Auntie's Beads Blog – Beading & Jewelry Making

As our company has become smaller,  my job titles have increased.  Just like old times, “Order Fullfillment” is now in my job description.  I am not complaining,  we are really having alot of fun.  Some of the same people who filled orders all those years ago, have found themselves side by side with me in the fill room.  The radio is a must, playing oldies or classic rock.  As we dance, sing and play air guitar down the aisles of the fillroom, your order is being taken care of by truly happy people.    I also like to see familiar names on orders, customers who have trusted us  to give them our best and treat them like family.   As I pull your order,  I am thanking you and will always write a personal note at the top.  We really love our jobs and pray that you are as fortunate to love yours as well.

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads

I am always full of seemingly bright ideas.  Like last Tuesday, when I told Ron we should take a road trip to Tucson.  With the promise of a 12 hour drive from Mapquest, we cheerfully hit the road like 2 kids on a brand new adventure.  It’s not often Ron and I get away together.  With my mom at home, we have to make sure all bases are covered, particularly, a sitter.  With all this arranged, (a big thank you to Margie, my mother-in-law), we headed out towards New Mexico.  After 9 hours of driving through west Texas, we dropped anchor at Riudoso, NM for the night.  Well, Mapquest was a little off, the drive is more like 15 hours, but I would do it again.  Ron and I have had so much fun, and the beads we are bringing home will blow you away!  Prices were very good at Tucson this year, and our vendors were incredibly helpful in providing us with just what we wanted.  So, we will be home later today, and the treasures will start going on line by Thursday. I highly recommend road trips.  Maybe yours could be to Auntie’s Beads in Southlake, Texas!

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads

Today I choose to take my life back.   I will no longer turn my head to the CNN’s and Suzi Orman’s of doom and gloom.  There are positive stories, people, possibly even news-worthy events, taking place, being ignored, to the benefit of the negative.  I cannot change the television networks.  I cannot change world events.  But, I am not powerless.  Here is my plan:

Today I choose to focus on being thankful.

Today I choose to walk into my office with a smile and kind words.

Today I choose to go the extra mile for my co-workers, my family and you.

Today I choose to be a blessing.

God does not want us to be in turmoil, filled with worry.  What He does want for us is to be filled with peace, joy and LOVE.  That is how we will change the world.

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads

She put on the cream colored dress she had bought the day before at the Limited.  Standing in front of the mirror, she decided she looked o.k., even with no bouquet.  They were meeting at the church at 2:00 in the afternoon, along with the preacher and 2 crazy friends.  All the pews were empty as they walked into the sanctuary.  After the I-Do’s were said, he leaned down to kiss her.  He was so tall, standing at 6′3″, and she, at 5′5″ had decided to wear flats because they matched her dress.  Shaking the preachers hand, they quickly left to change clothes and head back to campus to register for spring term.

That was 28 years ago today, also a Monday.  There have been alot of bumps in the road, but Ron and I are stronger than ever.  We get asked alot about the longevity and strength of our marriage.  It  really comes down to one word:  commitment.  And I would do it all over again.

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads

It’s so hot , that yesterday I saw two trees fighting over a dog.  It’s so hot , the birds use pot holders to pull the worms out of the ground.  It’s so hot , hot water comes out of both taps.  O.k., I think you get the idea.  As Ron and I limped into our house after a workout, (yes, we worked out), we were greeted by a very unhappy daughter.  “It’s 85 degrees upstairs!”   Panting, Ron replied  confidently, “Oh, I just need to change the filter,  that’s all.”  After cooling off in the hot pool, the filters were made new and we waited.  After almost 2 hours, it was clear that the filter was not the culprit.  Our refrigerated air, the miracle of summer, was determined to keep the upstairs pushing 90 degrees.  The plan was that Courtney would sleep with me and Ron would take the sofa.  Fine with me, I sleep like a log.  Apparently, I snore like a log, also.  After being awkened multiple times for being too loud, I struggled for a good 5 hours of rest.  Sleeping with my daughter brought back memories of a little girl who tossed and turned and threw her limbs during the night.  Not much has changed.  So, at 4:30 a.m. I rise, deciding that work was better than being injured.     Who was the genius that gave us the gift of a.c.?  His name should be on the tip of our tongues!   Well, at 8 a.m., I will be on the phone, begging the repairman to darken my door as soon as possible.

