"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: 1738
Favorited:3
Registered: January 28, 2005 Location: Posts: 25783
Sun, May 22, 2011 @ 7:57 AM
Bev, I am so thrilled to see you in the dirt pile! You have definitely be around SCS for a long time helping out in many ways! Looking forward to seeing your creations! Enjoy the ride! Congratulations!
Registered: November 9, 2004 Location: Hampton Roads, VA Posts: 9413
Sun, May 22, 2011 @ 4:58 PM
OMGoodness Bev - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I've seen some of your work in the challenge galleries but just jumped over to check out your main gallery and of course, am in AWE of your amazing talent. Welcome to the Dirtpile - I cannot wait to see your wonderful designs in the Fan Club galleries over the next months. Enjoy your time as a Dirty Girl - you deserve it!!
Registered: September 12, 2006 Location: Claremore, OK Posts: 8616
Mon, May 23, 2011 @ 3:33 PM
Oh, Tex! You have no idea how happy it makes my heart to see you here on the Dirt Pile!!!!!!!!!!! This is so deserved and long overdue. And I'm THRILLED to now know a little of your backstory and claim you as an Okie!!! You have such a huge, welcoming spirit and are one of those people who immediately made SCS feel like a home to me. I'm so, so, so thrilled for you to be *officially* Dirty, and I can't wait to see what you'll come up with every month. I KNOW you're going to enjoy your time on the Dirt Pile. Big, huge, happy hugs, girlfriend!!!
Registered: April 22, 2005 Location: As close to water as possible.... Posts: 8230
Wed, Jun 01, 2011 @ 9:46 AM
I cannot believe I'm just now checking in and seeing this!!! You KNOW what I have to say....it's about D--- time!! You've always been one of my "dirty" girls!!! Congratulations and much, much love from me, Bev!!!
Registered: September 18, 2006 Location: SingStampShine, Florida Posts: 53481
Fri, Jun 03, 2011 @ 4:29 AM
Wheeee! I am so excited to see you here, my sweet friend! (Woulda been here earlier to say so but my fan club access was being goofy! Lydia fixed it for me just now!) I honestly thought you were dirty a long time ago, 'cause you are and always have been amazing!
Registered: September 12, 2007 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 61357
Sun, Jun 05, 2011 @ 5:36 PM
Oh how very wonderful to see your sweet smilin' face in the dirt pile. Congrats Grammy. for sure, you cards will bring a new level of expertise to this gallery. I'm elated for you. See we all love your cards otherwise you wouldnt be here.
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Art Neko and Prickley Pear DTs
Former DT Dolce Designs, Rubbernecker, StampItCrazy,
I Brake For Stamps
DO U KNOW?
BRAK members love to send SCSers cards on their birthdays? Come join us.
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there
is no path and leave a trail." ... Ralph Waldo Emerson
Registered: March 24, 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of TEXAS Posts: 15980
Wed, Jun 08, 2011 @ 9:29 AM
Looking at the sly grin and those sparkly eyes, I think that dirt pile better look out!! Love your work and congratulations on being a Dirty Girl!! From another TEXAS gal!!
------------------------------ Phyllis Young at heart, slightly older in other parts. We really never grow up, we just learn how to act in public!! What if you woke up today with only what you had thanked God for yesterday??