KS is a gumdrop saint!

Woohoo, they arrived pretty darned quick, too! So glad I could help!

Can't wait for a taste of caramel. I've been carefully parcelling out the Flake's that DD brought back for me from her London trip. I still have 2 left.

Please tell Mike I love the latest beads!

KarenS

Flakes? Plain ol' Flakes? LOL. I'll put them on the list. Anything else?

And thanks, I'll tell Mike.

I forgot to thank you for the bead. I blame it on the cinnamon spice sugar rush of the gumdrops!

-Su

Su, What kind of gumdrops do you like? Flavor? Brand? Patti

That's sweet of you, Patti, but I'm now in gumdrop and orange slice overdose from Karen's kindness. They were good ol' Kroger brand! I haven't even seen a Kroger label for years much less gumdrops.

One of our fellow beady people is off to Bead Expo in a few weeks and wants me to make a list of things to buy, the problem is I don't always know what I miss if you know what I mean? Someone was talking about Dove Easter eggs and my brain went 'YES!' but they're a seasonal memory, and I adore Hershey Kisses of any kind, especially the Hugs but they weigh a ton and cost a fortune to ship. I can occasionally find Peanut Butter Cups here so that's ok, and the thing I really want can't be shipped.

I was at a craft fair and the people on the next table were from Kashmir, which made for an interesting day as the fair was dead so we spent a lot of time talking about living in a culture different from your own, and how you miss the simple things like your own language, clothing and music. People assume that being American and speaking 'english' means I just slot into the culture but it's far more foreign for me here than it is for the Kashmiris in many ways because of the expectations of everyone around me. I don't need a translator? Hah! I don't wear my 'native costume' and I don't hear my music or see my television shows. So if you can send me a slice of the Midwest, including fireflies, brats on the grill and Cheetos, that would be nice.

:-D

-Su (Officially Homesick)

Su, I've taken some long (for me anyway) trips to Europe - 3 weeks or so. I found I missed the music - this was before CD players. I remember once feeling a little depressed in London and going through the Underground and a group of buskers were playing "On Broadway". It made me so happy, I was almost crying. Now whenever I hear that song, I think about that time in London. When I was in France, I missed books in English until I found that great used bookstore, I think it's called Shakespeare's. When I was in Morocco, I was scared and missed my Dad. It was very strange to walk down the street in what would be considered conservative clothing over here and be stared at. Even though we were with a group, it was disconcerting. I can't imagine what its like now. They did have great mint tea though. I'm in the northeast, but I'll try to send you some cheetos when I get a chance. What is the thing you want that can't be shipped? Family? Patti

Hi, Patti,

I remember once going along the canal on my own when I passed some retired colonel-y looking guy in tweeds and hat taking his spaniels for a walk. Bear in mind you're at almost ground level standing on the boat and only about four to five foot away from the canal edge.

Me: Good morning! Him: *astonished look* Me: *smile* Him: Good LORD! You're an American! And a woman! Me: *anxious look at my chest* Yup! Him: And you're driving the boat!

It went on in that vein for a bit, he was disgruntled by my cultural background and independence. I thought it sad he'd never gotten over the fall of the Empire. The dogs enjoyed the mud.

Don't worry about the Cheetos, honest. Most of the things cost a fortune to ship, but the thought is much appreciated.

Family, now that's another matter. I just got off the phone with my daughter who is moving to San Diego at the end of May. Anyone out that way who might want to be a handy contact? She's interested in stained glass and could be swayed to the dark side of the force called lampwork.

-Su

oh dear. when I read "brats on the grill", I got a mental image of obnoxious children being brushed down with BBQ sauce.

-Amber.

Yes. And you thought it was something else?

We celebrate the memory of Robert Bloch when we grill our brats.

-Su (it's midnight and the gumdrops are kicking in! The rush, oh man, the rush!!!!)