Susie Henderson, Auntie’s Beads‘ Owner

Our regular “get-away” consists of an 8 hour (7 if I am driving) drive to the Ozark Mountains.  There, we have a small home built into the side of a clif, overlooking Crooked Creek, a mostly lazy, but full of fish, lovely creek. We escaped last weekend, partly on business, but mostly to be refreshed.  With lots of rain this spring,  our 14 acres was like a dense forest. The driveway, 1/2 mile in length, very, very steep, and very, very crooked, had lost alot of its gravel.  The weather was our friend, until Sunday night.  Storms rolled in, and, decided to park for about 8 hours.  Getting up early on Monday, still cloudy, I walked onto the patio to view my sweet creek now a raging river, complete with rapids and debris.   Being at least 20 feet up the side of the clif, no danger for us, but, still very ominous.  Bags packed, bathrooms cleaned, it was time for us to say good-bye and get back to work.  As I made my way upward around the 1st turn, a tree blocked my path.  Not terribly big, we got out of the car and managed to pull and push the obstacle just enough for my car to get by.  Again, we round the next curve, only to find a HUGE tree, uprooted, daring us to get by.  The only solution, a chain saw.  Our brave little chain saw was not much of a match for this Goliath.  But, after 5 and 1/2 hours, Ron managed to carve a small path, freeing us from our driveway.  The little town of Harrison, AR, was hard hit, as well.  Trees down all over town and flooding.  Our little drama short-lived, their drama much more severe.  My heart goes out to all who are experiencing the wrath of Mother Nature.  May your driveways be straight and clear.  

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads

As I was leaving WalGreens the other day, I couldn’t help but notice a man in shorts following very closely behind me.  As I walked to my car, he stayed step for step with me.  My heart beating faster and keys in hand, I opened my car door, threw my bag on the other seat and immediately locked my door.  I looked at the confused man, he is still standing right by my drivers seat door, looking through me, as if he doesn’t know where he is.  Deciding to drive away quickly, I get my key, ready to start the car.  Then, I was confused.  Something didn’t seem right, not everything was familiar.  And the key did not fit.  Reality set in.  I was in HIS car.  I looked to my right to see my car parked next to the one I was trying to steal.  I grabbed my bag, unlocked his car door manually, and stepped out.  Looking at the man, I said “You really should lock your car doors.”  Smiles coupled with relief shown on his face as he agreed and said “I thought I really lost my mind”.  To which I replied “No, I’m the crazy one in this senario.”  I was still apologizing as he sped away from this crazy woman.  Getting into my car, I could not stop laughing.  It must be the Texas heat.

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads

I love my backyard.  It is my oasis, lush and green with mature trees hiding the road behind.  A few weeks ago, Bubba, my 135 pound golden retreiver, discovered Momma Duck laid her precious eggs in the tall grass plant behind our pool.  So, wanting nature to take its course, we carefully patrolled the comings and goings of Bubba, who is very curious about the large eggs.  Sunday morning, I grabbed my favorite cup filled with my favorite beverage (coffee, of course), and headed for my oasis.  I opened the back door to see Momma Duck, followed by 8 babies and headed directly for my pool.  Momma Duck swam the length of the pool with the babies closely behind.  Back and forth in my blue swimming pool, the  baby ducks learned to swim.  Before the morning was over, Momma Duck gathered her precious ones together and headed for the creek.  Seeing nature in action is a miraculous sight.  I will never forget Momma Duck and her babies. 

Susie Henderson
Owner, Auntie’s Beads