Is This Really Necessary?

This is why I have to concentrate so hard while reading my homework.  I read this tonight and just shut the book and said....WHAT?

....dialectic was gradually transformed from a method of epistemic inquiry into an ontological framework and axiomatic, pragmatic social consideration.

Can't book-smart people write in english?

I am headed to Orlando tomorrow to spend the week with The Human PinBall.  She is going to put me to work.  Maybe I will sweat off a couple pounds.

Normal (not feeling very academic) Girl

Round Robin Bracelet Round 1

I got VA's bracelet for the first round.  I knew I was in for a treat when I opened the envelope and found her journal.  It was wrapped like a present!

It looked like this when I opened the wrapping.

The journal is for all of us to leave notes for VA and for her to tell us what her bracelet theme is.  Her journal is a lot more than that.  She has a definition for Round Robin.

And a definition for a beading round robin.

And her bracelet theme: circles and rounds in natural colors.  A theme of completion and strength.

VA started her bracelet with some charms of her own.  I made her a circle bead of blood red.  It will be fun to see what everyone else adds.

Normal Girl

Merry Christmas

I took a trip to Frankenmuth today and visited Bronners.   I am doing a project with Christmas ornaments and was looking for some inspiration.  Bronners is the largest Christmas store in the world.  It is huge.  I heard Christmas music from Karen Carpenter to Ethel Merman.  And sang along.  I spent a couple hours looking at Christmas ornaments, but, check out these Christmas trees!  Click on them to make them larger.

Basketball.  I love the hoop on the tree.

Candy

Sunflowers

How creative is this?  

And this>  Notice the feet with flip flops and the big sunglasses at the top.

And the Divine Design tree.  See the hard hat at the top and the yellow caution tape and metal measuring tape for garland, and the tools.

You have five months to design your own creative tree.  Wouldn't it be fun if you could afford to do something new and creative each year?

Normal (ho ho ho) Girl

Round Robin, the Beginning

The first round of the Round Robin charm bracelet is underway. If you missed the post that explained it, and you are interested, check it out.

We have all mailed our bracelets to the person on the list after us. The rules are to mail a charm bracelet with one charm on it, and a small notebook.

The first page in the notebook should tell the other artists the theme for the bracelet.  You can see my theme is dessert/sweets/ all things sugar.  I chose this theme because I am seeing pretty desserts as an emerging trend element.  So, when my bracelet is done, I will be right on the trend.  Each artist writes a little something in the notebook as she works on the bracelet.

Here is the bracelet I sent.  It is hard to tell due to my pathetic photography skills, but that is a lampwork cupcake bead that is attached.  

It will be fun to see what kind of themes and charms everyone else picks.  Stay tuned.

Normal Girl

Middle America

There is nothing better than middle America in the summertime.  This is the nicest little town.  Don't you love the tree lined streets?
There appears to be a large Amish community here.  Their farms look like postcards.  I don't know much about the Amish.  What I like about them is their sense of community and humility.  I don't know how much they intermix with the other town people.  I did see them in the grocery store last night, and I know they do business with other businesses in town.  I would like to find out more about how they worship and live.  

I don't think I have ever seen God on a license plate before.  I like that they pay Him tribute this way.  God's creation is so beautiful here, in the fields, the woods, the people and the towns.  Quietly beautiful.

Normal Girl

Slow Berne

Tomorrow morning, I am headed to Berne, Indiana, population 4150.  I hope I find this cow background to have my picture taken with.  Berne was settled by Swiss Menonnites and there is a large Amish population there.  It sounds very colorful and I hope I have some time to buy Swiss Cheese and look around.  Could be quaint and fun, stay tuned!

Normal Girl

Who is This Woman?

A.  Contestant on next Year's So You Think You Can Dance

B.  Arnold Schwarzenegger's sister

C.  Graduate of Charles Atlas, Are You a 90 Pound Weakling Program

D.  My Bodyguard

E.   Your average 47 year old National Fitness Competitor who beats girls half her age

Normal (P.S. It is not me!) Girl