November move over...here comes the end of the year...

I find it hard to believe that the end of the year is rapidly approaching.  How did this happen? I mean they tell you time speeds up when you get older but it's a bit ridiculous now -- which means I guess if I make it to my 80's years fly by like days? hours? crazy.

I was up early - loaded my car with all my stock (Raven thought they might want to re-stock the designs they already got in addition to the new ones they picked up).  Went to my office - dropped off my laptop, paid some parking tickets (damn them!), and skipped over to Raven to drop off their order and pick up our check.  Had a nice visit with Heidi, even though she didn't add to her order, we did have a good talk about how best to ask about restocking, etc.  and that will make things less stressful for the both of us.

Went to the bank, dropped off all the stuff Liza loaned me (thanks again!) dropped off the table the VHM borrowed from work for me along with his lunch (and some fruit so he doesn't get the scurvy).  Went back to the office picked up the laptop.  Went to the other bank.  Finally stopped for a few minutes - had breakfast out while I worked on some financial details. 

Don't worry there was french toast and bacon

Dad Report: after a leisurely breakfast, I ran back to the office and called the Popster. He was good.  He's still adjusting to the new phone and tones and whatnot with his hearing aides but the tones seem to be working well and he's learning what they mean.  We both didn't have a lot to share, he informed me my little sister was off to do some shopping with her mom - I think probably in Seattle.  Dad wasnt' sure of the details but relayed that it was happening a few times.   He was off for a walk after the call - so a little exercise anyway. 

At the last minute, I needed to pick up the guitar for boy-o's lesson.  I feel like I spent the whole morning running around in the car <<<< I hate this.

Went to work for the afternoon even though I was supposed to have off -- to accommodate my clerk's schedule.  I longed to go home, curl up on the couch and veg out.  I definitely need a little down time.

I'm hoping to drag the kids to the Festival of Trees, its a tradition for us - and they fight us each year... not sure we'll be successful but we'll give it a go...


I would also like to go to the Gingerbread Contest - and there's the Christmas Parade  -this weekend - which is unique as its all horse drawn carriages, and riders - usually it's freezing on the parade day - often storming.  It is supposed to get cold this weekend, but I don't think it will be snowy.  I like Christmas and I think its mainly two reasons: I like traditions/ritual and because I don't remember a lot of happy christmases as a kid, now that I can run my own... well, I like having happy ones.

Random Photo of the Day:


the girl, her brother Jasper, and her momma













We all went to Cabela's tonight.  I hate it.  But mainly cuz it's clear how there's a whole population of people who follow a lifestyle which is so different than mine -- and this highlights the division in my community, my state, my country and the world.  I judge them harshly as they judge me.  In a giant  store during Christmas season, which was not terribly busy - only one clerk had the nerve to talk to me and ask if I was finding what I needed.  We all felt like the store as a whole was rude to us - but we are not their kind and they are not ours.   The boy-o got a nice knife.

I best be doing a little contemplation on acceptance me thinks

Who needs em? Not Taterpickle Papers

All day I keep thinking it's Wednesday.  Not sure why, it's not like I am in a rush to have less days this week -- as there's plenty to do.  I think the whole Weds-Sunday off thing has thrown me..

Dad Report: Well I got through this time that was nice.  He seemed good, said that he spoke with his wife yesterday and that he was surprised by her call.  I reminded him to leave his hearing aids in, and while he was first a bit put off at me telling him to do so -- he acquiesced.  The new phone seemed ok, but the clarity of his voice was a bit off, not sure if its the new phone or the positioning or? In any case, we had a nice talk.  At one point, I was talking about the girl dating and we went from "singing?" to "skating?" to finally "seeing someone, you know dating" and then he got it. That was the only time he didn't seem to hear me.

Dad, HB, and the older brother

So tomorrow is my day off and of course that means I will be working 1/2 of it.  Dammit. I have to return borrowed tables and racks for the bizbaz debacle, and I have to make a card delivery.  That's right -- my meeting with Raven went very well and I sold a bunch of cards.  It really made me feel much better about the weekend and put me back in the right frame of mind.  I'm ready to take on some other forms of marketing, and bump up the Etsy attempts. 

Yay!, us.

