It's vest day!

or the friday before my birthday

oh my knee is chubby

So I have had a few drinks and this will be a fairly short post.

Dad report: Dad and I spoke at length about the difference between the phone system and pricing from the time he was growing up, the time I was growing up and the current time.  This was started as I was telling him about Skype - this because I was trying out Skype as an alternative to calling him using AT&T.  If the connection is good - and it was today - it will save me about 30-60 a month if I use Skype.

Anyway he was fascinated (or interested in anyway) to hear about all the new ways there are to make a phone call.

In 1932 Clyde Barrow, from the infamous “Bonnie and Clyde”, and his buddies Ralph Fults and Ray Hamilton checked into The Eldridge hotel, in downtown Lawrence, KS  and spent the remainder of the day observing the First National Bank at the corner of 8th and Massachusetts which is now Teller’s Restaurant. The following morning at 8:35am the bandits noticed the bank president stroll quietly up the street and let himself into the building. For nearly ten minutes he was alone inside. Eventually the other employees began to arrive. The next morning the same thing happened. Barrow, Fults and Hamilton knew what to do. “Let’s do it tomorrow,” said Barrow. Fults and Hamilton nodded in agreement. This led to Clyde Barrow’s FIRST bank robbery which took place in Lawrence, Kansas, and the beginning of the notorious Barrow Gang which included “Bonnie & Clyde”. In 1932 the estimated cash stolen from the bank was round $33,000. In today’s terms Barrow and his boys got away with around $544,000+

The BANK (now Tellers Restaurant

The Mayor (as Bank President

Clyde makes his getaway - VHM in the foreground with vest

Getaway Car

We watched the re-enactment and noted how many people were wearing vests...

Then we pigged out on sushi.

 The Sex in the City roll was so good we got another

 Then we went and watched some guy play with fire.


Then we drank coffee. Now we have all run off to our respective corners and are doing our favorite things. The VHM is asleep in his chair.

Tomorrow it's up for the flea market at 9am. I hope I find great junk.

Short skirts and gentle breezes

Thursday's have taken on a kinda -- oh sour taste.  Back to the regular job, gotta be cooped up inside - eh, the industrialized world made a few wrongs turns along the way here in the U.S. -- I mean look at Finland:

Finland

Vacation Days: 30 days (these are paid days)

Public Holidays: 10 days

Total Paid Time Off: 40 days

Apart from paid time off, the list or social benefits that Finns enjoy seems endless. According to Expat-Finland.com, they include:

- family allowance

- student financial aid

- maternity allowance

- sickness allowance

- cash benefits for parents

- reimbursement of medical expenses

- unemployment allowance

- child care subsidies

- disability allowance

- rehabilitation allowance

- general housing allowance

- private day-care and child home care allowance

- school transportation subsidy


I actually have it really good - so I shouldn't be whining. It's just FALL FEVER and I have it badly! 

  Well you can't see the leaves falling - but they did - somewhat -though it was like the tree new I was taking its picture - and stopped when I filmed compared to when I wasn't...


Dad Report: so I was late calling my Dad today - he said he was just back from his exercise class- the more he talked about the events at the beginning of the week the more confused he got - so at this point it is hard to know how many walks or exercise classes he has attended. 

oh he looks cranky here...Butchart Gardens 2010

It's odd how he complains about some things like having to sit in his wheelchair all day but come to find out that there is an easy chair "like you would find in your living room" in the room.  But it's at his desk he says, so it's not very accessible and he says even if it was in a better spot he's not sure he would sit in it often - but he couldn't really tell me why. 


I can't tell if it's part of his condition - this inability to reason out that this other option is exactly what he keeps asking for - but the option doesn't seem right to him -- somehow. Oh to be in his brain. 





The next big thing:

Work on logo, and “tag line”[the VHM is working on this - but so far, well, um...he's not getting too far]

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product

[I still need to do the three above but I skipped em for now in favor of getting the Etsy Store up and running - I can add to and tweek this in the future]

Remind girl to scan in Z's drawing

WRITE.

