2nd, which would put me home on the 3rd. Surgery went well and was easy....until I awoke on a gurney headed for the hospital to have more stones removed. I had stones on the common duct side of of the bile duct that weren't removed with the gall bladder. This was going to be even more fun! They were going in through my mouth to get these babies out. If I hadn't lived to tell about it...I am not sure I would believe it.

The great news today is that I FEEL GREAT! I've got a few staples and bruises, but for the most part....I am better than ever. And I am even eating healthier. Thank you to Dr. B and Dr. D....you guys did great!
So for all of that, I just wanted to say....Happy Birthday, America! Thank God for bringing my brother-in-law home from Iraq last month! And thank you to all of those who continue to fight for the freedoms that we so often take for granted....Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!

Here's Johnny!

What a week it's been so far. Who would have guessed that so many icons would pass in one week, much less two in one day. A friend of mine said on his Facebook page that he wondered if Ed McMahon was announcing the newcomers last night. We all knew that Farrah was ill and fighting the battle of her life. Her passing was no surprise, but no one expected to cut the tv on yesterday afternoon and find out that Michael Jackson had suffered what is beleived to be a heart attack and then to find out that he didn't make it. Rest in Peace Ed, Farrah and Michael. Each of your talents will be missed. I can only hope that the legacies that live on for each of them will be the goodness that they offered and not the bad times that plagued each of them. I know I will always remember the Ed McMahon who stood in front of those multi-colored curtains or on the couch with Johnny, the feathered hair Farrah (aka Charlie's Angels) and the Thriller Michael.

It's time for a little sale....

When it rains it pours....referring to me blogging as opposed to the weather this time. The sun is coming out and temperature and humidity are quickly rising. I realized that the summer solstice is upon us this weekend. In honor of the longest day of the year, I am offering 10% off everything on the web site. I've just added a bunch of stuff, so that there is LOTS to choose from! The sale newsletter I sent out at 4 a.m. this morning was full of typos, too. I can't believe I let it get out that way, but honestly, I didn't catch them until it was too late. What's a girl to do? It was 4 a.m.! It states that the sale starts tomorrow, but I've already entered the discount on the cart, so....start shopping!

PS--This key fob reminds me of Nautical by Nature...here's a shout out to you as you trek cross country!
And I forgot to mention...dinner last night was deliscious. It was shark and I couldn't believe how good it was....Mmmm!

Facebook Giveaway

I'm back at it...time for another giveaway. Hasn't it been long enough? And I am sure there will be more giveaways as I clean out my studio. Wow, it's amazing what I have uncovered already! Join our Facebook fan page and leave a comment under the giveaway comment to register to win a Pink and Green Gift Set of a key fob, wine stopper and pendant.
Go here to find us: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1278042016&v=feed&story_fbid=98092887125#/pages/High-Point-NC/Lulu-and-Daisy/63360425351?ref=ts

In other news, life in North Carolina resembles that of Seattle, but hotter with a lot more humidity. I'm not complaining about the rain. Last year at this time, we were being threatened with water restrictions and our grass (all lush and green today) was some shade of brown. I guess if you pray for rain, you better be preparing for some mud. I am hoping that the grass won't get crispy anytime soon.

Last weekend, DH took a trip to the coast to go fishing with the guys. They fished a lot, with not much luck....until Saturday. He reeled in a 5 foot Hammerhead Shark (he's seen here):

Caught just a mile offshore in about 25 feet of water. Real close to where we were just a few weeks ago. Anyone else hear the theme music from jaws? They didn't pull him on the boat, though. Catch and release! No such luck for the few other fish he caught. We're having them for dinner tonight!

On the site...there are LOTS of new items. I added a lot of things today and will continue to add them as it continues to rain. With weather like this, there is no excuse to not be completely caught up on all orders. So why not make use of my time and get the site updated!?

Until next time....

Yard Sale Weekend

As if I don't seem busy enough, I am hosting my first ever yard sale. Of course, I can't just have a plain old yard sale. I am cleaning out my studio, too! To add to the mound of clothes, shoes, and housewares, I am also going to bag up "extra" drawer knob tops, second quality wine stoppers and key fobs(they have the old finish that has a yellow undertone) and first quality keyfobs that have been in stock for a year. These items will be priced to sell, I guarantee it. Not 25 cents, but $5 and under for the first quality keyfobs and wine stoppers and $10 for a bag of 6 drawer pulls (first quality/no bolt). No need to waste time haggling with the people who don't want to pay anything anyway...All prices are as marked--whenever I get around to doing that.