Random Photo of the Day:

Love family on annual bike ride.  We skipped this year.















Tomorrow I also hope to spend a little time trying to do some writing.  I know I know. It's a pipe dream at this point I guess. My Wednesday's off are coming to a close.  Sad but true. 

Dinner: (I ate brussel sprouts for the first time ever and liked em) 

I'm baaaaaaaack.

I know you all have been on pins and needles...

Bizbaz, I think in summary, was -- disappointing.

Yes, that's the directory for the show - listing me as MEDLAMID.

 This is even more funny (?) because it was MeDiamid and I asked them to correct it at the potluck.

The planners didn't impress me further onsite when the rooms the artists were supposed to set up in weren't even cleared out from their typical usages.  No instruction to the people who were supposed to be helping other artists set up.  And no indicators in the rooms where the booths were supposed to be -- leaving "volunteers" to sort out any disagreements between artists on spaces; and allowing bitchy artists to exceed the boundaries of their assigned spaces.  And that's my bitch about Bizbaz. 

The girl and I both sold some stuff- and I realized that in a venue where people are looking for xmas gifts; cards are not going to be a big seller.  Everyone was very enthusiastic about the cards, lots of people talked about the beautiful photos; and the nice display (thank you VHM); said Z should be a professional artist, etc.  But they weren't laying down the cash in large amounts.   IF (and that's a big if) I did it again, I would need to do calendars; or blank books; or framed prints or something.

The girl's display was frickin' fantastic.  She should do set design... oh and she made the whole thing bearable.  I mean, if I hadn't had a bizbaz buddy I am pretty sure I wouldn't have come out alive...

She's admiring our cool led "lighted" candles; they smelled like vanilla

My highlight was the sale of one of Z's fetus cards -- a true thanksgiving miracle.  The card does speak to some people - I just need to find them...

Dad Report: there was a span of a few days when I couldn't reach Dad - I figured that it was due to holidays and him being at the house; but when Sunday rolled around and I still couldn't reach him I had to resort to reaching his nurse.  Sure enough his phone wasn't working and then was and then wasn't and then was again. Hopefully we got it sorted (according to his wife she has purchased a new phone) but again today I couldn't reach him - so maybe its not actually there yet? Sigh.  He had a good thanksgiving meal with the family; got an adjustment of his hearing aids; and in general was in good spirits on Sunday.

The next big thing:

Tues appt. at Raven to review new PIC*MIC Designs
Finish sales stats - get them to Z and my sister
Send money to Z and my sister
Get new cards up on Etsy (there was a lot of people asking if I was on etsy)
Finish letter to out of state retailers and send out to Bellingham and Alb this week!
Send letters to Merc and Phoenix thanking them for their consideration in January; send business card and magnet.
Try to show up at Wonder Fair - when they are open - if they are ever open.

Fears and Anxieties:  feeling pretty swell.  I have accomplished a lot and done a lot of things I really didn't see myself being able to do.  I need to remember what I have learned and not lose sight of what this project is about.

Random Photo of the Day:

I uploaded a few others after the first one - to give it better context.  Pretty sure that's cheating. 

And while this is a fairly short post. I think it's good to end with love growing.

P.S. Hugo's good.

Giving thanks. And the birth of HTML

that's the initials of my stepson H.T.M.L.  Funny, huh?

Having gone to bed quite late (3am), and the VHM having gone to bed even later... I was not terribly happy about receiving east-coast-born wishes for at Happy Thanksgiving before 8am.  WTF people?!  I bet the folks you sent that to on the west coast appreciated even more at 6am. 

Yes. Call me grumpy or a hater. I merely can't believe that people continually "forget" that there is a time zone difference. It's not like this is something new... right?


So up...coffee. Sat about.  Present time.

Opening the smaller presents

Playing the guitar greeting card with real strings

The VHM had his momma's guitar restored as a present to boy-o (after Mom generously passed it to boy-o).  But then also got him a sparklin' rockin new fireball too...

There was lots still to do for BizBaz - but first there was eggnog pancakes and eggs

The butter and egg were being really pretty

 There was an incident with a wire whisk.  It's amazing how far spread a spatter can go when you drop one of those... one of the places it went was all over my just put on clean black jeans. Whatever was I thinking?