Make a list of stuff we'll need for the BizBaz show, start gathering [I guess we don't find out what space we have until November, which makes it harder to plan]

Draw up "call out" for other artists 
Call up Merc and make appt. to show cards.
Send email to MADE now that Etsy shop is up
Add back in cards which were purchased (yes our first ETSY sale was to my friend Sharon - does that count?)
Change watermarks on cards

I am hoping to go on an adventure this weekend - it's my birthday - and it would be nice to do something a little different for the "celebration."  the VHM and I were talking about how we haven't taken many family pictures lately and we think it's cuz that usually we would do that at "events" (sailing, trips to OK, road-trips, etc.) and that we haven't had a lot of them. 

So I'm contemplating a couple of things - one posting some of my actual writing (poems mainly) and two starting a section on "issues" - we'll sleep on it and see what Friday brings...


Random Photo of the day: 


oh look it's my seester.  jeez, she's hogging the random photo of the day! that's two in a row! 


Fears & Anxieties: Apparently there's something to this "doing" - taking action - etc. that reduces anxiety. Crazy this.  I managed to feed mine by stopping in at Raven to purchase a card (I know it seems funny this, but just cuz I am in the card business it's not like I will stop buying cards) - and couldn't see our cards up.  Once again must learn to breath and give her the benefit of the doubt.  oooo - maybe she's sold out already?


and on that - yah I can think positive if I put my mind to it - thought, I'll scoot...

mmmm that's some creamy goodness

So it's Wednesday! YAY!

Stupid stuff my Mom would say: "yes, it's Wednesday, all day unless it rains"

I had to start my day paying bills and balancing accounts; not my favorite thing.  It usually doesn't take that long but I had been lax last month so it took a better part of the morning.

Dad Report: Dad reported being extra tired and when I asked about it possibly being his long walk yesterday he told me that he didn't go on a long walk - just a laughable exercise class.  I let him know that he had reported in the morning during our call that his breakfast was interrupted by the aide taking him for a walk (he failed to remember this but slowly it came back to him)- and then I guess he ALSO went to an exercise class?

Chitchen Itza

really don't know for sure.  We had a good long talk - he told me about his space (room) - and all the things in it.  He said he has a picture of a cougar on the wall but "that it isn't what he would have chosen."  After a bit of inquiry, he conveyed he would like a picture of a sailing vessel - the old kind with multiple masts and full rigging.  So I'll be keeping an eye out...





The next big thing:

Work on logo, and “tag line”

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product

[I still need to do the three above but I skipped em for now in favor of getting the Etsy Store up and running - I can add to and tweek this in the future]

Scan Z's picture in [asked the girl to do it]

Remind girl to scan in Z's drawing

Solicit other pictures from Z [I guess the VHM had already done this and the originals are on the way from Z to us in the mail as of today!}

WRITE.

Get new pricing info/agreement to sister

Set up Etsy Store

Make a list of stuff we'll need for the BizBaz show, start gathering [I guess we don't find out what space we have until November, which makes it harder to plan]

Draw up "call out" for other artists 
Call up Merc and make appt. to show cards.  

so yah - we are live on the Etsy Store!  TATERPICKLE PAPERS ON ETSY

People already favorited our items!

Look there we are!2 down and 2 in from the left!

 I got mail today I LOVE MAIL! 


It was a message from my Mom (VHM's mom has fully adopted me cuz I'm lucky that way). 

I am quite sure I didn't get the message quite right as my version I had to add an "&" to it.  But I like the sentiment! 
















 
Random Photo of the Day:






Oh look - Dad is everywhere today! 
That's him and my sister a.k.a. PIC*MIC Designs...Dad is always happiest when she is around...

I tried my first attempt at Risotto tonight.  I used my red cast iron oven that Handy Hank gave me (he's married to my sister) for the first time.  


The Risotto probably coulda used a little more cookin time - but it wasn't too crunchy and it was really good/tasty - so I'll make it again at some point and do better (and add either salmon or grilled chicken/beef per my family). 


We just had it with asparagus. 




Fears and Anxieties: Doing really well here.  Steady as she goes...



Here's handsome boy-o - making a cameo - he's so dapper representing Precision Body Arts (hoodie). 

I have no title today

Sometimes you just don't have it.

I was up with the boy-o "playing Poppa" today - I got him off to school reading excerpts from National Geographic's article on teenage brains. 

