Happy Birthday to me!

I've had a very nice birthday. Last night after eating out we went to the zoo. I haven't been to a zoo in years. The local zoo had free admission on Saturday's after 5 this summer. I got some great photos of a number of amazing animals. You can see them all in my flicker zoo set. Today, my actual birthday I just lazed around, spent about an hour just floating in the pool. Bill made me a wonderful raspberry chocolate cheesecake. I just had a huge piece topped with real whipped cream and I am totally full and happy. Not an exciting birthday but I don't need exciting these days-just relaxing and happy.

Survivor Challenge on Bid 4 Bears

Another event on the Teddy Bear auction site Bid 4 Bears has me busy listing. The idea is to list as many Teddy and doll related items as you can each week. The one with the lowest number of listings each week is eliminated til there is only one. It lasts until Sept 13th so there should be lots of interesting bears, dolls and other related items to bid on. I have 3 things listed right now and I'm planning on listing Comet tonight. He is a nice size rough coated Jack Russel and I am listing him for a really good price. I will try to keep the links to the auctions on the right hand column current.
Also, Vivian, of Viv out on a whim, is have a blog anniversary give away of the cutest little pincushion. Just click on over and leave a comment. She is going to put the names in a hat and draw one out on Friday the 1st.

A rainy week then....

A beautiful day at the beach


It seems like forever since we have been. I even love the ride there. We have to drive through a wildlife refuge and there are tropical birds and even gators. You can even see the shuttle launch pads at Kennedy Space Center. There were yellow poles all up and down the beach. These mark the sea turtle nests so no one will disturb them.




Bill brought along the binoculars for some bikini watching.




All the rain came from what is now a tropical depression. It's out in the Atlantic and causing some waves for the surfers.


We didn't stay for long-it was really hot and we didn't want to become "crispy critters". I love going to the beach, even if it's only for a short while. I come home feeling energized. Now back to work making more Teddy Bears.

Something in my mailbox

I really love going to the mailbox these days. Everyday there are a least a couple of checks for the new business(customers paying on their accounts). Today there was a little box. When I looked at the return address I knew it was something I have been waiting for. I signed on for a mini swap that Vivian, of Viv out on a Whim, organized. I just love the little "Bee Bear" from my swap partner, Lori Ventimiglia.I sent her the little dog, "Trinka". This was my first swap and I'm really glad I joined in.

A couple of wonderful surprises!

I woke up to a couple of email surprises this morning. One of my bears was in an etsy treasury for the first time. She is in the company of other great bears. Take a peek!
The next email was a totally wonderful surprise. Today I am featured on the blog
The Handmade Department Store. It is for Central Florida artists, designers, and crafters. They have made my day!!!
Now, unfortunately, I have to work on quarterly returns for the IRS.

Thank you from Lemonade Bears Benefit

I received a wonderful little package yesterday! For the last couple of years I have participated in the Lemonade Bears Benefit Auction, hosted on Bid 4 Bears. The charity is Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which is fighting childhood cancer. Click here to learn more. Teddy Bear artists make a bear or critter to be auctioned. The package was a thank you for donating. It had some lemon candy, gourmet lemonade mix, and a beautiful engraved heart trinket box. To tell the truth, a thank you card would have been more than enough, so that more could go to the charity. To find out more about this years auction, which takes place Sept 19-21, click here
I will be posting photos of my creation for the auction in early Sept.

Chillin by the pool on the Fourth

We have been so busy with the new business today we just decided to chill. We slept in this morning. After breakfast and the newspaper it was pool time. It was a beautiful day for the pool and I just floated on my floatie and zoned out. Then a quick shower and a short nap. A quick t-storm came through and now it's time to barbeque the chicken. We are staying home tonight and might see some fireworks from here. Happy Fourth Everybody!