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Where
to go? A day in the life... Friday, 8/18/06
Baby chickens in the house – 7 hatched, 6 eggs left in the incubator. Way too cute!
Thursday, 7/27/06 So you've been asking yourselves... what the heck? No site updates, no new journal pics, what's going on with Beth and Beeboo? I answer, life. Life is going on... Bee and Boo are midway through a busy Summer Camp season. No down time for these kids. They started at Gramma Camp, Gymnastic & Girl Scout Camps, moved on to the Ecotarium, Gramma Camp again (thanks Mom!), and are now at the Worcester Craft Center learning Metals & Ceramics. Funny that when I went to pick up the kids day 2 at the WCC camp I met up with my best bud from UMass, Themia, picking up her daughter so we'll be seeing each other on and off for a couple weeks after not catching up for a year. What fun! After WCC camp we move on to Auntie-B Camp (Thanks Auntie B and Happy Birthday!), JCC, and the Heifer Project Camp, then we go on vaca... phew, can't wait for vaca and camping at the Cape! James and I have been enjoying same-old-same-old of work-kids-work-kids-studio-baseball-studio-golf. We had a date last Saturday taking a full day exam for MA teachers certification. 4 hrs in the AM then again in the PM for general teacher cert and specialized (me Art, him History.) I think I failed miserably. I'm crossing fingers that James passed both sections. It would be fabulous if he could move from construction to teaching. Crossing fingers until Aug 25th! I received my annual rejection letter for participation in the Worcester Craft Center Fall Festival. Next year I think I'll revamp the photos and designs and enter in the Glass section rather than Jewelry. So hard to break into juried fairs when you're competing against a gazillion talented jewelry artists. This weekend we'll be selling Girl Scout cookie cookbooks at the Princeton Post Office from 9 AM til 12 Noon. Swing by and have a sample cookie! See you then :o) Beth Thursday, 7/6/06
Finally starting a long overdue update on the website. I've restocked the bead and pendant page and will be working on necklaces, bracelets, earrings next... Beth
Wednesday, 5/17/06 I took a quick pic of the framed necklace before delivering it to the Princeton Arts Society show. It's a bit busy. James thinks too much color. I used a mix of the semi-precious stone bought at the gem show over the weekend with one of my rose garden beads. What do you think?
Busy days this week. Every day up between 5:30 and 6 AM checking email, doing quick things in the studio before waking the kids, James, and leaving for work. This week after work I am and will be... making jewelry for UMass, delivering box of jewelry to UMass for restocking, framing the above necklace for display and delivering to Art Society, framing some Art Society prints for sale, preparing things for girl scouts meeting, holding girl scout meeting, preparing for girl scout camping trip this weekend while crossing fingers for good weather, making beads, cleaning beads, packaging beads for the bead stores, setting up time to meet with Diane at Tatnuck Bead (Hello Diane!) quality time with Bee and Boo, watching 24, House, and Lost most likely while beading or packaging beads, quality time with James (if he's lucky), and wishing my Mom a fabulous trip to France, Love you Mom! Saturday, 5/13/06 Nice rainy day in Massachusetts, rainy week actually. Bee finished up her final performance of School House Rock last night. Fabulous show, loved the music! Today is the wholesale bead show in Marlboro. Off to pick up some new pearls and stone. I have some special fused glass and lampwork set aside to make something special for next weekends Bloomin'Art show at the Princeton Center.