Than accompanied the VHM to an appt. (he wasn't supposed to drive afterwards) - though they required him to be there an hour early; they were more than an hour late getting started. <<<<I hate shit like this.

LMH - First bank of Monitors July 2010

Had a moment of anxiety sitting next to my hunny, listening to monitor noises (heart, bp, etc.) - a little too fresh is our month long stay in ICU with Z last summer.









So the morning slipped away-- I read and facebooked; read some more; played some scrabble (I won against the computer!); etc.

YAWN. I know.

Dad report: Called him late, his morning was a bit jumbled.  He got a late start on his breakfast, then his aide came for a walk; when he returned they had taken his breakfast away.  So he was hungry and a bit annoyed; and looking forward to lunch.  He did mention that he felt like he was making real progress in his walking. 

We spoke about banalities - he seems to have lost Monday so told me "yesterday's news" which was actually Sunday's news.

Me and Pops on the beach in Victoria

I am foregoing posting "the next big thing" I don't think I did anything on the list - and tomorrow is Wednesday so I should be able to cross off a bunch of stuff.

Stupid Things My Mom Used to Say: "Hope Spring's Eternal"  New Feature!  I start this feature not to put Mom down (she had her problems) - but more cuz all this stuff rattles around in my head and maybe if I write it here it will lessen there?

Random Photo of the Day:

APP 2009 - Ed, I, and Tiana

Two of my very favorite people on the planet.  Truthfully.  The picture makes my legs look horribly large.

Fears and Anxieties: I could worry but I choose not to. 


I know kinda a lame ass post overall - I am tired. Apologies to my loyal readers...

Monday Monday so good to me...

So I went straight into Raven and ...

YAY! Our first order!

YAY! YAY! YAY!

Dad Report: He didn't get out yesterday which is too bad.  He described yesterday as "disappointing" - and I expect it was. I had a little fantasy tonight while driving (missed my stop because of it) that he lived here, and got taken to the senior citizen's center downtown every day and we got to have lunch together and on weekends he came over to the house.  Eh. Life is not perfect. And Dad made choices which cannot easily be undone. Anyways...we chatted and then I guess the guy who takes him for walks showed up so he got off the phone.  That is a good thing.

At Elayne's in Merida

The next big thing

 

Work on logo, and “tag line”

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product [found the camera - now need the cord]

WRITE.

Get new pricing info/agreement to sister

Make appt to show cards to MADE [I sorta did this one...I went in, spoke with one of the owners; he said I need to send them an email so he and his wife can review the products. Which seems a little weird, 'cause I could just bring them in. But I will do as requested]

Talk with Heidi [Monday]

Make a list of stuff we'll need for the BizBaz show, start gathering [I guess we don't find out what space we have until November, which makes it harder to plan]

Random Photo of the Day: 

 

 

Butchart Gardens - Victoria, B.C. (not sure which time)

 

 

 

 Fears & Anxieties: Feeling really good - worked out twice today - that helps.  Trying not to get bored at the regular job. 

 

So I have an idea - for something that would have to be produced; once I design it. I don't have ANY idea of the real process of doing something like that.  Research will need to ensue at some point. But I don't want to get distracted from existing projects.  Though I did do a little loooooking today at stuff. 

 

 So let's brighten things up a little - here's some more of the images from the cards: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and yes there was pie. 

we saved the last piece for the VHM who was indisposed.

 

 

Everything's up to date in KC

Well the only part of my day that went as planned is that I got up early and went to the grocery -- and hey, LOOK! it's pumpkin time!

 

Ok, not really quite yet. 

So, we were lounging as we get to do on Sunday morning --- I made some phone calls (Dad, Mom, Sister) - and made the VHM breakfast. We were enjoying GOOD coffee (finally.) and our eggs when we received a phone call...





Next thing I know - we are on our way to KC to assist Ms. L (a migraine came together with a craft fair - the most un-perfect storm)






Though tempted to take photos of the grey-ish looking Ms. L - only to document for the blog of course - I did not.   In summary - craft fairs are a lot of work. Hard work. Laborious. Family is good. We all need help sometimes. The luckiest of us - have people who can help. Yay Lucky Us!