One of my best friends, Paige, is also selling her own gently used items. She's also bringing plants from her family's greenhouse (they have a huge greenhouse and rent plants to furniture showrooms during the spring and fall furniture market that is held here in High Point). It's going to be quite a great yard sale, if I do say so myself. All the items left over will be donated to Good Will or the Salvation Army...whoever will take our goods on Saturday afternoon! As for the Lulu and Daisy items, well, I'd love to tell you that I would put them on the site but we all know that I am not even done updating with new items. That said, this is what I am going to do for my followers and your friends: If you are interested in getting a $5 keyfob or wine stopper or a $10 bag of 6 drawer knobs--bolts not included--send me an email and I'll let you know what I have. Want to pay $1? Anything with the old finish/second quality items will be marked at $1. Feel free to go ahead and contact me. I'm very happy to pre-sell this stuff.

On the gift front, I've added a few Father's Day items to the site. My favorite is the Cooler from Parrot. These are the best soft coolers on the market. I have owned and worn out 2 of them in the last 10 years....keep in mind we tailgate every weekend and hit the beach as often as possible. They survived much longer that I could have ever imagined. If your dad uses a cooler often, I highly recommend this one.

Well, that's it for now....I'll keep you posted on the yard sale. I am sure it will be quite an experience!

Where does the time go?

I have been a busy little painter, among other things lately. My business has been picking up and I am so thankful for that in this economy. A big thank you to my followers and give-away winners...as I am sure you have something to do with my continued success. And a special shout out to BroncoMom who's missed me, too!

I have been on vacation since last Thursday. A nice LONG weekend at Holden Beach in North Carolina with my WH (wonderful husband) and one of my BFF's and her family. A wonderfully relaxing trip where I got to cook (I don't do that much at home and I think after this weekend WH wonders why) and sit on the beach. It was the perfect 5 days. We left late Thursday afternoon and came home on Tuesday. Upon arrival at Holden, we stopped in at Captain Pete's for the BEST flounder I have ever had. I am still mad that I left my camera in the car and didn't get a picture of it before I devoured it. It was picture worthy!

I also read two GREAT books. Jen Lancaster, you are my new fave writer and if you are ever in the Piedmont area of NC...call me...we'd make great friends. Thanks for the inspiration I needed, too! Jen's Such a Pretty Fat is the funniest book I have ever read about the battle of the buldge (and I am not talking about WWII). The other book I read is Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger.....aka the author of The Devil Wears Prada. And yes, I know I am reading books that are now out in paperback. Just so you know, I bought Lauren's Chasing Harry Winston today. And I have ALL of Jen's books on order at Amazon. My summer reading list is filled.

Today, however, I was rushed back to reality. Jury Duty in Greensboro at 8:30 a.m. That's a 30 minute commute....and quite frankly, at rush hour, it was a 45 minute commute. I did learn some things while serving. The county I live in is the only one in the state that has two court systems in two cities. The city I live in and the county seat of Greensboro. That makes me fair game to serve at either. It would be nice if I could have served close to home. I would have been able to leave at 8:15. BUT NO...I had to leave at 7:30. Since I work from home, commuting has long since been removed from my vocabulary. I mean, my typical commute is done in my pj's and bunnie slippers and requires me to open the basement door and descend one flight of stairs. Voila...I am in the studio. Needless to say I am exhausted from having to wake up so early. Next, I learned that if you've been convicted of a felony that you are no longer considered a citizen of the US of A. I must have slept through that in my polisci class. You can have your citizenship returned to you after time served or something. I quit listening, as that didn't really pertain to me. My best surprise was an old family friend serving, too. His mother and my grandmother were best friends. This is your shout out, Jeffrey! Thanks for having lunch with me! Our families are officially caught up and in-the-know. Jeffrey and I also got lucky...we were never called into a courtroom and released at 2:30. YAY! OH, and I started The Secret Life of Bees. I have been wanting to read it before I saw the movie (anyone who knows me will laugh at that because I am not a movie watcher).

So now after catching you all up....I AM BACK. Ready to write and maybe even finally update the web site. Stay tuned....
And yes...that is a picture from my trip to the beach!

What a busy week!

Well, this week has had some unexpected but fun things come up. First on Sunday, I was asked to come in to the restaurant where I used to work to Expo during Furniture Market. I live in High Point, NC, so we're still known for furniture. It's the busiest time of spring for High Point, though. And I love being back in the kitchen running my tail off. It was fun, but I am exhausted!
As a side note: If you ever need some furniture...let me know. I can hook you up with some great designers at some of the best furniture stores in the country...that also happen to have the best prices!

Last week, I started developing my new line of painted bead jewelry. It's been such a success so far and I ahve barely shown it to anyone. It's amazing. I am only selling it retail and not offering it to my wholesalers just yet. I wanted to have a good introductory price point on it. I haven't put it on my site yet. Since I am leaving town in about 2 hours, I doubt that will happen today either. Some of the designs are on the Lulu and Daisy Fan Page on Facebook, so go check them out!
Any KD's out there? I have a limited number of these great pendants, too!