I tried to reach my Dad today - it was a little later than normal, but I figure he must have been off at Thanksgiving.  I hope he ate a good meal and really enjoyed visiting with people.  I also tried to reach my sister and HB, forgetting they were on their way to go to my brother's place.  Shows how much I am in touch these days.  I miss my family - I long for a family reunion, in fact suggested Thanksgiving at my brother's but that was before we got into BizBaz.  This better be worth it.

So the girl did a dry run with her booth stuff, and I got a final approval on mine from my design consultant (the VHM).   Boxed, labeled, Final lists fulfilled.  

There was a little catch in the park by the boys.  It was after all a beautiful day out.

The kids were off to their mom's for Thanksgiving Dinner.  The VHM and I settled in for a little more work and sandwiches.  I did the required baking for BizBaz (to raise money for the musicians).  It was hard to make cookies and not eat them.

 I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to tomorrow.  I am not.  But I will go in with the best of attitudes, a snappy outfit, and a shit ton of very beautiful cards.  After that it's not really up to me - I will do my best to display a smile but it's not in my nature to have one plastered on my face, without reason.

Random Photo of the Day:

Cute.

For the record I am thankful for  many things but really these folks here in the photo, my Dad and siblings (along with niece/nephews), my girl Red, Paul K,  my little workin group of friends from the APP, and the wise voices from Tues who inspire me to be calmer, wiser, more joyful, and more loving are the things I know that really matter.  I thank Kali-Ma and the forces in the universe who keep us all safe, well, and blessed.

I am thankful.

It's beginning to look a lot like BIZBAZ

Sorry- I spent the time I usually blog last night- clear bagging 250 cards.

It was foggy, misty, rainy this morning with leaves "raining" from the trees....

This morning, I reinventoried all the cards and confirmed how many "extras" I had.  WHCC usually runs over the 25 you buy - - but it's inconsistent.  The extras sometimes also have extra envelopes but usually do not.  So I needed to get envelopes for them if I wanted to add them to the pool of cards to sell.

Finished up just in time to grab some food, stuff it down my gullet, before it was time to call the Poppa.

Dad Report: Dad had a nice visit from my little sister yesterday -- and apparently she put up a bunch of cards and photos up on his wardrobe -- this is great and he was really happy I could tell.  He relayed all the pictures he could - describing them in detail.  This lead him to describe other framed photos in his room (he has one of those multiple photo frames)  -- most of the people he could recognize; my brother and his family, his wife, my little brother and sister; my big sister and HB; but there were other people "a dark haired woman and a blond boy" (my 2nd brother's girl and his son) and "an oriental woman with me" and "a dark skinned couple" which I couldn't figure out based on his description.  He surmised the "oriental" woman was perhaps an Eskimo he met on a trip up north, as he was in heavy winter clothes and she was in a dress not minding the cold...(maaaaybe.)

He seemed sad/annoyed when I had to leave.  I hope he's got a full day tomorrow.

Aside from the flat tire stop... I went to:

The Post Office
My Office
Proprint
the Bank
Office Depot
Tuesday Morning
Hobby Lobby
Target
Bed Bath & Beyond
TJ Maxx
World Market
Kohls
Target
the VHM's office
Sunflower Bike Shop

I had a list of stuff to get - I didn't find what I was looking for at the places I thought I would find them, which forced me to go to other places. It was also hard not to get distracted with potential Christmas shopping but I managed to only purchase things for BIZBAZ and boy-o's birthday which is tomorrow.

Tonight it was more of the same - more enveloping and clear bagging; the girl was prepping hard all day and after a short break -- she was back at it tonight.  The VHM was already tired from a long day (I saw all those blueprints laid out all over his office) -- and now at 12:30 is still at it; building something to display the girl's photos. 

Ok folks - I can't be assured there will be posts on Friday and Saturday... I expect I wil be bizbazzed out.  Next - I must figure out my outfits.

Card Conflagration

well I guess if I can't remember this morning, things must have gone smoothly.  There was a little James Brown to get the morning started....

I did a little dancing while fixing the eggs.  The VHM coulda taken a video, I have mixed feelings that he didn't.