Back from be bead show. James is cooking tonight. I'm going to do a quick pick-up of the studio and play. I bought new coin pearls for knotted silk necklaces and drippy earrings, some pretty green kyanite and blue & pink chalcedony for the Bloomin'Art necklace. I'll post photos before it goes to the show. Psst... guilty pleasure in the Beeboo studio. I like sci-fi and plan on watching on of my all time favorites tonight while beading, who doesn't love TREMORS! Monday, 5/8/06 Monday after a busy weekend yet here I sit at home. A couple of years ago for my 40th birthday I got a root canal and capped tooth (aging very ungracefully!) This year the tooth became a problem again with a broken root. Ugh. 2K root canal, et al, tossed out the window. Today I began the process of receiving a dental implant. Not a fun thing. Currently I'm very whiney and in quite a bit of pain. I have lots of prescriptions for meds including pain killers but thought I'd get them filled when I take Bee to UMass Hospital for a Strep Test. Could my day be any more fun? On that note, Connecticut was quite fun and exciting last week. We began the trip (mom and I) by driving to You've Got to be Beading in Mystic, CT. Fabulous shop, by the way, a must see! The owner, Beth, was very gracious when we appeared 15 minutes late. She chose some pretty fused glass pendants and lampwork focals for the shop so Beeboo now has a Mystic connection. My Mom was in love with her knitting section and the sample felted purses. From there we went to the High School for my presentation to the Fashion Merchandising students. Bit of background here. My cousin Becky, Megan's mom, used to live in Mystic. My Uncle Burt say's it's been around 15 years or so since they've lived in Mystic. Now they live in Groton. My Christmas cards to the family have been mailed to Groton, the teacher for the class emailed me many times with the subject line "Visiting Groton".... so I get directions to the High School in Mystic. We went from the Bead store to the HS with plenty of time to spare. In to the front office to wait for Megan. Class starts at 9, by 9:10 we were getting twitchy. The office staff checks for Megan on the computer...hmmmm, no Megan Freeman? Is there another HS for Mystic? Yes! So we rush out the door and drive to the 2nd HS with Megan on the cell phone waiting by the front office doors. Phone conversation kept breaking up but we were doing ok. Plenty of time left to speak to class. Drive to second HS, rush into the office, no Megan at front doors, no Megan in the computer system. Megan on the phone saying where are you? Hmmm.... I'm at this other Mystic HS. Not in Mystic, Groton you say? Ack! OK... office staff sees me panic, gets someone in who knows directions to Groton HS. 1/2 hr away, I say something foul, they say maybe not 1/2 hr, maybe 20 min (just to get me out of their school I think). So we rush to the car, race to the HS and there's Megan at the front door (looking very cute in her Lacrosse uniform! Hi Megan!) Run into the HS and down the hall. No time to sign in. Race into classroom. Reach for lecture notes in pocketbook. Left pocketbook in car. Damn. So after an absolutely insane morning I give a 25 minute talk to the class (thanking God that the class runs for 1-1/2 hrs!) Felt like I was starring in "Briget Jones visits Mystic, CT". Hopefully the students got something out of it and if I missed anything that you'd like to know, give a shout. Looks like a fabulous and talented group of students with a wonderful teacher. Best of luck to you all and remember me when you're rich and famous! Tuesday, 4/27/06 Would you trust these kids?
Tomorrow is a big day. I leave Princeton at 5:45 AM to get to Mystic for 7:45 AM visit to the beadstore then on to the high school. I was together with my Mom and three sisters over the weekend and someone brought up the drive to CT. One sister looked me up and down and said, hmmm, it's a fashion merchandising class that you're speaking to, what'cha gonna wear? I actually hadn't thought about it. Old jeans and a t-shirt perhaps? I'll wear pretty beads to go with :o) Tuesday, 4/11/06 Latest Beeboo shopping news, the Beadin' Path in Freeport, ME has stocked up on Beeboo lampwork beads and fused glass pendants. I've sent some fused glass & flower pendants to the Petersham Craft Center in Petersham, MA. And, coming soon... Beeboo will be available at in Mystic, CT at You've Got to be Beading (after April 28th.) The drive to the beadstore in CT is combined with a visit to the local High School to chat with a fashion merchandising class (Hi Megan!) and lunch with my Aunt and Uncle. I'm bringing my Mom along for the ride. Should be a nice day with lot's of caffeine in the AM to get to the bead store by 7:45 and the school by 9:00, yikes. Thursday, 4/6/06 I love my daughter's doctors and the fact that I can email them with thoughts and concerns. They respond quickly and I feel like I have real connection to them and input into her health issues. Dr. Sagor has been fabulous with Bee and Boo from day 1, we are extremely lucky to have her for our pediatrician. And, she found Dr. Christy Stine for us when Phoebe needed a little extra Neurological care. Dr. Stine is equally as fabulous and attentive to our needs. Thanks to you both from Beth and Bee!