Dad Report: I shared vast amounts of knowledge about OPERA's experiment and neutrino's going faster than the speed of light.  It was nice.  He got out yesterday (and hopefully later today) via his wife and had some steak for dinner.  He seemed good. Always does when he's had face to face interaction.

I have to say something about this photo. This was in San Diego.  Dad had gone down to visit my brother and his family.  I decided to surprise Dad and go out there at the same time.  No one told him I was coming.  I walked in when he was having dinner, and he looked at me and said "oh, hi Caitie" as if he had seen me a day ago and lived in SD. So non-surprised.






The next big thing:

Set up Etsy Store [Got watermarks on all the current photos - a big step]

Work on logo, and “tag line”

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product [found the camera - now need the cord]

WRITE.

Get new pricing info/agreement to sister

Set up Box.net account

Make appt to show cards to MADE

Talk with Heidi [Monday]

Make a list of stuff we'll need for the BizBaz show, start gathering

 

 

Fears & Anxieties: feeling good right now. Putting it all into perspective

 

 

Random Photo of the Day: 

Feb 2007 - Boy-o & the girl - so cute, so young

 

 and the evening ended with PIE (Apple caramel)

Dad made me cry

So first things first.  I apparently DID take photos (even shot a video) on Thursday  Friday and then failed to post them.  I guess I need to actually look at my photos and double check, before I decide I didn't take any.

So here's the girl and boy-o in action, on the way home on Thursday night.  They are like butterflies - hard to photograph as they are constantly moving...

And this was my attempt at showing how thrilling my job can be at times and how UNGODLY SLOW my semi-new color printer at work is...


Ok - so maybe my failure to recollect these was my brain doing a good job of editing...









This morning started with the weakest coffee ever made. I swear it. The girl tried, I know she did -- but something went horribly wrong.  It really has been a week of incredibly bad coffee (at home).

Dad Report: Dad told me right away that he was feeling extra fatigued and he didn't know why; he didn't feel like he had over-exerted himself in anyway or had any reason to feel this way - but he definitely reported he felt less pep.

We had an interesting talk - not really having any news - I shared the information I knew about the physicists in the U.K. sending a neutrino faster than the speed of light.  Dad had a lot of questions; and I, not really having read the WHOLE article nor really knowing much about physics... well I couldn't really expand on it much past the headline.  I promised him I would do some reading and bring the information back to him tomorrow.   He was really interested in the details, and it was one of those moments when I under estimated the amount of his brain that still does work.  I went on to the story about the satellite falling to earth - but he was a bit annoyed when I didn't have the result of its fall - so tomorrow we should have more to talk about.

At the end of the conversation - he told me that he was really appreciative of my loyalty for calling him everyday -and I said something like - well, you're my Dad.  And he said something to the effect of well he had a lot of other children and I blew them out of the water for calling and talking with him - that he was really impressed - and I told him well, I don't do it to impress you but I do hope it makes a difference. He said it did, and that he just wanted me to know how much he appreciated it. By this time I was a teary mess. So we said our goodbyes.

Dad Summer 2010

So against advice - I went back to Raven today. Heidi wasn't in and won't be there tomorrow either -- so I guess I wait until Monday and then go in and find out what is up. Maybe this is just how it is -- but because I don't know if that's it - it does make me a bit wacky.  I have resolved that no matter what happens on Monday to also make an appt. with MADE for Weds. (on Monday).

I should have done more today. But it was Sat. I made breakfast for everyone... see....
Breakfast bowls- YUM.

And I did some window shopping...cuz my birthday is coming up - I kinda liked this dress... its hard to find winter dresses which are also pretty.

And I read some (this book is fascinating so far) and had a caramel apple cider drink which was super tasty.

I took my notebook with me - but didn't write anything.  BOOOOOOO.


I am sure that tomorrow will be more productive. I'm gonna get up early and go to the grocery store - that should get me off to an early start, though sleeping in was very nice this morning.  I gotta figure out a good watermark for the photos from Pic-Mic Designs; then I can get them up on etsy.


Fears & Anxieties: It just seems like there's a lot going on and little time -- so little time.  We need to get to Oklahoma, and I need to get out to Victoria; and we want to go to New Mexico.  And the holidays are coming and both the kids' birthdays - so money will be gobbled up left and right.  Yah I could go down this road but I am going to short circuit this     right     now.