I stuck to my usual routine this morning hoping it would calm my head. Got to work on time/early; and was non-stop busy til it was time to call my Dad.  Never got a hold of him despite a hour's span of attempts.  Hope every thing is ok.

Long day - busy day.  Did hear from my friend Mr. Smith! It had to be that we conjured him up playing James Brown this morning.  It was nice talking with him again and made me really want to run away to Mpls. (though this is a trip best made in the spring). Anyway, hopefully he'll find his way here and then can see all the exciting times he's missing out on in Lawrence!

My friend's house is for sale - it's so amazing the amount of work she did - I knew this property just after she bought it and it was roooough!

http://www.cbburnet.com/property/details/1782514/MLS-4102870/1055-25Th-Avenue-Se-Minneapolis-MN-55414.aspx?SearchID=863133&RowNum=1&StateID=29&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Tonight left the VHM and boy-o to fend for themselves -- with the offerings of brussel sprouts, quinoa, and a steak at the ready.  Forced myself (with a little shove) from the VHM to go to Pilates. It was cold and I was achy, and I knew Pilates while it energizes my spirit makes me more achy. ACHE-Y.

 Bosco the Boston Terrier was there -- that was nice.
These are from last December.  But he's pretty much the same. Hard to photograph as he's most often in motion. Having a small dog run around and get in everyone's way while doing pilates makes the whole thing less hoitey toitey.

 

A run for more food (man we eat a lot)... and then home. Finally.  A big box waiting for me from WHCC! The next group of cards have arrived. After unpackaging, I clear-bagged some - and then had to stop to do a little arranging so that the VHM knew what he needed to do in order to raise up the slots for my cards.

So yah, right now they are all too deep and the cards hide in them but the VHM's gonna fix it all and make it pretty.  And I have a whole nother rack that is almost full.

TIRED.  Two work outs and a full day of work makes this girl TIRED. 

Random Photo of the Day:

One of my favs. So cute.

Rolling in the piles of cash...

well the morning started out good, hot coffee, tasty eggs (with a eggy surprise in the middle of it), a snuggly morning with the VHM.


Dad Report: Dad had a good visit yesterday with my sister and HB; he couldn't remember what they had done, said that he thought it centered on them going out to eat.  Later though he talked about HB cooking dinner for everyone -- so not sure if they also went out to lunch or if he was mis-remembering.  We talked about cooking a bit. His days cooking for the outdoor club, led him to being hired as a cook for a survey crew; and then again by the fishery (at which he had to demand to be paid a cook's wage when they had him start working as a cook after the original one walked out). He laughed at how so many people can't expand a recipe for a few to the many.  Asked how HB might have learned to cook so well; so we discussed mothers/sons and the departing of information.  My sister arrived and I asked her to talk /remind Dad what they had done yesterday, hopefully with a little repetition it will stick with him more than a moment.

I made a visit to MacKomics Studio today, owned by the kids' auntie L - to check out some racks/tables that I might borrow for BizBaz.  Came away with a car load of options - which was awesome! 

Random Photo of the Day:

Dad's getting a little more "blog" time...I guess.

Spent the rest of the day doing "regular" stuff - thought we were going to do a "dry run" and set up things so we could make some decisions about how we are doing displays and whatnot - but for some reason...that didn't happen.  My attempts to figure out stuff on my own - led me into a spat with the VHM  - which is never where I want to go - and yet I manage to lead myself there sometimes.  I hate it when I do. At least I feel like I de-fuse earlier than I used to.

Bah. Crappy way to end my day -- and hopefully next Sunday with all this behind us - we'll be rolling around in the piles of cash we made without a care in the world...

Craft Fairs give me a headache

It's official. *ow*

the bed this morning was perfect. Perfect temperature, perfect light...just perfect.  I so didn't want to get up. But there were many things to get done today...

the girl was out the door early-ish- meeting with another group to give them advice (at their request) on how to get a zine off the ground - there's will be specific to the topic of sex, with the hopes of offering pre-teens and teens information that they are missing in their inadequate health classes, etc.

The VHM and I had some coffee while we discussed the ever present -- looming -- bizbaz.  Hoping to deter me from once again ranting about not knowing how big the space was that we had to set up in; he suggested we go to the Arts Center and "pace it off."  