Monday, 4/3/06 Happy Birthday to sister's Lisa and Linda!!! And, words of wisdom for the day... never squeeze the coffee cup while opening the tab top facing yourself... Wednesday, 3/28/06 ALS donation update. I may begin targeting my donations to a Research Center specifically for ALS, check it out: www.packardcenter.org. I think that Dad would have approved of the Packard Center at John's Hopkins and I would like to think that in my lifetime research that I've supported will help to find a cure. Godspell was fabulous! Wil Darcangelo, the producer and one of the performing artists really did a wonderful job with the production, honoring Dad, raising awareness of ALS, and donating the proceeds to fight for a cure. Thanks Wil! Wednesday, 3/22/06
Forced to start anew... ALS-MA has dissolved it's "It Takes Three" campaign for grass roots fundraising so I've lost the "Celebrating the Life of Herb Maynard" Fund web page. Very sad as it seemed like a great way for people to keep in touch with my local fundraising and raise awareness of ALS. I'm in contact with the site designer to see if I can get copies of the content. Some lovely things were written and if I was to start up my own website for Dad it'd be nice to add some of the sentiment from the original page to a new blog. I'll be making a decision on what to do with future Beeboo donations in the next few days. The Godspell Concert is still on Sunday and money raised will go to ALS. I may go in the direction of ALS research with my donations... or perhaps split between ALS and The Herb Maynard Music Scholarship Fund at the WB High School. Both worthy causes. Keep tuned for more... Beth Thursday, 3/16/06
I've photographed some new things for the website and will be working tonight (after the infamous cake walk at school) on updating the beads page as well as adding a new necklace of "perfect pearls". Stay tuned for pretty things.... Beth Wednesday, 3/15/06
Tuesday, 3/14/06
Monday, 3/13/06
Hello from the Beeboo household. Lot's of things happening since the last update. We (Bee, Boo & I, with Gramma, Auntie Linda, and cousins Laura & Eliza) flew out to invade my sister Lisa's house in Seattle. We had a wonderful weeks visit with unbelievable SUNNY weather, cold but not rainy. Photo below is Bee & Boo monkeying around with auntie Lisa & cousin Kira at the great Woodland Park Zoo.
I'm back at work after a really productive weekend at the torch in the studio. I'm trying to build up stock of lampwork beads for my own designs or sales at bead shops. I made some fun flower beads following requests from Bee & Boo. We're struggling with some funky health issues. Working though something new with Bee and James' pain always seem so intense it's hard for me to complain at home about my little aches and pains so I'll whine here. I slack off every winter from shaving legs which drives James insane. He started dropping little hints: "Can I buy you new razor blades?" "Are those new socks? Oh, you're not wearing any...." So I finally take the hint and in the process manage to shave off half the skin on my right ankle. Ugh. It's unbelievably painful. I'm limping from the pain. 4 bandaids long. James thinks I'm being a bit of a wuss. Such is life. It's my party and I can whine if I want to. We had a wonderful Girl Scout Sunday with a Native Americal Prayer Ceremony. I really enjoyed it and may have to do a little research into my ancestry. We have connections on my Dad's side of the family. It would be fun for the kid's (and I) to know the details. Part of the ceremony involved drums and chanting and the sound was fabulous. Following a loose recipe supplied by "Red Loon" I made a compote of Peaches, Pears, cinnamon and nutmeg. Left overs were quite good for breakfast this morning with cottage cheese. Mmmmm.... All for now, as always, enjoy the day! Beth
Wednesday,
11/16/05 School & work on the schedule today then Gramma is coming over for the afternoon and dinner. I'm thinking about buying tickets for the Friday midday IMax showing of Harry Potter. It'd mean pulling the kids from school but how fun would that be! I've never seen a movie at an IMax theater and The Goblet of Fire would be perfect! It's my favorite book in the series. Tomorrow night is Girl Scouts and believe it or not we're making gingerbread cookie dough for our holiday baking. We have to have the cookies completed for Dec 10th delivery to the church. They share them with local families affected by AIDS. We'll freeze the dough, then roll, cut & bake on a weekend, and decorate at our next scheduled meeting on Dec 1. Time passes too quickly when you count out the days with GS meetings! And speaking of Dec 1. I've already picked up Bee & Boo's favorite chocolate advent calendars at Trader Joes. Last year I waited until just before the 1st of Dec and they were sold out, crushing blow! All for now, off to wake the troops... Enjoy the day! Beth Tuesday, 11/01/05
Monday, 10/31/05 Happy Halloween!