Random Photo of the Day:

First picture taken with digital camera - Z (April 2006)

SMACK, in the coffee!

I can't say I was totally pleased with today.  I mean really.  Still no call from Heidi.

Trying really hard not to make it personal, cuz I am sure it's not -- but since it's my first sale contact it is making me a bit... oh ... twitchy.

*twitch*

Dad Report: Dad and I talked a bit about Lawrence today - brought on by me telling him we walked downtown last night - and him wanting to know how far that was.  So he really just wanted an idea of how big Lawrence was -- and then that led me talking about moving from Albuquerque; and he wanted to know why I had moved to New Mexico "how it came to be" - and THAT led to me talking about my having been married - and THAT led to Dad asking me if my VHM had stolen me away from my husband.  When I told Dad that there had been 4 years or so between my ex and the VHM, he asked me if "I had taken time to sample other options before deciding on (VHM) him?"  oh Dad, you haven't really changed much, no matter your disabilities...  so we talked about relationships a bit and how VHM came to be in my life.

2009 Washington

Set up Etsy Store

Work on logo, and “tag line”

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product

WRITE.

Get new pricing info/agreement to sister

Set up Box.net account

Send check to BizBaz

Make appt to show cards to MADE

Talk with Heidi

 

Random Photo of the Day:  

2009 A beach just outside of Victoria, B.C.

I stayed in this area one of the times I went to see my Dad - it was the weirdest "bed and breakfast" situation EVER.  However, it was close to the beach, and I would walk down almost every morning before going to meet up with my Poppa.  As soon as I saw the playground, it was clear I had been at this beach as a small child.  Crazy how the memory works. 

Fears & Anxieties - it's clear my confidence is waning. I don't wait well. My mind can come with a million bad ways this can go. I am working on remaining calm. Reminding myself no decision has been made. Detaching from any decision that might be made. 

Tonight M & L came over - - to watch Fringe (and eat pizza, though we were all too hungry to politely wait until they got here).  It's always good to see them - though I note our little family is not terribly social even with people in our midst. We break off into little clumps, come together for broad conversations, then separate back into clumps. 

I need cookies. or PIE.

Patience is a virtue - right?

Today was an ok day.


I didn't get to speak with Heidi - I had another interview (better than previous but still not outstanding).


It was a "nuthin much happened day" -- I can do without those.


Dad Report: [I called the head O.T. today just prior to my call to my father - I asked her about adding exercise sessions to Dad's routine, she thinks he's probably doing more than he remembers, which I don't doubt.  But she said she would look into it - and I was somewhat comforted by the fact that she knew who Dad was and seemed to know what he was and wasn't up to.  She remarked that he seemed more willing to get involved and increasingly doing a bit better overall.]  Dad was pretty excited to hear that he might get more exercise; and said he really appreciated my efforts.  I've been lamenting a bit that Dad can't fully understand some of the projects I am doing, appreciate them for the efforts involved - etc. but he really comes through in his appreciation for what I do in his life.  By the end of today's conversation, he was all choked up about me calling him and how much he enjoyed talking with me.

I think I am going to start posting pics with his section. He's pretty easy on the eyes.

Merida, Yucatan Aug 2007

The next big thing: That's right didn't do a damned thing on my list. grrr.

Set up Etsy Store

Work on logo, and “tag line” [well I worked on it...but it's not highly revered]

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product

WRITE.

Get new pricing info/agreement to sister

Set up Box.net account

Send check to BizBaz

 

 

Random Photo of the Day: 

Feb 2008 APP Board Meeting - Harveyville, KS

Yes that's right. Body piercers given the proper environment and free time will voluntarily learn to spin. Yarn. Spin Yarn.  

I have to say that was probably one of my favorite settings to have a board meeting.  If you haven't checked out Harveyville Project- you should.  Here's a link for your convenience.  

 

http://harveyvilleproject.com/

 

Fears & Anxieties: so maybe Heidi wasn't available cuz she changed her mind. Showing my Writing. Need to make the leap -- but pretty sure I have no talent and it sucks. 

So... yah.  I guess my sister got the package and liked the cards.  That's probably the best news of the day so that's a pretty good place to stop.