 I did call Dad before we left,

Dad Report: He seemed in good spirits - said it was a sunny day out.  We talked about the impending BizBaz - and that meant going over the Taterpickle Papers and cards again.  It was a bit shorter of a conversation, but my sister and HB would be there at noonish - so I didn't feel too bad over keeping the call short.

It was a glorious morning out --

We paced off the room in which our "booth" would be -- and realized that it was going to be very tight -- that we really did only get space for our table and room to stand behind it.  Boo.

We had to hurry back - the girl and her girl-buddy were off to the movies [the girl was being a very good friend to her girl-buddy and allowing her to drag her to the twilight movie, a movie that the girl was a bit mortified to be seen going to...].  The VHM was off to Home Depot to get materials for:

1. modifying the red rack for my cards and the girl's smaller screen prints
2. building some sort of "no space used" display of the girl's photo samples

The Red Rack - ooooooo!

I spent most of the day doing laundry and accounting for Taterpickle Papers - getting the numbers sorted for sales made and setting prices for BizBaz.  The VHM had the idea if I took a good inventory prior; and then after - I wouldn't have to keep track of individual sales...I will probably still try to keep track, but its a good idea. 

I can't tell you how pleased I am to see another Muppets Movie.  They are on SNL tonight. This also makes me happy. 

Random Photo of the Day:

My friend's boy - he's a pip.















Fears & Anxieties:  Apparently when I am stressed I like to cook.  I made some lists and usually that helps me -- but frankly it really just makes me queasy thinking about having to interact with all these people that will be at Bizbaz...it's not that I can't do it or won't do - or even that I won't be successful at it - merely that the act of it will make me crazy anxious.

Cookies help.

Bizbaz hell

Yah. Way too much keyboarding and decision making today.

Way too much.

Hobbs bought Z's cards today! Gotta do some accounting this weekend among 90 thousand other things.

This post is barely gonna be a post I am afraid.  Whole body is suffering. 

Dad's good.

Dinner - Chicken Piccata was good.

Night Night.

I think she's going to blow

so the plumbers were to be back this morning. so we scrambled for early showers.  The girl succumbed and took a shower in the basement "with the creepy spider-crickets." We cleared out the bathroom.
 I cleared out the "infernal recycling" from the back door area, and did some general pickup.

I spent way too much time figuring out an outfit. Don't laugh, it's becoming a real problem this "need to be cute" thing.  I had totally gotten over it and now I am trying to wear skirts -- which means better planning overall.

Managed to throw my exercises in there and finally finally get a package off to Red.  No plumbers had arrived at my departure to work. I was a little late for work.  Work was work with a bit of a scrambling to avoid plumbers (ironic, huh?).  At one point, I heard a lot of noise, a few scary exclamations and then a frantic yell of "I gotta turn that off before it explodes all over the place" and an even more frantic sound of footsteps pounding up/down the stairs.  At that point, I moved away from the area under the pipes in the ceiling -and moved to my clerk's desk for the remainder of the day.

Dad Report: So my missing two days of calls in a row (Sunday Monday) I know effected Tuesday's call, but seemingly it also effected today's call (or perhaps Dad had a bit of a TIA or something yesterday?).  He seemed fine today but unaware of our call yesterday.  He did recall having a lovely call with my sister last night and looks forward to their visit this weekend.  He was a little foggy when I started talking about the timelines of the holidays - and went back to weather, a conversation he seems comfortable with when he's unable to track things.

Hobbs will be purchasing 24 cards of Z's tomorrow - YAY effing YAY!   I am still stressing over BizBaz.  Not even sure what I need to do - waiting until the weeks over I guess.  I need to tackle getting the green room ready for the next wave of card preparation and overall prepping for BizBaz. 

Random Photo of the Day:


I take a lot of sailboat pictures when up in Victoria.  I imagine a different life for me and T (and the kids).








I know I haven't been very vested in this lately - I am a bit distracted and still fighting the seasonal change/ bluesiness I get around this time of year.

Some humor would probably help me.  Here's the first bedhead picture I have on my computer.  Makes me want to dye my hair again dark.