It's been ages since I've talked about life here in the Mellor household. We're back in full swing with school life with the kiddos... atleast 2 hours of homework every night, usually more. I hated homework when I was young and am not much happier with it now but we'll muddle through. Girl scouts have begun for the year. We had fun tie-dying our shirt uniforms at the first meeting. We'll be stylin'... We've added to our personal wild kingdom here in Princeton. Along with the cat, dogs, and chickens, we now have 2 betta fish - Dark Sunshine & Captain America, and 2 red-eared slider turtles - Serendipity & Skippy. I hit the ski swop at Wachusett Mtn over the weekend and bought the kids snowboards, boots, bindings, helmets, etc. and some new-used boots for myself to keep my feet toasty while I'm on the slopes with Bee & Boo. Actually looking forward to the snow season in NE this year. Mom and sister Sue will be covering the UMass Vendor fair for me next week on the 19th & 20th. I'll send out a Beeboo update with all the details on the weekend. All for now. Thanks for visiting and enjoy the day! Beth Wednesday,
9/28/05 Wednesday,
8/31/05 Tuesday,
8/12/05
And, check out all the new fused glass pendants! Tuesday,
8/2/05
Beautiful mermaid that Bee sculpted in the sand below.
You'd think the vacation with Gramma would be all sunshine and smiles but Boo had a panic attack at my leaving him for 4 days. I talked to Gramma (and the kids) last night and he's doing well after a fun day at the beach but I'll have to reassure him every day that if he wants to come home early I'll be there. Today they're off to the Aquarium at Woods Hole... my old stomping grounds. I worked at the Marine Biology Lab the Summer after college. What a fabulous place. I hope the kids love it as much as I did. Wednesday, 7/27/05
Tonight we meet Gramma to check out her new Kayak. What fun! Then off to Friendly's for dinner and an icecream, or maybe just an icecream for dinner.
Friday,
7/22/05 Thursday,
7/21/05 I've decided to simplify my life and will be working on the Princeton Outlook and any other freelance graphic design at my day job. Less money for me but the sense of freedom is priceless. Whew, now I can concentrate on Bee & Boo and Beeboo! Bee is off to GS overnight camp this week. This afternoon we're hitting the GS store for all the camp essentials. Mosquito net, mess kit, dunk bag, ahhhh the memories... Boo will be spending the week with the birds, Audubon summer camp right in town. Should be a nice quiet week although with Bee gone he'll be desperate for play dates... I hope to have a site update within the week. If you're not on my email list give a shout and I'll add you in! Thanks for visiting and enjoy the day. Beth Tuesday,
6/28/05
Life for me has become busy again... Last 2005 hurrah with the Girl Scouts over the past week. A cold rainy campout last weekend, cooking for and performing dinner theater (see Bee below in the feathered witches hat), planting and placing flags at the cemetary and marching in the rainy Memorial Day parade.
