"No! This can't be so!" I didn't know whether to breathe, or cry, or jump up & down! Wait ... surely just a dream. When I found my breath and my phone, I called Lydia ... ... and she answered, laughing out loud! She made me laugh, but my tears were literally leaping off my face ... I think Lydia could possibly hear them splashing on the phone. Silly little fact: I used to know exactly how many dirty girls I had met IRL, seriously! Summary? I am beyond honored to be here in the Dirt Pile. Oh .. my .. goodness! Thank you big bunches, Ms. Lydia!!
In real life, I'm Bev Gerard, a.k.a. TexasGrammy, wife, Mom, Mimi, friend, Tex. Every one of those `hats' defines a special part of me. I've been married over 36 years, and we're blessed with a son, a daughter, and 4 precious Grands. Hubby & I shared many dates with fishing poles and bait-in-hand before we married and began to raise our little family. I grew up in small-town Oklahoma, spending some of my favorite younger years on a farm. Even though I'm a "city girl" now, I try never to forget those sweet roots. In fact, many of my 28 hometown classmates & I still try to get together periodically for laughs and "catch-ups". They're like brothers & sisters to me in many ways. Sandwiched between early years and now, I've taught 1st Grade, Kindergarten, and Reading Recovery.
Creativity is something I've explored much of my life but I honestly consider myself to be a "dabbler". It started with mud pies baked carefully on a hot Oklahoma sidewalk, sewing, playing piano, cross-stitching, pouring & firing ceramics ... but I've never been able to draw. For those of us who cannot draw, it's rubber stamps to the rescue! My daughter, Jessica, is responsible for having introduced me to stamping. With curious eyes I watched as she trimmed her first SU stamp set, then began to play with her brand new olive & eggplant inks. Well, that's all it took. Consider me "sold"! Later, I named myself TexasGrammy when I joined SCS (again, found by my DD). At that time DH & I were still "in waiting" for our first little ones to arrive within a couple of months. Who knew the littles would choose to speak "Mimi" instead of "Grammy"!
Needless to say, this past month has been a true roller-coaster of emotion. I hope to feel a lot more comfy and settled soon, and I plan to totally savor every moment of this unexpected creative journey to the fullest. I owe many untold "thanks" to Lydia and my countless "mentors" a.k.a. teachers and sharing friends from right here at our treasured SCS!
~ Bev
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011 GMT Views: 1721
Favorited:3
Registered: January 11, 2010 Location: Miamisburg, OH Posts: 7227
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 1:52 PM
CONGRATULATIONS BEV!!! I am SOO not surprised!! I have MANY cards of yours in my favorites! You are a TRUE inspiration! I think it's just TOO cute how your grandchildren call you "Mimi." My daughter Layla called my mother, "Mimi" for about 4 years!! I loved it! I am so looking forward to viewing your cards here in the DD gallery! Congratulations again! You are so deserving of this honor!~
------------------------------ "Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known." � Oscar Wilde
My Blog: http://jennabeecrafts.blogspot.com/
Registered: December 7, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 2245
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 2:35 PM
You sneaky sneaky girl! You told me on the phone last night that you had been super busy. You never said why! Congratulations you "Dirty" girl! They couldn't have picked a better person for the honor!
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WooHoo! Whoopeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and so very happy for you my dear friend! I watch every month to see if you are going to be one of the next dirty girls! You deserve this honor so much! The team is lucky to have you!
Registered: November 22, 2006 Location: Aloha, OR Posts: 11889
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 3:23 PM
Oh Bev! Congrats and I am so thrilled for you to be here. You are an amazing talent and a wonderful happy presence here on SCS. Well deserved! Big hugs to you!