My Thanksgiving!

Okay, I admit it: the holidays have gotten the best of me this year. We finally got around to sending out our Christmas cards and decorating our poor naked tree that has been in the "Gallery" space of our house for 4 days. But folks I am here to announce that:

Today is my Thanksgiving!

(Yes, I realize for all of you it's Christmas eve...)

It's days like today that I am so thankful for. Two days ago my in-laws, Wilf and Marion, came to spend the holidays with us from the cold of Toronto. Welcome to 80 degrees, I am so glad you are here!

I realize that it is because of the increased success of my websites and local sales that I have been a bit crazed this year. It still amazes me that people will go to my Etsy web sites and purchase the items that I make. For this I am VERY THANKFUL! I began this little venture on a whim and as I tell folks, this has turned into my retirement project. I am heading into this with my eyes and heart wide open. I pile all of myself into each and every piece, whether a simple pair of beaded earrings or a carefully selected and set stone. The excitement I see in some peoples eyes when they find the right piece is worth every ounce of me I put into these pieces.

Each day I open my websites and read the "Feedback", each one is a gift given right back to me, to everyone that has left me feedback, I am so thankful!

To my husband who has never pushed back one bit in this adventure. He has gotten up some Sunday mornings with only 3 hours sleep from an overnight job to help me setup at the Farmers Market. He has willingly gone to gem shows with me and watched me spend hundreds of dollars only to hear me say "I need to go to the bead store, I forgot something" the very next day! He initiated getting My Studio started and watches me dart across the front lawn to get more stones out of the mailbox never once complaining. (He does wish I would iron more often though!) For him I am eternally thankful! I love you Jeff.

For my parents in the lower portion of the state who, I think, always look at me in amazement wondering if I'll ever grow up. They have instilled in me the persistence and ethics that I use in all my actions each and every day. Thank you for everything you have done for me, I love you.


To the families in California and Canada that have treated me as one of their own from the first day I was introduced to this large extended family. Being a first generation child I do not have any extended family in this country. The size and amount of love in both the extended Boyce and Uristoe families will never cease to amaze me. To all of you thank you and I love each and everyone of you!
To my friends who seem to have the same question as my parents I say: Since we never had kids we never had to be the grown ups! I have always seemed to move around quite a bit and have scattered friends far and wide but you all know how I feel about you. We can pick up the phone or drop an e-mail anytime, after many months or years, and regroup in just minutes. To all of you I am forever thankful, you have all helped me be who I am, I love you too, really.

I wish you all the best of the holidays; friends, family and loyal patrons. May you all be surrounded by love and warmth and a wish for 2009 to bring us all a touch of prosperity and lots of laughter!