I'm popping over to UMass Medical this afternoon to update the bookstore display. Stop by tomorrow (if you're local) to see some pretty new things. Tomorrow is Spree Day at the school. I'll be working the basketball shoot-out then staying for clean-up, Mom's picking up the kids for an overnight at Gramma's. Saturday we're going to see Madagascar with Gramma and have a pizza lunch. Sunday is the Church Fair in town, love the yard sale bit! Also need to squeeze in some serious studio time this weekend... need to produce new lampwork and fused glass... need new jewelry to update the web... need to get back in the groove... need to move Magic out of my bead basket...
Mom planned an amazing afternoon Sunday at the West Boylston High School. Former students flew in from Florida and California to speak and honor Dad. My Uncle lead a wonderful service. All of Dad's musician friends and many old students participated. A kiltie band in the entrance way, combined jazz band auditorium, huge combined choir on the stage. Songs included "Walk Hand in Hand", sung at Mom and Dad's wedding, and "Count Your Blessings" which Dad used to end the band concerts he directed. A poem chosen by Mom for the service program: I'm Free Don't
grieve for me, for now I'm free. I
could not stay another day – If
my parting has left a void, Be
not burdened with times of sorrow. Perhaps
my time seems all too brief. Today the sun is shining. I've taken the day off from work to rest body and soul after such an intense and emotional weekend. I've opened some windows and am cleaning the house. I'll take some time this afternoon to buy myself a new paint scraper and attack the front porch, that would make Dad happy. Enjoy your day and thanks for thinking of me. Beth
Herb loved music and performing from childhood. As a youth, he played trumpet in church and in bands at his father’s side. He played in and conducted swing bands, community bands, and jazz bands, including the Tuxedo Classic, the Princeton Good Time, and Horse Mountain Jazz Bands. He was Director Emeritus of the Orange Community Band. He drummed with the Scots Highland Kiltie Band, and he sang with and directed many church and community choirs and choruses over his lifetime. He freely shared his love of music and laughter with all who knew him. Herb was physically active his whole life; he particularly enjoyed tennis, skiing, and biking. He had been interested in fitness from his teenage years and was dedicated to building and maintaining his healthy body. He shared that passion with his students, coaching tennis teams and organizing ski clubs throughout his teaching career. He enjoyed nature and exploring his surroundings wherever he lived, including Athol, West Boylston, Princeton, and Petersham. Herb leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Natalie; four daughters, Lisa Maynard of Seattle, WA, Linda Davis and her husband Byron of Holden, Beth Mellor and her husband James of Princeton, Susan Maynard and her husband Daniel Cate of Brooklyn, NY; six grandchildren, Eliza, Nicholas, and Laura Davis, Phoebe and Aleksander Mellor, and Kira Maynard; two sisters, Milly Sherman of Rochester, NY and Patti Crooks of Uncasville, CT; and many nieces and nephews. "Fare well, dear soul. Your grace and good humor will be carried in our hearts forever." The family will be receiving visitors from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, April 30 at the Maynard home in Athol. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, May 1 in the auditorium of West Boylston Middle/High School. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Herb Maynard Music Education Scholarship Fund, West Boylston School Dept., 125 Crescent Street, West Boylston, MA 01583. Tuesday,
4/19/05 Dad is continuing to drink some fluids but has stopped all food. He's very weak. His spirits seem to have been lifted a tiny bit by having family around. I appreciate all of your kinds thoughts. I'm taking things day by day, enjoying Dad's company while I can. The kids are handling Papa's end-of-life well. I take them with me for visits every few days. They decided to do an ALS fund drive in our neighborhood the other day and raised $120 for ALS-MA in honor of Papa. Such great kids and what a wonderful way to express their emotions. Thursday,
3/24/05 Monday,
3/21/05 Saturday Bee went to a birthday party and Boo and I went shopping. We bought him new sneaks and sandals for the Spring (wishful thinking...), Yu-gi-oh cards (imitation at the dollar store but Boo's thrilled!), a couple new books by Bruce Coville (Boo's Auntie Sher had given him "The Weeping Werewolf" for Christmas and he loved it!), and a new gamecube game on sale. I had owed him a mom-and-boo-shopping trip for a bit. We had fun. I made a couple necklaces in the studio and played with the new displays, they're very pretty and I'm very excited! Sunday I did quite a bit of cleaning around the house (believe it or not, I should take a picture quick while it's neat!) Boo had dueling playdates. Bee made a pet pillow prototype. She's decided she wants her own business and will set up with me at the next craft fair. At night we all relaxed to mentally prepare for the start of a new week.
Tuesday,
3/1/05 I've finished the bracelet and earrings up to send with the glass heart bead necklace for the to the Springing for a Cure fundraiser for the ALS Association in Florida. I'm finishing up the display tonight and it'll be ready to ship out tomorrow. Wish I could pack myself and the kiddos up in the box too! mmmmm.... warm Florida sunshine....
We've started our Saturday theater meetings with the Girl Scouts. Last weekend the small group of girls who showed painted 3 backdrops in 1.5 hours, amazing! They look beautiful. This weekend we're making masks and props... a giant goldfish, some scary trees, creatures, frogs, and witches. We've planned a tubing party at a local ski area, the disco dance is coming up, and an archery party, also need to schedule our dinner theater for the parents. Tonight Bee goes to a birthday sleepover so we're consoling Boo with a sleepover of his own, his best pal is coming to spend the night. Sunday I'm hoping for a nice visit with my parents but Dad hasn't been feeling well so we'll see... I'm having some studio withdrawal. I may try to fuse some this weekend. Been ages since I've done any lampwork. I've been working on some fun new jewelry for the web, need to finish up the designs, photograph, and update the web. I'll be doing the Bead Fiesta bead show in March so need to work on inventory. I also want to seperate out the bead page from the jewelry site and give it it's own identity with designer breaks and wholesale info for bead shops... too much to do, too little time... Bizarre chicken story of the week. Freckle, the big nasty rooster, attacked James the other night. He wrung Freckle's neck and left him out in the coop, not to upset Bee & Boo. Went out to deal the next morning and Freckle was up and about... chicken from hell... memories of Pet Cemetary... gave Freckle a bit of an attitude adjustment though. Stays away from James now, smart chicken! Sunday,
2/6/05
I just created a sale page for fused glass and lampwork beads to move along some one-of-a-kinds... check it out! Saturday,
2/5/05 Thursday,
2/3/05 I'll be at UMass tomorrow afternoon for a mini show in the bookstore, February 4th, 2-4PM. See you then! Beth Monday,
1/24/05
Thursday,
1/20/05 I'm working on a script for a girl scout play based on the children's book "princess smartypants" which should be fun. We're going to do mask making, paint backdrops, and make disco balls for the roller disco scene. tra la. Cub scouts are gearing up for the pine wood derby (such a guy thing) so James and Boo have been hard at work in the basement. Silver paint and some patriotic stickers make for a pretty flash car.
Friday,
1/7/05 We went ice skating a couple times at a local rink, Bee has begun snowboarding lessons and now Boo wants to try it too! I took the kids to see the Sponge Bob movie which they loved, waste of a ticket for me but it was fun to hear them belly laugh. We went to Higgins Armory. We went to the Mall. We tested out the new sleds from Santa. A very nice week all-in-all. I even kept the house picked up, the kitchen clean, made nice dinners, and folded all the laundry in the room from hell (atleast 14 loads piled up!) I told James that I was ready to leave the day job but he's not going for it. I guess being married to a bread-winner is more important than enjoying the company of a domestic goddess... This weekend we have a bottle and can drive to raise money for the tsunami victims with the girl scouts, a visit with Gramma and Papa, then ice skating with the cub scouts. I may try to squeeze in a little studio time but we'll see how time and energy flow. Have
a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Journal
Archives Bee's new favorite game. If we add a link from the site she gets 40 goat knee caps. Here 'tis... |
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Favorite
Summer things... the new water park at 
